by Lizzie Fox
The B & B was a decent sized venue. Since it was Saturday it would get quite busy, crowding the little auditorium that fit about two-hundred standing people. I was glad this would be Jessie’s first experience, because it was a bit more casual. Next week’s was at the Eau Claire Arena, where we were playing at a rock festival as the headliners, featuring local bands from the state. There were several stages, a large backstage area, and stadium seating. We wouldn’t be in the largest stage—that was reserved for the biggest acts. It was the second largest, though, that seated about fifteen-hundred people. That one could get quite overwhelming.
This place was fairly cozy if a little cramped, but it gave us a chance to interact with the fans some. There was an actual small charge to get in, so these were people who actually wanted to see us, and the last two times we were here we’d filled the room to capacity.
I’d pulled my truck into the parking lot about an hour before the show’s beginning, and we entered without any ceremony. The only backstage area was a room dedicated to the employees breaks, but we didn’t really need much.
“You okay?” I asked Jessie, just before we entered.
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” She inquired, giving me a bit of an odd look. I just shrugged.
“I don’t know,” I replied uneasily. “This place is pretty small and casual but sometimes the fans can get a bit intense especially since we’re so close to them. But it’s pretty fun, usually. If it gets to be too much you can either stand just off the stage or wait somewhere else.”
Jessie snickered. “Seth, I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first concert, remember,” she said with a wink, running one of her fingers over the slight ridges of my stomach, hidden by the gray tank I wore.
Curling my hand around hers, I lifted her fingers to my lips and kissed her knuckles gently, beaming at her the whole time. “Well I’m glad you’re here, anyway. Really glad.” I heaved a calming breath, purposely avoiding staring too hard at her cleavage, peeking out from her black, low-cut top with the shoulders cut out of it—I didn’t understand the style, but I wasn’t going to protest the extra view. Nor would I protest her jean shorts, or black sandals. Shit, she had a gorgeous body. For once I hoped the venue was full of women instead of mixed, because I was probably going to lose my crap if I saw guys staring at her—which they would. I’d seen it before when we were out and about. Her ass was perfectly round and her legs were muscular and shapely; her hair piled on top of her head and showed off that long neck and those fucking soft tits I was really loving now.
“What’s that smirk for?” Jessie said with a low giggle, brushing her fingertips gently over my jawline.
“Was I smirking?” I asked rhetorically, because I knew I was. I put my hand under her chin and tipped her face up for my lips to find hers in a fast but extremely intense kiss that sent a pang of straight, hard-core desire right to my cock.
“You were,” she said, barely a whisper when I pulled away. I took her hand again and we finally entered the “backstage” room. The guys were already there with their spouses, besides Christi who wouldn’t be able to stand the entire time, so she stayed home, but Wes came instead.
Wes was a huge flirt and player, and he knew it. Everyone did. He was a couple years older than me, a serial dater and one-night stander. He was probably considered good looking with long, light brown hair in a short ponytail and brown eyes; tall, broad shouldered and buff from his time at the gym and covered with ink, like me. Being a tattoo artist, it wasn’t surprising; most of my work was his or one of the guys at his shop. He didn’t waste any time turning the charm on Jessie when we entered.
“Well, if it isn’t Vodka Girl,” Wes greeted as I rolled my eyes. We met in the center of the room between a handful of tables and chairs and Wes started to reach for her hand, like he was going to kiss it or something but abruptly stopped seeing the immediate glare on my face. “Whoa, chill Archer. I was just saying hi to your new lady. Is that a crime?”
“For you? Yes, it probably fucking is,” I retorted with jest, trying to relax my face from the involuntary dirty look I’d been giving him. I turned to Jessie who was giving him a suspicious smile. “This is Wes. You might remember him from Fever Pitch.”
Wes inclined his head, pretending to be all polite and chivalrous. We all knew better. From nearby, Shane let out a loud, derisive snort. He did not care for Wes at all, and had no qualms letting him know it. Anthony elbowed him, and he relaxed. Somewhat.
“Yes, I do. He was the loud, obnoxious asshole you mentioned, right?” Jessie replied, her eyes alight with mischief as she feigned a frown of her ridiculously sexy, glossy red lips. I was just dying to get mine all over them again, but I’d have to wait.
Wes noticed them too; it was clear by the way his gaze hung on them. But at Jessie’s quip, he looked away and grinned widely. “Oh, I’m going to like her. Just what you need, Archer, you uptight fuck.”
Jessie snorted. “He’s not uptight at all, thank you. In fact he’s rather—”
“—okay, okay,” I interrupted, laughing wildly. “Wes this is Jessalie Reynolds.”
“That’s a hot name for a hot girl, that’s for sure,” Wes said with a playful grin. Jessie took it in stride and scoffed.
“You are a trouble maker,” she insisted through narrow, black-lined eyes.
“I am. But don’t worry, since Seth is my buddy you’re off limits for me. But if that changes…” he wiggled a brow and I tipped my head back in a wild laugh.
“Go away, dickhead, and leave my girl alone,” I demanded, and we both laughed. We had a strange rapport and Jessie seemed to fit right in with it.
Shane had crossed the room and grabbed Jessie by the hand, giving Wes a reproachful stare. “Boy, you don’t speak to a respected artist like that. Away with you, ass,” he said, shooing him away with his hand and a roll of his eyes. Wes just laughed.
“Sure, whatever.” Wes clapped him on the shoulder and I thought Shane was going to murder him where he stood. I’d say this for him: Shane Mitchell was flashy and colorful but with a stare that could make even the hardest criminal confess to everything.
“Honey, let’s go walk around and give the guys time to warm up, huh? I’ll buy you a drink,” he said, with a wink of his blue-lined eyes. Jessie looked to me expectantly.
“Yeah, we need to get set up; it’s boring. Go with him, and I’ll see you in about thirty.”
“Okay.” Not wanting to further smear her lipstick, I kissed her quickly on the cheek near her ear, and it must have tickled because she giggled. “Have fun and try not to moon anyone.”
Wes heard that and roared with laughter. “Oh she’s seen the video? Of your skinny little ass?”
Grumbling, I just rose my hand and flicked him off. Wes was a decent guy but sometimes he could actually be a real asshole.
“I haven’t seen any skinny asses, just nice, grab-able ones.” To prove her point she reached around, grabbed a handful of my buttcheek, and winked.
Wes laughed, and even Shane joined in some. “She really is perfect for you.”
“See ya in a bit, Jess,” I whispered to her quietly, and she followed Shane to get a drink. He beckoned to Sabrina with a jerk of his head, and she followed them too, leaving us and Wes alone to set up.
“Fuck, that’s a hot piece of ass,” Wes said under his breath the second they departed.
I turned to him severely. “What did you say?”
“Oh shit…” Quin, who had been sitting and talking intently with Ian, suddenly stood and crossed the room to where I was facing off against Wes.
Wes just scoffed and reached out to shove me. “Lighten up, man. I just said your new woman was hot.”
“No, you said she was a ‘hot piece of ass’,” I said, my eyes narrowing and fists clenching at my side. For starters, that was just rude talk. That was Wes, but he knew better to say it about anyone I was with, because that was disrespectful as fuck. “That’s something you say about a one-night stand or some tr
amp you barely know, because that’s a fuckin’ dick thing to say. Second, you don’t get to talk that way about her—ever.” Without realizing it, I had closed the distance between us. I was thinner than Wes, but taller by a good two inches and I had a mean right hook and he was about to find that out again, because it definitely wouldn’t be the first time we’d quarreled. “You don’t say that about someone’s woman. You just don’t.”
Wes blanched, holding up his palms in surrender. “Fine, okay man. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t think you’d be an overprotective ass about it. I mean you’ve known her for what? A week? Come on…”
“Oh fuck…” Quin moved in between us as my face heated with rage. “Seth, don’t do this. My cousin is acting like a fucking cocksucking bastard—”
“—hey I resemble that remark!” Anthony interjected. I didn’t even crack a smile, I was just too pissed off.
Quin just groaned. “My cousin is being a dick, and he doesn’t mean it. No one would insult Jessie; she’s a sweet, beautiful girl and we know she cares about you. So let’s just simmer the hell down before we get thrown out of here, eh? I need the money, dammit.”
“Really, I’m sorry,” Wes replied quickly. “I know how important she was—is—” he corrected when I glowered and clenched my jaw towards him, “—to you. Really. I’m just being a dick because I’m jealous. All right?”
“See? Just back down, Seth. Really. We’re going to go start to set up. Come when you’re ready.” Quin clamped a hand in solidarity on my shoulder, quickly urging Wes away and out of the room. Ian quickly followed, leaving Anthony and I behind.
I liked Ian a lot but—I was much closer to Anthony or Quin. And I think that’s what everyone was hoping for; Anthony to calm down the crazy mental case before he blew like a fuse.
“Archer, man. Come sit. Have a drink.” He handed me a beer that hadn’t even been opened as he motioned to the plastic chair next to him. Reluctantly, I grumbled and sat down, but I disregarded the beer.
“Can’t drink that with my meds,” I replied. Then I chuckled sharply. “Fat lot of good they’re doing, huh? I don’t know why I got so pissed…”
Anthony snorted. “Yeah you do. Wes is a real dick. Period.” I slowly started to smile. “We know how much Jessie means to you. She is wonderful and seems really good to you. It doesn’t matter that you’ve only known her a short time. Look at Quin and Christi. Hell, look at Shane and I. We might have taken some time to get hitched, but we moved in together after about what? A week? I just couldn’t live without the fucker,” he said, with an affectionately reflective laugh.
I leaned over my lap and covered my face with my hands. “Fuck. Seriously though…”
“Bro, it’s new. You feel everything so wholly and so deeply and you can’t stand anyone challenging your beliefs, or anything like that,” Anthony said, slapping me gently on the upper back. “He should know that. And calling your friend’s girl a ‘hot piece of ass’ is just fuckin’ rude. If we weren’t here to get paid, I’dve laid the fucker out for you.”
“Nice,” I replied, chuckling into my hands. I started to loosen up some, but my shoulders still clenched.
“How are things going?” He inquired, hoping to divert me away from my bad mood.
“Really good. Of course it’s only been a short time, but…” I replied, with a shrug.
“Time is irrelevant. Some people just know when they meet ‘the one’. Others don’t know—or won’t admit it to themselves—after years.” I felt slight movement as Anthony shrugged beside me. “Did I mention he’s an asshole?”
“You did,” I laughed. “Dammit, I hate getting so angry. My dad—”
“—you’re nothing like that piece of shit, Archer, man,” Anthony insisted. “You’d never, ever raise a hand to your girl. You have a conscience and a soul. Wes deserved it if you would have decked him.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. Blowing out a breath, I slapped my hands over my ripped jeans and stood. “I guess we should get out there huh?”
“Nah. They can do it without us for a bit. Let’s just hang back and chill, huh?” Anthony insisted. With a shrug, I agreed.
28
Jessalie
“We get to go in front, huh?” I asked Shane as he pulled me along through the venue. After a drink or two in the bar area, I had been worried we would miss getting good “seats” even though it was a standing room and dancing floor area. I didn’t think Night Addiction was something you’d dance to so… I figured we’d be standing.
There was no sign of Wes but Seth warned me he’d be in the crowd probably trying to pick up women. Needless to say I wanted no part of that.
“Yeah, they cord off a little section in front of the stage. It’s a really informal setting, but sometimes people get a little…” Shane widened his eyes, made a twirling motion with his finger, and whistled, indicating crazy.
“Got it,” I said, with a laugh that was a little louder than it should have been. I had had a Long Island ice tea—for old times’ sake—and some fruity thing Shane made me try, and by now I was feeling really, really good. I almost missed alcohol, but… it was better not to go there. This was a sporadic thing, though, and I was with friends. Plus, I was really anxious tonight. Not about being here or in the crowd but it was more of an anticipatory anxiety. I was excited to see Seth—my friggin’ hot as sin boyfriend—in his element. The alcohol helped me not jump out of my skin.
I held another of Shane’s fruity concoctions in my hand as we were ushered by a man to the section near the stage. “So this is what it’s like to be important?”
Shane snorted loudly, pushing at my arm gently. “Oh stop. You’ve always been important!”
“Yeah,” Sabrina agreed next to me. She didn’t talk to me much, but after a drink or two herself she was starting to loosen up. “Seth thinks you’re important, right?”
“I hope so!” I replied. Sabrina and I clinked our plastic glasses together. I guessed I was feeling just a bit tipsy.
The room had really filled up when I glanced back, people were packed in pretty tightly. I was impressed and a little jealous. This many people were here seeing my boyfriend? A lot of them women, too.
The guys promptly took the stage at 8 P.M.; Seth with his white electric guitar waved to everyone with a friendly demeanor, and everyone cheered. I knew these guys definitely had a following, and the crowd here tonight proved that. He saw me immediately, and beamed widely at me, my cheeks heated under his heavy stare when he winked.
They adjusted their mics and before long, Seth started to speak. “Hey all you out there, we’re Night Addiction and we’re super fucking happy that you came to see us tonight,” he said, with a laugh and one of his sidelong grins. “I appreciate it especially because you pay my bills so… thanks for the electricity.”
Shane elbowed me as the crowd laughed. I clasped my hands tightly around the cool drink; it was super exhilarating watching Seth not only beam but excel at working the crowd. This was his element; this is where he shined.
“So for those of you who don’t know us, and that better not be a lot of you.” The crowd tittered with laughter. “We’re an Indie rock band from Independence Point here and before we start, these bastards behind me are Ian Mitchell on guitar,” he motioned to the guitarist in back, “Anthony Flannery is on bass and keyboards.” Shane practically glowed at the mention of his husband; Anthony waved at him subtly. “Quin Greenway is on drums and I’m Seth Archer—” he was interrupted by a titter of loud, loud screaming. Mostly from women. I flinched, glancing behind me and seeing all of the pretty young girls cheering for him and suddenly I felt a bit uncomfortable. “—I’m on guitar and vocals and we hope you enjoy the show tonight!” Before the crowd could erupt into any more of a noise, Seth began the opening rifts to their first song I immediately recognized as “Second Sunday.” I forced a smile when around me, all the pretty girls seemed to know the lyrics immediately as Seth sang into the microphone with that
stupidly sexy, velvet voice of his.
“Don’t worry, honey,” Shane whispered into my ear so I could hear him. “Just remember who takes him home tonight,” he said, with a naughty wink as he nudged me. I grinned in reply.
“Damn right,” I retorted. I couldn’t remove my eyes from him. His hazel eyes practically glowed and sparkled, and he was charismatic and addicting. His gaze was practically glued to me the entire time; it was heavy and seductive, and I felt it trembling my body with heat and straight between my legs. Probably the most erotic foreplay I’d ever experienced in my whole life up until that point.
To take my mind off the sultry stare and the fuck-me eyes of Seth’s, I downed my drink. And then, as the set continued, another, provided to me graciously by Sabrina, and, yet another by Shane. Pretty soon I was in a bit of trouble and even though I didn’t know the songs by heart—yet—Shane and I danced together, and Sabrina was yelling the lyrics at the top of her lungs, which was making me laugh and snort like crazy. Ten or so songs had played, and I was feeling quite good.
Seth mastered the stage, mastered that guitar and looked sexy as hell doing it. I wouldn’t say he danced, but he had little mannerisms and facial expressions that fit the verses and each song. I watched with deep affection, leaning against Shane for stability, watching how the sweat on his shoulders made his skin glow, and I started having bizarre notions of jumping on that stage and licking it off his long neck and prominent Adam’s apple…
“Whoa, girl,” Shane said with a loud laugh. “That’s sorta fuckin’ nasty, even if it is Seth.”
“Did I say that out loud?” I mused in surprise.
“Sure did honey.”
“Damn. I need another drink…”
“Got you covered!” Sabrina thrust another Long Island into my hand, and I smiled widely, taking a long drink. The alcohol made me feel hot and flushed, and unless I looked directly at Seth, the entire room spun. Shane was dancing to the beat—it was one of their faster songs, and Seth was positively delectable, standing with his legs slightly apart, gently shaking his hips to the beat as he played and sang.