Chapter 4
four
THEO
“A lright, boys!” I clapped my hand as I met the eyes of everyone in our band. They landed on Zack first, and I watched as he anxiously scanned the tents of arriving assistants, photographers, and fellow musicians that had yet to check in—likely searching for her, even when we didn’t know when exactly she would arrive. Shaking my head, I tore my gaze away from him and landed on Elijah, Alex, and Tyler instead. At least they would be focused enough for a little speech. Even if the back of my neck prickled with how badly I wanted to join Zack in his anxious searching, too. “As you all know, we’re a headliner for Saturday night. Generally, we stick to a specific set list for festivals. But I wanted to let you all know that we will likely be adding a song from our unreleased album into the mix now as a teaser. Are you all confident with that? Or do we need to have some practice rounds?”
Tyler was the first one to throw a barb. “You do know it’s Thursday afternoon, right? Why are we worrying about Saturday night?”
Elijah answered that one for me. “Because we’re pros, you dumbass. He needs to know if we need a soundcheck or rehearsal before we’re in front of thousands of people.”
Alex spoke next as he tapped his drumsticks against his own thighs. The guy was always trying to find new melodies to pair with future lyrics. “You mean the album about?—”
“Shut up,” I interrupted, clapping firmly. My smile had malice in it as I stared at him. He meant no harm in asking any question, but I had no idea when Estrella would arrive—if she would even arrive today—and I absolutely did not need her to overhear what or who our unreleased album was about. Especially after the lovely chat I had with everyone mere hours ago. “Yes, that’s the one.”
Alex rolled his eyes into a squint as he spoke next. “Alright. Morse code it is, I guess. We’ve played those songs dozens of times. Probably more than needed for any rehearsal. I think we’ll be just fine.”
Finally, Zack spoke, and I nearly sighed in relief that the pressure was being taken off me. Even if I was somehow the happiest and most optimistic person in the damn band—I was still freaking out on the inside, too. This weekend could literally make or break our entire existence, and the only person who understood that was Zack. Having everyone’s eyes on me didn’t help that in the slightest. “We’ll still probably practice the day-of. Theo and I are going back and forth on which two we want to play, though, but we’ll let you guys know as soon as possible. That cool?”
The group only responded with a resounding chorus of “yes,” “yeah,” and “sure.”
Start a band with the grumpy emo kids you met in college, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.
Well, it was pretty fun, in all actuality. But man, did their communication suck.
“Beautiful,” I responded as I rubbed the back of my neck and walked closer to Zack. The scent of fresh cut grass filled the afternoon air, and while I would generally act like a golden retriever with a frisbee over the warm air, I could have sworn that the prickle of awareness had only gotten stronger. I looked down at my watch to check the time as I reached his side. “If that’s the case, then I guess we’re free to roam. Just don’t stay drunk the entire weekend. And if you do—for fuck’s sake— stay drunk or have an assistant go pick up some Pedialyte, because we cannot afford the hangover at this one.”
“We’re literally sharing a hotel suite. I think we’ll be checking in on each other more than you think,” Tyler scoffed.
It was my turn to eyes to roll obnoxiously. Fucking liar. “Like you boys won’t be buried in pussy the whole time. Stay out of the suite with that shit. Some of us are good, behaved men who don’t want to hear your pornos.”
“Awe, what if I wanted to have live action porno? That sounds like a fun time.” My head snapped up and to the right as a female spoke, and I felt Zack immediately tense right alongside me at the sound of her voice. “I could call you a good boy if it makes you feel better.”
Estrella.
Estrella…and… a wiener dog?
“Estrella,” I said. It was literally the only word that entered my head, and it bounced around like a ping-pong ball. She stood mere feet away from us, carrying the sausage-like animal, though had yet to even look at us as she signed a check-in slip. She grabbed the staff lanyard and a black wristband with green accents from the assistant in front of her.
Fuck. She was beautiful.
Her hair, split in half with black and neon green color blocking, twisted itself into braided space buns. She wasn’t wearing any makeup—like she even needed it—and wore the simplest outfit of an oversized t-shirt, tucked into her bra to show off her midriff, and skin-tight, black short-shorts.
And…tattoos. So many tattoos. Light florals and butterflies on her arms, paired with heavy ink of skulls, quotes, and lyrics all along her opposite leg.
Like beauty and chaos, all in one.
Granted, I had seen pictures of them and her, but they did her no justice. Not in person.
Don’t get a boner, don’t get a boner, don’t get a boner, I chanted to myself. She hates you and will cut off your dick.
Her tone held all the sarcasm as she finally looked at me, ignoring everyone else entirely. Including Zack. “That is my name, yes. I’m glad to see you’ve remembered it after so many years. Good boy. ”
My jaw ground down as Alex barked out a laugh. “Oh, I like this one.”
Estrella smiled at him as she looped the lanyard around her neck. An intense strike of jealousy lit down my spine, seeing her smile directed at someone else. That and knowing her moment of praise was more brat and humiliation than anything. “Thanks! I dig the hand tattoos. I bet you give the prettiest hand necklaces.”
I could have sworn Alex nearly blushed. His voice contained his swagger as he continued, though. “We can always test that out, ya know.”
Zack spoke next, and I was actually surprised at how firm and possessive he sounded. “Paws off, motherfucker. Go find another one to test that theory on.”
“Lame…” Alex muttered.
Estrella only chuckled before she pet the head of the wiener dog. It whined in her arms, scratching at her to be let down, but she only cooed at it as if it was a baby. “C’mon, Mildred. Just a few more minutes. We got this. It’s just some gross, testosterone-filled men. Your daddy will be back soon.”
…Daddy?
I finally found the courage to speak again. “You look…good.” I swallowed roughly.
“That sounded confident. Great flirting, asshat,” Alex mocked me.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. They haven’t seen me in eight years. Ya know, walking away from a whole life and shit. I’m surprised he’s even found his words,” Estrella said before nudging her head in Zack’s direction. “He’s yet to say much though. That—well, that I certainly expected, given his communication over the last decade.”
Somehow, simultaneously, Tyler, Alex, and Elijah whistled at the exact same time.
The fuckers.
Elijah spoke next. “Holy shit. You’re…”
“Estrella Flores. Casual drinker, intense fighter, your photographer for the weekend, his wife, and his sister-in-law. It’s a pleasure to meet you three. We’ll need to talk soon about your set list, any specific requests for your social media, and more. Is Sophie around? Do you three have time in the next few hours or so? Before the chaos of the festival really begins?”
“Uh…yeah, sure,” Tyler spoke. It looked like he nearly wanted to scratch his head in confusion. “You don’t seem spooked out in the slightest, ya know. I’d be shitting bricks if I were in your place right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Working with us. Ya know. Given all your personal history and whatnot. You seem like this is just another typical Thursday. And you’re very organized.”
Estrella looked me directly in the eyes first before they landed on Zack’s heavy gaze. Regardless of the cool tone she held, I saw the hidden emotions floating around—and they contained utmost agony and livid anger. My heart nearly broke at the sight. “Ah, well…when someone you called the love of your life walks out on you with no warning—it definitely turns you into a different person. But I’ve learned and accepted that I don’t owe these burros anything. I’m here to work, and you all deserve the best.”
Alex spoke next. “So…you are on the table then?”
Estrella snorted as I nearly saw red. My head whipped in his direction. I was going to catch murder charges soon. “Nah. You’re very cute, but I’m running away from this band the second this tour is over. I do appreciate the compliment, though.”
Zack finally fucking spoke to her as words clawed at my throat, too. “Estrella, can we talk? Please?”
Another male’s voice sounded over the chaos, and my eyebrows bunched together in confusion. Was she dating someone? Did she bring a boyfriend of sorts with her? And their dog?
Was that the supposed…Daddy of Mildred?
“Estrella! Mildred!”
“Over here!” Estrella responded as she turned away and waved her hand at a man who wore a full-beat face of makeup, complete with a set of false lashes and pink lipstick. He huffed out a sigh of relief.
Okay, what the fuck?
“Oh, come to Daddy,” the man said as he took the wiener dog—Mildred—away from her. “Thanks for watching her, girl. There are so many gothic weirdos around her. I was terrified someone would step on her with studded boots or something.”
“Oh, it’s no problem. She’s goofy. I’ll babysit your baby anytime.”
“Estrella!” Zack cut in, his voice deep and hard as stone. Estrella jumped and faced him, and I nearly flinched from the sound of it myself. “I need to talk to you.”
I watched as her eyes rolled and she propped out a hip in annoyance. “No. You, of all people, do not get to demand anything from me. Are we clear? We will talk when I want to fucking talk to you. If I ever want to talk to you again. Got it?”
Zack only stared at her.
My eyes bounced between the two of them.
She shook her head at his silence and scoffed before walking away.
Elijah spoke next. “Oh, you guys are fuuuuucked .”
And then Tyler made eye contact with the man in front of us all who held the sausage-roll-animal. “Who brings a wiener dog to a music festival, bro?”
The man sniffed as he followed Estrella. I could have sworn he even walked in a preppy style. He threw words over his shoulder. “I will have you know, Mildred is more of a badass than you fuckers will ever be.”
And as I met Zack’s face—I, too, realized we were fucked indeed.