Chapter 41
Theo
“Duke Mitchum here. I’m joined by the boys from Falling Absent, the Charlotte-based rock band that’s becoming known for the personal things they didn’t mean to share. Is it a stroke of marketing genius or dumb luck? Let’s hear what they have to say.”
We’re sitting with the host of one of the largest radio shows in the country. Saying I’m nervous would be the understatement of the century, especially after the way our last interview was handled.
Dante’s hand squeezes mine as Duke’s eyes shift my direction.
“Theo, you’ve stolen the show with your impressive takedown of a man much bigger than you. Before we get to the details of that viral video—Eric and Dmitri, how do you feel about Theo hogging your spotlight?”
“Please, take it,” Dmitri says easily.
Eric leans over and ruffles my hair with a laugh. “We’re alright sharing with this guy.”
I pop my brows, wondering if he intended that to sound so incredibly sexual.
His eyes suddenly widen and a flush creeps up his cheeks as it hits him.
He clears his throat and tugs at the neck of his shirt.
“What I mean is, Dmitri and I weren’t looking for attention when everything happened between us.
Quite the opposite, actually. And while we’re relieved that it did,” he says, reaching over to take Dmitri’s hand with a sweet smile, “it was never our goal to have our personal life broadcast for the world to hear.”
Duke flashes Eric a giant smile, but it doesn’t carry the same predatory edge as Bradley’s. He turns those bright green eyes to me. “So, Theo, back to this leaked video. Who was this man that you attacked?”
“Ouch, Duke,” I tease, shaking my finger at him. “Let’s be clear about one thing—I acted in self-defense.”
He throws his hands up, palms facing me. “After seeing that video, I’m scared enough of you to retract what I said.”
We both laugh as he waves for me to continue. “He was someone I’d gone on a few dates with.”
“An ex-boyfriend?” he prompts.
“No, no, it was never a serious relationship. Not for me, at least. We met when he was working at a club on my birthday, and we went out a few times over a couple of weeks. He showed up at our album launch party uninvited, and shit hit the fan from there.”
“That’s when Dante beat him up?” Duke teases, glancing in his direction. “Poor guy can’t catch a break, apparently.”
Dante scoffs. “Don’t give him a pass. He stalked and assaulted Theo. He doesn’t deserve any sympathy.”
Duke gives a good-natured laugh as he nods. “Fair enough. So, Theo, let’s jump to the video that was shared. You just ran into him at that park? Did he follow you there?”
“No,” I drawl, stretching the word out. “I actually invited him.”
“Ballsy,” Duke says, eyebrows shooting up.
“There was already a restraining order out against him, but the police weren’t able to do much without more information. I decided I’d had enough and made up my mind that I would be the one to get him to confess, so I sent him a text and asked him to meet me.”
“Alone?”
“Yeah, alone,” I say, voice quiet.
“I think I’m even more scared of you now,” Duke says. “Where did you learn to fight?”
I reach over and grab Dante’s hand. “Dante taught me.”
Duke’s eyes slide between us, an amused grin tugging at his lips. “I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that the two of you are an item?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny just how amazingly correct you are,” I say with a wink. Dante rolls his eyes before looking at me with a fond smile.
Duke chuckles. “You five are either the luckiest unlucky guys in the industry, or there’s some mastermind-level marketing happening.
Either way, people love it, as we can see by your incredible jump in the charts since this latest video was released.
This week’s numbers were just announced.
Want to give me a good reaction clip by taking a look on air?
” We exchange glances before Dmitri and Dante nod simultaneously.
“Lay it on us,” Dmitri says.
“Can I bother you for a drumroll, Sticks?” Duke teases.
Dmitri rolls his eyes. “Not you, too,” he mutters, but obliges anyway and drums a quick rhythm on the desk with his fingers. Duke is delighted as he pulls up the charts on his computer.
“Ready for this, guys?” he asks, and we all nod. “Your single ‘Angry Love’ ended the week at number eleven, while ‘Fighting Over Airwaves’—which, aptly named, might I add—landed at…”
The five of us lean in as he pauses with a grin. “The anticipation kills, doesn’t it?”
“Duke!” Tai barks from behind us.
Duke’s eyes go wide as he stares at him. “Why are all of you so terrifying?” He chuckles again before flashing a charming smile. “‘Fighting Over Airwaves’ officially hit the top five, ending the week at number four.”
Surprised cheers erupt from our group, along with a loud whoop from Eric. High fives and one-handed hugs are exchanged as Duke sits back, grinning at us and giving us a moment to regain our composure.
“Are you ready for the rest of the news?” he asks.
We fall silent, eyes snapping back to him. “Your album ‘Unrequited’ makes the biggest jump of the week, starting at number fifty-seven and ending at…”
He trails off, and we groan in unison.
“You guys are so much fun,” he says with another grin. “The album made a forty-spot leap from number fifty-seven to number seventeen, blowing many more seasoned bands right out of the water.”
For a second, all of us are too stunned to speak. The silence in the room is so thick you could hear a single snowflake land.
Then Eric opens his mouth.
“Horgy time!” he bellows, and we pile into a giant group hug.
“Should I even ask?” Duke says, amusement crinkling his eyes.
Eric grins. “Hug orgy. Get in here, big guy.”
Duke tilts his head for a second before shrugging and joining the celebration. Once we’ve all calmed and returned to our seats, he reclines in his chair.
“So, what now? What’s next for Falling Absent?”
We exchange glances, smiling and nodding as a silent conversation passing between us in seconds.
“Well, Duke,” Dante says with a disbelieving laugh, “it might be time for another tour.”