april 27
If we're talking about different capitals of rock, there are several cities considered the most iconic—Los Angeles, Detroit, New York, and London. To Billy, each of them is like a ticking bomb of fans, people desperate to lose themselves in raw music, rhythmic guitars, and a touch of fantasy.
—Looks like Mrs. Greenwood made us breakfast— Robert Pattinson said. Billy nodded. They had spent the entire night playing video games—the cooperative storyline of Resident Evil had kept them up so late, their eyes glowing red from the strain.
—Well, let's eat… and maybe get some sleep— Billy replied with a shrug.
—I can't. I have to head to America to shoot a few scenes. I'm starting to get better at landing those roles— Robert said.
—Oh yeah? What do you have so far?— Billy asked.
—Nothing interesting. When I get something that isn't just mediocre roles, I'll call you and brag about it. My agent says I should trust the process—maybe next year the good roles will come— Robert said, sounding like little more than a sigh. Each of them had a screen, and each used it to play. The challenge was to finish first, and they could only look at each other to talk and try to distract the other. It was amusing, because Billy was losing badly—he wasn't nearly as good at video games. But he asked sharp questions, like how things were going with Gemma Ward, whom Robert had met during that wild trip on the boat with the models. Billy knew he had to talk to Adriana again—she was chaos, constantly shifting his impressions up and down.
—Well, things are going well, though she's focusing on her career. So am I. We still go out, grab something to eat. She likes it when we have romantic dates… but I'm not as good at that as I'd like to be— Robert replied.
—You're kind of a geek, it's true— Billy said.
—Shut up—
—Hey, it's the truth—
—You're worse. And Gemma told me you seem to have a messy situation with Adriana and Alessandra. They've stopped being friends—or at least it looks that way, since they barely talk anymore— Robert said, shaking his head. If he had Billy's talent for turning things into a ticking time bomb, people would probably want to beat him up.
—The rumor is it's a serious fight, something about brands. And well, Alessandra is married, so that makes everything more complicated—because there's no obvious reason for the conflict— Robert added.
—You're such a gossip— Billy laughed.
—What? I can't help wanting to understand why there's so much drama when there shouldn't be. It almost makes me want to give up on understanding women altogether—just listening to them is enough— Robert replied.
…
He slept for fifteen straight hours and woke up needing water, his throat dry. They had played so much and hadn't done anything to balance it out. It felt strangely anticlimactic.
He turned his face and drifted back to sleep. For a while now, everything had felt like it was about to reset, and that kind of rest came when nothing seemed to fall into place. When he woke again, it was early morning—and somehow, that helped.
He stepped into the shower. Warm water eased his headache, something that had become almost routine. It was part of his rhythm. He needed to build energy—lots of it. Everything that happened, everything whispered around him, demanded it. His heart needed attention, and that attention shone through in what he did. Every day he could, he generated that energy, and everything else became essential. He enjoyed it.
Jerry found him doing pull-ups. He had already completed a set of fifteen and planned to do four more, along with sets of fifty squats, before running on the treadmill for a full hour. As disciplined as it was, working out like that could be incredibly exhausting.
—We need to go— Jerry said, already thinking about the songs Billy had sent him. The list was simple—straightforward and solid.
N/A
Clow Dessert
Kids – MGMT
Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)
Ruby – Kaiser Chiefs
I Predict a Riot – Kaiser Chiefs
Never Miss a Beat – Kaiser Chiefs
Spaceman – The Killers
Fake Empire – The National
Mistaken for Strangers – The National
Rest My Chemistry – Interpol
I Can Talk – Two Door Cinema Club
Sun – Two Door Cinema Club
What You Know – Two Door Cinema Club
One Headlight – cover
—We'll start in the south—it's more practical for everyone— Jerry said.
—Then in the summer we move north.
—Right. Ireland, Scotland, and I think Wales. Everything is lined up, but since you're going on tour, your schedule is packed until June—right when Harry Potter comes back around. I've already sent photos to all your friends— Jerry added, sounding more tired now.
—Also…
—What is it, man?— Billy asked.
—I'm afraid it's all been handled quietly… but your son was born. The girl—the tattoo artist—went into labor this morning and is finishing up now. I think you should go. I bought the tattoo shop when she couldn't pay for it, and I purchased the entire place upstairs. It was a small two-level apartment in a suburban house. Now… I can say she needs you there— Jerry said.
—Let's go— Billy replied.
Thinking about the media—
—Everything's covered. No one will find out. Merche, even if she's a bit clueless, has done her best to stay discreet— Jerry assured him.
It hit him like a cold shower—and it hurt. But what could he do? Everything was a consequence of his own decisions. Despite everything, and out of consideration for the girl, silence settled in. That was what he needed.
—Let's go. I think we can pay for everything—
—Money doesn't fix anything. What she needs right now is company—a nurse, someone to talk to, and of course, to see you. The idealized version of you she built in her mind—that's something you'll have to live up to, even if it comes from a mistake— Jerry replied.