Page 48 of Flawless Aria

“Guys, you killed it. Great show. Hope to see you at the afterparty.” Zander gives them all our famous handshake and we all do the same.

“Congrats, great show. The crowd is still chanting your name, bro!” Micah slaps Gavin on the back and Gavin chuckles.

“As soon as Zander walks out, I’ll be old news. Knock ‘em dead, guys!” Gavin grabs a bottle of water and pours it over his head. Don’t blame him. It’s as hot as fuck back here.

They start chatting with the crew, most likely making sure that their equipment is handled with care. With a wave they take off. Exhausted but exhilarated all at the same time. With the set almost complete, we sit back and wait for our cue.

One by one, Drew calls out our names so we can take our mark. Once we’re settled, he walks up to the mic. The moment the spotlight flips on, the crowd goes wild. Wicked Immortal is forgotten and now all their attention will be focused on us.

“Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for none other than Rebel Riot! Let’s make some fucking noise!” And they surely do.

“Hello Boston! We’re Rebel Riot and we’re so glad you joined us tonight. Are you ready to get this party started?” I don’t think they hear Zander.

Sitting behind my kit, I crack my neck, count out the beats in my head, bang my sticks together, and start the fucking show.

Zander comes in on cue and Ace and Micah follow him. Immediately, the crowd starts singing to the words, making Zander’s job so much easier. He’s working the stage already. Holding out his mic for the crowd, slapping a few hands as he runs by. And when he gets back to centerstage, he and Ace play their opening riffs, and the fans lose their shit. When one song ends the next begins.

When we segue into a ballad, the crowd gets quiet. The lights dim and the fans hold up their phones, lighting our way. It’s a fucking high that can’t be duplicated with any drug. It’s a sense of pride, euphoria, and total elation. Being on stage, playing to a sold-out crowd is surreal and I have no words. For a few hours we entertain them, and in turn they entertain us. By singing our songs, screaming our names, and supporting us.

By the time the concert winds down, we’re pumped up with adrenaline but nonetheless exhausted. I’ve no idea who’s going to the afterparty, but it won’t be me. I have a phone date with my fiancée, and I’ve been looking forward to it all day.

“Thanks for hanging out with all of us tonight, Boston! Give it up for Micah Monroe on the keys, my dueling sidekick, Ace Baxter, and the beat maestro, Jaxon Carter on the drums. We are Rebel Riot!”

That’s our cue to line up, hold hands, and take a bow. The crowd is so damn loud that I swear they’re going to bring down the house. With a wave, we run off stage, knowing they’ll beg us for an encore. So we’ll go back out there for a few more songs. Giving the fans what they want.

Once the last note is sung and the lights dim, we hurry off the stage. Calling it a night. In less than twenty-four hours we’ll be back to do it all again. It’s what we do best and also what we love to do. Entertain.

“Great show, everyone,” Zander says. “I bet you guys are glad we’re here for the week’s festivities. Being in the same spot for so long will be like a vacation for all of you.” Everyone laughs at the joke. Not. It’s going to be a long fifteen months, but we got this.

Bill’s waiting to take us to the hotel. Now if we can safely leave the venue that would be great. I just want to shower, throw myself on the bed, and call Aria. I’ll feel much better the second I hear her voice. Just wish we had separate rooms so we could have sexy video chats, but I’m bunking with Zander. Maybe I’ll get creative and go into the bathroom. Now that’s a thought.

Thankfully the drive to the hotel was uneventful. Unlike the bus drive to the venue with the mob surrounding us. All the guys are tucked in their rooms since they decided not to go to the afterparty. What can I say, we all have wives or girlfriends and don’t want to be groped by groupies anymore. Our days of hooking up are long gone. Zander’s on the balcony, talking to Mel. We flipped a coin, so tonight I’m inside.

With trembling hands, I dial her number and wait. It’s midnight, but I know for a fact she’ll be awake. “Hey, how was the show?”

ARIA

“Hey,show was great, but I’d trade it all in if I could hold you tonight. Miss you, baby.” Just hearing his voice is comforting, but it doesn’t stop the tears from falling.

“Miss you so much. Glad the show went well. Bet you guys kicked ass.” Wish I could crawl through the phone and sit on his lap right now.

“Crowd was crazy, but it did feel good to play for a live audience after so long. Are you still coming in a few weeks?”

“Yes, of course I’m coming. You couldn’t keep me away. Silas gave me the thumbs up, and even if he hadn’t, I’d still be going. I don’t want to leave your side ever again.”

“Aw, baby. I’m feeling the same. Only after one night, I’d throw in the towel if it didn’t mean letting the guys down. Being with you and sharing a life together is everything I want. To heck with the band, I should go home tonight.” Just the fact that he would give up everything for me makes me love him more.

“You just sit tight, cowboy. Not only would you let your friends down but your fans, too. I will make this work, Jax. If it’s the last thing I do.”

“Well, I’m already counting down the days. Any news on the wedding plans?”

For the next hour or so, I tell him all my good news and how productive I was today. How far we’ve come and how great the venue is to work with. It’s going to be everything I envisioned and then some.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Dad’s thrilled that there will be an aisle of sorts for us to walk down. I can’t envision that in my brain, but they assured me it will work out perfectly.” He’s quiet and I think he fell asleep. “Jax, you still there?”

“Yeah, baby. I’m still here. Listening to your sultry voice is hypnotic. I’m under your spell. If you were here with me now, you’d be underneath me and I’d be making you scream out my fucking name. God, I’m so hard just thinking about your sweet pussy.”

Oh, my stars.

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