Spin

Thirty-Four

[RORY]

By the time Friday came around, I'd successfully been able to reconfigure my brain for the Sinful Youth interview. Beyond Christopher's reassurance, I knew Finn would be home in two days, and a very, very interesting public blowout had unfolded.

Petty as it was, I found it amusing that naturally, Max had done the same thing to Annabelle that he'd done to me. Though I was still pissed he'd missed our interview, he had very good reason to be stuck in San Diego; He'd been collecting his belongings off the street outside of his ex fiancé's apartment. I still hated her but I had a new sense of respect after watching the videos of her throwing each item out the window and calmly reciting his wrongdoings for all to hear.

I was calm and I was prepared, walking alongside Christopher back into Neon Lady Studios. Though I didn't expect a pleasant interaction, I thought perhaps Max would be a bit more subdued, humbled, after getting dumped so publicly.

Unfortunately, I couldn't have been more wrong.

"Under no circumstances are the events in San Diego to be brought up. There should be no mention or questions about the end of the relationship, or the other party. The following themes must be avoided. Infidelity, alcoholism, drug abuse, anything of that nature. In the 50 minutes you have with them, questions should be centered around the new album, the upcoming tour, and what the future holds for the band. If needing or wanting more material, the following questions are approved in no particular order of importance. What's your favorite snack on tour? What do you fill your free time with? Who is your ultimate inspiration? What is your favorite color and why?"

"Anything else?"

"Not at the moment, but it's subject to my discretion as I'll be sitting in the room."

Rebecca was oblivious to my sarcasm, her expression permanently bored. She glanced down at her watch, nodding her head.

"I'll give you five to get settled and set up any necessary equipment. Reminder photos only today, no video. I will approve any photos for use in real time. Any questions?"

"Nope," Christopher glanced down at me, a knowing smirk fighting to dance across his lips. "All sounds good."

Against all odds, Sinful Youth was fashionably on time. Christopher and I'd barely taken our seats before they came barreling into the room, Steve first. He looked the same as the last time I'd seen him, tousled blonde hair, crooked grin, piercing blue eyes. The second they landed on me, he unknowingly confirmed what I'd been wondering. They hadn't a clue I'd be there.

"Holy shit. Blast from the past."

"Long time no see," I kept my cool as we did the awkward dance, Steve shuffling around unsure if he was meant to hug me. I stayed seated. "Nice to see you."

"Yeah, man. You too."

The following two interactions played out the same – surprise, discomfort, acceptance. Riley and Van were never my favorite so I wasn't surprised at their hushed amusement, not-so-subtly eyeing the door behind them that the man of the hour had yet to come through. Christopher was thankfully extremely personable and was able to carry the small talk as we waited, the moment I'd been so anxiously waiting for finally arriving.

Max was exactly the same, yet so different than I remembered. All of the little things I'd once found charming, unique, were blatantly hideous – the arrogant stride, the indifferent expression, the wicked grin once he spotted his prey. As always, his eyes lit up like the fourth of July at all of the possibilities for confrontation.

"Well, well, well. Didn't expect my day to take this hilarious turn," he mewed, taking a seat in the chair immediately across from me. He reached out to pat my knee as I conveniently swiveled just out of his reach. "Could never stay away, could you?"