Butch sighed. “I guess.”
Tommy’s shoulders sagged. “Thanks.” He handed the headset back and walked to Gasoline’s dressing room. He needed a drink, a stiff one.
The dressing room was not remotely as tame as the night before. The music was loud, but he could still understand people close to him. He headed right to the makeshift bar.
“Tequila.”
Trip, one of the set designers, looked up at him. “You sure?”
“Yep. Long night already.” Tommy took the shot and drank it down. “One more.” When he tossed that back as well, he closed his eyes. A burning throat was better than a racing mind.
Jon patted him on the back. “Relax. It’ll all work out.” He drained his beer. “Brandon’ll come through.” He had been next to Tommy when Scott texted him about their lead guitarist being AWOL. “He’s probably knee deep in Mackenzie’s pussy.”
That made Tommy smile. “The best distraction.”
“You gotten laid today?” Jon was serious. He knew Tommy needed it often.
Tommy rolled his eyes. “No. I was busy. I’ll get some later. After Brandon shows.”
Dominic watched Jon and Tommy from across the room. He was glad Tommy wasn’t still panicking. Tommy took live shows very seriously.
He turned to Noelle. “You gonna watch us tonight?”
Noelle winked. “Of course, and I’ll be thinking of last night the whole time.”
She was happy to wake up to him that morning as well. When they came out of the bedroom together, several heads turned and a few of the crew cheered. She had blushed but clung to Dominic’s side, proud to claim him, even if it was only in bed.
“So will I,” Dominic replied, also thinking of that morning.
It was definitely something he would not soon forget. He opened his eyes to her lying on his bare chest. His heart swelled. The feeling was welcome. He stroked her hair until she stirred. Then they made use of the extra condoms that had fallen to the floor.
“Who’s playing now?” Since the music was piped into the room, Noelle had tried to figure it out, but had no idea.
Dominic listened for a few seconds. “Sounds like Delirious. No wonder Tommy’s freaking out. Wicked End goes on next.”
“Oh, wow. Hope Brandon gets here in time.” Noelle’s eyes scanned the room. Some of the girls were glaring at her. She hooked her arm in Dominic’s and stared back. “We play at Madison Square Garden Sunday. Can you come up and see me?”
He turned her face to meet his eyes. “I’ll do my best. Just have to make sure Cindy is available longer for my parents. Faith has off Sundays.”
His parents had instantly taken a liking to Faith, a registered nurse. He introduced her as Claire’s niece who needed a place to stay. They welcomed her, and his mother made up the guest room for her. Cindy, who he hired to clean, came on both Faith’s days off; Sundays and Wednesdays.
Noelle kissed his lips softly. “They have to come first.” She knew he had a lot on his plate. “If you can, OK?
“Sure.” He kissed her nose, then rubbed it with his. “I’ll try hard.”
She loved when he was affectionate. It made her feel loved. She could see how much he cared in his eyes. There was also the pain that his affection sometimes brought on.
“Did I bring on another memory?” She started to think of them as episodes, but they had to be memories.
He shook his head. “Something much better.” He pulled her into a tight embrace and buried his face in her hair. “You mean so much,” he mumbled quietly.
She heard his voice, but the words were lost on her. Knowing he did it on purpose, she let it go. “I’m glad it’s not bothering you tonight.” She ran her fingers through his hair.
Dominic sighed. She always knew what he needed, without even trying. He took a deep breath and held her closer. “You’re the best.”
Tommy glanced at the available women, none appealed to him. He was probably too stressed to fuck anyway. When the music ended, he looked up. Liam of Delirious was saying good night to the crowd, his voice cracking a bit.
“Shit!”
He flew into the hallway, to try to find another band to play for a while. Maybe Mark of the Devil can go on early. Then suddenly Brandon ran past him. Thank God! Tommy felt so much relief he leaned against the wall.
“I need a fucking vacation!”
He slowly walked towards the stage again. When he reached the last dressing room, someone called his name. Anthony Demarco from Mark of the Devil was about to open the door.
“Hey, Tommy. Come party with us.” Anthony opened the door to a flurry of activity. They were a rough bunch.
Tommy nodded. “Only for a few. I gotta check on Wicked End.”
“I think Brandon just showed up,” Anthony relayed.
Yuri Petrov, the band’s bassist handed Tommy a beer. “What’s up, man?”
“Not much now.” Tommy took a few sips. “You guys gonna play that new song?” “War Heroes” was their first song to get radio play, and it lifted them to mainstream status instantly. “The crowd’ll go nuts.”
Randy Houston, their singer came over. “It’s first in the set. Hope no one thinks we sold out.”
Tommy smiled. “Not a chance. It’s true to your sound, and it’s got a real cool beat.” He looked around. The room was at capacity; guys, girls, alcohol, shenanigans… much like their dressing room normally was. “I can’t stay. Wanna check on Wicked End. Nice to see you guys again.” He waved and left the room.
He arrived at the rear of the stage just as Jake started to tease Brandon. Jake announced, “His dick made him do it.” Tommy laughed. They were a funny bunch, although sometimes too intense.
When they started playing, he headed back to Gasoline’s dressing room. Just before he opened the door, he saw a familiar face. His Goth stripper had shown, dressed in a black mini skirt and tight tank with knee-high boots. Her friends were trailing her, squealing like five-year-olds. He gave her a short wave and urged her to him.
“Glad you made it.” He threw an arm over her shoulders. “If you girls want, you can go watch Wicked End, or you can party in our dressing room. I’m sure Dean would be willing to be subjected to your tendencies.” He smiled, hoping they didn’t attack him again.
Giggling followed him into the room. He ignored it and steered Goth chick to an empty side room, his dick already growing. Her shy demeanor fell as soon as they were alone. She flung herself at him, kissing him hard. He had to take a step backwards. Feeling the couch behind him, he let himself fall onto it.
She landed on top of him, their lips still locked. While he held her shoulders, she reached between them and yanked his pants open. “Do you have a condom?” She was desperate, having thought of seeing him all day.
“I got one in my pocket.” Tommy moved his hands down her body and tugged her skirt up as high as possible, while she checked his pockets. “Right one,” he directed her, grinding his engorged shaft on her panties.
After tearing the packet open with her teeth, she lifted her hips and rolled the condom over his stiff cock. “God, I wanted you so bad all day.”
He could feel the heat. “Good.” He stretched her panties out at the crotch and prodded her opening, until she slid down on him. “Fuck me, babe.” He groaned when she met his eyes and rocked back, taking him deep. “Yeah, that’s it. Give it to me.” He held her ass and thrust up hard. “Fuck yes.”
She gasped as he ground into her. “Tommy…” She clutched his shoulders and pressed her hips to his. Her entire body trembling.
Tommy’s eyes rolled back. Her pussy throbbed while rhythmically tensing around him. He could hear Wicked End playing “Thoughts of You.” The slow beat was not his typical fucking music, but it would have to do. Goth girl quivered again, and he put his arms around her. Her hips squirmed as an aftershock came over her.
Knowing it was up to him for a while, he spread her legs a bit more and pumped up into her. She sighed in his ear with each drawn
out stroke. Then the music changed. “Fall From Grace” started, and he grinned. That was perfect. He matched the intense rhythm, his breathing slightly labored.
Halfway into the song, Goth chick came to her senses and matched his pace. Her lips met his in a passionate kiss, while they both worked to get the other off. Tommy moved a hand to her hair, grabbing a handful, while still gripping her ass. When he pulled her head back, she cried out, her pussy and womb contracting with the pleasure/pain mix.
He pulled her hair again, and she whimpered, but then she orgasmed once more. Her nails dug into his shoulders and he moved her head until her lips touched his neck. He demanded, “Bite me... Hard.” He loved that, but he didn’t let just anyone give him a hickey.
Her teeth clamped over his skin. She sucked hard while gnashing her teeth. He moaned and fucked her harder from beneath. She bit him again in the same place, but harder still. He suddenly cried out and held her hips to his.
“Damn it,” he whispered as his neck and cock throbbed at the same time. After his load was spent, he patted her ass. “Get up, babe.”
He wanted to see how bad his neck was. It had hurt enough that he knew there was at least a small bruise. While she fixed her clothes, he tossed the condom, then looked at himself in a mirror. His jaw dropped. He had at least a four inch round hickey on the right side of his neck.
“Wow.”
She looked up and grinned at her handiwork. Then she saw the shocked expression on his face. “I’m sorry. You said bite you hard.” She headed for the door. “I’ll go.”
“Hey. No. Wait.” He looked one more time and ran his fingertips over the swollen skin. “It’s OK. I asked for it. Made me cum real hard.”
She sighed with relief.
He came to her. “Come on. I need a drink.” He opened the door to the main room and led her to the bar.
By the time Wicked End’s set was over, Gasoline’s dressing room was overrun with musicians, groupies and friends. Jon had left in search of Jake and Brandon, hoping to sway them to coming over to Demonfire. He was best at negotiations. Tommy gave too much and he knew it. Their business relationship was equal, but they took care of separate things for the most part.
Dean was acting weird, which had become normal at that point. Tommy watched him closely. His other bandmates were laughing with him. He didn’t like the guys. Most of them seemed like junkies, but Dean got along with them most of the time. As long as they didn’t get him back on that shit, he’d keep his mouth shut.
Dominic was on the other side of the room, talking to Adrian and Liam from Delirious. A few other band members stopped to say hello, then moved on to greet others. He hoped Noelle came back from her interview with a local radio personality soon. Mitchell had promised him he would escort her back.
Slightly bored, Tommy glanced at Dean again. He put something in his mouth and chased it with a swig of his beer. What the fuck? He stalked over to Dean.
“Hey, what the hell did you just swallow?” Tommy knew it sounded stupid, but they needed Dean clean. “I saw you.”
Dean’s eyes narrowed. “What do you guys do, watch me 24/7?” He put up a hand to push Tommy, who stepped back. “Leave me the fuck alone. I’ll sing just fine tonight.”
Glaring at him, Tommy replied, “Seems you need a babysitter. I better not catch you high.”
“You won’t,” Dean promised.
Tommy hoped he kept it. “Don’t fuck up again.” He turned to the door opening again. More girls.
“I see what I want,” Dean announced and went after a young blonde who had just walked in. “Catch you guys later.”
Dominic looked up when Scott shouted, “Hey, Kenzie!”
After introductions, he smiled at her. He was glad she looked stronger than she had the day before. Her near-drowning had turned worse when she developed pneumonia. He knew just how bad that could be, but she bounced back fast.
She glanced around the room, frantically, looking for Dean. He was the last person she hoped to see. She had no intention of ending up in Gasoline’s dressing room, but it was too late.
When Scott put a protective arm around Mackenzie’s shoulders, Dominic looked her over. She seemed frightened. Scott said something about Demonfire, but he was distracted. Then Scott looked down at her.
Dominic turned to Adrian. “You guys sounded great tonight.”
“Thanks.” Adrian glanced at Dean, who was walking towards them.
The look in Dean’s eyes alerted Dominic that something was not right. They were not quite glassy, but they were aggressive. Did he drink that much already? Then he was shocked to see him pull Mackenzie away from Scott. She did not look happy about it.
“Scott, I think you should stop him.” Dominic was worried about her. He was relieved when Scott started after her.
Then Adrian stopped him. “Wait, Scott. I wanted to ask a favor.”
Dominic watched as Dean and Mackenzie walked calmly into a side room. He didn’t force her, and she didn’t continue to protest. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. If she had screamed or asked for help, he would have interfered immediately.
Several minutes later, the music stopped, and Randy, lead singer of Mark of the Devil, talked to the crowd about their new album. Then Dominic heard a woman yell something. The word was garbled, and he had no idea where it came from.
Suddenly, Scott jumped. “Oh shit!” He disappeared into the crowd.
“What the fuck was that?” Adrian asked.
Dominic shrugged. “Fuck if I know.” Then he heard a whistle and looked up. Noelle had entered the room and was coming his way. His smile widened with every step.
“Hey there, handsome,” she said when she reached him. Then she leaned in close. “Missed you.”
Dominic took one of her hands and pulled her closer. “Missed you more. Need to get my hands on you.”
“After your set.” She winked.
He sighed. “I can’t. We’re leaving right after. Gotta make an early start at the studio tomorrow. Sorry.” He had hoped she would be done early enough that they could get in at least a quickie.
A door slammed, and Dominic looked up. Dean was rushing through the crowd, pissed off at something. Not long after, Mackenzie chased him. Dominic’s mouth dropped when she decked him. Some arguing ensued, and then a few of the Wicked End boys were at her side. Dean probably deserved the hit.
He turned his attention back to Noelle. “I wonder if we have time now.”
Vince stuck his head into the room. “Ten minutes, guys! Let’s go!”
He looked up, and Dean was behind Noelle with a nosebleed. “Oh shit, Dean. What the fuck?” He grabbed a napkin and blotted the blood running over Dean’s lip. “She’s got a mean right hook.” He ignored almost everyone around them and worked to get the bleeding to stop. “What the fuck’d you do to make her so mad?”
“I don’t know,” Dean muttered.
It took a few minutes, but the bleeding did stop. “Stay away from other guys’ chicks, will you?” He frowned. “Seriously.” He glanced at Noelle and muttered, “Especially mine.”
Noelle wrapped her arms around Dominic from behind. “Don’t worry. He’s not my type.”
Chapter Twenty Two
Dominic led Heather into Dragon’s Breath with a hand on her back the next Saturday night. It was their second official date. He told Noelle he would stop seeing her, but she told him that it wasn’t fair to Heather, since they couldn’t be exclusive. Noelle made him promise to use protection, though. He could see in her eyes that she wanted a true relationship with him, but she was scared. He promised himself he wouldn’t sleep with Heather unless it truly felt right.
Heather smiled at a few patrons who knew her from The Dewdrop Inn. An alternative rock band she liked, Souls Afire, was playing that night. She was glad she didn’t have to go alone, not that she could have. The small venue sold out. Dominic had connections. She looked up at the stage as they came into the main room. The first opening band was playing.
She squeezed Dominic’s hand, excited.
He leaned close and said in her ear, “Rick said he’ll get us backstage, too.”
She jumped up and down. “Oh, my God!”
Laughing, Dominic pulled her to the right side, so they could walk around the crowd. He knew the band’s manager, and Rick, the drummer, was a friend of a friend. Watching the mosh pit, he smiled. It was nothing compared to the ones at Gasoline’s shows. Although, their music was much harder, so that was to be expected.
When they got pretty close to the stage, a few mouths dropped as people recognized him. He regretted not taking Tommy’s suggestion of tucking his hair under a hat at least. After a few handshakes, fist bumps and hugs, he put both his hands on Heather’s shoulders and stood behind her. It was to discourage fans from approaching.
Heather backed into him, thinking it was an affectionate gesture. She was glad he was loosening up finally. They had done no more than kissing. She thought he was avoiding getting close to her. With a smile, she pulled his arms around her body. He stiffened for a few seconds before relaxing.
Dominic closed his eyes. He was very uncomfortable holding her. He racked his brain trying to find an excuse. Then he started hearing whispering, and a few women pointed at them. He jerked his hands away.
“I can’t,” he softly explained. “They know who I am.”
She turned. “So?”
“They’ll take a picture and send it to the tabloids. Please.”
Noticing the whispers, she looked around. He was right. “Sorry.”
From, then, they stood a few inches apart. Dominic felt relief. No way did he want anyone advertising he and Heather were a thing. Especially because they weren’t.
As soon as the band on stage said good night, Dominic tugged Heather’s arm. “Come on.” He took her hand and wove through the crowd to the right of the stage. “Can I talk to Rick?”
“No one talks to the band,” the man standing in front of them said.
Gasoline Page 25