Rock n Roll Baby Page 3

  “I swear you can eat more than me sometimes.” I roll my eyes. No one eats more than any of them.

  “Are you still hungry?” Linc starts to get up.

  “Sit down. You’re not going anywhere. You’re going on in a little,” I remind him. They will not be late to this show.

  “I’ll be quick,” he protests, wanting to go get me something.

  “I’m fine,” I say for the third time.

  “Wait. I don’t think chicks are really fine when they say they’re fine.”

  “Benjy!” I shout. “You’re not helping me here.”

  He smirks, knowing what he’s doing, which makes me laugh more. God, I’m going to miss this. I love these times when we all just hang out. It will be hard, but I can do it for them.

  “I’m not hungry. Plus we’re going to the diner after.”

  “The diner? What are we celebrating?” Nick asks. We always go to the diner after we have a really good night.

  “I just know it’s going to be a good night. I can feel it.”

  Chapter Seven

  Linc

  The energy is so good tonight. Despite it being a Wednesday, the crowd is packed and even though they didn’t know the songs at first, by the end of each one, they were singing the choruses with us. All of us feel it--Nick, Benjy and me. We played an unreal set and even as we stumble off the stage drunk with the enthusiasm of the crowd, our bodies are still buzzing as if we’re still attached to our instruments.

  “Fucking amazing,” Benjy crows. The crew backstage whistles and claps for us. Benjy makes the horn sign with his pinky and index fingers. Nick flies down the stairs and starts giving out high-fives.

  There’s a set of towels Cherry placed for us at the bottom of the risers. I grab one and wipe off a gallon of sweat. The echoes of the crowd still ring in my ears so I don’t hear the guy the first time he says my name. In fact, I don’t even notice him until he grabs my shoulder.

  “Linc Bierman?”

  My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

  “I’m Andy--”

  “Treat of Treats Records,” I blurt out.

  The older man smiles. “That’s right. You’ve heard of me?”

  I try to rein in my excitement so I’m not slobbering over him like a dumb old dog. Even though Andy Treat is wearing jeans ripped at the knees and a long-sleeved T-shirt pushed up to the elbows instead of a three-piece business suit like I envisioned every record exec lived in, he was still recognizable. Some guys looked at porn on their computer. I have photos saved of my favorite music people and Andy Treat is at the top of my fan list.

  “Yeah. I follow your work.” Was that too eager? Fuck. I wasn’t this nervous the time I popped Cherry’s cherry.

  “I hope I didn’t disappoint. I know musicians have a love/hate relationship with record labels.”

  “Ah, nothing bad,” I manage to choke out. Treats Records is an indie label that has super generous terms with its artists. I don’t know why he’s here, but just standing next to him is giving me a contact high. “You scoping out an artist?” I’m not jealous at all. Not even one bit. Okay, maybe a small amount. I peer around him and try to find the musician he’s checking out. Like what does that guy have that I don’t? I bite on my tongue to keep from telling Treat I write all my own music. That’s not what sells these days. You have to have a concept or a platform or two million YouTube subscribers or something you can dance to on TikTok. I got none of those things.

  “Yeah, you.”

  “That’s great, man--” Lucky bastard...wait, did he just say me? “Did you--did you mean me?”

  Treat’s mouth quirks up. “You and your band, yeah. You have a minute?”

  “Uh, yeah.” My heart’s racing. I wish I smoked or did drugs because that would explain so much about what’s happening this second.

  “Dude, we have been waiting for you to pack up the gear for the last ten minutes. What the hell are you doing?” Nick comes stomping over. “The fuck?” He does a double-take when he lays eyes on Treat. If I have a crush on Treat, Nick’s devotion borders on the serial killer level. It’s a good thing Treat is here to see us because otherwise, Nick might’ve packed Treat up with the drum kit and driven away.

  “Andy--” Treat starts to say.

  “Treat of Treat Records. Fuck, man, what are you doing in butt fuck nowhere?”

  “I’m here to talk to your band.”

  “Our band as in this dumbfuck and me and the other dumbfuck?” Nick can’t believe it and truthfully, neither can I. I’m waiting for someone to jump out from behind a speaker and yell, “Psych!”

  “As in all three of you, yes.”

  Over Treat’s shoulder, I see Benjy throwing his arms out wide and mouthing that it’s time for us to go. So we don’t scare Treat away with another round of “you’re fucking Andy Treat,” I pull up my big boy shorts and shove down all my enthusiasm under a heavy blanket of skepticism. “Where do you want to talk?”

  “Is there a diner around here? I’m not much of a drinker anymore.” He holds up a coin that he pulled from his pocket. It has a ten year symbol on it but I have no idea what that means. I just nod.

  “Yeah. Brave Dog is a diner on the edge of town. I can’t vouch for the food or coffee but the sign said it was open twenty-four hours. Do you have a ride?”

  “A rental, yes. Why don’t you lead the way?”

  I run to get Cherry while Nick brings the truck around. “Come on, babe,” I tell her, practically carrying her off the lawn to the parking lot.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Andy Treat showed up. Of Treats Records. He wants to talk to us.”

  “He wants to talk to you? Oh my God! Is he going to sign you to his label?”

  “No idea.”

  “That’s the only thing he could want to talk to you about, isn’t it?”

  “It could be a thousand things,” I answer, but inside, I’m thinking the same thoughts. If he needs session musicians, the guys that play backup for singers who need a live band on tour, he has to know plenty of those. I try to think of a band that’s currently touring that might need a replacement member, but come up blank.

  “There’s only one reason he’s flown all the way from LA to here, to sign you. No factory for you, baby. It’s to the top!” She’s beaming and fuck, I want it to be true. If we’re signed to a label, I’ll be able to give Cherry the world like she deserves. But I’m not getting my hopes up.

  “Like I said, it could be anything.”

  I shove her in the back of the truck and Nick peels out of the lot like the cops are on our ass.

  “Slow down,” I holler. “We can’t be getting a ticket while Andy Treat is following us.”

  Nick slows down immediately. “Fuck. Andy Treat. What’s he here for?”

  “One of his bands probably has a guy checking into rehab and needs a replacement,” Benjy says.

  “No way. He’s here because he’s heard your music and loves it,” announces Cherry.

  “When would he have heard it? We’re not out there. Nah, he wants Nick or Linc.” Benjy slumps lower in his seat.

  “Doesn’t matter, Benjy boy. It’s all for one, one for all, remember?” I tap him on the shoulder. “No man left behind.”

  “Yeah?” he says, his voice not entirely sure.

  “Yeah.” I lay my hand over the back of the car seat. Nick places his fingers on top of mine and after a long pause, Benjy sticks his hand on top. “No man left behind,” we say and then raise our fists up through the top of the sunroof in Nick’s truck.

  Chapter Eight

  Cherry

  “I’m fucking pumped!” Nick jumps up from the sofa spilling some of his beer on himself. “I can’t believe you’re flying out to LA tomorrow.” I believe it. I smile, watching all of them. They’re finally getting what they deserve. Their dreams are coming true right before my eyes. They are so talented.

  I knew this day would come. I’d mentally put it off for as long
as I could but now it’s here, staring me in the face. I have no other choice but to deal with it. I am truly happy for them, but a part of me is also sad. This will be the first time that I don’t feel as though I’m a part of the group. We’ve always been a unit but all that is about to change.

  Even in the truck when they all held their hands up together I could feel the shift. Linc didn't reach for my hand like he normally does with his other to give mine a squeeze. I hadn’t been a part of their celebration and I wouldn’t be a part of this leg of their journey. I close my eyes for a moment to let that sink in and also so I don’t begin to cry.

  “I still want to know how he got an email with our music,” Benjy says, causing me to look at him. I haven’t told the guys that I’d sent it. I don’t know why but I didn’t feel the need to. This isn’t about me.

  “I think I know.” Linc pushes off the door, heading straight toward me.

  “Of course it was Cherry.” Nick cuts in front of Linc, grabbing me up from the chair and giving me a giant bear hug. He lifts me off my feet and spins me around. My stomach starts to get queasy from all the motion.

  “Put my girl down. I can’t break your hands right now. If we didn’t need them so badly, I wouldn’t think twice about it.”

  Nick hands me over to Linc.

  “You always believed in us,” he whispers into my ear.

  “Always,” I agree. I see how Linc treats something he loves. He cherishes it. He loves his music so I know it will flourish. I lean down, kissing him. Guilt gnaws at me that I’m not more excited. Outwardly I pretend to be, but my insides ache with sadness. Things are going to change. They are about to leave me behind while they live out their lives. I’m not sure how I’m going to be without Linc. How will we manage to stay together? He’s been such a big part of my life for so long. I know we love each other, but will that be enough? The sadness threatens to overwhelm me, and suddenly I feel the need to get out of here. “I gotta go home.”

  “It shouldn't take you long to pack. We’re just going out for a meeting.” Yes, a meeting where I know they are going to talk them into signing a deal. Treat could see what my boys can do. He isn't going to let them pass. I have a feeling this meeting is going to turn quickly into them staying longer and so many other things. It’s all bittersweet.

  “I can’t go to LA, Linc.” I rest my hands on his shoulders. He slides me down his body, putting me on my feet, but doesn't let me go.

  “What are you talking about? Of course you’re going.”

  “I have school,” I remind him. It isn't me that’s signing a deal. I still have to finish high school. And finish my applications to get into a college. I’m guessing I need to find a part-time job too. I’m going to have a lot more time on my hands now. I might as well fill it with something. It’s not as though I can depend on my parents to help me out.

  “You can’t miss a few days? We can’t go without you, Cherry. I can’t go without you.”

  “You can and you will.” I manage a smile that I try to make as convincing as possible. I reach up to touch his face. It takes everything in me not to burst into tears. “I’m expecting you guys to go out there and kill it. Don’t come back unless it’s with a huge deal. I didn’t send all those emails out for nothing.” I lean in to give Linc a kiss before backing away.

  “You two be on your best behavior.” I walk over to Nick and Benjy, giving each of them a hug. Squeezing them a little tighter than normal. Not knowing when I’ll get to do it again. Linc grabs my hand, leading me out of his parents’ place. I wonder how they will take it. I know they’ll let him go. He has to go out to LA and see this through.

  “Cherry.” Linc pins me to the side of the truck, caging me in.

  “You got this.” I run my hands up and down his chest.

  “It’s going to be hard being away from you. What if something happens? I’m not a car ride away.”

  “We’re a call away. This is something we’re going to have to get used to. I have to finish school. It’s important to me.” I don’t want to end up like my parents.

  “I know. Shit, I know.” He knows what it means to me to graduate. I’ll be the first in my family to actually have a high school diploma.

  “I’ll do what I have to do here and you go and do what you have to do there. I’ll always be here. You’ll know where to find me.”

  His hands cup my face as he kisses me deeply. I sigh into his mouth, knowing I’ll never know a love like his. That I’ll miss him every second of every day. But it has to be done. Even if my heart gets broken I’ll know it was all worth it.

  Chapter Nine

  Linc

  “Baby, look at this!” I hold up the phone as I spin around the suite. “It’s got two living rooms. In a hotel! We have the whole floor to ourselves!” Everything I say is with exclamations, but from the minute I stepped off the plane, my mind has been blown. Outside of baggage check, a guy wearing a suit and tie was waiting for us. I knew it was for us because he had an iPad with our names on it. He led us to an SUV, stuck all our shit in the back, and whisked us to a hotel nicer than the state capitol--not that I’ve been to the state capital, so I’m making an assumption here.

  We’re on the top floor of this bomb-ass place in a suite that has three fucking bedrooms and two living rooms. “We have our own butler, baby. He said that we can ask for anything at any time.”

  She laughs. “What outrageous thing did Benjy ask for?”

  “An apple bonsai tree.” I flop back onto the couch overlooking the city.

  “Why?”

  “He said it was the most rare thing that popped into his head at that moment.” Benjy reads a lot of obscure stuff so maybe it is. I have no idea.

  “Nick asked for a steak and you…” she pauses and taps her cheek. I can see that some of the pink paint on her nails has peeled away. “You asked for--Is that my doorbell?”

  I smile. “You should answer it.”

  “Okay. Hold on.” She puts the phone down. I stare at her white popcorn ceiling as she leaves to go answer the door. I don’t hear much for a while and then there’s a squeal and her bright face comes into view again. “Oh my God! Look at this! It’s like an entire garden got delivered.” She repositions the phone so that I can see the giant bouquet of roses. Six dozen of them, to be precise. The whole bouquet is almost as wide as her twin bed. Damn. When they say you can get anything, they really mean it.

  “Is this what you asked for?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You are so--why? You should’ve asked for something for yourself,” she cries, burying her face in the flowers.

  “It was for myself. Looking at you smile like this is the only way I was going to get any sleep tonight.” She put on a brave face at the airport, but I knew she was sad as fuck.

  “I can’t believe it,” she keeps saying. “Where am I going to put these?”

  “Doesn’t matter. As long as I’m not with you, you’re getting a delivery. This is just the first one.”

  She pushes the bouquet away and glares at me. “No it’s not. That’s way too expensive. Don’t you know that every dime that the label spends on you, you have to pay back?”

  I frown. “Nah, really?”

  “It’s true. I did some internet searching.”

  “That sounds fucked up.” I look around the hotel suite and my palms start sweating. This place is massive. There's a dining room that can seat twelve people and a kitchenette that my mom would cry in envy over. “We haven’t signed anything.” I scrub a hand through my hair. Fuck, I need a cut. The bangs are way too long. I can barely see shit. “Can they make you pay for stuff when you didn’t sign anything?”

  “I don’t know. That’s a good question. Maybe they plan to charge you in the contract. I hope you get a lawyer.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I’m sorry, baby,” she says. Her little lips are turned down. I wish I could kiss them.

  “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you said something.” It s
ucks I have to cancel the future flower order, but, you know, I don’t mind the cost of the seventy-plus roses at all because that one brilliant smile was worth whatever cut I get from the label signing. “I’ll be more careful in the future, though, cuz I want you to move out here after graduation.”

  “You think you’ll be there that long?”

  “I don’t know, but I want you with me wherever we go.”

  “I’ll have to work this summer.”

  “Not if I make enough money. Treat wants us to start doing gigs right away and they pay way more than we were earning back home by a factor of like ten.”

  Her eyes widen. “That much?”

  “Yeah so while maybe the flowers every day is too much, the bouquet isn’t going to kill me and we should be able to make enough to cover what you could make in Shittsville.”

  “It’s Shindale and I’ll think about it.”

  “You should think about me.”

  “I do.”

  “And how hungry I’m going to be when I see you.” I lower my hand to my shorts to rub my dick. “I’m hard right now.”

  “Is this what we’re doing now?” she teases.

  “You know it. Roll over on your back and show me how pretty your pussy looks right now.”

  “God, I can’t do that.”

  I run my tongue inside my lower lip. Okay, we’ll work up to that. “How about your tits? Show me one of your gorgeous tits.”

  She hesitates but then lowers the camera slowly like a digital striptease. She’s wearing one of my old T-shirts with the collar cut off. She pulls down the gray fabric. It catches for a minute on an erect nipple and then glides off the round flesh. I spit into my hand and reach for my cock again. “Pinch your nipple, baby. Pretend it’s my teeth.” She does as I tell her. I grip my shaft harder and start rubbing. “Roll it between your fingers. When I see you, I’m going to eat you up. Lick you from head to fucking toe. Shit. Can I at least hear you fingering yourself? Put the phone near your pussy and finger that sweet cunt for me.”