Page 40 of Behind the Lights

The bar had a similar crowd as the one we’d had the night before. So following Stoli’s suggested playlist worked to our best interest and by two a.m., we were once again loading up the van only this time I was heading home instead of back to the hotel with the guys.

By the time Lucas and I got to my house, we were wiped out. I showered off the sweat from melting under the stage lights and met him in bed where he was already soundly snoring. Sliding in behind him, I pulled him against me, tucking his head beneath my chin and was out like a light. Sadly, I woke the next morning to an empty bed. Lucas had already gone but left me a note.

Joey,

I wanted to sneak out before your dad woke up. You guys did great last night and I know you’ll rock the shit on your road trip. Call me or text me when you can. Please be careful.

Love,

Lucas

Ugh, so much for pre-road trip sex…

The guys and I spent the day packing up the van, washing all our laundry and for me saying goodbye to my dad since he’d be at already be at work when I got up in the morning.

Chapter

Ten

Day one of our first road trip…

By the time the equipment was loaded, and the caravans were ready to roll, it was nearing three p.m. The tour manager informed us that due to word of mouth among his peers, the tour had been extended from the original eight-week schedule to nine with the possibility of it being pushed out even further with the probability of more shows being added. But he wanted everyone on the road an hour ago in the hopes of avoiding the unforgiving afternoon traffic in Seattle. With that bomb dropped, he cut the announcement short and said he’d email everyone the updates, so we could get on I-90 and get the hell out of town. The original schedule was opening night in Spokane, Washington tomorrow, then back to back shows in Boise and Twin Falls Idaho. After that it was down to Salt Lake City, over to Denver, south to Albuquerque, over to Tucson, and up to Phoenix. Then we had three in the L.A. area before heading up to San Francisco and on to Portland with the final show back home in Seattle. Between travel days and shows, there was no rest for the wicked and no time for anyone to fuck around.

About an hour into our drive, Stoli got the email from the promoter. “Hey guys, this is a seriously crazy schedule. We have just enough time between gigs to get to the next city. And with us being the opening band we may have to leave some shows while the other bands are still playing.” His eyes locked on mine as he released a deep breath.

“Maybe we should consider calling that manager guy.” This life was becoming a reality for us and we were going to need someone to guide us through it.

“Yeah, you’re right. Is it cool if I represent the band when I talk to him?” he asked us, everyone either shrugged or nodded. “Okay, I’ll call him now.” He pulled the card from his wallet and started dialing. Diamond was driving, Mickey was sitting in the passenger seat and Stoli and I were laying across the bed rolls and duffle bags in the back.

We listened intently to Stoli’s side of the conversation, as though we’d be able to put the whole picture together. But excitement versus reality was a thin line to tread because it was scary either way.

“All right guys,” he said, putting his phone away. “He’s gonna email me a list of references for us to check. I’m sending him the tour list and having Brett overnight a demo disc to him. If he likes what he hears, he and his son are going to fly out to one of the shows to see us play live and meet with us afterwards. That is, if we like what the references have to say too.”

Then he dove across the van, attacking me. “It’s fucking happening, Joey.”

I was giggling from him tickling me.

“All right love birds, you’re rocking the van and that is something Mickey and I do not want to see,” Diamond joked.

“Fuck you,” we yelled in unison, catching our breath and breaking into uncontrollable fits of laughter. It felt like my best friend was returning.

I grabbed my phone to text Lucas and my dad the update.

“You texting BT?” Stoli asked without looking up from his phone.

“BT?”Huh, oh. “Boy Toy. Ha-ha, smart ass. But yeah and my dad too.” I wasn’t about to let his negative comment ruin my good mood.

“Um, tell him thanks,” Stoli said, still not making eye contact with me.

“My dad?”

“Lucas.”

“Oh, okay.”Maybe there was hope after all.

We listened to the radio, singing along with it when the reception wasn’t interrupted and popped in CDs when it was. Adding a CD player to the van was one of the first things we did. Actually, it was Diamond’s idea and he installed it as well.

By the time we reached North Bend, I was nervously flicking the loops in my lip with my tongue.What if we suck? What if I fuck up and ruin this for everyone else? What if?

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