I step onto the bus with my band mates as we prepare to begin the next leg of our tour. I’m both excited and perhaps relieved we’re going back on the road. I’m restless. My life is great, hell it’s better than it’s ever been, but something inside feels like it needs to break free and run. I’m hoping the road will give me some semblance of normal back after everything this life has seen fit to throw my way.
I stow my bag on my bunk and as I turn around I see a short brunette take a seat on the couch in the living area.
Who is she?
Jessie enters the bus next and offers me a smile.
“Kip, meet Tabithia. She’s taking over wardrobe, hair, and makeup,” Jessie says.
Tabithia and I shake hands and I size her up. She’s petite like Henley but I can see that same fiery light burning behind her eyes.
Note to self: It might not be a good idea to let her and Hen go off alone. I see bar brawls and jail cells in their future.
“Do you know who I am?” I ask my new friend.
“Kip Paxton, drummer for Broken Access,” Tabithia answers.
“Wrong,” I reply.
She lifts an eyebrow in confusion, so I throw my arm around her shoulder.
“My new sweet friend, I’m going to forgive you because my new status has not been made public yet; however, I find it imperative to educate you on the idol I have become over the last few days. I wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself in front of all these rock stars,” I begin.
She looks to Jessie and then back to me and back to Jessie.
“Kip…,” Jessie begins.
I hold my finger up, “Shush woman! She should hear this from me.”
“Kip, we should really…” Jessie attempts.
“Woman! You’re hot and your ass is smokin’ but I’m going to need you to shut your pretty little mouth until I can break this gently to Tabithia. It’s not every day you breathe the same air as a god.”
“Did you just shush me?” Jessie asks and I think she might become violent in about 2.5… quick think, Kip.
“Please. I meant to say can you shush please? Wow, have I told you how gorgeous you are today? Those jeans make your ass look fucking fantastic!” I lay it on as thick as I can.
Jessie raises an eyebrow no doubt attempting to remember why I’d pissed her off in the first place. And here folks is why I’m the Sexiest Man Alive… I’ve got mad skills yo.
I turn back to Tabithia and pull her delicate little hand in between mine and guide her to the couch.
“Now dear, I’m going to be gentle, okay?” I give her time to adjust to my all-encompassing presence.
“Uh…,” she says already flustered with me being so close to her.
“People has announced me… the Sexiest Man Alive for next year. I need you to understand what this means for my image. I’m not just a drummer or musician anymore, I’m a sex idol. You’re makeup, hair, and wardrobe so I need you to be very cognizant of how I look at all times. I never want to be caught in one of those papz photos with a hair out of place or my tattoos not looking like they were just inked on my skin. Also, I don’t wear skinny jeans because my cock is too big. This is important. I like vintage band t-shirts because they complement my style very well. Don’t buy some shit that says it’s vintage, Tabby Cat. Make sure it is actually vintage. I don’t make a habit of being a fraud, and we shouldn’t start now. Do you understand?” I ask.
“Make sure your shirts are really vintage?” she repeats as a question.
“And?” I ask for further evidence that she was listening.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Henley asks as she steps onto the bus.
“Baby Mama meet Tabby Cat. Tabby Cat meet Baby Mama. I was telling her my requirements for hair and wardrobe since she’s our girl now. Now, shush so I can continue.”
“Did he just shush me?” Henley asks Jessie as I turn back to my stylist.
“Now I remember why I was mad,” Jessie says like she’s had an epiphany.
“Oh, he laid the charm on?” Hen asks.
“I’ve been had,” Jessie says softly.
“You aren’t the first or the last,” Hen comforts Jessie.
“Now Tabby,” I snap my fingers at are her to get her attention off the other two women. “What else did I tell you?”
“No skinny jeans. Your cock is too big,” she repeats.
“Good girl,” I smile at her.
“Jesus Christ,” Henley says and Jessie laughs.
“Now Tabby Cat, I want my tattoos to look amazing at all times but I don’t want to look like a shiny porn star that just stepped off set. Now, I know what you’re thinking…” I start.
“You do?” she asks with a hint of a grin.
“You’re thinking, he should be a porn star. You may be right, and if music didn’t work out for me I would seriously consider that as an option. Though I’m a sensitive soul, so I’m not sure porn would be the best fist for me.”
“Right,” Tabithia nods.
“Henley, darling do you have any requests for the stylist? It’s really important we nail down a certain style as a couple since you are now with Sir Sexy Mother Fucker,” I advise.
“Who is Sir Sexy Mother Fucker?” Tabby Cat asks.
I smooth her hair down like she’s a delicate flower, “Oh sweetheart, I’m Sir Sexy Mother Fucker. I don’t answer to Kip anymore. Don’t forget now.” I pat her head and vacate the couch to pull my baby mama into my arms.
“I won’t,” Tabithia says.
“Henley you look like you need some Sir Sexy Mother Fucker in your life right now,” I smile and kiss her cheek.
She steps around me and offers her hand to Tabithia, “It’s really nice to meet you. I’m excited to have another woman on board. I’m pretty easy for wardrobe, makeup, and hair. I love to shop as long as that crazy mother fucker isn’t with me, so I’m sure we’ll spend lots of time together.”
Tabithia stands as she accepts Henley’s hand, “It’s really nice to meet you. I’m really psyched about working with you. Huge fan,” she smiles really big.
“You didn’t tell me you were a huge fan of mine or that you were excited to work with me. I’m the Sexiest Man Alive, dammit!” I shout.
“What are you shouting about ass hat?” Jagger asks as he steps onto the bus.
“Oh,” Tabithia says quietly and I turn to look at her.
She looks briefly mesmerized by Jag before she replaces her expression with something more neutral. I raise my eyebrow at Hen and smile.
“Shut up, Kip,” she says with a serious expression.
I smile even bigger.
“What the fuck is wrong with him now?” Jagger asks Hen.
“He’s awake,” she says.
“Good enough for me,” he says and steps through us. “Oh,” he says as his eyes land on our newest addition.
“Jag meet Tabithia, the new stylist,” Jessie introduces.
“It’s nice to meet you. Jagger,” he shakes her hand.
She looks uncomfortable for a brief second before she shakes his hands, “Tabithia. I wasn’t sure which bus I was sleeping on so I followed Jessie.”
“I’ve got it worked out. You’ll sleep on the third bus. We had to add another to ensure the new team members would all be comfortable. Sometimes we switch around a bit so everyone gets to spend time with one another. I hope that’s okay,” Jessie says.
“Oh. That’s cool,” Tabithia says with disappointment in her voice. “I mean I’m easy.”
Jagger and I make eye contact at that statement and grin.
“I mean… I’m fine with either bus, I just prefer to be on top if that’s okay,” Tabithia adds.
Jagger and I exchange looks again. I know… we’re immature.
“I mean the top bunk,” she clarifies.
“Top is fine with me,” Jagger says.
I look back at Hen who is smiling like a Cheshire cat. She waggles
her eyebrows at me.
“Here let me help you move your things to the other bus,” Jag offers the stylist and out the door they go.
I lean my head back and sniff into the air, “Looooovvvvveeeee is in the air, baby mama.”
***
Henley
We play the first two dates of this leg of the tour before we’re on our way to Miami. I’m woken by Jessie who announces we’ve arrived in South Beach. The crew begins to pull luggage from underneath the bus while Jessie hands out room keys and announces our room assignments. Kip and I now room together so we enter the hotel with our arms around each other.
“Let’s go out and party tonight, gorgeous,” he says as we enter the elevator.
“Okay. I just need to change and fix my hair and makeup,” I say.
“Baby, you are gorgeous completely natural. I love how I can see the blue in your eyes when you aren’t wearing any makeup,” he says and backs me into the wall of the elevator.
He kisses my lips and trails down my jaw and neck. As he grabs my ass and pulls me up on him, the elevator dings.
“Fuck,” he says and drops me back to my feet.
I giggle as an old lady and her husband enters. The old lady looks Kip up and down like he might be the devil reincarnate, but the old man flashes my man a knowing smile. Once we arrive to our room we insert the key and begin readying ourselves for a night out. Kip is bouncing around the room as I put the finishing touches on my makeup.
“Would you sit still for a minute? You’re driving me crazy,” I tell him.
“I’m ready to go out,” he replies.
So an hour later we’re in a packed South Beach club drinking like there’s no tomorrow. Kip is on fire dancing throughout the VIP section. He’s drinking like he’s a teenager and doesn’t know when to stop. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so… lively. And that’s saying something, we are talking about Kip after all.
Kip dances with Tabithia, Jessica, Jessie, and me. He alternates between us as we each tire out unable to keep up with him.
“Baby Mama… me and the guys are going to dance with the normal people,” Kip grabs me and lifts me up until I wrap my legs around his waist.
“Okay. Take Cory and some other guys with you,” I tell him.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” he says with a grin before he plunges his tongue into my mouth.
“You’re so fucking drunk,” I retort.
“Still going to fuck you like a porn star tonight,” he winks.
“Promise?” I ask and kiss his lips.
“Baby, if I was sober enough to find a place in this club I’d fuck you right now,” he says with a mischievous look in his eyes.
“Go dance. Have fun,” I kiss him again and him and all the men venture out of the VIP area.
“Do you mind me asking if he’s always like that?” Tabithia asks.
“Pretty much, but I’ve never seen him this drunk,” I laugh.
We dance and drink returning to our table often.
“Uh-oh,” Jessica says.
“What?” I ask.
“Ian is on his way over,” she says and the three women leave me.
Bitches.
Ian slides into the booth looking sexy as fuck. Even though we’ve been touring together we’ve not spoken in months. I feel uncomfortable instantly, and I wish that I didn’t. He was once a great friend of mine.
“How ya been?” he asks with his famous smile.
“Been good,” I answer nonchalantly.
“So you and Kip?” he asks still smiling.
“Yeah. Me and Kip,” I answer a little defensively.
“I’ve watched you two together. You both look so happy… and well I just wanted to tell you I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I miss you, Hen. Not the sex. I miss our friendship. I know I fucked up, but fuck I miss you.”
“Ian…” I begin feeling extremely uncomfortable.
“Look I didn’t intend to make you feel awkward. I really just wanted to tell you I miss our friendship. There are times I want to call you and ask for advice or tell you something exciting and I can’t. I know that’s my fault, but if Kip is cool with it I would like to rebuild our friendship. I’m not asking for more, I know you’re happy with him,” he gives me a sad smile.
“I might be willing to explore that with some thought, but you should be the one to talk to Kip. He’s a reasonable guy but if he’s uncomfortable with it in anyway then I won’t force him into that position,” I answer honestly.
He smiles at me for a beat, “You’ve always been such a loyal person.”
“People have said worse,” I chuckle.
“Yeah. I’ll talk to Kip soon,” he says and leans forward to put a kiss on my cheek.
He exits the booth and my traitors return immediately.
“Well?” Jessica asks with the patience of toddler.
“He wants our friendship back. I told him to talk to Kip,” I answer.
“He was an asshole, but damn that mother fucker is fine,” Jessica says.
“I’m drunk enough to say I watched that video and dear Lord that man looked like he knew just what he was doing,” Tabithia admits.
I’m caught off guard for a moment and then remember most of the world has seen me and Ian fucking so I laugh, “Yeah he knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Tabithia sighs, “Sorry I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Not a problem at all. I should feel flattered I guess. I forget that most people have seen us fuck.”
“At least you didn’t fuck up my fantasy of him,” she says.
“Honey, I don’t think the video could even come close to how that man really fucks,” Jessica says and takes another tequila shot.
“It doesn’t,” I admit.
“Thank God,” Jessie says as she lays her hand over her heart.
“You too, huh?” I ask.
“Did you see Ian Summer’s? Every woman on the planet watched that video and fantasized it was her,” she answers.
“He’s single,” I smile.
Jessie smiles, “I think I have my eye on someone else, but I’m here to work anyways.”
Jessica guffaws at her statement, “Woman you work with rock stars now. You seem like you know your shit, but sometimes you have to throw all that control into the wind and tie one on just like they do. Work hard but always play harder.”
“She’s right. Don’t feel like you can’t party with us. We’re a family, and that’s how I want both of you to feel as well,” I tell Tabithia and Jessie.
“Want to go find those fine ass men?” Jessica asks.
“Let’s go,” I say and follow her out of the VIP section.
We duck and dodge around other celebrities and high profile clients. The stairs to the VIP area are crowded as men fill it looking down onto the dance floor, more than likely looking for a bed warmer for the evening. Several of them make a grab for us, but a few newer security members block them from making contact. We ignore the cat calls and lewd comments. I try to find the guys on the floor while we’re on the steps but can’t seem to find them with the few peeks I get through the bodies crowding the area.
We follow our security through the dance floor and move with the beat of the music as we squeeze between the sweaty bodies. It seems to take forever to get to the guys. They must be on the other side of the club. Jessica is in front of me with a security guard in front of her so I can’t see a lot during our route to the east end of the building.
The crowd seems to open up and Kip is in the middle dancing his fine ass off. He’s pouring sweat down his shirtless body making my mouth instantly water. You won’t see many men who can move their hips like that… with rhythm. I’m so caught up in strategizing how to get his drunk ass off the dance floor and inside me that I don’t see the female at first.
“Oh, shit!” Jessica shouts and turns around to look at me w
ith shock in her eyes.
I turn my gaze back to my man and see a woman grabbing for him, but he dances away from her swatting her hands away. He’s doing it playfully, so he doesn’t come off as an asshole, but she’s not getting the point. I stand in my place and let him handle the situation. The last thing we need is for me to beat her ass and get labeled as the jealous girlfriend.
Just when I think Kip has gotten away from her, he turns around to twerk his ass and she grabs a handful. Someone grips my right arm from the side and look up to see Cory who shoots me a sad smile and shakes his head. He’s silently telling me to let Kip handle it.
I’m trying Cory.
Kip turns around and holds his hands up in defeat and shakes his head to let her know he isn’t interested which makes me smile. Even shit faced drunk he’s faithful and loyal to me. He turns on his heel when the female grabs a handful of his dick.
I fly into the middle of the opening with my arm cocked back ready to swing. Just as I reach her, I’m lifted into the air. I kick my legs to no avail, and I look down to see Memphis has me in a hold I’m not getting out of.
“Let me go!” I scream at him.
“Not tonight, Hen!” he yells over the music.
“She grabbed my man’s cock!” I yell back.
“He handled it, Hen,” he says and puts me down against a wall.
“Fuck that! If a man did that to a woman you were with, you wouldn’t want someone to tell you to let her handle it!” I say and see his jaw tense.
He knows I’m right.
“It’s over, Hen. Let’s get out of here,” he pleads.
“Fine!” I throw my hands up and let him grab my hand.
He pulls me back through the crowd towards our group. As we step to the edge of the circle I see Kip, Cory, Joe, Jagger, and Rhys in a crowd with another group of guys. I snatch my hand away from Memphis and run the few feet to my group.
“What the fuck?” I ask Jag.
“Kip held his arms out to stop the woman who was feeling him up. She ran into him with so much force she fell on her ass. These assholes are accusing him of pushing her. Two of them are her brothers,” he answers.
Guitar Face Series Box Set: Books 1-4 Page 107