“River is fine, however, understandably very busy with the band and managing press. Please do not attempt to contact him for the time being.”
Jem fishmouthed. Was River breaking up with him via his manager? “I… Amanda, I—”
A heavy sigh. “Jem.” Another pause. “I have no idea what you did or didn’t do, okay? You seem like a nice guy. But I don’t work for you. I work for River, and he’s hurting right now, so that’s my priority. I hope you understand.”
The call ended.
Cold washed down Jem’s esophagus. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but at least he had a place to start. He thumbed open a new tab and did a search for the latest news on the Flat Tires.
It didn’t take him long to find it.
The Flat Tires Guitarist Debuts Secret Solo TikTok Amid Rumors of Band Split
What We Know About the Flat Tires Breakup
Is River Wild Leaving the Flat Tires?
Fuck.
Jem stared at his phone screen, frozen.
And then, with shaking fingers, he tapped Ivy’s contact and hit Call.
“Ivy.” It hadn’t hit him yet, but he could feel it coming, the magnitude of what this meant.Do not attempt to contact him.He’s hurting right now.
Had Jem said something at the wedding? He didn’t remember talking about River his famous boyfriend, just River the guy who liked it when Jem got catty about people’s bad fashion choices.
Maybe he’d left his phone unlocked and someone had gone through it? Or broken into it somehow?
Either way—
“I think I fucked up.”
River, Amanda,Ward, Eric, and Ted spent three days in strategy sessions trying to mitigate the damage.
They couldn’t make a statement that the Flat Tires weren’t breaking up, but they didn’t want to give credence to the rumors either, that River wanted to leave to start a solo career or that Jem had driven a wedge between him and the band or—
Every time he thought about it, River had to stop and take a breath. Sometimes he pressed on his breastbone, like that might quell the ache within. It never did.
Worse, he often caught himself thinking things likeI wonder if Jem will make pulled-pork tacos this week, orJem would love those shoes, and he’d smile.
Until he remembered Jem had fucked him over, and then it hurt like salt in a wound.
Finally, Ted and Amanda came to the conclusion that the best thing to do was get the whole band back on a plane to New York, have them do one of the late-night talk shows, and put a real, candid, human face on the truth.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” River said for the hundredth time. Eric shouldn’t have to share his pain with the world.
Eric gave him a look like River was the one who was suffering, which sucked because River had been working hard to hide it. He’d felt so confident in his transition to life after the Flat Tires just a week ago. Now it was all up in the air. Or shattered in pieces on the floor. “Dude.”
God, not that tone of voice. He couldn’t do this to River now. They were supposed to be on Jimmy Fallon in ten minutes.
Something on River’s face must’ve communicateddon’t touch me, because if Eric hugged him, he’d cry, and then how the fuck was he supposed to perform his new song?
“We chose this together. We’re always going to be in it together.” He quirked a sad smile. “Even when we’re not in it together. You know?”
“Fuck off,” River said, shoving at his arm. “Where’s Ward? I need someone to tell me a fart joke.”
“I forgot why Fallon loves you,” Eric sighed, and then a beleaguered PA came to give their five-minute warning, and they had to harass Ward out of the bathroom.
