The Stage

by Jenna Galicki

  Audra was the first to react to Tommy’s announcement. “I love that idea.” She immediately started texting on her phone. “I need to tell Kira to get her butt here. She can’t miss this.”

  Angel’s heart sank deeper into the pit of his stomach. Kira was Audra’s sister and Immortal Angel’s A&R exec. Angel knew Kira well enough to envision ideas springing into her head about a collaboration between the two bands, which meant more time spent with Tommy gushing over Brandon. “Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” he asked Audra. “Nothing’s been confirmed. We haven’t even talked about it since last night. You were with their manager today, and he didn’t mention anything about it. Who knows if they’re still interested in performing with us?”

  “They loved the idea,” Tommy quickly replied. “Of course they’re still interested.” He scooted closer to the edge of his seat and turned slightly toward Damien and Jimmy. “What do you guys think? You OK with it if Brandon Bullet and Derek MacAlister join us for a song?” Tommy offered a hopeful smile. “Or two?”

  “Cool by me,” Jimmy replied.

  Damien turned toward Angel with a skeptical crease across his forehead and narrowed one eye. “You’re gonna vocalize with Brandon Bullet?”

  It wasn’t a question of whether or not Angel was up to the task; it was whether Angel was OK with sharing the spotlight with the man. Out of everyone in the room, Damien knew Angel the longest, and in ways, better than anyone else as well. Angel chose his words carefully. “I think it will be an interesting blend of vocal techniques.”

  Damien scoffed, knowing Angel hated the idea. “Yeah, right.”

  “It will be fucking awesome,” Tommy slapped his thigh for emphasis. “Brandon has such grit and swagger in his voice. He’s got a growl and a signature scream. It’ll really enhance some of our raunchier songs like Dirty Love or Toxic. Or Sex & Greed.”

  Grit and swagger? Angel felt like a shadow. He had always thought he was Tommy’s favorite rock star. Now he realized his inflated ego put that idea into his head. “You seem very enamored by this hard rock singer.”

  A chuckle left Tommy’s lips. “Are you jealous?”

  “Should I be?”

  “You’re fucking adorable.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Are you out of your fucking mind?” Tommy slid his hand around the back of Angel’s neck. “No. You don’t need to be jealous. I’m not in love with him. I’m in love with you. Even if you are a psycho.”

  “I know you’re not in love with him. I just meant that you seem mesmerized by his vocal ability and his music. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a singer, too.”

  Tommy’s shoulders slumped, and he hung his head into his chest for a few seconds before he looked back at Angel. “You’re just as talented. More talented. You got incredible range. No one lights up the stage, or my heart, like you do.”

  Those warm, fleshy lips landed on Angel’s and made his heart do backflips. A part of him felt foolish, especially since the entire conversation took place in front of their friends, but the heaviness remained in Angel’s chest.

  For Angel, singing with the heavy metal singer would be competition for Tommy’s attention and approval. Their styles were the exact opposite. Brandon had a throaty scream and a deep baritone. Angel’s pitch varied, but his register was higher. No matter what Tommy said Brandon Bullet was still an idol to him and performed the genre of music he loved most. Tommy played punk rock because it was Immortal Angel’s genre of music, not because it was his first love.

  Since Tessa’s desire to draw with her mother interrupted the spa treatments, the guys revisited the original plan of the day to mix up the set list. After two hours of discussion and some tempo changes, Angel retreated to the bedroom to decompress. He was still trying to overcome the idea of taking a back seat to Brandon Bullet in Tommy’s eyes – on stage, of course. The threat that bludgeoned Angel’s ego stemmed from Tommy’s love for hard rock. Perhaps Immortal Angel could shock their fans by writing a hard rock or heavy metal song, the same way bands threw a ballad into the mix. It was an interesting idea. Angel frowned because then maybe Tommy would want Brandon Bullet to do another guest vocal. Angel had to admit that the idea had plenty of appeal. It would be an excellent marketing strategy that would lure Bulletproof’s fans into listening to Immortal Angel’s music. Lying on the bed, he laced his fingers behind his head and stared up at the ceiling, unsure if he really wanted to go down that road.

  “Are you coming?” Tommy stuck his head in the bedroom.

  “Where are we going, mi amor?”

  “With Jessi. To her appointment with the guys from Bulletproof.”

  Angel chewed on his lower lip. “That’s tonight? Already?”

  “Yeah. There’s not much time left. Once the festival starts, free time is over.”

  Angel should have known that Tommy wouldn’t miss another opportunity to socialize with Brandon Bullet. “Won’t we be in the way?”

  “Jessi said we should come. The four of them will be there, plus Brandon’s boyfriend. She can only do consults one at a time, so they’ll be hanging out the rest of the time.”

  “I guess we’re going then.” What Angel really meant was you’re not going without me.

  The meeting was in Bulletproof’s suite, conveniently located on the same floor of the hotel only at the opposite end of the hall. It turned out that Brandon and Cam were staying on a different floor than the rest of the band. Alan Delgado, Jeremy Kagan, and Derek MacAlister were the only ones sharing the large suite.

  “We always stay in the same suite,” Derek explained. “It’s more fun this way. Before Brandon met Cam, he used to stay with us too, but it got a little too wild for him now that he’s settled down with one guy.”

  Angel’s antennas went up. He knew Brandon wasn’t a threat, but phrases like “settled down” and “one guy” gave Angel some comfort. It meant that Brandon wouldn’t have any kind of infatuation for Tommy. Although Angel didn’t know how anyone could resist Tommy’s magnetism.

  “So where’s Jessi?” Derek asked. “I haven’t met her yet. I want one of those rad leather jackets she makes. She designs your stage outfits, right?”

  “Yes.” A genuine smile spread across Angel’s lips, and his heart filled with pride for his wife. “She’s an innovator. One of the best in the business. And a perfectionist. Few people take as much pride in their work as she does. She stopped in the hallway to take a call. She’ll be right in.”

  The click-clack of Jessi’s studded heels echoed on the floor toward them, and Angel turned his gaze upon her. With her colorful hair, leather, and studs she was a rock goddess. She was the mother of their children and the woman he shared his life with. She singlehandedly made a name for herself in fashion as one of the top go-to designers for the rock and roll industry. Her most notable accomplishment was that she won his heart. No woman had ever stirred his desires before. “Here she is now.” Angel placed his hand on the small of her back as soon as she approached. “I present the one and only Jessi Blade. Jessi, this is Derek MacAlister.”

  She shook his hand vigorously. “It’s so nice to meet you. I can’t wait to get started. There’s nothing I love more than designing for rock stars.” She gave Angel an affectionate smile. “Just ask Angel.”

  “Great,” Derek said. “Let me get us some drinks, and then we can start.”

  Jessi watched him as he walked away, his long black hair bouncing with each step. “That’s a lot of hair.” She turned in a semicircle. “So where is the famous Brandon Bullet?”

  Tommy had been engaged in animated conversation with Brandon from the moment they entered the suite. Not wanting to appear like a jealous husband, Angel hung back and made small talk with Derek, although he never let Tommy out of his sightline.

  Jessi froze the moment she spotted Tommy and Brandon at the other end of the room. She took hold of Angel’s arm with both hands, her jaw slightly open and her eyes glued on Tommy and Brando
n. “What am I looking at?”

  Angel stiffened at her obvious attraction. “That’s Brandon Bullet.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me he was a mirror image of Tommy?”

  There was an obvious similarity. Both had long blond hair and piercing blue eyes, but Brandon was a few inches taller than Tommy, and his shoulders and chest were broader. And he had a scruffy jaw and wild wavy hair, whereas Tommy was mostly clean shaven and had soft flowing tresses. “They’re hardly mirror images. Tommy’s an Adonis. Brandon looks like James Hetfield from the eighties.” Considering how much Tommy loved Metallica, the comparison made Angel’s gut tighten.

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She smiled and her eyes flashed with playfulness. “There should be a law against this much sexiness in one room.”

  “You too?” Now Jessi was infatuated with Bulletproof’s lead singer, too. Is there no end to that man’s allure?

  “You’re included in the sexiness.” She looped her arm through Angel’s and started to lead them toward the two blond rock stars, but Angel didn’t budge. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  Angel cupped her face in the palm of his hands. He looked deep into her eyes, hoping she’d understand what was in his heart, rather than force him to verbalize feelings he didn’t know how to put into words.

  She tilted her head slightly. “What are you worried about?”

  “It’s bad enough Tommy is overwhelmed by him. I don’t want you to be, too.” He kissed her with a possessive force that was unexpected. They were in a room full of gay men, yet he needed to claim her.

  Jessi’s knees buckled slightly, and she hung onto his wrists. When Angel pulled back, she exhaled a deep breath. “What was that for?”

  “Do I need a reason to kiss my wife?”

  “Never.” She displayed an inviting smile. “Do you want to kiss me again?”

  “I always want to kiss you again.” This time he only placed a small peck on her lips. Otherwise, God knows what they’d end up doing.

  As soon as they neared Tommy and Brandon, Brandon turned to Jessi with an illuminating smile. “Jessi Blade. I’ve been meaning to get to your shop every time I’m in New York. I was so stoked to find out you were here.”

  “Thank you. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m looking forward to working with you and your band.”

  “My boyfriend Cam wants some business suits. I didn’t even know you made formal clothing.”

  “I started a few years ago. I did a spread in Vogue Paris with Tommy and Angel modeling my first designs.”

  “She’s remarkable.” Tommy winked at Jessi. “Love ya, hon.”

  “Me and Tommy were just talking about rehearsing,” Brandon said to Angel. “I was thinking about it all night. I can’t wait to sing with you, man.”

  Angel had to admit, the guy was rather charming. “Same here. I haven’t partnered with anyone on vocals in years.” Actually, not since he first started out and he was still getting his feet wet.

  Tommy laced his fingers through Angel’s. “We were thinking about getting together after this to work on some variations. Is that OK with you?”

  “The sooner the better.”

  Brandon’s boyfriend joined them and handed Brandon a bottle of beer. He looked more like a runway model, or part of the band’s management team, than a rock star’s boyfriend. He wore a pinstriped shirt, topped off by a gorgeous Armani jacket, and a pair of skinny jeans. His aesthetic was totally opposite of Brandon’s, but they somehow fit and complemented one another. Brandon introduced him to Jessi and they shook hands.

  “I love your hair,” Cameron said to Jessi.

  “Thank you. You’re from New York?” He had a recognizable East Coast accent.

  “Yes. But I live in L.A. now.”

  “We’re all from Brooklyn. That’s where my shop is located. But now we live in Long Island. I’m very excited to design formal menswear. I don’t get commissioned to design custom suits that often. It’s a pleasure.”

  “I work on the road when Brandon’s touring, so I don’t need to dress every day anymore. I miss it.” Cameron took a swig of his beer. “I saw Immortal Angel’s double-decker tour bus outside. That thing is awesome.”

  “Yes,” Angel replied. “We stick out like a giant elephant with that monstrosity, but we need it. We travel with the kids.”

  “You have kids?” Brandon’s eyes sparked with interest.

  Jessi nodded. “A boy and a girl, and there’s Mason. Jimmy Wilder’s son.”

  “I heard about him,” Brandon said. “The child prodigy on the drums.”

  “He’s amazing. So is our son on the guitar, but he’s a lot younger than Mason. And our daughter wants to sing along with them when they play. She makes up most of the lyrics, or sings something from Frozen or Moana to the tune of whatever the boys are playing. We travel with a nanny and Mason’s aunt, so we really need the room, although we really prefer to be hands-on parents. We just need help sometimes.” Jessi was babbling like a proud mother, but Brandon was genuinely interested.

  “It works?” Brandon asked. “Traveling with the kids?”

  “And half a toy store.” Angel let out a small chuckle. “The bus is like a mobile home. We don’t stay on the road as long as we used to, though. Only about eight weeks at a time with big breaks in between. That way we get to enjoy the house and the pool, and the kids get stability.”

  Brandon slung his arm over Cameron’s shoulder. “See, Cam? It’s not so hard traveling with a family.”

  Cameron gave Brandon a nervous smile. “Um. Yeah. OK.”

  They were a handsome couple, and the chemistry between them was clear. Angel studied them. Rock star versus corporate executive. The opposites-attract thing was rather eye catching.

  While Jessi scrolled through sketches with Brandon and Cameron on her tablet, deep in conversation, Angel pulled Tommy aside. “Have you asked Damien and Jimmy about rehearsal? We don’t have a lot of time before the show.” Angel wanted ample time to acclimate to the depth of Brandon’s voice. If he was going to do this thing with Brandon, he was going to showcase the versatility of his voice. He wasn’t going to be upstaged, especially during his set.

  “Yeah. I spoke to them before we left. They’re cool with it.”

  “What about a studio? We can’t all plug-in in our suite. I’m surprised no one’s complained about Mason and Lucas playing their instruments yet.”

  Tommy brought his hand to his chin and rubbed his jaw. “I didn’t think about that. I guess we need to find out if there’s a studio nearby we can use. I’ll ask Audra to look into it. I’m not sure she’s gonna be able to find something last minute for tonight though.” Tommy took out his phone and sent Audra a text message. His phone sounded a reply almost immediately, and he crinkled his brow as he read it. “She said Felix Osbourne took care of it. There’s a studio a few blocks away. We’re free to use it all night. She wasn’t kidding when she said that guy was anal.”

  Rehearsal with Brandon Bullet and Derek MacAlister had Tommy flying high. His fingers were more limber than usual, showing off their speed and delivering riffs at lightning speed. Dropping to his knees, he let his fingers fly over the fret board and finished with a powerful wail from a pull on the whammy bar.

  “Bravo!” Brandon clapped. “That was wicked cool.”

  Derek stood back in awe with this incredible look of wonder on his face. “It’s amazing the way you infuse a heavy rock sound into punk. It’s just . . . wow, man. Just wow.”

  “That’s my prince.” Angel beamed at Tommy with a wide smile and his chest full. “He’s a master at his craft.”

  A hint of heat flushed Tommy’s cheeks. “I’m just having fun with it.” It was humbling to hear praise from musicians he respected. And the amount of admiration that Angel still had for him, after all this time together, was heartfelt. “Are you ready for another run through?”

  “Yeah.” Derek turned the key on the head of his Strat. “Although I can’t do anyt
hing like that.”

  “Whatever you do will be great,” Tommy said. “Just run with it.”

  Angel and Brandon were talking near the mixing console. Tommy strained to hear what they were saying, but there was too much background noise in the room. Derek was tuning his guitar, and Jimmy never stopped hitting his toms or dusting the cymbals. Damien was the only quiet one, leaning back against one of the amps with his ankles crossed and his Ibanez across his chest, just chillin’ and waiting to play.

  Angel stepped in front of the center mic, and Brandon and Derek moved to the side, where they pretended to be off stage so they could make a grand entrance like they would at the show.

  At the start of the chorus Derek would run on stage, then Brandon would surprise everyone a few seconds later.

  At Angel’s cue, Jimmy clacked his sticks together four times, and the band erupted into the hard beats of Sex & Greed. Angel’s crystal clear vocals were loud, fast, and harsh. He threw himself into the song with the same gusto as if he was performing in front of an arena filled with people, instead of an empty studio. He bounced on his feet, grabbed his crotch, and thrust his hips forward to accentuate the rebellious words in the verse.

  Tommy watched his fingers mechanically pump out the melody. He was lost in a world of power chords. When he looked up, Angel was staring at him with the mic at his lips and a menacing glint in his eyes.

  Angel’s mouth quirked into a smile as he sang the raunchy lyrics with an erotic undertone. He vamped toward Tommy, his hips leading the way. The bulge at the center of his crotch announced the sexual energy that he and Tommy always shared whenever they played together. With their faces only inches apart and the guitar the only thing separating their bodies, Tommy felt the familiar tingle creep up his spine.