Once the call is over, I pick up my beer and head back to the roadies. If it’s possible to keep my mind occupied, spending time with them is the best way. We carry on chewing the fat for a while longer, and I listen to their piss-taking and general banter—anything to keep my mind from over-thinking.
I’ve grown attached to these guys and one of the older guys in particular. The other roadies call him Vance Romance on account of the women who flock at his feet and the hearts he’s broken over the years. It’s funny as Vance isn’t even his real name, but nothing else rhymed with romance, so he played the game.
Vance is a little older than me, and he’s toured with the best. The guy has so many stories in his back pocket; some he shared, others swore him to secrecy, but he’s fast becoming a good friend with all the chats we have. One night while we were talking, Vance told me why he could never settle down. He said he fell in love once, but his girl found someone else while he was away on tour and he had his heart broken. His story made me realise what a great life Vance has—but it isn’t the one I want. He didn’t get to fight for his girl, but I’m more determined than ever to fight for mine. Next week we have a few days off between dates, so I’ll be going home to do exactly that.
Tommy, Brett, and Max are waiting for me to finish up. The lazy bastards have sat around the green room for the last couple of hours, getting smashed and entertaining a bevy of groupies.
The boys give me a standing ovation when I enter. “Don’t take the piss,” I shout over, taking a seat at the bar and getting myself a well-earned drink. I need a JD, something to dull the worry. I take my phone from my pocket, placing it on the bar in case there’s any further word from Scott.
“Get yourself over here, Ash. You’re missing out on the entertainment.” I look over my shoulder, spotting Tom with two girls—one on each knee. He’s beaming from ear to ear, but I can’t look. I don’t know what’s got into him lately. He’s always been a player, but this is a whole new level for him. Has the success we’ve had to date gone to his head already? If so, it doesn’t bode well for the future. I’m worried about him.
“Good, you’re all here,” Bernie announces as he enters the room with Dani. “Put those women down and get yourselves over here.”
Brett slaps his girls’ arse as she gets up from his lap. She squeals playfully and blows him a kiss. On the other side of the coin, there’s Max. He just tips his woman to the floor.
“Hey, man. What’s up with you?” Tommy says helping her up. At least there’s still some of the old Tommy there.
The girls shuffle out of the room while the rest of us follow Bernie’s orders. What the fuck is going on now?
“There’s been a change of Schedule,” he announces. “Dani?” He looks to his daughter to give the details. Her smile is uneasy when she says, “Due to popular demand, we’ve had to cancel your leave next week. Wild Mason has added extra dates to the Boston leg of the tour.”
“This has to be a joke.” I don’t mean to sound so angry, but I’m fucking furious. “You can’t do this, we haven’t had a day off in weeks, and I’ve booked flights, made plans.”
Bernie looks at me, the lines around his mouth becoming more intense. “I don’t hear anyone else complaining.” Heglances over at the boys. Brett looks to the floor, his hands in his pockets, Max is biting his lip, and Tommy rubs his forehead. Not one of them can look me in the eye. “Bernie, can I speak to you privately, please?” I ask, but Dani butts in.
“Whatever you have to say, you should share with the band. This includes all of you.”
What a fucking hypocrite. Considering how she tried to sign me as a solo artist initially, she’s soon changed her mind now the band is making her money.
“Fine,” I growl towards her. This isn’t the time to give the full story, knowing the boys are shit-faced and will probably take the piss, but here goes. “I was counting on going home to sort out a few issues. I need this time, Bernie.”
“Everything alright, son? I can help if your mother needs anything.”
I take a moment while I give Tommy the side-eye. We’ve both noticed how Bernie jumps through hoops when it comes to my mum. “No, she’s fine.”
“Then it must be something to do with Calla?” Bernie questions.
I don’t respond, but Brett pipes up, “Aww, are you begging your girl?—”
“Leave it,” Bernie warns, raising his brow before turning his attention back to me with a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, Ash, there’s nothing I can do. If we miss the additional shows, it will cost us big time, and as part of the existing tour, we’re obliged to honour any changes to the schedule. We can’t afford to pull out. I’m sorry.”
Fuck, someone upstairs must hate me right now. I run my fingers through my hair as Tommy puts his hand on my shoulder. “You okay, man?”
“Not really. I was banking on using my time off to put things right with Cal. To make things worse, I got a phonecall to say Cal—” my phone buzzes mid-sentence, “isn’t well,” I finish while glancing at my phone. Scott’s name causes my insides to jump. “Sorry, Tom, I have to take this.”
“Sure, let me know if there’s anything you need.”
I’m already picking up the call before I leave Tommy’s side. “Scott, what’s going on? Are you with her yet?”
“I’m with her,” but his hushed tone immediately sets off alarm bells.
“Jesus man, I’m going out of my mind. Is she okay?”
I can hear the tension in his voice, the rapid breaths he takes in and out before he finally says, “You need to come home, Ash, as soon as possible.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ASH
