11. Kay
Chapter eleven
Kay
Las Vegas
By the time we made it to the Las Vegas show, the album had reached platinum.
I was so stoked. There was going to be a ceremony on stage at the beginning of the show, presenting us with the big platinum record plaques.
The guys from Midnight Hunt were incredibly excited, especially Jinx, since he’d been the brain behind putting us together from the start.
It made for a boisterous backstage. Saxon didn’t have to go back to work for a few days, so he joined us at the show and would stay with us for LA too.
But that was the end of his time off. He’d become more solid in our lives already, and we would miss him when we moved on to Albuquerque.
But nothing made me happier than having him here to celebrate the Platinum Record status.
I was getting used to him, and I liked him.
He helped make sure we had what we needed, and I loved that.
It meant relaxing and enjoying this more.
Harrison tugged Donny’s arm and led him out of the room.
I wondered what was going on. They hadn’t really talked since Harrison confronted Donny at Rocktoberfest. I hated coming between them, but it was Donny’s call.
I started to get up, but Saxon pulled me closer to him.
“Hey. Relax. He can take care of himself, and if he can’t, he’ll ask for help. ” He kissed the side of my head.
Before I had a chance to process that, Jinx sat on the couch beside us. “Hey, Kay. How’re you feeling about all this?”
“I’m so proud of the album and what we’ve put together.”
“You’re not feeling bad about taking a backseat to Pierce? I mean…”
“No, no way. Don’t worry. I don’t see it like that. Adding Pierce was the right move. I’m way more comfortable with this, and we fucking sound killer. I mean, how did you feel coming back to Hunt and backing up Miami again after all those years?”
“Hmm…I do see your point, but that’s also why I wanted to check in with you.
This has been your first tour with him. Unlike me, I’d played with Hunt before.
This was different for you. A little. And honestly, it was kind of hard for me to go from solo to just the guitarist. I never feel that way, though.
Not with Hunt. It’s not like that with them.
We’re a group effort, and Miami and I have super chemistry on stage.
I can see that with you and Pierce as well. Feels like it’s working.”
“I think the difference is that Pierce can be a giant ass. That’s the only drawback, trying to manage that.”
“Oh, you damn well know Miami can be as big an ass as Pierce. If not bigger. No lie. Those two have serious frontman ego, and they flaunt it.”
Maybe that was what I’d lacked. My ego simply wasn’t that big. “There is another difference, Jinx.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m not in love with Pierce.” I screwed up my face from simply thinking about it and stuck out my tongue.
Jinx laughed, and Saxon joined him, saying, “I hope to fuck not.”
If I were in love with anyone, it was Donny, and I was rapidly adding Saxon to that list. Though we’d hardly had a chance to play or interact much, given the atmosphere of the tour. But we needed to find out if we fit together before we made a deeper commitment.
It had been a good conversation with Jinx, giving me a little more insight into my psyche and the band’s dynamics. I’d continue to think about it, but Donny walked back in and sat on Saxon’s lap. Saxon’s arm was still comfortably around my shoulders.
Until Pierce sauntered over. “This is…ah…” He waved his finger between the three of us. “New?”
Donny scowled. “It’s new. Yes.”
“All three of you, then?” Pierce asked.
“None of your business, Pierce.” I wasn’t going to have him interrogate us. Especially before a show.
He held his hands up in surrender. “I’m only curious, dude. We all are. This isn’t…” He waved between us again.
“Isn’t what?” Donny asked.
“Careful with your words,” I growled, and Saxon tightened his arm around me.
“Usual, Kay. It’s not usual. And I’m not trying to start shit. You can’t fucking blame me here.” Pierce held his hands out to his sides.
Saxon gave a brief nod. He was a quiet man, but when he did speak, his deep rumbly voice got attention and kept it. “Pierce. Thank you for being concerned for your friends and bandmate.” He shook me a little. “But we’ve got it. We’re fine.”
“Whatever, bro.” Pierce turned to walk away, then, as if changing his mind, swiveled back around.
“By the way, Kay, Jinx said they were going to hand the award to you as our representative, and that’s fine, but I want to be the one to give the thank-you speech.
We need to shift this whole thing to me being the spokesperson for the band. Know what I mean?”
That’s when Joe darted over. “Man, you don’t get to make that decision. Not by yourself.”
“Well, I thought it was the direction we were taking. Kay can’t handle it. Being in front, I mean.” As if tacking that on helped. It did not.
“Being the leader and being the frontman aren’t the same thing.
And you know it.” Joe crossed his arms, standing by the couch where I sat.
“Or you should. Because this is Kay’s band.
” I’d never felt this close to him before.
I didn’t expect him to stand up for me like that, but I was honored that he had.
I stood and put my hand on Joe’s shoulder. “This is something we need to work through. I don’t think of Bramble Punk as being my band, but our band, and that includes Pierce now.”
“Don’t stick up for him,” Joe growled.
“I’m not, but you’re both right. It’s not only me or Pierce, though. It’s all of us. Hey guys,” I called out. They came in closer. “Listen. When we receive the award, who should give the thank-you speech? All for Pierce?”
The room was quiet.
“What about me?”
Everyone called out. There were yeses, hell yeses, wolf-whistles, and clapping. These guys were fantastic. “Sounds like I’m doing the speech, Pierce.” I shrugged calmly, trying not to be smug, but it was hard with the rest of the band backing me so fiercely.
“Whatever.” He stalked across the room and out the door. I hoped I hadn’t pushed him out of the band. At least he didn’t flip us the bird…or maybe that wasn’t the good sign I thought it was.
“Guys. We do need him.”
Joe screwed up his face, puckering his lips and crinkling his nose. “Not so much that we have to put up with his crap.”
Jinx came over and put one hand on each of our shoulders. “I was worried about this from the start. But this is your band. All of you. Including everyone in this decision was a good start, Kay. You have to work together to figure it out.”
“And reel him in.” Donny stood and tugged my arm. “We only have a few minutes before you go on. Pierce will come around. Sit with us.”
How could I refuse that offer?