* * *
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving,Cole and I arrived at the stadium with Michael at a quarter to three to do our run through and sound check for our halftime performance during the Portland-Seattle game.
Aidan thought this would be a good rehearsal for the roadies for our upcoming tour, while also giving us a chance to play for the Seattle fans again since they’d be the last stop on our tour. Portland was our new home, but we’d never forget our roots in Seattle.
We were met by stadium security and led to the field through the player’s tunnel. The stadium was massive and would be the largest venue we’d ever played. The reverb was going to be distracting if we didn’t nail it down during rehearsal.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. Mr. Rowan will be down shortly, but feel free to look around. The team is going through the last of their drills for today, then we’ll move the stage out onto the field. Some of them may stay around to watch if that’s okay.”
“Sure, that’s cool,” Cole replied, looking out onto the turf for number fifty-eight.
“Great. Let me know if you need anything.”
He walked away as I stood and took in the massive stadium that could be opened when the weather permitted. It would make a huge difference with crowd noise. “Is the ceiling going to be retracted?”
“Yes. The weather forecast looks good for tomorrow.”
I smiled and nodded, continuing to take in the JumboTron and the private boxes that encircled the stadium.
Aidan and Jesse walked up to us as the players began vacating the field, followed by Sam Fisher, our drummer, and Owen Peterson, the other guitarist.
“Hey, guys. What’s up?” Sam called as he approached and bro-hugged Cole and I.
“Just waiting for them to finish up,” Cole replied. “You guys ready?”
Owen grinned. “I can’t fucking wait to jam in here, man.”
We laughed at him as the players exited the field. Marcus was the first one to make his way up to us.
“Hey, baby,” he grinned, then kissed Aidan.
“Hey. Are you going to stay around or go home and relieve Magda? Your daughter was a little fussy before I left.”
“Mydaughter? I think she’s your daughter, too.”
Aidan smiled at him. “Yes, but she acts more like you.”
Marcus laughed, then kissed his cheek. “Touché, Mr. Monroe. I’m going to shower, then I’ll be back for a little while. I want to see our clients perform in here.”
Aidan rolled his eyes, but the grin on his face told the real truth as Marcus jogged off.
Dominick walked into Jesse’s waiting arms for a kiss before whispering something to him that had him laughing.
“Hey, guys. Good to see you. Can’t wait to hear you play.”
I smiled at him. “Did you hit the 60 yarder?”
Dominick’s cheeks tinted as he nodded. “Yeah, I hit it once. Got to build the muscles in my thighs a little more to feel comfortable from beyond fifty yards. I’ll get there.”
“That’s so cool, man. Congrats!”
“He’s got this,” Jesse supplied like the proud husband he was. “Hopefully, he’ll get the chance tomorrow. Hasn’t missed a kick in almost three seasons.”
Dominick scowled at him. “You just jinxed me, asshole!”
We laughed as Dom walked away with Jesse following. He apologized as he followed him, but when he looked back at us and winked, we knew he was doing it on purpose.
Patrick was the last to join us and stood looking at Cole. “Hey. You guys been here long?”
