Page 126 of Wicked Rockstar

Sam gave a quick nod and gestured for her to take the seat next to him.

The thumbs up she gave me once he got her settled and set up with a pair of headphones tugged at my happy heart. With one last glance at Tris, I left the control room and joined the guys who were already warming up in the live room on the other side of the window.

I fist-bumped, Dante, our drummer, a big guy with thick muscles. He was quiet, yet fierce. If we needed security backup, just having him stand there was often enough to scare people off.

Isaiah, our bass player, greeted me with a fist bump and bro hug. This guy was anything but quiet, and often his lean body was bopping to his own beat.

It was almost by accident that the three of us had found each other. I’d shown up to one of the traveling amusement parks that featured live music on the weekends before I’d gotten big. He and Dante were arguing next to the stage about what to do since their lead guitarist flaked and hadn’t shown up. I had my instrument in the backseat of my car and offered to take his spot. They were so desperate to get on stage, they didn’t even ask if I was any good.

We’d been playing together for the last ten years now, since I walked away from Tris and Peter. And I couldn’t imagine doing music with anyone else.

Dante lifted his chin to point toward Tris. “So it’s true?”

They both knew about the animosity between Peter and me. It wasn’t a secret in the industry that the two of us couldn’t stand each other. And they’d clearly seen mine and Tris’s relationship being blasted on social media.

“Yeah.” I didn’t want to outright lie to them, or give them the full scoop right now about how Tris and I’d gotten here.

Isaiah ran his hand around his mouth and over his scruff. “Do we need to worry about Peter?”

I shrugged. “I can handle him.”

Dante eyed me like he wasn’t sure that was true, but eventually went back to his drums. The air in the room was tenser than usual. I knew the guys were worried about the upcoming album and the lack of songs.

I motioned toward the control room, and when I knew Sam and Tris were listening, I asked her what song we should warm up to.

She grinned and named one of Taylor Swift’s peppiest, most upbeat songs.

I rolled my eyes not admitting I liked the song too.

Dante busted out singing the main hook, surprising us all. After a laugh, he counted us in with the beat. Tris clapped along. Who knew he was such a Swiftie?

Isaiah and I picked up the tune on our guitars, and I begrudgingly sang the chorus into the microphone.

If this didn’t prove I’d do anything for my girl …

Trissa pretended to swoon, earning her an eye roll from me.

“That enough for you, babe?”

“For now.”

I grinned, and jumped into the first few cords to one of our earlier songs, ‘Fallen.’ It was our tradition to always warm up with our first big hit.

Each member of our band brought his own unique quality to the music, and when a song was working, we knew it almostimmediately. We melded together poetically. Management had suggested bringing on another member and rounding out our sound, but we were hesitant to pull the trigger after ten years when everything had been working so well.

“Okay. Let’s get started on the new stuff.” I licked my lips, and took a few sips of water.

For the next hour, we worked on recording one of the songs we’d been practicing. Seeing my girl watch me from the other side of the glass motivated me to be at my best.

When Sam took a break, I told the guys about the tune I’d written earlier that morning.

I had a simple melody to go with the words, knowing the guys would have suggestions when it was over. I strummed my guitar and let it take over me.

Spotlights blind, cameras flash

A perfect smile, a rehearsed laugh

But behind these eyes, a story untold

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