Something inside told me that I had to take care of myself because unless I got my head straight, it was going to drag me down again.
Chapter 24 ~ Disloyalty
Careful diplomacy got me through the following day. Rick and the rest of Cobham Street were flying out directly after their last gig to make an appearance somewhere in Australia at an awards ceremony, so I was let off the hook without too much interrogation regarding my absence the previous night. I felt relieved when I was finally leaving.
Rick had said that he’d send someone from their PR department to brief me on the tour in a couple of weeks but gave me the dates to mark off on my calendar. My boss was freaking out at the fact that I had a seven week exclusive with one of the world’s most popular bands and he was already carving out ideas for a special edition. Joe told me that it would be a compilation of the best bits of all the interviews and photographs that I’d take during our time on the road.
During the following seven weeks I was prepped for the tour learning as much about all of the guys in the band, not just Rick. I knew all the guys but I had no real understanding of their families or what they were about because everything with Cobham Street seemed to be centred around Rick.
Lily had tried to break the ice between us but I just couldn’t get past her disloyalty. Dave said he thought it was because I was hurting from Rosie and that I was taking my frustration out on Lily. He then started to spout some bullshit theory about me transferring my anger to Lily because I couldn’t deal with Rosie’s rejection. Maybe some of that was valid, I’d never had a girl dump me before, but then again, I’d never really had a girlfriend before Rosie.
Each passing week helped me feel a bit less hurt and a bit more resigned to moving on from Rosie. I had started to miss Lily because she would have been my go-to person in all of that, but she was the one who had let me down. She had stopped calling me and used Emily and Dave to fight her case instead.
Emily kept telling me time healed but I guessed that not enough time had passed because Lily’s betrayal still festered inside me. So I spent the time leading up to the tour doing nothing except work, going to bed and nothing much in between. But I was in a better place by the time I was leaving for the tour.
Two weeks after I visited her, I’d heard, via Dave, Rosie had become a mother to a little girl. I was alarmed because by my calculations she shouldn’t have been due for another two months, I then wondered if I had upset her to the extent she’d gone into labour early. Dave had been to see her and they told him that although the baby was small she was going to be fine. However, as painful as it was to hear, Rosie being a mum helped me to overcome my final hurdle and finally accept that I had lost her. I left the conversation there with Dave because there was nothing left to say. By then I was ready to step back and become myself again instead of the lonely pitiful guy that was having an affair with his sofa.
Gillian, another PR person from Sly Records brought me a media packet just as Rick had instructed. The pack contained everything I could possibly need to know about the band and the tour before travelling. At first I saw that a lot of it was promotional stuff for the fans, but there were a few gems in it like Rick’s favourite cologne and the fact that his favourite animals were all cats. Who asks those kinds of questions? Then there were the disclaimers and confidentiality clauses which told me what I could and couldn’t talk about, For example, I couldn’t write or discuss anything in relation to the band’s behaviour. Personally I thought that was a bit rich coming from a group of guys that gave me shit at every turn about my behaviour.
Even though I knew all the guys pretty well, I was wary because I was going to be living with them for seven weeks. It made me a bit nervous because they were pretty much my idols and I didn’t want the myth tainted if I found out that they weren’t as awesome as I regarded them to be.
Twelve hours later I was in a mini bus on the way to the airport with a photographer called Phil, who I’d come across a few times at one event or another, and a blogger called Rachel. She was really friendly and gave me a few pointers about how the guys liked things done. I was about to ask how she knew that when she explained that she’d been blogging for the band for several years and always worked on some part of their tours with them.
For the first couple of days after arriving in Paris the band and crew seemed pretty tense due to a new set they were in the process of working with. Everything from where the guys needed to be on stage and where and how they were going to project the sound to the audience was mapped out.
There were plenty of rehearsals for me to watch and I had to admit that although the band was extremely talented and effortless, the time they put into their practise was ridiculously long. They didn’t just go on stage and assume they were going to be great, they spent hours perfecting their performance.
By day three they were starting to get into their stride and more and more women started to hang around backstage. I spent a great deal of time wondering how they could have possibly got in because I arrived with the actual band yet my ID was checked at every turn, whereas those girls seemed to just meander around without anyone batting an eyelid. If Dave was there he would have said it was their tits and arse that opened doors for them.
Being a fly-on-the-wall journalist, I was able to wander under the stage and into the pit to see where it all happened, and where the sound engineers, lighting guys, riggers and the rest of the crew diligently worked their magic to make the set work for the band. I was impressed at their level of professionalism and skill. One thing that did surprise me was the band’s guitar technician: she was a young woman, something that I was not used to seeing.
There were two sets of metal stairs leading up to the stage, one directly off the stage and one to the side but further back to allow technical assistance for the band once they were on stage. I sat down on the ones furthest away to watch the girl who had caught my eye while she worked.
A long look passed between us as she pulled a guitar from the stand and began to tune it. She had balls. I don’t think I could ever pick up Rick Fars’ guitar and just play it like she was. Her fingers worked quickly over the fret and damn she could play. I was captivated by her. She was a very petite and sweet looking girl with her dark hair swept back in a messy bun. She obviously didn’t care too much about her appearance, but her shabby jeans and tight crew t-shirt made her all the more feminine and appealing somehow. Her femininity in that environment was very refreshing and I just couldn’t stop staring at her.
I don’t know how long I’d been watching her but she suddenly glanced back over at me, smiled widely and continued with what she was doing. When she’d finished, she placed the guitar on a stand and picked up a second one repeating the same process. After tuning a third, she picked up all three guitars and took them on stage, placing them strategically where the band members could easily access them.
My mouth was dry from watching her, she looked divine and I couldn’t look at anything else because I was too busy noticing her. When she came down from the stage, she began to restring a guitar and spoke to me without looking up.
“Enjoying the view?”
Smirking wryly because I was busted checking her out which seems to be common for me, I answered truthfully.
“Sure, very much.”
Glancing up with her head to the side she grinned, her eyes glittered with humour.
“Forward as well, huh?” she said, sounding playful.
“Always, it’s a curse,” I commented, winking cheekily at her.
The girl chuckled and shook her head.
“Honest if nothing else. So, what would your girlfriend say about you checking me out?”
“I’m sure I’d get a slap at the very least, if I had one. What would your guy say if he caught me?”
“Oh he’d come after you with his shotgun screaming that I belonged to him and shoot you in the ass for even looking in the first place,” she said humorously with a soft American accent.
/> Smiling sheepishly I apologised to her.
“I’m sorry but that,” I said pointing at the stage, “was definitely a testosterone booster. I mean you, a smoking hot woman handling awesome guitars that belong to legends and playing them expertly… The whole visual was a pretty intoxicating combination. He’s a very lucky guy your boyfriend.”
My tone was a little wistful and bordering on lust. I stood and walked closer, leaning my shoulder against the wall, my legs crossed at the ankle. She placed the guitar down then sat on the stage steps with her elbows on her knees supporting her head.
“What’s your name?”
“Jack, yours?”
“Mya. I’m just about finished here, want to get a coffee?” Fuck, yeah!
“Hmm, that depends if your boyfriend is lurking with that shotgun or not.”
“Oh he’s not here at the moment so I guarantee you’re pretty safe.”
For about twenty-five minutes Mya and I swapped intros and she told me she had been playing guitar for about fifteen years and was five when she’d started. A quick calculation later and I’d gathered that she was only twenty, but she had a maturity about her that gave me a feeling of calm. I’d only met her minutes before but she was really easy to talk to and we were talking like old friends. I quickly found myself watching her mannerisms as she spoke and I could feel myself being drawn to her.
Ten minutes later I knew I wanted to know a lot more about her. The small hospitality area wasn’t very private and people were constantly coming and going, it wasn’t really conducive to forming friendships. We were going to be spending seven weeks in each other’s company at pretty close quarters so it was only natural to want to get to know someone I felt I could gel with.
“So what do you do when the gig is finished and you’ve packed up?” I was thinking of asking her to dinner or something.
“I usually go fuck one of the guys in the band for something to eat.”
The coffee cup at my mouth almost scalded me when my hand jerked the hot liquid at her comment. I almost choked because her reply was so unexpected and I wasn’t sure if she was being serious or not. Her expression was deadpan and I was still figuring out my reply when Rick walked into view.
“Well if it isn’t beauty and the beast. Jack Cunningham you leave that girl alone. She’s taken.”
Rick stalked across to the couch we were sitting on and lifted her off the seat, sat in her place and plonked her onto his lap.
“Hey, darlin’, don’t waste your time on this cheap specimen. Come here and feel a real man.” He flirted shamelessly in front of me.
Mya giggled and snuggled into his chest and I felt instantly pissed off that he could just do that. I then felt even more pissed off when she responded like a weak, giggling teenager around him just because he was a rock star until Rick spoke.
“Jack, I see you’ve met my niece, Mya.”
Rick raised his eyebrow in question with a knowing smirk.
“Her daddy and me are brothers, so don’t go getting any ideas about her.”
My head was all over the place thinking, thank god she isn’t interested in him then thinking, shit, she’s related to Rick and then finally, Rick has a brother?
Turning to Mya, he nodded in my direction whilst looking at her.
“This is Lily’s best friend, although you’d never know it right now because he’s being an ass and not talking to her.”
Mya’s eyes widened in surprise; her eyes darting all over, taking me in from head to toe.
“Oh My God, you’re that Jack?” she said her voice rising in exclamation.
“I mean she said you were hot but…”
Mya blushed when she realised her spontaneous outburst. What she meant by that I had no idea but I was intrigued to hear that she’d heard about me and I wondered what she’d been told. I just hoped the after party incident hadn’t come up.
“You know Lily?” The conversation was becoming weirder by the minute.
“I sure do, we’ve met several times, once during a weekend we all spent together when she came to Uncle Rick’s place. She’s very cool and an extremely talented musician. We jammed a lot the weekend she stayed over.” Glancing at Rick with affection, she took his hand and smiled and then looked back at me.
“Uncle Rick taught me to play guitar and I’m really grateful to him for this job. I’m studying music myself but I wanted to have a year out. Cobham Street’s usual technician has just had surgery so it seemed logical for me to step in and take his place. I get to travel, spend time with my favourite uncle, help him out technically and meet tons of cool people.”
“Like me, you mean?” I grinned cheekily, quickly glancing at Rick who was staring at me with humour in his eyes.
“Jack, I’m supposed to be a fuckin’ deterrent you moron, you’re not supposed to be flirting with my niece you asshole.”
Mya chuckled enjoying the show and nudged Rick’s shoulder.
“I love it when you get all protective of me, Uncle Rick. Wait until I tell Dad you really can do the whole parenting thing, he’ll never believe me. I’m looking forward to that conversation because as far as he’s concerned he’s the sensible one and you’re the crazy irresponsible one. But then again he did make the decision to let me tour with a group of horny rock star men for a year. Jack is as near to a normal guy I’m going to find hanging around you lot.”
Rick pushed himself to stand shaking his head and began tucking his t-shirt in the back of his waistband as he wandered over to the door.
“All right, Mya, have it your way honey, you know what a soft touch I am with you so I’m not going to tell you what you can and can’t do with Jack.”
Mya glanced at me and her face flushed pink as Rick turned to me.
“However, Jack’s on my payroll and if he fucks you, I’ll fuck him big time. She’s twenty years old, Jack. Remember that. Have fun kids.”
Rick gave me a forced smile and began to laugh as he walked out of the room, leaving us alone. I felt as awkward as hell sitting in front of her after his exit.
I knew my smile was frozen on my face because although I was confident Rick was messing with me, I wasn’t going to do anything that would cause a problem either. Plus he was right, at twenty Mya was a bit too young for me. At twenty five I had lived a big life so far. Yeah, okay it’s only five years but still…
Mya chuckled again and I noticed how beautiful she was, but I wasn’t looking to get into trouble and I wasn’t looking for a casual type of relationship with someone who had a partner either.
“Well, he made it sound like I was going to come on to you. Can’t two people of the opposite sex chat without it coming down to sex?” I said quickly trying to make her feel at ease again.
“Not in Uncle Rick’s world but, aww, I’m disappointed now, and there was me thinking it was my amazing rack and awesome looks that were keeping your attention when really you were babysitting me.”
“No! Don’t get me wrong you’re stunningly attractive, Mya. I’m just not looking to get into anything right now, besides being fucked by Rick would terrify me, you know how many women he’s had?”
Although I’d made a joke of it, I smiled sincerely thinking that if I was looking for a woman and she was just a little older, I’d be all over her. But I wasn’t quite ready for anyone else to fill the hole Rosie had left. Spending time with Mya for the following seven weeks was an attractive proposition I was enjoying her company already.
Luckily, she chuckled and shook her head, grinning widely.
“You forgot the boyfriend with the shotgun and the short temper.”
Sniggering, I nodded in agreement.
“Damn, and there’s that too.”
Mya put her hand on my arm and her familiarity wasn’t contrite, there was genuine affection in her touch. It made my heart race a little and the hairs on my arms stand on end as my flesh reacted in a rash of goose bumps.
“There is no boyfriend, Jack. I was teasing. I’m not lo
oking for anyone either, so we can hang out without any hang-ups about charming the pants off each other.”
I was delighted by what she said, but then wasn’t sure if I was delighted about the no boyfriend thing or the not looking for anyone comment.
“Sounds good to me, Mya, we can never have enough friends, right?”
A guy with a grey beard and a pot belly wearing a crew t-shirt called out to her and Mya stood slowly.
“A few of us are getting pizza at this late night place when the gig’s finished, you want to come with us?” Yes I bloody do.
“Sure.”
Mya arranged where to meet me and turned, waving her arm over her head without looking back as she left the room. At least I’ll have someone to hang out with sometimes during the next seven weeks.
Chapter 25 ~ A word
In my imagination touring with Cobham Street led me to make the assumption there would be excess alcohol and partying, but in my experience most of their time consisted of quiet time, full on performances and constant rehearsals. The guys hardly ever took a break but Rick power napped a lot. That was as much of a revelation to me as his allergy to starch. I knew from Lily that the life these guys led was one of privilege and they had access to things the rest of us only imagined was commonplace, but the level of commitment to their work was beyond most people’s capability. In a nutshell, they earned every minute of privilege they got. Freedom was non-existent and their days off were mainly spent sleeping.
Mya and I grew closer and I’m not sure when it happened, but I began to watch how she moved, ate, came back at me when I flirted with her, and I loved the way that she laughed. She was the cutest girl I’d ever seen, in fact I’d even go as far as to say she’d give Lily a run for her money with how attractive she was. I just couldn’t stop looking at her. I loved her mannerisms and the way she carried herself and without realising it, I’d become enthralled by her. More and more I found myself seeking reasons to sit next to her or asking for help with things just to spend time with her.
Just Jack: Everything laid bare Page 18