Between a Rock and a Hard Place

by Jenna Galicki

  Jessi crawled up to Tommy and offered him her breast. He leered at her nipple but didn’t take it. “I’m not allowed to have any until you untie me.”

  She reached for the sash.

  “No,” Angel scolded. “He’s not ready.”

  She rubbed her breast against his shoulder and her nipple traced a small trail down his back. By the time she got to the two small dimples just above the curve of his butt, her nipple pulsed from the friction of skin against skin.

  Angel pulled Tommy to his knees and rubbed his cock against Tommy’s bottom. He was breathing almost as loud as Tommy. “Untie him. I can’t wait any longer. I’m about to explode.”

  The satin scarves fell to the bed with little effort. As soon as Tommy’s hands were freed, he grabbed hold of Jessi’s breasts which were dangling in front of him. He sucked one while he rolled the nipple of the other one between his fingers. Sensations traveled down her body and tickled her pussy into a spasm. She couldn’t wait either. There was no time to fiddle with the blindfold. She straddled his face and hung onto the headboard. He curled his arms around her thighs and buried his face and tongue between her legs. He sucked her and moaned almost as load as she did, but she fought her orgasm. She wanted to experience the pleasure that was mounting inside her.

  The bed moved in waves and Tommy grunted several times. She didn’t need to turn around to know that Angel was preparing Tommy, but she wanted to. She peeked over her shoulder just as Angel wiped his fingers clean on a tissue and guided his cock into Tommy. Angel and Tommy both let out a loud moan at the same time. Angel’s head fell back and his eyes rolled up to the ceiling. She watched the bliss that spread across Angel’s face, then looked down at Tommy between her legs. His lashes flickered and his mouth licked and sucked her. She was defenseless against the orgasm that she tried to stave off. It overtook her without a fight. Her body convulsed and twitched while she struggled to breathe.

  Angel pumped Tommy hard from the other end. It made Tommy’s mouth work with extra fervor. She was dizzy and had to hold onto the headboard. She was done, but Tommy wouldn’t release his hold on her legs or his mouth on her body. The three of them bounced on top of the bed. Light gasps of air sent a cool breeze between her drenched thighs. She tried to lean back and grab Tommy’s cock, but she could barely reach it. She felt Angel’s hand on top of hers. It caught two of her fingers as he stroked Tommy, and it didn’t take long before both of their hands were covered in wet sticky fluid. Angel fell on top of Tommy first, then Tommy’s grip on her legs softened, which sent her backwards on top of Angel. She rolled off of him with Tommy still holding onto one of her legs. Exhaustion prevented Jessi from moving, and seconds later, her eyes fluttered closed.

  Chapter Three

  Returning to The Quadrangle made the journey to fame seem surreal. It felt like an ordinary Saturday night, until they got to the venue. The back room, which formerly wasn’t more than a room with a couch, transformed into a full-fledged dressing room. There was a small bar stocked with top shelf liquor, staffed by a bartender, and a security guard at the door. The ratty old couch was replaced by a plump sofa and a glass coffee table. They were treated like celebrities.

  The large flat screen TV that hung on the wall was another new addition, and Angel wondered if all of The Quadrangle’s renovations and improvements were done because of their return. He looked closer at the television and realized it was a closed circuit TV which broadcasted the opening band that was on stage. He recognized them as a group of local indie musicians. He turned up the sound so he could listen to them. It reminded him of his years of hard work, playing venue after venue, hoping for the big break that he was sure was just around the corner. He remembered the first time Immortal Angel played at The Quadrangle when they were first starting out. They had been budding musicians with an average guitar player and big dreams. It made him realize him how much the band had evolved since then, both musically and professionally.

  Tommy’s arm slipped around Angel’s shoulder. “They’re good. That was us not too long ago, remember?”

  “Of course I remember, mi amor.” It was the stage that saw the beginning of their romance. Their flirtation played out in front of everyone in a series of semi-erotic exploits. The crowd at The Quadrangle was the first to publicly learn of their relationship, and it was met with favor and approval. “Let’s go out front and greet the fans before the show.”

  No one was prepared for the uproar of the fans at The Quadrangle. It was mass hysteria as soon as Immortal Angel appeared from the back room. Security quickly came to their aid and surrounded them. The crowd was comprised mostly of the same fans that used to attend Immortal Angel’s monthly stint, but the band’s rise to fame now commanded a greeting that befitted rock stars.

  The circle of people that surrounded them tightened, and Angel bumped shoulders with Tommy. They both shook their heads with disbelief.

  “I don’t know why you’re surprised,” Jessi told them. “You’re hometown heroes now. You lived the American dream. You started from nothing, worked hard and made it big. And you returned to where it all started. You didn’t forget the loyal fans that supported you before you were famous.”

  Angel always knew he would play The Quadrangle again, but he hadn’t planned on a show so soon after the national tour ended. Jimmy’s suggestion was for the fun of it, but playing the local venue was an excellent marketing strategy and rewarded the fans.

  Security was unable to hold off the swarming crowd, and they were forced to head back to the dressing room.

  A few minutes later a husky security guard poked his head in. “We installed a railing so it’s safe to come back out now.”

  Security huddled them in a tight circle, even though the crowd was secured behind a metal barricade. Voices called for Angel, Tommy, Damien and Jimmy. They were the familiar voices of the leather clad punk rockers that saw Immortal Angel rise to the top. Angel would never forget their loyalty or diehard enthusiasm. He owed them everything. They deserved a spectacular show, and he was planning on giving it to them tonight.

  Angel spotted Audra and Kira, dead center behind the barricade in the front of the stage. He headed directly toward them, and as soon as he was within reach, they both threw their arms around his neck. They were back in fan girl mode and he laughed at their exuberance. “Why are you in the middle of the crowd? Why aren’t you in the VIP section?”

  Audra turned toward the velvet ropes at the side of the stage. “It’s all the way over there. We want front row.”

  “Besides,” Kira glanced at the people around her, “we want to experience the energy of the crowd. Look at how excited everyone is!”

  Angel surveyed the audience. They pushed at the railing and competed with one another to get the band’s attention. Jimmy was signing a girl’s naked breast. Damien was signing a CD. Girls hoarded toward Tommy and threatened to topple the barricade. Jessi was busy taking photos of them with Tommy. That’s why they loved her. She was never the jealous wife and loved to socialize with the fans. Alyssa was the exact opposite and hated the spotlight. She preferred the privacy of the back room and rarely engaged in crowded interactions with the fans.

  Angel watched the road crew still clearing away the opening band’s equipment. He couldn’t wait to perform on that stage again.

  Someone cut the music on the juke box, signaling that Immortal Angel was about to take the stage, and the room erupted in a unanimous round of screams and whistles.

  Tommy looked back at Angel, Les Paul in hand, and waited for the cursory nod of his head. Once Angel gave the OK, a spark ignited behind Tommy’s eyes. It was that jolt of energy that quickened the heart and made the blood surge in your veins before a performance.

  Tommy played an intricate, spontaneous guitar riff and bounced out before the crowd. As soon as they saw him, they let loose with an ear splitting roar. Angel barely heard Jimmy count off four beats on his drum sticks, but Tommy and Damien never missed a cue and the raunchy melod
y of Cyanide Sensation bellowed back at the audience.

  As Angel sang the first lyric, the newly added stage lights came alive in shades of red, yellow and blue. He strutted to the front of the stage and took in the welcome he received from the animated fans. He knelt down and leaned into the audience, but they were just out of reach. Their outstretched arms and howls beckoned him into the crowd. He jumped down into the space between the railing and the stage and ran past the fans. He slapped their hands along the way and they grabbed at his cropped leather jacket and almost pulled it off his shoulders.

  He tried to jump back on stage, but his tight leather pants limited his movement and threatened to part at the seams. He extended his hand up to Damien, but Damien was lost in the low, seductive notes of his new Ibanez bass. The security guard hoisted him from behind and pushed him onto the stage. Angel was halfway through the first song and already drenched with perspiration. He let the leather jacket fall to the floor, exposing his tanned, bare chest, which caused a loud squeal from the crowd. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel and threw it in the audience. A group of girls scrambled for it, and it was lost in the shuffle of hands and arms.

  To Angel’s right, Tommy sent a spellbinding wail of incredible notes through the amplifier and into the hearts of the crowd. Their feet stomped on the floor and they shouted so loud that it competed with the music.

  Angel watched Tommy make love to his precious Les Paul. This was what Angel loved the most – sharing the stage with Tommy, making music, sharing a dream that they both worked toward their entire lives, but couldn’t be accomplished without the other.

  They delved into the second song without pause and the sex-charged lyrics of Dirty Love were directed at Tommy. Angel inched closer with each provocative word he sang. Tommy fell to his knees in front of Angel and offered him a searing melody. Screams from the audience reminded Angel of the freedom that The Quadrangle offered. He grabbed a chunk of Tommy’s hair and shoved Tommy’s face into his crotch. Tommy bit down on the tough leather between Angel’s legs. The surprise jolt of pressure made Angel gasp and he almost missed a lyric. The boisterous crowd pumped their fists in the air and hollered for more.

  The next song, Without You, was the band’s first hit single. Tommy pulled Jessi forward from the side of the stage so he could dedicate the guitar solo to her. The crowd shouted her name as soon as she came into view and an enamored smile lit up her face. Tommy never averted his eyes from Jessi as he played the guitar solo. Their eyes were locked on each other, as if no one else was in the room.

  The overhead lights swirled around Tommy in shades of deep purple. It showered him in a spray of amethyst. The Quadrangle welcomed home its prince with the color of royalty.

  As Angel watched Tommy send extraordinary guitar riffs through the air, he was reminded of the first time Tommy had played with the band and the first time they had shared the stage. It was a humbling experience.

  Tommy’s hair was bathed in the glow of the stage lights which created an aura of soft lavender. At last, the blue of Tommy’s sinfully gorgeous eyes pierced the purple veil that shrouded him. A small smile formed on his lips as he noticed that Angel had been watching him.

  Angel strutted toward Tommy, and Tommy stalked him back. They met in the middle of the stage and stopped inches from one another. The control of Falcon Records limited the homoerotic show that they were most known for in their hometown of Brooklyn. On the road it was almost forbidden, but here at The Quadrangle it was expected. Angel grabbed Tommy by the back of the neck and gave him a hard, rough kiss on the mouth. The crowd screamed their approval and cheered them on, just like they always did, and it felt like they had never left. No matter how famous Immortal Angel became in the future, they would always return home to The Quadrangle.

  Chapter Four

  It was a cold, cloudy day the morning that Tommy and Angel were scheduled to leave for China. May was supposed to be springtime in New York. The leaves were supposed to be making an appearance on the dry, dormant winter branches. Color was supposed to be peeking through the drab brown landscape. The sun was supposed to fill the air with its warmth. But all the budding joy stood still on the day Tommy and Angel were set to board an aircraft that would send them halfway around the world. The gloom in the air mirrored the sadness in Jessi’s heart. She stowed her anguish away, determined to get through the next few hours without shedding any tears, and presented Tommy and Angel with an excited and happy smile as she set two plates on the table. She gave it her best effort to prepare breakfast this morning. “I hope it’s half as good as you make, Angel.”

  He sat at the table and looked into his dish of eggs and salsa with surprise. “You made huevos rancheros?”

  She replied with a modest nod. She never cooked anymore and she knew she couldn’t compare to his skills as a chef in the kitchen, but she wanted to do something nice for them on the day of their departure.

  Tommy kissed her cheek. “You’re amazing, hon. It looks delicious.”

  Her eyes hazed over and she blinked away the moisture. It was just past 8:00 o’clock in the morning and they still had two hours before they needed to leave for the airport. She knew she wasn’t going to keep it together for long, and by the way Angel and Tommy’s cheeks kept twitching, she knew they were dealing with the same dilemma.

  Jessi pulled her chair closer to the table and sipped her coffee. Huevos rancheros was her favorite morning meal. It didn’t taste nearly as good as when Angel prepared it, but she still dug into her plate with gusto. It was the last meal they would share together for a long time. The sudden hollowed out hole in her stomach hampered her appetite and she forced the eggs into her mouth and swallowed them without chewing. They landed in her stomach with a thud.

  Tommy reached over the table and touched her hand. “Don’t be sad. Let’s talk about all the things we’re going to do when we get to London.”

  “And Paris.” Angel held up his glass and uttered something in French. “It’s the City of Love.”

  She was impressed with his knowledge of the language. “You speak French?”

  “Just a little. Enough to order a meal, at least. I’ve always wanted to visit Paris and taste the local cuisine. It’s such a romantic city. We can take a stroll at night and kiss under the brilliant lights of the Eiffel Tower. We can visit the wall of I Love You and see monumental works of art at The Louvre. And let’s not forget about visiting Jim Morrison’s grave. It’s a must see on my list.”

  Angel’s rock and roll trivia was endless.

  Tommy wrinkled his brow. “The wall of I Love You?”

  “It’s a monument in a famous park in Paris. It’s a wall engraved with the words ‘I Love You’ written in different languages.” Angel was quiet for a few moments while his eyes rested on his plate. When he looked up, his olive complexion had a rosy hue and his voice was softer than usual. “I never thought I’d visit Paris with two people I care for so deeply. We’re going to have such a wonderful trip.”

  It sounded like a romantic rendezvous for the three of them to share, but it was still months away. First, Jessi would have to endure the separation from Tommy and Angel. The eggs and salsa rebelled in her stomach. She pushed her plate aside and questioned her decision to stay behind. Part of her regretted it, but she knew she had no choice in the matter. She waited too long to get her degree, and she was in the middle of opening a boutique. She wasn’t abandoning either one of them. Nothing was going to stand in her way this time.

  The small window of time they had before they needed to leave for the airport disappeared with ridiculous speed. Tommy called a taxi to take them to JFK. He wasn’t going to say goodbye to Jessi at the curb, and he wasn’t going to waste the precious seconds they had left together finding a parking spot at the airport.

  They snuggled together in the back seat of the Lincoln Town Car without saying much. Headlining an international tour without Jessi was bittersweet. It actually took most of the excitement out of the jou
rney and part of Tommy didn’t want to go anymore.

  Jessi tried to lighten the somber mood by listing the places she wanted them to visit in China when they had free time. “I want a firsthand account of everything,” she said. “Email me when you’re at Tiananmen Square, message me when you’re at The Great Wall of China, and Angel, you’d better get me a direct video feed when you’re at all the fashion boutiques in Hong Kong and Tokyo. It’s going to be like I’m right there with you, instead of thousands of miles away.”

  Tommy wished she would have left out that last part. It solidified the distance that would be between them, and they spent the rest of the ride in a melancholy silence. He caught the driver studying them in the rear view mirror with a disturbed frown. If Jessi were the one seated in the middle, holding hands with him and Angel, the driver probably would have worn a lecherous grin on his face, instead of a disapproving scowl.

  The traffic was heavy and took more time than planned, which meant they had to rush to catch their plane. When they entered the airport there was a large group of fans waiting behind a barricade. Normally Jessi needed to be pulled away from talking to the fans, but she only waved at them and kept walking.

  When they approached the security check-in point, Jessi lost it. The sight of the other passengers, taking their shoes off and dropping their change and personal belongings into the white plastic bins that glided through the x-ray machine, cemented the separation that was about to transpire. All of her strength and composure vanished without warning. There was no twitch of her lip or quiver in her chin. The tears flowed freely from her eyes like the rain from the sky.

  Tommy wrapped his arms around her shoulders and Angel came from behind her and circled his arms around the both of them.