Page 33 of Loyalty (The Salvation Society)

“What?” I ask, leaning against the table.

“Are you and Lorelei hooking up?” Lane asks.

I laugh, putting the water on the table. “No, we aren’t hooking up.”

“So, what’s the deal with you two?” Everett asks.

I lift my shoulder and cross my arms. “There’s no deal. We’re friends and she’s our publicist.”

“You haven’t fucked anyone in weeks,” Remi points out.

“And?”

“And, that isn’t you, man. You are always looking for the next pussy,” Everett says.

I laugh and grab the water. I drink the entire bottle, tossing it into the garbage when I’m done. “I guess because she’s around, I’m trying not to get into trouble. I know the label is riding us hard and you guys and this band deserve nothing but the best. It’s what you guys have been begging me for anyway, so what’s it matter now?”

I’m feeling defensive and they know it. It’s just I don’t even know how to describe what it is with me and Lorelei, because I honestly don’t know. I know I fucking want her. I know she makes me smile just walking in the room. I know that I hate being away from her. I know that I’m beginning to crave having my arms around her while everyone else is sleeping. I know that I tell her things that no one else hears. What I don’t know is what any of it means.

“Okay, let’s just focus on the concert,” Lane says.

I nod and we quickly move past it. At least I hope we do.

We spend the next twenty minutes getting excited to get on stage and when the door opens to usher us out, we are all pumped. We get to the side stage and the guys go right out on the dark stage. I wait while they get set up, bouncing up and down, swinging my arms. The excitement I feel before stepping out is indescribable. My focus is clear and on nothing but the show that is about to happen.

Everett hits the drums and the lights flash. The crowd goes wild, causing me to smile. Remi strums the bass guitar and once again the light flash. Lane begins to play the first cord of Loyalty on the guitar, Everett and Remi join in and I rush onto stage.

The screams are deafening. I grab the mic and the lyrics begin to pour out of me. I move back and forth slapping some of the fans hands as I pass. They are singing with me and it just gets me going more.

When the song ends, I laugh as they keep shouting for me. “Hello Phoenix!” After the screams die down, I continue. “Who’s ready to have some fucking fun?”

After we sing our last song, I head off stage and the guys follow behind. We are handed waters as we are rushed into the VIP room. Everything is loud and rushed, but when we enter the room it’s quiet enough to hear each other.

“Holy shit!” Lane yells.

“That was fucking epic,” Everett agrees.

I nod in agreement. “I always think we can’t top it, but this was the biggest one yet.”

“The crowd was insane,” Remi says.

“You guys seriously fucking kicked ass out there,” I say, finishing off my water and looking for a beer.

“It’s easy when it’s nothing but fun,” Lane says, slapping my sweaty back.

“That’s the fucking truth,” I say. “Where the hell are the beers?”

I keep looking around, but I don’t see any alcohol at all. That’s definitely not gonna work for me. My adrenaline will be dying down and I need something to help me get through the meet and greet.

The door opens and I take a step forward to give hell to whoever it is, but stop in my tracks when Lorelei walks through smiling.

“That was insane!” she yells.

She rushes over and hugs Lane, Remi, Everett, and finally me. I wrap my arms around her, holding her a bit too long.

She’s the one that pulls away and clears her throat as she steps away. “You guys seriously amaze me, but I’m not gonna fan girl right now.” She laughs as she looks down at her clipboard.

“Oh, come on, boss lady, fan girl for me,” Lane teases.

---