Matt’s freaked-out expression instantly shifted to a scowl. Griffin raised his eyebrows as Matt turned to face him. “Do you know anybody in there?” he asked. Matt shook his head and Griffin nodded. “And do you think anybody knows us?” Matt shook his head again and Griffin smiled. “Then what the fuck are you worried about? You could absolutely suck, and no one would know or care, because no one knows who the fuck we are. If you think about it, this is the one show that shouldn’t freak you out, because it really doesn’t matter.” He shrugged, like it was as simple as that.

Glaring—and no longer shaking—Matt crossed his arms over his chest. “We should still care, Griffin. We should care every show, whether people know about us or not. We should always try to impress them.”

Griffin showcased the entrance. “Then go impress them, dickwad.”

Matt rolled his eyes…then stormed back inside. Griffin smirked, then shook his head. “Dude’s got issues.” Looking back at me, he took in my startled expression and shrugged. “You just have to know which buttons to push, Kell.” He smacked my shoulder, then started following Matt back inside. I could only stare at the door, a little shocked, a little mystified. How, out of all of us, was Griffin the one who got through to him? Buttons indeed.

Evan laughed, then clapped my back. “Come on, let’s put on a show.”

I grinned, then nodded. Yeah, let’s do this.

When we got back to the party area, Griffin was handing Matt a red Solo cup full of something that I was sure was a very strong drink. Matt started chugging it while Griffin lightly tapped him on the back in encouragement. When Matt was finished, he closed his eyes and inhaled a deep, calming breath. He wasn’t great, but he was definitely better. At least, he was better until one of the crew stepped into the room and shouted, “D-Bags, you’re up.” Then his face went green. Uh-oh. I knew what that meant.

Matt slapped a hand over his mouth, and Griffin instantly shouted, “Bucket!”

Someone tossed Griffin a bucket, and he handed it to Matt…right as Matt lost it. I cringed as every band member in the room let out a low, “Oooooo.” Griffin lightly patted Matt’s shoulder while he heaved. Tilting my head at Evan, I said, “Maybe we should do a couple of songs without him. Acoustic?”

Evan laughed. “What’s the point? We’re only doing three songs anyway. Let’s go clean him up.”

Oddly, Matt was smiling when we reached him. “Feel better?” I asked.

Handing the bucket to a grimacing crew member, he wiped his mouth and nodded. “Much. Let’s go.”