Page 23 of Half Notes and Highlights
Ethan shrugged uncomfortably.
“No worries. We’ll catch up later.” Or not. If Wolf didn’t want to get to know Tyler, that was his loss. That guy wasn’t going to spoil his good time and this fabulous trip. He put on his best smile, amped up his enthusiasm, and asked, “How long before the show? Do I get to watch from the side of the stage?”
Ethan relaxed and wrapped Tyler in a hug. “I love that you’re so easygoing. You have a great attitude.”
“Life’s too short to waste on negativity. The naysayers of the world aren’t going to dim my light.”
“Nothing can dim your light.”
“How long before the show?” Tyler repeated.
“We have a meet and greet and then about a 30-minute break before we go on. And, yes, you get to watch from the side of the stage. That pass around your neck gives you all access. And then we’re going to an afterparty.”
***
Tyler was having the time of his life at the side of the stage. The show was everything he expected and more. He was so glad he never Googled the band because he had no idea what to expect, and watching Wolf Pack perform for the first time, live, blew him away. Watching a pre-recorded video would have lessened the experience. He was fully immersed in the band’s performance, the light show, the smoke, the beating of the music in his chest, and the way the energy of the crowd fueled his soul. The way Harris beat the drums made Tyler’s blood pump faster. The sweet sound of Marshall’s guitar had Tyler’s hips swaying and gyrating of their own accord. Wolf’s bass playing was heavy and made your chest vibrate. And Ethan’s incredible vocals, with its raspy and throaty sound, was pure sex. Watching the four of them on stage was a total rush.
“They’re awesome!” Tyler exclaimed to the girl next to him as he jumped up and down.
“I know,” she answered.
He recognized her from the green room, but he never met her. “I’m Tyler,” he said.
“I’m Gwen. Is this your first time backstage? I haven’t seen you before.”
“Yes. I don’t usually listen to this type of music. I’m Ethan’s . . . friend.”
“Ah. That explains it.”
“Explains what?”
She paused. “Wolf.”
“What about him?”
She paused again. “He’s not acting like himself tonight.”
Unsure of what she was referring to, he looked toward the stage. Wolf was playing off to the side, obviously distancing himself from the rest of the band. The others interacted with one another. Ethan and Marshall faced each other several times as they sang and played. Even Harris, who was behind the drums,made eye contact with Ethan and twirled a drumstick in his direction when Ethan jumped on the drum platform. But when Ethan tried to get a reaction out of Wolf by singing directly at him, Wolf walked away.
Interesting. Wolf was obviously jealous, and that made Tyler gloat. It also made warning bells go off in his head, because if Ethan and Wolf were only part-time lovers with zero strings, why would Wolf be jealous? The last thing Tyler needed was to fall for someone who wasn’t ready to commit. Again.
Whoa. The thought sobered Tyler, even though he only had one drink. Neither he nor Ethan wanted a commitment. He was just protecting his heart. At least, that’s what he was telling himself.
The show ended way too soon as far as Tyler was concerned, and a sweat-soaked singer planted a big kiss on his mouth.
“It was so cool seeing you at the side of the stage,” Ethan said, still holding onto Tyler’s shoulders.
“I loved every minute of it. Your band is amazing and you’re an unbelievable singer.”
Harris and Marshall left the stage, and Tyler gave them a huge smile and said, “Great show!” They gave him happy slaps on the back as they passed in return. Wolf was last to leave the stage and whooshed past as if he were being chased by a pack of saber-tooth tigers, giving Tyler the side eye. But Tyler didn’t comment because he wasn’t going to take the bait.
“Let’s go to my dressing room.” Ethan took Tyler’s hand and led him down the corridor. “I’ll take a quick shower and then a car can take us to the club.”
“Club? We’re going clubbing?” Tyler practically shouted, his voice escalating with excitement. “I thought it was just a party.”
“A local club is hosting the afterparty. We’ll have a roped off section with VIPs only.”
Ethan’s dressing room was considerably smaller than the green room, but it had drinks and snacks. “Are you hungry?” Tyler called to Ethan who was in the shower. The guy had been running around on stage for the last 90 minutes burning off a ton of calories.
