I raise on my toes in excitement. “You tell me. How do you feel?”
He gives his head a quick shake. “I swear, Effa, you’re an enigma… I don’t understand you at all.” He looks up and then back at me. “I don’t know how that worked. It can’t have worked. But, somehow, I feel better. You freak me out, you little pixie,” he croaks out, and I grin so wide my cheeks hurt.
“Thank you so much. That’s nice of you to say. Now go find us a new lighting director because Dennis sucks and he’s fired.”
Luke chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.” He affirms it with a salute and walks away.
Turning around, I notice Casey sniffing the air like some weirdo as she paces the backstage area. I ignore her, letting her journey into her own world, and instead step up to Alana and Kristy.
“What a night, hey?”
“Long way from Nimbin, New South Wales.” Kristy giggles. “Although I can totally imagine something like this happening there at the local pub because Davo got high,” she jests, and we all laugh.
“Totally! Even though tonight went up in flames, we’ve made it, girls. The five of us country chicks have made it to the big time, and we’re only going to go up from here,” Alana chimes in.
“Hell, yeah. We’re going to illuminate this world,” I beam, and they both chuckle.
“Luminous… for world domination,” Kristy sings, placing her hand out.
I smile, putting my hand on top of hers. Alana follows, and we all grin, bouncing our hands once, then lifting them high with a cheer. Even though Casey and Andi weren’t in the circle,Luminousstarted as just Alana, Kristy, and me. And now, with cousins Casey and Andi along for the ride, we’re ready to take on anything life throws at us.
We’re primed, eager, and aching to take on the world.
It’s there at our beck and call.
We have to grab it with both hands and tear it to shreds.
“I can smell chili cheese fries… I’ve got the munchies,” Casey calls out, her sniffing now confirmed, and we all turn to smile at her.
Okay, so first, chili cheese fries.
Then, world domination.
Chapter Two
MERCS
When I got the call from Luke Bellamy, manager of the hottest all-girl rock group of the moment,Luminous, I was instantly buzzing with excitement.
Over the years, I’ve built a solid reputation in this industry as a certified Electrical Lighting Technician, or ELT, but this time, I’m stepping into an even bigger role of Lighting Director forLuminous.
I know my way around a stage and take pride in delivering flawless lighting and precision techniques. I stay ahead of the curve, always up to date with the latest trends and cutting-edge equipment.
But joiningLuminouson the American leg of their tour?
Well, damn.
How could I say no to that?
It’s not just the incredible experience I’ll gain, it’s also the paycheck. And let’s be real, I need that money. Desperately.
My eighteen-year-old sister, Kiera, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia a while back, and everything in my life has revolved around finding a way to a cure. She’s so sick most of the time, and I’ve had to take leave from work to care for her. But being the main breadwinner, I’ve had to return to touring to make sure both Kiera and Gran, who’s Kiera’s primary carer when I’m away, are taken care of financially.
Every cent I earn, every dollar I’ve saved, it has all gone toward Kiera’s treatments. With no health plan in place, the drain has been brutal. So yeah, earning what I can on tour with some rocking chicks from Australia sounds fucking good to an all-American, twenty-five-year-old guy like me.
I grew up in Ligonier, a really small town in Pennsylvania. With a population of just over fifteen hundred, it’s quaint and cute, but I needed more. I wanted to see the world. Music is in my blood, but my voice sucks, and I don’t have the patience to learn an instrument.
So I did the next best thing.
