Page 45 of Flawless Lyric

Striding over to the door, I yank it open. Poor Bill’s driving off because of my procrastination. I stand on the sidewalk and wave my arms like an idiot until I notice his brake lights and he slowly backs up. When he pulls up to my side, he rolls down the passenger window.

“I’m so sorry,” I say. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you in the driveway.” As I run up the walk, he backs into the driveway and shuts off the car.

I’m giddy as a teenager as I race up the stairs and throw my closet doors open. What the hell does a forty-year-old woman wear to a concert? Damned if I know but it’s going to be sexy enough to turn his head.

Throwing on my ripped black skinny jeans and Novalee’s white Rebel Riot concert Tee, I check myself out in my floor-length mirror. It’s not sexy enough, so I slip the bottom of the Tee through the top and then tie it at the hem. Now I’m showing my midriff and exposing tons of cleavage. This could work. I grab my leather jacket out of my closet in case it gets chilly. Then I slip into heels that I know I’ll regret later.

I’m out the door with two minutes to spare.

19

MICAH

We’ve playedto live audiences for over ten years. Too many concerts to keep track of, but this crowd is by far the loudest, most energetic one to date. I’ve no idea if it has something to do with the majority of them being here since The Sinful Seven’s performance or if they’ve tipped back one too many. In either case, we’re up next and we’re pumped to end this night with a fucking bang! Only to get up and do it all again for the next few days.

Now we’re all pacing back and forth waiting for Wicked Immortal to finish their set. Who am I kidding? I’m pacing because I’m desperate to taste Lyric before going on stage. I’d rather have a kiss or two for good luck than someone slapping me on the back and telling me to break a leg. Wouldn’t you?

I’m about to jump out of my skin when her arms wrap around me from behind and her lavender scent calms my erratic heartbeat. Spinning around, I capture her face between my palms and dive in for a taste. A hint of lemon lingers on her tongue when mine tangles with hers. I struggle to keep it PG but it’s too late. My cock’s pressed against her belly, and when she moans I’m a goner. Desperate for more but afraid my dick won’t behave until he’s buried inside her hot cunt.

“Beauty, you drive me fucking wild!” Pulling away before I embarrass myself, I take her all in. And fuck me. She’s the epitome of a rocker chick and she’s all fucking mine!

“Thanks for the last-minute invite. If I had more time, maybe I could have prepared a little better.” What? Does she think I don’t approve of her choice of clothing?

“You didn’t need more time to prepare. It’s fucking perfect and so are you.” I was so busy welcoming my girl that I hadn’t realized the music stopped and Wicked Immortal had walked off the stage.

So when Drew yells out, “Rebel Riot up in ten. Be ready and let’s kick some ass!” I need to calm the fuck down so I’m not sporting a permanent hard-on for the duration of the concert. That would be very painful.

Lyric looks as nervous as a deer in headlights. I’m not surprised when she says, “I’ve never been backstage to a concert. Should I stand in a certain spot or is this good?”

“This is where we normally watch the other bands, so you’re fine right here. It’s out of everyone’s way and you’re still hidden from the crowd.”

“Okay, good. I don’t want anyone to see me.” I don’t point out that the whole crew is admiring her curves, even the women. Their green-eyed monster is surely showing. If I mentioned it to Lyric, she’d want to hightail it out of here. She’s not used to compliments, but I’m hoping with my help she’ll get used to them.

When Drew stands by the curtain and calls out our names, it’s showtime. It’s also one more opportunity for me to leave her with another cheesy pick-up line.

“Love the outfit, Beauty. I can’t wait to peel it off and devour what’s underneath.”

Zander chuckles as we run on stage. Lyric’s mouth drops open, and her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. Which is starting to be my new favorite color since it matches her pussy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for none other than Rebel Riot!” The crowd goes crazy as Jaxon taps his sticks together. As soon as Zander starts to sing the first few words toStabbed by Reason, they cheer and sing along.

I can only see the first few rows from where I’m positioned but the girls are crying, screaming, and trying to climb the stage. Security holds them back and for that I’m thankful. When Ace kicks up the bass, the roar of the crowd turns up a few decibels. I’ve no doubt houses that are miles away are rocking to our beat.

When the song ends, Zander seamlessly starts the next. He runs up and down the stage and turns the crowd into a frenzy as he belts out the lyrics toMaster of the Universe. He slaps their outstretched hands, throws guitar picks, and falls to his knees. I’m so glad he’s our leadman—to constantly run with that kind of energy is fucking exhausting.

After the hardcore hits are done, Zander takes it down a notch withFlawless Melody. All the girls wipe the tears streaming down their faces—tears for a guy they can only wish was theirs. Sorry, ladies. I try craning my neck to get a glimpse of Lyric but she’s just out of sight. There’s a stupid speaker in the way. If I had more time, I would have planned this so much better.

The song ends and since it’s more of a ballad than heavy metal, the crowd becomes quiet. That’s when Jaxon takes the lead and dives into one of his amazing solos. He pumps up the audience by starting off with his opening riff and uses what he calls a catch and release. Engaging the crowd and getting them pumped up. Then he adds in his cymbals and pedals and kicks it up a notch by twirling his sticks, throwing them up high, and then catching them midair. He then strikes his sticks against his kit like the master he is and finishes his solo to thunderous applause.

Ace flawlessly segues intoThunderstruck. One of our favorite covers and an amazing piece for him to showcase his raw talent on the bass. While his fingers flit over the strings, we all chant the opening line. Zander races around the stage, ready for the opening of the song. When he starts singing, the pyrotechnics go off and people are jumping and screaming right along with him. The stars twinkle in the night in approval. We feed off the crowd as adrenaline pumps through our veins.

As soon as the song ends, we know we’re at the halfway point. We take a little break without the crowd losing momentum. Zander turns to the crowd, his shirt sticking to him like a second skin, opens a bottle of water, and pours it over his head. He shakes it into the crowd, which, honestly, is pretty disgusting. Of course the girls in the front row swoon and scream out his name, desperately trying to reach him, but security’s up front and center.

When he turns to us with a cocky smirk, he points to Jaxon and screams into the mic, “Give it up for Jaxon Carter on the fucking drums! Now put your hands together for none other than Ace Baxter on bass guitar! Let’s hear it for Micah ‘Fast Hands’ Monroe on the keys!” Turning back to the audience he screams, “I’m Zander Stone and we are Rebel Riot! Now let’s get this fucking party started!”

Now that we have their undivided attention, we give it our all. Until one song transitions into the next and we start winding down our playlist. We’re relieved that our first night is almost over, but euphoric knowing we get to do it all over again tomorrow.

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