Off Your Rocker?

by K E Osborn

  “I’m sorry about that. I should have never said that to you. I was going through something big in my life and I took it out on you, because you were the closest person to me. So, I really am sorry. I just want to see you happy, and if being on tour with them is making you happy, then I’m okay with it. Provided, of course, that you’re keeping safe. I’ll talk to your father and try and calm him down a bit. And, Lia?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Look after yourself. I’m always here if you need me. Anytime, okay?” Colt walks out onto the balcony gesturing to the phone and I roll my eyes at him.

  “Thanks Joseph,” I reply and Colt’s eyes widen. He actually looks mad, furious even.

  “Look I have to go, but thanks for your concern and I’ll catch up with you when I get back to England,” I say and hang up the phone. “Hey, you all right?” I ask Colt, whose nostrils are flaring and his eyes are cold and hard.

  “Was that your ex?” he asks.

  “Yeah, he was just—”

  “Did he call you or did you call him?” he interrupts.

  “He called me, Colt what’s—”

  “Does he want you back?” he interrupts, again.

  I laugh. “No,” I say it like he’s being ridiculous.

  “Do you want him back?” he still has that edge to his voice.

  “Colt, no. What is this abo—”

  “Do you still love him?”

  “Oh my God Colt, no. Will you stop,” I reply and stand up taking his hands in mine.

  “I don’t love, Joseph. In a way I don’t think I ever loved him any more than just a friend, and I definitely don’t want to get back together with him. He called because there’s pictures of us on the balcony in New York. Daddy saw them and asked Joseph to call to try to persuade me to go back to London. He’s just looking out for me.”

  “Right, cause all men look out for their exes, but don’t want them back.” The vein in his neck is pulsing and twitching.

  I huff out a slight laugh which immediately causes him to frown. “Colt are you jealous?”

  He exhales loudly and his face is red. “I don’t want you talking to him again... ever.”

  I raise my eyebrow at him. “You are! You’re jealous,” I say with a smile.

  “Will you stop smiling at me? I’m being deadly serious here, Lia. I don’t want you to speak to or see Joseph again. Do you hear me? Am I making myself clear?” I laugh at him and he flares his nostrils inhaling abruptly.

  “I hear you. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on talking to or seeing him again. You have nothing to be jealous of babe. I’m yours, remember?”

  He pulls me into an embrace, holding me so tightly I can hardly breathe. “You can’t leave,” he whispers shakily into my ear as he nuzzles into me.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Colt.” His lips crash to mine. His hand is digging into my back holding me against him, while his other fist is in my hair. His tongue sliding in and finding mine as he takes what belongs to him.

  I’m sitting in the guys’ dressing room with them, Anna and Sia as we wait for Dragon’s Lair to finish their set. A sense of calm flows through the room as we sit in couples, except for Hux who’s talking to some chick that we don’t know. As I sit in Colt’s lap cuddling into him, a man walks in wearing a business suit, but no tie. The guys all stop what they’re doing and Dingo and Hux are the first to walk over to him.

  I wonder who he is?

  Colt leans in kissing my temple. “I can’t believe he’s here,” he says lifting me off his lap and placing me on the seat beside him. I look at him with raised eyebrows as he walks across followed closely behind by Johnny.

  “Colter, nice to meet you.” He extends his hand for Colt to shake.

  “Hey Rob. You here to check out the show?” Colt asks shaking his hand.

  “Well, actually I’m here to negotiate a contract with you guys. If you still want me?” he asks and the guys all start cheering and high fiving.

  What the hell is going on?

  I get up and walk over to Anna and Sia who have large beaming smiles.

  “Fuck yeah, we want you with us, Rob,” Dingo states and the guys all laugh.

  I sit down next to Anna. “Who’s that guy? And why are they so excited?” I whisper to her.

  She looks at me and smirks. “Rob Luxley. Looks like they have a new agent. He’s the best. He’s worked with all sorts of bands like My Chemical Romance, The Script, Muse; he’s big time, Lia. The guys are going to be massive with his help.”

  I’m so glad that they’ve finally found a new agent. I know Colt was worried when Hux fired their last one. I’m conflicted. I’m so excited that this is happening for Colt, but at the same time I’m a little worried about how this will affect our time together. The guy’s head over to the table and Rob pulls out some paperwork from his jacket’s inside pocket. Colt picks it up and starts to read over it. Sia stands up, walks over to him and snatches the paperwork out of his hands.

  “I’ll read it, Colt. That’s the manager’s job after all,” Sia berates while she looks directly at Rob.

  The band all chuckle while she starts to read over the contract.

  “So, what happens now?” I ask Anna.

  “I’m not sure. I guess they look over the contract and if his terms are okay, then they’ll sign with him. But I’m pretty sure they’d sign with him no matter what the terms said to be honest.” I smile and look across at Colt. He looks genuinely happy and excited about this new prospect. He glances over at me and I raise my eyebrows at him. He grins and opens his eyes wide showing his excitement.

  “Okay guys, you’re on in ten,” a young man with a clipboard yells out as he walks in quickly, and back out again just as quickly.

  “Right, well my guys need to get themselves in the zone, Mr. Luxley. So, I’ll read over the contract while they’re on stage and we’ll let you know our decision after the show,” Sia advises and the guys all look at her like she’s crazy.

  Rob laughs. “Your manager has spunk guys. I like her and I think we’ll work really well together. You obviously have the band’s best interest at heart and that’s a good thing. Well done, Miss Everly.”

  Sia scoffs and Dingo chuckles. “Excuse me that’s Mrs. Everly not Miss. I’m married don’t you know,” she proclaims while shoving her left hand in his face, her wedding band and engagement ring in line with his eyes.

  He chuckles. “Excuse me. Sorry, Mrs. Everly.”

  “Wait how did you know my surname anyway?” Sia asks creasing her brows.

  “I know everything about all of you. That’s part of my job, just like I know that that’s Anna Soulding and Delia Norman sitting over there. Just like I know that your husband’s real name is Rupert and not Dingo.” I can’t help myself as I burst out laughing. Everyone turns to look at me and I instantly stop and bite my lip, holding back more laughter.

  “Sorry.” I look down at the floor.

  “What’s funny, Miss Norman?” Rob asks and immediately I feel intimidated, like I shouldn’t have laughed.

  “Um, sorry, it’s nothing,” I say, looking over at Dingo.

  “Right, you’re laughing at me aren’t you, Lia?” Dingo asks and I break into a fit of laughter again.

  “I’m so sorry, but your name is Rupert Everly?” I ask trying really hard to stop myself from laughing.

  Everyone except for Dingo starts laughing, and I can’t help myself as I laugh again.

  “Shut up! It’s not, my name’s Dingo. It has been since I was five. Never... ever... call me Rupert or I will cut you,” he says with a smirk, making me laugh so hard that tears start falling down my cheeks.

  “Did you not know, Lia?” Sia asks as she wraps an arm protectively around her husband.

  “No, I had no idea. How did you get the name Dingo then?” I ask and everyone groans and rolls their eyes.

  “Oh, it’s an awesome story. I was attacked by a Dingo when I was holidaying in Australia with my parents and we were at Uluru. The dog
was massive and had teeth the size of a lion’s and—”

  “Here we go,” Johnny interrupts as they all disburse and Dingo walks over with Sia alongside. She looks at me and shakes her head rolling her eyes.

  “No joke Lia, that bloody thing was massive, and I was only five but I fought it off with nothing but my bare hands. I even have a scar to prove it, but be warned it’s pretty nasty looking and it might make you feel sick,” he says and everyone laughs.

  “Shut up it’s my war wound,” Dingo berates lifting up his top, pulling down his jeans slightly and pointing to his hip. I laugh and look closer trying to see his scar, but I only see a thin faint white dot, like maybe where one tooth might’ve gone in, and I mean might’ve, but nothing that’d make me feel sick. I look up at Sia who’s smirking at me and she widens her eyes at me as if to say ‘just go along with it.' I nod my head and make a clicking sound with my tongue. “Yeah, that’s a pretty impressive scar you’ve got going on there, Dingo,” I reply and Colt laughs. Dingo nods his head like he’s all proud of his massive non-existent scar.

  “I know it’s a good thing I’m so fuckin’ tough, that bloody Dingo had no idea what hit it,” he brags as Rob walks over to Colt and they start talking. I giggle slightly as Johnny and Anna both roll their eyes.

  “Well, I’m sure he went and told all his other Dingo mates not to mess with Rupert Everly,” I say making everyone crack up laughing, except Dingo.

  “Don’t be stupid Lia, Dingo’s can’t talk,” he berates shaking his head whiles he walks away.

  Sia looks at me and nods. “Well done, you even kept a straight face. I know when I first heard the story about two hundred thousand times ago, I couldn’t keep a straight face so well done. He honestly thinks the scar is massive, but I can hardly even see it. You should hear his mother talk about it. I think that’s where he gets his overactive imagination from. You’d swear to her the thing was like a grizzly bear size and was so vicious that no one could go near it to stop the thing attacking Dingo. Funny thing is his father always said the Dingo was more like a six month old pup, and after it bit Dingo lightly, it was quite friendly and they gave it food and were almost able to pat it. But don’t try and tell Dingo or his mum that, they’ll bite your head off,” she says as the guys get ready to head out on stage. Anna and I laugh as I watch Colt shaking hands with Rob again. Rob walks out of the room and Colt moves over to me.

  “Hey baby, you ready to watch me rock it?” he asks lifting me up and into his arms.

  “Sure am,” I reply and he kisses my forehead and then we all walk out to the side of the stage.

  The concert at the Staples Center in LA was amazing, as always. Colt really knows how to work a crowd. After the show, we headed to a club as is the norm and the band along with Sia, discussed the contract with Rob Luxley. Apparently there wasn’t much to discuss because they were only talking for about an hour and then we were heading back to the penthouse suite for the after party.

  I’m cuddled into Colt’s side as we walk past our room and to the penthouse suite. We decided, since tonight is a night of celebrating, we’d go to the penthouse and spend some time with the other band members. We walk inside and Johnny turns on the lights and Dingo heads straight to the sound system. The Slayettes are already here and Jessi is looking extra trashy tonight wearing only a corset, black panties and fishnet stockings. Her tattoos are on display for everyone to see and I instantly sigh when I see her. Colt walks me over to the L shaped lounge and he sits on the end, making me squeal when he pulls me into his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean in to kiss him, when I hear people talking loudly. I turn to see Dragon’s Lair coming into the penthouse. I exhale and roll my eyes.

  Great just what I need!

  I feel Colt’s hands on each cheek and he turns me to look at him. “Don’t you move out of my sight tonight, okay? You need to pee, I’m going with you. I don’t want Coslecki to have any chance to get to you at all. Do I make myself clear?” he asks sternly looking down at me. I gulp as nerves rush over me. I hate Jarred and the more nervous Colt feels when Jarred is around, the more nervous I feel. I nod in acknowledgement. Normally I’d put up a fight about Colt’s demanding behaviour, but for this one I think I’ll do exactly as he wishes, not just for his sanity, but for mine as well. Jarred spots me immediately and comes strutting over like he owns the place. My lip curls as he winks at me and then sits himself down next to Colt and me.

  “Lovebirds, we gonna get wild tonight? We are celebrating after all,” he says raising his eyebrows. I scoff and Colt’s hand grips tightly on my knee.

  “I think we, as in Lia and I, are going to have a quiet one tonight thanks Coslecki. Maybe you can go and get wild with some other, more willing couple,” Colt replies and then looks over at Johnny who’s at the fridge. He nods at us and gets three beers out, bringing them over. He sits down on the table in front of Colt and hands us each a beer then unscrewing the cap on his.

  “Yeah, no worries fuck face, I’ll get my own beer shall I,” Jarred hisses and gets up walking off to the fridge.

  “Thank fuck for that,” I blurt out as Colt looks at me with a smirk.

  “I love it when you swear,” Colt says then takes a large long gulp of his beer.

  Johnny chuckles and moves from the table sitting down next to us where Jarred was sitting.

  “Fucking Coslecki, waltzing in here like he owns the place. Stupid fucknut. Dude, next time we go on tour, Dragon’s Lair is not coming with, okay?” Johnny states making Colt chuckle.

  “Yeah man, that’s totally cool with me,” Colt replies and then clinks his bottle with Johnny’s. I nuzzle into Colt’s shoulder and his arm warms me as he wraps it tightly around my shoulders.

  “Where’s Anna?” I ask Johnny.

  “I dunno she wasn’t feeling too good after dinner. I saw her head to the bathroom before, actually thanks Lia I might go and check on her,” Johnny says standing up and walking to the bathroom.

  “I hope she’s okay? I did notice her looking a little paler than normal at the Staples Center.”

  “Yeah, she probably drank too much last night or something,” Colt says as Jessi sits down next to us. I exhale while Colt rolls his eyes.

  “So Lia, seeing as you won’t let Colt have any fun anymore, I thought maybe you could share him with me tonight. I’m getting antsy and I need a Colt fix, and seeing as you won’t share him I thought we could tag team it,” she says running her finger up Colt’s arm. He flinches away and shakes his head with a loud exhale.

  I’m in shock, actual shock – did she really just ask me for a threesome with Colt?

  “Fuck off Jessi, not interested,” Colt replies as he takes another sip of his beer. He seems so calm about this. It’s not every day a girl asks you for a threesome.

  “Oh, c’mon Colt, it’s not like you haven’t done it before,” she protests and I feel Colt tense up under me.

  What the hell?

  Seriously, why am I surprised by this? He’s a rock star, of course, he’s had threesomes and done other crazy stuff. I don’t know why it bothers me so much.

  “Jessi, shut up. I told you I’m not interested. I don’t want to share Lia with anyone else, especially not you – I know where you’ve been.”

  “Then come and party without her. You don’t have to share her, just share yourself with me and Kira and maybe Steph. We can have a real fun time, like that time in Essex, when we were really high and—”

  “Okay, that’s enough, Jessi. Can you just fuck off? Go hang out with Coslecki and Brad, I’m sure they’ll tag team you,” Colt says as I sit here in stunned silence.

  Holy shit! Colt used to get high as well?

  I really am starting to think I don’t know who he is at all. I swallow the lump that’s formed as I sit up straight on Colt rather than cuddled into him.

  “Well, if you change your mind, I’m always open for business for you Colt,” she hints seductively as she leans down and kisses me on the cheek.
/>
  What the fuck? This girl is seriously twisted!

  She walks off as I rub my cheek with the back of my hand trying to wipe her horrid slimy germs away. Colt’s purposely not looking at me as he takes a large mouthful of his beer. I shuffle out of his lap and sit next to him. I’m not sure how I feel. I knew he had a past, but I just don’t want to hear about it or be reminded of it, and I definitely don’t want to talk about it. Colt looks at me finally and frowns.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

  I can see that he means it by the glistening in his eyes, but I still can’t help but feel a little disgusted by him, and I hate that feeling. I can’t look at him anymore, so instead I stand up and walk. I don’t know where I’m walking, but my feet are moving quickly.

  His hand grabs my arm and I turn abruptly, he takes hold of both my arms as I face him.

  “Lia, don’t you dare walk away from me,” he says in a deep low voice, his eyes intense and his brows furrowed.

  “What? What do you want me to say, Colt?” My bottom lip quivers. I want to cry so badly, but people are watching us and I don’t want to make this scene bigger than it already is.

  “I don’t know. Don’t say anything if you don’t want to. Just don’t walk away.”

  “But wouldn’t it be easier if I just walked away? That way you could have your fun with all the girls. I’m sure you miss having your little orgies and wild sex parties. Since I came along all you do is go to bed with me in the next room while everyone in here parties on. Don’t you miss it? Don’t you wish I wasn’t here, so you could just get it on with everyone? I’m just holding you back from who you really are, who you’re meant to be—”

  “Will you shut up woman? No, I don’t miss it if I did I’d still be doing it. I don’t want wild orgies and to party on, Lia. I’m happy with you. I want you, and only you. You’re not holding me back, you brought the real me out. The man I was before you came along was only a shell. I had no soul and I didn’t care about anything. You showed me how to live again, Lia. You did that. So don’t talk to me about who I really am, or who I’m meant to be, because the person in front of you right now, that’s who I am. The guy that’s so into you that he makes a scene in the penthouse and has everyone staring at him as he confesses his feelings for you.” I look around to see everyone is watching us. “That’s who I am, Lia,” he says hitting his chest with his hands. “Jessi wanted this to happen. She’s a jealous minge rag and is only interested in you leaving, so she can have her man meat back. But I’m not going to let that happen. I just won’t.” He exhales and looks down shaking his head like he’s defeated. I stand there stunned. My heart’s beating fast as I feel everyone’s eyes on me. I swallow a lump in my throat as he looks back up waiting for me to say something... anything.