Chapter 25
twenty-five
A little while later, I sat on the black leather couch in the green room at The Fillmore, a mixture of nerves and excitement winding me tight. I should find a way to calm myself before a gig, so I didn’t have to fight this every damn time.
Looking down at the black leather vest I’d bought with Micah that day in Haight Ashbury, paired with my tattered black skinny jeans, I smirked. I hadn’t worn a shirt on purpose. Seeing Micah squirm when I put the vest on had been worth it.
With a sigh, I sipped beer from a bottle and glanced at the end of the room, where a table draped in a black linen tablecloth held a buffet of nachos, quesadillas, sliders, and other bar food.
Micah, Wells, Justin, and Dilan hovered near the buffet, plates in hand, shoving food into their mouths and chatting. They knew I needed to rest my voice before a show and didn’t bother me with conversation. Maybe I should suck on another cough drop before heading out, though I’d already gone through four or five today. I took another swig of beer. This would do for now.
Micah strolled to me with a plate in his hand and sat beside me. “Here, I brought you some food.” He looked me over and bit his lip.
I grinned. He always tried to take care of me.
He held up a nacho dripping with cheese and refried beans. “Open wide.”
Chuckling softly, I opened my mouth.
He slipped the nacho in and grinned. “You should really eat before you go out there.”
I chewed. Keeping my voice low, I said, “I ate enough.”
Leaning in, he brushed his lips against my cheek, and whispered in my ear, “I swear to God, when I get you home, I’m going to make you scream.” As he pulled back, he ran his tongue over his lips and gave me a once-over. “You’re so fucking hot in that outfit.”
Heat shot through me, and my cock jerked in my tight jeans. I rested a hand on the back of his head and pulled him in for a long, sensual kiss.
“That’s enough.” Justin stood in front of us in a black V-neck T-shirt and skinny jeans, one hand on his hip. “It’s almost time. Jeff should be here any second to get us.”
Micah grabbed my hand, tugging me off the couch. “I should probably go find Joey, Trish, and Noah.”
Wells stepped to us, his black button-down shirt open and black leather pants gleaming under the lights. “Noah is heading to the main room now. I just left him a few minutes ago.”
Micah let out a huff. “Did he even go home last night?”
“No.” Wells gave Micah a wide smirk. “You think I’d let him go home?”
I shook my head, smiling at Wells. Fucking Wells .
“Whatever. He’s a nice guy. Don’t break his heart.” Micah walked to the food table, still holding my hand and pulling me along, before setting his plate down.
Wells followed. “Don’t worry about Noah. I like him.”
I lifted my brows and stared at Wells. “Already?”
Wells shrugged. “Yeah. I wish I would’ve met him sooner.” He glared at Micah, then raked a hand through his long, black hair with a sigh. “We had one hell of a night. I don’t think either of us slept.”
Jeff opened the door to the room. “Okay, let’s go.”
* * *
Standing at the edge of the stage, I opened and closed my fists, fighting off nerves and adrenaline. I hated this part. I just wanted to get onstage.
Wells set his hands over my shoulders and gripped them tightly. “We’re going to kill it tonight.”
“Yep.” I set my in-ear monitors into my ears, then saw the cue from a stagehand and walked onto the stage. An immediate roar of noise from the crowd filled the room as I stepped to my acoustic guitar, flung the strap over my shoulder, and positioned myself in front of the mic. The lights came on, flooding my surroundings, and I squinted, then focused on the mic. “Hello, San Francisco. Thank you all for coming out tonight and making this special for us.” My eyes adjusted, and I made out Micah, Trish, Joey, and Noah all huddled together in front of the stage with others I didn’t know. A few feet over stood Linda, Anne, and Ashley. God, how I loved being onstage. And now I could share it with Micah. I spread a wide smile over my lips.
Twisting around with one arm up in the air, the beaded bracelets falling down my arm, I peered at Justin, Wells, and Dilan. They nodded at me.
I dropped my arm, and Justin filled the room with a staccato electric guitar riff. Wells and Dilan started up in time with Justin, making a rolling rhythm. I twisted around to the mic. The entire room jumped up and down. Just what we’d planned. The crowd always loved this song.
Justin broke off with a stronger, more melodic guitar riff. It was time. I took to the mic and strummed the guitar, singing out notes with a slower melody while Justin now strummed every few beats, Wells and Dilan keeping the rolling beat going. As I came to the chorus, Wells and Justin stepped to their mics and backed up my vocals with harmonies.
I glanced down at Micah, watching him.
He entwined his hands over his chest, with wide eyes and an open mouth.
Perfect. I shut my eyes and sang, bouncing my knees to the rhythm, swaying with the guitar, giving my all, taking strength and energy from the crowd.
During Justin’s guitar solo, I stepped back from the mic, and Wells came up behind me, our backs touching, standing sideways to the crowd. We played our guitars, bobbing our heads in time with the beat, our hair bouncing on our heads. The crowd roared, women screaming our names, men pumping their fists.
* * *
A few songs in, I placed my acoustic in its stand and stepped to the digital piano set to the right of center stage, adjusting the mic hovering over it. I wiped sweat from my forehead with my forearm and leaned into the mic, placing my fingers over the keys. Playing this song here was like a dream. I breathed in deeply, then looked over the crowd, squinting through the powerful lights.
“So, this next song is a cover from one of my favorite bands from this area. Jefferson Starship.”
The crowd whooped and hollered.
I found Micah at the front of the stage and, off mic, yelled to him. “These are for you.” I pointed at him.
Nodding his head, he smiled from ear to ear.
I fingered the keys on the piano, starting up Count on Me .
A few seconds later, and at the same time, Justin strummed an acoustic guitar, Wells came in with the bass line, and Dilan hit a softer, steady drumbeat.
I played the melody with the piano, then sang the first verse, building the song as I went, with Wells and Justin providing the backing vocals in harmony.
As the chorus came up, I gazed at Micah. I smiled and sang, harmonizing with Wells and Justin, hitting all the notes perfectly, banging on the piano, swaying in time with the song.
Focusing on the piano, the second verse started up, and the piano and drums became the only instruments playing. I found Micah again, then sang the second verse and chorus. My attention drew to the crowd. I stared at it in awe.
The crowd sang along with us, swaying and holding up the flashlights on their phones.
As we hit the bridge, the rhythm of the song changed, and Wells did a slide on his bass. Then we worked the song back into the regular rhythm while Justin played a solo on the guitar, his dark head swaying to the beat.
The song built into the third verse and chorus, with everyone playing their instruments and harmonizing. As the chorus repeated over and over, the singing from the crowd almost drowned us out. I lost myself in the moment. I could keep this going forever.
My gaze caught on Micah in the crowd, swaying and singing along with everyone else, his arm draped around Trish on one side and Joey on the other. Finally, I looked behind me at the band and nodded. One last round.
As the song ended, the crowd cheered. I stood from the piano and took a bow, everyone smiling.
Wells stepped to me. “That was fucking awesome.”
“I knew it would be.” I grinned at him, then walked to my acoustic and flung the strap over my shoulder. Stepping to the mic, I adjusted it, and said, “Let’s hear it for Jefferson Starship.”
The crowd cheered and jumped up and down.
“Okay, okay. Let’s get back to our own songs now. This is a new song that’s being released this week. You all get to hear it tonight. It’s called Not Alone .” I fixated on Micah and mouthed the words, I love you.
He nodded, entwining his hands on his chest again.
Focusing on my guitar, I plucked at the strings in a slow melody, resembling a scale. Dilan came in with a soft, slow hit of the edge of his snare. I sang the first verse, starting softly and building the song with my voice swaying as I sang.
If you’re on your own
In the night
You think you’re all alone
The past swallowing you whole
In the night
I’ll be there
I strummed the guitar and sang louder, with Wells and Justin coming in on bass and electric guitar. We all took a brief pause before finishing the last line.
To comfort the tears
To take away the fears
You know you’re not alone, this time
I lowered my voice, singing softly again, plucking the guitar strings.
This time I’ll be there with you
To share the weight of your pain
Wells came in to sing the backing vocals.
If you think you’re on your own (not alone)
(Not alone) You don’t have to be alone (not alone)
As the song came back to me singing to my guitar with a soft beat from Dilan, I gazed down at Micah.
Micah stood still, tears streaming down his face, lips parted.
Trish’s arms hooked around Micah’s waist, her head resting on his shoulder.
My vision blurred. Focus. Not a good time to break down . I swallowed a lump in my throat, my attention drawing to my guitar as I plucked the strings.
When you’re broken by the past
In the night
I’ll be there
The song built again, with Dilan hitting the drums harder, Wells playing the bass line, and Justin strumming the electric guitar. As I closed my eyes, I brought my voice on strong.
I’ll take away the tears
Know I’ll always be there
Know you’re not alone
The bridge came, and the rhythm changed up, with Justin playing powerful supporting chords. Dilan hit the snares hard in a constant beat. We all swayed on stage, and my head moved back and forth as my voice rang out in the room.
Stay by my side
Oh, yeah
Stay by my side
If you feel you’re alone,
No, no, no, you’re not alone
We paused for a second, and I started plucking the strings on my guitar again, as if the song had started over. I sang softly, building again toward the end of the verse.
If you’re on your own
In the night
You think you’re all alone
The past swallowing you whole
In the night
I’ll be there
Wells came in on bass, and Justin started chords on his electric guitar. I sang loudly again, everyone taking a two-beat pause on the last line.
You know you’re not alone
I’ll always be there
You know you’re not alone, this time
We continued, and I belted it out with my voice, forceful and emotional, the band building the song around me.
You know you’re not alone, this time
Dilan popped in with a few hits to the drums, then came in with a strong beat. I sang as if my life depended on it, closing my eyes and focusing my emotions and heart on the lyrics.
So, stay with me, stay
With me, with me
With me, with me
With me, with me
The band continued, and Wells sang a background harmony with Justin as I belted out the last few lines.
I’ll be here with you
You will never be alone
I held my hand up, and everyone stopped. I opened my eyes. Silence. Then the crowd roared their applause. It was even better than I imagined. I took heaving breaths and gazed at Micah, a wide smile spreading across my face.
He clapped his hands, swiping tears from his cheeks. Trish cheered next to him, while Joey and Noah held their arms in the air, whooping.
Stepping toward him, I crouched down and held my hand out. “Surprised?”
He nodded once and grabbed my hand. “I’m speechless.” He released my hand.
I rose, waved at the crowd, then went back to the mic. “Okay, so that song is called Not Alone , and it’ll release this week. We’ve got a few more new songs to play for you next.” I wiped sweat from my forehead, turned around, and nodded at Wells, Justin, and Dilan.
Justin broke out with a strong riff on his guitar, and Wells and Dilan came in. I took the mic for the last few songs, bringing the energy back up in the room.
* * *
As the last song ended, I took a deep inhale and looked over the crowd. “It’s time to say goodnight, San Francisco. Thank you all for coming out and sharing this special night with us.” I took one last look at the crowd. “Goodnight.” Wells, Justin, and Dilan came to the front of the stage without their instruments, and we all bowed.
The stage lights dimmed and went dark. I unwrapped the acoustic guitar from my shoulder and set it in its holder, then strode off stage with the others. My body hummed with energy. This feeling was why I loved playing music so much. God, it felt good. Playing would make the tour without Micah bearable.
The lights flicked on in the main room, and I strolled down the hallway toward the green room, pulling out my in-ear monitors and letting them dangle from the wires on my shoulders. A warm hand grabbed my arm and tugged me backward. I stared into Trish’s dark brown eyes.
She glared at me, pointing. “You made my brother cry.”
I blinked and stared at her. “I... but, I?—”
“You made me cry, too.” She flung her arms around my neck for a tight hug. “That song was so beautiful.” She freed me and looked me up and down. “My brother is the luckiest man on the planet.”
I glanced from her to Micah, heat prickling my cheeks. What was I supposed to say? “Uh, thanks.”
Micah stepped toward me and placed a long kiss on my lips. “You are so good up there. I had no idea.”
With a smile, I wrapped my arm around his shoulders. “Thank you.” I nodded at Trish and the others. “Come on back to the green room with me and meet everybody.” I led Micah down the hallway and through the door to the green room.
People milled about, drinks in hand, some with plates of fresh food. Trish and Joey stepped into the room with their friends. Each pair dispersed into the room, grabbing drinks and food from the table, then stepping around to meet the band.
I drew Micah closer. Maybe I could entice him to come with me on the tour if he knew all the fun we'd have. “If we were out on the road right now, we’d be getting ready to hit a club or go back to the hotel for an after-party.”
He peered at me. “But since you’re not...”
Not the response I was looking for. I should leave it alone for now. “Well, we’ll be hanging out here while the crew packs up our gear.” I placed a kiss on his cheek. Right now, I wanted time alone with him. “Then I want to go home. Our home.” I released him and took both of his hands in mine. “It was really special having you here with me.”
He gave me a shy grin. “I really enjoyed being here.” Hooking his arms around my waist, he pulled our hips together. “I seriously can’t wait to get you home, though. You’re so fucking hot onstage, you almost made me come in my jeans.”
A surge of desire flickered up my spine. “Really?” Maybe I didn’t need to wait for the gear. I set my hand on his cheek and came in for a deep kiss, parting my lips and penetrating him with my tongue. I didn’t need to hide a thing from anyone.
He released a soft moan and pulled our hips tighter together. Pleasure flickered up from my swelling cock. Now I really wanted to go home.
“Get a fucking room!” Justin’s voice rang out.
We parted, and I laughed. Like Justin should talk. The things I’d seen him do. I looked around and found him standing next to Linda and Anne, a beer in one hand and a joint in the other. “You’re just jealous.”
“Is that so?” With a smirk, Justin glanced from Anne to Linda. “Let’s go, girls.” He led them to the leather couch, and they sat down.
I grabbed my case for my in-ear monitors from a table, unwrapped the wires from my body, set them along with the transmitter in the case, and placed it back on the table.
Micah tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the far wall. “He better be good to Noah.”
Wells had Noah up against the wall, Noah’s arms pinned over his head by Wells’ hands. They kissed each other as if no one else was in the room.
“Damn.” I tightened my hold on Micah. “I think they have the right idea.”
He snatched my hand and hauled me out of the room and into the hallway.
“What are you doing?” I knew damn well what he was doing. With a grin, I followed.
He stepped into a cleaning closet, yanked me inside, then slammed the door shut. Shoving me against the door, he claimed my mouth with a hard kiss, then groped under my leather vest and stopped to tease a nipple. “Fuck, I want you so bad.” He ground his hard dick against my thigh.
My breath quickened, and I struggled to keep up with his frenzy of kisses, roaming hands, and thrusting hips.
He opened my jeans, wrapped his hand around my hard cock, and stroked.
Sensation rippled through me, and I gasped. “Oh, shit.”
He dropped to his knees, devouring my dick with his wet, hot mouth, pumping with intensity, sucking, swirling, and moaning over the shaft.
Pleasure rocketed up my spine. I shuddered and my toes curled in my sneakers. “Fuck.” I thrust my hips into his lapping mouth.
He stayed on my solid cock, fondling my balls, then groaned and rubbed his own stiff dick, still bound in his jeans.
Holy shit, he’s touching himself. My peak soared to the edge of release. Breathless, I said, “Micah, I’m going to come.”
He pumped faster with his mouth and sucked harder.
As my orgasm came on with an intense surge of sensation, I groaned and thrust faster into his mouth. “Oh, fuck.” The waves of my peak shuddered through me and I gasped with each one.
As it calmed, he released me, wiped his mouth, then stood, claiming my lips in hungry kisses, grinding his cock on my thigh. “If you don’t do something right now, I will just come in my jeans.”
With a smirk, I twisted us both around, shoving him against the door, then dropped to my knees, opened his jeans, and took his leaking cock into my mouth. As I sucked and swirled the head with my tongue, he let out deep groans, writhing against the door.
With a few more licks of my tongue up his shaft, his cock grew harder still. His body shivered and his dick spurted into my lapping mouth, over and over. His voice rang out in the small room. I swallowed it all down, enjoying every bitter and sweet drop of him.
As it slowed, I swiped my mouth with the back of my hand and stood, resting against his chest. “God damn, can you imagine what it would be like if you could go out on the road with me?”
He slowed his breathing, his eyelids heavy. “All we’d do is fuck.”
Nodding against his chest, I said, “Yep.” I released a weak chuckle. To hell with the after-party. I wanted more time with him. “I just want to go home now.”
“Can we sneak out?” His large brown eyes sparkled in the dark room.
I sighed. “I wish we could. But your sister’s still in there, and I don’t know that I’d trust Justin around her.” Justin loved small, dark-haired women. I sniggered.
“That’s not funny, Ash.” He pushed me off him. “Let’s get back in there.” He fastened his jeans and opened the door. “You ready?”
I hurried to fasten my jeans. “Yes, Jesus. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” I shook my head. It seemed Micah had quite the protective streak for his little sister. It was cute.
He opened the door, strode down the hallway, and stepped inside the green room.
I needed to see this. I stepped into the hallway, shut the door to the closet, then headed into the green room to his side.
He stood in front of the leather couch.
Trish, sitting next to Justin on the couch, stared at Micah.
Placing his hands on his hips, he glared at Justin. “What’s going on?”
She smiled at her brother. “I’m having a chat with Justin.” She rested one hand on Justin’s thigh and the other held a beer.
Justin laid his arm out on the back of the couch behind Trish. “You have a gorgeous sister, Micah. You should have invited her to our bonfires.” He gave her a coy smile.
She grinned at Justin.
Seizing Trish by the hand, he hauled her up from the couch. “I need to have a word with you.”
“What?” She glared at him, then glanced back at Justin. “Be right back.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Justin smirked at Micah.
Micah tugged Trish to the other side of the room, and I followed.
“Micah, settle down.” I stepped to him and Trish.
“What’s wrong with you?” Trish wrestled her hand free from his.
“That guy is a player, Trish. He just wants sex.” He crinkled his nose.
“So? Maybe I just want sex.” She scoffed at him.
“What?” His brows snapped up.
“So, it’s okay for you, but not for me?” Trish stepped in close to him. “What century do you think this is?”
He blinked and stared at me.
This was even cuter than I’d thought it would be. With a smirk, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Micah, she’s right. Settle down.”
He glared at me. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
With a smile, she wrapped her arm around my waist. “I think I like my new brother better than my older brother.”
She just called me her brother . I tried to hide a grin, then leaned into her side and crossed my arms over my chest. “Justin isn’t all that bad. I mean, yes, he can be a player. But I’ve also seen him be a gentleman to the girls he dates.”
Micah scoffed. “We’ll see.”
“I’m a grown woman, Micah. I can take care of myself.” She released my waist.
As heat built in his eyes, he stepped to his sister, pointing his finger. “Okay, but if he does anything to you I don’t like, he’ll regret it.”
“Fine. Thanks, big bro.” With a smirk, she walked off and took the seat beside Justin again.
I didn’t know Micah could be like that. I gazed at him with a wide grin. “You get really possessive of her. Don’t you?”
He knitted his brows, planted his hands on his hips, and shrugged. “She’s my baby sister.”