“A private booth, just for us,” he said, gesturing to the long line of plush seats. “And with a press of a button, you can have anything you want delivered up here.”
“A far cry from mosh pits,” I said.
“I’m sure there will be one down there,” he said. “Might be one way to get the baby out nice and early.”
I gave him another playful swat on the arm.
We settled into the very, very comfortable seats, my legs crying out with relief as soon as I was off of them.
Johnny gave a quick call, and within minutes, a veritable buffet of treats was brought to us. There were nachos and hot dogs and candy and soda—all the stuff my pregnant belly was crying out for. Hand in hand, we watched the opening act rock the place.
“Should be going on soon,” said Johnny.
“How do you feel about it?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Still weird to know that the guys are playing without me. I know it was the right call, and they’re doing awesome, but…” He shook his head. Then he placed his hand on my belly and gave me a loving kiss. “But I don’t doubt for a second that I made the right call.”
“Good to hear,” I said with a smile.
Right as he sat back down, however, the phone in the booth rang.
“Expecting a call?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Nope.”
He answered the phone, his eyes lighting up as soon as the person on the other end spoke.
“Yeah?” he asked. “I’m up here. Booth thirty-two.”
He leaned forward as someone I recognized as one of the members of Memphisto peeked out onto the stage and waved. The mystery of who was on the other end of the line was solved.
“Nah, I’m up here with Kendra…”
A thought occurred to me, and I held up my finger to get his attention.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“What’d he ask you?”
“Cole wants to know if I could come backstage to say hi. But I told him I was here with you.”
I titled my head to the side. “Babe. Your guys want to see you for the first time in months, and you’re saying no?”
“I figured I’d stop by after the show.”
“No way,” I said. “Get your butt down there and tell them to break a leg.”
“You sure?” he asked.
“I’m sure.”
Johnny confirmed the plans and hung up.
“I’m totally fine here,” I said. “And I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“Okay,” he said, giving me one last kiss. “I’ll be back before too long.”
He gave my hand a squeeze, and he was off. And I settled in, ready to enjoy the show.
Chapter 41
Johnny
I couldn’t believe it, but I was actually nervous as I headed backstage to see the guys. Sure, we’d dropped each other lines here and there over the last few months, but I hadn’t seen them in person since the night I quit the band.
Things were good between us all, especially with their continued success, but it still seemed so strange, so surreal. I’d be hanging out backstage with the guys not as one of the band, but as a guest like any other.
I gave the door to the green room a knock, and seconds later it opened up, Marcus greeting me with a big smile on his face.
“Holy shit!” he called out. “Here he is!”
Before I could even react, Marcus pulled me into a tight, back-slapping hug.
“Good to see you, J!”
I returned the hug, a warmth spreading out from my heart.
“Good to see you too, bud.”
Marcus let go, and I glanced around the room. Cole was there, his stack of just-finished custard cups in front of him. Stone was on the couch, a bottle of booze in one hand and his arms around a pair of groupies.
The more things change.
Seeing me, Cole and Stone shot up and hurried over, giving me hugs that were just as warm as the one Marcus had given
“The man himself,” said Stone.
Over his shoulder, the groupies regarded me with unbelieving eyes as if Bigfoot himself had strolled in.
“Let’s get some privacy, girls,” said Stone.
Their eyes still locked on me, the girls got up and hurried out of the room. Then it was the four of us.
“Sit down, J!” said Marcus. “It’s been so freaking long.”
I dropped down onto one of the couches, memories of the last time I was with the guys washing over me.
I regarded Marcus with a skeptical eye, as if not sure whether or not he was faking his happiness in seeing me.
“What?” he asked, apparently picking up on this.
“Nothing,” I said. “Thought you might be more pissed at me after what I did.”
Marcus swiped up a nearby bottle of bourbon and pulled open the top.
“Truth be told, I was for a while,” he said. “After all Rick had said about taking us to the next level, about how much money and fame and all that was waiting for us, part of me felt like you’d taken all that away.”
He took a swig of the bourbon.
“What changed your mind?” I asked.
Stone chimed in. “When you left Rick went out of control,” he said. “Told us that you were screwed and that if any of us even thought about doing the same thing, we’d be sued to hell and back.”
“Sounds familiar,” I said.
“But then word got out about what he did,” said Cole. “That he made Kendra lie to you about your baby so you wouldn’t try to get out of the contract, and then how he threatened her with all kinds of legal BS to make her stay away.”
My blood boiled at the memory of it.
“And when the high-ups in Redemption got wind of it, they cut his ass loose,” said Stone. “Long overdue, if you ask me.”
“Prick,” I growled. “He’s lucky I didn’t put him in the hospital after what he pulled.”
“No kidding,” said Marcus. “But once he was gone, I thought about what I had. We still had our tour and the band and everything else. And I thought—what the hell more do I need than this? Am I really ready to sell out everything just to move a few more boxes of merch and be able to buy a bigger apartment?”
“And that’s when we decided to keep going,” said Stone. “Figure out a new sound and carve our own path. And shit, the crowds seem to love it.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “You’ve all got tons more music in you, I can feel it.”
Stone smirked. “You think I’d deprive the world of all this talent?”
I laughed. “Good to see you’re staying humble.”
“It’s what I do best,” said Stone.
“But what about you, J?” asked Marcus. “What about that solo sound you’ve been working on?”
“It’s coming along,” I said. “Right now, I’ve got a baby about a week from coming. Maybe once the kid’s here, I can think about getting these tracks I’ve been working on down.”
“Well,” said Marcus. “You ever want to open for us, there’s always a spot waiting for you.”
“Thanks, dude,” I said.
Then a strange look formed on Marcus’s face—an expression that suggested he had something on his mind. He flashed a quick glance to the other guys, the same look flashing on their faces.
“Uh-oh,” I said. “Let’s hear it.”
“Well,” said Marcus. “Seeing as how you being back here is kind of a once-in-a-very-long-while kind of thing—”
“And how you’re about to be in baby land for the next year,” said Cole.
“Then starting your solo career after that…” said Stone.
“They guys and I were talking about the idea of you coming out for one last show.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious?”
“Sure,” said Marcus. “Give the audience something to talk about.”
I leaned back in my seat and thought it over. The guys made a good point—this was probably
the last chance we’d get for something like this. With the baby coming, who knew how long it’d be before I played in front of a crowd this size?
“You know what?” I said. “Let’s do it.”
“Yeah!” Marcus exclaimed, pumping his fist. “Knew you’d be down.”
“Just one thing,” said Stone. “We’re going to play a few of the more popular songs we’ve come up with along with some Memphisto stuff, so you’re going to have to take a backseat while we do our thing.”
He flashed me another friendly, smart-ass grin, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’ll do my best not to steal the spotlight,” I said.
Kendra popped into mind. I was sure she’d be fine with the plan, but I knew I ought to run it by her first.
“One sec, guys,” I said. “Let me check in with the lady first.”
“‘Check in with the lady,’” said Marcus with a good-natured grin. “Give me ‘things I never in a million years thought I’d hear Johnny Maxton say.’”
“Things change when you’ve got a kid on the way,” I said as I took out my phone. “Not just about me anymore.”
I dialed up Kendra.
“Hey!” she said. “What’s up?”
“Had a little change of plans,” I said. “I’m with the guys right now, and we’re all thinking about giving the audience a little something special.”
“No way,” she said, in total disbelief. “Are you talking about what I thinking you’re talking about?”
“Yep,” I said. “A one-off kind of thing.”
“Oh, wow,” she said. “Wow, wow.”
“I take it that means you’re fine with it?” I asked.
“More than fine,” she said.
“But the rest of the night’s about you, baby,” I assured her. “Just a few songs with the guys first.”
“You are all going to be on the front page of every music website, you know that right? Hell, you might even make it into the papers.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” I said. “I’m more interested in having some fun.”
“Okay,” she said. “You know where I’ll be. Break a leg, baby.”
“Will do. I love you.”
As soon as I hit the “end” button to the call, I realized what I’d said.
“I love you.”
The words had come out without me even thinking about it. We’d never said them to one another yet, despite everything going on between us. It was a barrier that we’d had yet to cross.
And I’d done it. Then I’d hung up without even thinking about it, not knowing what her response or reaction would be.
“Did you just say what I think you said?” asked Stone.
“Uh, yeah,” I said.
“And you meant it?” asked Cole.
I didn’t even need to think. “Definitely.”
“Then let’s get out there,” said Marcus. “Play your ass off for her.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice. The guys and I made our way out of the green room and down the hall toward the stage. The roar of the crowd grew louder with each and every step. The closer I got, the more my heart beat with excitement, that same thrill that took hold of me each time I went on stage.
Soon we were right there, the thousands in the crowd cheering and screaming with everything they had.
“Ready?” I asked.
The guys nodded, as eager as I was.
I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
At first, it seemed like the crowd didn’t know what to make of what they were seeing. Maybe they thought I was some kind of hologram.
The roar of the crowd died down as I stepped up to the mic and grabbed one of the nearby guitars.
“Hello, Seattle!” I shouted out.
Another beat of silence, and then they got it. They realized that they weren’t seeing some kind of collective delusion. It was Memphisto, back together.
“We got a one-time treat for you all,” I said. “I hope you enjoy it.”
I glanced up to the booth where Kendra sat, making out her beautiful face through the distance. Her hands were clasped together, excitement on her features. I pointed to her and mouthed the words I’d said only a few minutes before.
“I love you.”
She nodded, tears in her eyes. “I love you, too,” she mouthed back.
That was all I needed. I banged out a crunching chord and got ready to rock.
Chapter 42
Johnny
It was the best damn show I’d ever played in my life. The guys and I ripped through all of Memphisto’s hits, the crowd going so wild I worried a riot might break out at any moment. And we even played a few Wicked Custard songs, with me stepping back and adding a few guitar parts while the rest of the band tore it up.
I was so freaking proud of the guys and their new sound that I almost felt like a proud papa—a feeling I would soon have to get used to, I imagined. We went through one encore, then another, then another. And by the time we were done and left the stage to booming, thunderous applause, I was ready to collapse.
Fans were already waiting for us in the hallway, the screaming so loud I felt like my eardrums might burst. Soon we were back in the green room, all of us riding the high of a killer show.
“Yeah!” shouted Marcus, punching the air. “Damn, that was it!”
“Okay,” said Stone. “I’m ready to keep this feeling going. You all want to hit the town, get into some crazy shit?”
“Hell yeah!” said Cole.
“Not me, guys,” I said.
Three confused faces looked in my direction.
“You serious, J?” asked Marcus.
“I am,” I said. “I got a woman upstairs waiting for me. And I don’t want to keep her waiting another minute.”
The guys looked disappointed, but I could tell they got it. They approached me one by one, hugs all around.
“Maybe we ought to do this again sometime down the road,” I said. “If you guys don’t get too famous for me, that is.”
We said our goodbyes and I stepped outside of the room. Then I shut the door, closing a long chapter of my life.
But I was more than ready for the next one. I hurried through the screaming crowds, making my way back up to the booth. Once there, I threw open the door and saw Kendra waiting for me, her impossibly beautiful features beaming.
“You were amazing!” she said as I pulled her into my arms. “I couldn’t believe it!”
“You were all I was thinking about while I was up there,” I said. “I love you so damn much, baby.”
“And I love you too,” she said.
We kissed, long and deep.
“No after-party?” she asked.
“Nah,” I said. “Call me crazy, but all I feel in the mood for is a quiet night with you.”
She smiled. “Sounds perfect.”
I took her hand and we left the room, making our way back to the side entrance through a back stairwell. I felt like a secret agent sneaking out, knowing that being spotted by fans would result in us getting swarmed instantly.
Thankfully, we made it without incident and were soon back in the car.
“The rock show of the year and then a quiet night at the apartment,” said Kendra with a smile, her hands on her big belly. “Hell of a contrast.”
“What can I say?” I asked. “I’m a complex man.”
Silence fell as I steered the car back to the apartment.
“So,” I said. “What’re you in the mood for tonight? Maybe grab some ice cream on the way back, a movie from the rental box?”
Kendra said nothing, only smiling.
“Okay, what’s that look about?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she said. “Just that back when I dreamed of being with you, I never thought I’d be so happy to be spending a night with a rock star snuggled under a blanket while we watched a movie and ate ice cream.”
I had to admit, the idea was pretty funny.
“Well, I hope I’m making
all of your wildest dreams come true,” I said.
She reached over and took my hand. “You are, baby.”
Before I could say anything else, her squeeze turned from gentle to almost painful.
“Whoa,” I said. “Easy th—”
“Ah!” she cried out, her voice filling the small space of the car.
I was so startled by the cry that I nearly swerved the car into the next lane.
“Baby, are you okay?”
“I don’t—”
She cried out again, this time clutching her belly.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Is it the baby?”
Fear ran through me like a cold spike. I gripped the wheel hard, doing my best to focus on the road and not be too distracted by what was happening.
“I think my water just broke,” she said. “The baby’s coming.”
Holy shit.
Her left hand shot out to mine and took it again, squeezing it hard as another contraction shot through her. This time I was ready for the pain of her gripping me and totally ignored it. I was now so focused on her that I could’ve had a knife jabbed into me and I wouldn’t have cared.
“Kendra,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Is this it? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?”
“Y-yes!” she said, her face in a hard wince, a tear streaking down her face.
That was all I needed to hear. I pulled over just long enough to put the directions for the hospital into the phone before peeling back off onto the road.
“Ah!”
Kendra cried out again, and I did my best to stay focused. Hearing her in pain was pure torture, but I reminded myself that the pain was the sound of the baby coming. As long as I kept a cool head and got her into the hands of professionals, everything would be okay.
“It’s early,” she said, the pain appearing to subside for a moment. “Is that bad?”
Truth be told, I had no idea. This sort of thing was about as far from my expertise as it got.
“Everything’s going to be fine,” I said. “We’re almost there.”
Rock 'n' Stroller - A Rockstar's Secret Baby Romance (Baby Surprises Book 4) Page 21