Page 164 of Graves

Leslie’s passive-aggressive tone unsettles me even more.

“Stop taking this so personally,” Liam snaps. “We get it. You’re going to miss us.”

Leslie parks near the entrance but doesn’t get out. Instead, she grips the steering wheel and takes a deep breath.

“You’re right,” she finally admits. “I was just surprised! It seemed like no big deal to you guys, but…”

“It is a big deal for me,” I say when she trails off. “That’s exactly why I’d appreciate it if you supported me instead of throwing me to the sharks.”

Leslie turns around. Her expression falters like she’s holding back tears. “Ten years is a long time, even if you were gone for half of them. But you’re right. Let’s go.”

The press has already taken over the conference room. We meet Mike, Sam, Fox, and Douglas by the side entrance.

Everything moves fast.

Douglas opens the door and goes in first to tell the press we’re about to start. Leslie steps in front of me, smooths my damp hair, and squeezes my arms.

“You’ve got this.”

“Thanks, Les.”

I follow Mike, Sam, and Liam onto the podium.

My heart is pounding. Breathing feels difficult. I try to cling to one clear thought amid the storm in my head. The moment I sit down, I find calm. The thought of Koh loosens the tension in my chest and makes me feel like I’m doing the right thing.

Plus, the hangover has me completely wrecked. I’m just glad to be sitting again. I help myself to the water on the table. Leslie decides who gets to ask questions, and I’m grateful for that too.

“Is this really the end of Grave Sinner?” is the first question.

I let Mike take it. He answers diplomatically. “We had a lot of fun playing together again and we’re grateful for the opportunity the label gave us. But as things stand right now, we probably won’t continue. Whether this is the definitive end of Grave Sinner remains to be seen.”

“Aran! Do you plan to leave the music industry?”

I wipe a shaky hand over my mouth. “Um… I haven’t thought that far ahead yet,” I answer. “Music has always been part of my life, so… I don’t know. We’ll see.”

“Does the incident at the third show have anything to do with this?”

“No. It doesn’t.”

“What about the incident in the subway a few days ago?” a journalist asks. “The video shows you attacking a man. Witnesses say you stopped another man from jumping in front of a train.”

I open my mouth, then close it again. I have no answer.

“Are we talking about the mafia heir?” another reporter jumps in.

The room grows restless. Murmurs spread.

I sit there paralyzed, staring straight ahead. My thoughts are only with Koh.

What should I say? What’s the right answer? Will he forgive me if I fuck this up?

“Aran?” Liam leans toward me. “Only you can answer this one.”

“I know,” I say and clear my throat. “What the witnesses are claiming is nonsense,” I lie. “It was about something else. But… yes. That is the man. I guess it can’t be denied any longer. There’s nothing more to say about it.”

The reporters don’t let it go and keep pushing.

“All I’m asking is that my privacy be respected,” I say wearily. “That can’t be so hard. I was in prison six weeks ago. Just let me settle in, get my shit together, and enjoy my freedom. Thank you.”