Behind The Beat

XVIII - The Emotions

The studio buzzed with energy as the band worked through their setlist for the upcoming tour. Guitars echoed through the room, drums thumped in sharp rhythm, and the air was thick with a mix of excitement and tension.

Chris leaned against the soundboard, his arms crossed, shooting pointed glances at Val as they discussed logistics.

— An eight-city tour to start isn't ambitious enough — Val said, her voice firm as she scribbled notes in a planner. — We can handle twelve even fourteen stops, easy.

Chris scoffed, rolling his eyes.

— Oh, of course. The great Val Blackwood knows best. Why bother asking the rest of us, right?

Val didn't rise to the bait, though Rozalie could see the tightness in her shoulders.

— It's not about what I think — Val replied evenly. — It's about what's realistic. Fourteen stops, we keep the momentum without burning out.

Chris snorted.

— Sure. And by "we," you mean "you," dragging the rest of us along for the ride.

Rozalie's fingers froze on her guitar strings. She looked between Chris and Val, her stomach knotting as Chris's words grew sharper.

— Enough, Chris, — Mike chimed in, his voice a steady anchor in the rising storm. — We've been over this.

But Chris wasn't done. He gestured toward Rozalie with a smirk.

— I mean, hell, maybe Val's just busy making plans for her and her favorite. Seems like that's all she cares about these days.

The room fell silent. Rozalie's heart pounded, her cheeks burning. She caught Val's jaw tighten, her hands balling into fists at her sides.

Before she could stop herself, Rozalie stood, her voice cutting through the silence.

— You know what, Chris? Maybe you should stop worrying so much about what Val and I do and focus on pulling your weight.

Chris raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard.

— Oh, look at this — he said mockingly. — Little Rozalie finding her voice.

Rozalie took a step forward, her glare unwavering.

— Yeah, I am. Because I'm tired of you acting like some bitter old man every time Val does something you don't like. If you've got a problem, deal with it, but don't drag me into your insecurities.

Mike let out a low whistle, his eyes wide with surprise, while Val stared at Rozalie, her lips quirking into the faintest smile.

Chris opened his mouth to retort but seemed to think better of it. He muttered something under his breath and walked away, leaving Rozalie's chest heaving from the confrontation.

— Let's take five — Mike said, breaking the tension.

Val gave Rozalie a small nod, her expression unreadable, before heading toward the door. Rozalie followed her outside, the crisp air biting at her skin as they stepped into the alleyway behind the studio.

Val lit a cigarette, offering one to Rozalie without a word. She took it, her fingers brushing against Val's as she leaned in for the flame. Mike joined them moments later, breaking the silence with casual banter about the setlist.

Rozalie smoked quietly, her thoughts still buzzing from the confrontation. After a few minutes, Mike went back inside, leaving Rozalie and Val alone.

Val exhaled a plume of smoke, glancing at Rozalie with a smirk.