Strumming his guitar, Marcus throws his head back and sings with great passion.
Fuck you
You were never true
Fuck off
I can’t even look at you
You can blame me
Blame me all you want
Just fuck off
‘Cause you’re a bitch to be around
As he lowers his voice and repeats the last two lines, he looks over at me and commands, “Sing, Naomi!”
I jump slightly, swallowing a large lump in my throat and with a shaky voice, I attempt to sing the backing vocals.
I can’t believe this is happening, he’s trying to humiliate me publicly. But I don’t let him win, I sing along with him. I sing the next chorus and tell him to go and fuck himself because he’s a dick to be around.
The song becomes more intense and he screams ‘Let me go’ until the song reaches its climax and we start whispering to each other to ‘let me go, ‘cause you’re a bitch/dick to be around’.
The crowd erupts. They go fucking hysterical over it, and Marcus swings his guitar onto his back, unplugs it and walks over to me.
“I guess everyone really does love you,” he says, his eyes hard and unfeeling as he grabs the back of my head and slams his mouth against mine, forcing his tongue past my lips. It’s hard and it hurts. I hear the crash of the top hat toppling as Theo jumps up from his drum kit, and I push against Marcus’s chest with all my strength, just as Theo reaches us and grabs him by the front of his shirt, ready to punch him on stage.
“Fuck you, Marcus,” I growl, placing my hand on Theo’s arm, effectively calming him enough so he just pushes Marcus back.
Marcus stumbles then looks between us and laughs through his nose. “Yeah. Fuck, Marcus. I’m done with this shit,” he spits, taking his guitar off his back and flinging it into the audience as he storms off.
The audience roars and there’s this huge scramble of bodies as they all try to get their hands on it. But it’s all just noise to me. Tears steam down my face as I stand there in open mouthed horror. Marcus just exploded the band. How could he do that do us?
Theo’s strong arms come around my body as he pulls me to his chest, kisses my head and speaks into my ear, promising me that everything is going to be okay.
With his arm around my waist, he walks me off the stage, only to be confronted with a commotion backstage.
“You’re off the fucking tour. How dare you behave like that. I gave you the chance of a lifetime, kid, and you just blew it.”
It’s Dan Stolle with the other band members of Radio Silence standing behind him, nodding in agreement as he unleashes a verbal tirade upon Marcus, whose two female companions are now nowhere to be seen. I guess sleeping with a disgraced rock star wasn’t on tonight’s agenda.
Voices fly up and down as the yelling continues and threats are made. In the end, Marcus takes off without a word, leaving us to deal with the aftermath.
“Dan, please,” I beg as he paces the small hallway, letting out a long list of obscenities. “We can sort this out. Don’t throw us off.”
He stops and points a finger in my face. “I wanted you. Only you. I let you talk me into the rest of them. But I’m not having this shit follow us around the world.”
The tour manager steps into the hallway and calls Theo into his office. We exchange worried glances as he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze before walking off to meet with what seems to be our end.
“You want in on this?” the manager asks Dan.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Dan says, taking me by the arm and leading me into their dressing room. “What just fucking happened?” he asks the moment the door is shut.
“I… I’m sorry ok. I never meant for this to get so messed up.”
“Did nothing I spoke to you about sink in? You went and fucked one of them didn’t you?” Although I don’t need to answer him, my refusal to meet his eyes is enough of an admittance. “Jesus Naomi. I like you, sweetheart, I really do. But that band of yours is a liability. I can’t bring them on tour. You’re welcome, but the rest of them are out. I mean, you don’t even have a frontman anymore.”
“Theo can do it,” I blurt out.
“Theo can what? Front?”
“Yes. They’re all his songs anyway, and honestly, he’s just as talented as Marcus. Maybe more.”
“He’s the one you’re fucking?”
My lips wobble. “He’s the one I love.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and studies me for a moment, thinking on what to do. A knock sounds at the door, and another member of his band tells him they have five minutes to get on stage.
“They can wait,” Dan tells him. “I won’t be more than ten.”
He stands up without saying anything more to me and leaves the dressing room. I follow him out, but stop when I realise he’s heading for the manager’s office.
“What’s going to happen to us?” Jack asks.
“I’m not sure,” I respond, staring at the now closed door. Praying that Dan listened to me, and that he isn’t going to kick us all off.
Thirty-Eight
Theo
“What a fucking night.” I rake my hand back and forth over my head as I ride in the elevator with Naomi by my side. She leans into me and rests her head against my arm.
“At least we got everything sorted,” she says with a sullen smile.
“I never thought I’d be glad you spent all that time with Dan Stolle.”
“Yeah, I think it definitely helped that we’re friends. Now we just need to find a drummer in the next few days,” she sighs.
“Do we know anyone who can drum on short notice?”
“I’m sure there’s someone from school. I’ll call Erica, she still knows everybody.”
“Good idea.”
“What about taking Dan up on his offer to find us a manager? Is that something you want?” she asks as the elevator pings, signalling our arrival on our floor.
“He’s already got us signed to his label, and if we take on his management too, are we going to lose total control?”
“I don’t think so. They started off independent. They don't want to clip anyone’s wings.
“Fuck. I’m not sure about anything. Although really, what choice do I have? I don’t think I can do everything I’m doing now as well as front. Hell, I’m still freaking out about fronting the band. I’ve never done that before. What if the fans we have flip out and leave us? Marcus could very well have ruined everything. I never thought he’d walk out on the band.” It’s possible I’m in shock after tonight.
Naomi slides her hand down my arm and takes my hand, curling herself into me as we walk down the hall. “They’ll love you because you’re amazing.”
I stop where I am and pull her into my arms, kissing her softly. Her body and her mouth against mine are the only reason I’m keeping calm.
After Marcus caused such a scene and stormed out, I was pulled into the manager’s office where I was subjected to a verbal ear bashing by the manager of Radio Silence, the tour manager and the venue manager. They were going to pull the band from the tour. Everything we’d worked our arses off for was being torn away because my little brother threw a temper tantrum on stage. Selfish cunt.
I told them I’d talk to Marcus. That I’d smooth things over. But they weren’t willing to risk that. It wasn’t until Dan Stolle intervened, reporting that Naomi had mentioned I could front, that they saw reason and calmed down.
After Radio Silence finished their show, they made me play for them. And being brothers, Marcus and I have a very similar singing voice. It was a night filled with debate and threats, and I will be forever grateful to Stolle for standing up for us. I almost feel bad for adding him to my hate-list. Almost.
“Do you think he’s here?” Naomi asks as we get closer to our rooms.
“He wouldn’t want to be,” I state, my anger towards him bubbling just below the surface of my skin. I think I’m capable of killing right no
w.
“Will you stay with me tonight?”
“Just try and turn me away,” I murmur. “See where that gets you.” She inserts her card into the slot and pushes open the door. And I don’t waste time in scooping her up and carrying her over to the bed. I need to lose myself in her body for a while.
She leans in, brushing her soft lips along the stubble of my chin. “I can’t even see where your piercings used to be. The holes aren’t there,” she whispers, kissing where my lip ring used to sit at the corner of my mouth.
“They’re healed now,” I whisper, moving my mouth to capture hers. As my tongue slides in, she lets out this gorgeous little whimper that causes my body to forget how fucking tired I am.
“They were hot,” she whispers back, wrapping her arms around my neck as I position myself above her.
“How about I just get the one put back in my tongue?” I kiss my way down her neck as I lift her singlet up over her stomach and run my tongue around the edge of her belly button. “I’ll bet we can find a good use for that one.”
She moans and squirms in anticipation beneath me as I drag her skirt and panties down her legs. “You might have to show me first,” she pants, opening her legs and exposing her beautiful juicy pink lips to me. I feel myself go rock hard at the sight of her wetness glistening between her legs.
“I’ll do more than that,” I growl, dipping my head between her thighs and taking that first delicious lick.
She reaches down and slides her fingers in my hair—I fucking love how she does that—rocking her hips in time with my lapping. Before long, I’ve got her calling out my name, bucking against my face, her thighs tightening around my head.
I sit back, needing to be inside her, and circle my tip at her entrance, pushing into her tight wetness. “Naomi,” I moan, sliding myself back and forth as she clasps her walls around me. I’m so close to exploding. I never thought being connected with someone could feel so perfect, so right. Every encounter has been so meaningless until now.
“Oh god, Theo. Keep going.”
“Grab onto the headboard,” I instruct, holding back until she does, then thrusting more forcefully, her ecstasy-filled cries increasing with each fevered push into her depths.
“I’m coming.” Her walls grip me tightly, pushing me over the edge. I thrust myself inside her one last time and let go with her, enjoying our pulsing connection as I bow my head, resting my forehead on her chest. Loving her makes the world better.
Her fingers slide into my hair, caressing my scalp as we both catch our breath. I think about all the years we wasted. The years I wasted being angry at her. God, having her out of my life was like being locked out of heaven. She’s fucking perfect. She’s my paradise. If only I’d answered the phone when she’d called after that party. If only I hadn’t been such a jackass about finding her with Marcus. We could have been together all this time.
“I’m sorry for not answering,” I say abruptly, lifting my head so I meet her eyes.
“Not answering what?” she asks, confusion evident in her features.
“After that stupid party when you called. I listened to the voicemails, I read your texts. I knew you were upset, but I was so angry at Marcus that I took it out on you as well. I’m sorry.”
Tears well in her eyes as she runs her fingertips lightly over my face. She touches every part of me, my eyes, my nose, my mouth, before kissing me gently, tenderly. “The timing wasn’t right back then,” she whispers.
“Is the timing right now?”
She nods. “We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us.”
“Marry me,” I whisper suddenly. It just pops out, and I know it’s impulsive, but it feels right. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want her to be my wife.
She studies my features for an unnatural amount of time, and I start to worry I’ve scared her off. “OK,” she answers finally. Nodding her head and smiling. “Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Theo. I’ll marry you.”
Grinning, I take her mouth in mine again, and despite the exhaustion of the night we’ve had, and the fact that it’s now four o’clock in the morning, we both still find the energy to celebrate our engagement.
Thirty-Nine
Naomi
The next day we’re due to fly back to Sydney to do our final two shows of the tour. Theo has already been on the phone, trying to find someone who can drum for us. Although, I think given our time constraints, it might be best for us to agree to have a drummer found for us. We need someone professional enough to be able to do what Theo does. Drumming isn’t just about hitting out the rhythm. Theo manages to set the mood of a song with his beat. Each movement, each tap, each thump and clash are precise, deliberate. We can’t have just anyone.
“Any luck?” I ask as he disconnects from his last call.
“Maybe,” he says. “There’s a couple of possibles. I’ll meet them as soon as we get back. You might want to check them out too, see what you think?” he suggests.
“Yeah. I’d like that.” I smile, sliding my arms around his waist as he pushes my hair away from my face and kisses me.
“I have to go. They’re expecting me at the venue,” he sighs, wrapping me in his arms and holding me tight, like he never wants to let me go.
I know it seems crazy that I agreed to marry him after only being together for a short while, and I suppose in a way it is. But you have to understand that I’ve known Theo for a lot longer than the last few months. It’s not like we’re entering this relationship with sex and then learning about each other. We already know each other; sex was just the final step in a connection we made years ago. Even when I didn’t know Theo was Aramis, I still felt this great pull toward him, there was always something about him that drew me in. I see it as us finally giving in. Finally admitting that we’re soul mates.
Reluctantly, he leaves me at the hotel, taking Lachlan and Jack with him to help oversee the transport of our equipment. I can’t believe that this tour is almost over, so much has happened in such a little time that it feels strange that we’re about to go back home. Even if it’s only for a short while before we head overseas.
At the thought of home, I pull my phone out of my pocket and check the time. It’s been on silent, but I have about twenty missed calls and a few text messages. They’re mainly from Stephanie and my parents. I feel guilty for not talking to them sooner and I’m about to call my parents when the screen lights up and displays Stephanie’s smiling face.
“Hey,” I say as we connect.
“Oh my god, Nomes. Are you OK? I’ve been dying to talk to you. You’ve been all over the news.”
“What? Why?”
“Marcus. That stunt he pulled on stage. It’s everywhere. You made the news headlines.”
“Bullshit,” I breathe, powering on the hotel’s TV. I flip through the channels, eventually landing on a newsbreak to see myself, standing on stage, clinging to Theo as Marcus launches his guitar into the crowd again. Shortly after that, a short clip comes on where reporters are trying to get a statement from Dan Stolle. He simply says that the tour will go on as scheduled and refuses to comment any further.
“Crap,” I say down the line.
“Yeah. So… I guess you chose goth boy then?”
“Yeah.” I smile. “I did.”
“What’s going to happen now? I mean with Marcus gone and all?”
I fill her in on the deal that was made after the disaster of a concert we had last night.
“Oh, and Steph–I’m engaged.”
“Fucking what?” she shouts.
I start laughing and fill her in on that too, and in the end, she’s congratulating me and making me promise we’ll all have dinner together soon.
When we hang up, I power the television off. The newsbreak has started to play again, and I don’t need to see it. I was there, I lived it. I don’t need the reminder. Besides, I need to focus on making sure everything is ready to go for the airport.
Opening the wardrobe, I take out his duffel bag, noticing that he didn’t fully unpack. There’re only the few things he used while he’s been here to put inside. Hefting his bag on the bed, I place a few articles of clothing inside that I’ve found lying about the room before heading into the bathroom to collect his toiletries.
I open and close all the cupboards and drawers, checking to make sure there’s nothing left behind, feeling glad for my thoroughness when I find that Marcus’s side drawer has his iPod inside as well his music journal. I know I shouldn’t look in it, but curiosity gets the better of me. I sit down on the bed and leaf through it. I see the lyrics to a couple of his songs and smile, running my fingers over the page, feeling the indentations of the pencil marks with my fingertips. Most of his lyrics are quite light hearted, and they reflect Marcus’s personality perfectly. He doesn’t seem to run very deep.
I continue to flick through, seeing lots of songs I haven’t heard before, and songs we sometimes play. But it’s the last entry that catches my eye, because it has my name on it. The title says Only One (for Naomi)
My mouth opens a little as my heart thuds in my chest. Suddenly, this is exactly the same as reading someone’s diary, but I can’t seem to look away. My eyes read on to the lyrics,
I think about you, caring more every day,
Losing track of time as my body yearns to be close to yours,
I’ve known you for so long, I don’t know why I’m holding back
Because you’re the only girl I want
Beautiful Boxset: Beautiful Series, books 1-4 Page 110
