“You’re supposed to be on that stage in forty minutes,” Eddie said.
“Redo the set so it’s all female vocals and Danielle can carry you. You did it before last March when I had that head cold and couldn’t sing for three days.”
“You want Fading Daze to be a three-man band from now on? That it?”
Benji bristled under the vague threat. “What I want is for my decision to be respected. Someone I love very much is in a bad place, and I need to help him. The timing sucks, but I have to do this.”
Eddie glared. “Do what you gotta do, then, kid.”
He bit back the very real urge to tell Eddie to go fuck himself. Instead, he turned to face the wrath of his band mates. Only no one else seemed pissed off. Concerned and confused, maybe a little disappointed, but not mad. “I’m sorry, guys.”
“Go be with him,” Danielle said. “Let us know what’s going on.”
“Yeah, man.” Bobby clapped him on the shoulder. “Hope he’s okay.”
Benji blinked back grateful tears. “Thank you. Break a leg?”
After another round of apologies, Benji split for the back of the club, already calling up the Uber app so he could get to the airport. He used the emergency credit card his parents had given him to buy a one-way ticket to the Salisbury airport. The airfare was more expensive than flying into BWI or Philadelphia, but Salisbury put him a hell of a lot closer. Forty minute cab ride, versus two-and-a-half hours.
Joshua texted him frequent updates.
Got V dressed and in bed.
He drank some water. Sleeping now.
I’m going to lay down with him. See you soon.
V’s restless. I can’t sleep either. Love you.
When his tiny, deathtrap of an airplane finally set down in Maryland, he had a message from Danielle: Concert wentgreat, set turned out fine, Eddie’s calmed down. He texted back his thanks, then went about the fun task of getting a taxi at midnight.
He used the credit card again to pay for the incredibly high taxi fee; he’d pay his parents back for the expenses. All that mattered was getting up that flight of stairs and into the apartment that was starting to feel like home.
It shouldn’t have surprised him to find Melody, Adrian, and Lincoln all camped out in the living room, snacking on popcorn and playing Monopoly. Benji waved, but didn’t stop for proper greetings or hugs. He charged straight for the bedroom’s mostly shut door. A shaft of light from the living room was enough to make out two lumps on the bed, one curled tightly around the other.
Even asleep, Van looked tormented. His eyes were shut tight, his lips pinched. One hand was twisted in the sheet, while the other clutched at his chest. Joshua had an arm slung over him, his face pressed into the back of Van’s neck. Benji had missed this—seeing them together, in person. He hated the reason he was back.
Unsure what else to do, Benji shed his coat and shoes, and then slid into bed facing Van. He barely had enough space to wiggle in close without falling off. Van released the sheet, and even asleep, reached for Benji. Found his hand and held tight. A tiny bit of worry unfurled with the contact—enough to let Benji close his eyes and relax for a while.
He woke to hints of sunlight behind the bedroom curtain and Van’s head pillowed on his shoulder, still asleep but somehow less upset. The lines around his eyes and mouth had smoothed out; he almost looked peaceful. The other side of the bed was empty, but before Benji could wonder why, Joshua appeared in the doorway with a mug of coffee in his hand.
Van didn’t drink coffee, so Joshua had either brought his Keurig over from the other house, or he’d bought one for this place. The fragrant brew from his mug wafted over to Benji and helped wake him up more.
“When did you get in?” Joshua whispered.
“About one, I think.” Benji traced a finger across Van’s stubbled jaw. “Has he said anything else?”
“Nothing.”
“At least he’s warm and safe.”
Joshua nodded and sipped his coffee. “Finding him in the ocean like that, though? I don’t think I’ve ever been so freaked out.”
Benji hated leaving Van’s side, but Joshua’s broken tone urged him out of bed. He slung his arms around Joshua’s neck and hugged him, careful of the coffee. Joshua held him with one arm, his chin on Benji’s shoulder.
“How mad were they?” Joshua asked.
“Eddie was pissed. He practically threatened to kick me out of the band, but Danielle said the show still went great, so he calmed down. Everyone else was sympathetic, even Bobby.”
