All I keep thinking about is how Mark should be here. He should come barging through that door at any moment and hustle me into gear, making me laugh as he goes.
Just then, a knock sounds, making me gasp and turn. My heart pounds as I stare at the white wood, and for a moment, my hopes fly high that I’ll hear his voice before I realise how stupid that is.
Until I remember he’s gone.
“Yeah?” I croak before clearing my throat. “Yes?” I repeat, my voice stronger this time, even with the little waver in the middle.
“Gabby, you okay?” Kathy asks, knocking again gently, and that last little bit of stupid hope shatters in my chest. My heart constricts for a moment, making it hard to breathe.
He’s truly gone, but the worst thing I can do is wallow in grief. He would hate that, he would hate that I’m crying in the bathroom. Turning back to the mirror, I swallow hard, telling myself I will be okay—for him.
I stare into the mirror. “Yeah, I will be,” I call, and I know it’s true. I will be…but only when we catch and stop Mark’s killer. Only then will I get closure and be able to heal.
With one last look at myself, I grab my clipboard, unlock the door, and smile at Kathy. “Let’s get this show started,” I declare, my voice upbeat. She eyes me for a moment before a small, proud smile curves her lips.
“You’ve got this, boss, never doubt that,” she replies before turning away and letting out a whistle that impresses even me.
“All right, men, gather round,” she yells.
I step up next to her as the crew and my men congregate around us. I take a deep breath and look around, memorising each and every face. Before this tour is through, I will find out which one of them is the killer, but until then…we carry on.
For Mark.
“It’s hard, I know that,” I start, looking around. “I feel it too—his loss. But he would have hated us moping around, that wasn’t his style.” There are some murmurs of agreement, and for a moment, I just stare at my men.
“He loved us all like family, but right now, this family is broken, hurt, and bleeding. We can patch it back up, it won’t be the same as before, but when we grow around that pain, we will be stronger. Better. Because even though he’s gone, we got to know him.” I look at the crew.
“We got to know an amazing man, we were able to be part of his life, and that’s fucking beautiful. He touched each and every single one of us, and I know we all have memories of him here, but tonight, there is no room for ghosts. Instead, we remember him in everything we do, we perform every single thing like he’s watching. Tonight, we make him proud.” I swallow then, fighting back my tears. “Tonight, we are doing this for Mark.”
A cheer goes up, and people nod, turning and talking to each other, their spirits lifted. More energy pumps through them, which is what I needed. My men come over to me.
“Angel,” Liam says, smiling, “that was incredible. He would be so proud of you.”
“I know, and he would be watching you guys, so dance like he is. Give it everything, leave nothing out, and listen to the beat like it’s the thrumming of his heart,” I order.
“You’ve got it, Baby Girl,” Blake replies, leaning in and dropping a kiss on my lips. “You’re doing amazing,” he whispers, boosting my confidence.
Leo gives me a quick hug and a kiss, while Liam dips me in an elaborate, hard kiss, making me laugh as he straightens me again. Kingston kisses my forehead, no words needed. Emmett is there, lingering behind them, and we stare for a moment before we both rush into each other’s arms.
I squeeze him, and he kisses my cheek. “Family, Gabby. We are always family,” he says mysteriously before stepping back. For a moment, his eyes catch on Kathy, and a strange smile curves his lips before he turns and rushes to join my men, ready to go on stage.
I look back to see Kathy blushing, her eyes dropping to the ground before a flash of ginger has me turning to see a crew member. He hands me a mic, and I nod at him in thanks before joining my men at the side of the stage as the music starts.
When the lights come up, I stroll on stage with a flirty smile. Screams and stamping fill the air as the excitement heats the stadium.
“Tonight’s the night where all your wettest dreams come true,” I coo. “We have men who will have your panties falling off, their moves making you beg for more…so I ask only one thing…” I pause dramatically as the beat pounds and then stops.
“Are you ready to get wild?” I purr, and the lights cut out. I rush off stage as slow, grinding music comes on and the guys get into position.
The lights come back up, and the audience screams.
The Wild Boys are back.
The show is a great success, the guys are on fire. The crowd eats it up, going crazy, begging for more. The venue flows with liquor, dirty thoughts, and grinding music, creating an atmosphere that’s hard to ignore.
While they are on stage, I sort a tribute that comes to mind as I watch them. I get the crew involved, and by the time the end song ends and the guys are taking their bow, it’s ready. I rush on stage, the guys watching me in confusion, and stand under the lights. It heats my skin instantly, sweat dripping down my spine.
My boys gather around me, grinding jokingly until I clear my throat and meet the audience’s gaze. “Did we all enjoy that? I know I did,” I tease before pushing a grinding Liam away with my heel. “Did we all get…wet?” I drag out the word, smiling at the screams.
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for trusting in us, for letting us entertain you and doing what we love.” I take a breath, and the music slows. “Tonight is important for us. It’s the first show we have done since we lost our stage manager, Mark. He was the heart of our tour and loved by every single person here, so as you can imagine, it’s been difficult. It’s bittersweet almost, but everything we have done tonight, we did for him. To honour his memory and the years he put into this show.”
The crowd claps, and I let them before it slows enough for me to speak. “We miss him every single day. This show was only possible because of that man, so we would like to take a moment of silence to honour his memory. Please join us.”
I hold out my hand and Kingston takes it, with Blake on my other side as the rest line up and take hands. The lights stay on, but the music stops as we bow our heads for a moment of silence, no doubt all of us remembering Mark. The crowd does as well, not a single whisper is heard, and when the minute is over, I lift my head, uncaring about the tears in my eyes. Let them see my pain, let them see our pain.
Let them know we are real.
We bleed, we break, and we fall, but we always get back up.
“Tonight is a night of great sadness, but also great happiness, as we remember Mark fondly. So what better way than with some videos and pictures? I thought I would share the legacy of the man with you, the fans, and show you who exactly made this all possible.” I turn as the screen at the back flickers on.
It starts with a video of Mark dancing with the guys, trying to grind while they all laugh. The crowd laughs along with us as my guys move closer, all of us enraptured by the image, remembering the good times. Sometimes when you lose someone, it’s hard to remember anything but the bad, but I refuse to let that happen here.