by Cathryn Fox
A warm feeling began to surge through Amy. She called for room service, ordering a big, expensive breakfast. She never lived like this and she knew the second she left the hotel, everything would change. It would change back to reality. She would have to get home, get changed, and get to the restaurant. She would have to deal with lingering thoughts of Denny and more so, the overpowering urge to see Luke.
“He’s a rockstar,” Amy whispered.
She told herself that over and over. Luke was a rockstar. There were no promises and no commitments made. He had been gentleman enough to not push Amy into sleeping with him even. Thinking about their night made Amy’s heart race. She should have slept with him.
Amy knew she’d carry that regret with her, but she also hoped Fallen Tuesday would eventually make their way back to the Syracuse area.
Maybe by then she would be done with Denny for good.
Chapter Nine
Luke looked out the window and saw the crowd of fans standing behind the metal gate. When he was told there would be a metal gate to keep the fans back, it first annoyed him. It seemed a little extreme to have it. But seeing the amount of fans for an appearance and a signing, he started to feel a little thankful for that metal gate. Not that he didn’t trust the fans, but there was just so many of them. It reminded him of the scene that night in the hotel parking lot. A hundred fans turned into a thousand and that turned into what seemed like ten thousand.
With his phone in his hand, Luke stared at the screen.
He still couldn’t believe he was having a text messaging relationship with Amy. They spoke on the phone at night, when she got a break at work… and when Luke wasn’t on stage with Fallen Tuesday.
He couldn’t get Amy out of his head. The band started to give him hell for it, but Luke didn’t care. There was something unresolved and he intended to figure it out soon.
“Got to love this ploy,” Mack said as he walked the narrow aisle of the bus.
“What ploy?” Luke asked.
“This shit, bringing the bus right to the fans. They’re going crazy out there. We’re not set to leave the bus for another twenty minutes.”
“That’s Frank,” Luke said. “He wanted to build the buzz for all this.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t like it.”
Before Luke could say anything, a black van pulled into the open area next to the bus. It backed up and slowly began to turn around.
“What the hell is this?” Luke asked.
Mack bent down and looked out the window. “I have no idea, brother.”
Two men got out of the van and opened the backdoor. They started to take out musical equipment. Guitars. A bass. A small drumkit. Mic stands. Mics. Stools.
“Who’s playing?” Luke asked.
Mack looked at him. “Who do you think?”
“No way,” Luke said.
He grabbed his phone to call Frank. No way in hell… The last two shows had been brutal for Luke. Right now he was supposed to do an autograph session with fans. A Q&A with fifty lucky contest winners. Then there were two more shows and the tour would be over. He had already told Amy he planned on coming back to see her the day after the tour ended. The band agreed to take a week off to separate and do whatever they hell they wanted. Mack had been planning out a week long road trip on his motorcycle. Gray had made plans with his family to get together, so he could check on his younger brother who had gotten out of a rehab facility less than a year ago. Luke wasn’t really sure what Jake and Trent were planning, but they’d be happy just not to see each other every single day for a week.
Luke touched his neck as he dialed for Frank. He was scheduled to meet with Dr. Hornsbury soon to discuss the options for Luke’s throat. There was so much to do on a tight schedule…
“You rang?” Frank asked as he stepped onto the tour bus.
Luke ended the call and looked at their band manager in person. “What the hell is going on out there?”
“Well, I figured since you guys like playing impromptu concerts for fans…”
“No way,” Luke said.
“We’re going out there to play?” Mack asked. “Just like that? No warning?”
“Guys, listen to me. Someone posted a video online of you guys playing a new song. Hell, I didn’t even hear the song until I saw the video. Not only has the video gone viral but the record company is in love with it. Where’s the rest of the band?”
Mack put his fingers to his lips and whistled. It sounded like a bullhorn. “Band meeting!” he bellowed.
Gray, Jake, and Trent appeared from the back of the bus.
“Frank was just telling us all kinds of good news,” Mack said.
“This is good news. The record company has been calling me every damn day, guys. They’re looking for new music. They’re looking for dates, anything. I promised them you were going to get into the studio straight from touring.”
Luke looked up at Mack. They mentally decided not to protest.
“But this video changes everything right now. The fans love the song. The record company loves the song. They’re willing to give you some more time and more money to get an album together. But they want you to keep playing it live. They want it to be Fallen Tuesday’s new hit… that you won’t hear recorded until the new album comes out.”
“To build buzz,” Luke said. “So that even if the album sucked fans would buy it for this one great song.”
“Exactly,” Frank said. “That’s the plan.”
“Wait a second,” Gray said. “We’re not going to just have one great song.”
“I never said that,” Frank said. “This is the record company finding a way to keep you guys in the light while you record and prepare. They’re also talking about some interviews, little shows here and there.”
“I thought we were getting a break,” Luke said.
“Do you want to make money?” Frank asked.
“He’s in love,” Mack said and laughed. “He got himself tied up with a girl back in Syracuse.”
“Cut it,” Luke said. “I’m just saying… it’s been a long road.”
“That’s just getting started,” Frank said.
Luke turned his head. If he didn’t get time to rest his throat, what would happen then?
“That still doesn’t answer the question of what’s happening outside,” Mack said.
“You guys are going out there to play your new song,” Frank said.
Luke felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. He looked at Frank and did his best to hold back all his emotions. If he exploded on Frank it would look suspicious and then he’d have to give up his secret.
“You want us to play?” Luke asked. “And you were going to tell us when?”
“This just happened,” Frank said. “I was on my way here to tell you.”
“Just one song?” Mack asked.
“Just one song,” Frank said. “They want footage and audio of the new song. It’s all for the new album, guys.”
“For the new album,” Luke said.
Luke looked out the window and saw the massive group of fans. They had all come for Fallen Tuesday. They were decked out in merchandise… from hats to shirts, even wristbands. The smallest items with the band’s name or logo on it and these fans bought it. They were so dedicated to the band, how could Luke not want to be just as dedicated back? He was. He just needed to rest his throat and soon.
“I didn’t plan this behind your back,” Frank said. “I got a call this morning and we started talking details. Twenty minutes ago the record company called me and said they were sending equipment here for a quick song.”
“A quick song,” Luke said.
“I don’t like it,” Mack said. “Not because of the fans… they deserve our attention, sure. I’ll play for every person out there, okay? But I don’t like being put on the spot. I don’t like the assumption that our next album is going to be bad. I don’t like the idea of being pushed around.”
“I second that,” Luke s
aid.
“Nobody is pushing anyone around,” Frank said. “I’m sorry you feel that way. You’re almost done with your first big tour. The next steps are crucial. You get the next album out at the right time with the right songs… get back on the road within the year… and you’ll cement yourself. Trust me.”
“Trust you,” Luke said. “Can we?”
“Of course you can,” Frank said. “Look at those people out there. They’re your future, guys. Trust in that.”
Frank backed up and left the bus. Fans cheered as he walked by. He waved, pointed to the bus, and gave a thumbs up. That caused an even louder stir.
“He’s an ass,” Mack said.
“But he’s good at his job,” Gray said. “I mean, look at this crowd.”
“Did they pay for the autograph session?” Luke asked.
“No,” Mack said. “I think it was the first thousand or something. I don’t know how it works. All proceeds from the Q&A are going to a children’s hospital.”
“Good,” Luke said. He stood from the seat. “Let’s get ready to play.”
Luke went to the back of the bus, his phone in one hand, his other hand touching his neck. He could do this. He had to do this. He had to get through this one song, a couple shows, and then it would be over. Rest would come.
Ten minutes later, Luke stood in front of the band at the bus door. He took a deep breath and lifted his hand to signal for the door. It opened and the second he stepped off the bus, the crowd went crazy. The band took their spots in front of the large crowd. Luke looked around and saw the speaker setups and actually had to hand it to the record company for setting something up so fast.
He grabbed the mic and smiled. “Hey!”
His voice boomed and the crowd cheered.
“Okay, this works. We were supposed to come out here and sign some autographs, but we decided to play a song. Is that okay?”
The sounds of the fans collectively cheering made Luke’s heart race. It was the same feeling he got from Amy.
Luke looked back at Jake and nodded.
The new song started and Luke stared at his feet as he took breaths and collected himself. He began to silently pray his voice wouldn’t sound like death. When it came time to sing, he closed his eyes and let it out.
His voice came through without a flaw.
The song actually sounded really good. The most shocking part was when Luke saw some of the fans in the front of the crowd singing the chorus back to him. The song wasn’t even professionally recorded yet. The only way the fans could have heard the song was finding the video online. And they did. And they listened. And they already had it memorized.
During the last chorus, Luke broke from the band and went to the front row of the crowd. He walked up and down it three times, shaking hands, singing to anyone who made eye contact with him. When the song came to an end, the fans cheered and Luke wanted to do another one. Maybe ten. Hell, why not do a full set?
Luke smiled as he looked back at the band. They were stripping themselves of their instruments. Mack nodded to the bus. Luke nodded in agreement. They needed a drink and then they could start their signing and Q&A.
The band waved to fans as they got back on the bus.
“That was fun,” Trent said.
“Something like that,” Mack said. “I love playing for the fans, but the circumstances…”
“It’s done,” Luke said.
He pushed by everyone and made it three steps before he froze. A pain in his throat caught him off guard. He swallowed as hard as he could, trying to chase the urge to cough away.
“What’s wrong?” Mack asked.
“Nothing,” Luke said. His voice was dry, hoarse. “I need water, man.”
Mack and Gray got by Luke and got him a bottle of water. Luke twisted the cap off and turned to see the entire band watching him. Mack and Gray to his left. Trent and Jake to his right. He drank some water and then the urge to cough came back.
Luke let out a cough and shook his head.
“What is it?” Mack asked.
“Nothing. Go. Get washed up.”
Gray started to move but Mack grabbed his shirt. “Stay put.”
Luke looked at Mack. “What are you trying to prove right now?”
“What are you taking?” Mack asked.
“What?”
“The way you’ve been acting. You’re half out of it. Coughing. You look sick.”
“Love sick,” Gray said.
“I’m being goddamn serious right now,” Mack bellowed.
“It’s not what you think, man,” Luke said. “Let’s just get through this tour and we’ll talk.”
“We talk now,” Mack said. “No bullshit.”
Luke looked left to right. “I don’t have to say a word.”
Luke stepped to the right. He could shoulder Trent and Jake out of the way if need be. Before he took another step he coughed again. It hurt. Luke growled and swallowed.
“What’s going on, man?” Mack called out.
Luke turned, ready to tackle Mack, but he had to cough again. There was no stopping it. Luke grabbed at the seats to his left and right and let out the cough his body demanded. It forced Luke to close his eyes and it hurt like hell as he coughed. He licked his lips and tasted blood.
“Shit,” he whispered.
“Shit,” Mack said.
Luke opened his eyes and saw Mack crouched down. He put two fingers to the small spots of blood on the floor and wiped. He stood up and showed his fingers to Luke.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“What does it look like?” Luke asked.
“Christ, man, that’s blood,” Gray said.
“You’re coughing up blood?” Jake asked.
“Leave it be,” Luke said.
“Since when?” Mack asked.
Luke swallowed and wiped his mouth. “We have to do the autograph session and Q&A. Then we’ll talk.”
Luke turned and Mack grabbed his arm. “This is bullshit, Luke. Are you hurting yourself?”
“I’m hurting our fans right now by standing here,” Luke said. “Let’s go. We’ll talk later.”
Luke pushed by Jake and Trent. He walked to the bottom of the bus. The doors opened and he stepped outside from the bus. As fans cheered, Luke kept his head down. He wasn’t trying to be disrespectful to the Falling Tuesday fans, he was trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
Amy managed the kitchen by herself, loving every second of it. She got to work early, like she had done the past week. It was the only thing that kept her mind off Luke. Her phone rested on a metal counter, done on purpose so the vibration would echo louder than the ringtone. It had been such a whirlwind of emotions since leaving that hotel room. Julie pestered Amy for every detail of the night and did not for a second believe that Amy and Luke didn’t sleep together.
Thinking about it made Amy smile, even all these days later.
Not a day had gone by that she hadn’t heard from Luke. They would text and then call each other at night. There were a few nights that Amy woke to Luke’s call at three in the morning. She always acted like she had been awake waiting.
Today Amy was baking a whole new array of goods. Everything from fresh banana bread to something she called triple threat chocolate cupcakes. The notion of baking kept nagging Amy, so she decided to go into work early and make something new everyday. So far the restaurant had sold out of everything Amy baked. She was secretly keeping financial tabs on the cost of her baking and what they were making. She planned on showing it all to Uncle Tom soon in order to offer a crazy idea.
A small bakery next door.
There was a small strip of businesses right next door and the one store had seen two pizza places come and go within the past year. Amy wanted to put a bakery there for herself. To do that, she needed money. She needed support. She needed to think about other debts to pay also. It was just a dream at that point, which was better than nothing. Even if her bakery skills were kept in Tommy Two
’s for desserts, it would be another reason to come to the restaurant. Nothing wrong with that.
Uncle Tom came from the office, whistling, holding a stack of papers.
“Something smells good,” he said.
“Banana bread and chocolate cupcakes,” Amy said.
“You and this baking,” Uncle Tom said. “Why don’t you take some time away from this place? Like a normal human. Go visit your guy friend.”
That’s what Uncle Tom had been referring to Luke as… her guy friend.
“My guy friend isn’t in town anymore, you know that,” Amy said.
“He run off?”
“He plays music. He’s on tour.”
Uncle Tom put his hands up and shrugged his shoulders. “Okay then. What do I know?”
“You know this restaurant,” Amy said. “Stick to it.”
Uncle Tom laughed. The buzzer on an oven went off and Amy opened the door to the warm aroma of her cupcakes. They were going to sell like crazy tonight, Amy knew it. With a name that included ‘triple threat’ who wouldn’t want one?
“Those smell and look delicious,” Uncle Tom said. He was looking over Amy’s shoulder. “My niece, the baker.”
Amy looked back at her uncle. He was such a good man. A kind man. A man who understood. For a split second Amy imagined herself saying something about the open building next door. However, the urge came and went for fear of hurting her uncle. She didn’t want him to take it the wrong way. The restaurant was dear to Amy’s heart too. If she did pursue an outside business it would most certainly put Uncle Tom in a position to never leave the restaurant.
“I’m going to get some shopping done,” Uncle Tom said. “Need to get some fresh fish for tonight, right?”
“I’ll go,” Amy said. “You shouldn’t have to run around.”
“You’ve got plenty to do here,” Uncle Tom said. “Just wondering, are you going to have some employees come in and help?”
“Eventually.”
“Stubborn.”
“Just like you.”
Uncle Tom laughed and left the kitchen.
