I Just Wanted to be Edgy Too

Chapter Thirty-Three

Van

"The rest of the tour's been rescheduled." Steve's voice was flat. I couldn't tell if he was mad or upset, possibly a little of both. I couldn't tell if he was worried about me at all, or if he was just ashamed.

Larry sat in the windowsill with his arms crossed over his chest.

"How was the reaction?" I murmured.

"Mostly supportive. We'll honor all the tickets in the spring and refund anyone who chooses that route."

"What'd you say?"

Steve queued up our Instagram feed and cleared his throat. "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to announce that the remainder of our US tour has been postponed. We know how inconvenient this is for those of you who made travel arrangements, took time away from work and family, or invested into a show." Steve flashed his eyes to me. Guilt rose from my feet and consumed me. "It's important for us to be honest with all of you, therefore we want to let you know that these postponed shows are a result of an accident involving a band member. He is fine, recovering nicely, and will be more than ready to make up for this when we come back. All tickets will be honored at rescheduled events, or you can follow the link below to be reimbursed. Please understand that this was an extremely difficult decision for us to make, but following events out of our control, we feel as though it's the best option."

Steve sat his phone down and rubbed his temples.

"Any fallout from that post?" I was nervous to hear the truth.

"There hasn't been any." Larry interjected. "Not one person left a shallow comment. It's all well wishes. Lots of speculation on who was hurt, but mainly well wishes."

Steve shook his head. "This is, without a doubt, the hardest situation you've put me in Ryan."

I nodded once and glanced to the window for relief. I knew better than this, but I also knew when it was time to step in for someone else. When to help. Ellie could have died. She almost did.

"It's not even just about the tour. We've got hotel damages to cover, hospital and doctor fees, not to mention if the press gets a hold of any of this, if this follows us back home, you're opening yourself up for a world of speculation and concerns. And not just you, your band, his band, Ellie, all of it."

"Well I 'spose we oughta make sure the press doesn't find out then. Is t that what you're here for, Steve? To manage situations like this?" I felt the tone in my voice climb an octave.

Steve laughed. "They don't prep you for things like this in business school, lad. And they sure as hell don't teach you how to handle pissed rockstars and a night from hell. At least the hotel has security footage. The majority of this will be on Barns and his team."

"I'm sorry for what I've done to the tour. Luckily, it was two weeks worth of shows and no more than that. I guess I'm sorry for the hotel, too or what part I had in all of it. I'm not sorry for stepping in."

"Tell me exactly how you knew to step in?" Steve leaned forward and folded his hands as Larry shifted uncomfortably in the window. 

"We became friends I 'spose."

"Friendship doesn't lead to brawls like the one between you and Barns. It doesn't lead you here."

"We kissed once."

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jesus, Ryan."

"Just call me Van, okay? I know you're upset with me Steve, but come on. He's been abusing her for a while. I was trying to talk her out of staying with him for weeks, and last night she asked for my help. I couldn't leave her there alone. You woulda done the same."