“You know, if you’d just sing you wouldn’t have to write songs for others to record.”
“We’ve talked about this. If it weren’t for that damn promise, I’d be teaching kindergarten right now.”
I heard her sigh through the phone. This was an argument she wasn’t going to win, we’d had it too many times and I wasn’t going to back down. I’d give this ‘job’ a tryfor one year, then I’d get on with my life. “So will you watch Sylvester for me or not?”
“I already said I would. When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. They’re opening for Avenged Sevenfold at the Garden tomorrow night and afterwards we hit the road.”
“Holy shit, really? Can I come to the show?”
“Let me see if I can get ahold of dickman and ask.”
“Dickman?”
Just thinking about it made me giggle. He was such an ass. “Rod Dixon. He’s Raining Chaos’ manager and from what I’ve seen so far he’s a real dick. He’s also too old to be their manager. They should’ve hired someone younger.”
“That’s funny. Dickman. But when did you become an expert on band managers?”
“I’m not, but he just seems wrong for them. Anyway, do you want to bring Sylvester to your place or watch him here?” Looking at the clock on the bedside table Irealized it was getting late. “Shit. I need to go shopping. I don’t have anything ‘cool’ enough for a tour.”
“Oh hell no, you’re not going shopping alone. I’m coming over. You’re going to need help or you’ll buy the same boring shit you always wear.”
She was right. I’d either buy stuff that was totally boring or totally over the top. I didn’t want to look like a groupie but I needed to look like I at least belonged there. “I was hoping you’d say that, so why aren’t you here yet?”
“On my way, and I’ll watch him there, he’s always happier in his own house.”
“Great. See you soon.”
Lying on the bed I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes. Why had I agreed to go? I didn’t want to live that life, even for a few weeks. I hated how it made people forget what should be important and crave the fame. Chaos had been an ass and smelled like booze and it hadn’t even been noon yet.
Sylvester jumped on the bed and laid down on my stomach doing happy feet on my chest. His purrs were calming and I smiled,he always was there when I needed some love. I’d miss this quiet time. Thank God it’d only be for two weeks.
Chapter Five
Chaos…
As we followed Rod down the long hallway toward the dressing room my gut churned with excitement. Nervous energy coursed through my body making my shoulders tighten up. We were actually here, fuckingMadison Square Garden. Holy fucking shit. We’d done it. Who would’ve figured a bunch of kids in foster care could make it. I sure didn’t. The looks on everyone’s faces told me they were in as much awe as me. We were playing the Garden and opening for Avenged Sevenfold. Could it get any fucking sweeter than this? Hell yeah…this was the kickoff to our first worldwide tour, and tonight was the only time we’d be an opening act. Headliners all the way baby. Fuck yeah.
Rod stopped at one of the doors. Coming up next to him I was almost giddy with excitement when I saw the sign.
Dressing Room – Raining Chaos
Inside was more like a hotel suite than a dressing room, and nothing like we’d experienced before. Lots of couches, a buffet table loaded with food and liquor, separate rooms for changing and a huge TV on the wall. Music was being piped in from somewhere and filling the room with sound. The guys struggled to look cool but the girls looked like they were kids in a toy store.
“Okay, guys, three hours ‘til show time. I’ll be right back. I need to double check a few things.”
As soon as Rod closed the door, Wrath shouted, “How fuckin’ cool is this?”
“Totally. I knew we’d do it, didn’t think it’d happen this soon, but hell yeah.” We probably all had the same shit eating grin on our faces, but reality hit me and I knew we had to keep it together. Now was not the time to go ape shit. “I know there’s a shit load of alcohol here but no one touches it until after the show, okay? I want us sober, we need to kick some serious ass tonight. Show everyone we’re here to stay and not a one hit wonder.”
“Shit really, no booze? C’mon, just one beer isn’t going to hurt.”
“Really, Flame? Like you’d stop at one beer. This is the start of a whole new life. If you think people recognized us before wait until now.”
Rage groaned, “Shit, it’s gonna get worse?”
Laughing I punched him in the arm. “Fuck you, stop whining, you know you love those girls throwing themselves all over you.”
