49. Bron
brON
My brothers and I have had our differences over the years—hardly surprising—but never when we’re performing. When we’re onstage, it’s as if we become a single organism, we’re so in sync with each other. It’s always made concerts a blast, an experience that we couldn’t have any other way.
Except that now, it’s started to happen when we’re making love with Hazel. All three of us are focused on her and her pleasure, and we find ourselves working together, anticipating her needs, without even having to speak.
I don’t need a sign to know that Hazel’s right for us. But if I wanted one, that’d be it.
The only thing that bothers me is that Rafe and I can’t legally marry her, like Conal did.
We can have a commitment ceremony, though.
I heard that there’s a woman at the Belle Epoque resort —Lexy something?
—who specializes in ceremonies for poly relationships.
I hope we can do that while we’re on our break, after this leg of the tour finishes.
A knock on the door sounds, and the stage manager pokes his head in. “Showtime, gentlemen.”
“Let’s do it,” I say, and we wind through the back of the theater to the side of the stage, where Hazel’s waiting for us.
She gives each of us a kiss. “Have fun,” she says. “I love you. I’m so proud of you.”
It makes me want to carry her back to our dressing room for more fun and games, but instead I’ll channel that energy into the show … for now. “We love you,” we all say, and wait for our cue.
“Ladies and gentlemen … the Black Pythons! ”
The audience explodes, a massive wall of sound that electrifies our bodies as we jog onstage. The cheers and screams only get louder as Rafe picks up his guitar and slings it over his body. Conal does the same, and I take my seat behind my drum kit.
Conal counts off the beat, and we launch into the first Hazel song we wrote, which is also the first hit off the new album. The audience is with us all the way, and they don't let up as we work through the first half of our set, mixing new songs with older numbers.
The energy is off-the-charts insane. This is our best concert ever, and that’s saying something.