Chapter twenty-two
Saxon
After getting the clearance from the doctor, Donny arranged for us to fly in a private jet to St. Louis to see the show. It was going to be a stretch getting there in time. But Donny said it didn’t matter, and he was right. We only needed to get there before they left for Kansas City, or we’d be chasing them.
The flight was about three hours, but we skipped all the bullshit and left within ten minutes of arriving at the airport, since it was a private plane. And what a plane. It had every bell and whistle, dripping in luxury. Since we had some time in the air, it was nice to relax without feeling like a sardine. Donny said there were a couple of beds in the back as well, but we stayed in our seats. We landed at the Kansas City Downtown Airport and jumped in a limo to take us straight to the stadium. The drive only took around ten minutes, and we managed to get inside the back gate right as Bramble Punk took the stage.
Donny led me to an area where other team members watched the show from the side. After catching my breath, I gazed across the stage. I didn’t see Kay, but then I realized he was leaning against Pierce, back-to-back. Pierce was using his mic to play air guitar, while Kay wailed on the other side of him.
Joe circled around them, flicking a guitar pick out into the crowd. He grabbed another and started playing along. Pierce threw his arms around both Joe and Kay’s necks for a minute while they played longer, before strutting forward.
I knew from earlier in the tour that there was a long stage that stretched out from the middle, but Bramble Punk didn’t normally go up it. That part was for Midnight Hunt’s performance. This time, though, Pierce walked a little way out and bent over to tag hands with fans sitting around the edges. He yelled something unintelligible into the mic, then danced his way back to the main part of the stage.
It was all very impressive. Very professional.
Then the music shifted, and Pierce positioned himself to sing. He belted out the words.
Crash and burn
Don’t blame me
Lost in my mind, drinking Beam
Bar stool with my name on it
Ignore ambition, I’m gone
Pouring gin on my dreams
Vodka misery
What do I do without you
Randy went crazy on the drums, then they returned to the chorus, and I picked out Kay’s voice clearly.
Fast cars, wet dreams
Nothing is as it seems
Alcohol -- pour on the fuel
Blind destruction -- that’s the rule
Pierce did his loud screaming thing, then the song ended. It was their last song, so we’d barely gotten there on time, but we made it.
Kay turned, so I saw his back again as he flung something out into the audience. Then he walked back a step and turned to stare straight at me. Donny cheered beside me. And I clapped. Kay broke out into a huge smile. He handed off his guitar to one of the road crew and jogged over, jumping right into my arms. “You came!” His body was cool and sweaty, but I didn’t care. It had been too long since I’d held him.
“Of course, baby boy.”
He leaned back and scowled. “No. Not of course. You were in the hospital. Are you okay? What the hell?”
Donny patted his shoulder. “Doctor cleared him. Relax.”
“I do have some precautions but hugging you isn’t one of them. Come here.” I grabbed Kay and pulled him into me again.
He smashed his face into my neck and mumbled, “You’re going to need a shower now, too.”
“Maybe.”
