Eventually, on the fifth rerun, Josh takes his phone back. “Okay. I think that’s enough.”
I turn to Zack, cuddling against his side. “Thank you.”
“You’re really not mad?” He mutters.
I shake my head, pressing my face into his neck and inhaling his warm honey-whiskey smell.
“It wasn’t the right thing to do, obviously. But I appreciate it. God knows he deserves it.” I twist to look back at Josh. “So, what happens now? You’re in trouble?”
Zack whistles. “Hoo, boy we are.”
“The convention is ‘looking into it’。” Luke says. “Zack and Donald both explained their sides of the story. I didn’t say anything about your time together in school,” he adds quickly, when I tense, “but I did say that he harassed you in a pub a few weeks ago. I hope that’s okay.”
I nod slowly. “And what did the staff say?”
“They’re sort of at a loss. I’m pretty sure they believe us. They’ve known Zack for years, and there’s no reason for him to risk his career by attacking a random audience member. And apparently Donny tried to flirt with the female security guard who questioned him, which didn’t exactly help his case. But without any proof that Zack was provoked, there’s not much they can do. We’ll probably be banned from future conventions and events.” He hesitates. “Our production company is talking about removing us from the roster.”
I sit up. “But that’s a big deal, right?!”
“It might mean going solo,” Josh admits. “No company to produce us or promote us or find us sponsors.”
“Oh, God. I’m sorry.”
Josh shakes his head. “It’ll be hard, but we can manage it. From the response we got from our livestream, we haven’t really lost many listeners. In fact, we’ve gained quite a lot.” His lip curls. “No one really gives a shit about one of our hosts punching a creep.”
“So you’ll be self-employed?”
“Finally,” Zack booms. “It’s not like we needed those twats at BuzzTone tellin’ us what to do and taking half our royalties.”
Luke nods. “There will be a lot of benefits, actually. We’ll be able to pick our own sponsors, organise our own events. Say what we want.”
I pat his shoulder. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll show you how to pay your taxes. I am a font of small-business knowledge, after all.” He smiles, pressing a kiss into my hair, and I turn back to Josh’s phone. “What about Donny? Is he running his mouth on social media?” I bet he’s milking this for all it’s worth. He always was a greasy little attention-addict.
Josh snorts. “Oh, yeah. He’s already tagged us in about fifty tweets. And he’s threatening to press charges. Zack might end up in court unless we can convince him to drop it. Which is kind of unlikely.”
“What?” I’m horrified. “But you could go to jail!”
“Aye. I’m already pickin’ out my prison tats.” Zack sighs. “I miss bein’ on the team, man. Back then, if I got rowdy with some drunk fan, the club would just pay the guy off.” He slides his hand up my arm. “We could blackmail him, I guess. Or kidnap him. Set up a bear trap outside his house, then drag him here and hold him hostage until he promises to drop charges.”
An idea dings in the back of my mind. “Is it blackmail if he deserves it?” I say slowly.
“Yes, Layla,” Luke sighs, sounding exhausted.
I stretch out my legs, considering my glittery pink toenail polish. “I don’t think I care,” I decide.
“Wait,” Josh says. “What’s going on?”
I lean my head back, lolling against his broad shoulder. “Want to come to my high school reunion with me? I bet he’ll be there.”
“Me?” Josh asks, looking confused. “I mean, of course I will, if you want. But if you’re going to confront Donny, shouldn’t you be taking Zack?”
“I will.” I reach across and take both Zack and Luke’s hands, tugging them into my lap. “I want all three of you to come.”
“As moral support?” Luke asks. “Amy will be there, too. The headteacher always attends reunions. It could be awkward if I turn up.”
I smile, connecting our fingers. Now I’ve made up my mind, I know there’s no going back. “You’re coming as my boyfriends.”
There’s a few seconds of silence.