5
CHAPTER FIVE
TRAVIS
Everyone thinksthe life of a rock star is so fucking great. All the money that comes with it just makes every problem magically disappear, right? I can’t lie—there are definitely perks to it, but it’s not all red-carpet events and people catering to our every outrageous demand. A lot of hard work goes into achieving the status Sound Bar has realized, and a lot of hard work goes into maintaining this kind of life. Hell, a lot of work goes into just living this kind of life.
Touring is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, the love and support we get from our adoring fans helps to repel the loneliness the road causes. On the other hand, our adoring fans make it impossible to live a normal life. Even on the rare occasion when we’re not approached when we’re out in public, it’s only because we’re in disguises. But we’re still unable to live normal lives.
Need to run to the store for more beer? Forget it—I’d never make it out of the store in one piece. Need to stop and take a piss in a public restaurant? Not happening—I’d have to find a big tree somewhere in the middle of nowhere instead. What if I want to take my girl out on a date? I’d need a SWAT team of security surrounding us just to get through the hordes of paparazzi with their blinding flashbulbs and the fans with their cell phones, all just trying to get the latest scoop.
It’s the ultimate catch-22. Do we want a lot of fans or not? Do we want the fame and fortune or not? Do we want the recognition for our talents or not? Every celebrity has to give up a modicum of privacy; it comes with the territory and I get that. But when it gets to the point of interfering with life, it gets to be a bit too much.
When we first started touring, Kale, Drew, Mike, and I were all in awe of the beautiful women who literally threw their bodies at us. It was insane! I was all about that shit at first—I ate it up like fucking candy. The attention made my head blow up about ten times its normal size. So much so, I had to go up a size in my jeans.
Then, I met this beautiful, talented, brave lady, and she stole my breath right out of my chest. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I felt an instant connection. Waiting two extra hours for her to finish taping her segment onThe Lindsey Blair Showdidn’t even faze me because I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. My phone must have buzzed with at least two dozen text messages from my band and my tour manager, but I never even noticed because I was so completely captivated with this petite, feisty, beautiful blonde.
She was putting her own neck on the line to help protect abused kids. She wasa-fucking-mazing. She had a lot to lose and she opened herself up to scrutiny from every direction, but she stood her ground, kept her head held high, and never apologized. She’s the sole reason why I opened up and spoke publicly about my past, about how I was abused as a child.
The day I met her is forever seared in my memory, and I often relive it in my dreams. Part of why I’m such a talented songwriter is because I feel everything so deeply. Love, lust, betrayal, friendship, and loyalty—all of my feelings are channeled through me and straight into my songs. My words come from the heart, from my experiences, and from my desires. She has inspired so many of my songs in the last few months, in such a broad range of emotions, but she has no idea.
“I am completely in awe of you,” I blurted out to her as soon as she stepped off the stage.
“But…you’re Travis Malone!”
I smiled at her reply, a typical reaction from my fans.
“I am Travis,” I confirmed. “And Travis is impressed with you.”
I extended my hand to shake hers. When her hand slipped into mine, the proverbial electrical shock started at the tip of my fingers, ran up my arm, and through my entire body. Never before had that happened to me.
“I’m sorry,” she replied, bashfulness taking over her beautiful face. “Thank you, Travis, but I don’t deserve your praise. I should’ve done this a long time ago.”
“The fact is you’re here now, when it could cost you more than it would’ve back then. That’s real courage, Andi, and that’s why I’m in awe of you.”
She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes from mine, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. “It’s the very least I can do,” she replied quietly. “If it helps another child today, whatever I lose is worth it.”
Her sincerity touched me somewhere deep inside, and I knew this would be the interview of a lifetime for Lindsey. As if she didn’t get enough from Andi, I decided to make an announcement and take my stand beside her.
Taking Andi’s hand, I led her out to face the studio audience again. In the middle of the stage, with Lindsey’s mouth hanging wide open, I made a public announcement.
“I was physically abused by my father as a child. He was a mean drunk. He liked to take out his frustrations on my mom and me. If I can help erase the stigma of abuse, I want to contribute. Maybe Andi and I can do public service announcements together.”
The last statement I made even took me by surprise. It just materialized from nowhere, but it immediately made perfect sense. Turning to Andi, I raised my eyebrows to ask if she was in agreement with me.
“Are you serious? That would be awesome! You have so many fans—we could make such a difference! We’ll be a great team!”
I’d never believed in love at first sight or at first contact until I laid eyes on her. How many people remember the exact moment they fell in love? I do. Her naïveté and purity stole my heart in that very moment.
“We’re a perfect team,” I agreed. “I’ll have my agent get the ball rolling immediately.”
“Travis, will you and Andi record a song together for the PSAs?” Lindsey asked, pulling my attention from Andi.
My head jerked back to her direction. “Can you sing?”
I heard comments about her karaoke songs during her interview, but I don’t really take karaoke singers seriously. No offense intended, but that’s not concert-worthy material.
“Are you kidding?” Lindsey laughingly asked. “Her voice is phenomenal.”
