"Oh, okay." I was actually relieved. I just wanted to lust after Alex from afar; I would be really embarrassed if he saw me in the audience.
Melissa led me past the rows of seats under the pavilion and closer to the stage. We finally reached a chained off area marked 'VIP club'. Security personnel checked our passes and let us through. I breathed a sigh of relief; I felt like an underage teen sneaking into a bar with a fake ID.
Before finding our seats, we hit the restroom and grabbed new beers. The first opening act was just winding down as I looked around. Most of the people in the VIP area looked pretty ordinary like us. The view was terrific. There was only about 20 feet separating us and the band.
The set ended and the singer began thanking the audience. My nerves started to tingle. The moment was finally coming - when Alex would walk out on stage. My gut clenched as I thought about seeing him again. I took a huge gulp of beer trying to relax.
The first band left the stage and we sat down again. Melissa grinned at me, "Damn, Evie, you downed that whole beer already? You want to get another before Cold Fusion comes on?"
I shook my head. "Nope, I'm good. These really are great seats, Melissa."
We chatted while we watched the stage getting prepped for Cold Fusion. I looked around at the huge crowd mostly behind us. Beach balls were bouncing around the arena and everyone was having a good time. So, why was I getting so nervous?
Alex wouldn't know I was here. The sun was just starting to set and with the lights shining on the stage, there was no way he could see into the crowd. And I wasn't nervous for him, either. I had seen enough internet videos of his performances to know that he was completely comfortable on stage. He did his thing without it looking forced at all. But still the tension grew as I waited.
The lighting changed, suddenly focusing the crowd's energy onto the stage. My heart started beating faster. The crowd grew quieter as a spotlight flicked on. Someone walked on stage and a huge roar rose up from the crowd. The blond man walked over to the drum set and sat behind it.
Melissa leaned into me to be heard. "Look at the arms on that guy. Shit, I'd do him."
I couldn't manage a snarky answer. My eyes were fixed on the stage. Another guy walked onstage. The crowd, which was just beginning to settle, began to scream its appreciation again. Every eye in the audience watched as he crossed to the right side of the stage and picked up the bass guitar.
I was only vaguely aware of Melissa tugging on my arm at this point. I think I actually stopped breathing when Alex walked on stage to a deafening roar. He looked sexier than ever. His hair was tousled, his faded black jeans hung perfectly on his body and his sleeveless shirt showed off the tattoos snaking around his muscled arms.
The crowd was whipping itself into a frenzy as the lead singer, Tyler Matthews, jaunted out onto stage, but my eyes couldn't tear away from Alex as he adjusted his guitar. He looked as familiar as ever, and yet, so very different. His face hadn't changed a bit, but his body seemed more solid. He was lean and muscular and so very masculine. He had acquired more tattoos in the almost ten years since I had seen him, but they fit him perfectly and didn't look overdone.
Just seeing him onstage had me weak in the knees, but seeing his confidence and natural presence in front of the huge crowd was breathtaking. And I realized in that very moment that no man I met would ever live up to him; I would always be comparing them adversely to Alex.
I tried to console myself that even if Alex was my ideal of physical perfection, his personality probably left a lot to be desired. He was a rock star. That kind of lifestyle and fame was bound to change a person. He was a different man now. The Alex I loved was long gone.
Still, I knew that I would be fantasizing about him for a long time after this night was over. My cheeks flushed as I recalled the naughty dream I had about him. I pictured how he had looked deep into my eyes as he thrust into me with each delicious stroke. I fanned my face as I felt my skin getting hot.
At center stage, Tyler strode over and grabbed the microphone stand and began pumping up the crowd, but I barely listened. I felt as if I was in my own little bubble with Alex. The crowd, the noise and the rest of the band all faded into the background. Alex began strumming the first few notes to the opening song and the crowd went wild. Soon the whole band was playing a fast, hard song that I loved.
Alex was concentrating on his guitar, but suddenly he looked out into the audience for the first time. I inhaled a quick breath as I watched a slow smile spread across his beautiful face. He moved toward his microphone stand and began belting out the chorus with Tyler. His voice washed over me, bringing me right back to college when he used to sing just for me. I stood mesmerized, watching his performance.
The set went by in a flash for me. Song after song flew by as I sang along to the words I knew. My eyes never strayed far from Alex. I drank him in, studying his every move and memorizing his every expression. I noticed the sweat as it gathered on his forehead and I admired how his arm muscles flexed as he stroked his guitar. There was no use denying it to myself, he looked sexy as hell. My body was humming with an exhilarated energy just watching him work the stage. I knew just how turned on I was by the growing ache deep inside for what could never be.
My heart sank when the set finished. I knew they wouldn't be doing any encores because the main act was up next. Just like that, Alex was gone. I sank to my chair as the crowd's wild applause finally settled down.
Melissa turned to me excitedly, "Wow, that was amazing! Girlfriend, you couldn't take your eyes off that man. You didn't hear I word I said to you the entire time, did you?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "No. It was so loud, who could hear anything?"
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "That is one smoking hot band! Let's grab another beer before Warning Shot takes stage."
I waved my hand. "Nah, I'll pass. You go ahead."
Melissa might act kind of ditzy, but she read people like a book. There was no hiding anything from her. Her eyes narrowed. "What's wrong? You still have a thing for Alex, don't you?"
Shrugging, I tried to explain. "I miss him. At least, I miss the old him. I thought seeing him perform would be fun. Now I'm just all out of sorts."
Melissa looked sympathetic. "Evie, don't look so sad! It was fun watching them. And why don't we try to go backstage and see him? You were good friends, right? Why wouldn't he want to see you?"
My heart started pounding in my chest. "He probably doesn't even remember me. I mean, look at him, Melissa. He's a rock star now! Besides, you even said it's hard to get backstage."
Melissa smiled mischievously. "It's hard, but not impossible. Just follow my lead. And Evie, if we don't try, you'll always regret it."
I don't know if it was the liquid courage from all the beers I drank or just the thought that we'd never get backstage that made me follow Melissa. If I believed for one moment that it might work, I'd have chickened out on the spot. Instead, I went along with her, my insides a bundle of nerves.
Melissa slipped the lanyard with the VIP pass around her neck. "Put your pass on and don't look so scared. You need to look confident. And let me do all the talking."
As if I would say a peep.
I reluctantly slipped the pass over my head and followed Melissa as she dragged me toward the back of the VIP club. She slipped under a chain and confidently headed toward the side of the arena. The noise of the crowd started to fade as we walked further around the arena.
My stomach felt queasy when I saw the beefy security guard. "Miss, no one's allowed back here."
Melissa approached the man. "Oh, hi. We're just looking for Jimmy Weston. Have you seen him?"
The guard shook his head. "No, miss. But you can't go back there."
Melissa bit her lip, looking worried. "Maybe you can go back and find him for me? He's my uncle and he's holding my car keys and his phone must be shut off. My friend here is feeling sick, so we have to leave early. I really need to get my keys."
"Hey, Brian! Have you seen Jimmy around?"
The man shrugged his shoulders and kept on walking. "No, man. Haven't seen him all night."
The security guard sighed, "Alright. You can go find him. But as soon as you get your keys you better leave."
Melissa smiled warmly at the man. "Thank you so much."
We quickly filed past the guard and walked into a large open area. Trunks and equipment were scattered everywhere. Road crew from the different bands were hauling equipment and milling about.
We were starting to get noticed by the roadies as we picked our way among the equipment. Melissa turned to me and whispered low. "I think the musicians hang out in some rooms back that way. Try not to encourage the roadies..."
As if I was going to encourage the roadies.
I tried to grab Melissa's shoulder to stop her. I hissed loudly, "What are we going to do? Knock on doors until we find Alex? Let's get out of here, Melissa. It's creepy back here."
Melissa slipped out of my grasp and kept moving forward. I hesitantly followed Melissa through the open area and toward a hall leading into the heart of the backstage area.
I was about to beg Melissa to leave again when we heard the shouts and joking laughter of a group of boisterous guys heading our way. I froze. Seconds later, my heart plunged to my feet when I was suddenly face-to-face with Alex and his band.
"Lena?" Alex was staring at me, first in disbelief and then breaking out into a breathtaking smile.
My heart slowly started beating again, but a weird buzzing remained in my ears. He remembered. He called me Lena. Most of my college friends called me Lena. I had gone through a minor rebellious period when I left for college and had rejected a lot of things from my home life. Including the name my parents gave me: Evelyn. I hated it. I thought Lena was much more sophisticated. Unfortunately, as soon as I graduated from college and moved back home, my old nickname, Evie, had stuck again.
My mouth finally started working again. "Hi, Alex."
Alex laughed and then pulled me into a hug. "God, Lena. What are you doing here?"
Tyler slapped Alex on the shoulder. "Hurry up, man. We want to get finished here so we can get to The Tides."
The guys continued down the hall leaving me, Melissa and Alex behind.
Alex let me go. I struggled to think of what to say. "This is my friend, Melissa. I mentioned to her that we were friends in college and she insisted that we come back here."
Alex laughed. "Jesus, Lena. You were gonna come to my show and leave without even contacting me? That seems kind of harsh."
I knew from his laughter and the gleam in his eye that he was just teasing me. "Well, I didn't want to bother you. You're a rock star now."
Alex took a swig from the beer bottle he was holding. "Shit, that's messed up."
From down the hall where his band disappeared, we heard a loud shout, "C'mon Alex, let's go."
Alex grimaced, "I've got to go. Warning Shot is hosting an after party tonight at the The Tides. Why don't you come? Tell me you'll be there, Lena. We've got to catch up. I'll make sure you two are on the list. Promise you'll come."
Melissa, who had been leaning against the wall in the background, stepped forward. "Of course we'll come!"
Alex glanced at her and smiled before pulling me into another long hug. I buried my head into his shoulder, reveling in his closeness, feeling his hard body crushed against my own, smelling his slightly sweaty but intoxicating scent. I felt bereft when he pulled away and started heading down the hall.
About ten feet away, he turned around and pulled out his cell phone. "Hey, what's your number, so I can call and harass you to make sure you come out tonight?"
My mind wouldn't work. What the hell was my phone number? Luckily, Melissa pulled out her phone and shouted out the numbers to Alex as he plugged them in.
Alex winked at us, "See you later." He headed down the hall back to his band and whatever he needed to finish. I slumped against the wall, my legs feeling suddenly leaden.
When he was out of sight, Melissa turned to me. "Holy Shit! We just saw Cold Fusion. And Alex invited us to an after party with Warning Shot. Oh my God, and the way he called you Lena was so damn sexy!"
As if I didn't know.
I still didn't move. Melissa began tugging on my arm again. "C'mon. We have to get out of here and get to that party! Listen, I can already hear Warning Shot playing. And we've got like miles to hike back to the car."
My mind was churning as I let Melissa lead me through the backstage maze. Alex definitely remembered me. And he seemed genuinely happy to see me. In fact, I immediately felt that same comfortable vibe we had going in college. An almost brotherly vibe. I groaned to myself. The last thing I thought about when I looked at Alex was 'brother'. And my soaking wet panties mockingly proved it to me.
We worked our way back under the pavilion and then up through the crowds. I spotted a desperately needed bathroom. "Melissa, I have to stop."
Melissa looked impatient. "Okay. But hurry up!"
I handed her my cellphone and went in to use the bathroom. As I washed my hands, I checked my appearance in the mirror, scared at what I'd see. But all the inner turmoil I felt was not reflected in my face. My hair and makeup were intact and if anything, all the beer I had drunk had left me slightly rosy looking. Despite my stomach being all tied up in knots, I looked young and carefree.
When I exited and found Melissa, she was looking pleased with herself, which only made me more nervous. "What's going on?"
She rolled her eyes. "Nothing. Just can't wait to get to this party. C'mon, you took forever."
We made the long trek back to our car. Melissa chatted excitedly the whole time, marveling at our luck and talking about the upcoming party. We had to make our way slowly, some of the lots and paths were dark between the lampposts and Melissa's shoes made her stumble more than once. I refrained from mentioning 'I told you so,' even as it was on the tip of my tongue several times.
We finally made it back to the car. While Melissa was searching for her keys, I heard her mutter, "Damn. We forgot that blanket. Oh well." Finally, she unlocked the door and we hopped into the car.
She turned toward me. "You're awfully quiet. Aren't you excited to be seeing Alex? That he invited you to this party?"
My leg bounced nervously in the seat. "Maybe we shouldn't go. Maybe he was just being polite?"
Melissa's mouth gaped open in shock. "You're a real head case, girl. Plus, he wasn't just being polite. He already texted you to see if you were going."
My stomach fluttered. "What? Why didn't you tell me!" I reached for my cell phone and clicked open the messages.
Unknown number: I wanted to make sure you're coming tonight.
Me: Oh, I'll be cumming :)
Unknown number: Not soon enuf ;) l8r
I closed my eyes and laid my head back against the seat. I groaned, "Melissa, I'm gonna kill you!"
Melissa chuckled. "Chill out. It's not so bad. Anyway, if Alex was just being polite, he would never have texted you. Now be useful and plug The Tides into my GPS."
We drove the twenty minutes to the party in silence. I was trying to mentally convince myself just to go and have a good time, but I was so nervous. The parking lot wasn't too packed when we drove up to the bar.
Melissa drove past the valet parking and found a spot. "I guess most people are still watching Warning Shot perform. Let's try to get in. Do you think Alex is here yet?"
The line at the door wasn't long. When we reached the front the large man asked for our names. I took a deep breath. "Evelyn Woods. Well, it probably says Lena Woods on there."
I watched his finger run down the list of names. Nothing. Melissa leaned towards him. "We just got added by Alex Lavigne."
The big man looked up at Melissa and smiled
. "Yeah, you're the two friends? Nice. Go on in."
I scampered after Melissa as she practically sashayed through the door. What I could do with even one percent of her self-confidence.
The club wasn't too packed yet. I spotted the lead singer from the first opening band funneling a beer over to the left of the bar. Melissa turned to me, "I'm sober as fuck. Let's get some drinks, pronto."
I had a feeling Melissa was going to be in rare form tonight. We edged into the crowd forming at the bar. Seconds later, I felt an arm slip around my belly and pull me back. I shivered with delight as Alex whispered into my ear, "Lena, I knew you would come for me."
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I turned to face him, my body still pressed tightly against him because of the crowd near the bar. "Just so you know, Melissa is the one who answered your text."
Alex gave me a playful, skeptical look. "Right. Sure it was Melissa. Are you waiting for a drink? What do you want?"
Oh, I'll have Sex on the Beach, or a Slow Comfortable Screw or how about a Screaming Orgasm? Or better yet, one of each, please.
Instead, I reigned in my dirty thoughts. "Um, a kamikaze would be great. And one for Melissa too."
The saying, beer before liquor... flitted through my head, but I pushed it out of my mind as I watched Alex getting our drinks. He was served faster than Melissa by the male bartender, which only served to highlight how damn popular his band had become. I grabbed Melissa as we waited for Alex to come back with our drinks. People were stopping him left and right to talk.
When he finally reached our sides and handed over our drinks, he clinked his beer to Melissa's drink. "So, I guess I have you to thank for forcing Lena to even say hello to me tonight."
"No problem. Thanks for the drink." Melissa took a big sip.
I said a little pouty, "Hey, she didn't have to force me. I just wasn't sure about all the backstage stuff."
Rock Me : Wicked Page 2