Page 3 of The Roadie
Grunts and moans were the only responses she received. Three more hard pumps of his hips, and he finally came with a long deep moan.
As Kira walked through the crowded coffeehouse, heads turned toward her. She smiled without making eye contact with anyone, knowing full well they heard the moans and panting from the bathroom, and she wondered if this was the so-called walk of shame. Feeling the exact opposite of shame, Kira’s heels clicked triumphantly on the floor as she pranced out the front door wearing a satisfied grin, grabbing her cup of coffee from the counter on the way.
Thankful that the waiting Town Car was still parked out front, she apologized to the driver and settled into the back seat. She sipped her coffee and grimaced, realizing she forgot milk and sugar, and placed it in the cupholder. Applying a fresh coat of lipstick, she couldn’t help smiling at her reflection. Sex with a total stranger – in a public bathroom of all places – was a first for her and totally out of character. It couldn’t be further from the good girl her father had raised.You’re a badass, she silently teased herself through the mirror.
Thankfully, the car navigated through traffic without any delays, but she still arrived at the recording studio an unprecedented 35 minutes late. She rushed into the studio, flustered, prepared to blame it on traffic which was the only viable excuse she could think of. “Sorry, guys. There was a fender bender on Michigan. It was total gridlock.”
“As long as you’re OK,” Angel Garcia, Immortal Angel’s lead singer, said with concern. “We were worried.”
Kira opened her mouth to thank Angel for his concern when her arm was suddenly yanked to the side, and she was pulled to a corner of the room.
“Liar!” Audra, Kira’s sister, saw right through her excuse. “You just got laid. Details. Stat.”
Kira’s jaw dropped open, although she really shouldn’t be shocked. She and Audra weren’t only sisters, they were best friends and as close as any two people could be.
“I said, I want details,” Audra repeated. “Spill.”
Kira needed little coercion and easily told her sister everything, leaving out only the most intimate aspects.
“Oh my God!” Audra exclaimed. “In Starbucks? You’re so badass!”
“I know!” Kira still couldn’t believe she let go of her inhibitions and acted so impulsively. Instead of being embarrassed about her promiscuity, she boasted about it. “I didn’t even ask him his name.”
“What’s with the secrets?” Jimmy Wilder, Immortal Angel’s charismatic drummer, joined them and draped his arm over Audra’s shoulder.
“None of your business.” Audra gave her husband a playful poke in the ribs.
“I get it. Girl talk. But when you’re done, we’re ready to record some songs.” Jimmy left them with one of his killer smiles and returned to his bandmates.
“Are you going to see him again?” Audra asked, once Jimmy was out of earshot.
“I just told you I don’t know his name. I didn’t get his number. It was a quickie in the bathroom. I’ll never see him again.”
Back at the hotel, Kira read through her notes on the songs Immortal Angel presented for their new album. Each one was incredible in their own right, but she had feedback. Just tidbits of constructive suggestions that would fine-tune them for the public.
Her phone dinged with a text message and interrupted her train of thought.
AUDRA: We’re all going to dinner. Meet us at The Lakefront in 30 mins?
Kira thought about putting her work aside, but her conscience nagged at her.
KIRA: Can’t. Need to finish my comments on today’s tracks.
AUDRA: Do it tomorrow.
KIRA: Another day, another band.?Stop by with the guys when you’re done.
AUDRA: Want me to bring anything?
KIRA: Wine!
She loved her job, but it took up almost all of her time. Granted, it was by choice, but she was driven by inherent work ethic. While she would have loved to join everyone for dinner, she chose to work.
She pressed the notebook to her chest and took in a breath. Sometimes it was hard to believe that she held the ability to shape today’s music. She worked really hard and traveled constantly. It was exhausting, but this was something she dreamed about since she was a little girl.
Audra also had her dream job as Immortal Angel’s tour manager, which enabled her to tour with Jimmy instead of enduring months of separation. They loved their careers, but it pulled them in different directions much of the time, and Kira often missed her sister and the good times they used to share.
She reminisced about their teenage years when they’d spend weekends following Immortal Angel to all of the dive bars in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Music was ingrained in their DNA. If they weren’t front and center watching their favorite band with their fists in the air, they were at another live show on the indie music scene.Ah, the good old days,she mused to herself with a smile.
