Elation swept through Scarlett.She’d done it.She’d passed their test.Now, she just had to pass the fans’ test.Scarlett would be the lead guitarist for SnowFyer in their final show of this tour.It wasn’t official, and she was sure Seth would make some kind of token protest, but, as she looked around now, breathing easier now that the ice had been broken, she could see on every face around her there was no way they’d deny her.
The song ended as it usually did; no major changes other than the intro.Ra and Garrick were the first two to make it to her, whooping and hollering all the way.
“Girl, that wassothere!You killed it!”
“What the fuck, Scarlett?You couldn’t have come to us with this sooner?”
Titan, ever the gentleman -- for a drummer, anyway -- snapped, “Watch your fucking mouth, Ra!No swearing.”As if the rules only applied to others.Not to him.Which was generally true, in most cases.
“We can now,” Ferris said, setting his own guitar aside.“Cause she’s motherfucking lead guitar for a fucking rock band!”
Titan bared his teeth threateningly but said nothing else on the subject as they all congregated around Scarlett.All but Seth.
Arsen took her instrument and set it in the stand along with the other guitars they’d already brought out.“Told you guys this would work.Didn’t I tell you?”
“Maybe,” Seth said as he crossed his arms over his chest.Standing there in nicely fitting jeans and a T-shirt that was a couple sizes too small, he looked more like a physique model than a rock star.Sweat glistened over his arms and across his brow and upper lip, even from the short set.“But I’m still not sure about this.I’ll admit she can play, but we’ve only rehearsed two songs.”
“And you saw how she led you through any changes.I know it’s not ideal, but we’re in a fix.”Arsen tried to reason with Seth.If anyone could, it would be Arsen.The two had been best friends for as long as Scarlett could remember.“My hand goes numb all the way to my fingertips.”Arsen gave Seth a look that said he’d had enough.He crossed his arms over his chest.“It’s either this, or we cancel.Your choice.”
He and Seth locked gazes for a long moment.Scarlett could almost imagine they were communicating silently.In a way, she supposed they were.They’d been together so long they could read each other simply by looking at their body language.Right now, Arsen’s was saying this was it.
“Fine,” Seth capitulated.“But you stay in the wings, ready to pick up if she falls on her face.”
“Can’t play a full show, bro,” Arsen said, shaking his head.“Not even an option.I have very little feeling in my first two fingers.I made it halfway through this last show before I started losing feeling, but if the swelling doesn’t go down… Well, I can’t play a full show with numb fingers.I just can’t.”
“This isn’t going to work.”Seth scrubbed a hand over his face in agitation.
“Uh, excuse me?”Scarlett said, losing her patience.“I’m right here.”
“Yes,” Seth said.“You are.I still don’t think you’re up to this, and you’re going to have to do a hell of a lot more than just stand there in the corner like a fucking robot and play your little guitar.But I’m willing to give it a try because Arsen thinks you’re ready.Personally, I think maybe his judgment’s clouded.”
“And yours isn’t?”That was it.Scarlett had hit her limit.“Listen up, because I’m only going to say this once.”She stalked over to him, getting as much in his face as she could, given the top of her head came to about his chin.“I’m the lead guitarist.You’re lead vocals.”Seth could play guitar as well as Arsen, but he chose to only do it with the band during acoustic sessions.She could sing lead if she chose, but her passion had always been with the guitar.“You don’t tell me how to tune my instrument or how to play it or how to perform for a crowd, and I won’t tell you how to hold yourlittle microphoneor shake your ass.”She jabbed him in the chest with her finger.Hard.“I have no idea why you hate me so much.I’ve never done anything to you!I’m sorry my being with the band cramped your style all these years, but I’ve always tried to stay out of your way and just do my job with promotion and make sure you guys get where you’re supposed to be for the next gig!What the fuck, Seth?You should be grateful I’m even willing to do this on such short notice!It’s one night for SnowFyer!If it goes bad, you’ll have an off end to this tour, but you’ll be back bigger and better with the next album!If I blow this, I’llneverget another chance!It’s my entire career!”
“Shake my…” Seth looked at her like she’d grown two heads.More, he looked like he was about to do violence.Which really shouldn’t have turned her on.
“Just go to hell, Seth,” she snapped, and stomped off back to the bus.She had to find her calm again.If not, she was very much afraid she might either start crying or jump Seth and fuck him up.
Or maybe just fuck him.
Either would work for her at the moment.
Chapter Three
Seth was angrier than he could ever remember being.And more turned on.He wasn’t angry at Scarlett for standing up to him or telling him off.He was angry that she’d felt the need to keep her abundance of talent hidden.Which meant he was angry at himself.If he’d had any sense whatsoever, he’d have gone back to his hotel and taken a cold shower.Or maybe picked up one of the groupies continually hanging around.That wasn’t an option for him anymore, though.He wanted Scarlett.Badly.
Whenever they came to a city for a concert, she always stayed in the bus, not getting one of the lavish hotel rooms like the others did.So, when she left them, Seth knew she’d gone back to the bus.
He’d always wondered where she slept.The bus had eight bunks the band members utilized, but there was one master bedroom in the very back with its own bathroom and dressing area.The band never touched that room.It was an unspoken understanding that if Scarlett wanted it, it was hers.
Now, he found himself standing before the closed door, pleased she seemed to have settled into the spacious room instead of one of the little bunks she normally used when all of them were on the bus during a move to the next city.
He raised his hand to knock but stopped.Faintly, he heard something inside.A muffled gasp?Then a sigh.Then a loud thump and a screech of anger.
“Fucker!”That was most definitely Scarlett’s voice.
Instantly, everything male and protective inside Seth roared to life.A rage like he’d never known hit him like a punch to the gut as he kicked the door to the bedroom open with a yell and burst inside.
Wood splintered where the door exploded inward.He’d expected to find some asshole Scarlett had brought to her room.Someone who had either done something she hadn’t liked or had actually struck her or thrown her against the wall or some shit.He’d been prepared to kill a motherfucker, but the reality stopped him dead in his tracks and left him standing there, mouth open in an “O” of surprise.
