I Called It a Drunk Mistake, So the Mob Boss Made It Permanent novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Paper Tigers

"And the Charm City Music Award for Song of the Year goes to," the host said, tearing the envelope, "Paper Tigers! Griffin Moyer!"

The Lyric Theatre stood up.

Linus stood in the wings with a guitar over his shoulder, in a black suit, and listened to two thousand people applaud a lie.

It was the third week of November.

Seven weeks after the Table, Harbor Sound's lawyers had finally offered the one thing he wanted to hear.

A performance slot on the awards.

"Joint tribute," the lawyer had said, sweating. "For the fans. A reconciliation."

"I'll be there," Linus had said, and hung up.

Now Griffin walked up the steps in a white tuxedo, smiling.

Behind Linus, a hand settled on the nape of his neck.

It was big and warm, and it stayed.

"Now," Leandros said, in his ear.

"No."

"Good. Nobody who's ready is any good," Leandros said.

"You're supposed to say I'm perfect."

"You're perfect. And you're not ready." The thumb stroked once behind his ear. "Go."

Linus walked out.

Griffin stood at the lectern, holding a glass trophy in the shape of a crab, and said, "I just want to thank my team, my family, and the fans. This song came from a really dark time in my life..."

"Hi," Linus said, into the second mic.

The theatre stopped.

Griffin's head came around.

The color went out of his face in one go, and the trophy shook in his hand.

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