Page 42 of Not the Punk

“Arson? Wow.”

“Joe. The roof was rigged to fall.” I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t see. “It’s past time the police or FBI or whatever pushed this forward. They need to look at your phone, find this guy, and see if there’s a connection…Joe?”

Breathe in…hold…breathe out…

“Yeah. You’re right. I agree. I’m coming out there right now.”

“No, you do your show. I’m fine. But I have extra time off now, so I’m definitely flying out to Jacksonville, and I can’t wait to see you.” I wanted him near me, needed him with me.

“Promise?”

“Yes. Of course. I’ll try and get there early so I can spend time with you before your show.”

“Okay, Daddy. I miss you.”

“I miss you too. Don’t go anywhere alone.”

“I won’t.”

“Good boy. Now, give the phone back to Don.”

He was going to talk about sending everything to the FBI, and that was fine. I felt like shit over everything. It very well could have had something to do with Trent. He had the motive for hurting Colten and probably the opportunity. Ultimately, Daddy Colten was right. We needed to bring the authorities in more. I got off the stage to look for Jinx and let him know.

Jinx was in the dressing room area and looked up when I came in. “Joe. I was looking for you. Come sit down.”

“What’s going on?”

“I just had some bad news and need to tell you. It’s Telly Newman. He passed away a few days ago, but I just found out. I knew you were good friends and would want to know.” He put his hand on my shoulder.

Everything was on me at once.

Colten was hurt. Telly was dead. Trent was loose and probably coming after both of us now.

Breathe in…hold…breathe out…

I asked how he died and Jinx answered, but I didn’t hear it. Nothing registered.

Breathe in…hold…breathe out…

I’d spent a lot of years entering contests and talent shows, playing for shit bands, but all of it got me to Jinx. And Telly was the person who encouraged me to do those things. “Find a place to play. Anyone who’ll listen,” he used to say. I’d been on the prior season of the contest show that Jinx judged, and we met backstage for the finale episode where some of us were asked back to play with the current contestants. It was fun for me, no more pressure, and if I’d played that well during my season, I might have actually won. In the end, I won anyway, because Jinx remembered me when he was setting this band up with Kay. The rest was history.

I owed everything to Telly. “Thanks, Jinx.”

Feeling numb, but not panicky anymore, I went back to my dressing room, where I was met by Brax. “I’m shadowing you more closely from here on out. Don’t go anywhere without me. Got it?” He had no idea how relieved I was to hear that.

“How ‘bout the bathroom?”

“Funny. But even the bathroom unless it’s inside the bus or your hotel room.”

I felt more relaxed with Brax there, so I stuck my tongue out at him. “Seriously, thanks.”

“It’s my job.”

“Still…thanks.” He was keeping me safe, and I was sincerely grateful.

I sat down and everything swirled in my head. The accident, my mentor, my ex, the bodyguard…I grabbed my notebook out of my bag and started jotting down words.

Safety, security, riding against the sun