“I don’t know how you’ve been friends with him for so long,” Kaj blurted after a brief silence. He’d never been a fan of Emil’s immeasurable vanity, but this turned his world upside down.
“He wasn’t like that when we were in school,” Xander deadpanned. “Or when we started the band.”
“People don’t change. Not that much.”
“I don’t know what you want me to tell you.”
“Nothing really.”
Silence nestled at their table for a couple more minutes while soft jazz overflowed every particle in the air.
Xander didn’t sound angry, more disappointed and sad. Kaj couldn’t blame him. He’d been the last one to join Artificial Suicide when their previous drummer left, but the band had been formed five years before that. They’d been together through thick and thin for fourteen years, and one of them had broken their trust in a horrible way.
“Can we change the topic?” Aksel said.
He was usually tactless and blunt, yet he couldn’t stand it when Xander got hurt. Even though they weren’t far apart in age, the bassist had taken Aksel under his wing when he was a teen, becoming the big brother and father figure he’d never had.
“Sure...” Kaj mumbled into his mug as guilt made its way down his throat. He hated that being on the verge of a meltdown since he’d heard the pernicious news made it impossible for him to control his temper. He wasn’t like this, not with them. Didn’t intend for his words to sound like an accusation. No one was responsible for what Emil had done except himself. “I have a question, though.”
“Hm?”
“Kinda related.”
“Go ahead.”
“Where did you find this newsuper awesomevocalist they were talking about in the meeting?” Kaj asked, unable to hide the bitterness in his tone.
Aksel snorted, seemingly more relaxed. “You didn’t check the group chat last weekend,” he all but stated.
“Not really.” Kaj shrugged. “I only pay attention when we need to schedule a meeting or shit about recording. You share way too much shit. It’s annoying.”
Aksel rolled his eyes. “I found him on YouTube.” Fumbling with his pocket, he took out his phone, and, after typing something in it, he handed it over. “Here.”
Kaj tightened his hand on the device as his heart stopped, rib cage feeling too small to contain his organs.
It was him.Noah Sørensen.
Like a bad omen about worlds colliding, the idea of breathing the same air as him again constricted Kaj’s lungs. Yet, he couldn’t stop looking at him.
Noah’s hair was in a messy curtain style. It was way shorter than Kaj remembered, as it used to reach his waist. Tattoos were now creeping up his neck, hardening his jawline. They also adorned his upper arms, hands, and fingers. But the energy searing out of him as he sang into his mic was what sent a shiver down Kaj’s spine. Thank fuck the video was muted.
“You think he’d fit in?” he asked, eyes glued to the screen as uneasiness ate at him one bite at a time.
“He’s not just a vocalist, but an actualmusician,” Xander said. “Plays guitar, some piano, composes, and produces, too. And from what I’ve seen, he’s pretty good at everything.”
The drummer quirked a brow. He didn’t doubt his bandmate’s judgment. Kaj and Noah had played together before. He’d proved to be a natural when it came to singing. The classes he took after they decided to play some small gigs honed his skills. If he’d continued practicing all these years, improvement was the only option. But it was weird listening to Xander praise someone like this—most had to workhardto get the smallest sign of approval.
“Skill is important, but attitude is even more important,” Kaj countered. “I’ll take a weaker player who’s willing and open to learn over any stronger one with a diva mentality. A shitty personality can be a pain in the ass when we’re on the road.”
“It’s not like you were my favorite person in the world at the beginning.” Xander shrugged with a grin painted across his face.
“Love you too, asshole.”
The bassist chuckled. “Seriously, though. I think he’d be a great asset.”
“If you say so…”
It was past midnight when Kaj made it to his apartment. Losing his balance as he took off his combat boots, he got to the couch and plonked down.
