by Sarah Cole
“No fucking clue, dude. All we know is Chase is hurt, his arm got smashed by his drum kit. He went in the trailer to swap something out, and somehow the shit got disconnected.” Aaron says, readjusting his beanie.
“Fuck! Well how bad is it? Can he play?” Jay asks.
“I don’t know. Andrew went to pick up some food and stuff with Fallon, but he’ll be back soon. Charlie’s with him on our bus now. Come on.” Brenden says, motioning for us to follow him.
I’m really hoping that we aren’t going to have to cancel the band’s show tonight. We already changed all the promotional information on the website and handouts, besides I don’t want Bleeding Vengeance to get the pleasure of having the final spot again.
When we get back to the tour bus, we step on to find Charlie sitting with Chase on the couch, holding a blood-stained towel tightly around his arm.
“What the fuck, man? You ok?” Jay asks him, genuinely concerned.
Chase looks like he might be sick and just nods, blowing out a deep breath, through puffed out cheeks.
“Do you need the bucket again?” Charlie asks, patting his back in a mothering sort of way.
“Nah, I’m good. I just hit my head a little too hard.” He says.
“I really think you have a concussion on top of this.” She motions her head in the direction of his arm.
“How bad is it?” I ask.
“He’s definitely going to need stitches, and I’m not sure if it’s broken. I really don’t think it is, though.” She says.
“Oh, and you’re so qualified.” Jay teases.
“Well, I’m no surgeon like my husband, but I have seen pretty much every episode of Grey’s Anatomy. So, I feel like that should count for something.” Charlie shrugs.
“You’re basing my diagnosis on your love of a TV show? I’m not exactly sure how I feel about that, Thumper.” Chase grinds out, clearly in pain.
“Oh Lord, is she talking about her medical knowledge based on her love for Meredith Grey again?” Andrew asks as he enters the bus with Fallon who is decked out in a frilly romper with flowers all over it. He leans down to kiss his wife and shoots her a wink.
“OK, well this isn’t looking too good, man.” He says looking down at the blood-soaked towel that Charlie is holding to the wound.
“Can someone take Fallon to our bus while I take a look?” Andrew asks. Aaron volunteers and she goes willingly to him, grabbing his face with her chubby little fingers.
“Awon!” she says in toddler speak.
“Hey kiddo! Let’s go play while your Daddy takes a look at Uncle Chase.” He gives her a little toss in the air, and she lets out a peal of laughter.
I give Jay a questioning look. It’s insane to me how these hard-looking guys are all huge softies when it comes to Charlie and Fallon. I find myself insanely intrigued at the family dynamic they all seem to have, and I will definitely have to ask later, if I get the chance.
“Aaron actually went to school to be an elementary school teacher.” Jay says, answering my unasked question with a smirk on that bad boy face of his.
“Hey Chase, you’re going to need some stitches, man.” Andrew tells him, after unwrapping the towel.
I look, but I really wish I didn’t. Chase’s arm is swollen and extremely bruised with a several inch gash running down his forearm. There’s blood everywhere. I gasp, and Jay’s hand finds the back of my neck, squeezing gently; comforting me. I can handle my own pain just fine, more than fine actually, but seeing someone else hurting is awful.
“Hey Jay? Can you run to the other bus and grab my bag? The black leather duffel. You know which one I’m talking about?” Andrew asks. Jay gives my neck one more squeeze before nodding and heading out the door.
“What happened, if you don’t mind my asking?” I say.
Chase looks at me with glazed eyes, “I went into our equipment trailer to change out a pedal, and I was in the middle of doing that and the door to the trailer slammed shut. It scared the living shit out of me and it was pitch black. I couldn’t see a damn thing, so I tripped over a case and fell and hit my head, but for whatever reason, the whole fucking kit came apart. It was apparently unscrewed, so when I hit it, it just fell apart.” He said.
“Who has keys to your trailer?” I ask.
“Each one of us, Charlie, and there’s one for our road crew that sets up. Why?”
“Because that just doesn’t sit well with me. It isn’t windy, so a metal door that heavy couldn’t have just shut on its own, and it’s not like any of you would screw with your own equipment. I’ll call Gordon and see what I can find out.” I say, as Jay steps in carrying an oversized leather bag over his shoulder and hands it to Andrew.
Andrew unzips the bag, and pulls out some gloves and other equipment.
“Hey babe, can you check for a concussion too? He threw up a couple times and got dizzy.” Charlie says. He nods and pulls out a flashlight and checks Chase’s pupils and does a few tests, after he feels around on his head.
“Well you do have a concussion, but it’s nothing too serious. Just don’t go to sleep for a few hours, and if you feel like you need to, let me know and I can wake you. Now let’s see what we’ve got going on with your arm.”
He feels around a bit, moving Chase’s hand and fingers and asking questions. “OK man, you know I don’t keep any narcotics or anything with me, so you’re going to have to just grit your teeth and bear it for me. I can numb it with a local first, but that’s about all I got here. I can write you something up for a few days and pick it up later. Nothing’s broken, but it’s going to be one hell of a bruise, and it’s going to hurt like a son of a bitch. I’m not gonna lie to you.” Andrew says.
I don’t miss the glance he gives Jay when he mentioned the narcotics. I’d heard rumors about his sudden drug use, but I always take those kinds of things with a grain of salt. You can’t believe what you hear about people via social media and entertainment sites. All I know is that if it is true, I need to distance myself. I don’t need any more of that in my life.
Andrew grabs a bottle of saline and some gauze after pulling on some gloves. “Hey baby, can you grab me a pan or a big bowl? Just something to do this over?” he asks Charlie with a sweet smile. The way they look at each other and interact rips me apart with jealousy, but it gives me hope too, hope that someday I will find a love like theirs.
She gets up and opens a bottom drawer where she pulls out a cake pan and holds it up in triumph. Andrew nods and she sets it down on his lap.
“Little pokes.” He says as he begins injecting a local anesthetic around the wound after he washes it with saline. “OK, it will take a few minutes to fully kick in, so it’s still going to hurt for a minute, but after that you will just feel pressure and a tugging sensation. I just want to get started so it gives me enough time to get those stitches in before it starts wearing off.”
“Good thing you didn’t start that piece of work on your forearm yet.” Brenden says eyeing Chase’s arm.
“No shit! That would have sucked.” Chase replies, turning his head to look at the blank TV screen.
We all chat about nonsense, trying to keep the mood light while we watch Andrew work. Its good thing he was here. Charlie got a text back from Dave, the stage crew leader saying he was notified of some theft going on so he had opened up the trailer to check on everything, but got suddenly called away. We deduced that someone must have tampered with everything during that small window.
“Can I play tonight?” Chase asks the million-dollar question that is on everyone’s mind right now. I really needed to know, but I didn’t want them to think I was callous enough not to care about their friend’s wellbeing.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Chase!” Andrew says in disbelief. “I know it’s important, but your arm is swollen to epic proportions right now. You’ve got a concussion and if you drum tonight, you’re going to rip these beautiful stitches I just spent over an hour on.”
“We can�
�t cancel the show though!” Chase yells, clearly irritated with the situation.
“I know, man, but it’s one show and you’re hurt. You’ve got nearly a week between these next shows and the cut will have had time to heal before the next show. Just take the night off.”
“People paid good money to see us play, and I can’t just say, ‘Oops, sorry guys. I got a boo-boo.”’ Chase yells.
“Man, I know. But as a doctor, I strongly advise you to sit this one out.” Andrew pleads, pulling off the gloves, and tossing them into the trash.
“But what if we didn’t cancel?” Charlie asks.
“Hun, how are they going to perform without a drummer?” Andrew asks.
Chapter 5
Jay:
This is just our luck. This day just keeps getting better and better, and everything about what happened at the equipment trailer is nagging at me. They recounted everything for me as Andrew stitched up Chase, and something is telling me that everything about what happened was intentional. It had to be. There’s no way Dave just conveniently got called away and all this happened.
Now Andrew is telling Chase he can’t drum tonight, and as much as I hate to admit it, I think he’s right. I don’t want him getting hurt more, but jeeze I don’t think we need a bad rep right now, either. I’ve already done enough damage on my own.
“But what if we didn’t cancel?” Charlie asks, and immediately, I think I know where she’s headed with this.
“Hun, how are they going to perform without a drummer?” Andrew asks.
A slow smile creeps across my face, and I meet Charlie’s eyes, and excitement sparks in hers as she smiles brightly. She really was meant to perform, and it’s such a shame that she doesn’t, but she really is the best manager and attorney we could as for. Plus, she still helps write our music so I guess it’s a win, win situation.
“Hey! Hello?! Don’t you remember? I can fill in for him!” she says, like it’s the best idea since sliced bread. And well, it kind of is.
“She knows all the songs. Hell, she helped write most of them.” Chase says with a shrug and Brenden and I nod our agreements.
“No.” Andrew says flatly, and honestly I’m shocked. He never tells her what to do, especially when it comes to music. He has always been encouraging to her. Hell, that may be one of the things I like best about him.
“Babe, I don’t see what one show could hurt.” She huffs.
“Charlie, sweetheart, I just don’t want that kind of stress on you.” he says, giving her a pleading look.
“Andrew, honestly it’s fine. She’s played with us a million times before. She’s every bit as good if not better than Chase at the drums.” I try and get him on our side.
“Hey!” Chase acts offended, but he knows I’m right. She slays on the drums and guitar.
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” He says giving her a look.
“Ok, what gives? What the hell am I missing, because you’re acting strange as fuck about this.” I ask.
Andrew and Charlie give each other a look, and he nods at her, a smile playing at his lips.
“I’m pregnant!” she announces proudly as she smiles and lays her hands on her still flat stomach. It feels like the wind has been knocked out of me, but I’m still so fucking excited for them. I know they were concerned with ever being able to have more than one child with Charlie’s fertility issues.
I pull her into a tight hug, and she squeezes me back. “I’m going to be an uncle again!” I laugh, even though on the inside there’s a war of emotions going on.
“Congratulations, that’s amazing! How far along are you?” Leni asks next to me, holding out her arms for a hug, as well. With my brain moving a hundred miles per minute, I honestly forgot she was next to me.
“Not too far along, only about eleven weeks or so. We were going to wait to tell people because we didn’t want to get our hopes up with the issues we have, but so far so good.” Charlie says giving Leni a hug, and Leni looks a bit perplexed at her comment.
“Oh, umm…” Charlie looks at me and bites her lip, “I was in a bad car accident a few years ago, and had some pretty serious injuries. It caused some scarring and fertility issues.” She says. My God, how I hate the mention of that accident.
Leni gives Charlie a sympathetic look, “I’m so sorry to hear that, but I’m so excited for you both. If there’s anything I can do to help you out, let me know. If you ever need a break you have my number, and I can watch Fallon. I love kids.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Leni. We might just have to take you up on that.” Charlie smiles.
After hearing their news, I’m just as apprehensive as Andrew about Charlie drumming, but I won’t lie. We need a drummer, and she’s the best we got.
“Thumper…” I say, using her nickname I know she despises. That was Abby and I’s nickname for her all through school because she was always thumping on the drums… it just kind of stuck.
“Are you positive you can do this?”
“Yes, guys! I’m fine! The baby and I will be fine for one damn show. Fading to Light is not cancelling. We don’t need that kind of publicity, and we don’t need any more rumors.” Charlie throws up her hands in exasperation.
I look to Andrew, and he just shakes his head, looking at me. Charlie has her mind set on it, and she isn’t going to back down. “Well congrats, brother. I’m excited for you guys, and I can’t wait to meet the new addition to our family.” I say holding out my hand to pull him into a manly hug.
“Thanks man, I’m feeling beyond blessed right now. Can’t wait to see my family grow.” He says slapping my back, and I nod. I might not be a father, but I can imagine what it feels like. I see his love and adoration he has for his family.
***
“I think I’m going to throw up.” Charlie complains, and I give her the side eye.
“What? I don’t know if its nerves or pregnancy induced nausea, but I’m just warning you it might happen.” She shakes her head trying to clear it, and bends over to but her hands on her knees, taking deep breaths.
“You’ll be fine Charlie, you’ve done it before, loads of times.” Brenden says, patting her on the back awkwardly. Usually she is the one comforting us; not the other way around.
Aaron asks, “Do you remember the set list?”
“Yes, turd face, I remember the set list. I wrote the stupid thing!” She stands back up rolling her eyes at him.
“You got this. Just remember, it’s one show.” Chase pierces her with a stern gaze before laughing.
“Thanks guys, and relax, Chase. I’m not gunning for your job. You just rest and feel better.” She says, walking over to him to give him a hug.
“Hey guys!” a sweet voice says, and I turn to see Leni. She has changed her outfit since this morning and is now rocking it in a pair of tight fitting, black leggings and a figure hugging shredded Motorhead tank top, and some Converse sneakers. Her pink hair is pulled up into a messy knot on her head and she’s without makeup, but she’s stunning. My stomach flips, and I have an urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her until I can’t breathe.
“Hey girl.” Charlie says.
“You guys have about ten minutes. You ready, Charlie?” She asks.
“Oh, I’m ready, but I don’t think my nerves are.”
Leni laughs, and I swear she reminds me of Tinkerbell. It’s the best sound.
“OK, well since you’ll be on stage performing with the guys, I’ll stay stage right just in case you need something. Just wave to me if you need me.” she says and Charlie nods.
“Thanks, Leni.” I say. “See you after the show?”
Her cheeks blush a rosy pink, and she smiles with a small nod.
Leni:
When Jay almost kissed me earlier today, I was equal parts excited and terrified. Did I want him to kiss me? Hell yes! I mean, who wouldn’t want a hot as hell rock star to kiss them? Would that add complications that I don’t need in my life right now? Hell yes! This i
s my job, my dream job, and I’m finally where I want to be. I’m finally becoming someone that I’m proud of, and I don’t want anything to ruin the progress I have made. But I can’t deny the attraction… ok, not even just attraction. It’s electric. Beyond the fact that Jay makes my body feel like I’ve dropped the toaster in the bathtub, he’s smart, witty, and when I see how he is with Charlie’s family and his friends, I know he is extremely loving. He just doesn’t put himself out there and open up to people. He never really talks about himself and is so vague, but he gobbles up any information I will give him.
“How the hell are you doing?!” Jay shouts at the audience and thousands of fans scream in response.
“We are Fading to Light from Chicago, Illinois!” more screams and cheers fill the huge outdoor amphitheater.
“Tonight is going to be a bit different. Our kickass drummer, Chase, is recovering tonight from a pretty nasty injury, but we have a special treat for you! One of the founding members of the band, and our manager, Charlie is going to be filling in for him. If any of you have been fans since the beginning, you know who she is!” he laughs and there are a few isolated screams for Charlie.
I had no idea she could play, or what the history is with her and the band, but when Jay finishes his little speech and nods to her, she counts them off and begins drumming, I’m floored. This woman can really play… pretty much flawlessly. Holy crap!
FTL’s set is going perfectly, and I’m watching Fallon dance and head-bang with Andrew on the other side of the stage when I feel someone come up beside me. I turn my head to see Cash, the lead singer from Bleeding Vengeance. I turn my attention back to the stage, not giving him the time of day he thinks he deserves.
“Leni, baby. You changed your mind yet about partying with me on my bus? I’d like to take you for a ride.” He says, grabbing a handful of my backside, smiling. I’m sure it works on plenty of women. He’s not exactly an unattractive guy, quite the opposite, but I can’t stand him for a million reasons and I barely know him.