Chapter Fifteen
Payden
“I’ve never been to this place?” Stone had been hard at it, filling out applications and calling bars he’d played at before and finally, someone bit.
“What’s it called, again?” The outside was black on black on black with no distinguishing signage.
Had he not been with me I’d have run far away as fast as I could.
“Do you trust me, little unicorn?”
“With my life.”
“Then trust when I say this place is legit. I’ve literally played here with my band way back in our early days.” Daddy gave me a hug and kiss then knocked on the door.
“Yeah?” Some scary dude said as he opened the door.
“Hey, I’m Stone Tidwell, this is my boyfriend, Payden Walters.” I gave a nervous wave as the man eyed us, and not very happily I might add. I slid further behind Stone in case this went south.
The guy called over to someone and nodded, like they could see him. “Follow me.”
I hurried in behind Daddy, thankful when his firm grip tightened on my hand.
“You’re okay, sweetheart. You get to sit in the front row right where I can see you.”
There was another band on right now, Daddy got a spot filling in for one that cancelled.
“Stone!” Some guy hurried over to us. “Gotta say, I was surprised to hear from you.”
“Man, I can’t believe you’re still here, Steve.”
“Still here? I own the place now and trust me, if I have anything to say about it you’re a permanent fixture on the roster.”
Daddy smiled wide, so I guess that was a good thing.
“Steve, this is my partner, Payden.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said as we shook hands.
“Come on, I’ll show you where to set up. Got a packed house tonight and I’m sure the second you walk out on that stage, they’re gonna get rowdy.”
“Nah, they likely forgot all about me.” Daddy sold himself short. I’d been actively following his social media accounts since he shared them with me, and people were excited to hear from him. “Which table is for Payden?”
“I have him at a private table, but he has to share it with another couple.” Something in Steve’s eyes made me weary, until he winked.
“Private table, huh?” Daddy said. “Should I be scared?”
“Nope, I’d never steer you wrong, but you’ve woken a lot of sleeping bears as of late.”
I’d always heard waking, poking, anything to do with bears was a bad thing…
Steve took a call and Daddy whispered, “If at any point you don’t feel safe, you come to me. No matter if I’m on stage or not.”
“Do you have a lot of enemies?” Panic set in and I no longer felt safe.
“It’s possible, though I don’t really remember pissing anyone off to that point. Payden, you and you alone come first. Not a gig, not anything else but you. Remember that.” Daddy said before he kissed me. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Daddy. Now knock ‘em dead!”
“Okay, Stone, wait over there with the other bands and Payden, I’ll take you to your table. Anything you want is on the house tonight.”
“Oh, um, thanks?” I wasn’t much of a drinker and hoped they had 7-up or Sprite. Daddy waved then headed toward the rest of the groups while I followed Steve out.
“I’m so excited for tonight. We’ve all wondered where Stone has been. As soon as word got out he was playing here we sold out.” He brought me over to a table behind a roped off area where another couple was sitting. “Shadow, Lucas, this is Payden. He’s Stone’s partner.”
The huge man with hair down to his butt stood and extended his hand. I froze, staring from him to his hand and back up to his equally as hairy face. The guy beside him was about my size and far less intimidating.
The smaller guy grinned and rolled his eyes. “I’m Lucas Shane, this is my fiancé, Shadow. He’s not as scary as he looks.”
My head bobbed as I shook their hands, noting that Shadow kept his grip light on mine. “Drinks, guys?” Steve asked.
“Um, Sprite or 7-up please.”
“Same for us, please,” Lucas ordered. As we sat, Shadow wrapped an arm around Lucas. “Is this your first time here?”
“Yes, I don’t usually cover the entertainment section, though now that my boss knows who my boyfriend is he’s considered sending me to cover Stone’s shows.”
“Haven’t seen him play in years,” Shadow said, his voice so deep it startled me. “Caught Savage Destruction a couple of times but they never really jived as a band. Their demise was imminent and then Stone just disappeared. Looking forward to his acoustic set.”
So was I, now. Who knew Daddy still had such a following and why did I get the feeling this Shadow guy was someone special? Besides sitting behind the elite rope area.
The waitress brought over our drinks right as the first band took the stage. Metal wasn’t my music of choice, but if I intended to follow Daddy around like his personal puppy I best learn to gain an appreciation for it.
Shadow made notes on his phone during the shows. I wasn’t sure if he was bored or what. There was so much for me to learn about the music industry, I mean, how could my boss even begin to believe I was equipped to cover such articles.
As the band cleared the stage, Steve took the mic.
“Tonight, we’ve got a big surprise for you,” he glanced through the crowd.
“Or maybe not, given we’re at capacity. Up next we’ve got an acoustic set for you by the former lead guitarist and backup singer from Savage Destruction. Let’s give it up for Stone Tidwell!”
Holy cow! I’d never heard a crowd go this wild in such a small space before, but I was just as bad as the rest of them.
Up on my feet, whistling and clapping. When Daddy spotted me he blew me a kiss then his eyes widened when he saw who I was sitting with.
If it wasn’t rude, I’d pull my phone out and google these two guys, though I only knew the last name for one of them.
“Thank you, thank you all. Wow,” Daddy sat on the stool they brought out for him, guitar in hand, ready to play. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long!” Someone called out and Daddy paused.
“Why do I know that voice? Anyway, this first song was inspired by my partner, my boyfriend and the reason for, well, everything good in my life, Payden. I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too!” I shouted, but he probably didn’t hear me. Shoot, I should record this for Mom and Dad. I pulled my phone out and got to it.
“Oh my god, that is so sweet,” Lucas swooned. “I’m so glad Easton sent us here tonight even if it’s just for this romantic moment alone.” Shadow grunted but I figured that was a usual response for him since he still kissed Lucas.
“This is…The Last Whistle Blows.”
Unscheduled interruption
Unparalleled seduction
Split second decision
You were a vision
Dressed in persistence and pain
I never once considered
Standing firm and telling you no
If this is my last ride
Well come on baby
Let’s take it nice and slow
I took a chance
On a train ride to anywhere
Fuck letting go
When the last whistle blows
Unintended diversion
Undeniable connection
You were confusion
All dressed up in colorful hues
I never knew my light had died
Until you offered me yours
On this epic ride to anywhere
That ended
with love
I took a chance
On a train ride to anywhere
Fuck letting go
When the last whistle blows
Uninhibited reactions
Unforgettable outcome
You were a whirlwind
Dressed in sass and big dreams
I never wanted so badly
To be the man
You believed I could be
Invincible
Indestructible
Too late to stop
When the last whistle blows
No turning back
When the last whistle blows
Follow your heart
When the last whistle blows
I took a chance
On a train ride to anywhere
Fuck letting go
When the last whistle blows
Fuck letting go
When the last whistle blows.
Tears streamed down my face as I recorded this. I inspired a song. Me, Payden, the one it was so easy for men to walk away from. But not the right one, not my Stone. Hurriedly I sent the video to Mom and Dad and rushed to the stage.
Daddy came to the edge and kissed me then whispered, “I love you.” I said the same, even though the crowd drowned the words out. But Daddy knew what I said.
When I turned to head back to the table I was met with a wall of muscle. Two huge guys, bigger than Shadow, were there and led me back to my seat. Then they stood outside the ropes and waited. Were they waiting for me?
“We sent our bodyguards to get you, just in case,” Lucas said.
“Bodyguards?” Okay, so these two really were important.
“You don’t know who we are, do you?”
“I’m sorry but, no.”
Lucas laughed. “Do an internet search for Maiden Voyage.”
Hmm, okay. Kind of a strange request but given how much the last few weeks of my life have changed, it really wasn’t that odd. Millions of hits came when I typed that in and there he was, Shadow, drummer for the multi-diamond award winning metal band, Maiden Voyage.
I glanced from the phone, to Shadow, back to the phone then up to Shadow again. He winked, and if I’m not mistaken a slight grin curved the corner of his mouth. Whether I wanted it to or not, my world just shot up a million notches.
“What are you guys doing at a dive bar in L.A.? Sorry if that’s rude to ask but I’m a bit stunned right now.” And that was putting it mildly, though it did explain the hired muscle.
“Masterson Management, they manage Maiden and a few other bands and they’re always looking for more talent to sign.
Since we’re the only ones in their repertoire that live in Cali they asked if we’d come check out tonight’s show.
Then when they got wind of Stone reemerging here, it was a no brainer to come and see if he still has it. ”
“Does he still have it?”
Lucas grinned at Shadow as the quiet man typed away on his phone. “I’d say so given the rapid-fire texting over here.”
Daddy still had it, Daddy still had it, I sang on the inside, proud as a peacock.
It was nice to sit and listen to Daddy sing.
He was clearly in his element and comfortable on stage.
I wasn’t familiar with any of the songs, but he was so happy there was no way to not cheer along with him.
The crowd had a blast, singing the lyrics they knew.
What a fun night. When he was done, he took a bow and thanked them all but had to leave the stage so the next band could set up.
“Where do we go now?” I asked Lucas.
“We wait here, they’ll bring him over.”
The crowd was so dense, I hated not being able to see where Daddy was. What if he couldn’t get through the wall of humans? Being a concert virgin was no fun and being five foot six was even worse. Everything above a belly button was lost on me.
Shadow nodded to the guards and one of them left, returning a few minutes later with… “Daddy!” Oops, we’d never talked about what to call him in front of work people. “Sorry, Stone.”
“Sweetheart,” Daddy gave me a huge hug. “You can call me Daddy anytime your little unicorn heart wants. Did you enjoy the show?”
“I did, you were fantastic.”
“You say the sweetest things. Shadow, it’s been a long time.” Shadow stood and gave Daddy a one-armed bro hug. Learned that one from the people at work.
“Indeed, it has. I’m here on official Masterson business.”
Daddy sat between me and Lucas. “Scouting new bands?”
“Always and checking out past ones too. As soon as Easton heard you were on the prowl he sent us out.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m not looking to tour anymore.”
“Understood, but how do you feel about working with green guitarists?”
Daddy took a deep breath and sat back. “You’ve got my attention.”
“Thought that might grab ya. Can you two stay and watch the last two bands, then we can chat?”
“You up for that, sweetheart?”
“Wait, you’re asking me?” This was Daddy’s night, not mine. “Whatever you want to do I’m good with.”
One of the guards whispered something to Shadow, then Shadow turned to Daddy. “Griff is here, he’s asking to see you. Do you want the guards to bring him over?”
“The fuck?” Daddy took a big drink of whatever the waitress brought him. “Uhhh, yeah, I guess now’s the best time.”
Why was that name so familiar…
Oh, shoot.