“Usually being the operative word. If you had your usual detail this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I don’t need that when I’m home.”
“Yeah, well today says you’re a fool.”
I drew in a sharp breath. I deserved it, but it didn’t sting any less. I’d put Tate’s whole opening day in danger, and moreover we were lucky James and I hadn’t been hurt.
“I’ll tell James you called.” I hung up.
My phone vibrated while still in my hand. “Shit,” I muttered when I saw the readout. I hit accept. “Hey, Stevie.”
“Don’t hey Stevie me. Why did I have to find out about today on fucking TikTok?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Sorry. It was a shitshow. I’ve just been trying to calm down about it.”
“Ambrose4Life put together a goddamn bus trip from New Jersey for fuck’s sake.”
“What?”
It was one of my bigger fan accounts on social media. Stevie and I kept track of some of the more inventive ones. A lot of times they were great during tours, but for this?
“Yeah. You’ve barely been off tour for a month and they’re still batshit about your whereabouts.”
“Stevie,” I warned.
“Am I lying?”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my fans.”
“They can buy albums and merch—they don’t need to be in your business all the damn time.”
“I know.” I stacked my arms on the counter and laid my head on top. “I’m fine.”
“This time.”
“Look, I just got chewed out from Brooklyn Dawn’s security too.”
“It wasn’t just you. And the videos—God, have you seen them?”
“No. You know I don’t go looking for vids of myself.”
“Yeah, well make an exception. I gotta go clean up some of this mess. Can you just stay put for a while?”
“Yes. I won’t be going anywhere.”
“Good.” The line went dead. Not even a goodbye.
I sighed and opened TikTok. I didn’t even have to dig for videos. As soon as I opened the search bar I was trending.
That wasn’t good at all.
I scrolled for at least an hour, my stomach churning as video after video showed me and James in various states of distress. James, mostly looking like a feral cat with her claws and mouth.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I ran outside without my coat and immediately regretted it, but I was too angry with myself and the situation to go back. The whole opening crowd was gone. They should have been enjoying Tate’s Wonderland of Lights at this point. The whole village was dark.
I crossed my arms over my chest at the destruction. It looked as if they’d tried to clear most of it away.
Barrels were broken, the doors at a few of the sheds were off their hinges and leaning against the buildings, and even the benches were stacked along the path for repair.
