Chapter 7
Pounding rhythm. Bright lights. Surging voices that could set your chest on fire with longing.
It was the kind of night some people lived for. The kind of night you slogged away at the office all week looking forward to, the kind of night for which fake IDs were made.
For me, it was another Thursday night at The Hammer. We’d been playing at the club regularly for at least five years, ever since Nick had dated one of the bartenders. She was long gone, but the gig had lasted, which was a good thing since it covered my rent every month. It would feel strange to miss two Thursdays in a row. I knew our fans would miss us, but I also knew Frank, the club’s owner, had lined up a couple great bands from out of town so it wouldn’t be so bad.
Still, I was pouring my heart and soul into
