Page 96 of Out of the Blue

Dwight’s drumsticks bounce off the top of a table. “In for sixty-five.”

All eyes land on me. Because I want to appear positive, I pronounce. “I’ll take eighty.” Truth be told, Raine’s announcement—followed by our bet—was like a match to dry timber in my stomach. I lose the thread of the rest of Raine’s speech.

After he finishes our pre-show pep talk, I excuse myself and dart toward the bathroom. Stage fright sucks—especially when it rears itself so unexpectedly. Inside the men’s room, I run through my exercises. The ones I shared with Brax. When my mind settles on the Jersey Shore, my pterodactyls land, but don’t disappear.

Jumping from foot to foot, I repeat my breathing exercises. Switching things up, I hum “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” I picture the beach at night, with waves crashing on the sand. Mentally, I build a stage and put TLR on it, performing before a huge crowd who sing our lyrics back to us, beach balls tossed overhead. My body unlocks as the fear recedes.

“Thanks, Brax.”

Cupping my hands, I gather water and throw it on my face. Taking a few paper towels, I dry my cheeks and confirm I’m ready to perform—dinosaur-free. I open the door, where Dwight stands.

“You okay?”

I rub my neck. “Yeah.” Then I admit, “It was worse this time, but I got it under control.”

“I’m glad.” We enter the backstage area. “Looks like you won the bet.”

I stop in my tracks. “Eighty percent? Really?”

He nods. “Pretty fucking awesome. They want to see a double-header, rather than only hear the future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.”

Floating back to the beach, I allow my imaginary concert to continue while taking deep breaths. “Wow.”

We approach the rest of the guys. After strapping my guitar across my body, I murmur my new mantra under my breath. “I can handle this.”

The lights dim. The energy from the crowd rises. Raine claps. “Have a great time out there, guys. Show them what TLR is all about!”

Maurice yells. “Hands in!”

Tossing my guitar to my back, I add my hand to the circle and complete our pre-stage ritual. Then the guys start to take the stage. Before he leaves, Dwight whispers in my ear, “Show them what you’re made of, bro!”

Then it’s just me standing here. I wiggle my fingers and let the music flow through my body. Refusing to let any negative thoughts enter my brain. When the band hits my intro, I stroll onto the stage, letting my guitar wail for me.

The crowd surges to their feet and I duck. Joey mimics my move, as if it were planned. I bounce upright on the balls of my feet. My panicked heart rate decelerates a little.

I scurry over to Joey and repeat my ducking move, to which he replies with an extra glide across the stage. I toss him a grateful look and slip away from him, toward the microphone. When my hand closes around it, I go on autopilot and let the music reign.

About forty-five minutes later, we’re waving to the good people of New Orleans. We walk off the stage, into the darkness that always reminds me of where we started. Small bars in New Jersey.

I nudge Joey’s shoulder. “Thanks for the save at the beginning.”

He flips his bass behind him. “Wanted to help you out. Like my glide?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle. “Didn’t want to start dancing with you on stage, though. But, seriously, I appreciate what you did.”

“What are brothers for?”

Hashtag Truth.

We enter the backstage area, where Raine corrals us for our meet-and-greet. The days are monotonous, but at least we’re out on tour. And our following is growing exponentially. Probably doesn’t hurt that everyone knows Brax is my father.

Once we finish up with the fans and the DJs, we’re led into another room with a bar and some food. Given where we are, a buffet of jambalaya, po’boys, and bread pudding awaits. My mouth waters over all the enticing smells. Bud in hand, I join the band and load up on the food.

Dwight gets in line behind me. I pass him the tongs for the sandwiches. “Great show tonight.”

“I have to admit, I actually got into it near the end.”

“I could tell.” He deposits some dirty rice onto his plate. “What got you spooked at the start?”

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