Running with Scissors by Unknown Read Free Book Online

wasn’t
    the other way around. You guys need—”
    “We need a fucking bassist who knows our music. Just
    because you’re bailing us out doesn’t mean you didn’t fuck us
    over in the past.”
    Jude exhaled hard. “Okay, look. I messed up back then. I
    know I did. And I’m sorry.”
    “Yeah? For which part?” Connor narrowed his eyes. “The
    part where you screwed over the band? Or the part where you
    screwed me over?”
    Jude winced. “All of it. I—”
    “It really doesn’t matter.” He stepped closer, still looking
    Jude right in the eye. “Let’s be clear about one thing. As far
    as I’m concerned, you’re here to fill in until we find someone
    to sign on permanently. If that means through the next tour,
    fine. But don’t think for a minute that you’re a part of this
    band anymore.”
    “Connor, I—”
    “There’s nothing else to say.” Connor set his jaw. “You had
    your shot. You’re nothing but a touring bassist now, and the
    minute we find someone to—”
    37
    “I get it,” Jude ground out. “But the fact is, we have to be
    onstage together.”
    “Yeah. We do.” Connor raised his chin. “And the stage
    and rehearsals are the only places we need to cross paths.”
    “Is that right? Because I heard tour buses are pretty tight
    confines.”
    “They are.”
    Jude shifted uncomfortably, running his thumb back and
    forth along his fingers as if they were guitar strings. “I don’t know what you want me to say. We’re stuck together for a
    while.”
    “Yep.” Connor shrugged. “And Kristy can try to make
    us kiss and make up all she wants, but this is the best you’re
    getting from me. Personally, I think it’s a hell of a lot better than you deserve.” Another shrug. “Pity you can play the bass,
    isn’t it?”
    Jude rolled his eyes and exhaled. “Jesus, Connor. I fucked
    up back then, but don’t you dare act like you didn’t—”
    “Like I didn’t what?” Connor got right up in his face.
    “Like I didn’t deserve for my best friend and boyfriend to go
    off and fuck someone else just for spite? Are you saying I did?”
    Jude didn’t back down. “No, you didn’t. And I’m sorry.
    But don’t act like you didn’t walk all over me for a year leading up to that.”
    Connor blinked. Genuine hurt flickered across his face,
    cutting Jude right to the bone, but it was quickly replaced by
    fresh anger. “If you were that miserable, why didn’t you just
    man up and break up instead of—”
    “I tried. Several times.”
    Connor laughed humorlessly. “Well. Guess it worked
    the last time, didn’t it?” He stormed past Jude, clipping his
    shoulder as he went by and muttering “motherfucker” under
    38
    his breath. Before Jude could stop him, he snatched his wallet
    off the table, threw open the door, and stormed out.
    The door banged shut. Jude’s shoulders dropped.
    Maybe he should’ve kept that cubicle job after al .
    39

CHAPTER 4
    o keep the peace, Jude roomed with Kristy that night
    t while Connor stayed with Richie and A.J. For a while,
    Richie tried to talk Connor down, but eventually gave up
    and put on his headphones, leaving A.J. to listen to Connor
    ranting and sniping about Jude.
    A.J. kept his mouth shut. There was no point in trying
    to reason with Connor if the subject was Jude. He couldn’t
    blame the guy. From what everyone had said, Jude had left
    them all in one hell of a lurch back then, and he’d hurt
    Connor. Though the lead singer was a volatile son of a bitch,
    and maybe not the easiest person to live or work with, A.J.
    couldn’t imagine he’d deserved to have his heart stomped on
    and his band left hanging in one night. A.J. didn’t envy the
    situation he was in now.
    But the show had to go on, and they’d be on the road at
    the crack of dawn, so despite Jude’s presence next door, they
    settled in to grab some shut-eye.
    Not surprisingly, it was one of the worst restless nights
    he’d had so far on this tour. It didn’t help