Nashville 'verse unfinished snippet holding post
The bartender at Allison’s was an asshole to those he loved, hated, and just didn’t give a shit about. Luckily, Donar knew this asshole from years back. He remembered the first time he met Hoosier Smith, when 3B were in the middle of their rapid descent into former-boy-band glory. Per Aspera was just getting off the ground then, a bunch of teenage kids with too big dreams in their eyes, yet Agron caught Hoosier’s attention and the rest was history. They’d made their first album with Lew Nixon’s River Nyx label imprint and never looked back.
He thought the rumors were bullshit when they said Hoosier left California behind for a tiny town outside of Nashville. The rumors failed to mention he’d finally shacked up with Skinny Sisk for good and all was well in Hoosier-land. It was still a mindfuck to see him in worn jeans and a plaid shirt, standing behind a bar and slinging out drinks and peanuts.
“So, the rumors are true.”
“Holy shit,” Hoosier said. He whistled and held his hand out. “Donar Riese, what the hell are you doing down here?”
Donar gave Hoosier’s hand a vigorous shake and pulled him over the bar for a quick hug. He owed his band to this man and that was an act not soon forgotten.
“Down here to work on a record at Villa Libertas. You heard of that team?”
“Chadara Lis and Nasir Kartal? Yeah, Lip’s been trying to tempt them to co-produce a few projects. They’re a bit left-of-center for Per Aspera’s sound.”
“You know us, never predictable. Mira thinks it’ll be good to work with people no one expects. They did a hell of a job with Snafu Shelton’s record.”
“Nasir’s magical powers managed to make Shelton work. I can only imagine what he’ll do to the hyperactive shits in your band.”
“Hopefully keep Agron and Crixus from trying to strangle each other with my bass strings.”
Hoosier smirked. “You finally settled that debate, then? No more of you and Crixus switching between bass and rhythm guitar?”
“Hell no,” Donar scoffed. “Nah, we still switch between sets but no way in hell will Crixus use his strings to garrote Agron.”
Hoosier shook his head. “Those assholes need relationship therapy.”
“Believe me, Naevia’s tried. Hell, Hoos, Winters even stepped in and tried to get them to talk things out. It was this wall of dead silence and then Duro couldn’t shut the hell up because you know how he reacts to silence.”
“That little shit always has to fill the vacuum. He never learned the value of silence.”
Donar didn’t even bother denying it. Duro was incapable of using an indoor voice. Or shutting up. Or keeping his brain-to-mouth filter intact. Not that his brother or cousin was any better, but Agron and Saxa both got away with a lot based on sheer intimidation alone.
He looked around the bar trying to find any familiar faces. “Your smarter half around here?”
“Yeah.” Hoosier pointed to a corner table diagnol to the stage. “See the jolly gay gaint over there?”
All Donar saw was a man about Barca’s height with a terrifying wide smile. Wait. “Holy shit is that little baby boy Juergens?” He strained to see who Chuckler was ainamttedly talking to and felt his jaw drop a smidge. “Fuck me, is that Gene Roe?”
“Right on both counts. Chuckler’s making a name for himself now. He’s singed to the same label as Walt Hasser.”
“I’ve heard of him. Little too Americana for my taste.”
“Don’t hate on the country farm boys.”
“I better not in this city.”
“It might get your asked kicked,” Hoosier agreed. “Hasser’s mentor is an old friend of Roe’s, they go way back. He convinced him to join the living again.”
“Skinny’s somewhere in that clusterfuck then?”
“Yeah and if Chuckler doesn’t get his hands away from Skinny’s crotch soon there’s going to be blood.” Hoosier titled his head. “Go over there before I have to jump this bar.”
“I got your back.”
“Thanks, Donar. Hey, do me a favor, get Skinny out of here, yeah? He pulled a double at work and then came out here to negotiate a production deal with Roe. Grab his car and go back to the house.”
“You’re not going to try and sell me to cannibals again, right?”
“Nah, not this time. Skinny would bitch about the bloodstains on the driveway. Just watch out for Butch and Minnie. They jump.”
“Butch and Minnie?”
“You’ll see,” Hoosier said before turning back to his customers.
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