Great, more people to watch me choke tonight.
“I need to speak to Jared,” Mark says, excusing himself. “Looking forward to sitting down with you, Chaser, Alvin.” He nods to both of us. “Nice to meet you, Mallory.”
He rests a hand on Andrew’s shoulder and pulls him closer, saying a few things against his ear before walking away.
Andrew turns to us, thrusts his hips forward and gives us two thumbs up. “Mark’s the best. I mean, he’ll totally papa bear you in the studio. And you can’t get away with any shit under his watch. But he’ll also squeeze out your best work.”
“Thank you.”
He slaps me on the back. “No problem.”
Mallory’s completely giddy and wide-eyed, but she waits until Andrew stalks off in search of the bar, before grabbing my arm and bouncing up and down. “Oh. My. God,” she mouths. “Are you excited?” She stops her little happy dance and her mouth pulls down. “Is Valerie going to freak?”
I exchange a glance with Alvin. Val has been frustrated with her inability to get to Cutter. Figuring nothing would come of it, I hadn’t shared with her that I’d asked Andrew for the introduction.
“Maybe.”
“Nah, she knows how it is.” Alvin doesn’t seem as convinced as he’s trying to sound. “She’ll be happy if we finally get our asses in the studio.”
I hope he’s right.
Chapter Twenty
Chaser
This isn’t our finest performance.
I doubt anyone else notices, but as usual, I can’t help picking apart every single detail.
“Anyone want to hear something new we’ve been working on?” Jacob shouts into his microphone. Most of his banter tonight has been short and sounded more rehearsed than his usual, easy flowing style.
The crowd responds with a bellowing, “yes!”
My earlier solo had been brief and mechanical. It’s time to redeem myself.
I turn to watch Alvin count off the opening beats to “Queen of the Road.” He executes a signature twirl of his drumstick, but this time, instead of crashing against his cymbal, the stick sails across the stage, thwacking into the back of Garrett’s head.
He turns and scowls at Alvin.
“Fuck, sorry!” Alvin shouts without missing a beat.
One of the roadies races out and grabs the stick, quickly tossing it into the crowd where a bunch of eager fans dive after it.
When we launch into the chorus, the crowd actually sings along. Something none of us expected since we’ve never played it live before.
I glance over at Mallory. Hands clasped under her chin, she’s watching with tears in her eyes and mouths, “I love you.”
This solo comes from somewhere else. Like some cosmic force is using my fingers to play each note.
The screams from the audience for more thunder against the stage.
People start chanting, “Candy Jar!” at us, and for the first time since the Bloody Revolver tour, I’m actually eager to play it.
Not even Andrew standing behind my girl and watching her smile up at him sours my mood. Although, I briefly wonder how much Julius will charge me to fix my guitar if I slam it into Andrew’s face a couple dozen times.
A wave of people rush the stage, pushing the metal barrier a few feet. Security works to push them back, but one girl manages to break free and scampers onto the stage to hug Jacob and scream, “I love you!” in his face.
She wraps her skinny little arms around his waist and hangs on tight while Robbie tries to pry her off the stage. Jacob sings through the mauling, breaking into laughter a few times.
A red, lacy bra lands at my feet. I pause long enough to pick it up and toss it to Garrett, who hangs it on the end of his bass. My gaze scans the crowd, landing on a topless girl sitting on her boyfriend’s shoulders. She points at Garrett and cups her tits, indicating—I think—that the bra was meant for me. Not sure what she wants me to do with that, I shrug and nod at her and keep on playing.
The crowd’s still screaming their heads off when we finish. The four of us meet in the middle of the stage to put our arms around each other and bow.
Robbie tosses a towel my way as I pass by.
Mallory’s waiting for me, and I push past people to get her into my arms, lifting her in the air. I crash my lips against hers, and she presses my face between her hands, kissing me back just as hard.
“That was incredible,” she whispers against my lips in between kisses.
My heart’s still pounding from the show, and I realize I’m dangerously close to hiking up Mallory’s dress and fucking her in front of everyone backstage. Reluctantly, I set her down, but she keeps her arms looped around my neck.
“I hope Cutter didn’t stick around to watch that,” I mutter.
“Why? You were amazing.”
I shrug, still bothered by the choppy start to our set.
“You’re too hard on yourself.” Mallory slides her hands down my sweaty chest while peering up at me from under her lashes. “You should be hard on me instead.”
“Done.” I sling my arm around her shoulders and turn her toward the hallway. Surely, there’s an empty room or broom closet around here somewhere.
We’re thwarted by Valerie herding all of us into our dressing room.
“Fuck!” Jacob throws his towel at the couch and chugs a bottle of water. “That was insane!”
Alvin’s still jumping up and down. “Did you see that reaction?”
Garrett’s more reserved. “Still have a few rough edges to smooth out.” He shoots a glare at Alvin. “And maybe degrease your fingers.”
“I was sweating my balls off up there, bro.”
“Guys, I have never been prouder,” Val gushes. “You were born to play crowds this big.”
She gives each of us a hug, landing on Jacob last. She pats his cheek. “You sounded good.”
“I’m dying. I behaved all day. I need a drink.” Jacob wipes his towel over his sweaty forehead and gives her one of his pleading puppy faces.
“We have two more shows,” I remind him. “You can’t afford to get shit-faced tonight.”
“Did you see that crowd?” He points in the direction of the stage. “We need to celebrate.”
Shit. What’s the better option here? Let him have a mini-celebration tonight or risk him drowning in a vat of Jack Daniels Sunday after we’ve finished all three shows?
“We’ll discuss it in a minute,” Val says, pushing Jacob toward the couch. “Sit.” Her eyes gleam. “I heard Mark Cutter’s here tonight.”
“Uh,” I raise my hand. “Alvin and I met him earlier.”
Poor Valerie completely deflates. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Yeah, why the fuck didn’t you tell us?” Jacob adds.
“Well, you were busy with your diva act in here.” I gesture at Garrett. “And no one knew where you were until two minutes before we went on stage. Andrew brought him and introduced us.”
“I knew working with that crackhead would pay off!” Jacob high-fives me. “You’re the man, Chaser.”
“Good job.” Val squints. “What did he say?”