Giving Up the Ghost

by Stella Price

  Saffron smiled. “I’m the tour manager for this leg. So how many?”

  The girl gave her the once over, assessing a possible threat to the possibility of Rhys not spending the night with her. Saffron waited while the girl made up her mind. Either she was going to decline it, or thinking her chances were good, accept. It seemed it was the latter.

  “Four if it’s possible, thanks.” She went to Rhys’s other side and whispered something in his ear. He laughed and shrugged. “If you’re good.” was his answer.

  “Oh baby, you know damn well I’m always good, epic, I believe was the words you used.”

  He chuckled. “Right. So see you guys tomorrow night?”

  “What’s the rush?” Anabelle asked. “You going to turn into a pumpkin?”

  Rhys unwound the girl from his arm and snaked it around Saffron and then stood behind her so his chin was resting on her shoulder. “Sorry Belle, got plans already. See ya tomorrow though.”

  Dismissed, the girl pouted, shrugged, and then looked to Saffron. “He’s got my info. Thanks so much, we will see you tomorrow.”

  “Of course, and it’s not problem, really.”

  Anabelle looked at Rhys and smirked. “And you sexstar, get ready for a religious experience.” She winked and her and her friends walked away down towards the Ferris wheel.

  Rhys laughed and steered her towards the mouth of the pier. Saffron sighed and once they were out of earshot decided to pet the viper so to speak.

  “So what did she say, cuz I have a feeling it wasn’t PG rated.”

  Rhys Shrugged. “She said she wanted a piece of my new plaything.”

  Saffron choked.

  “Didn’t expect that did ya? Not that it’s going to happen. Anabelle is a sweet chick, but she’s not in anyway long-term. I hooked up with her after Phae died.”

  “She looks like she’s a minor.” Saffron mumbled.

  “Yeah, she’s legal, like double duce of something. Truth is I don’t remember much of it cuz I was so hammered all the time.”

  “Nice to know even lit you can perform.”

  Rhys scoffed. “Please. I’m sure I just laid there and let her do all the work. Winter calls her one of my blackout girls.”

  “I get it.. cuz you never were with her sober?”

  “Correct. There’s a couple of them out there. I didn’t expect to see her. Haven’t been taking her calls either.”

  “So I fucked up with giving them passes then?” she asked realizing that she might have been screwed.

  “Nope. I could give two shits really. I don’t plan on being anywhere near anyone but you,” he said and nuzzled her neck.

  “I noticed you didn’t tell them who I was…”

  “The hell I didn’t. They know your name… and they know whose name I’m going to be gasping later on tonight.”

  “So sure of yourself Mr. Bellamy?” she asked as a gasp escaped her mouth as he nipped her skin.

  “You told me I was getting molested tonight. Do I have to call you a liar?”

  Saffron chuckled and stopped walking as they made it to the car waiting for them. “So I did…”

  She slid into the back seat and he followed. Rhys looked at her and the kissed her, and Saffron was lost to the sensation and wonder that was this man. She knew why women flocked to him, why they counted themselves lucky to be in his bed. He was a fantasy, plain and simple, and even more so because of his past.

  Did it bother her that he had such a trail of devastated females behind him? No. It came with the territory. What did matter was he was with her now, and not with someone else. He could have been, he had no reason to not take the other girl up on her offer, but he didn’t think twice. Of course it could have been because he had already scaled that mountain, but something told her it was something more. Or she would like to believe it was.

  He pulled her up onto his lap, her thighs flanking his own and he wrapped his arms around her waist as he bucked up, grinding himself on her core.

  “That better be from me…”

  “Only from you Saff… but we will talk later…” he said and kissed her again, his hands going under her shirt and north, and the world fell away, and Saffron gave up all her reservations and worries. All that mattered was his kisses, and her need.

  Chapter 10

  She said don’t. Don’t let it go to your head. Boys like you are a dime a dozen. Boys like you are a dime a dozen. –Taking Back Sunday

  Rhys frowned as he pushed the door to Winter’s room open, the security bar left between the door and the frame to allow easy access to the room beyond. There was only one reason he would leave the door open, and Rhys, normally a big fan of what he knew was going on past the foyer, was not relishing dealing with the situation, especially because he knew what the score would be.

  He heard the party well before he saw it, the breathy moans and whispered endearments of several women engaged with one another. Rhys rounded the corner to the room proper to see Winter sitting on a chair, a girls head in his lap, and four other girls arranged in a daisy chain on the bed before him as he watched.

  This was a common occurrence with Winter. Whereas Rhys was popular, he normally liked one girl at a time, maybe two. Winter rarely took less than three to his room with him. When Nyx had asked him about it the first time it happened, Winter just said ‘well they need something to do while I’m entertaining one of the others, and I like variety’.

  Rhys couldn’t fault him, but where Rhys had a string of girls around the country; Winter’s antics had afforded him a string in each state they had ever been to on tour, California being one of the ones he had the longest. If they all linked hands, it would be hands across America all over again, just with a ton of women that all had one thing in common, Winter Tulane had rocked their world.

  Rhys leaned against the wall, feinting interest. Truth was, since Saffron came into his sphere, other women just weren’t that interesting, even when they were naked and face first in each other’s crotch. Normally he would show up to one of Winter’s room parties, and end up with at least one of the girls on his cock.

  Winter never minded, he liked to share, which was why he left the door open. Rhys knew the girls were all passing fancies, something for the moment, and nothing that lasted forever. Winter wasn’t looking for forever, not when he was young and in demand. Girlfriends just weighed you down, he had said on more than one occasion, especially since Carrie, his ex, had been caught with several members of another band running a train on her. Rhys figured this was Winter’s way of getting back at the girl. Not that he talked about it, but then again, Rhys didn’t talk about him and Phaedra, just drowned his sorrows in gin and rum.

  Winter looked up and smirked at Rhys. “So he comes up for air…” he said and the girls stopped working on each other and looked over at Rhys. They were all disheveled, their lips swollen from kissing, their eyes heavy lidded with lust and satisfaction.

  The girl on Winter’s cock didn’t bother looking up as she was engrossed in what she was doing. He was surprised Winter could speak, she looked like she was giving it all she had.

  Rhys rolled his eyes and motioned to the girls on the bed. “I didn’t realize you would still have company.”

  Winter shrugged and then hissed and closed his eyes. Apparently the chit at his cock didn’t enjoy him not in the throes of passion. “Been raging for a few hours, hasn’t it ladies?”

  The girls on the bed all giggled and kissed, touched and nibbled and licked at each other, no doubt trying to entice one or both of them to join them on the California king.

  “I can see that.” He motioned to the side cart of waters and champagne. “At least your keeping them hydrated.”

  Winter smirked. “So ladies what do you think? Shouldn’t you greet Rhys properly?”

  Two of the girls started to move off the bed towards him and he held up his hand. “Not necessary, I’m a bit… well…” he gave Winter a sheepish smile. “I’m tapped out.”

&nbs
p; Winter growled and fisted his hands in the girls’ hair in his lap. “I’ll bet. I’m surprised you can walk. How’s she doing?”

  Rhys shook his head. “Saff is showering. And we got three hours till we have to be at the venue.”

  Winter smirked. “I’ll be there you don’t have to worry. Oh…”he said and motioned to the paper by the side board. “List for tonight. Bell called me, Told me to remind ‘the slut who thinks sex star is hers’ that they need four.”

  Rhys rolled his eyes. Fabulous. Bell was going to be a problem. He had hoped differently, hell he was even okay with Saffron offering, especially because Bell would be the one that spread that he was off the market.

  He frowned at this new mental development. Did he want to be off the market again? The last time that was true was with Phae, and he wasn’t sure he could handle it again, especially if something happened.

  But Saff was different, and she liked him, the real him, not the rock star he played when he was in public. Saff he could date… provided they kept it quiet. X would kill him and fire her, and that was something no one wanted, especially since she was a damn fine tour manager.

  “Rhys? You look like someone just shit in your cereal.” Winter said through gritted teeth. Apparently, the girl would be ignored no longer.

  “What? Oh, no just remembering something.” He picked up the list and pocketed it and then turned back to Winter. “Dude, three hours.”

  “Understood. And what are you going to be doing? Making some time with the new lady love?”

  “Hardly. X called this morning. I have to hit the Rock station here with Nyx to do a segment before the show, apparently my disappearing act a few months ago when I went back to New York to help X wasn’t appreciated and they want to get a little face time.”

  “Oh boo hoo…” Winter said as he growled. “Sweet Christ Nora… just a little more. Fucking talented tongue…”

  Rhys wasn’t at all interested in seeing what he knew was going to happen and shook his head. “Three hours man…” he said to Winter and then smirked at the girls who were all making out on the bed. “Ladies, a pleasure as always.”

  They all giggled but pouted that they didn’t have him joining them. He walked back down to the door as he heard Winter grunt and then pant, and chuckle. “Goddamn Nora… I might have to keep you…”

  Rhys knew it was an empty promise and hoped the girl did too. Winter was untamable as the season he represented, and could be just as cold. Much like his twin was with Rhys a lot of the time.

  He shook his head. It didn’t do well to think ill of the dead, not that she would show up and take him to task for it. She had abandoned him, and it was for that reason he didn’t abandon her. Someone had to prove it was real, though if he was honest with himself, what little he had with Saffron felt a lot more real than anything he ever had with Phae.

  The hallway got cold as he thought it and he tripped on the carpet and frowned, sure he didn’t trip over his own feet. He shivered and then sighed as he hit the button for the elevator. He needed to be more charitable. Phae was dead and it was his fault and he could never let himself forget it. So what that he was having a good time with Saffron, his heart belonged to Phaedra Tulane, and that was it.

  Except he knew that while the statement was true not days ago, it was less true now. Saffron called to a part of him Phaedra never did, a piece that was starved for attention, the real him. Phaedra… well…

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened and he got in, and switched his thoughts to less morose pursuits. The interview would be great, and he would get through it, and would look forward to the show that night, and Saffron spending the night with him after.

  Chapter 11

  And it’s cold enough to break, beneath the weight of this mistake…-Knapsack

  Saffron stood by the sound guy making sure the levels were correct on the sheet they figured out for the club, and then signed off on it. Whispers her name, the band that was traveling with Shades, would be on in ten minutes, and the club itself was almost filled to capacity. The promoter was amazing, one of the few that took their job seriously and saw what they did and what a band did as a symbotic relationship. Jake, the promoter, was nice, and extremely flirty, which made it easier to work with him. As a woman, she did what she had to to get the job done, be it turn on the bitch when needed or turn on the ‘I might need it hard’ charm. This was the latter, though Jake had not a hope in hell of giving it to her.

  She left the sound booth and threaded through the general admission crowd towards the front where their merch was set up and saw Winter’s cousin already engaged in what looked like a heated conversation with some guy. Saffron walked up to hear the guy’s side of the conversation and shook her head.

  “I heard you can get me a backstage pass, ok? So why don’t you cut the shit and figure it out.”

  Rachel frowned. “I can’t do shit for you buddy; now if you’re not going to buy anything move the fuck back, I got a line here.”

  “Look get me the pass…”

  Saffron didn’t let him finish his sentence, but stepped in and smiled at him. “Problems?” she asked, letting that inner bitch out.

  “I was talking to the girl…”

  “And now you are talking to me. She’s working, what do you need?”

  He seemed to size Saffron up with his look, something she knew he was going to get wrong. She might look sweet, but she wasn’t a pushover, something he was going to figure out soon enough. She didn’t like his stance, and no matter who he was, he wasn’t getting shit.

  “I was told I could get a backstage pass here to do photography.” He waved his camera at her. “You think I carry this thing around for my health?”

  His side remark wasn’t appreciated. “Probably not. Shit looks heavy. Look I don’t know who told you that but they are wrong. Merch sells merch, she isn’t a fucking receptionist.”

  “What do you know?” he asked with a very unflattering sneer on his face.

  Saffron plastered a saccharine sweet smile on her face. “A lot, being that I’m the Band’s tour manager, but aside from that, I do know the job description of a merch girl.”

  The guy rolled his eyes. “Well I was told by Randy several weeks ago…”

  “Ah. Well that’s probably why no one contacted you. Randy isn’t with the organization anymore.”

  “I wasn’t told and was promised passes backstage. Call Randy and he will handle it.”

  “The only way I’m calling Randy is with a Ouija board, since he has skipped this mortal plane. Which is why I’m here working. Now if you don’t mind…”

  The photographer blanched. “Dead? How?”

  Saffron regarded him. “I’m not hip to all the details, all I know is he’s gone, and I’m picking up the slack.”

  “God I’m sorry. Look I didn’t mean to be a dick…”

  “But you were. And this conversation is over.”

  “Look, I have a deadline…”

  “Bully for you. We don’t have backstage passes, though I’m sure if you show your credentials at the front and tell them Saffron sent you over, they will give you a press pass.”

  Saffron left then, turned on her heel as she heard the strains of Whispers’ first song start up and headed for the side entrance that would take her towards backstage. She stopped at the Security guard there and leaned in.

  “Can you keep an eye on Rachel?” she motioned to the merch booth.

  “Can do Miss.” The older man said and tipped his hand to his head in compliance.

  With that she walked through the door and towards the back stage area and her band. She passed Chandler and Tosh as they were walking towards the stage. Both of them had become friendly with the other band, so they did show their support when they were on. She saw Nyx on the phone, and Nyx smiled at Saffron and pointed to the Green Room where she figured Rhys was.

  He stood there in a room with about ten girls, and Winter, and at once she noticed he didn’t seem
as at ease as he had been. She assumed she had herself to thank for that.

  Rhys saw her and winked, seemingly letting himself relax around the girls. She noticed Bell there, close, her hand on the small of his back, her three other friends all crowded around him and Winter. She looked at Saffron with a smug smile and leaned in and whispered something to Rhys who rolled his eyes and then gave her a laugh.

  Saffron could only guess what she was talking to Rhys about, though it didn’t matter. Whatever it was wasn’t going to happen. She walked over, deciding that her professional hat should be on. If the girl tried to climb all over her dessert, well then that would be something completely different.

  “Hey everyone. Any problems with your passes?” She asked and stood by Winter who handed her a water.

  Bell and the girls shook their heads. “No problem at all, thank you again so much!” Bell gave a sickly sweet smile and Saffron fought not to roll her eyes.

  “Wint, Rhys, levels are fine upfront, and apparently there’s some guy here taking photos, apparently Randy has set it up before.”

  Winter shrugged. “News to us.”

  “We’ll play it well, the pics will give X a hardon…” She said and smirked.

  Rhys shuddered. “Graphic. And I don’t think that’s physically possible.”

  Bell laughed a quite inane twitter of a laugh, something that screamed ‘pay attention to me’ louder than even the fact that she was clinging to him for dear life.

  Saff smirked at him. “I’m not touching that one…Though I’m sure we could ask Dante.”

  “The Brit won’t talk anything about their sex life. A bit annoying really. Kinda hard to hangout with a guy like that.”

  Well that and the fact that he could set things on fire, but that didn’t need to be common knowledge. Saffron shrugged. “Whatever. You guys are on in 30.”

  “What’s going on after Sexstar…” Bell asked and got closer.

  Rhys sighed. “The road calls soon after. We gotta be in NOLA for VooDoo.”

  “Six am roll out.” Saffron said while checking her clipboard.