They played through their entire set list, and Shade could feel the uneasiness from the rest of the band-especially Owen. The guy was loyal to a fault. He probably felt guilty for sharing the stage with Wes instead of Adam. But Shade was experiencing something else entirely. Instead of trying to fix Adam-and what a monumental task that was-they could find someone who wasn't broken to replace him. Shade just had to get the other guys to see things his way. He refused to put up with Adam's bullshit any longer. He'd crossed the line one too many times.
When the concert was over, Shade took a sweat-drenched Wes aside and thanked him for his assistance. He made sure Sally took down his contact information. They could probably do better than a kid long on talent but short on experience, but they could definitely do a lot worse. Shade definitely wanted Wes to have a shot at being their new guitarist, but he also wanted to keep his options open, so he didn't reveal his thoughts to Wes. It was time to explain his plan to the band, however. They were rational men; they'd see it his way. He was sure of it.
He waited until all the guys were on the bus and they were headed east to their next destination before he broached the subject.
"Anyone hear from Adam yet?" he asked, checking his own phone to see if Adam had contacted him.
They all shook their heads, looking glum. He couldn't be the only one who saw Adam as more of a liability than an asset.
"I've had it with his bullshit," Shade said, his heart thundering with apprehension. "Adam's out of the band."
Gabe's eyes widened. Kellen's jaw dropped.
Owen blinked hard and sputtered, "What?"
"He's toxic," Shade said. "We need to get rid of him. Replace him with someone who takes our success seriously."
"Adam writes all of our music," Kellen said. "We can't just kick him out."
"We'll write the music ourselves and if necessary, hire songwriters," Shade said with a shrug.
"This is bullshit," Kellen said, crossing his arms over his bare chest. "Adam is one of us. He's always been one of us. We can't do this to him."
"We don't even know why he took off," Owen said. "I'm sure he had a good reason."
"More than two hours later and he still hasn't checked in to let us know what the fuck is going on!" Shade yelled. "He obviously doesn't give a shit about any of us or the fans or the music. All he cares about is himself. It's time to cut him loose. If he wants to destroy himself, fine, but I'm not letting him take the rest of us down with him."
"I want to hear what he has to say before I weigh in," Gabe said. "For all we know, he's dead in a ditch somewhere."
The blood drained from Owen's face. "Don't even say that."
"It would save me the trouble of telling him to fuck off," Shade growled.
"You're such an asshole," Owen said.
Shade stepped forward until his nose was an inch from Owen's. "I'd rather be an asshole than a spineless wuss."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Owen shoved him, and Shade was glad to see the guy actually had a little fight in him.
"You're a pushover, Owen. You always have been."
"Don't take your frustration with Adam out on Owen," Kellen said. "You're the one who never bends. You're the mighty oak, standing tall and rigid against any force that threatens your position." He slammed a fist against his chest.
"Someone has to be strong."
"Listen to what Kellen is trying to warn you about," Gabe said. "If you never bend, you will break, Jacob. Don't you see that?"
He didn't see it at all. Everyone just needed to fall in line with his plans and it would all work out for the best. Didn't they see that?
"We'll figure out what to do after we talk to Adam," Gabe said.
"Kellen could play lead," Shade said. Maybe they'd feel better about a change if they were replacing their rhythm guitarist instead of lead.
Owen scrunched his brow. "And Adam play rhythm? He'd never agree to that."
What part of kick Adam the fuck out of the band didn't these guys understand? "No. We'd get a new rhythm guitarist."
"I prefer rhythm guitar," Kellen said.
"Then we get a new lead guitarist," Shade said, exasperated. "I don't care either way, I just want Adam gone. And not temporarily. For good."
Owen shook his head. "What's wrong with you? I'm sure he'll explain everything when he gets back. He deserves a second chance."
"A second chance?" Shade asked, finding it difficult to draw air. Were these guys really so clueless to what had been going on with Adam for years?