Page 12 of The Jaded Notes

His tone has leveled off, so I’ll take that as a sign he’s letting my tantrum slide. Cooper lounges back.

He places his foot on the coffee table and crosses the other over his ankle. “So, what’s the agenda for today? Cash is baked, so which one of us is taking the lead?”

Bren lifts his head and stares over at me. “Let Cash.”

Cooper’s eyes narrow on Bren. “Guns, the last time we let him take the reins while he was high, he changed the name of our album. You really want to go through something like that again?”

He shrugs with a hateful gleam cutting my way. “Maybe for once, Cash will make the right decision and not pull us into his destruction.”

Yeah, I was off on my assessment that he’s let me off the hook from my tirade. Whatever.

Internally, I flip him off and turn my focus to Cooper. “Why don’t you run the show, Cooper? You’re in the right headspace. I can’t say the same for Guns, and Hawke despises being the lead.”

“You boys having another lovers’ spat?” Cooper motions between Bren and me.

Neither of us says anything. The room falls into a tense hush.

Hawke pushes out of his chair and stands. “It’s all you, Coop. I’m not about to get involved. I’m only here because of my pretty face.”

Cooper rolls his eyes right as the host, Amanda, comes in and welcomes us. She takes us to the sound booth and gets us set up.

They have a couch that seats two of us with chairs on either side. Bren and I sit in those. Hawke and Cooper take the spotlight on the couch. It’s a nice change.

In the middle, a studio table with microphones and cameras faces us. She sits on the other side and gestures for usto put on our headphones. We all do and settle in for what should be an easy one-hour interview.

Amanda signals we’re recording and starts the interview.

“This is Amped Frequency: Backstage with Amanda Steele—Behind the chords, chaos, and charisma of rock… Amanda takes you where the noise gets real. Today we’re here with the members of the breakout rock sensation Mayhem. Welcome, guys.”

We all offer a quick wave or mumbled hello.

Amanda jumps right in. “I have so much I want to cover, but first I need to say how attractive you all are in person. From your physical appearance to your clothes, you’re all mouth-watering.”

We laugh while Guns tips his chin and flashes a lopsided grin. “Thanks, Amanda, but tell us who the best-looking one of us is.”

“Oh, no. I’m not getting caught in that trap.” She shakes her head, though her heated gaze stays right on Guns.

He smirks. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say it. We all know it’s me.”

“Well, you certainly dress well.” She motions to his outfit. “Is that a Livianna Grace Design original?”

“It is.” Bren runs his hands down his leather pants. “I wear quality, nothing less. And Livianna Grace Designs fits my style hard.”

Amanda addresses Cooper and Hawke. “How about you two? Are you wearing Livianna Grace Design originals?”

They both answer yes, and my pulse kicks into overdrive. Why the fuck is Amanda focused on clothes when this is a show about rock bands? She’s up to something.

I shift and drop my gaze to the floor.Do not ask me anything about Livianna.

“That only leaves you, Cash.”

I raise my head, trying to look composed even as my hands shake and my muscles tighten.

Amanda brings her mischievous, twinkling stare my way. “Are you sporting one of her designs?”

“No, Amanda.” I drag my teeth over my bottom lip. “I’m just wearing some jeans and a T-shirt.”

She doesn’t let up. “Why is that? Do you not like her clothes?”