He could hear Parker’s sigh. “I wish you were here. I’ve got no idea what I’m doing.”
I wish I was there too.He pushed aside the thought, or at least didn’t allow himself to go any further down that path. He couldn’t hold his own bad fortune against Parker, and in reality, Parker was doing him and the band a huge favour by stepping in on lead guitar for the duration of the US tour. “You’re doing fine.”
“How do you know?”
Harvey chuckled. “I’ve been talking to the guys and Nigel.” There was no way he was letting his little brother, a brother who had no experience with the rockstar lifestyle, apart from what he knew via Harvey, travel the world without keeping tabs on him.
Parker stopped in his tracks. “You’ve been checking up on me?”
“Not checking up, just making sure everything is okay. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me, for the band, and I want to make sure you’re all right.”
“Jesus, Harvey, I’m having a nervous breakdown.”
“You arenothaving a breakdown. A bit of nerves is natural—”
“This isn’t a bit, Harvey. I need to get up on stage tonight and I have no idea how I’m going to do it. I know I said I could do it, but I was speaking out of my arse. What was I thinking? I’m not you!”
“No, you’re not.” Harvey kept his voice calm, strong. “You’re you. And, Parker? I have full confidence in you. You know the songs, hell, you’ve mastered every single one of them. You just need to believe in yourself.”
“Rafe said pretty much the same thing.”
“And he’s right. Just focus on the music, not the audience. Just do it.”
“What if I stuff up, let you all down?”
Oh jeez.The poor guy. Harvey hated that he was under so much pressure and he was halfway across the world. Parker hadn’t enjoyed being on stage when they’d gigged all those years ago before the band obtained fame and fortune, despite him being an awesome guitarist. He had a true gift, just wasn’t cut out to be a performer, not like Harvey who fucking loved being on stage. What was better than a screaming audience worshipping at your feet? He glanced at Ravi.Nope. Not going there.
He focused back on Parker. “You won’t let us down,” he said, and proceeded to remind him of just how talented he was and reassure him that nothing terrible would happen up on stage. Even if the band was playing at one of the largest outdoor rock festivals in the world.
“Thanks for the advice, bro. Listen, I wanted to tell you something else.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s about Rafe. I’ve sort of being seeing him. Well, not really seeing him, like we’re not in a relationship or anything.”
“It’s okay, Parker.” Harvey chuckled. “I saw the photos of you two leaving the party back in Sydney. I sort of figured something might be going on. He’s a good guy. You could do a lot worse.”
“I’m not planning on having a relationship with him, Harvey.”
“Why not?”
“Two words. Rockstar. Me.”
It pissed Harvey off that Parker’s arsehole of an ex had done so much damage to a sweet kid like Parker, making him think he wasn’t good enough. “If I could get myself on a god-damned plane I’d be flying to London right now and wringing Stav’s elegant neck. He had no right to make you feel like shit about yourself.”
Parker didn’t respond, making Harvey look at the phone to check they hadn’t been cut off. “Parker? Are you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. I’m all right.”
“You’re more than all right. You’re fucking amazing. You just need to remember that.”
“Thanks, Harv.”
“No worries, little bro. Now go and knock ’em dead tonight, and have some fun while you’re at it.”
He ended the call and looked at his phone.
“You’re good with him.”
