“Working on it.”
“Work harder.”
Zakk knew it wouldn’t be an easy thing for Tripp to shake, not with how long it had gone on. The thing that sucked the most was that Winter was an awesome guy, who genuinely wished his twin would stop making everything a competition between them and start appreciating Winter, and himself, for the unique individuals they were. Maybe Winter did have a different way of handling events like this, but a part of Zakk wondered if the reason Tripp didn’t feel like he could manage it was because he’d never taken the time to develop the skill. Especially not if they’d constantly sent Winter just because it was supposedly ‘easy’ for him. Zakk found himself wondering if it really was, or if it was just the rest of the band’s perception.
Zakk watched Tripp grow quieter and redder in the face the longer the Q & A session went on, and he was ready to press a cold bottle of water into Tripp’s hand the moment their session was done.
It was just nice that, aside from the bloggers, who were all confined to their tent, this side of the high metal fencing was for band members and their entourage only.
“That was brutal,” Tripp groaned, pressing the water to the back of his neck rather than drinking it.
“Trust me when I say you got off lucky,” Zakk replied.
“No shit?”
“Dude, they started off implying we were firing Dez to bring Wade back and ended asking about Adrian Lee’s guitar.”
Tripp let out a long, low whistle. “Damn.”
“Why didn’t you just tell them Winter was going to be playing with Wild Child?” Zakk asked as they made their way back towards their RVs, where ribs and steaks were already on the grill.
“’cause somehow, they’ve managed to keep it a secret. Probably the most well-kept secret of the entire festival, if the kinds of questions they asked was any indication. Though I can’t see them making it to their performance without the world finding out.”
“Why do you say that?”
“’cause my brother plans to play in the shred-off.”
“Of course he does. Is that why you aren’t gonna do it?”
“No. I just don’t see the point.”
“If you want my opinion, I think you should.”
“What? Why?”
“For the hell of it,” Zakk replied. “And because it feels to me like the only reason you’re not doing it is ‘cause you expect everyone to like Winter’s performance more.”
“There could be some truth to that.”
“What happened to not competing with your brother anymore?”
“Isn’t that exactly what you’re asking me to do?”
“Nope. I’m suggesting you go out there and have fun playing, for the fans, and ‘cause you love it, not ‘cause you want to compare yourself to him or anyone else.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Tripp….”
“Just, leave it be for now and I’ll think about it.”
“Good enough.”
With their RVs parked side by side, and Damian, Riley, Dez and Kane on the roof of the thing creating some kind of neon design, James had been left alone to watch the grill. Judging from the sheepish look on his face when they drew near, Zakk decided now might be a good time to lead Tripp in a different direction.
“Foods not gonna be ready for a while. Let’s go find some shit to get into.”
“How do you know?” Tripp said even as he went willingly with Zakk. “Something sure smells good over here.”