Page 16 of Graves

“Cool!” My gaze shifts to Mike and Liam.

Liam lets Mike go first. The guitarist waves it off with his usual modesty.

“Not much. I joined my brother’s company.”

Right before the world tour, he’d taken out a loan to go full-time as a graphic designer.

“I’m really happy for you,” I say. Graphic design was always Mike’s thing. He created the Grave Sinner logo and all our album covers. He’s a real artist. If he hadn’t joined the band, he probably would’ve studied art.

My eyes land on Liam, who’s beaming at me as if I’ve risen from the dead. But there’s sadness there too. I wrap my old childhood friend into another hug.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” he whispers near my ear.

“How’ve you been?” I ask, letting go.

We talked on the phone sometimes, but time zones made it hard.

“Good,” he says. “I’ve got three drummers teaching at my School of Drums now.”

I clap him on the shoulder. I’m proud of him—and so damn grateful. He probably suffered with me the most. He stuck by me when family and friends turned their backs. He was always there. I’ll owe him for the rest of my life.

“Is he here?” I hear a voice from the hallway and turn. “And it really is him!” Leslie comes in with a coffee cup. “Holy shit!” She looks for somewhere to set it down, shoves it at Fox, and runs toward me on her heels. “Aran,” she says, relieved, hugging me tightly. “It’s great to have you back.”

I notice her name on the open door. “You’re not Smith anymore?”

“Masterson, darling,” she grins, flashing her wedding ring. “Two years now.”

“And a new hair color too?”

“Fuck, man! I’m getting old!” She fixes her hair. “Had to get a balayage to hide the first grays.”

“You’re not that old.”

“I’m pushing forty! Forgot already? My mom went gray at thirty!”

“You look good,” I say honestly.

Leslie pauses and studies me too. Then she brushes her thumb over my cheek and smiles. “So do you, Aran.”

I have no idea if she’s just being polite. I still feel like I’ve been run over, and the headache hasn’t eased up.

“All right, boys!” she says. “I just came from upstairs and I’m happy to tell you there’s a lot of work to do.”

Fox slips out quietly with a wink. I sit down beside Liam, who saved me a spot on the couch.

“Glad you’re finally here,” he says, squeezing my thigh.

Leslie grabs a notepad, and leans against the heavy wooden furniture.

“So,” she says, tossing her light curls over her shoulder. Her black slacks and dark blue blazer give her a sharp edge. “Like I already told you guys,”—she glances at my bandmates—“there are still five contracted shows left.”

I frown, confused. I’d wondered why I even had to come in today, but I never thought the label would enforce the old contract.

“I thought…” I trail off because I don’t even know what I want to say.

“I’m sorry, Aran,” Leslie says gently. “I know you want to settle in and get your life together first—but from a business standpoint, this is the perfect time to show the world Grave Sinner is back.”

She grabs some cards from her notepad and hands one to each of us.