The Fire Walker (The Devil's Tattoo)

by Nicole R. Taylor

  But, all that schmoozing came with great responsibility. Integrity. The one thing that I promised myself I wouldn't do was to get involved personally with the bands. I got to meet a lot of musicians and they were all the same. Smooth talking assholes that only thought about their dicks. I guess I was pretty enough to warrant an attempt, but they never got anywhere. I'm sure Georgie slept with her fair share of rockers, but I wasn't Georgie.

  So, when we inevitably came out to LA to see this new band that had been blowing up the office, The Devil's Tattoo, I was excited. I really dug their stuff. A girl and three guys from Australia. I'd always wanted to go there.

  I'd spoken with their manager, Simone Glass, on a few occasions organizing some promo and she was the sweetest thing. I hoped they were all like that. We'd worked out a short but full schedule for the next few days. Georgie and I would go to see their last day of recording, depending on our flight. Then we had a dinner and the usual club outing that the label liked bands to endure in LA. Then there were a few interviews and a one off gig, which I was really looking forward to. Apparently they were really good to see live and I'd get to experience it side of stage.

  It was still only around five pm when we got to the studio and we were let right in. This was nothing new for me, walking into the middle of a session, someone in the booth recording while the rest of the band lounged around, bored out of their brains with all the waiting. But when we went in, three of the four members of The Devil's Tattoo got straight up and cheerfully introduced themselves.

  The woman I knew to be the lead singer was first in line and she was better looking in person than in the promo shots.

  "Zoe," she said, shaking my hand. "Nice to meet you."

  "I'm Jessie and likewise." She seemed friendly enough, which was a surprise.

  The guy with the shaved head stood forward. "I'm Frank," he winked and I knew he was trouble.

  "This is Chris," Simone said and he came forward to shake our hands. He seemed almost shy, but I knew he was with Simone.

  Once everyone was done introducing themselves, I turned my attention back to Georgie, who was looking at the guy in the booth and I saw a gleam in her eye.

  "That's Dee," Zoe said, watching me, watching Georgie.

  "We weren't expecting you," Simone began. "And we've got this last song to do before our time's up. It was a last minute decision to add it into the album. We're thinking it'll be the first single."

  "We want it to be," Zoe said, glancing at the guy in the booth.

  I looked up through the soundproof glass for the first time and my eyes instantly locked with his. There was a horrible scratching sound as he messed up his take and I covered my mouth with a hand, stifling a laugh, but everyone else was falling over themselves.

  He hit the intercom and said, "Start it again." His voice was one hundred percent sexy. I didn't know how I could come to that conclusion from three little words, but he was so Australian it hurt. I was a sucker for an accent. And his eyes. I felt like fanning myself.

  I locked eyes with Zoe and she smiled, probably guessing that I was currently in the state of melting under those dark brown eyes of Dee, whatever his last name was.

  "Sorry, it's a fleeting call," Georgie was saying. "We have a full schedule for you guys over the next few days, so we just wanted to stop by and introduce ourselves. Anything you need, Simone has Jessie's number, so give us a call."

  "Thanks, Georgie, Jessie," Simone said diplomatically. I'm sure they did things differently in Australia. Galaxy were more about the glitz and the dollar signs and I got the feeling, even from this short meeting, that the band wasn't into it that much. And that made me like them even more.

  I didn't dare look back into the booth as we left the studio, the muted sounds of whatever part the guitarist was playing seeping out of the sound tech's headphones.

  The outer door closed behind us and we walked towards the car, the look that guy had given me, playing on my mind.

  "Cute, isn't he?" Georgie drawled and I shuddered internally. Of course she'd go there.

  "I guess," I replied nonchalantly. The guitarist was smoking hot, but I didn't want to say it. It'd just encourage her.

  "He was checking you out." It came out a little resentful.

  "Don't be silly, Georgie," I said. "You know what I'm like."

  She smiled at me wickedly and I was suddenly sorry for the guy. The next few days were going to be very interesting and I hoped it wouldn't include any damage control.

  I stood next to Zoe in the middle of a very busy LAX, terminal whatever, my hands shoved in my pockets. Something about airports put me off. I mean, someone was always leaving or coming back and I was the kind of guy who liked to stick around. Maybe that was my problem. Not being able to let go.

  Suddenly, Zoe ran forward and I watched as she launched herself onto a tired looking Will as he dropped his suitcase to catch her. I fucking loved that she was so happy. And Will was a great guy. He had a strange way of going about shit, and it took me a while to like the guy, but he was alright. They were solid. I wanted to be solid.

  I felt like suck a jerk for being jealous of what they had, but I still grinned watching their reunion. They hadn't seen each other in a while and knowing how mental they were about each other, this was pretty warranted. We'd been in the US almost three months all told, and we all still had another three on our visas. I knew Zoe and Will were taking a trip together to see some of the country and the others were going home, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do yet. I had the cash if I wanted to travel, but I wouldn't be going with the lovebirds. That would be depressing.

  For once we didn't have any commitments with the band other than what the label had scheduled over the next couple of days. We hadn't stopped since we'd started two years ago and everyone was gunning for a break. We were all still in love with the band and that would probably never change, but sometimes you just need some time.

  "Hey, mate," Will said, finally coming over.

  "'Sup," I clapped him on the shoulder. "Shitty flight?"

  "Fourteen hours of pure hell."

  "Yeah, but it's worth it with her at the end, right?" I said slyly, giving Zoe a wink.

  "You know it," he grinned, sweeping her into his arms again.

  I grabbed his suitcase and walked in front of them towards the taxi rank. I'd come with Zoe because I couldn't think of anything worse than sitting in my hotel room alone with my own thoughts. Honestly, I was depressed. Without the distraction of touring and gigs to play, I'd just spiraled down and down. I mean, recording was great, but it wasn't a stage. And I especially didn't want to be alone with my own thoughts after last night.

  That conversation with Zoe. Locking eyes with the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen, Jessie. Knowing that they were taking us out tonight. Fuck. The shit I'd said to Zoe about it. I hoped she would keep that to herself.

  Outside, I turned around to make sure the dynamic duo were following and watched as they stopped beside me, Zoe's hand rammed in the back pocket of Will's jeans. I didn't want to look at that, but my mind wandered to the place where all guys’ minds wandered. Jessie's hands.

  "Are you coming to the dinner tonight?" I asked Will to distract myself.

  "Just the dinner," he replied as we joined the line at the taxi rank. "I want to catch up with everyone before you all split."

  "Fair enough," I shrugged. "What's the plan? Where are you guys going first?"

  "Las Vegas first," he said. "Zoe wants to see the Grand Canyon, then it's down towards New Orleans, Alabama, Florida."

  When he mentioned Las Vegas it made me think about Route 66. That sounded like an idea. Maybe that's what I'd do.

  "No tours or anything," Zoe said to Will as if she was reminding him. "All DIY. I like the thrill of discovery."

  When it was our turn in line, I thumped the boot of the taxi and the driver popped it open and I shoved the suitcase inside. As Zoe jumped inside, Will held me back. "Are you okay?" he asked. "You seem
a little off."

  "Yeah," I lied. "Recording is a bit, you know."

  He frowned at me.

  "You know me, mate. I like to be on a stage."

  He smiled, but I knew I wasn't fooling him. He didn't push me for more and slid into the back of the taxi next to Zoe. I got in the opposite side, sandwiching her in the middle.

  As we made our way back into the city, I watched the world go past as Will and Zoe talked about the flight, recording, whatever seemed to come into their heads. Everything was back to front here. They drove on the right. Their cars were ass about. When the speed limit was sixty, that was fast. And it was just as hot as an Australian summer, though I hadn't got my head around the whole Fahrenheit Celsius thing. All hail the metric system.

  Despite all of that, I kind of liked America. It was something different, something fresh and maybe that's what I needed to get myself out of this funk. Pining over a woman would probably make it worse, especially if she shot me down. Jessie would shoot me down and I didn't even know her yet.

  By the time we got back to the hotel it was almost time to go out again and we planned to rendezvous out front in an hour or so. My idea of getting ready was to have a quick shower, forgo shaving, throwing on a 'nice' pair of jeans and a t-shirt with some random band logo and a beat up denim jacket. I didn't do shoes, I did boots. Shove my phone in my pocket and I was complete.

  I didn't really care that much about how I looked, but I found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror wondering what this Jessie would see. Handsome Aussie rocker, or deadbeat busker? I could probably be either, minus the handsome part.

  My lifestyle pre-band wasn't ideal for my parents. Starving busker wasn't really their thing. I guess they wanted me to become a doctor or a lawyer or settle into a nothing middle management job with a steady income. Too bad I was dumb as dog shit. The only things I had aptitude for were books and music. I always got top grades in Drama. I didn't go to Uni or TAFE. I went to Centrelink and got an unemployment payment and sat on the street busking from dawn till dusk.

  I didn't have a secret past. I didn't have anything horrible happen to me like Zoe. I was just a guy. I'd probably made some stupid decisions in my time, but nothing epic. Hell, I'd never had a steady girlfriend before. Twenty-five and perpetually single.

  It wasn't like I was ugly. Shit, I had my fair share of attention from girls, but I wasn't into casual stuff like that. I was old fashioned. I wanted a relationship. I wanted to fall in love. I didn't want meaningless, I wanted meaningful.

  So, that was my inspiration for approaching Jessie. Talk to her like Zoe had suggested and ask her out on a date. Fucking hell, I wanted to kiss her, but I also wanted to know what she was about. What she liked and disliked. Where she grew up. What music she liked. Why she was interning and not running the show. When I saw her I'd knew what to do.

  Sitting in the back of the town car that was taking us over to the restaurant, Zoe crammed in next to me and Frank, squashing me in the middle.

  "What, not riding with lover boy?" I asked with a small smile.

  "Nope." She patted me on the knee as Frank typed a message into his phone. "Are you really okay, Dee?"

  "Yes," I snorted as the car pulled out into traffic.

  "Dee, seriously." Frank elbowed me sharply.

  "Is this an intervention? Because you need something to intervene," I said sarcastically, eying the driver in the rearview mirror, but his eyes were fixed on the road.

  "C'mon." Zoe smiled kindly, threading her arm through mine. "I haven't seen you this down before. Ever."

  "What do you want me to say, Zo? I don't know. Here's me," I held out a hand, "and here's my wits end." I clapped both together.

  "He's got the hots for a girl, Will style," Frank said and I remembered our short convo the night before at the studio. The 'I saw her first' shenanigans.

  "So, what are you gunna do about it?" Zoe asked, pulling my hands down. She knew this already from our awkward deep and meaningful at the studio.

  "Tonight?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Yeah."

  "Talking is a good start," I huffed. I'd already planned it.

  "Try not to be a smart ass," Frank suggested.

  I scoffed. "Thanks for the advice, mate."

  He grinned stupidly at me as the car pulled out front of the restaurant. "Any time."

  As he got out, Zoe leaned into me and whispered, "Never take advice from a drummer." Despite myself, I let out a laugh and she slapped me on the chest. "That's my Dee."

  As we stood on the footpath and the others joined us, she let me go and went over to Will. As my eyes followed my best friend, they kept going and latched straight onto the woman I'd seen at the studio last night. The woman whose name hadn't left my head. Jessie. She was standing less than three feet away and she was even more stunning close up. Tall, delicate, almond skin, dark blonde hair that she'd tied up into a messy do at the nape of her neck. She was just as underdressed as I was. Tight back jeans and a slouchy t-shirt, but she had on a black blazer that hugged her waist and stilettos on her feet made her almost as tall as me. I couldn't have looked away even if I wanted to. There was something about her that just made my eyes latch onto her and not want to let go and I was determined to find out what it was.

  She looked up as if she sensed I was staring at her and her eyes met mine and they were just as captivating as the night before. And then she smiled and I knew I was a goner.

  "Hey, I'm Jessie," she said, her accent hitting me like a ton of bricks.

  "Hey," I said, almost choking on that one simple word. She was there with her pretty doe eyes and she split my head in half. Suddenly, I didn't know what to say and I was reduced to a blubbering idiot.

  "What's your name?" she asked. "I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to meet yesterday."

  "Dee," I declared a little too abruptly.

  "C'mon, that's not your real name." She smiled crookedly, as if she knew the effect she had on me.

  "Yes it is," I scoffed. "D for dangerous. E for enigmatic and E for-"

  "Egotistical?"

  Damn. "I've been called vain, but never egotistical." I gave her a wink for good measure.

  She rolled her pretty brown eyes and shook her head. The other label rep, the one I knew was called Georgie, came out of the restaurant and ushered us in and I lost my chance to say anything else. Probably a good thing because my foot was already in it.

  The whole time we sat at that dinner, I hardly said two words back to back, which was unusual for me. Zoe kept kicking my shin under the table and giving me looks. What was I meant to do? If I opened my mouth, I was seriously gunna say something stupid.

  The conversation naturally revolved around music and the band, which was my favorite topic. Seriously, I could talk about it until I was blue in the face, but right now I was obliterated by the woman who sat opposite me. Everything she did my eyes followed, even when I wasn't looking at her. I'd been reduced to a fifteen year old and it didn't escape my notice that Georgie deliberately placed herself next to me and kept rubbing her arm against mine. If I edged my chair any further away, I'd be sitting in Zoe's lap.

  I got the feeling Georgie was an easy street to go down, but I had no intention of going there. She'd be sorely disappointed to find out that I didn't fit the stereotype. Besides, I had eyes for her PA, who had been looking at her boss disapprovingly all night. That was a glaring indicator right there.

  When we stood outside again, I was in two minds. I wasn't into it, but I wanted to be near Jessie.

  "Are you coming out?" Simone asked, her arm linked with Chris'.

  "C'mon," he said, nodding towards the waiting car. "It'll be bloody horrible."

  That was code for, lets go and laugh at the joint, but even then I wasn't sure. Part of me wanted to go out so I could have a few drinks to steady my nerves and part of me wanted to run back to the hotel. And a huge part of me wanted to go so I could have a chance to talk to Jessie again. Naturally, Zoe and
Will bailed, but Frank came up behind us and pushed me into the car with Chris and Simone, making the decision for me.

  Looked like I was going in head first.

  The club was just as we expected it would be. Flashy and fake.

  The whole red carpet and rope business. I was severely underdressed in my denim jacket, jeans and beat up boots, but that didn't seem to matter. Not when Galaxy were sticking their name on it.

  What else could I say about the place? Nothing that anyone wouldn't already know. I really couldn't care. As soon as we were inside, everyone went straight to the bar and I stood back, my eyes following Jessie's every move. All those smart things I'd thought up to start a conversation had fucked off somewhere else and my head was scrambled and the loud music didn't help.

  I leaned against an island table, ignoring the looks a group of scantily clad, orange Oompa Loompa tanned girls were throwing me.

  Simone stood beside me, putting a drink on the table in my line of vision. "Scotch," she said when I gave her a look. "Double."

  "Thanks."

  Leaning forward on the table, my eyes inevitably went to the bar where Jessie was talking with Frank. I scowled at them and a small part of me was annoyed at him for being so... Frank.

  Simone followed my gaze and nudged me with her shoulder. "Have you talked to her?"

  "She already shot me down," I grumbled, fiddling with a coaster.

  "Since when did that stop you?"

  I looked up at her and shrugged. We were good friends, but I'd only talk about this stuff with Zoe normally. But, Zoe wasn't here.

  Simone slid her arm across my back and gave me a small hug. "I get it."

  I looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, but she just walked off into the crowd with a smile, leaving me alone.