“When you get on stage tonight just keep thinking that in a few hours we can be back in your bed. Naked, together.” Grinning up at him she saw him relax slightly as he studied her.
“Completely naked and buried deep inside you.” Speaking as he kissed her mouth.
“See, now you have something else to focus on. Just get through it and you can take me home.” She kissed him back, hard, as the car slowed to a stop. Sliding out of his lap she reached up and pulled his sunglasses down over his eyes, kissing his cheek as she did. “Come on then, let’s go check it out.” She was right about giving him something else to concentrate on. He had no idea how he was going to get rid of the bulge she had just caused in his pants.
Chapter 18
As they entered the building through the back alleyway they were met by Chris and Ben. Alex gripped her hand tightly as he introduced her formerly to his manager and then his best friend. Grace smiled sweetly, holding her hand out to shake his manager’s hand before turning to address Ben. Foregoing the handshake the guitarist dragged her into a huge bear hug. “Nice to finally meet you. He hasn’t shut up about you since that damned interview he did for your show. Come and meet the rest of the guys.” Guiding her out of Alex’s grip, he led her down a brightly lit corridor.
“Look if you don’t mind, I’d rather wait with Alex. I’d like him to introduce me if that’s ok with you.” Grace smiled at Ben who abruptly stopped, spinning them around and shouted over to the two men standing in the doorway.
“Yo! Al, your girl needs you buddy.” Ben grinned as he watched Alex spin around and jog towards them, leaving Chris mid sentence struggling to contain his anger. Never in the fifteen years that they had been friends had he ever seen him react like that. Alex was never less than polite with everyone. To leave their manager in the midst of a discussion was something he would never do. “Whoa, someone has it bad!” He patted his friend on the shoulder pulling him into a man hug as he did. Releasing himself from Ben’s grip he turned to Grace.
“What is it babe? What do you need?” He asked, rubbing his hands up and down her arms as he spoke. His eyes searching her face for signs of what was wrong.
“Just you,” she whispered as she rewarded him with a soft kiss. “I thought we were going to check out the venue, sort through the issues? I can’t do that alone.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her from the floor, kissing her harder now. Without removing his gaze from hers he spoke to his friend. “Lead the way buddy.”
The concert venue was a lot bigger than either of them had expected it to be. Her eyes scanned around the room looking for possible problem areas that may freak him out. Chris had joined them now, carrying out the checks with the band. Jez sat at the back of the stage helping the roadies put together his kit. He didn’t need to help, they were more than capable of doing the job but his kit was an extension of him. He got antsy if everything wasn’t just as he liked it. Alex hadn’t even bothered dragging him away to introduce Grace. There was no point until he was done tinkering. Max, the bands other guitarist had freaked her out a bit. He had stared at her as though he could see right through her. Not really acknowledging her as she spoke to him, merely going through the motions. If she didn’t know better she would have said he was as high as kite.
With Max and Ben now off doing sound checks or whatever it was they were doing, she was left with Alex, Chris and two security staff. Alex had gone over all of his worries, making sure he knew exactly how many staff would be in front of the stage. He kept reiterating that no-one was to be allowed to get past the guards onto the stage. Chris tried to calm him; again reinforcing the fact the first ten to fifteen feet would be VIP only. The general public would be behind the cordoned off front area.
“I’m not fucking around Chris, if one of them gets on that stage I am outta here. They’re all too close for my liking as it is.” Grace slid an arm firmly around his waist squeezing gently to let him know she was with him.
“Is your girlfriend staying for the show? I mean I can run her off a pass for the VIP area.” Chris didn’t look at Grace as he spoke, instead keeping his eyes locked on his artist.
“I don’t want her in the pit. I want her backstage; in fact I want a chair in the wings for her. I wanna be able to keep an eye on her. It gets fucking crazy down there and I do not want her in the middle of it.” Alex insisted.
Chris rubbed his neck, pulling in his eyebrows as he spoke. “I don’t know Al, I don’t think th...”
“I said she stays with me backstage, got it?” Alex fumed as he spoke, the two security guys that had been standing with them were now backing off, pretending to read whatever it was on their clipboard.
“Alex, I don’t mind. I haven’t been to one of your concerts it would be good to get the full Uni-Fi experience. I’ll be fine out in the front, don’t worry about me.” The last thing she needed was for him to be freaking out about her safety when he really needed to concentrate on performing.
He looked down at her now effectively dismissing his manager instantly again. “No. It’s fucking mental. It’s not safe for you. Please, I need you where I can see you,” leaning down now he whispered in her ear. “I thought I was giving you the full experience when we get home anyway.” She couldn’t answer; she was unable to speak around the huge lump he had just caused to gather in her throat. Decision made, she was sitting in the wings to watch her boyfriend do his thing.
***
Sound checks over and one quick rehearsal down they now sat backstage with Izzie, who had arrived half way through yet another discussion as to where Grace would be safest. She had quickly sensed the tension between Alex and his manager, taking charge instantly. Insisting that Chris wind his neck in. Pointing out that she herself always stood in the wings when they were on stage. Grace had been grateful for her arrival. The girl was formidable. Giving her an ally amongst all these executives.
Grace took in the chaos that ensued as the time grew nearer for the band to get on stage. People swarmed everywhere, pulling her boyfriend one way after another. Hair, make-up and wardrobe people all dragging the band in different directions. ‘This way Alex, over here now Alex. Alex can you just put this on please,’ it was bedlam. Reporters, Record company Execs and then the management bigwigs all floating around kissing ass. Alex had been right with the mental bit; but Grace was sure this was somehow worse than being out in the front amongst the raging crowd. Izzie tried her best to keep Alex calm as the pandemonium swarmed around her brother. She knew the tell tale signs now. He was pacing behind Grace, not speaking to anyone. The beads of sweat forming at his temples gave him away. Izzie stood to address him but he just ignored her, continuing his ritual movement.
The room began to swim before his eyes, the sweat oozing from his every pore. His chest became tight as he tried to fill his lungs with air. Shit, he felt dizzy and nauseous now. Downing a full bottle of water he tried to suppress the need to vomit. As the walls began to close in on him the door flew open, a runner entering the room announcing their five minute call to stage. Grabbing Grace by the hand he pulled her from the room, dragging her behind him as he headed in the opposite direction to the rest of the band.
They almost ran down the long corridor that led to the back alleyway. Alex began frantically pushing doors open as he went, looking for somewhere he could breathe freely. He found sanctity in an open doorway just prior to the exit. The room was dark and cool, nothing like the one they had just left. Slamming the door shut behind him he headed straight for the window on the opposite side. Alex flung it wide open gulping in the cool night air as he did. Grace stood behind him, running her hand up and down his back trying to soothe him. When he turned around he was ashen, breathing erratically as he engulfed her with his arms. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. She didn’t think she could form the right words anyway. The door cracked open allowing light to flood in. Ben and Izzie stood in the doorway, his sister just smiled sympathetically at him as Ben spoke.
“Oh man, not again Alex. We have to do this bud. Can’t we do the show first then have the breakdown?” His best friend knew him so well. “Look, I’ve moved Max and mine’s mic stands forward so we are almost in front of you. Max knows the score; nobody can reach you without getting past us first. What happened in Belfast is not happening again. Ok?”
Ben easily recalled the night that the freak got on stage, it had been a couple of years ago now but it obviously still bothered him. Adamant that Alex was an imposter the lunatic had run up screaming that he was going to kill him and tried to push Alex off the stage. It had been Ben’s quick thinking and the lightening reflexes of Max to wrestling the idiot to the ground. Preventing the idiot from carrying out his planned attack. Alex had been so shaken up that they’d had to reschedule the show, he had refused to get back on stage that night or the night after for that matter. Alex hadn’t been the same since the incident.
Alex let out a significant breath, steadying his vision once more. Nodding imperceptibly at the pair stood waiting for him. Grace tightened her grip on her man, desperate to keep him safe. If it was up to her they would be on their way home now, not contemplating getting him on stage. Izzie noticed Grace’s stance along with the determination on her face. “Grace, he has to do this. We need to get him out there now. His whole future rides on this.” Izzie was at their side now slowly but surely propelling Alex forward in the direction of his fellow band members. He hadn’t spoken a single word for over thirty minutes. How he was going to get up there and sing she had no idea.
Reaching the edge of the stage the noise reached fever pitch, it may only be a small crowd but boy could they scream. Jez and Max were ready to make their entrance, laughing loudly with Chris at some private joke or other. Ben indicated to Chris that they were ready to go on, signalling with his eyes not to mess around with Alex. Taking the hint, Chris headed out underneath the spot light. “Ladies and Gentlemen welcome. It’s great to see you all here tonight. Please help me welcome on stage tonight Jez, Max, Ben and Alex. I give you Uni-Fi!” The crowd went wild as the boys walked out one at a time in single file. Jez taking his place behind the drums starting to tap out a beat as Max and Ben followed on stage. Lifting their guitar straps over their heads, they joined in with Jez strumming out chords waiting for Alex to materialize.
Alex turned to Grace, holding her face in his hands he kissed her forehead. “Stay here, right where I can see you. Please don’t move. Stay with Izzie.” Grace nodded, nothing she said would make any difference to him now. He was petrified. Kissing her one last time he took a deep breath and made his way out to the centre of the stage. The noise level escalated, almost deafening her. Izzie pointed to a chair motioning for her to sit but she shook her head. She wasn’t moving from where he’d left her.
Glancing to the side of the stage as the throng began to chant his name; Alex smiled at her before veering his attention back to the gathered crowd. The music surrounded him as he closed his eyes, lowering his head as he opened his mouth to let the words fall out. The whole room shook as the sea of people bounced up and down showing their appreciation for the intimate gig they were being treated to.
Half way into their sixty minute set, he walked to the side of the stage where Grace stood. Leaning in to kiss her with sweaty lips he pulled his T-shirt over his head, taking the clean one Izzie held out for him pulling it swiftly on. Grabbing a bottle of water he gulped it down greedily as he walked back out on stage. The nausea now subsiding, thankful he couldn’t see the swarm of people as the band continued to perform. Walking back to centre stage, safely bracketed between is two colleagues, he signalled for the band stop playing. The audience fell silent at the interruption to their evening.
Clearing his throat Alex spoke to the dark room.
“We weren’t supposed to do this next one tonight but I’m hoping you’ll forgive me. It’s kinda special to me at the minute. You see there is someone here tonight that means the world to me and this is her favourite so if you don’t mind I’d like to do Fallen.” The crowd went wild causing a brief grin to lift his mouth. “I guess that means you’re ok with that.” Ben commenced the opening chords, ignoring Jez and Max grumbling together to the rear of the stage. Alex waited for his cue to begin. Turning to face Grace now, he sang to her alone, not the assembled crowd. Grace stood mesmerized as he poured all his feelings into singing the words for her. It might as well have been just the two of them back out on the deck at the lighthouse. Her heart pounded as she held his gaze, her emotions swirling around her body as he sang for her...just her. As he concluded the number a huge smile spread across his face, only to be pulled back to reality as someone shouted “Who’s the lucky bitch!” Turning his attention back to the chosen few he chuckled.
“Play nice ladies. Now boys, where were we?” With that the band soared into action finishing the last few songs for the evening.
As they all gathered backstage again, Alex finally seemed relaxed and calm. Chatting with the right people as he introduced Grace as his girlfriend to some but not all of them. Tapping him on the shoulder, Chris demanded his attention, guiding him outside insisting he leave Grace with Izzie. “If you ever pull another stunt like that I swear to god Alex...”
“What Chris? You’ll what?” Alex roared.
“Don’t you fucking dare take that attitude with me. We had a set all worked out, don’t you ever pull rank on me again. This isn’t the Alex Carter show.” Chris matched the singers tone, loud and clear.
“I fucking sang didn’t I? I told you I didn’t wanna be here. They got their pound of flesh and you got your money’s worth so don’t give me that shit.” Alex squared up to the man in front of him.
“What? you show up with some two bit tart and everything changes for her? No way Al. It’s not happening.” His manager was now almost nose to nose with the singer.
Alex reached out and grabbed Chris by the throat before he could blink. Tightening his grip as he spat out the words he needed to say. “Don’t you ever call her that again. You had better turn around and walk away or we’re through.” The colour drained from the putrid little man as Alex pushed him backwards. “Go Chris. Now.”
“You should have punched him. I was ready to hospitalize the little prick.” Ben threw a bottle of beer to him. “You look like you need that... If it makes you feel any better it’s my favourite track too. Come on dude, will you sing it again for me please?” Ben fluttered his eyelashes, pretending to act coy, laughing as Alex downed his beer.
“Shut up you dick.” The pair erupted into laughter, high fiving each other before rejoining the gathering.
Chapter 19
The after gig party had moved from the club back to Chris’s privately owned house or rather mansion. There was a huge canopy stretched out over the patio area, which was accessed via the three sets of French doors that had been thrown wide open. The well manicured lawns sprawled beyond the flagstones, lined with shrubbery that drew your eye down the perfect gardens. Winding paths ran around the edge leading to a summer house. They had contract caterers provide a mammoth amount of food, waiting staff drifted around the house and gardens with trays of champagne cocktails and miniature food. There was a full bar in operation in the office at one end of the luxurious hallway offering a range of drinks.
Only the major players from the relevant companies were left, along with the band and the invited few. Grace felt giddy at being in the middle of all it, never in a million years would she have imagined ending up here. Glancing around the house she took in her surroundings, catching Izzie and Ben holed up in one corner looking very cosy together. She smiled as Izzie caught her eye, offering her a reassuring grin. Grace returned her attention to Alex as he guided her across the vast space. Weaving in and out of people as he made his way across to Max and Jez.
“So did you enjoy your own private little rendition of his song?” Jez quizzed her as Alex talked to Max. “I have to say you must be pretty special to get him veering off track.”
As she opened her mouth to reply Alex jumped in before her. “She is. What’s wrong with you? You’ve been shitty all night.” Grace watched the heated exchange between the two men, feeling a little uncomfortable to say the least.
“Me? What’s up with me? Hey I’m not the one that decided to stir up shit with Chris just to please this month’s piece of ass.” Jez sneered at Grace as he lifted his bottle to his mouth draining the remaining liquid. Max tried to stifle a grin without much success.
“Oh is someone jealous Jez? Do you not have a hot piece of ass to show off to? I suppose that’s the benefit of fronting the band though. Alex can kind of run the show whereas you, you’re just stuck at the back, hiding behind your drum kit.” Grace held her own, not needing anyone to fight her battles for her. Alex stood next to her smiling as he saw Jez squirm under the retort. Max snorted with laughter earning a shoulder punch from the heavily muscled drummer.
“Yeah, we don’t wanna upset your Chris now do we? You are so far up his fucking arse. C’mon babe, I need a drink.” He grasped Grace’s hand as he knuckle bumped Max. He fought to suppress a smile when he saw Grace wink at Jez over her shoulder as they walked away from the pair. Lowering his lips to her ear he whispered to her, making sure she was ok, which she assured him she was. It would take more than a drunken asshole to upset her. She was here to support him. The only thing that bothered her was that she had idolised Jez for years. Realising what a prick he was had been a blow but nothing she would lose sleep over.
Grace spent the next hour making small talk with men in suits as some of them quizzed her, working out that she had been the one standing in the wings. The one he had sung to so beautifully. God she would remember that for the rest of her life. If this dream ended to today at least she’d have the memory of that.
Taking A Risk Page 12