Beneath The Surface

Chapter 25

Jamie

Shit. Shit. Shit.

It's today.

Our show for Jeffrey Rosco is today.

Jeffrey- fucking- Rosco.

If he likes us, this could change everything. We could be on our way to fame. We could be better than any of those bastards who ever doubted us, made fun of us, beat us up, or pushed us around.

This could change everything, for the better.

Jesus, I could finally be rid of my dad...

A red convertible pulls up in the driveway as our audience increases.

Richie, his wife Sandra, and their daugters, Nina, and Penny exit the expensive vehicle.

Richie and Sandra adopted Nina and Mason when their parents died in a plane crash. They then had Penny when Mason was 6, a few years after he was adopted.

Derrick's sister, Chloe, is here and so is Jaydon's mom, Henrietta.

Adrien and I are here for each other.

The guys are all standing around, chatting when...

Ding dong.

They're here.

Mason goes to open the door and greets Emily with a kiss as she takes his hand and walks in. Her dad stands in the doorway, his shoulders nearly touching both sides of the frame.

He's 38 but looks about 29, wearing loose jeans and a big t-shirt. He has on some bronze aviators and tattoos cover his arms. He kinda reminds me of a butch Billy Armstrong but that just scares me even more. I clutch Adrien's arm desperately as Emma introduces Mason and Mason introduces his family.

"Oh god, I don't think I can do it, Ian," I whisper, once we're alone in the kitchen.

"What do you mean? Jamie, we've played these songs a million times. It's nothing new."

"What if I screw up? What if I cost us the entire thing? What if he likes everything but me? Then you guys all leave and I'm left here in the dust," my voice cracks.

"Jamie, come on. You won't screw up. You're too good to leave behind. He'll be able to see that, I mean, anyone can. You're the frontman. We wouldn't be anything without you. Plus, I would never, ever leave you."

He pulls me into a big hug and kisses my forehead.

"What if he's homophobic? What if we lose this chance because of us?"

"That won't happen, okay? Mason already asked Emily about that. He's fine with it. God, I can feel your heart racing. You must be terrified," he whispers, sympathetically.

I nod, silently.

"Come on. It'll be okay. I'm here."

He drags me out into the living room.

"This is Jaydon and his family," Mason motions for Jaydon to come up.

Jaydon takes Jeffrey's outstretched hand and shakes it.

"Hey," Jaydon says with a cool smile.

"You're the drummer, right?" Jeffrey asks in a deep voice.

"Yup," Jaydon grins at being recognized.

"I love your intro on that cover you guys did of Cemetery Drive," he smiles. "You guys are really good. I'm really exited to hear you play."

"Gosh, thanks," Jaydon says, eyes wide.