All the way back to the hotel, I’m inwardly berating myself for letting this happen.
I should have acted as soon as I felt something was off.
But I know deep inside, it wouldn’t have made any difference.
We arrive at the penthouse, and everyone’s in the main living area. They all look up when we walk in.
“What’s going on?” Ryan asks.
Luke exhales as we sit on the couches next to them. Lunar quietly continues to hold my hand, offering support I can’t feel at the moment.
“Danger has a polyp on his vocal cord. Tonight’s concert is canceled, and so is the remainder of the tour until Danger’s better.”
“Holy shit!” Ryan blurts out, snapping his head to mine, his eyebrows pinching together. There is sympathy in his eyes, and I hate every single bit of it.
“Fucking hell! Just when we start to make it big, Danger goes and fucks us overagain. Well, I vote we get a replacement singer until he’s better and continue,” Nate suggests, immediately gaining everyone’s attention—especially mine.
“Nate, be real! People love Recoil for Danger’s voice. It’s unique, one of a kind. It can’t be replaced. He needs to rest his instrument, and once it’s fixed, we’ll pick it back up. How long will this take?” Ryan asks.
With a shrug, I look at Luke.
“Okay, here’s the plan. We go back to Australia. Danger has the surgery there and recovers while you three continue promo and interviews to keep the interest alive. The thing is, this could take anywhere from six weeks to six months. We just don’t know yet,” Luke offers.
“Six months?”Nate yells, standing up and running his fingers through his hair.
“Calm down, for fuck’s sake. That’s the worst-case scenario, yeah?” Matt asks.
“Yes. Worst case is six months. But you three can keep the buzz going while Danger recovers.”
“Great! Just fucking great! I should’ve known you would ruin this for us again. If not with Lunar, then some other way.” Nate storms out of the room, and I moan, sinking back into my chair, knowing he’s right.
Ryan’s gaze meets mine, and the guilt weighs heavily while I scrub at my tired face.
“Okay, we get back on a plane ASAP. Danger gets his surgery, and we go into damage control. We tell the fans about Danger’s operation, and that will generate sympathy. We release the album we had planned to halfway through the tour. We canbring that forward. We have a plan of action. All we can do is ride it out and see how fast Danger heals. But we need something in place for a six-month sideline,” Luke announces.
Ryan glances at me. “I’m sorry, bro. This is not your fault. Don’t go blaming yourself. Wewillbounce back, and the brothers and I will keep the hype up while you recover. This doesn’t have to be a big deal, Danger. So don’t make it one.”
I fake a smile as Lunar tightens her hand in mine.
“Right, so I’ll book flights back to Australia and schedule your surgery. Let’s get the ball rolling, and I’ll work on a press release.” Luke and Matt get up and walk away from the living area with reassuring nods.
I turn to Ryan and shake my head. “I’m so sorry.”
“Enough!What did I just say?” he scolds.
“I know, but we’re right there… right on the brink of something big. We all know the momentum will fade away.”
“No. It won’t. I won’t allow it,” Ryan asserts firmly, his eyes determined. “You know I rock the PR. Trust me. Recover. Let Lunar take care of you and let me run Recoil for a bit.”
“You’re the best, you know that?” I reply, a grateful smile pulls on my lips.
“That’s why I am your best friend, and the other guys play second fiddle,” he teases.
I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but for some reason, I think this is all going to turn out okay.
Chapter Thirty
DANGER
