Wild Angel

by Shari Copell

  “I’m sorry we didn’t get out to see the festival.” He gave her a kiss on the temple as they walked toward the stairs at the back of the stage. “I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

  “No big deal, really. “ She shrugged. “I had more fun under the stage.”

  “Me too.”

  The rest of the band was waiting behind the sound board. Stone took a deep breath to stave off the nerves, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. All of them were usually a bit jittery before a big show. After a few last-minute checks and instructions, the guys in Heavy Remedy high-fived each other.

  “Who’s going to introduce us?” asked Rob.

  “I’ll do it,” said Turd.

  He flipped the switch on the sound board that controlled Stone’s mic then headed toward the stage.

  Stone turned to Nicks, a smile lighting his face. “I can’t wait for Pittsburgh to hear you play with us. You’re going to be fucking awesome!”

  “I hope so.” She looked out toward the stage with wide eyes.

  “You nervous?”

  “A little. It sounds like there’s a big crowd out there.”

  “The bigger the better. They’ll be lined up for a mile outside Tapestries next Friday night once I tell them who you are and they hear you play.” He grinned. “I’ll introduce you for the last two songs of the first set. We’ll play One Way To Rock first. Come out ready to party, beautiful.”

  “You got it.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “God, I love you.”

  She laid her head against his chest. “I love you too.”

  “Today’s been pretty rough for you.”

  “It has, but I have a job to do. I’ll fall apart later if I need to. Right now I need to be on my game. This is important to me because it’s important to you.”

  He nodded. She was a musician. She was aware the show must go on, no matter what.

  “How yunz doin’ out there?” Turd said into Stone’s mic set center stage. A boisterous clamor went up from the crowd, so loud Stone could feel it inside him. There were a lot of people out there.

  “Go home, Pittsburgh! You’re drunk!” Turd said. The crowd roared with him. Somebody close to the stage yelled “Not drunk enough!”

  Turd pointed in the direction of whoever had said it. “You got that right. Nah, not really. Don’t get too liquored up to dance cuz we got what you been waitin’ for. I know you all like to rock out with your cock out...so without further ado…I present....Heavy Remedy!”

  The booming applause was so strong it hurt Stone’s ears.

  “Wow! That’s impressive!” Nicks said.

  “When this is over, we’re going to do something fun. Just you and me.” With one last kiss, he joined his bandmates onstage.

  Heavy Remedy started off with an original song about a man and his Harley called Devil Machine. Rob gave them a four-count and the first chord sliced the air at an unbelievable decibel level. Even so, Nicks could hear the crowd screaming over the music. Pittsburgh certainly loved them some Heavy Remedy.

  She stood beside Turd at the soundboard as she waited her turn. Though she’d heard plenty about him, she’d only seen Stone play once and that was before he insulted her. She made it a point to avoid him after that. Narrowing her eyes, she watched his hands roam over the blue Music Man guitar.

  He certainly knew his shit. Stone bounced across the stage as he played, laughing and having fun. Mike Dorton was the lead singer for this song, but Stone would step to the mic during the chorus and blend his voice with the others. They sang like angels. The harmonies were flawless.

  As good as they were, she knew Wild Angel had nothing to be ashamed of. Their level of talent was as high as Heavy Remedy’s. She and her girls just needed to catch a lucky break. The thought of taking them all on tour someday made her smile. Maybe. Just maybe they could do it next summer.

  She tapped her foot along to the music, lost in her thoughts. A hand on her shoulder caused her to jump.

  “Get ready. You’re on after this song,” Turd said in her ear. She nodded and retrieved her guitar from the case.

  Pulling it over her shoulder, she said a silent prayer she wouldn’t make an ass out of herself. She didn’t care so much about the crowd. She cared what Stone and the other guys thought.

  Rob did an end run all over his drums then Stone hit the last chord with a leap. The crowd went nuts. He stepped to the mic when things quieted down.

  “I got a real treat for you now. Anyone ever make a Friday night trip to Tapestries and give their ears a feast by listening to the band Wild Angel? I’m not even gonna mention what those three gorgeous ladies will do to your eyeballs!” Nicks smiled a little when Stone rolled his eyes and fanned himself.

  A roar went up from the crowd, surprising her. She gave Turd a bewildered look.

  “I’m telling you, you girls got it goin’ on,” Turd said. “You could be every bit as big as Heavy Remedy if you weren’t so young. Someday you gals are going to own this town.”

  It was almost too much to hope for. Nicks turned her attention back to Stone onstage. He’d put his hands out to calm the crowd.

  “Yeah, I can tell some of you have seen them just by the noise you’re making. Well, I kidnapped their guitar player and brought her here to play a couple of songs with us. Give a warm welcome to Nicks Sorenson of Wild Angel!”

  Stone turned to her with a wide grin and motioned for her to join him.

  This is it. Break a leg, Nicks. She took a deep breath and sprinted out onto the stage.

  People—thousands of them—spread out from the base of the stage like a smiling human tsunami. Hands in the air, they were cheering for her. She didn’t think she’d ever breathe again. The sight, the sounds. Amazing. Awesome. She belonged on a stage. Always.

  She let go of the Les Paul around her neck, put both arms over her head, and walked to the edge of the platform. She waved and pointed when she saw Marybeth, Pip, and Charm standing up front. Pip and Marybeth waved back; Charm jumped up and down and clapped her hands.

  It was Marybeth she focused on. Her head was tilted up, her gaze intense. There was love in her eyes. Marybeth knew Asher was her father, had probably always known. Nicks couldn’t be mad at her though. She could appreciate how delicate the situation must have been for her. She was, after all, an employee at Tapestries.

  Nicks blew the bartender a kiss. “I love you, Marybeth,” she said, though she knew she wouldn’t hear her. Even so, the older woman dipped her head in acknowledgment.

  “Don’t know why you guys are cheering. You’re about to get your fucking asses kicked into the next century. Take a bow, Nicks!” Stone said to a new wave of raucous cheers.

  She did as asked then straightened and walked to the mic Stone had set up for her. “Hello, Pittsburgh! You ready to rock?”

  The ensuing riot of noise was the best thing she’d ever heard. She skipped backward and trained her eyes on Rob Walters, waiting for a count to start the song One Way To Rock.

  But Rob didn’t count. He was looking at Mike. Mike didn’t notice Rob though. He was too busy glaring at Nicks.

  Were these assholes going to throw all of them under the bus just to prove a point to her?

  She cut a glance to Stone. He was pale and thinking the exact same thing. Anger hit her in the gut. She had to do something to get them back on track...and fast.

  “Are you gonna sit back there and whack off or are you gonna give us a count? It’s me and you to start, drummer boy. I’m ready when you are.”

  Rob seemed startled for a moment. Then, to her profound relief, he lifted his sticks. One, two, three, four.

  She hit the first chord like her life depended on it, then slid her pick down the strings. The crowd roared as the air shattered with sound. She knew it was all good when Stone turned back to the mic to sing.

  Stone’s voice was the perfect blend of gravel and whine. He was one of the best rock singers she’d ever heard. He sang the song like he owned it.
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  What a blast! What a hoot! She stalked all over the stage, playing to the crowd, pointing at the few guys who dropped trou to show her their asses or cocks. Hey, why not? The guys got to see titties when they played.

  Everyone had surged forward against the barriers lining the base of the stage. A colorful sea of faces tipped up to watch them. A human rainbow. God, she wanted to see crowds like that everywhere she played!

  Stone was at the chorus now. She moved to her mic and sang it with the rest of them, her voice blending in perfect harmony with theirs. When she stepped back, Gio was smiling and bobbing his head. So was Rob. Mike faced forward as he played, his cheeks a red flame.

  Fucker. He had them all convinced she would screw it up. Not gonna happen, Mikey. Not today, at least.

  Stone prowled from one corner of the platform to the other with his guitar then stepped back to the mic to sing. The man sure knew how to whip people into a frenzy. Nicks played to the crowd in one corner, then turned her attention to Stone. She met him in the middle, thrusting her guitar at him with her pelvis. He clutched his chest and staggered back, feigning a heart attack. She laughed and went after him, cornering him against one of the light supports.

  She couldn’t explain it, but being up there with him felt sexual. He was hotter than hell, and if they were a thing, the only task left to do was make it official. She stared into his eyes as she played, silently making promises she intended to keep. Tonight.

  He turned to the crowd, begging them with his eyes for a rescue. Willow had said she came across like a ten-foot-tall warrior woman when she played. That’s exactly how she felt sharing a stage with Stone Jensen. She finally backed away and freed him from captivity against the support. For the time being, anyway.

  All too soon the song ended. She played random riffs as she waited for Rob to bring the song to an end. He nodded, raised his sticks, and crashed his cymbals as she hit the last note.

  For a moment, the crowd was dead silent. “Hey, Pittsburgh!” Stone pointed at Nicks. “That just happened!”

  They went wild then, hooting and cheering. She walked to the edge of the stage and raised her right arm to acknowledge the throng. The shouts only got louder, so she walked from one corner to the other waving and mouthing “Thank you!” to all of them.

  Chants of “One more! One more!” could be heard. It started low and built momentum until the whole park was a riot of sound.

  “She’s freaking awesome, isn’t she?” Stone said. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Nicks has one more song to play with us today.”

  He put his hand over the mic and turned to her. “God, Nicks, they love you as much as I do.”

  She could hardly contain her enthusiasm. “This is fun! Thank you for asking me to do it.”

  “Hey, you gonna whack off over there, or are we gonna play?” she heard Rob call.

  She whirled around and grinned at the drummer. “We’re gonna play. Give us a count.”

  It was over. It was depressing, like the day after Christmas. All that buildup and anticipation, and boom—done. Heavy Remedy had played to a screaming crowd for more than four hours. It’d felt like four minutes.

  Now there was just cleanup. Stone rolled up his mic cord and watched his little dynamo help Rob pack up his drum set.

  He wished now that he’d asked Nicks to learn more songs, but he knew that wouldn’t sit well with the guys. There was a fine line there, and he had to be careful not to cross it. He didn’t want to be John, and he certainly didn’t want his guys to view Nicks as Yoko.

  She’d been magnificent. She had it—that rare quality so few entertainers are blessed with. An inherent ability to mesmerize with one’s presence. To have a crowd watch you so intently they locked their knees and passed out. You could learn it to a certain extent, but the very best were born with it, as Nicks apparently was.

  She was truly her father’s daughter. Stone was so fucking proud of her.

  Pip, Charm, and Marybeth had come backstage when they finished to congratulate her with hugs and squeals. Charm had grown serious then, asking “You’re not going to leave Wild Angel, are you?”

  The question clearly disturbed Nicks. She took Charm by the hands and said, “Of course not. I love you girls. We’re a team. We’re going to make it someday.”

  Wild Angel certainly had the potential. Seeing her face, hearing the longing in her voice, Stone ached to make it happen for her. He wished he could think of a way. He knew some people, but he wasn’t sure they were high enough up on the rock-and-roll food chain to be of assistance. If that were the case, Heavy Remedy would have signed a lucrative contract by now.

  Still, he wanted to help her with her dream. He wanted to please her, give her everything her heart desired. He sighed. He didn’t deserve her. He would be more of a hindrance to her than a help.

  “Hey, that’s a pretty serious look you’re wearing. You aren’t happy with something?” Nicks was behind him, her warm hands wrapped around his upper arms.

  He dropped the cords he’d so carefully rolled up to the stage and pulled her into an embrace. “Things went great. If you must know, I was thinking I was sorry for not asking you to learn more songs.”

  She snuggled against him. “No, this was good. Given the resistance you got from the others, two songs was enough. Now that they know I’m capable, maybe they’ll let me do it again sometime. I had a blast.”

  He laid his head against her hair, inhaling her scent. She always smelled like summer flowers and fresh air. “Me too.” He pulled back and smiled. “I predict a record-breaking crowd next Friday at Tapestries.”

  “The bar can only hold so many people. Some of them may have to listen from outside.”

  “If I had any doubts about your being Asher Pratt’s daughter, you laid them to rest today. You have the same charisma onstage that he had.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I only saw him live the once, but I’ve seen tapes of the Dirty Turtles playing various gigs and he’s—”

  She jerked back. “Tapes? Like video recordings? Tapes of Asher Pratt playing with his band still exist?”

  “Yeah, I guess. Gio doesn’t look it, but he’s thirty-eight. He has a library of videos he made of various bands back in the nineties. We used to sit and watch them for inspiration. He has a few of the Dirty Turtles. I haven’t watched them in a while though.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?” Nicks gripped the front of his T-shirt in tight fists, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. “Oh my God, Stone. Do you think he’d let me see them?”

  “I could ask him. They’d be VCR tapes. Do you know anyone who has a VCR player?”

  “Can we find someone to transfer them from VCR to DVD? If not, I think my Grandma Whitaker still has a VCR. It would be cool as shit if I could see him playing. See him alive and healthy. My God, I never dreamed someone would have video after all these years.”

  Stone’s heart squeezed at the excitement in her voice. It was a simple request, yet seemed to mean so much to her.

  Gio never threw anything away; he was sure the man still had a VCR. Or maybe he’d already transferred his VHS tapes to DVD. Hell, he’d buy a damned VCR off eBay if he had to.

  “I’ll ask Gio when we’re done.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her. “I’m pleased to be able to do this for you, angel. We can watch them together some night.”

  Her breath caught; she grabbed for both of his hands and held them over her heart. “I have something to ask you, and I’ll understand if you say no. But I can’t stop thinking about it.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Would you...do you think you might want to...?” She looked uncertain. “I don’t know if there’s a way to ask you this without sounding like a...,” she laughed nervously,“...a woman of loose morals.”

  “Nicks, really... What’s on your mind?”

  “I was wondering if you’d want to come home with me tonight. And stay. The night, I mean. Stay the whole night with me. My
family won’t be back until late tomorrow evening.” She looked at him with those big tiger-eyes, and his cock went boing.

  Chills poured down his spine as his mouth dropped open. “Are you...are you asking what I think you’re asking?”

  “I just...I feel so close to you now. I thought...” She shook her head. “Well, I don’t have to tell you what I thought. I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like this. I understand if you don’t want to.”

  He grabbed her and whirled around the stage with her, roaring with laughter as she squealed. “Don’t want to? Are you kidding me? It’s all I’ve thought about since the day I laid eyes on you! I can’t believe it.” He stood her back on her feet.

  “This is going to sound stupid, but I probably should tell you now. I haven’t...I’ve never been with a man that way.”

  He laughed quietly. “I know. Despite the prickly persona you try to project, I could tell. I’m so afraid I’ll disappoint you.”

  “You won’t, or I wouldn’t have asked. We’ll probably have to drop by your apartment, unload, and get the Camaro. You can pull into our garage on Dad’s side. I don’t want the neighbors to see the van out in the driveway, and I don’t know if it’ll fit in the garage. You’ll want to get some clothes too.”

  She suddenly had such a conflicted look on her face, he was afraid she’d changed her mind. She said nothing for several moments then lifted her gaze to him. “I love you, Stone. As much as I hated you. And that’s a lot.”

  “Thanks...I think. Let’s get torn down and on the road then. I won’t have to unload at my apartment. I’ll leave the stuff in the van and lock it. I’ll just run in and grab a few things. You can wait in the car.” He tickled her; she squirmed away from him. “I won’t be able to concentrate now, you little tease.”

  “Ha! I have to run to the potties. I’ll be right back to help you.”

  He watched her until she disappeared down the steps at the back of the stage then adjusted the mammoth hard-on he had raging behind his zipper.

  I...Richard Stone Jensen...will be making love to Nicole Ashley Sorenson later on tonight. I am the luckiest man in Pennsylvania.