Backstage

by Mandy Bee

  “Flower! How did you…..wait….what are you……how did you find us?” Chris says, I guess seeing his baby sister at a strip club has freaked him out.

  “You guys made the news on a gossip website. Someone took a picture and posted it.” I look around for Tammy but can’t see her.

  “You need to get out of here, you can’t be in a place like this.” Scot says to me. Aww that’s sweet, he is trying to look out for me. Sorry jackass I’m not leaving here until you do.

  “Why not? Y’all looked like you were having so much fun, we thought we would come join you. You know until it was time to go home.” I’m acting like everything is okay, my voice is smooth, and I’m smiling like all is good.

  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” Chris asks and starts pushing me out of the booth. He grabs my arm and walks us over to a dark corner. “What the hell were you thinking? You need to leave right now!”

  “Sorry, I’m not leaving here until you do. Do you even know what time it is? You had me worried sick! You didn’t answer your phone, you left the bar not long after Justin did and didn’t tell anyone! Chris you think you worry about me, well guess what big brother I worry about you too!” I wrap him in a big hug, right now I’m just glad he is okay.

  “Our phones died, that’s why we didn’t answer.” His voice is soft and he is hugging me back. “I’m sorry, I guess I should have found away to call you. What time is it anyways?”

  I glance at my phone. “4:15am, you will never know how scared I was. Please come home, Chris I don’t care if you go out partying, I don’t care if you go to strip clubs. All I want to know is where you’re at. You are a grown man, I can’t tell you when you have to be home, but all I want from you is for you to respect me enough to let me know where you’re going, and if you go somewhere else send me a text. I called the hospitals and the police stations in tears I was so scared.” I’m holding him tighter now.

  “Oh sis, I’m so sorry. Come on lets go home.” He releases me but takes my hand as we walk back over to the table. “Guys we need to go.” He says and they others just nod and get up. They settle the bill and as we are all walking out, the bitch from hell blocks the door.

  “Where are you going?” She asks Chris.

  “I’m going home Tammy, its late.” We try to walk around her but she blocks us again. You can see she has covered her bruises with cheap make up.

  “Are you always going to let that bitch of a sister dictate your life?” She hisses at him. Before I can say anything or even move, Scot jumps in front of Tammy and just stares at her.

  “NO ONE TALKS ABOUT FLOWER THAT WAY!!” Scot snarls making Tammy take a step back. Justin and Chris walk me out while Scot and Dave watch Tammy until we get a cab. Once all five of us are in the cab I take a deep breath and lay my head on Justin’s shoulder. After being told that the car was towed and that’s why we had to take a cab, I try not to get upset. At least they are okay, well for now anyways.

  “Band meeting.” Justin says as we walk in the front door. Okay, didn’t see that coming. We all pile into the living room and wait for him to start. “Guys what happened tonight can’t happen again. That picture will be all over the internet and the news tomorrow. It is one thing to go have fun, it is another thing to be smart about it. I think the drinking in this band has gotten out of control. I know it’s not as bad as it used to be but maybe we need to cut it back a little more.”

  “Can we see the picture?” Dave asks. I go get my computer, which I have left open on my bed. Loading the picture again I walk back in and hold it up so they can see. Everyone of them hangs their heads after looking at it.

  “You’re right, and this is going to be a press nightmare but we will get through it.” Scot says standing up “Flower I am so sorry we worried you. I guess we have never had to answer to anyone before so we just didn’t think about needing to call you.”

  “I understand why y’all didn’t call, but please don’t do this again. I love you guys like family. This is the only family we have ever had, other then our parents, and I panicked when we couldn’t get a hold of any of you. Like I told Chris, I don’t care about how long you stay out or where you go. I just need to know where you are. I never want to feel the way I felt tonight, ever again okay?” I’m fighting back tears but they can see I’m upset. Each one of them comes and hugs me, saying they’re sorry.

  Once I’m back in bed with Justin, and all the guys are asleep, I break down. I start sobbing into my hands while snuggled up to him. He doesn’t say a word, he just rubs my back and rests his head on mine. I cry myself to sleep because tonight I thought I had lost my brother, I didn’t know where he was. If he was hurt or dead. I don’t think I could make it in life without Chris, and the thoughts that went through my head tonight when I didn’t know where he was or what had happened to him, proved to me that I can’t live without him and that scares me.

  The guys spent the next two days walking on egg shells around me. I hate to say it but I cashed in on their guilt. I didn’t have to cook or clean for the whole two days. I tried to hide my smiles when one of them would jump up to refill my drink, or would take my plate into the kitchen for me.

  Tonight is our last night here at the house. We will be flying to New York tomorrow and will be staying two days there before flying to London. It still seems crazy to me, all that is happening. Justin goes on and on about what London is like, and what he wants to show me when we get there.

  The tour dates were fixed to where some of the makeup dates are mixed in with the planned tour, but two of them had to be planned for a week after the tour was to be over. None of the guys cared about the extra week, I’m guessing it is because of the three week break.

  We are having a family BBQ tonight. Justin’s parents are flying in, so is Scot’s brother and Dave’s brother. We are all flying out tomorrow so they will all be staying with us tonight. I had to beg Rachael to stay here, she was determined to get a hotel room, but I won her over by saying how much it would mean to me for her to see how happy we all are. Pulling on the heart strings of a loving mother, I should be ashamed of myself but I’m not.

  I’ve already made Dave and Scot move their stuff into Chris’s room. I will be putting their brothers on the couches and the guest room will go to Justin’s parents. The four of us cleaned this house so good that I don’t think my mother ever had it this clean, not that I would know or anything but still. I take another look in the mirror and sigh, I’m trying to look nice but not showy nice. I really want Justin’s parents to like me. I have a light blue cotton maxi dress on, a pair of white strappy sandals and very little makeup.

  “Everyone just pulled up. It’s show time!” Justin runs in my room all excited. We lucked out that everyone’s plane landed within five minutes of each other. So they all agreed to wait on each other and then just share a cab over to our house.

  “I’m ready, I guess.” I’m so nervous.

  “Hey everything will be fine.” He takes me in his arms and kisses my neck. “You look wonderful, smell yummy, and as long as we can stop you from getting mad I know they will love you!” He laughs making me giggle.

  “Okay, well stop smelling me and let’s go!” I wiggle away from him and head for the door. He walks up behind me and has his arm around my waist before we get to the living room.

  We watch as everyone stands around talking, all the bags have been stacked by the door and Chris is taking everyone’s coat. When I see Rachael I’m dumbfounded, she is nothing like what I thought she would be. Now I have seen pictures of her but she was dressed up in them, not today. She is wearing slim jeans, cowboy boots, and a plain long sleeve t-shirt. Her long blonde hair is twisted up into a clip, just like mine is. I’m in awe at how country she looks.

  Justin’s father, Mike, is dressed almost like his wife. He has a t-shirt on but has a sports jacket over it. A thick, shinny, black belt is around his jeans, and his cowboy boots are a light teal color. His salt and pepper hair is cut short. He looks like
an older version of John, but I will keep that to myself. John is a sore subject in our family.

  “Flower, come meet my brother Guy!” Scot runs over to us, well he is almost dancing over. I have never seen him like this, and I love it!

  Guy is a beast of a man, he must weight 400 pounds! But it is all muscle. Scot explains that Guy is a body builder, and owns a gym in LA. Scot tells us about all the awards Guy has won, and how many celebrities used his gym, he is so proud of his brother. I know the feeling.

  “Dude, chill out please.” Guy laughs and punches Scot in the arm.

  “It’s nice to meet you Guy.” I say sweetly “Why don’t y’all come on into the living room while the guys get the snacks ready.” I tell everyone as I have them follow me. Dave, Chris and Scot go into the kitchen to get everything that we already plated earlier today. I wouldn’t let Justin help them, I need his help more then they do.

  He takes my hand as we sit on the smallest of the couches. Rachael, Mike, and Frank, Dave’s brother, sit on the big couch while Guy takes the only chair. The others will just have to sit in the floor, and I better not hear any complaining from them either. I know I won’t because we have all been excited about everyone coming.

  “I hope everyone’s flight was okay.” I say after they get seated. They all nodded, or said a small yes. I squeeze Justin’s hand hard telling him I’m scared to death and to please help me. But before he can the guys come in with the drinks and snacks.

  Dave introduces Frank to everyone. Frank is what most people would call, a tall skinny white boy, but he seems really nice. He is an accountant in Portland, where Dave and his family are from.

  “After fifteen phone calls of him begging and crying I finally gave in and said I would come.” Frank nudges Dave with his foot as Dave sits down in the floor.

  “I did not cry.” Dave says in a voice that tells us he did.

  “Yeah right!” Scot yells dying laughing. Well most of us are laughing now too, poor Dave is blushing.

  “So what are the plans for today?” Rachael asks, changing the subject. Dave gives her a ‘Thank You’ smile, she winks at him.

  “Well after everyone gets settled in, we have a few hours of free time. The steaks don’t take too long to cook, so we won’t need to start the BBQ till around seven.” I’m surprised at how calm my voice sounds.

  “Well since we are the only women, why don’t we go shopping while these guys play video games.” She is sitting straight up, biting her lip like Justin does when he is waiting for me to answer. Before I can Chris, Scot, Dave, Frank, Guy, and Mike jump up and run out of the room laughing. Guess its video game time for them.

  This leaves me, Rachael, and Justin alone in the living room. He is still holding my hand but doesn’t seem to care that his mother is staring at us. I don’t know what to do or say, so I start picking imaginary lent off of my dress.

  “So where are the best shops?” Rachael asks me, how should I know this? Until I met your son I didn’t even like shopping.

  “Umm, well I don’t know. I’m not a big shopper.” I say keeping my head down.

  “That’s okay, I have an app on my phone that will show us where to go.” She really wants to go shopping.

  “Mom maybe shopping isn’t a good idea, we can find something to do around here.” Justin says while taking my other hand in his to stop me from picking at my dress.

  “Who said you were invited? You need to go play with your brothers. Flower and I will be just fine.” She stands up and walks over to the door. Oh shit, I don’t want him to leave me.

  “I am not leaving you alone with her. You will only question her to death.” He laughs but I can tell he is still trying to fight to come with us.

  “Nonsense! I promise not to question her to death, I just want some girls only time.” She smiles at me.

  “It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “I need you to watch the boys anyways. You know how they get when they get too excited. Just don’t let them make too big of a mess, I will have no problem yelling at them in front of their families.” I laugh while walking over to the hall closet to get my handbag.

  Justin laughs and says fine but makes me promise to call him if I need rescued. His mother smacked him up side the head making me go into a giggle fit.

  “And what is so funny?” He asks pulling me into his arms and pinning me to him. I can’t stop laughing so I can’t answer. “I think I know of away to calm you down, my love.” He whispers in my ear then kisses me hard! Before I know it my hands are in his hair and one of his is on the back of my neck locking me into the kiss, while his other hand is on the small of my back pushing us closer together.

  When we break the kiss I have calmed down but my heart is racing. I look over at Rachael and she is beaming with joy. This shocks me, I mean what mother wants to witness their son making out with his girlfriend? I start blushing and duck my head down. I hug Justin one more time and then push away from him.

  “See you later dear.” She kisses his cheek and takes my hand, leading me to the car.

  Once in the car she loads her shopping app on her phone and gets directions to a mall not far from here. She tries to talk to me some but I’m so nervous I can barely answer her. Then she asks me about the tour, and what it’s like being on the road with the guys.

  “I love it,” I answer her, this is something I can talk about easily. “I’ve been touring with Chris for ten years now, and Freak Street is now our family. The guys are really good to me, and I love how much they love Chris.”

  “Justin has told me a lot about you and Chris, he sounds like the ideal big brother.” She jokes.

  “Yeah, he’s the best.” I smile while looking out the window. We have just pulled into the parking garage of the mall.

  “Flower, I think I can tell that you are not the type of person who likes to spend money on themselves. So lets go spend money on our family.” She says getting out of the car, spend money on our family, I can do that. “But I have one rule, you must buy yourself at least one item, and it can’t be some cheap little thing either.” She says taking my arm and walking me to the front doors of the mall. I just nod and smile, great I have to buy myself something, this is going to be a long day.

  So the shopping trip wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We bought a gift for each of the boys. I texted Justin and let him in on our little plan and had him feed me info about Frank and Guy.

  Frank only has one hobby, he collects cuff links. I have never heard of this before, but whatever floats his boat. So we got him a pair of black cuff links in the shape of music notes. I really hope he likes them. Now Guy he was harder to buy for, he eats, breathes, and sleeps for body building. Rachael found a custom jewelry place in the mall and asked how long it took them to engrave items, luckily for us they said they could do almost anything in about an hour.

  We found a white gold dog tag and a long beaded chain. We had them engrave one side with a music note and a barbell and the other side said ‘Scot and Guy, Music and Iron’ and it was wrapped and ready in only thirty minutes. I know both of them will love it. They are kind of like me and Chris, all they have are each other, they have no other family but the band.

  For the band we bought them each something to use on stage. I got Chris a few drum covers that have really cool drawings on them. I know that he can’t use them while playing the drums but I thought he could place them around his drums on stage just to show them off. We found Scot a side holder that clips onto his keyboard stand, so he can keep things like his phone, a drink, or just notes and stuff right there with him. Dave gets a few little items, some new strings, a new wax kit, and a new box of black picks, all for his guitar.

  Rachael and I both went in on Justin’s gift. We found a microphone that I know he will love using on stage. The base color is silver but there is a blue swirled line going all around it. Then the top part of it is lined with light blue rhinestones. It was the most expense thing we bought for anyone
but I can’t wait to see him use it.

  Rachael buys her husband a new pair of cowboy boots, in the weirdest shade of orange I have ever seen. She swears that he will love them but I’m not so sure. She gets herself a new pair too, but in simple brown leather, with a watch that matches.

  “Now it’s your turn.” She says as we walk out of the shoe store. “What are you going to get for you?”

  “Umm, I don’t really need anything.” I have been praying she would over look that I haven’t bought anything for myself.

  “Oh no you don’t, I have one rule and one rule only, and that is that you have to buy yourself something too. Now come on, I know you have great taste in jewelry, maybe we should head back to were we got Guy’s dog tags.” I stop and just look at her.

  “How do you know what taste I have in jewelry?” I’m not being rude, I really am confused by what she said.

  “My personal shopper, Kelly, sent me the same pair of earrings that Justin got you while you were in New York. Black diamonds, they were lovely. Any woman who can pick out something so simple yet so perfect must know a thing or two about jewelry.”

  She’s not wrong, I do like to look at jewelry. Not like a girly girl or anything but I like to see different styles, and things like that. This is something that Chris doesn’t even know about, something I don’t even admit to myself really. But if I’m going to buy myself something today then I want it to surprise everyone.

  “Can you keep a secret?” I ask her. She just nods and smiles. “I have always wanted to go to Tiffany’s” I bit my lip while waiting for her to react, I didn’t have to wait long.

  “Then lets go to Tiffany’s!” She squeals.

  We load all the gifts into the trunk and the back seat of the car. She gets the directions to Tiffany’s from her GPS, because I wouldn’t admit to knowing where the store was. I want to shoot myself for being this giddy over going shopping, but I really can’t wait.

  When you walk into a place like Tiffany’s you must think rich, well I don’t think rich, I don’t know how too. Luckily Rachael knew what to do. A sales lady came up to us and asked if she could help us, well duh. I thought about what I may want to look at on the way over and decide on a necklace. She showed us over to their necklace area and asked what type I had in mine. I really don’t know. Rachael told her we may need a few minutes, she said that was fine. She stayed with us but didn’t hover over us.