by K E Osborn
“Hmm… you’re only a cousin by blood. In my mind… you’re just a freak in my band,” Andi jokes.
Casey brings her hand to her chest faking a heart attack. “Oh burn. It stings so bad. The pain, the pain, I can’t stand it. It’s crippling.” She staggers on the spot. “Dying here… in agony.” She pulls a sad face and then breaks into a full bright smile and grins at Andi who turns and walks off in the other direction.
“I hate you, Casey,” Andi calls out as she saunters off.
“I love you, too, Andi,” Casey calls back.
Andi throws her hand up and flips Casey the bird. “Love you, too, bitch.”
“After party?” Kristy asks.
“Hell, yeah,” Casey calls out jumping up and down on the spot and taking off after Andi.
Alana and Kristy start to walk off, and I look over my shoulder at the back of the stage and up to the rafters where I’m assuming Mercs will be right now dealing with the lighting.
I wonder if he’ll come to the after party like I suggested.
I hope so.
“You coming, Effa?” Alana calls out in her beautiful sweet voice. I glance at her as she looks over her shoulder at me. Her blonde waves caressing her face perfectly.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” I take one last look to the rafters but don’t see Mercs. So I spin and head with the girls to the green room.
Walking down the hall, the atmosphere is buzzing, still alive from the show. The crew are working hard while we’re unwinding and coming down from our high as I walk in to see Andi on the sofa, pulling off her sleeveless flannelette shirt. As her athletic body falls back into the sofa she's already lighting up a joint, her short, dyed red hair thick with sweat from the show.
Rolling my eyes, I sigh. She doesn’t waste time.
Alana is at the buffet eating. She always gets hungry after a show. I don’t know how she can eat so much and not put on an inch of weight. She’s stunning with girl next door looks, almost as if she should be a country singer rather than in a rock band.
Casey’s at the fridge getting her usual bottle of vodka, her long black hair now out of her high ponytail, and falling around her pale face. Her complexion mixed with the black hair and bangs always makes me think of Snow White.
Kristy, on the other hand, is not pale, her skin is the most tanned of us all. She almost has an olive tinge. Her hair is long and brown with highlights through it. Her curvy figure, but athletic tones are ones men go crazy for. She’s sitting in the corner on her cell probably checking out our social media tags from tonight’s show. She likes to keep up with that stuff, and we all let her worry about it because we have no interest in social media.
Luke is on the opposite side of the sofa from Andi, and he’s on his cell too, but probably working on stuff for the tour. He never stops. Since he split from his wife two years ago, he tends to keep busy now. We met Luke when he was the agent for another band.
We were the opening for the American band Recoil when they were trying to make a name for themselves in Australia four years ago. Luke came onboard as Recoil’s agent, and we went on tour with them. Their lead singer, Danger and I, ended up writing a smash hit together called Lunar Eclipse. It went triple platinum in seven countries, and that was the start of our success.
Luminous flourished from there. We were no-one’s anything before then. Recoil made us, and now they’re a supergroup, and we’re on our way too. However, they wanted to leave Australia and head back to the US which is their home, and because Luke had his wife and two kids in Australia he couldn’t go with them.
So he stayed in Australia to help us, leaving Recoil with a new manager. They shot to fame. Now we’re getting there too with Luke on our side, and because he split with his wife, he’s been able to leave Australia and come with us on a world tour. Especially, since his kids are a little older, being twelve and ten. He now has the freedom to travel. Which is great for us, but sad in a way for him. So, because he couldn’t do that with Recoil we snapped him up, and fuck am I glad because we wouldn’t be where we are today without him.
“I’ve got your after party booked at a VIP room in a club nearby. Security is on hand, and we can go whenever you girls are ready,” Luke calls out, not looking up from his phone.
Andi takes a long puff on her joint and Casey takes a drink from her bottle.
“Yep, let’s go,” I offer as Kristy and Alana move toward me.
“Where’s the groupies?” Kristy asks, and I raise my brow wondering the same thing.
Luke groans. “They’re in the VIP area, waiting. I thought it better they be there than here. Let the green room be for you girls, yeah?”
I nod. “Okay, sounds fair. But let’s go, I need a drink,” I demand, and link my arms with Alana and Kristy as we head out of the green room and down the hall. I notice the two security guys who follow us immediately. It’s hard not to notice stuff like that, and in a way it signifies we’ve made it, but it also defines that we no longer have our privacy.
“So, look… I know we’re the three amigos and all. You guys are step-sisters, and I’m the best friend. We have a history. We go way back. So I feel like I need to be honest here,” Kristy announces making me and Alana both look to her.
A shudder runs through me wondering what she might say. She looks serious and I know Kristy is the more solemn one of us all, but I’m not sure I’m going to like where this is heading.
“Kris, you’re scaring me,” I answer and she smiles weakly.
“No, it’s nothing bad. It’s just… have you guys noticed that Andi is a little more… I dunno… more aggravated than normal?”
Alana snorts. “That’s Andi’s natural state.”
Kristy turns to look behind us, so I do, to see Andi, Luke and Casey following behind, but a fair way back. “Hmm… true. Just maybe we need to keep an eye on her is all I’m saying,” Kristy offers.
“Okay, good idea. I’ll see if I sense anything, any changes. I know she’s a little edgier around certain people, but I just thought she’s maybe more sleep deprived than normal. But I’ll watch her.”
“Cool, the last thing we want is for this tour to derail, before it’s even begun, because one of us is struggling,” Kristy expresses.
“Noted,” I reply as we approach the end of the hall and the security guys flank us.
“You ladies ready to head to the Hummer?” Raoul asks in his slight French accent.
I smile and nod. “Yep, let’s do this.”
He and his men surround Kristy, Alana and me. A couple more drop back for Andi, Casey, and Luke.
The door swings open and we walk out into the more than a little warm Arizona night. It’s still sweltering even though it’s quite late. The bustling city street is alive as the sounds of car engines make their way through the streets, while we cross the back path toward our waiting Hummer.
The back exit is made for the celebrities to come and go without the hassle of the crowds out front. I like places like this who make it easier for us to come and go without being seen.
Raoul and his men flank us anyway, just in case any stragglers manage to find their way into this back area and we all rush toward the pink stretched car. Raoul opens the door without any hassles, and the three of us slide in. Rock music from the seventies is lightly playing in the background as I enter the car. It’s plush with pink leather lined couches on each side. A mini fridge with chilled alcohol, silver ashtrays—we all know what that’s for—and pink neon lighting strips light the doorway. I smile wide knowing Luke has done well, as I move further in. I take a seat next to the door, and Kristy slides in next to me giggling like a school girl followed by Alana. We all sit in the back seat and take a simultaneous deep breath.
“This is the life,” Kristy beams and I chuckle.
“Hell yeah,” I reply as I turn to the little container next to the fridge, opening it to see our stashes of already rolled joints.
I pull one out for Kristy, and she takes it with a smile.
I look to Alana raising my brow, and she shakes her head turning up her lip. I knew she would. The thing about Alana is, while she loves the rock star life, sometimes she isn’t quite suited to it. She’s a good girl at heart, and the drinking and drugs, while she does do them occasionally, she really has to be in the mood.
Grabbing the lighter, I light up Kristy’s then put one in my mouth and flick the lighter again, watching the flickering orange of the small flame as it hits the end of my joint. I take in a deep drag as a heavy calm washes over me, and the smoke fills my lungs.
All my senses come alive, my brain firing off thoughts in all directions. Typically, when I’m high, I think of the craziest things—song lyrics, costume designs, stage sets. This is where I become creative. This is where Effervescent was born, in a haze of smoke and fumes.
Sitting back against the pink leather, it squeaks slightly as I sink into it, coming down a little from the high of the show. The car door opens again, and Luke slides in with a slight cough and a groan, followed by Andi and Casey.
“God girls, it doesn’t take you long, does it?” Luke looks to Kristy and me, then eyes Alana and raises his brow as she reaches over and grabs a mini bottle of champagne. He slides in sitting next to her and grabs a beer for himself. Casey and Andi move in and snatch a champagne each.
“Give them a break, Luke. I started back in the stadium,” Andi scolds letting out a puff of smoke in the form of an O making me giggle as I find it funnier than I usually would.
“Yeah, Luke, it’s not like you’re not used to it. Hell, you’ve been with us for four years. Surely you know how we roll by now? Shit, you hired the Hummer for us, so I’m assuming you put the weed in here to begin with?” Kristy defends.
“Yeah, yeah. I’d just like to think you girls could get by on your lyrical genius and amazing ability rather than smoking, drinking and destroying your brain cells like other bands. Hell Recoil doesn’t do this shit.” he groans, and Andi snorts while shaking her head as Raoul closes the door locking us in with a haze of smoke.
“Well Luke, if you want Recoil so bad you should have stayed with them. But no, you got the leftovers. Sorry, we’re such a crappy seconds,” Andi jabs, throwing her butt at him.
Luke jolts back, patting at it rapidly before realizing it was already out when she threw it. He huffs. “Look, I’m sorry. That came out all wrong. You know I don’t want to be with Recoil. I let them go and chose to stay back in Australia to be with you girls because I saw a potential in you that I thought could be unstoppable. I just don’t want to see you girls waste it on drugs and booze, and be one of those bands that spoils themselves.”
Alana reaches out grabbing his hand, and he looks at her with a heavy sigh. “We know. We realize how much you do for us. We need you, Luke. We can’t do this without you,” she confides.
“Yeah, Luke, you know we love you. Let’s just calm the negative energy in the room—”
“We’re in a car not a room,” Andi interrupts me.
I giggle. “Well, fuck! Calm the energy in wherever we are, and take a deep breath in, relaxing our chakras and all focus on what’s important.”
They all tilt their heads, in the same way, making me giggle again.
“And what’s that… oh, wise one?” Casey asks.
“Friendship. Our friendship is what’s important,” I resound.
“Hell, yeah. Friends for life, fuckers,” Andi calls out.
“Friends for life,” we all call back in fits of giggles.
Little unicorns start dancing around Luke’s head. This weed is some good shit.
As the Hummer takes off, my mind wanders to Mercs and what he’s doing. I hope he makes it to the after party. It’s looking like it going to be one wild ride.
Chapter Four
MERCS
Watching Effa tonight was electrifying. It was difficult to concentrate on my job, but I knew I had to stop watching the little blonde bombshell who was dressed to kill in a short, tight as fuck purple leather dress, high heeled thigh high platform boots, and of all things, a fucking glittery pink lightning bolt painted on her face. Which for some reason seemed to make her even more attractive.
I don’t get how someone so odd, and the opposite of me can have my cock twitching the way she does. I’m here for a job and I fucking out-did myself tonight. The crowd loved the show, and I know I pulled off some of the most effective stage lighting effects ever seen. Tonight’s show was great, and with Luminous giving me free reign to do whatever I want, I’m happy that together we can make their shows the best in the world.
But right now, they have gone off to their after party, the one Effa wanted me to go to, while I’m left here to unwind and pack up. I climb down from the rafters, taking some cable with me as Jay and Tank wait for me at the bottom.
“That was epic, Mercs. Your ideas are fresh, bro. I love what you’ve done with the show,” Tank cheers, his muscles practically bulging from his shirt. The Islander native looks nastier than he actually is, being more of a puppy dog in real life. He kind of seems more like he should belong on the security team rather than the crew. But hey, I’m happy to have him around to help with the heavy lifting. I jump from the last rung of the ladder to the floor and smile, feeling like I’ve accomplished something tonight.
“Thanks, man, appreciate that. But it was a team effort—”
“Ahh… bullshit. This was your vision. This was your baby, and you nailed it. Take the credit, Mercs.” He slaps my shoulder giving it a tight squeeze, as he looks to Jay and tilts his head over to the other crew who are beginning to pile the gear up like the mess I found it in this morning. “Time to tell them the news,” Tank advises.
I smile wide knowing this is where I step up and make my authority heard. Taking a deep breath, I walk with Tank and Jay over to the crew and let out a loud whistle. Everyone stops, turning to look at me. Seems I’m somewhat liked at the moment, but that will probably change about now.
“Right... I know Dennis didn’t care much for order. I know Luminous aren’t very structured and don’t give a rat’s ass about, well… anything other than performing. But here, right now, shit’s gonna change. The way you found everything stacked up when you came in today… that’s how every show is going to start and end. In structure… in order. No more chaos. No more broken lighting and equipment. No more shit lying around for people to trip over. Things are going to be taken care of. I know it will add additional time on the breakdown and startup of each venue, but this is how it’s normally done. This is how it will be done with me in charge, and this is how I expect a Luminous gig to run from now on. You got me?” I demand, my voice strong, stern, full of vigor.
Everyone looks around at each other, and I expect an uproar of abuse and a tirade of unpleasantries to be thrown my way, but instead everyone nods and slow smiles creep onto their faces.
“It’s about time someone came in here and made this place function the way it’s supposed to. Dennis had us running like shit. I’m glad we have someone to keep us in line and make this thing run smoother,” one of the young guys, Benny, calls out.
I glance to Tank who grins at me with a slight nod. “Right then, let’s get this packed up the way we need to before tomorrow’s gig, then we can all get the hell out of here.”
“Yes, after party, here we come. You’re coming, right, Mercs?” Benny asks.
I shake my head. “Nah, probably not. I’ll just settle in and focus on tomorrow. Maybe next time.”
Everyone looks at me like they’re in utter shock, like I’ve offended them or something. I glance to Tank, and he chuckles, slightly gripping my shoulder the way he does.
“Your loss, man. Luminous after parties are… well, they’re pretty fucking epic. Those chicks know how to party. Don’t let the fact that they’re girls trick you. They’re rockers through and through.”
Nodding, I don’t like the way that makes me feel. Thinking about Effa—that tiny innocent looking woman—and what she could get up to.
I guess even though she looks innocent maybe she really is just a hardcore rocker after all. I’m not sure what my affliction is with her. I can’t shake her from my thoughts. But one thing I know for sure, I don’t want that innocent looking woman in that cute as fuck giraffe onesie to shift from my mind. So, if going to an after party and seeing her being a true rocker is going to spoil that image of her for me, then I’m definitely not going. I want to keep my thoughts of her as they are, just for a little longer. I’m probably being a fucking dickhead, but I don’t care. I like the Effa I met, not the hardcore rocker everyone seems to be talking about.
“Right, enough chatting, let’s get this shit done,” I call out, clapping my hands together once. Everyone nods, breaking off and getting back to work. The night air is hot, and the backstage area is still slightly hazy from the smoke machines and the aftereffects of the concert.
Music drones over the speakers, and I wonder briefly what Effa’s up to, but I have work to do. So I turn and head off toward the back of the stage.
It’s an eerie feeling. The crowd is gone. The lights are completely out. An entire stadium empty and no one here but you and the janitors who at the moment are nowhere to be seen. It’s a stark contrast from the blaring electricity of the Luminous concert opposed to the harsh silence of the dark stadium. Nothing but the thumping of your own heartbeat to drown out the stillness.
As I lay back on the sofa in the crew room, I wonder how the after party is going.
How wild is it getting?
Are the girls out of control?
Is Effa getting it on with some guy in the VIP section?
I don’t want to think about that as I open my cell scrolling through the pictures of me with Kiera and Gran back home in Ligonier. Standing on the rickety old porch, the white latticework framing the picture, as I smile looking at Kiera. She appears so strong standing in her cheerleading outfit—that was before her world crashed and cancer took over.