Everyone around us were chatting away while I just stared at the stage.
“Thinking of trying it?” Ace said.
“It’ll all depend on how things pan out.”
As the stadium filled up, the noise level increased. There was electricity in the air as the anticipation grew.
Finally, the lights went down, and the crowd went wild. While there was a noticeable degree of disappointment when the opening act started up, the band proved to be entertaining and the crowd got on board.
Foregoing an encore, the band left after their last song, the lights came back on and the road crew tended to the stage, taking away what was not part of Rob Raven’s show and bringing out any addition equipment that would be needed.
Once again, the lights went out. Once again, the crowd went wild. But as a single sustained note on a guitar blared loudly, a spotlight found its mark as a lone man came to the microphone.
“Everyone excited about tonight?” the man shouted.
The crowd screamed wildly.
“There he is,” I told Ace. I reached in my pocket for the small gun Ace had made for me with the 3-D printer. But there was no way I could pull it out and get a decent aim.
“Everyone’s eyes are on the stage,” Ace said.
“But too many people are on their feet. They’re blocking.” Besides, I knew we were too far away, but my desire to kill him was too great.
“Are you guys ready to hear the best music you’ve ever heard?” Stanley went on.
Again, the crowd screamed.
The old guy had no business being there. He was painfully out of place, trying to play it cool with the young fans.
“I am so proud to have this young and talented young man on my label. I am so proud of everything that he’s accomplished. And…” Beaming, he looked up into the crowd. “Look at this crowd. Look at all the folks who came out to see him.”
The crowd cheered.
I got up. “Excuse me,” I said as I sidestepped past the guys next to us to get to the aisle. I had to try to find a place where I could…
A huge fan stepped out of his row and blocked the path as he cheered wildly. “Bring Rob out,” he shouted, pumping his fist. “Bring Rob out!”
The crowd joined in the chant.
“Yes. Yes,” Stanley said. “He’s coming out. Let me just tell you that there will be plenty of t-shirts, posters and other cool merch for sale after the show.”
“Bring Rob out!”
“Right,” Stanley said with a silly grin on his old face. “And here he is! For you all to enjoy! Rob Raven!”
I got back to my seat with the sound of his voice ringing in my ears.
“Try to just enjoy the show now,” Ace said as the chords to the first song resonated throughout the stadium.
The bass joined in, building up the rhythm. Then the drum, pounding out a beat.
Then, with a blast of blue and green lights, Rob Raven appeared, running across the stage while the crowd went nuts.
Ace jumped up and screamed like I had never seen before, and I had to chuckle. He was such a kid sometimes.
While I didn’t know many of the songs, it was an enjoyable show all the same. Rob was a very flamboyant and energetic entertainer and he sure knew how to work the crowd.
After three encores where he played his biggest hits, songs that I knew pretty well, he finally left the stage for the last time.
The lights came on.
“Come on,” I said, slapping Ace’s shoulder with the back of my hand. “Let’s hurry backstage before the crowds.”
We headed down and this time, the security guard glanced at our backstage passes and simply nodded as we went by. Dozens of people already milled about… musicians, backup singers, the opening act… and a generous sprinkling of groupies.
Everyone seemed relaxed and laid back, many with a beer in their hands.
“Hey, boys,” a perky young woman said as she came up to us. “Are you looking for anyone?”
“We’re good,” I said as I glanced past her. “I’m with the Sun and I just wanted to get a feel for the backstage vibe. I think our fans want to know what Rob Raven is like when he’s not on stage and…”
“All right,” she said, showing her disinterest for my fictional column. “Have fun.”
“See him?” Ace said, looking around casually.
“No,” I said. “But I’m sure he’s here.”
“I thought Rob was with First Note,” Ace went on. “When did he switch to CBR Records?”
“I don’t know, but it almost seems like Stan is trying to collect as many acts as he can.”
“Oh!” Ace let out. “Holy crap. There’s Rob.”
“Shit,” I said. “Keep your cool. You’ll blow your cover.”
“Au contraire, my friend,” Ace said. “This is my cover.” He walked past me to go straight up to Rob.
“Mr. Raven,” Ace said with just the right balance of professional columnist and crazed fan. “Do you think the shift in record labels is going to affect your music?”
Rob looked at him and while they chatted a moment, I finally saw my mark. Big, old Stanley Campbell, his arm around a hot young miss.
The pig. The letch. The perv. Damn, the man was disgusting.
More than anything in the world, I wanted to kill him right then and there, but the moment was all wrong. Things were too quiet, too calm, too serene.
But then, as if the security guard had heard my plea, he let a dozen wild fans come screaming in to jump all over Rob… and a little over Ace, who looked a little like a rock star himself.
The shrill cries were the cover I needed. I reached for the small pistol in my pocket and held it level, ready to shoot.
With calm and measured steps, I walked towards Stanley… just enough to get close… just enough to have him within good range of the gun… just…
“Oh, holy fuck,” the beautiful girl said as she bumped into me. “Excuse me.”
“Damn it,” I muttered, momentarily thrown off by the girl.
Angry and ready to rip into her, I just stared at the girl.
But the anger was quickly replaced with stunned silence.
Summer.
Chapter 6
Dante Black/Parker James
“Damn,” Summer said. “I’m really sorry. Sometimes at these shows, I feel like I’m losing my head. Look at those silly girls. Can you believe that?”
“Ah… yes… ah…” I stammered as I stared disbelievingly at Summer. “I… ah…”
“I’m sorry,” she said looking at my stunned face. “Are you all right?”
My heart pounded. There she was. Right there. She had touched me… bumped into me. Just reach out. Get a hold of her. Stop her. Talk to her.
But I was frozen in place.
Meanwhile, I saw Stanley go on to say a few words to Rob before disappearing down the hall. But it no longer mattered. Nothing else mattered.
“Sorry,” Summer said again with a sheepish grin.
Without realizing it, I’d reached out to grip her upper arm to steady her.
“I’m perfectly fine. Are you all right?” I said.