Face the Music (A Brothers of Rock - GONE BY AUTUMN - Novel) (15 page)

“Already?” Gabe asked.

“I need just the five of you…”

“So much for being in the band,” JT said with a grin.

“Don’t be an ass,” Sam warned.

“I’ll just stay here with these beautiful women,” JT said and motioned toward Raine, Jules, and Sabrina.

“He’s smooth,” Asher said. “Glad I don’t…”

Asher lost his words.

He didn’t bother trying to find them either. Instead, he left the room and went into the hallway, which was busy as hell. There were people and press everywhere. Sam took charge and started barking out orders. The hall opened a little and out came the band Gone by Autumn would be touring with.

The infamous Willow Son.

The five of them emerged from their dressing room. They were total rockstars, looking as annoyed as Gone by Autumn for having to do this kind of stuff. The second they appeared, the press started shouting questions. It seemed everyone in the band had a few skeletons hanging from the closet and now that they were playing and touring again, it was a big deal.

A really big deal.

“I hate this shit,” Asher whispered to Tanner.

“Same, brother,” Tanner said. “But these guys are good.”

“I know. I’ve heard them. I don’t like this build up. Just let us…”

“Play!” a voice shouted. “Wait until you see the show. Come on, can we get this moving? I’ve got naked whiskey and a woman on ice… wait… I said that wrong…”

Everyone laughed.

The talked would be Jett, the lead guitarist for Willow Son.

The two bands met and all shook hands.

Asher knew the entire band already. They had played little gigs here and there in the past. Colby on vocals, Ryker on guitar, Jett on lead, Van on bass, and Brantley on drums.

“You hate this as much as me?” Brantley asked as he ran a hand through his hair.

“Fucking hate it,” Asher said. “Miss the old stages, huh?”

“Sometimes. But not the paychecks.”

“Used to get paid with whiskey, pizza, and women.”

“True,” Brantley said. “But money is nicer. For the most part. Heard your hand got all banged up.”

Asher flexed both hands. “All better. Just a little accident.”

Brantley laughed. “Rockstars, right?”

“Let’s get this shot!” Sam bellowed.

The bands lined up next to each other and all gave their best rockstar faces, which were, basically, annoyed resting faces. When someone yelled smile, both Asher and Jett offered their middles fingers instead. Cameras went off like crazy. Then they took the non-middle finger picture.

Once it was done, Sam started shouting about the tour.

Don’t miss Gone by Autumn and Willow Son on the road together! These are going to be some amazing shows! Two great rock bands sharing the stage!

Finally, Asher grabbed Sam. “Hey. Are you trying to sell a car or something?”

Sam grinned. “You have an autograph session in ten minutes. Then I promise you get a chance to relax until the show.”

“You never keep your promises,” Asher said. “You’re like a bad father.”

“At least I show up. And I make you rich. Now move.”

The band was shuttled down the hall toward another room with a long table and a Gone by Autumn backdrop. There were seven tables set up, all with different musicians and bands sitting there. This stuff made Asher want to scream. Getting an autograph was a magical thing. It was something to be earned, not paid for. But all the proceeds from the session were going to charity.

The band sat down and the group of fans waiting was already cheering. Waving their hands, screaming the name of their favorite member. A white rope separated them, but there was no way of actually keeping them back if they wanted to get to the table and the band.

Security got the entire thing organized and then opened the rope.

“Here we go,” Asher whispered.

The band was ready, complete with markers and posters to sign. The fans were so eager and appreciative to meet the band. It took the third person to ask for quick picture. Security said no but the band said yes. And that turned into every person wanting a picture with the band. Asher loved it though. Knowing what it all meant and that every dime of all this was going to charity.

Asher signed a poster and slid it down to Tanner.

He then took a poster from Gabe and kept his head down. He was happy he signed with his right hand. If it were his left, he’d never be able to play the show. His right hand was a little sore from writing the same damn thing over and over. When he looked at his knuckle, he thought of Jocelyn.

“Don’t worry, I won’t bother you for a picture,” a voice said.

Asher looked up as he signed the autograph and hurried to jump up.

It was freaking Jocelyn standing there in the autograph line. He grabbed her and pulled her against the table, hugging her.

“What are you doing?” he asked. “You have…”

“It’s for charity,” Jocelyn said. “And I don’t have a Gone by Autumn autograph yet.”

“You’re wild, love,” Asher said. “I’ve been thinking about you all day. Waiting to see you.”

“Now here I am,” Jocelyn said.

Asher reached over the table again and grabbed Jocelyn. He lifted her right up and over the table. She let out a scream and started to laugh. He turned her around and planted a big kiss on her lips.

“There are people everywhere,” she whispered.

“Like I care. I’m a rockstar. I’ll kiss whoever the hell I want. Right now the only person I want to kiss is you.”

Jocelyn blushed. “What am I doing now?”

“Security is going to take you backstage. Wait there for us to finish up here.”

“Can I take my poster?” Jocelyn asked.

“Of course you can.”

Asher gave Jocelyn the poster and a kiss on the cheek.

Security escorted her away.

When Asher turned, there was an elderly woman standing there with a big grin on her face.

“Hey there,” Asher said.

“How much did she pay for that?” the woman asked.

“Oh, that’s expensive, love.”

“I’m old. I’m rich. I’m not married. Try me, rockstar.”

Asher laughed as the rest of the band clapped and cracked up.

Asher reached out and touched the elderly woman’s face. He pulled her in and gave her a little kiss on the cheek. The woman giggled, touched her cheek, and to Asher, she suddenly looked thirty years younger.

“There,” he said. “That’s the last one.”

Everyone cheered for the lady and cheered for Asher.

He smiled and waved, but he couldn’t stop looking to the left. Looking at Jocelyn as she had stopped and turned, standing in a doorway.

She’s even more beautiful right now…

And Asher wasn’t sure how that was possible.

*

It was a total whirlwind.

Jocelyn stood in the backstage area of the arena and heard the voices of the band. They were coming down the hallway. Security waited in the room and then they brought the band into the room.

The second Asher saw her, he ran right over and scooped her up. “This is crazy,” he said. “You’re really here.”

“Really here,” Jocelyn said.

Asher looked at Jocelyn and then stroked her hair. “And you got here free and clear?”

“I guess so,” Jocelyn said. “I don’t really care anymore, Asher. I’m right where I want to be.”

“And there’s no place better. Just wait until you see the show tonight.”

Asher turned and put an arm around Jocelyn. That’s when Jocelyn was introduced to the entire band. Ryan, Tanner, Gabe, and Blake. The room was full of people. Security, other women that Jocelyn assumed to be girlfriends of the band, another woman named Maya with a couple friends. She couldn’t help but notice the way Blake clung to Maya, as though someone was going to come and steal her or hurt her.

“This is loud in here,” Asher said. “Come with me.”

He took Jocelyn by the hand and pulled her from the dressing room. The snuck out of the room and made the quick corner and stood there in a hallway together. Jocelyn had her back against the wall, Asher standing in front of her. The electricity between was wild. Just staring at Asher turned her on like nothing ever in her life.

Asher put a hand to her waist and squeezed. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Me too,” Jocelyn said. “I feel like it’s been years.”

“I know. The feeling is something.”

“After the show, you’re all mine,” Asher said. “Got it?”

“Is that so? Taking me on the tour bus?”

Asher smiled. “I could do that. But it’s going to be busy. I have something else in mind.”

“Which is?”

Asher moved in and kissed Jocelyn on the cheek. He trailed to her ear and then whispered, “We have a private hotel room, love. Just you and me. Is that cool?”

Jocelyn grabbed at the bottom of Asher’s shirt and twisted her hands. “That’s amazing. You have me so nervous right now.”

“Nervous?” Asher asked. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Why? Because of…
outside things?
”

“No,” Jocelyn said. She touched Asher’s face. “No. That’s far out of my mind right now. It’s you, Asher. You make me nervous. Because of the way you make me feel.”

“And how do I make you feel?”

“Like I want you inside me all the time. Like right here, right now. In a hallway. Like some kind of wild…”

Asher pressed his lips to Jocelyn’s for a few seconds. “Good. I feel the same way.” His hand ran up her body, over her breast, and then right back down. He slowly moved between her legs, over her jeans. “You’re stuck in my mind, Jocelyn. This isn’t some groupie hookup bullshit. You better realize that right now.”

Jocelyn let out a sigh and Asher slid his hand back up to her waist. He put his forehead to hers and gritted his teeth.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing. Just wait until after the show, love.”

Asher kissed Jocelyn again and it set her body on fire… again.

(13)

Two security guards escorted Jocelyn along the side of the stage. The previous band, Willow Son, was coming off from their set. They sounded awesome. Jocelyn was overwhelmed by all the rockstars she had seen so far. The crowd was so loud, her ears started to hurt a little.

Jocelyn then stood there and watched as the crew went to work. Pulling apart pieces of the Willow Son set and bringing forward all the Gone by Autumn equipment. The process was intense to watch. Moving cases of equipment, grabbing and rolling up wires, guys yelling and arguing over who did what and when.

All told, the process took a little over ten minutes. A black cloth had been put in front of the stage, shielding the fans from seeing what Jocelyn could. And then came the band. Gone by Autumn walking from the backstage area to the side stage area. Ryan called the guys together and they were all huddled. For Jocelyn, there was nothing sexier than seeing Asher with a guitar hanging off his back, the neck pointing down as he was slightly bent over.

When the group broke up, Ryan came first. He smiled and nodded to Jocelyn. Then came Blake with drumsticks in his hands. Then Tanner and Gabe, guitar and bass ready to go. There was another guy with a guitar. Jocelyn recognized him from The Jack. The stand in guy for Asher.

And finally, Asher.

He stopped and looked at Jocelyn.

“Good luck,” she said.

“I don’t need luck,” Asher said. “I’m a rockstar. I just have to play and have fun.”

The lights suddenly went out. The crowd started to go crazy. The techs all turned on flashlights, one of them pointing their light to the steps to the stage.

Asher turned and Jocelyn grabbed him. He came toward her so she could yell over the cheering audience.

“Does it make you nervous?” she screamed.

Jocelyn had no idea why she wanted to know, but it mattered to her.

“Of course it does,” Asher yelled back. “But not as nervous as I get when I’m around you, love.”

Asher then kissed her and took to the stage.

A security guard tapped her on her shoulder and then led the way to the front of the stage. She was standing front row, as she had promised Asher she would.

The black cloth was still up. But then a light turned on behind the cloth. This gave the audience a view of the silhouettes of Gone by Autumn. They cheered but the second Ryan moved his arms and the audience realized the band was already on stage, the place went even crazier.

“Are you ready?” Ryan asked.

The crowd pushed, cheered, the room so loud Jocelyn thought her eardrums were going to pop.

The sound of the guitars rang out and the drums kicked in. It was slow, deep, the speakers pouring out the rock n’ roll sound that made Gone by Autumn so famous. Jocelyn caught herself bouncing a little, smiling, her skin prickling with goosebumps. She was excited for this. She couldn’t remember the last time she was excited for something that didn’t involve her business. It was nice to forget about everything and just enjoy life.

“We’re ready,” Ryan said. “STOP!”

The light went off, the sound stopped.

The crowd swelled even more. A few Gone by Autumn chants started. It could have been ten minutes for all Jocelyn knew as she stood there, holding her breath, wondering what was going to happen next.

Then all at once, a song started, the black cloth dropped, and the rock show began. The band was right in a song and they didn’t stop or slow down once. Asher standing there, rocking out, coming to the edge of the stage, looking out to the crowd. His hands working perfectly as he played. Ryan walked left to right, pointing and waving his arms, keeping the crowd pumped up.

He then ran to the mic and started to sing.

They sounded phenomenal in concert. Maybe better than the recorded version. Then again, Jocelyn had been listening to the band on her small computer speakers. This was far from it here. This was intense, in your face, straight up pumping sound.

During the chorus, the audience sang back as loud as Ryan sang.

The song continued and then Asher stepped forward. He looked back to the other guitarist and nodded. They were able to talk to each other without words. Asher put his foot up on a small speaker and held the guitar up.