“Shut that hole in your face.”
Once again, Mads cackled. “I won’t ask more about it. But, dude, you gotta admit fate is so funny.”
“Yeah, so fucking much. Can we change the topic?”
“What do you wanna talk about, then?”
“You’re the one who wanted to talk. I just wanna eat.” Kaj unlocked the screen of his phone. “Fried chicken?”
“Whatever you want, sweet cheeks.”
Seven
Kaj’spenthouseapartmentbuzzedwith excitement as the band, crew, close friends, and family celebrated the successful acceptance of Artificial Suicide’s new vocalist.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights across the river twinkled like stars, matching the euphoric mood inside. Non-alcoholic beer and soda flowed freely, the air filled with laughter, soft metal music in the background, animated chatter, and the smell of pizza as they opened the boxes that had just arrived.
To say they all had been holding their breath during the last few months, worried about what would happen after the accusations against Emil became public knowledge, was an understatement. Whenever the new direction they wanted to take was brought up, one or the other would voice their concerns, but nobody delved too deep into the matter. The reality of it irreversibly hurting their reputation and everything they had worked for over the past fourteen years was like an elephant in a china shop. Clumsy. Loud. Disastrous.
Was Kaj happy with their decision to bring Noah into his life again? In case it wasn’t clear yet, no. He wasn’t happy at all. That they were hanging out at his apartment and Noah was the main event was only because they always had small kick-off parties here.
However, Kaj had to admit that Noah had demonstrated he was a lot more than an amazing vocalist. He was also an incredible creative and charismatic business partner. The camera loved him, and so did their fans.
Their social media manager had started posting teasers of the live session as soon as Val was done editing the video. People were soon foaming at the mouth with it, and when it was posted three week later, it blew up. There had been some nasty comments, as expected, but most of their audience was supportive of their decision to kick Emil out of the band. That Noah was such a beast had definitely helped.
“Fuck! That riff… I’ve listened to this song a million times, and it never gets old,” Frederik, their guitar tech, praised while the video played on the massive TV Kaj had in his living room. “So damn good.” He let out a moan, feigning a shiver as he gnawed at his bottom lip.
Kaj chuckled, shaking his head as he took a bite of his pepperoni pizza slice. The team was formed of people between their thirties and fifties, yet when they gathered all together, even without alcohol running through their veins, they were a walking comedy. Seriously, their kids—those adorable miniature monsters—high on sugar were better mannered than them. The proof was right there, in Kaj’s cinema-gaming room, where all the kiddos between six and eleven were watching Pixar movies on a loop—the few in their teens said their parents embarrassed them and rarely came to these parties.Fair.
“But wait, wait…” Markus, the bass tech, chimed in as the interlude faded and they kicked off the beat again. “Fuuuck!” When Noah’s roar blasted through the speakers, he let himself fall on the couch. “Sørensen, you beautiful vocal powerhouse, this tour is going to be amazeballs!” He gulped down his drink.
Val, who was sitting on one of the stools around the kitchen island, raised his non-alcoholic beer in a toast, and everyone else mimicked him. “To Noah!”
“For saving our asses from what could have been a PR nightmare,” Xander added with a huge smile painted across his face.
“And to that one million views!” Niels said.
“Hear, hear!” Aksel cheered, clinking a knife against his beer bottle and gesturing toward Noah.
The vocalist ducked his head modestly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. Noah was now the frontman of one of the most prominent extreme metal bands of the moment. Kaj had no doubts he’d leave mouths hanging open when they’d get on stage, but apparently, he still hated talking in public.
“I don’t know what to say other than thankyou,” Noah started. “Thank you for trusting me. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be part of this.”
“You deserve it.” Xander patted his shoulder and hugged him to his side.
“You fucking killed it,” Aksel said. “Look at that end.” He pointed at the TV just as the outro hit. “Insane!”
The group cheered and whistled, clinking glasses and bottles. They were ready for this new era.
The bustle slowly eased into relaxed conversations as the big, chosen family that they were started fluttering around the open space in smaller groups, laughing with some of the kids as they came looking for more pizza, talking, and simply enjoying the moment. Everyone looked happy, satisfied with the extra effort they’d all put in during the last few months to keep this boat floating. One of the scariest parts of the storm had finally passed.
Niels approached the kitchen island with Noah, reminding him how from now on he should be careful about what he posted online. “You should also make sure there are no family pictures or tags that can lead to them.”
“Already did that.”
“Good. I swear, some people are nutcases and will try to dig up dirt from anywhere.”
“I can’t think of a reason anyone would go that crazy over my persona, but better safe than sorry, yeah.”
