“It’s a good thing you’re so good at this mom stuff. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I was trying to be sarcastic, but my breath caught when I saw her expression change. I felt the tears starting to build and I shook my head. “No! I already had my cry today!” I shot up from the bed and went to the bathroom to fix my makeup before I totally ruined it with these stupid tears.
“I found it!”
I shuffled out of the bathroom to find her holding up a black halter top and a pair of ratty jeans I hadn’t seen since college. “These will fit! Try them on!”
I took them from her with an exasperated sigh and sure enough, the jeans fit. They were really snug on my ass and the waist had just enough of a gap so I could sit comfortably. The halter was a little more revealing than I was used to.
“I think I wore that for Halloween or something one year, didn’t I?”
“Oh, who cares? It’ll look great on you! You’ll have to lose the bra, though.”
I grimaced at her. I didn’t have exceptionally large breasts, but the thought of going top-half-commando was a little frightening. I yanked off my bra and Maryland’s eyes flared.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about! I hate for you to have to cover those babies up!”
“It’s not that kind of a show, Maryland.”
She groaned. “I know that, but it is Mötley Crüe! If I had nice ones like that I’d be flashing the band!”
I sighed again and looked in the mirror. I barely recognized myself! My crazy red hair was now past my waist, falling in long, ringlet curls.
“Oh, you gotta pile that up, baby! Let’s put your hair up in a messy bun! It’ll show off your neck and draw attention to your other assets!”
I let her play with my hair and tried to relax. I desperately wanted to have a great time tonight. I wanted the music to drag me out of my stupor and make me feel something other than pain tonight.
When Maryland was satisfied with my appearance, we climbed in her car and drove to Shoreline. She cranked up the tunes and we sang along to Mötley Crüe the whole way. We argued over which album was their best and which one of them was cutest. Maryland had a thing for singers, me for guitarists, but when it came to the Crüe, we both loved Nikki Sixx. We parked in VIP and checked ourselves one more time before climbing out. We linked arms as we got up to the gates. And then I halted. I almost made Maryland fall.
“Holy Shit! Is that the same guy,” she whispered loudly.
Of course it was, and I was about to be patted down by him. It was too late to sneak into another line. I stepped up and put my arms out to the side with a bashful smile.
My savior said in a businesslike tone “Empty your pockets please.” And then he noticed me.
McShane
“They’re empty,” the Goddess said in a quiet voice.
Her friend snorted and said, “Yeah, nothing would fit.”
She turned to face her friend and blushed. Then she turned towards me, still with her arms out.
“Do you need to pat me down?” Her voice was just as lovely as she was. I swallowed hard and probably turned red myself. The top she was only barely wearing showed off a lot of lightly tanned, freckled skin. I was beginning to wonder who turned off the oxygen when she bit down on her lip again.
The security kid next to me gave me a frown as he patted down some older lady and I heard annoyed shouts from the back of the line telling me to hurry up. I looked back at her, my palms sweating, and I stepped closer.
Her scent hit me like a freight train and caused my brain to whack out for a minute. I somehow managed to remember my job and ran my hands lightly down her slightly curved sides, around her narrow waist, and then squatted down to check her long, denim clad legs.
When I stood back up, she giggled and said, “That tickled.”
Fuck me, that did it. I stepped back to let her by and was incredibly thankful these windbreakers came down low enough to hide my reaction to her.
“My turn, handsome,” said her busty friend.
I smiled at her and she raised her hands. She dropped her keys and phone in the bucket next to me and I proceeded to pat her down. She moaned a little and said, “Thanks, honey. That’s the most action I’ve had in a long time!”
I coughed out a laugh and moved to let her by. She linked arms with the Goddess and they both gave me a smile as they walked up to the ticket takers.
“Dude, get your head out of her pussy and do your job.”
I turned to glare at the young kid who was next. When I stepped up closer to him I frowned and said through clenched teeth, “I’d be more than happy to have you escorted off the property. Just give me a reason.” I cracked my knuckles and the kid’s eyes bugged out.
“Shut the fuck up, dumbass,” his friend said to him. He put out his arms timidly and I patted him down, finding a bulge in his back pocket.
“You forget to empty your pocket, kid?” I pulled the knife out before he had a chance to stop me and the police officers approached at my whistle.
“Fuck you!” The kid tried to take off, but he was intercepted. His friend stepped up with his arms out.
I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged. “That’s his problem.”
I laughed and patted him down, happy to be moving along.
Four more knives, a set of brass knuckles and a few joints later, the line was down to a trickle and it was time for me to relieve the guys at the top of the seats. I grabbed a bottle of water on my way, as it was a pretty warm evening. Big Wreck was on first and then Buckcherry would start their set. I figured I would take Tyson up on his offer and check out after Buckcherry. Maybe I had added incentive now.
I dug Big Wreck’s set. They had a real groove to them. I hadn’t heard much of their stuff before, but I was certainly going to check them out later. Buckcherry was really only good for one song. All I was really thinking about was the Goddess. I wished I would have been her ticket taker so I could have seen where she was sitting. But then I wouldn’t have been able to get that close to her. Damn, she looked amazing! Being a mom must be really agreeing with her. Ok, thoughts moving into dangerous territory.
Buckcherry’s set got pretty wild. Two women had to be carried out from a combination of too much alcohol and the heat getting to them. I carried the first one and made sure she got taken care of at first aid. Then a call came over the radio that there was a fight on the grass. I ran up there and found about ten bleeding guys who had really gone at it and not in a mosh pit kind of way. I helped the other security guys break them up, getting knocked in the head with something in the process. I escorted one of them down to the front where the police would take over. This was the worst issue I’d seen here this summer. The paramedics took a look at my head and thought I would likely need stitches. It was in the back so I hadn’t seen the blood that was running down my neck. I thought it was just beer. Hoped it was beer and not something else. I told them to just slap a bandage on me and went to grab a clean shirt.
“McShane, you alright?” Tyson came in to check on us all. A couple of the other security guys got hit by flying glass in the same melee and were getting bandaged as well.
“I’m fine. I just thought I got hit. I’ll get it looked at later. Not one of the better times to be follicly challenged, eh?”
Tyson clapped me on the back and said, “Let’s go get that drink.”
We walked up to the bar near the entrance and he asked what I wanted.
“Corona’s fine. Thanks.” He grabbed us two cups from the bartender and suggested we go find some seats. I shrugged and followed him. We went into the lower entrance on the left side of the stage and waited by the rails for folks to come in so we could grab a couple of empty seats. It was close to 9:00 by this time and I was feeling the effects of the day. Until I saw her.
Stevie
My Savior. Was right by the exit. We were coming back from our third trip to get me a drink. Two was usually my limit, but Maryland convinced me I’d spread them out enou
gh that I’d be fine. I was feeling a little numb in the upper lip department, but as soon as I laid eyes on him I was grinning like an idiot. I hip bumped Maryland and she almost spilled her Diet Coke.
“Ok, maybe I should have cut you off. Wha-” Her eyes followed my gaze and saw him, too. “Sweet nectar of the gods! This is Fate. You have to go talk to him, Stevie. There’s a reason you keep running into him.”
I snorted. “Yeah, because he works here.” But as the words were leaving my mouth I knew she was right. “Maryland, how can I-”
“How can you what? Give me one reason why you shouldn’t talk to this guy that keeps getting dropped in your lap?”
I turned and gave her a very serious look. “Nancy.”
She frowned and actually stomped her foot. “Dammit, Stevie! Your life is not over! I’m not telling you to go fuck this guy! You need to prove to yourself that you can still have a conversation with another human being other than me or your therapist!”
My shoulders slumped a little and I glanced back at him. He was with another employee of the venue with a beer in his hand. His yellow windbreaker was gone and he was wearing a snug fitting black t-shirt and comfortable looking denim. He must be off duty. He had legs for days and thick shoulders. I saw a couple of tattoos peeking out from the sleeves of his t-shirt. His skin was perfect and his smile was blinding. He was very unique-looking, some exotic mix of backgrounds. I watched as he took a sip of his beer and his lips...I had to stop. This was impossible. He’d obviously recognized me and would wonder.
“But what happens when he asks about the baby?” I felt a tear slide down my face and I immediately smeared it away and took a cleansing breath. I was NOT going to cry anymore today!
Maryland looked determined. She took on the corner coach stance, grabbing my shoulders. “Stevie, you just tell him you lost your child and you move on. You hear me? You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to. You can do this!”
I took a deep breath and smiled at her. “He is sort of beautiful, isn’t he?” I laughed nervously and she winked at me.
The lights went out and fire erupted on stage followed by Vince Neill’s, “WHAT’S UP SAN FRANCISCO????”
We turned and cheered along with the crowd. They launched into Kick Start My Heart and I felt a rush. Music could always do that to me, but this time the song gave me a new energy. I turned to look at my Savior and was disappointed to see that he was gone. I missed my chance. I let out a sigh and turned to watch the show. Vince was strutting the stage, Nikki had flames shooting out of his bass and Mick was still shredding despite his frailty. Tommy’s roller coaster drum set was ridiculous. I was caught up in the mood of the crowd when I felt a presence next to me where there previously had been empty seats.
“Would you ladies like some water?” I turned and there he was, offering ice cold bottles of water. I took them and smiled at him, handing one to Maryland without looking away. I heard her squeal and realized I’d pressed the bottle against her arm. She swore at me and then saw what had caused my error. She smiled at him and elbowed me. The music was way too loud to talk so I just moved a little closer to him. I swear I could feel the heat radiating from his skin.
We spent the rest of the show catching each other’s eyes, smiling like idiots, and singing along to Crüe’s classic tunes. I kind of didn’t ever want it to end. But it did.
After the last song of the encore, the house lights came up and the crowd started to file out. My Savior and I were obviously reluctant to leave and I was suddenly hit with the giggles. It felt like we were at a junior high dance. We looked at each other and both started to speak. And then stopped. And then laughed. And then stared at each other. Maryland finally bailed me out.
“Are you working the Killers show on Wednesday?”
Startled, he looked over my shoulder at her and his lips parted into a full smile showing the most amazing white teeth. Perfection.
“I am. So Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe and the Killers?” We both nodded and his gaze settled back on me. He ran his hand back over his head, wincing when he hit the back.
“Oh! What happened,” I exclaimed, grabbing his shoulder to turn him. He had a large bandage on the back of his head and blood was seeping through. “You’re really bleeding,” I said, my hand still on his shoulder.
He turned and looked down at me and I realized just how close we were. My heart was pounding. I dropped my hand and his smile fell a little.
He cleared his throat nervously and said, “I better get this taken care of. Where are you sitting Wednesday?” I must have looked confused by his statement because he laughed. “The Killers,” he added and I felt really dumb.
“Oh! Duh! I don’t know. Maryland? Where are we sitting?”
She pulled out her phone and flipped to her email. I snuck another look at him and he was checking his phone with a frown, too.
“I’m sorry, I have to go.” His eyes were saying he really didn’t want to go and neither did I. “Drive safe. I hope I see you again,” he murmured, and then hurried down the row and out the exit.
I sighed and turned to Maryland. “I didn’t know we had tickets for Wednesday.”
She grinned sinfully. “We do now!”
Chapter Six
McShane
“Of all the nights this could possibly happen,” I cursed into the phone.
Schroeder cleared his throat. “I’m really sorry, man. He just showed up here a few minutes ago. He’s totally trashed. And crying.”
I ran out to my car and told Schroeder I’d be there as soon as I could.
Schroeder lived in an apartment above the store. Shortly before he called, Peter showed up drunk and in tears at his door. Schroeder let him in and Peter asked him to call me. It took me forever to get out of the concert traffic and onto the freeway, but it was smooth sailing from then.
I pulled up in the rear and let myself in with my key. I ran up the steps and knocked on the door. Schroeder answered immediately and I could see Peter sitting on his couch with his head in his hands.
“He’s moaning about some girl.”
I went and sat next to him, taking a deep breath for patience’s sake. “What’s going on, little bro?”
He looked up at me and the pain in his face socked me in the gut. His eyes were glassy and he smelled like fruity puke. “I’m sorry, Aaron. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t go home. She dropped me off and I didn’t know what time it was and Schroeder let me in.”
I asked Schroeder if he’d make us some tea. He nodded and went quietly to his kitchen. I put my hand on Peter’s back and he turned into me, clutching to my shirt.
“This sucks, Aaron. Why do girls suck so bad?”
I stifled a laugh, thinking at any other time he’d be happy about that. “I don’t know, bud. Why don’t you tell me what happened?”
He leaned back and wiped his snotty nose on the sleeve of his Diamond Supply shirt. “I don’t know! I love her, man. She just won’t listen. She says she needs space but I can’t do it. I need her.” Then he was sobbing and holding on to me for dear life. I wasn’t sure how much of this was the alcohol talking and how much was truly sadness. I held him and rubbed his back until he was breathing heavily, obviously he’d passed out. Schroeder came back in with the tea and chuckled.
“Poor kid. Here, let me get him a pillow and a blanket. And a trash can.”
I nodded my thanks and held my little brother close for a few moments more. The age difference made things a little weird with Peter and Patrick. Sometimes they felt more like my children, but on a night like tonight, I felt like a big brother. I was glad he came looking for me, glad he hadn’t driven. When he was sober, we’d go for a long walk and talk about this girl who was giving him fits. I sure knew how he felt.
Schroeder came back in and helped me get Peter laid out on the sofa. I took his shoes off and tucked him in. Schroeder said he could stay the night, me too if I wanted to be here when he woke up.
“Thanks, but I think I�
�ll just stay for a bit and be back early. I want to check on things at the house. I hope Patrick isn’t in the same shape.”
He nodded and plopped down in a beat up recliner and turned on some soft music. I sat on the floor at the end of the couch.
“I hate it that he’s going through this,” I said after a bit. “He’s just as sensitive as me. As our Pops, too. Patrick is a little more of a player. I’ve yet to see him settle down with one girl. But Peter is more sensitive. Maybe this girl is what’s had him a mess for the past few months.” He hadn’t mentioned a steady girlfriend, but that’s where the weirdness in our relationship came in. They often kept things from me if they thought I would judge them or give them shit about it.
Schroeder grunted and said, “Girls do suck at that age, and I don’t mean in a good way.”
I laughed hard at that one. “I didn’t find many that sucked in a good way at his age. Then again, they can be hell at any age.” I couldn’t find it in my heart to be negative about girls tonight, though. “Hey, Schroeder? You ever meet a woman that is just so fucking beautiful that you lose all faculties when you’re around her?”
He frowned at me and tugged on a lock of his blonde, curly hair. “I’m not sure. I haven’t met that many beautiful women. Truly beautiful, I mean. Why? Did you get dumbstruck tonight?” He gave me a smirk and I rolled my eyes, knowing he was going to give me a ration about this.
“I sort of did. It’s this woman I saw at the beginning of the summer at a show there. She’s absolutely exquisite with crazy-hot, gorgeous red hair. She was there again tonight.”
He was watching me curiously. “And,” he finally asked.
“Well, that’s just it. I can barely breathe around her, much less hold an intelligent conversation. We stood there just staring at each other tonight and I felt like an idiot, but I just couldn’t walk away either. Talk about awkward.”
The Rock Season Page 5
