by Twyla Turner
“I just made that up. You like it?”
“You’re a mess.” Serena shoved her playfully. “But in all seriousness, Lys, then that means you’re falling for him. If this was just a fling where you weren’t worried about feelings, you’d have slept with him by now. But you avoiding him must mean that you’d prefer more than just sex, but you’re afraid of getting hurt.”
“And?” Lyris didn’t deny it.
“And don’t you think you should at least talk to him about it? You never know how he feels about it. I bet he doesn’t care what society thinks.”
“That’s easy to say before people start talking shit. I just can’t set myself up like that. It’s not worth it. Besides, after that performance on the Jimmy Late Night Show, rumors of Gage getting back with Natasha is all over the internet. Almost everyone wants them back together.”
“The way you described that non-kiss kiss you had on the plane, I’d say it doesn’t sound like he wants Natasha back. I think it would totally be worth it. That man would flip your world upside down. You haven’t had that good pipe laid in forever,” Serena said.
“You ain’t lying there. I haven’t had that good-good in about six years.”
Sebastian cringed, “Oh no! That’s just way too long. How you women can go that long is beyond me.”
“Well, men don’t have the stigma of being labeled a slut. You can meet someone and fuck them ten minutes later and no one would bat an eye.” Serena rolled hers.
Sebastian got a dreamy look in his eyes, “Yeah, I know.”
Lyris and Serena both throw pillows at his head. He wasn’t expecting the attack. The pillows startled him and he fell back out of the chair he was leaning back in.
“Oh God!” Lyris exclaimed past her peals of laughter. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. No thanks to you two heathens.” Sebastian gave them the stink eye.
Once they realized he was okay, they let their laughter go fully.
When they finally simmered down, Lyris got serious again.
“So, what about you and Jesse? What’s going on with that? With doing the publicity circuit, I feel like I’m out of the loop.” Lyris asked Serena.
“Oh, that’s over. He wanted to put me up in my own condo only a few minutes away from his house with his wife and kids. He wanted me to be easily accessible. I can’t. I just can’t.” Serena shook her head. “I can’t be someone’s whole ass mistress. Besides, I kinda have something else going on now.”
Lyris leaned closer, “Ooh! Who? What? I have to live vicariously through you right now.”
“The director I’m working for while shooting this movie.”
“Really?!”
“Yep.”
“Wait… He’s not married too is he?” Lyris looked at her best friend skeptically.
“Nope. I just told you I couldn’t do the married man thing. I want to create drama on camera, not in my waking life.”
“Fantastic!”
“Yeah, I’m proud of you for ending that mess,” Sebastian added.
Lyris gave him a look and nodded, “Same!”
“Well, I’m ashamed of myself for even starting up with someone married. He was hot and charming and I just got wrapped up in it. But this guy is sweet and teaching me a lot about the industry. So far so good.” Serena grinned happily.
Lyris grinned back at her and then turned to Sebastian. “And you?”
“Well, I met this stunning man named Javier. But you two know I’m not looking for anything serious right now. He’s just someone fun to pass the time with…until I meet someone next week.” Sebastian finished with a devious smile.
“But let’s talk about something way more exciting than any of this.” Serena leaned over and clutched Lyris’ hands. “Tomorrow starts your first world tour! Aren’t you fucking over the moon?!”
“I mean, I am excited. And scared shitless. But not as scared as I’d be if I were the star of the show.” Lyris breathed deeply. “You guys were right. Starting out as a backup vocalist was the best thing that happened to me. I’ve learned so much just by watching how it all works. And Gage is such a professional about it all and so passionate, it’s been good to see and help me grow.”
Sebastian clasped his hands together in front of him and gave her a sweet smile. A lesser woman would have melted at his hotness.
“You feel like my first-born child who I’ve watched blossom into a lovely young lady. I’m so happy this all worked out for you. Both of you.” He finished, looking at both women.
“And don’t worry, Sebastian. As soon as I get the greenlight to start my own film, I’ll be sure to put you in it. We’re all getting our big breaks.” Serena proclaimed confidently.
“Group hug!” Lyris shouted.
They all got up and met in the middle of their living room and hugged tightly. Lyris felt wrapped up in familial love. Not the family by blood, but the family by choice.
“Lord, we pray that we have a phenomenal show. A fantastic tour. And make life-long memories of every moment to keep forever. In His name we pray. Amen,” Mack finished.
“Amen!” Everyone shouted in unison.
“Shots!” Riley bellowed loudly.
“Coming right up,” Jesse said as he walked up to their prayer circle with a tray of shots ready for them.
They passed around each shot until they all had one. Gage held up his shot in the middle of the circle and everyone followed.
“I couldn’t be happier that I’m on tour with you all.” Gage looked around the group and his eyes stayed on Lyris a few beats longer than necessary. “You’ve become my family. I couldn’t do it without you. Let’s make this first show spectacular. Let’s kick some ass!”
“Hear, hear!”
“Woo!”
Everyone shouted their excitement and threw back the shots.
The whiskey burned a path all the way down into Lyris’ stomach. The warmth spread to her extremities quickly. She hoped it would work on her nerves just as quickly.
“Here, take another one,” Gage said, holding up another shot glass filled with amber liquid.
Lyris nodded and took the shot. She downed it just as fast as the first. It didn’t burn as much, but almost immediately she felt the buzzing throughout her body calm slightly.
“I swear I can feel every single atom holding me together. Each one is vibrating.” She said through deep breaths.
“Yeah, I don’t think that ever goes away,” Gage said. “You just eventually get used to it.”
“So, I’m not losing my mind?”
“Nope. Not at all.” Gage lifted her chin with his index finger. “You’ll be amazing.”
His eyes were greener tonight and Lyris took a moment to get lost in them. Gage’s cat eyes dropped to her lips. He licked his and then bit down on his bottom lip.
She knew he wanted to kiss her. Instead of raising her lips up in invitation, like she wanted to do, Lyris pulled her chin away from his hand and stepped back. He stared at her a while longer. His face said it all without him saying a word.
Soon…
Lyris looked away and found Brandi watching them. When Lyris met her eyes, Brandi smiled and winked at her. She nodded and then turned to talk with Neal and Riley. Lyris assumed that was the bassist’s nod of approval.
“Alright, guys, it’s time. Let’s get out there.” The tour manager Teri said.
Teri was a no-nonsense, no frills lady. She wore mom jeans, a tour t-shirt, and her mousy brown hair up in a messy bun with a headset on her head to talk to the crew during the show. She’d be taking over Jesse’s position while they were on the road. Jesse would show up in certain cities during the show to make sure Gage was going to all of his local TV and radio interviews, but for the most part the tour was Teri’s rodeo.
Lyris followed Mack and Rainey. Brandi, Riley, and Neal followed behind her. And Gage took up the rear. He was going to come up from below the stage.
Music pumped through the speakers. The darkness in the L.A.
stadium was broken up by flashes of light in colors of white, red, green, blue, and yellow. The excitement of the crowd was palpable. They stomped, cheered, and sang to the music being played as they waited.
They all quietly and quickly made their way to their designated spots in the darkness, like they’d practiced several times. Lyris stood in front of her mic between Mack and Rainey. Her tour ensemble was a black curve-hugging, high-waisted faux leather pencil skirt. A black bra underneath a black, shimmery sheer top that fit like a second skin. And black faux leather wedge booties finished the outfit. Her hair was up in a neat bun, large sparkling black hoops framed her face that was done up with a smoky eye and red lip.
Lyris breathed in and out slowly as she looked out into the sea of faces. The lights passed over them and they waited in anticipation for the show to begin. There were thousands there. Lyris had never before performed in front of an audience so enormous.
She felt a hand grip hers. She looked over and Rainey smiled at her brightly.
“You’re gonna be awesome!” She said with more confidence than Lyris was feeling.
But her words of encouragement helped. There was a song in the middle of the show where Lyris did have a small solo. That’s what accounted for most of her nerves.
Then the lights and music were abruptly cut and the arena went black and quiet for a fraction of a second, signaling the beginning of the show. The audience’s cheers burst several decibels higher than before. Combined they were almost deafening.
Gage’s voice suddenly rang out. Clear and perfectly raspy as it reached the far corners of the stadium. Remarkably the crowd grew louder at the sound of his voice. A white spotlight dropped and focused on the hole in the stage. Slowly, Gage was raised up to the stage. The moment his head cleared the floor and fans could see him there and on the jumbotron, they went berserk.
His guitar hung in front of him. He gripped the mic and held it in the air with his head thrown back as he belted out the notes of longing and love. His black jeans hung low on his hips. His black t-shirt gripped his broad shoulders and the sleeves contoured to his defined biceps.
Lyris forgot her nerves completely. If there was a way to describe the feeling she had as she watched him sing acapella before the bells and whistles began. If there was a single thing to describe how she felt as she watched him command the stage and the arena filled with nearly 20,000 fans, it was the heart-eyed emoji. She could literally imagine the hearts in her eyes as she gazed at him.
He was completely different on that stage in front of his biggest fans. He was more confident, charismatic, and sexy than his more reserved persona off stage. But yet he was still humble and gracious. And it was like seeing this new side of his personality hit Lyris squarely in the gut. She was falling in love with him. As a fan. As a pupil. As a woman falls for a man.
Yet they hadn’t even kissed. Barely touched.
But looking out into the sea of enamored faces, she wasn’t alone. They were all in love with him. She was one of many. And he could have anyone he wanted.
Her brain didn’t have a chance to go down that dark road before Riley crashed his drumsticks down on the symbols as flames shot up from the stage. Brandi began a funky bass riff. Neal began playing the guitar as Gage grabbed his own to join in. As each chord was strummed a new set of lights lit up the stage. And finally, Lyris, Mack, and Rainey sang into their mics in perfect harmony.
They were a well-oiled machine. Flawless. Playing off each other. Gage interacted with each of them. He rocked out with Brandi and Neal. He headbanged as Riley drummed out his beats. He ran up and sang into the mics with Mack, Rainey, and Lyris.
She watched as Gage played it up for the audience. He talked to them. Held the mic out for them to sing back to him. And he danced to the Brazilian beats his songs were infused with. Lyris was shocked at his moves. She kept forgetting that his heritage was filled with more spice than she gave him credit for.
Lyris swayed to the music. She hit every note. She remembered the little choreography they had for each song. And her cheeks ached. Ached from the smile that wouldn’t leave her face. The whole show was electrifying, and she was having the time of her life.
~~~
“Are you ready for your solo?” Gage said to Lyris as he wiped his face with a towel during their break.
“I think so. The nerves are pretty much gone. I’m just excited now. This is incredible!” She couldn’t keep the awe from her voice.
“I knew you’d love it,” Gage said.
He reached back and gripped the back of his t-shirt. Then he pulled it over his head. Lyris’ eyes caressed his beautiful body. The only thing marring his tan skin was a thin scar that ran from hip to hip. She wondered what it was from, but didn’t want to be intrusive at the worst time possible.
Gage pulled on a fresh black t-shirt. Lyris’ eyes lifted to his as his head cleared the neck. His face was flushed with happiness. He lived for this. She wondered if her face mirrored his.
She didn’t have long to think about it. Gage wrapped a hand around her neck, pulled her close, and whispered in her ear.
“Break a leg.”
Then he softly kissed the skin at the corner of her mouth. Lyris inhaled sharply.
“Let’s get back out there!” Gage said to everyone gathered in the area under the stage for them to change or drink water during their breaks.
Lyris ran back out to their spots with everyone else. This time, Gage ran out with them. His arms spread out to the audience.
The first song was Lip Service, a song filled with oral sex innuendos. It was the song with her solo. Instead of focusing on that and getting herself worked up, Lyris watched Gage. Watching him always helped calm her. When it was time for her to sing, Gage walked over and acted as the greatest hype-man anyone could ask for. She wanted to sing well for him. So, she focused on his face as she belted out her few lines.
Her voice was flawless. And the audience exploded when she finished. She felt their energy in her chest. She blinked back the tears of joy.
God, I love this!
“This is Bertha,” Gage said and spread his arms wide as they stood in front of a giant tour bus parked at the Staples Center. “You will become well acquainted with her.”
“I’m sure,” Lyris looked at the oversized sardine can.
“It’s definitely not a glamorous lifestyle like so many think. But it does become home away from home,” Brandi added.
“General rule of thumb, don’t eat anything that will upset your stomach or that you’ve never eaten before. Because next thing you know, you’ll be blowing up the toilet. And no one wants to smell that…guys!” Rainey pointed towards the men.
“More like, Riley.” Neal said looking at the burly drummer.
“Whatevs,” Riley said. “That was just that one time.”
“Since we’ve all been on tour together before and you’re a newbie, you get last pick of bunks. Sorry,” Neal smiled brightly, apparently not all that sorry.
“Unless you want to sleep with me in the back lounge that doubles as my bedroom at night?” Gage whispered in her ear.
“Ha! Funny,” Lyris said sarcastically.
“Does it look like I’m laughing?”
Lyris gave him the side eye, but didn’t answer.
They’d completed two successful shows in L.A. and were moving on to Phoenix to continue Gage’s 10-city U.S. tour before moving on to Brazil and then to Europe.
It was in the middle of the night after the second LA show. They were rolling out tonight so that they could be in Phoenix in a couple of hours. Teri wanted them there and rested so Gage could do some interviews and then perform the next night.
They all piled onto the bus. Lyris walked on second to last before Teri. Her eyes scanned her new home. The front area was relatively spacious for a bus. There were long black ouches and even a little breakfast nook with a booth-like feel. A small kitchen and a door that she assumed was the bathroom on the other side broke up the
living space from the sleeping quarters. A narrow hall held several little nooks with curtains. And at the end of the hall was a door that led to the back area.
“Come on, Lyris.” Gage jerked his head in the direction of the rest of the bus. “I’ll give you the tour.”
As everyone plopped down or got inside their designated bunks, Lyris walked forward.
“This is the front lounge,” he gestured to the front area, then moved to the kitchen. “We don’t use the kitchen much. We eat at restaurants or order takeout to eat on the bus. But you’re welcome to cook if you’d like. And use the fridge also, but make sure you label that it’s yours. We have a strict ‘don’t eat anyone’s labeled food’ policy on the bus. So, no label, it’s fair game. We also have a wine fridge and kegerator if you’re needing a drink. Teri makes sure that’s always stocked and full.” Gage paused to wink at his tour manager.
“Here is the bathroom.” Gage leaned inside and turned on the light. “It’s pretty small. We do most of our showering and stuff at the hotels when we arrive in our next city. But emergencies happen.
“And here are the bunks. This one will be yours since all the others are taken.” He pulled back the curtain to a bottom bunk closest to the front living space.
It was a little over six feet long, about three feet deep, and around two and a half feet high. Tight but doable. The mattress looked soft, a little TV was mounted on the ceiling of the bunk and could fold up flat and out of the way. And there were outlets in the wall to charge devices.
“Everyone who stays up or gets up early tries to respect the ‘someone might still be sleeping’ common courtesy we all try to practice while on the bus to keep fighting down to a minimum. But it can still be hard not to wake up the person closest to the front lounge. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I get it. I’m the new recruit. Will there be hazing later? Hand in a bowl of water while I’m sleeping. Tickling my nose with a feather with shaving cream in my hand?”
Gage looked at everyone, “Guys?”
They all thought for a moment and in unison said, “Nah!”
