Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Pressley
“Everything okay?” Wolf had given me the heads-up about the guy insisting on talking to Bowie.
A watchful eye was on them while I kept my distance.
If he needed me, I’d see that, and while his demeanor was rigid as they spoke, he did relax towards the end and even called the guy back to say something else to him.
Easton asked if we wanted security detail for the road trip, and while I’d politely declined, I was second-guessing that decision now.
We’d have so much detail at Rocktoberfest I thought the guys would enjoy the breath of fresh air before they were thrust into that part of the rockstar lifestyle.
After Rocktoberfest, all bets were off because I knew the other Masterson bands would be there and promoting Imminent Danger. They’d go from zero to being played on every radio station before we boarded the buses for home.
“Yeah, another piece of my past came back to apologize.” He shook his head. “Who knew I wasn’t the only one looking to clear the air and gain a bit of closure?”
“Humans are frustrating, fascinating, and forever healing.” If only we were all blessed with second sight, then we’d be able to see the mistakes before we made them and stop ourselves from making them.
Therefore, we’d never have to apologize.
“But on the bright side, you guys absolutely slayed it tonight. The signs the audience held up were hilarious. It appears you were quite the stud in high school.”
Bowie barked out a laugh. “Stud? More like quite the slut, but those days are far behind me.”
Was I foolish to believe an up-and-coming rockstar would choose me over millions of groupies? Insecurity wasn’t my style, I didn’t live like that, but I knew one thing for certain, and that was I trusted Bowie.
“Would’ve been nice to have my family here, but with both parents on the road at opposite ends of the country, it’s hard to get everyone together.”
“I can only imagine.” It was so hard not to blurt out that I’ve been working on a surprise for him.
I couldn’t wait to get there because it would be ready and waiting for him.
He’d come so far since we first met, completely in the zone both personally and professionally.
He set goals for himself and had achieved them and was due a gift for all his hard work.
Every time Bowie got down on himself, I just had to remind him that we are all forever a work in progress.
“Ready to roll?” Wolf asked. “Zeke has the bus warmed up and ready to go. He insisted on watching the show after his nap and is amped up. I’ll follow in the rig right behind you with Vance.”
The Masterson buses were outfitted with all the comforts of home.
This particular one we were on had four bunks plus a back bedroom and two bathrooms. It belonged to Social once upon a time until they all partnered up and each couple got their own buses.
Each bunk had a heavy-duty blackout curtain, its own shelves, outlets, TV, and a light.
It was like a little mini hotel room. Bowie and I were sharing the back bedroom, which left a bunk for our driver, Zeke.
Fridges were stocked, the Keurig was ready to roll, and from what I understood, Rhone and David’s partners ran the massive catering tents at Rocktoberfest, so we’d not be without good, hearty meals.
Thank fuck for that, my stomach was not a fan of fast food.
“As soon as the guys finish signing a few autographs. Some of the locals hung around for a quick meet and greet.” How Wolf didn’t know that was beyond me.
He was so on top of things, but then again, he and Vance had been loading up the equipment.
“They should be about done.” As if they heard me, the four of them came around the corner.
“That went better than I expected, a couple of my siblings were even there.” Bowie was all smiles. “Along with some past transgressions.”
Tony groaned. “Dude, I’m glad your tastes have elevated because some of that shit was just nasty.”
“I’ll take that backhanded comment.” At least I think it was meant that way.
Bowie threw his arm around my shoulder. “Let’s roll, gentlemen.”
Glad there were game systems and Wi-Fi on the bus because it was gonna be a while before these guys came down from their adrenaline-fueled highs.
Covered in sweat, smiles wide and happy as hell, they boarded the bus.
Gotta make sure and call ahead for laundry service.
I think Easton said there was a truck or two there just for that.
But these bed linens will be screaming for a wash after tonight.
While the guys played games and wound down, I uploaded the videos I’d taken from the show to the cloud for Easton and Imminent’s mentors to review.
They’d meet up with us in Black Rock City since their bands were playing the last night.
Easton set up an area in the back bus lot for all the Masterson buses to park.
Kind of like our own little city within the desert.
Golf carts would be at the ready to run the talent to the various stages and food tents, plus the shower and laundry trucks.
Easton didn’t miss a thing, even going as far as to offer both sides of the fence, concertgoers and talent, free water throughout the four-day event—most of which he got donated. Marketing at its finest.
When I was done sending my update, it was time for me to call it a night. I wish I still had the energy these four had, but my old ass was wiped the hell out. Adrenaline rushes were great until they came to an end and you bottomed out.
I had just gotten to the comfortably numb phase when Bowie slid into bed. “You’re wet.”
“Yup, I won the shower coin toss. Not enough water in the tanks for all four of us, so we decided to flip for it.”
“Our sheets will thank you, as do I.” It didn’t take long for Bowie to doze off. His familiar snores and arms wrapped around my waist lulled me to sleep. Funny how quickly my body became used to having him in bed beside us.
All too soon, insistent banging on the cheap-ass fucking door to our room woke us up.
“Fuck off!” Bowie hollered and then covered his head with a pillow.
“Dude, no. Get the fuck up. We’re here, and it’s fucking awesome!” Tony yelled from the other side. “Derek and Ryder from Maiden are here. Get your asses up.”
“Shit!” Bowie ripped the covers off us and hurriedly dressed. I hadn’t so much as gotten out of bed before he was out the door. As band manager, presentation was everything, so I had to be a lot more put together than he did.
I dressed, did a quick face wash and hair combing, and joined the guys in the common area.
There they stood, two of Masterson’s metal gods, Derek Masters, lead singer of Maiden Voyage, and Ryder Hampton, their lead guitarist. Bowie, Tony, Tibby, and Claude were all smiles, engaging with the metal gods.
“You must be Pressley,” Derek said as I emerged. “Derek Masters. Nice to meet you. We wanted to come by and personally welcome your band to the family.”
“We appreciate that and any advice you have as well.” Fuck, was I fanboying? Buckle up, Pressley, because this is your life now.
And what a wonderful life it had become.
We talked for a few minutes before my phone went off, security alerting me my presence was required at the gate. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I have business to attend to.” Fizzbo, Masterson’s head of security, met me at the golf carts.
“You must be Pressley.” We both knew who the other was without meeting, having been briefed on the inner workings at Masterson, pictures included, though they did nothing to alert me of how truly formidable this man was.
“Yes, and you must be Fizzbo.” He nodded. “I take it you’re my escort.”
“I am, and I’ve been briefed on our mission.”
Mission. This guy was way too serious. I smiled. “Yes, let’s go pick them up.” We boarded one of the large carts that would hold six to eight passengers. We were only picking up three, but better to be safe than sorry.
When we arrived, Fizzbo parked and hopped out.
“Stay here for a moment, please.” I wasn’t about to argue, just watched as he talked to the gate security guards.
I waved to what I believed was Bowie’s family, given he was the spitting image of the two men standing with an absolutely breathtaking woman.
Fizzbo waved me forward, and as soon as his family came through the metal detector, I introduced myself. “Hello, I’m so glad you could make it. I’m Pressley Darren, Imminent Danger’s band manager.”
“And our son’s boyfriend,” his mother smiled.
“I’m Lindsay James, and this is my husband, Ben, and my brother-in-law, Ray.
” Thankfully Ben had a full beard, but Ray only sported a mustache, or there would be no way to tell them apart.
After quick introductions, we boarded the cart.
Thankfully Fizzbo was driving because it was utter madness getting through the throngs of bands, and this wasn’t even the day the megastars were playing, so those buses hadn’t arrived.
When we pulled up to our pod of buses, most of the guys had funneled out of the bus to gather in the opening between the Masterson buses, where someone had set up a firepit. “Can’t say I expected to see that,” I said without thinking.
“It’s kinda my thing,” Derek replied. “Fireside chats and songwriting.”
“Totally makes sense.” Tony spotted Bowie’s family and ran over to them, hugging everyone.
“Where’s Bowie?” Lindsay asked him.
“In el bano.”
She went inside the bus, and a hush filled the air as we all waited to see what would happen. Bang, bang, bang, she pounded on what I guessed was the bathroom door. “Boy, your time is up, so you better get out of there before I come in.” Tony snickered beside me.
“Mom?” We heard through the open bus door, a few seconds later I heard Bowie say. “Mom, I can’t believe you’re really here.” Both were wiping their eyes as they joined us. “Dad!” Bowie ran straight for Ben, and they hugged each other tight then he and Ray hugged.
“You have that handsome man of yours to thank for this,” Lindsay said as she winked at me.
Bowie jogged over, firmly gripped my cheeks, and planted a big kiss on my lips to the hoots, hollers, and whistles of his Masterson band brothers. “Thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me to have them here.”
“I’m glad I was able to pull it off. James family, that bus is yours while you’re here.
” I waved to the one parked beside us. “Courtesy of Easton and Diamond.” They sent it out for Bowie’s family to stay in since they couldn’t make it out.
“It’s their personal bus, so it likely has all the possible bells and whistles. ”
“And then some,” Stoli said as he walked up. Bowie’s family was in awe as they bounced from principal to principal, as Fizzbo called all the band members.
“You just sealed the forever deal,” Tony smiled wide as he walked up beside me. “Bowie is super close with his family, and he was totally bumming they couldn’t be here.”
“I figured as much. I’m just so proud of him, and I know they are too, and I wanted to do something special for him.”
“That you did, and more. They’ve really been the only family I have too. My old man is a piece of shit, but the Jameses always treated me like a son.”
“That’s because you are.” Lindsay kissed his cheek. “I can’t believe how insane this place is.” Fizzbo had a couple of his guards bring over their luggage and set it inside their bus. “You guys really did well, and it sounds like we have you to thank for dragging Bowie to the audition, Tony.”
“That I did, but he landed his place in the band on his own,” Tony assured her. “Now, as far as wearing his hair back and smiling, you have Pressley to thank for that.”
“I just,” Lindsay paused and dabbed at her eyes.
“Thank you, Pressley. Since the accident Bowie hasn’t been the same.
While that’s not totally bad,” she grinned, “prior cockiness aside, I didn’t like him hiding himself away.
He’s a beautiful boy, inside and out, and he shouldn’t be ashamed in any way. ”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I smiled wide, catching Bowie’s eyes across the crowd. When he winked at me, my stomach did flip-flops, and I swear my heart grew larger right then and there for the man who held the only key to it. “I love him more than words can express.”
“The look in your eyes and Bowie’s too says it all. I’ll always be a mother bear, but knowing he’s in your capable hands, I won’t be losing as much sleep anymore.”
With both family meet-and-greets behind us, Bowie and I were well on our way to forever. Now, to get them through their biggest performance to date without a hitch. Speaking of sleepless nights, tonight might be mine…
Bring it on, Rocktoberfest!