Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3)(60)

Nodes.

Polyps.

Cysts.

Fuck.

He swiped a hand down his face. He downed the water that was always next to him these days. With a grunt, he rose off the floor and tucked his phone away.

He just needed that f*cking ginger shit that Margo mentioned. And to keep his goddamn mouth shut the rest of the time he wasn’t singing.

Vocal rest.

All the interviews he had to do didn’t help matters. That at least he could manage.

They had their first show in four days. He had to be ready. He slipped out of the bathroom and headed back to the kitchen that Harper had set up for the week.

“Harp?”

She looked up, her sunny blond hair in its typical braid. Was it him or did her hair seem even longer? Damn prenatal vitamins. He’d stolen Jazz’s gummy ones for a while until his hair had grown out to his shoulders in two months. He didn’t have time for that shit.

“Hi, Simon. Can I get you something?”

He looked at his feet, then jammed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “It’s kind of a weird request.”

“I’m the queen of weird.”

“Yeah you are. You married Deak.”

“Har-har.” She leaned against the counter and swiped at her brow with the back of her hand.

Jesus.

Simon’s gaze crashed into her belly. She was due in two months, but it looked more like two days. Gigantor baby in there.

She looked down and rubbed the top of her belly. “I know. It’s finally to the point that I couldn’t hide it even with a satellite view.”

He laughed. “Sure you don’t need to sit down?”

“I’m fine. Moving around is good for my circulation.”

“Right.”

“Weird request?”

“Yeah. Nick’s killing my throat with all this extra rehearsal. Margo mentioned steeping ginger in some hot water might help?”

“Huh. I wouldn’t have thought of that. I use root ginger so that’s no problem.”

“You do?”

“I sneak in the healthy stuff when you guys aren’t looking.” She shrugged. “I’ll do some research to see if I can make it taste a little better than just straight ginger. Because wow, awful.”

“Your ginger chicken tastes awesome.”

She smiled. “Well, thanks. But that’s a lot of brown sugar in there, pal.”

“Oh. Well, I’d appreciate it.” He rubbed his triceps. He’d overdone it on the workout that morning, trying to get his head in the game. Stupid resistance bands didn’t feel like they did much.

“Done.” She tipped her head. “Is it just voice strain?”

“Yeah. I can jam it up for hours with the guys, but that’s like once a week. Two days of five hours of singing—yeah, I’m just not used to it.”

“Okay. I’ll fix you right up.”

“Thanks, Harper.”

She flipped her braid over her shoulder and hefted a bowl. “Now shoo and tell everyone it’s time for lunch.”

“Want me to carry that?”

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid. Shoo.”

“Will do.”

He headed to the hallway that went up to the stage, but he didn’t need to inform anyone. The scent of Harper’s barbecue had brought everyone around.

Everyone was clustered around the warming trays on the two buffet tables from Harper’s truck. A cute little redhead was fussing with all the cutlery.

Well, shit. “Annie.”

She looked up. “Hey, Simon.” Her lips split into a wide, knowing grin.”

He’d hooked up with her last tour. A few times. He winced when Margo stood in front of her and looked between them.

“Chicken, please.”

Annie turned to her. “Sure. Just one?”

“Yes.”

Simon pointed to the end of the line. “I’ll just go get at the back of the horde.”

“You’re already here.” Margo pulled him toward the table and handed him a plate.

“Right.” The thought of the spicy pork that he so loved was enough to push him toward the milder chicken. He wondered if it was a bad idea to beg for ice cream.

Probably. Milk products never boded well for his voice. But man, it would probably feel good.

“Simon? No spicy pork? Are you all right?”

He laughed and wished the tickle would go the hell away. “Used too much Rooster on my eggs this morning.”

Annie shrugged and put two pieces of chicken on his plate. He moved down the line behind Margo, but didn’t say a word.

Vocal rest—thank you.

He sat with Nick and Margo moved on to sit with Lila. Before he could even pick up his fork, Nicky launched into his thoughts on “Lit” and making a bridge between “Ricochet” and “Monster” to make it one epic song.

Guess he didn’t have to worry about not talking.

Especially when Deacon sat next to Nick and they started squabbling over which guitar to use where. All Simon could focus on was that “Ricochet” and “Monster” were both lower register songs.

“They’d be perfect in the second hour.”

Nick pulled out the notebook that wasn’t ever far from his hand and scribbled in a note. The page had scratch outs and some sort of shorthand that only Nick understood. “Yeah. Good point. Some headbanging to revive the crowd in the middle.” Deacon and Nick put their heads together over the notebook.