Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3)(74)
He stood and grabbed a baseball cap from the overhead bin. “I’ll grab a shower later. I’m going to sweat as soon as I walk out that door.”
Nick nodded. “I’ll see you in there.”
He slapped Joe on the shoulder on his way by. “You are the man.”
Joe grunted which made Simon grin. They traded off between Joe and the new driver, Bobby. He knew Joe preferred to drive the baby bus. Mostly because he was in love with Pix, like an indulgent father with an impending grandbaby. The man was fiercely loyal to Jazz and to a lesser extent, Harper.
He hopped off the last stair and caught sight of Jamie and David from Brooklyn Dawn. “Hey guys.”
Jamison DuCaine pushed her jet black and red-streaked hair over her shoulder. “You’re up before noon. What’s wrong, forgot to go to bed?”
“I should ask the same. You were drinking me glass for glass of that California white last night, DuCaine.”
“Yeah, well it was a cool one hundred degrees on the bus. I couldn’t sleep.” She tugged her sunglasses down her nose. “Besides, wine is for pussies. May as well be drinking grape juice.”
Simon barked out a laugh. “Nice. It worked for me.”
Jamie put her shades back on. “That’s because you pickled your liver with vodka, man. You can’t hang with the big kids anymore.”
“I’m literally two years older than you.”
“I know, so old.”
Simon shook his head. “You are a cruel, cruel woman.”
“You have no idea, Pretty Boy.”
Simon sagged his shoulders. “I’m going to kill whoever told you that nickname.”
“You’d have to kill quite a few of your bandmates. They all call you that.”
“Bastards, all of you.” Simon called out to the group standing near the side entrance to the venue.
The two pregnant ladies just wiggled their butts at him.
“Nice.”
They were wearing matching denim overalls with tank tops, Harper in red and Jazz in screaming yellow. He hated to admit that they were adorable. As long as they weren’t in his bus they were adorable, anyway.
Simon climbed the stairs to the backstage area and paused when he saw Lila and Donovan both there. Well, that wasn’t good.
“What’s up, guys?” Simon asked as he met with the rest of the group.
“Where Nicholas?”
Really not good. Simon tipped back his hat. “He was getting dressed.”
Lila pulled out her phone and typed before slipping it back in her pocket. “All right. As soon as he gets here, we’re going to talk.”
“Is there something wrong?” Jazz wound her arm around Gray’s.
“The whole band should be here for this,” Lila said. She looked up at Donovan. “There’s a small room over there we can use.”
Jamie pushed her sunglasses onto her head as she walked by with a frown.
“Why do I feel like I’m going to the principal’s office?” Deacon asked.
Simon snorted. “Like you were ever in detention, St. Deacon.”
“That’s what you think.”
Simon’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, well. Looks like I might have to ply you with shots tonight, Big D.”
“Unlikely.”
Simon made a face at his back. He followed everyone in and sprawled in a folding chair.
Nick came in five minutes later with his wet blond hair slicked back. “Oh, shit,” he said and stared at Donovan. He sat down next to Simon. “What’s the suit doing here?” he whispered.
Simon shrugged.
Donovan nodded to Nick and dipped his hand into his pocket. “As you know the lawsuit with William—I’m sorry, Snake—has been a beastly bit of business. I know he used to be a mate, but at this point, we’ll have to cut off any talks with him.”
Nick shrank down in his chair.
Simon nudged him. “You haven’t.”
“He’s texted me a few times.”
“Christ, Nicky.”
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Mr. Crandall?”
Nick sat up. “Yes?”
“If this goes to trial, you’re on the list for the plaintiff.”
“I’m not great with the legal-speak, but did you just say I’m on Snake’s side?”
Donovan tapped his steepled fingers together. “No. But whatever they have to bring to court on this will hinge on your testimony.”
Nick stood. “I didn’t do anything.”
Lila held up a hand. “He’s not saying that. But whatever Snake has up his sleeve will have something to do with something you said.”
“That sure sounds like I did something.”
Donovan touched her arm. “I don’t like where this is going. I’m still convinced he doesn’t have enough to win, but a sob story and a tough jury in a civil suit don’t always go together. I think we should settle.”
“Fuck that.” Nick swiped his hand through the air. “I felt bad that we replaced him with Jazz, but last year we saw just how little he cared about the actual band. He wanted us to go back to the old days when we played clubs and partied, not the actual work that goes into this shit.”