Page 26 of The Roadie
Kira stood at the side of the stage in Fort Lauderdale watching Brett wheel an amp on a dolly just like she had at every show. She momentarily closed her eyes and smiled, still comprehending that he was here with her and on tour with Immortal Angel. Up until two weeks ago, she had honestly thought she’d never see him again.
Brett positioned the amp on the floor and then stood to his full height of six feet three inches tall, which gave him ample reach to adjust an overhead light so he could see better. He bent down and connected a few wires, encased in a cone of light, while the soft glow highlighted the way his tight tank top stretched across the muscles in his back. When he was done, he stood up and inspected the amp with his hands on his hips. This time, his broad chest shadowed his torso below. The light showcased his muscular frame and the ample tattoos that covered every inch of visible skin. As he stared at the wire connections, he pulled at his long beard. The man was exquisite. All beefcake and brawn. Pure masculinity. And Kira loved watching him work.
Audra, who had been running around on stage making sure everything was in order and checking off items on her clipboard, hurried over to where Kira was standing. She let out an exasperated breath, which blew her light blonde hair out of her face. “For once, we’re ahead of schedule.” Audra was a stickler for making sure Immortal Angel adhered to their designated timeline, because if there were any delays, it caused a ripple effect which meant the show would run into overtime and incur hefty fees for Falcon Records.
“Look at Brett,” Kira told her sister. “He’s meticulous in making sure everything is in the right position.” They both watched Brett as he adjusted another amp, plugged in a few more wires and then taped the wires to the floor of the stage. One of the other roadies asked him a question, and the two men walked to the apron. They had a short discussion, staring at the amp at the edge of the stage, and then Brett adjusted a few knobs. He suddenly glanced up at Kira, aware that she was watching him, and he gave her a small smile. She smiled back, her breath quickening at the eye contact and connection they shared.
The other roadie thanked Brett and shook his hand. The crew respected Brett and regarded him as part of their team, seeking his advice when needed which he readily gave.
“He gets along so well with everyone,” Audra commented.
“He does,” Kira agreed. “It’s his California charm. He’s so friendly and helpful. He knows so much about the set up. He’s practically taking charge.” Now Brett was assisting the drum tech who was having trouble tightening the stand on one of Jimmy’s cymbals. The tech had been fiddling with it for the last few minutes, but Brett fixed it right away. He looked up at her, maybe to see if she was still watching him.Of course she was. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He winked at her, and it took her breath away.
He grabbed a drumstick and tapped on the cymbal to demonstrate its stability. Then he took another drumstick from the stick bag, slipped onto the stool, and proceeded to play a beat. After a few moments, Kira realized he was playingAK-47, one of Bulletproof’s biggest hits. “I didn’t know he could play the drums. He’s good!”
Audra clutched her clipboard to her chest with one hand and grabbed onto Kira’s arm with the other. “We both have drummers!”
The excitement behind Audra’s words made Kira laugh. “He’s not mine, Audra. We barely know one another.”
“Are you kidding? There so much chemistry between the two of you! I can feel the energy you share. People don’t react to each other the way you two do when they barely know each other. You may not have known him very long, but you two have a huge connection. Everyone sees it.”
Kira continued to watch Brett as he sat behind Jimmy’s drum kit, and her heart swelled. He turned and looked at her, and they shared a smile. He suddenly stopped, dropped the sticks in the stick bag and ran over to her.
“I saw you watching me.”
“It’s hard not to. You’re quite the he-man, carrying all that equipment and then playing those drums.”
“I’m just working. Or trying to. You’re very distracting.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.” His eyes washed over her, hungrily. “You’re standing here in those body-hugging jeans and those high-heel studded boots with a tank top that’s teasing me with all that God damn cleavage.” He extended his arm toward the stage. “It’s a wonder any of these guys are able to concentrate.” He hugged her and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
There was a mild sheet of perspiration covering his forehead and shoulders. It was the scent of a man, and it was intoxicating. “I like the way you smell.”
He laughed a little. “You’re crazy.”
“Are you done setting up?”
“Pretty much. Are we going to watch from the side of the stage again?”
“Of course. Unless you want to watch from the pit.”
He was about to laugh, assuming she was joking, but stopped. “In the pit?”
She nodded.
“You mean, in the pit, not in the space between the railing and the stage?”
“Yes. Front and center in the crowd is the best place to watch the show.”
He glanced at the unruly punk rockers already pressed against the railing and chanting for Immortal Angel. “In there?”
She took his hand, which was extended toward the crowd, and brought it back to his chest. “Maybe next time. We’ll just watch from the side stage again tonight.” Her gaze kept drifting to those at the railing. A guy with a spiked Mohawk had his mouth open into a wide oval as he screamed toward the stage. The girl next to him had both fists in the air, punching them up to the ceiling as she screamed for Tommy Blade.
The corner of Kira’s mouth pulled back in a smile as memories filled her head. One day, she’d be back in the pit. Hopefully, with Brett.
When Kira woke the next morning, the bus was still in motion. The scent of strong coffee assaulted her nostrils before the kids’ boisterous laughter made her peek at the time. It was six thirty in the morning. What the hell were they doing up so early? She rolled over and found Brett’s side of the bed empty. Confused, she sat up, threw her legs over the side of the bed, and cocked her ear toward the sounds coming from the front of the bus. She heard Brett’s voice among the kids’ chatter.
