Page 41 of Dark Verse

We all agreed when we signed the contract that we wanted to stretch our abilities. We picked deep track music from our youth, and Octavia picked a boy band I absolutely discounted as real musicians when I was a teenager. But reading the lyrics as an adult, they hit with an intensity I wasn’t expecting.

“This is your last rehearsal in this space until opening night,” Danica says.

She gestures to the general disorder happening around us.

“Understood,” Zeke and I both say.

“What time you want us here Saturday?” Via asks.

“Call time is 3:00 pm for touring bands. As one of the house bands, you’re always welcome to come that early to meet them and make connections. Your call time will always be 5:00 pm.”

“Understood,” I say again.

I turn to face my best friends, watching them all for a moment. Cash stands and stretches out his limbs. He still hasn’t gained all the weight back that he lost during his time in the hospital. Zeke and Via both remove their straps from their shoulders, rolling their shoulders back. Taking a few steps forward, I stop in front of the drum set, looking between them.

“Can I say something to ya’ll?”

“Sure, cousin, what’s up?” Cash says.

Zeke and Via move closer to Cash and me, the space still loud. It takes me a moment to order my thoughts, but I can put everything I want to say into just a few words.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

Their expressions all shift into concern.

“You’re welcome, and what are you sorry for?” Via ventures.

“I think I just realized you have been handling me with kid gloves since I got here.”

“Knox…”

Zeke protests, but I hold my hand up.

“It’s true, don’t deny it. When we first started out, we all would have jumped on any one of us for being late even once. Five years ago we would have, collectively, chewed each other up if one of us was always late.”

Cash shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Zeke…Via…” I look between them, waiting for their confirmation.

She shrugs as well after a moment. “Maybe.”

I frown, realizing they are still doing it now.

“Octavia. Come on.”

Cash and Zeke are generally more laid back, but I know all too well that Via shares Raven’s worldview on tardiness.

“Fine, you’re right. But Knox…” She looks away from me, her expression pained.

“You’ve had a rough couple of years, man,” Cash finishes her idea.

“Which is why I am saying thank you. And I’m sorry. I’ve been distracted and unsure, and it made me forget this isn’t about me. This is about all of us. We’ve always been the Nightshades. My name in the band was always the addition.”

“Thanks for saying that,” Zeke says.

“And I mean it. I love ya’ll and I’m in this with you. 100 percent.”

They all nod to what I’m saying, their expressions of concern brightening into upbeat.