22. Chapter 22
The next couple of weeks go by uneventfully. True to his word, Cole is moving very slowly. We haven’t even kissed again, but we have spent time reconnecting together, and it’s been fantastic.
Tonight we’re all packed into Foster’s SUV on the way to the Machine Shop. Talon’s work on his album is finally done, and he’s debuting it to a sell-out crowd. The show tonight will be live-streamed. Afterward, his album will be available to stream on all platforms.
If Talon is nervous, he’s doing an excellent job hiding it. He’s been all smiles and positive energy today. As we get closer to the venue, he gets quiet. I don’t push him, knowing he’s centering himself. When we pull up, I notice the performance venue has been remodeled over the years.
“It looks a lot bigger,” I tell Talon as Foster pulls around the back to park.
“The three of us have pitched in from our royalties to help them expand and upgrade. Glen, the owner, gave us and a lot of bands a shot at our dreams, and we wanted to return the favor.”
I smile at him and squeeze his hand, “You’re going to be awesome tonight.”
We park, and the four walk up to the back door. Talon high-fives the security guard there, and we walk in. The backstage area is more expansive, with a bar and pool table off to one side. On the other side is a sectional couch, a couple of recliners, and a large television hung on the wall.
“There’s even a dressing room now.” Talon takes me by the hand and down a hallway. We go through a door at the end and into a room with a mirror on the wall and a stool in front. There’s also a couch, television, and a mini refrigerator.
“This is nice,” I tell him.
“It’s better than everyone crowding into the common area. I’ve been to some expensive places, but I love being here. I enjoy having a private space before I go on stage. Let’s go see where you guys will be sitting.”
He walks me back to where we came in. We collect Cole and Foster, and he walks us out another door. It leads out to the front of the stage.
The stage is more extensive, and the bar area can hold more people. A waist-high gate separates the stage from the crowd, allowing enough room for a couple of chairs. His manager, Victor, is set up with a camera to record the live performance. The crowd goes wild when they catch a glimpse of Talon. He waves to everyone before turning back to me. He brings his mouth to my ear so I can hear him.
“Is this good for you?”
“This is amazing,” I tell him as I take my camera out of the bag. I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek, aware of all the eyes on us.
“Oh no, Kitten, I’m going to need a better good luck kiss than that,” he says. Then he wraps his arms around me and crushes his lips to mine. The crowd whistles loudly at us, and I can feel Talon smile against my mouth.
I pull away first, “Good luck.”
“Without you, I wouldn’t be here tonight. Don’t forget that,” he tells me before going back behind the stage.
I take my seat in between Cole and Foster, not wanting to miss a thing. Fifteen minutes later, Talon hits the stage. He struts out there like a god, and the crowd goes wild. When he gets on the mic and greets everyone, I can feel the floor and walls vibrate with their energy. Before he starts to sing, he looks down at me, and our eyes collide. He gives me a wink. This rock god is mine.
Talon’s set has been going on for almost two hours. He showcases his new songs with some hits from No Left Turn sprinkled in. He energizes the crowd, working the stage like a pro, even though he’s not used to being a frontman. It’s great to see him come out behind the drum kit and perform.
His leather jacket was stripped off a while ago, and he’s now in his signature ripped jeans and a tight black t-shirt. His black hair is slicked back. He’s soaked with sweat and looking fucking edible. The screaming girls behind me agree. I’ve seen more than a couple sets of tits out.
Talon steps up to the microphone, sliding his hands through his damp hair. “Thank you all so much for coming out tonight and supporting me. No Left Turn was born in this place because of you. As my music career goes through a rebirth, I knew there was no one else I wanted to share that with. This last song of the night is my favorite on the album for me and will be my first solo single. If you loved what you heard tonight, please find my album streaming at midnight. I love you all.”
The crowd screams, and he grabs his guitar, waits, and settles on a stool in the middle of the stage. He strums a slower song, and I’m mesmerized when his gaze locks with mine. He’s singing to me a song about a second chance at love. It’s our story that he’s laying out. Everyone else around disappears, and it’s just the two of us in that moment. When the song ends, we stare until he mouths “I love you” to me, and he leaves the stage while the crowd screams and shouts.
I pack away my camera, and we all go backstage. The partying back here is already in full swing. Drinks are passed, and half-naked girls are dancing around. I find Talon sitting in one of the recliner chairs like it’s a throne. There’s a girl sitting on each arm of the chair. I breathe a small sigh of relief when I don’t see a drink in his hand. The redhead on his right puts her hand on his shoulder and says something in his ear that makes him smile. My stomach somersaults, and my fists clench.
Can I really expect a rockstar to change his colors?
Abso-fuckin-lutely I can.
He’s made me promises, and I won’t be the shrinking Blake I was before. I march across the room, and people part around me. Talon’s face turns, and his smile brightens when he sees me. Then it falls when he notices my expression. I hope I look fierce.
“Kitten, did you enjoy the show?” he asks me, hesitating. When I get close enough, he pulls me into his lap. “Ladies, it’s been nice chatting, but I need to spend some time with my girl now,” he tells the women on either side of him. They get up and are absorbed into the crowd around us.
Once they’re gone, he buries his face in my neck. He sinks his teeth in there, giving me a little nip that has me squealing. “Put the claws away, my Kitten. That was strictly business. They’re both influencers, and Vic wants me to play nice, so they’ll post glowing reviews. I was being a good boy.” His tongue flicks out to soothe the slight pain he left on my neck, which I’m sure will leave a mark.
The angry tension leaks out of me, being soothed by his mouth and his words. I look back at him and grin, “You’re never a good boy.”
“I can be very good, but only for you. I don’t want to be here, but Vic says I have to stay at least an hour. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah,” I answer. My anger is gone entirely now.
“Good, do you want to meet the band?”
I stand up from his lap, “Sure.”
I look over the room and see Foster and Cole sitting on the side of the couch, talking amongst themselves and ignoring everyone else. Cole sees me watching them and smiles. I give him a small wave before following behind Talon.
We walk over to the pool table, and Talon pulls two guys who are playing aside. He places his hand on the shoulder of a tall, skinny guy with shaggy blue hair. “Blake, this is the drummer Theo,” he motions to the guy with long, curly brown hair, “and Les, the bassist. Guys, this is my girlfriend, Blake.” I shake their hands, and we return to the oversized couch, where someone I already know is playing tonsil hockey with a purple-haired girl.
Talon kicks his feet, making them break apart. “You know Caleb.”
Caleb smiles at me, “Hey Blake. I’m glad to see you took this idiot back.”
I smile back at him, “You played great tonight.”
After our tour around the room, we again fall back into the cozy recliner with me in Talon’s lap.
“I thought Caleb wanted out of the rockstar lifestyle,” I tell Talon in his ear.
“He does, but he still loves the rush of performing. Tonight was more like old times, but he has no interest in going on the road with me.”
I stiffen, “You’re going on tour?”
“Maybe, if this music takes off. It’s a part of the job.”
“Let me guess, Vic says?”
He grimaces, “Yeah, I need to get out there and connect with the fans. I’ve already told him that I won’t travel too far and won’t be away for long periods. I promise you’ll have a say in my schedule when we get to that point.”
“Thank you, Talon.”
I kiss him quickly, and we sit there until we can escape.