“I know one guy that’s thinking about you,” replied Grey with a laugh. “Need to run. Maddy’s yelling again. See you on Sunday night.”
“Tell Jake I love him,” said Lori.
“You can tell him yourself. He’s here,” said Grey as she heard him pass the phone to his friend.
“Hi, li’l lady. Twice in one day. My lucky day,” he joked.
“Did your sound check go ok?” she asked. “Grey said you were icing your knee. Is it ok?”
“It's fine, Lori. Stop worrying. We’re all set for tonight. Need to go. Maddy’s yelling.”
“I can hear her,” said Lori. “You better run. Love you, rock star.”
“More like crock star,” he laughed. “Love you too.”
As he ended the call, she could visualise Jake smiling at her. Suddenly Sacramento and Sunday seemed a long way off.
In preparation for Becky’s visit Lori had bought half a dozen kiddie DVDs, unsure of which films the little girl had seen or would like. With the dishwasher loaded up and the kitchen tidy, Lori suggested they put on their pyjamas, make some popcorn and curl up in the sun room with a film. Soon they were both stretched out on the couch watching a Disney classic. It was a film Lori remembered seeing at the cinema with her parents when she wasn’t much older than Becky. The little girl cuddled in close to Lori, fingering Lori’s hair subconsciously as she watched the animated film. When the first film was done the little girl pleaded to be allowed to watch a second, but, checking the time, Lori said no. Instead, she suggested that Becky go and brush her teeth then she would come and read her a story.
“I didn’t bring any story books,” said Becky sadly.
“It’s ok. There’s some of mine here from when I was a little girl,” said Lori warmly. “I looked them out and put them in your room.”
A few minutes later Becky was safely tucked up in bed, her doll tucked in beside her and Lori was sitting reading Dr Seuss’ “One Fish Two Fish”. They both giggled as Lori got tongue tied over the rhymes. When the story was done Becky asked for another one. This time she chose “The Cat In The Hat”. After a third story Lori declared that she had overdosed on Dr Seuss and that it was time to put the light out.
“Night night, honey,” she said, kissing Becky on the forehead. “Sweet dreams.”
“Night Lori,” replied the little girl sleepily before adding, “Night night Daddy too.”
♪
Around the same time several thousand miles west Silver Lake were waiting to go on stage. The first support act, four local kids from Sacramento, were just finishing their set. In the corridor behind the stage Jake had been pacing up and down restlessly while Paul was crouched down by the fire exit. The drummer had partied with the guys from Molton the night before until Maddy had hauled him away as the sun was rising. He had kept a low profile for most of the day, disappearing after the sound check only to be tracked down just before show time with the Molton crew. Now he was sitting shaking in the corner looking grey and haunted.
“You ok to do this?” asked Jake sharply.
“Yeah,” replied Paul sourly. “I won’t let you down.”
“You fucking better not,” growled Jake, staring into his dilated bloodshot eyes. “As soon as we’re off stage, you are going straight back to the hotel with me. No drug parties tonight.”
“I promised Tori I’d be there,” muttered Paul, getting unsteadily to his feet.
“She won’t notice your absence,” hissed Jake, his face a mask of fury. “I don’t know what shit they gave you or you took earlier, but there’s no place for it in this band. You know the fucking rules!”
“We second that,” added Grey and Rich, coming through from the dressing room.
“Ok. Ok,” agreed Paul, swaying slightly. “I won’t go.”
Maddy was waving them through with a thunderous look on her face. As they walked past her, she put an arm out to halt Paul. “Don’t fuck up out there. Don’t let these guys down!”
“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled, with a salute.
As they stepped out on stage to rapturous cheers from the crowd, Paul seemed to come alive, bounding behind his drum kit, while the others began the first guitar riff. After the first three numbers Jake switched to his acoustic guitar and settled himself on a stool in the centre of the stage.
“You still with us out there, Sacramento?” he called, gazing out over the arena.
A huge roar came back at him from the crowd.
“We’re a long way from home, guys, but you’ve made us feel very welcome. Thank you. Now we’re going to calm things down for a few minutes. Let you catch your breath. This is Stronger Within.”
As he began the gentle intro, the crowd went wild. Feeding off the audience’s adoration he played his heart out through the song and through Lady Butterfly.
Another change of guitar back to his favourite electric and they lit the place up with Dragon Song followed by a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song before finishing with Flyin’ High. Their work for the night was done and Paul hadn’t missed a beat all night. They left the stage to an enormous roar from the crowd and chants of “Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Silver Lake Lake Lake.”
“Awesome, guys!” screamed Maddy as they filed past her. “Incredible set.”
“Get him to fuck out of here,” stated Jake, pointing to Paul, as his furious mood began to erupt. “Lock him in his fucking room if you have to, Maddison!”
“Hey, Jake, calm down,” protested Paul, slurring the words.
“If you ever turn up wasted again for a gig you’re out!” roared Jake, his temper finally snapping. “We’ve worked our asses off to get this far and you’re not fucking this up for us! Now get the fuck out of my sight.”
Screwing the towel he had been using to dry himself off into a ball and throwing it into a corner, Jake stormed off through the corridors and back to their dressing room, leaving the others staring after him.
“He’s right,” said Grey coldly as he followed his friend.
It took all of Maddy’s tact and diplomacy to get the four guys into the minibus together and safely to the hotel for the night. As they went their separate ways to their rooms she went with Paul. Although she didn’t agree with Jake’s outburst, she had to concede he was right. They had been lucky that Paul had held it together and she intended to tell him just that.
Alone in his room Jake turned on the TV then lay down on the bed staring up at the ceiling. His usual post show adrenaline high was long gone. Instead the fire of his anger towards Paul was still smouldering. There was no place in Silver Lake for drugs. They all enjoyed a few beers and the odd shot, but there was a long standing agreement about substance abuse. All four of them had experienced what drugs could do. He wasn’t going to allow Paul to be lured back into that dark world. They’d both been there together before.
A soft knock at his door brought him back to the present and when he looked through the spy hole he could see Maddy standing in the corridor.
“Come in,” said Jake opening the door. “Want a drink?”
She shook her head, “I just wanted to check you’d calmed down. You were pretty fired up back there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you angry like that before.”
“Sorry about that,” he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and running his hands through his hair. “I won’t tolerate that kind of shit. Paul knows the score.”
“Paul was way out of line,” agreed Maddy, sitting on the only chair in the room. “I’ve spoken to him. He is genuinely sorry. I’ve also had words with Molton’s manager.”
“If Molton can function that way, that’s up to them, but we have a zero tolerance to drugs,” said Jake. “I’ve lost too many good friends that way over the years. Both Paul and I have been down that road before. I won’t stand back and let any of the guys go down that way, especially not Paul. Never again.”
“It’s in the contract you all signed too,” commented Maddy. “Jason only deals with clean acts. A bit of weed he can tur
n a blind eye, but nothing like the shit these guys were doing. I’ll take responsibility for keeping Paul clean. ”
“So how come Lord Jason got us involved here?”
“A friend asked him to help Tori and the guys out. Simple as that,” she replied a hint of regret in her voice. “Anyway, I just wanted to check you were ok. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. Car’s picking us up to head to the airport at seven thirty. Flight’s at ten twenty.”
“I’ll be ready,” promised Jake with a yawn.
“I know you will,” smiled Maddy getting to her feet. “And clear the air with Paul before we reach the airport. We’re not taking this to Seattle with us.”
Jake nodded.
“Get some sleep, Jake.”
Next morning they were all assembled in the hotel lobby hanging about, waiting for the limo to arrive. Every one of them still looked half asleep, especially Paul, who was reclining on one of the leather sofas. Sensing this was as good a moment as any to clear the air, Jake wandered over to talk to the errant drummer.
“Paul,” he began calmly.
“You here to yell at me some more?” asked the drummer.
“No, I’m here to apologise,” replied Jake wondering where the conversation was heading.
“No need. Someone had to chew me out. I’d rather it was you than Grey,” confessed Paul forcing a smile. “I got caught up in the whole after show party thing. No excuses. I fucked up. It’s kind of freaked me out a bit.”
“How come?” asked Jake, looking down curiously at his friend.
“I remember you yelling at me after the show last night, but that’s all I remember about yesterday. I’ve no idea what I took after the first line of coke,” the drummer confessed quietly. “And I feel like shit.”
“Don’t you remember the set?”
Paul shook his head. “Don’t tell the others, please.”
“I won’t,” agreed Jake, recognising the look of fear with mixed shame on Paul’s face. “Come on, car’s here.”
As they walked towards the door together Jake added, “You played a blinding set last night. Christ knows how!”
The two friends were laughing together as they stepped out into the hazy early morning sunshine. It was a sight Maddy was relieved to see.
The girls enjoyed a lazy pyjama morning in front of the TV watching cartoons, then around noon, Lori declared that it was time to get dressed. Becky started to protest, but Lori was firm with her and said if she didn’t get dressed then they couldn’t go shopping.
“Where are we going?” asked Becky.
“I thought we could take a run out to the outlets for a while,” answered Lori, hoping that this idea would please the little girl.
“Is there a toy store out there?”
“I don’t think so,” replied Lori. “But there are lots of stores with stuff for little girls.”
Her charge thought about this for a moment or two, then, with a huge smile, declared, “Let’s get dressed and go!”
Before they set off Lori made them both a sandwich, then promised her little friend that they would go out for dinner. This idea seemed to meet with approval. The drive out to the outlets was uneventful and Lori was fortunate enough to find a slightly shaded parking space under a young tree. Hand in hand, she led the little girl across the parking lot towards the first row of stores. Remembering Grey’s caution about not spoiling her too much, Lori tried to show restraint as they shopped. She bought her a couple of T-shirts in one store and a sundress in another. When they reached the Converse outlet Lori couldn’t resist going in. Like most of the stores they were having a huge sale and she had soon picked up a couple of pairs for herself and some for Jake. Becky had wandered off towards the kids section.
“Lori!” she squealed, coming running over with a shoe in her hand. “Can I get these, please? They’ve got Dr Seuss on them like in the story!”
Smiling at the little girl’s excitement she said, “Let’s see if they have your size, honey.”
Together they checked through the boxes until they found a pair in the right size. Lori also spotted a white pair with multi-coloured tongues and asked Becky if she liked them.
“They’re like yours only with a rainbow!” she giggled. “We could both get matching ones. Please, Lori!”
“We could,” laughed Lori, checking the pile of boxes for her own size.
By the time they left the store, they were weighed down with shoe boxes.
“OK, miss,” declared Lori. “Time to go back to the car.”
Her leg was beginning to ache and all the bending to tie shoe laces in the shop hadn’t helped, but she tried to hide her growing discomfort from the little girl.
“Are we going to dinner now?” asked Becky hopefully.
“It’s a bit early,” replied Lori. “But why don’t we head back into town and we can see how we feel when we get there.”
“Ok,” said Becky running on ahead to the car.
With the bags carefully stowed in the trunk and Becky strapped securely into the back seat, Lori headed back into Rehoboth. The traffic was heavy and they sat in a jam on the outskirts of town for almost half an hour. In the back of the car the little girl had dozed off, her head over to the right resting on her shoulder. Eventually they reached the centre of town where Lori toured around for a while searching for a parking space. After a few minutes she spotted a truck backing out of a spot just a few spaces up from the boardwalk. As soon as she stopped the car’s engine, Becky stirred and stretched sleepily.
“You wait here while I feed the meter,” said Lori as she climbed out of the car. She kept a supply of quarters in a plastic box in the centre console compartment and lifted out a small handful.
It only took her a minute or two to add in enough coins to safeguard them for about three hours. She figured that would give them plenty of time for dinner and a stroll along the boardwalk to the arcade.
“It’s a bit early for dinner, miss. Do you want to go down onto the beach for a while first?” suggested Lori, as she helped the little girl out of the back of the car.
“Can I?” she asked, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. “Daddy said you might not be able to take me onto the sand.”
“I’ll be fine as long as I’m careful,” assured Lori with a smile. “We won’t go far. How about I buy you a bucket and spade and you can build me a castle?”
“Yes!” cried Becky, jumping up and down with excitement.
Having purchased a bright yellow bucket complete with spade and rake, Becky ran ahead of Lori onto the beach. Somewhat anxiously, cane in hand, Lori slowly followed the little girl. She hadn’t planned on being down on the sand and hadn’t slipped the wide base plate for her cane into her bag. If she put any weight on it, the slender stick sank into the soft sand. After what felt like an eternity, Lori reached the spot where the little girl was happily playing.
“Can you sit down and play with me?” asked Becky as she scooped damp sand into the bucket.
“No, honey. I’ll stand here for now. If I sit down I might get stuck,” replied Lori, feeling a little embarrassed. “How about I take a photo of you and your castles to send to your dad?”
The little girl posed for a photo then went back to building another castle while Lori sent the photo off to Grey. Soon she had built a ring of castles around Lori. When it was finished, the little girl jumped over them and joined her in the centre of the circle.
“Ok, miss, are you ready for some dinner?” asked Lori shortly after six o’clock.
“Can we get pizza?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want,” agreed Lori. “Pack up your things and we’ll go and get pizza.”
Together they walked slowly back across the sand and safely up onto the boardwalk. They put the sand toys in the back of the car, then headed across to the restaurant. It was the same place that Jake had worked in for all those long months and Lori felt a little guilty about going in. After a short wait for a table, a waiter showed them to a booth a
nd handed them the menu.
“What kind of pizza do you prefer?” asked Lori.
“Pepperoni,” replied Becky without hesitation. “Daddy used to bring me in here when Uncle Jake made the pizza.”
“Good choice. Now how about some cheese fries to go with the pizza?”
“Yes, please!”
When the waiter returned with their drinks Lori placed the order. The waiter had given Becky a kids’ pack and she was busily colouring in when Lori’s phone chirped in her bag. As expected, it was a text from Grey to thank her for sending the photo.
“Pleasure. Don’t tell Jake. We’re having pizza at his favourite place for dinner. L x”
“He will never forgive you,” came the reply quickly followed by “He’s guesting with Molton tonight. He’s stoked about it!”
“Wow! Go, Jake! L x”
Silver Lake played a blinding set to a capacity Seattle crowd. All the issues and dramas of the night before were long forgotten and each of them played as though their life depended on it. Despite the pain from his knee, Jake worked the stage and had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. When the band performed their acoustic interlude, the Seattle fans somehow knew all the lyrics. Hearing them sing swelled Jake’s heart with pride. All too soon though Silver Lake were playing the closing section of Flyin’ High and their set was over; their tour complete. They left the stage to a thunderous cheer from the crowd- their best reception to date. While the others went to shower and relax, Jake hung about at the side of the stage, pacing restlessly while he waited for his cue to join Tori for their duet. They had run through the song a couple of times at the sound check, but he still had butterflies the size of pterodactyls in his stomach. While he watched and waited, Maddy appeared at his side. She put a protective arm round his waist and whispered to him to relax. Eventually he heard Molton finish the number before he was due out on stage. From the wings, he saw Tori, in a skimpy leather dress and spike heels, step up to the mic and scream, “Seattle, we love you!”
The crowd went wild.
“I want to invite a very special guest out here now. Let me hear you scream for Mr Jake Power from Silver Lake! Jake, get your ass up here!”
Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1) Page 30