Sweet Emotion

Chapter 36

Once his smoke break was over, Steven stubbed out his cigarette, grinding it beneath the heel of his shoe until it was nothing but ashes. He watched the last wisps of smoke fade into the warm evening air before turning back towards the studio. His mind was racing, a mix of emotions swirling inside him - determination, fear, and a sense of emptiness that he hadn't been able to shake ever since Joe left the band.

As he walked down the dimly lit hallway, the familiar sounds of muffled conversation and the faint hum of instruments being tuned could be heard, getting louder. as he approached the rehearsal room. He stopped outside the door, his hand lingering over the handle as he wrestled with confliction. He didn't want to have the talk with the band, knowing that it would only add more fuel to the fire, but on the other hand, it might be the final push they needed.

Taking a deep breath, Steven pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The studio was full of activity, the band gathered around, finishing up their break. Joey was adjusting his drum kit, while Tom and Brad were engaging in light conversation as they tuned their instruments. Jimmy, as usual, was stood in the corner, playing a soft melody on his guitar, his face serene.

The atmosphere was light, but as soon as Steven entered, all eyes turned towards him. Conversation died down, replaced by an uneasy silence as they saw Steven's posture and the serious expression on his face. They all looked at each other in concern.

"Hey, guys," Steven called out, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. He took a moment to gather himself, "We need to talk. Now."

The band exchanged puzzled glances, their amusement fading as they noticed the intensity in Steven's eyes. One by one, they put down their instruments and gathered around him in a loose circle. The room, which had been buzzing with energy and a sense of carelessness was now heavy premonition.

Tom furrowed his brow, noticing Steven's bothered expression. "What's up, Steven? You look troubled. Is everything alright?"

Steven ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "No," he admitted.

The band members leaned in, their faces etched with concern. "Why? What's going on? If it's about the song-" Joey began, but Steven quickly cut him off with a shake of his head.

"No, it's not about the song. It's about the band... about where we're headed. And there's one thing I keep coming back to. One person, really." He paused, his eyes darting from one bandmate to the next, gauging their reactions. "I want Joe back in the band."

The room fell into a stunned silence. The shock was palpable, and the air crackled with the sudden shift in emotion - anger, disbelief, and a deep, unspoken longing. Steven shifted nervously, their reactions mirroring his own anguish that had been quietly stewing inside him for years.

Joey's jaw tightened as he stared at Steven, as though trying to decipher whether this was some sort of joke. "You're kidding, right? You're not seriously thinking about bringing Joe back, are you? Do you remember what happened before?" He folded his arms tightly, the idea of bringing back their old bandmate far from appealing to him.

Steven's shoulders slumped slightly, the memories of past conflicts flooding back. The late-night arguments, the drug-fueled brawls, the chaotic disintegration of their friendship.

"I remember," he replied, his voice laced with regret.

Brad crossed his arms, his face hardening. "Yeah, I'm with Joey on this. The fights, the drinking, all the drugs... It tore us apart last time, Steven. We barely survived."

Joey nodded in agreement. "Besides, what makes you think this time would be any different? Are you trying to kill the band? Getting Joe to come back isn't exactly the smartest idea."