Pick (Recoil Rock #1)

by K E Osborn

  Things were equally as weird when I saw Effa for the first time. I wanted to rip her hair out and claw her eyes from their sockets, but then I remembered that she actually didn’t do anything wrong with Danger. She was actually just being a friend to him when he needed her the most. So I should be grateful to her. Which I am now and we’re getting along okay. We have to, seeing as they came to Asia with us as the backup band. Danger didn’t want to find another backup band, and the two work so well together it seemed like a silly idea to stop the momentum.

  We’re just about to leave the Bird’s Nest as I hold onto Danger’s arm and we head for the exit. We’re all on a high from the performance tonight, and about to head out for the after party. The doors open and Kane steps out, his body stiffens which puts me on high alert, because if your bodyguard is tense there’s a reason.

  We step out into the parking area, the limo is a short distance across the way, but just off to the side is a bunch of girls.

  Danger looks to me and then to Ryan. “Flank her, Ry,” Danger orders.

  They stand either side of me while we try to walk quietly to the car, but it’s of no use. One of the girls turns around spotting us and screams so ear pitching loud that I actually jump.

  “Get to the car,” Kane calls out.

  We start the fast pace toward the car, but the girls are faster and block our path. They scream and mob all around us, hands clawing at Danger and the guys, as they surround and protect me. My heart’s racing for them, as Kane and another couple of guys try to pull back some of the really manic girls.

  “Oh my God, it’s Lunar… the whore,” one of the girls calls out

  They all turn toward me and I tense up as they reach out breaking through Ryan’s defenses, grabbing at my clothes. I struggle against them and try to push them off as they drag me away from Danger, who’s screaming at them to let me go. My top rips, exposing my bra, and a couple of girls at the back start taking photos while I cuss and try to pull my top back on.

  Another girl screams in my face, and I open my eyes wide at her craziness as she slams her hand onto my face scratching her nails across my cheek. I flinch back as I hear Danger yelling at them over their screaming, but they’re holding us apart. Then a yank on my hair tugs my head to the side so forcefully, I let out a yelp as I fall to my knees with the searing pain.

  I’m wearing shorts so my knees graze on the pebbles, and Kane flies in pushing the girls away and sweeping me up off the ground. My legs wrap around his waist as I cling to him like a monkey while he races with me toward the car.

  “I got you, Lunar. Don’t worry.” His words don’t soothe me as hands still grapple at my back ripping my top even more as he reaches the car. He tugs open the door and literally shoves me inside. “Stay inside. Do not get out!” he demands, slamming the door shut and standing in front of it like a guard dog.

  My hand moves up to my pulsating cheek, the warmth of liquid tickles my fingers as I pull back to see traces of blood. “Fucking savages,” I state as I move closer to the door to stare out the window, but I can’t see anything past Kane’s bulky frame.

  I just want to know if Danger’s okay.

  The screams continue and my heart races through my chest making my breathing fast and harsh. I feel a little faint as Kane steps aside and the door opens. I quickly shuffle out of the way as Nate jumps in, followed by Matt, then Ryan, and lastly Danger. The door slams and I pant as the guys all chuckle shaking their heads.

  Everyone except Danger that is. When he sees me, his nostrils flare, his face turns red and he slides over to my side, his hand moving up to the scratches on my cheek. “What did they do to you?” he asks leaning in kissing my forehead tenderly. I ease into his touch and take in his scent, he smells just like Danger, all woody and sweaty from the show, just how I like him.

  “I’m fine, I was more concerned about you.”

  He scoffs and looks down at my top, showing my bra. “Worried about me? They fucking tore your face open and ripped your clothes off, Lunar. This is not okay.”

  I cuddle into his side while he continues to rant. Looking at Ryan, who hands me his jacket, I place it over my top so Nate will stop staring at my exposed bra.

  “That was crazy,” Ryan murmurs as the car takes off, and the girls bang on the outside windows still trying to get in as we slowly crawl through the mass of hysteria.

  “I’m going to get more security, Kane isn’t enough anymore. We seriously need more protection. You need more protection,” Danger declares.

  I nod as the car radio turns on and it’s a Recoil song. I smile looking up at Danger, and he finally turns his scowl into a slight smile. I grin and nudge his side as we all chuckle. It’s amazing how just over a year ago Recoil couldn’t get any air time anywhere, and now with the right team behind them their songs are being played in Australia and Asia, and they’re huge.

  “Let’s go back to the hotel and have the after party there, hey?” Matt asks.

  Danger nods and I do too. I don’t think I could go to the club the way I currently look right now anyway.

  We head back to the hotel and I pull on Ryan’s jacket and zip it up before exiting the car. We get out and head upstairs to Matt’s room. Danger grabs a medical kit and tends to my face, while the guys grab some booze and have some food delivered to the room.

  We’re going to party it up tonight because tomorrow we don’t have anything to do. And we’ve just had one hell of a weird night, so we deserve to let loose. Danger and I head back out to the main bedroom where the party is now in full swing. Finger food is sitting on the cabinet, and a cart of booze is stationary in the middle of the floor.

  Matt has his cell plugged into a portable speaker system and the beats are flowing. It’s like our own little mini club. And I’ll tell you what, it’s better than an actual after party. Far more comfortable and fewer weirdos and freaks.

  I grab a drink from the makeshift bar, and Danger stands beside me scoffing down some onion rings as we laugh at Ryan trying to impersonate Effa when she’s high. I have to admit we’re being noisy and it is getting late. It’s about one in the morning, so we’re probably being a bit too rowdy, but this is the best the band has gotten on together since I arrived on the scene, and it’s nice for us to be spending some quality time together.

  I hear a faint knocking off in the distance, and I look to Ryan, who furrows his brows like he might be hearing it too. He moves to the music dock and turns it down. The banging is actually quite loud on the door. We all wince and look at each other.

  “Not it,” me, Danger, Matt and Nate all say in unison, and Ryan slumps his body and groans.

  “Fucking hell! Why do I drink? It makes me so fucking slow,” he groans and then walks to the door.

  We’re all thinking the same thing, our awesome party is about to be shut down. Ryan pulls open the door and as I suspected a hotel staff member is standing at the door.

  “Why hello! How may we help you this fine evening, good sir?” Ryan asks, trying to sound suave, but his slurring only makes him sound drunker than I think he is. I can’t help but giggle.

  The man scowls slightly but then looks down to see the rest of us. I wave slightly, and Danger grabs my hand and holds it as if to tell me not to bring any attention to the room. I stiffen, and lean back into Danger waiting for the guy to talk.

  He clears his throat and sighs. “Due to your outstanding patronage, Recoil have officially been upgraded to the Penthouse suite. The suite has five separate bedrooms to accommodate you all, and we’d like to move you in there now. You’ll have a butler service, a bar, and food package available to you. The penthouse takes up the whole floor, so noise restrictions aren’t a problem.”

  Ryan’s head turns back toward us slowly, his mouth agape, and his eyes wide. He looks so tremendously happy that he might explode, and it makes me giggle. “Penthouse suite, bitches!” he yells, and the room erupts into a fit of cheering, as the manager hands Ryan a set of key cards and continues
to give him instructions on what we need to do from here on.

  “C’mon baby, let’s go pack our shit,” Danger instructs.

  Nate stands up walking with us. “This is fucking awesome! Only big bands get the penthouse, Danger. Are we really that big now?” Nate asks.

  It’s the most civil I’ve seen them. It’s nice.

  Danger pats his shoulder. “Fucking yeah, we are.”

  The manager explained that they would pack and move whatever stuff we leave behind.

  Ryan turns to us handing us our key cards for the penthouse. “He said everything will be there when we arrive. More food, more drinks, everything. I’m going to grab some shit. Meet you up there, fuckers,” Ryan says, and then turns walking with us as we all exit Matt’s room. “Hey did anyone else think that guy spoke really good English?” Ryan asks as we all head to our individual rooms.

  “Don’t be an ass, Ryan,” Nate says and we all chuckle.

  “See you soon, guys,” I say, and they nod as we all enter our normal hotel suites for the last time.

  We make it inside and Danger grabs me pulling me to him in excitement. “I think we’re finally making it, Lunar.”

  “No babe… you’ve made it.”

  We’re at the airport, and while Danger is busy chatting with Luke, I’m sitting here playing with my phone when a message comes through from someone I’ve not heard from in a long time. My lips turn up in the brightest of smiles, and I swipe the screen to read the message.

  SlutsvilleSkye: Hey girl, how’s things? I miss the fuck out of you…

  My eyes flood with unshed tears at the thought of my best friend. I’ve missed her, and I wonder how she’s going back at the club. I know things with her and FIM have been going well, although he’s now got his road name and they now call him Stealth. Which is quite fitting seeing as how he would always sneak up on people. I type back an honest reply.

  Me: HEY!!! OMG, I miss you like a fucking recovering nympho misses the cock! Things are… GREAT. They can be a little testing at times, but Danger is amazing and very… attentive. ;) But in all honesty, I really like him, like REALLY like him. I’m glad I left with him. At first, it was to get away from the club and reminders of Steel, but the more time I spend with Danger, the more I realize that me and Steel are friends and that’s all we ever were. The feelings I had for him were friendship and lust. It’s nothing compared to how I feel for Danger, I don’t even know what this feeling is Skyzer, it’s… breathtaking!

  It suddenly hits me why I was so torn up about Danger being with Effa. About why this feeling is so breathtaking, and why I feel so undeniably high when I’m around Danger.

  I’m in love with him.

  SlutsvilleSkye: I’m so freaking happy for you whorebag. It’s nice to see you with someone who appreciates you for you and not just ‘cause you’re a convenience, you know what I mean? Not that Steel ever treated you like that, but I’m just saying you and Steel would never have worked out, but I’m glad you’re happy and you’ve found someone who makes your pussy tingle.

  I smile at her response and it’s completely true, not only does Danger make my pussy tingle but he makes my heart flutter. I want to tell Skye that I love him, but I think I should tell Danger first. I just have to find the right time.

  Me: I am happy and I love being a rocker’s girlfriend. I kind of wonder what I ever saw in Steel in the first place. lol Danger has the same broody confidence and dominance, but he’s a softy at heart. He’s broken, but I’m trying to fix him, slowly and carefully.

  It’s true. I know Danger still has hang ups regarding Ella, but I’m willing to work on it with him. I need us to work, because in my heart he’s the one for me. I just know it.

  SlutsvilleSkye: I’m so excited for you. You have to come and visit soon when Danger has a break in his schedule. But for now, I have to get ready to go on stage. I love your face whorebag, and I’ll talk to you soon.

  Frowning, I sigh and don’t reply. I know going on stage means she’s at Strapless and is about to go and perform a strip tease for perverted old men just like I used to do. But if Danger hadn’t come into my life I would probably be there now working right next to her. I feel bad for her, there’s a whole other life out here that she doesn’t even understand, but she’s stuck at that club and it’s doing my head in. I just have to remember I’m out now, and I have my chance to shine with my prince charming, and fuck me if I’m not going to make this fairy tale my bitch.

  My voice is breathy as I sing to the packed out Tokyo Dome in the heart of Japan. We’ve been on tour for a while now, and I’ve noticed over the last week my voice is becoming breathier, but I’ve put it down to wear and tear. However, tonight as I belt out the final lyrics to Hold Your Breath, my throat is hurting. I’m glad this concert is coming to an end, because I’m not sure how much longer I can keep singing for—which is concerning me, as I belt out the final chorus and my throat tickles. I want to cough, but I hold it back and take a breath between words to gain my focus. I don’t know what the fuck’s going on, but I need to figure it out. I sing out the final line of the song and the beat drops as the crowd erupts into applause, I obviously haven’t disappointed them. Even though I could tell my voice was off slightly, I don’t think they could.

  I lean down grabbing my water bottle, undoing the lid and guzzling half the contents in one go before returning to the mic.

  “Thank you Tokyo, we’re Recoil and you’ve been fucking amazing. Goodnight!” I call out noticing the dry huskiness to my voice. I grit my teeth as I rush off the stage.

  Ryan and Matt continue to wave frantically to the crowd lapping up the attention. I need to get my throat feeling better, because we’re not even halfway through this tour and if my voice gives out now, we’re screwed. Jogging down the stairs, my feet are heavy as they stamp on the black metal and I guzzle the water down furiously trying to dull the aching itch.

  Lunar is quickly by my side and she brings her hand up to my arm in a comforting gesture looking at me through a worried glare. “Are you okay?”

  She’s always so attuned, my girl.

  “Why? Did I sound like shit?”

  She winces and shakes her head. “No, you sound amazing as always, but you don’t look yourself. Something’s up.”

  “I’m fine,” I say and shrug out of her grip to walk away from her. I don’t want to tell her I’m freaking out. I don’t want to freak her out, and I certainly don’t want to show any signs of weakness. My feet take me down to the green room as the tepid liquid from the water bottle does nothing to soothe my scratchy throat. Making my way to the dresser with the mirror in front of it, I lean down and open my mouth trying to look down my throat to see if I can see anything. The effort is futile. One—the room is dimly lit and I can’t see shit. And two—I’m not a doctor, so I don’t even know what I’m looking for.

  A presence to my side alerts me that someone’s watching me, and I turn with my tongue still half way out of my mouth to see Ryan smirking. I stop, stand up straight, and take another gulp of my water like I wasn’t just being a tiny bit weird in front of a mirror in a room by myself as he continues to smirk while tilting his head.

  “You ogling yourself in the mirror again?” he teases walking into the room further.

  I roll my eyes and throw my now empty water bottle at him. It smacks his shoulder and then tumbles to the ground.

  “No, to be honest, I think I’m getting sick.”

  Ryan takes a step back from me putting his fingers up in an ‘X’ sign. “Then stay the fuck away from me. And rest! That voice… we need it.”

  “I know we’re finally making it. Our shows are huge, the fans are great, and now I go and get the flu… what a joke!”

  Ryan winces and shakes his head. “Tell Luke. He’ll get someone in with a heap of remedies to fix you right up, I’m sure.”

  Nodding, I take in a deep breath. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll go find him.” I head out the door in search of our agent come manage
r. I need to sort this out and nip it in the bud. It doesn’t take me long to find him talking to the roadies who are packing up after the show. I move over to him and clear my throat trying to remove the niggle. Luke hears me and turns.

  “Danger, my main man, you killed it tonight. But I can tell you’re getting tired, so I need you to rest a bit more. I know having Lunar around is… well fun, but you guys need to take it easy so you can be at your best.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and we start to walk. “Now, I’m not saying you’re not at your best, but I noticed you straining a little right near the end. I don’t think anyone else noticed, no one has said anything, but I know you and I know when something’s up.”

  I nod. “Yeah, that’s why I came to find you,” I say, my voice is hoarse and breathy.

  Luke looks at me and raises his eyebrow. “I don’t like how your voice is sounding right now, Danger.”

  “I know, that’s why I’m here. I think I’m getting something. My throat’s dry, scratchy and sore. Is there something we can do to get this shit taken care of?”

  Luke sags his body and shakes his head. “Shit Danger! Now’s not the time to be getting sick. But yes, I’ll send someone to get some herbal shit for you. Rest that voice in the meantime, you have another show tomorrow and it’s sold out. You need to be on your game.”

  Nodding, I break free from Luke’s grip and head back toward the green room pissed off that this is even happening. My head is hanging low as I thrust my hands into my jean’s pockets and glide through the green room door. Laughter echoes across the room as I look up to see Lunar and Ryan fighting over a bottle of something. He’s trying to grab it and is tickling her as she tries to keep the bottle away from him. It aggravates me for some reason, and I glare at the two of them having a wow of a time while I’m internally panicking.