46. Hazel
HAZEL
The stadium is packed. Even where I am backstage, I can feel the energy. Eager fans are waiting for the Black Pythons’ first concert since their new release dropped, a double album that’s already produced the most hits in the band’s history.
I try not to think about the fact that almost all of those hit singles are about me.
Earlier, before the audience arrived, I got to walk through the lobby, where promotional photographs are displayed along with merchandise for sale.
Some of those photographs were taken by Maggie, the pro who came that day, and some of them are mine—selected by Roddy and Maggie herself. I’m ridiculously proud of that .
I took photos from the seats during the sound check.
Right now, the opening act is finishing up, so it won’t be much longer before the Pythons go onstage.
I visited my men in their dressing room earlier, where I took more photos before they initiated me into the backstage version of the mile-high club.
Conal assured me that they’ll be ready for round two once the concert is done. “Performing always gets our motors revving, babe.”
I’m not complaining. Apparently, I’m the kind of woman who gets turned on by having covert sex in a dressing room with strangers just a few feet away on the other side of the door.
I’ll be their number one groupie, now and forever.
Maybe, just maybe, I’m not such a bad fit for this rock-n-roll life after all.
I smile as I take a few shots of the opening band from just offstage, in the wings.
I’m pretty confident in my style now, and I’m putting together collections of photos, with an eye to maybe releasing some books in the future.
I’m also getting requests now from magazines and websites to license my images.
It’s so exciting that my hobby is turning into a career, and it’s so much more rewarding than crunching numbers .
My mom and my sisters and Bliss, along with Ember’s men, are in the audience with VIP passes. So are my in-laws, the Currans. We’re all going out to eat afterwards.
It’s going to be a great night.