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"Gunner," I grunt, trying to hide my nerves. The last thing I want is to have him making fun of my nerves.
"Are you ready for tonight?" he asks, sidestepping around Rome.
The fact that he is asking and trying to make small talk puts me further on edge.Great.
"Ready as I can be," I answer, keeping my eyes ahead of me. "Is there a reason you're here instead of with the guys?" Two can play this game.
"Can't I be worried about whether you're going to choke or not tonight?" His words are sharp but lack the anger behind them that I would have expected. "Mine and the guy's careers are riding on this. You fuck this up, and I don't think we could come back from that. The fans are already torn between being excited that you're back and worrying that it will ruin our sound or the band as a whole."
"I'm not going to fuck this up, Gun," I sigh, shaking my head. "Trust me, I know how much is riding on this going smoothly. The sooner the stalker comes after me again the sooner we can catch them and I get out of your way. I never wanted to interrupt your lives again and I'm sorry that I did." My tone is sharp to emphasize my point. I'm really starting to hate the guys making me the bad guy here. "I want out of this situation just as much as you all do."
"Jeez, Sky," Gunner raises his hands in surrender. "No need to jump down my throat for asking a question." The normal ruckus of workers running around fills the silence between us for a minute before Gunner braves talking once more. "Have you gotten any more letters?"
"No," I answer softly, looking around us to make sure no one is paying too much attention. "I probably will after this show if they keep to the norm from before. We will see. I promise to tell you when and if I do though."
"That's good enough for me," he answers, giving my elbow a tight squeeze. "Let's get out there and rock this shit." Turning his cocky smile on me, Gunner picks up his pace and walks away, leaving me to watch him. I'm not saying that I ogled his ass during his saunter but I also won't say that I wasn't. Old habits can be hard to fight.
~~~~~
I have no idea what I was so worried about. Being up on the stage, feeling the lights beating down on me was just like old times. I didn't realize how much I missed getting to perform and entertain others. Music and performing was always something that healed my soul. Chord after chord, beat after beat, I could feel my soul stitching its broken pieces back together. From the perspective of a fan, no one would have noticed issues between band members. It was like we hadn't missed a beat in the four years we were apart. Creed came over and sang with me, I jumped up to where Sebastian's drums were set up and played my heart out for him alone. We had fun, and the bullshit was left off-stage like it needed to be.
"God, that was absolutely amazing!" I shout over the roar of the crowd when I reach Valentina's side. She doesn't smile but I can see the entertainment in her eyes.
"You looked good out there. All of you did," she answers, not making contact. The times I did catch her during the show she was busy watching the crowd and seeing if anyone did anything suspicious. I appreciate her keeping an eye on our objective because I forgot while I was up there after a while.
"Thanks, Valentina," I bump her shoulder trying to shake her rigid attention. I know she's working but she is also my closest friend right now and my body is buzzing with energy. I need her to be on the same level as me.
"Sky!" Freddy shouts, appearing out of nowhere.
We really need to find a way to get rid of this guy.
Valentina tenses up at his appearance but doesn't say a word. Sighing, I turn my attention to him knowing it's easier to just get it over with. "Yes, Freddy?"
"That was an amazing show! You definitely were the missing piece to the Damned Embers puzzle. Things never were the same around here without. You're still as good-looking as ever," he tacts on for a slimy good measure.
It takes everything in me to not roll my eyes. At least he hadn't wrapped his arm around my shoulder yet, that has to count for something. "Thank you," I answer with a tight smile. "Happy to get out there again, even if it's for a short time. The crowd really loved our performance."
"You can say that again." Freddy nudges Valentina out of the way and puts his arm around my shoulders.
I spoke too soon.
"You sure you don't want to come back full-time? I think it would be a great idea. They don't actually need you right?" his voice emphasizes the "they" like he's afraid to say who Rockport Security is. It's not a secret that the company does extra security for Damned Embers. Nor is it a secret that I work for them.
Valentina huffs at his words but otherwise stays quiet. Before I can answer him, I see the guys ahead of us. Sebastian and Creed have their backs to us but Gunner's eyes narrow when he sees us. Fire lights up his eyes, and he takes several menacing steps toward us. I'm not sure if Freddy’s noticed him yet or not, but I know I need to diffuse the situation before anything escalates. The last thing I wanted was drama bringing me down from my post-concert high.
Shrugging Freddy's arm off my shoulder, I take a step away and turn toward the plump man. "Freddy, that will never happen. I love my job and what I do. Damned Embers is a part of my past, and I don't want to get in the way of the guys’ dreams anymore than I already have. This is their life, their dream,and they deserve to do with it what they want. If they would like me to keep playing with them, then that is a decision that needs to be made between us." Freddy opens his mouth like he is going to reply, but I raise my hand and cut him off. It was my turn to talk now, not his. I'm not the scared young girl I once was. I know if I stand up to him, it won't negatively affect the guys’ lives like it once would have.
"Furthermore, I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands to yourself. I have told you repeatedly that I don't want to be touched. Years ago, the guys told you to stop touching me but you never listened." I pause to let my words take hold. "Out of respect for everyone here, this is the only warning you are going to get this time. Next time you touch me without explicit permission, I make no promises on what will happen to you. I have a right to defend myself, and I will exercise that right. Are we clear?"
"Umm," Freddy clears his throat and shifts from foot to foot. His nervousness is loud and clear. "I never meant anything by it, Sky. It's just how I am. I'll," he stutters trying to get the words out. "I'll try my best to remember that." His cheeks redden as he turns and practically runs in the opposite direction.
I should feel bad, but I don't. Everyone needs to realize I'm not the same girl. I will stand up for myself and don't need others fighting the battles for me. It's empowering and it took me a long time to learn it. Usually, I'm still really shy and keep to myself but in something like this I will speak up.
A loud wolf whistle sounds from behind me, making me turn around. Gunner is standing two feet away with Creed and Sebastian not far behind him. I'm not sure which of them made the whistle but it doesn't matter. "Yes?" I give them a pointed look waiting for the comments I fully expect to come.
"The little shy girl does have some claws," Sebastian jokes. "I'm surprised they came out to play. You always were the one who loved any and all attention. Am I right?"
Ouch, that hurt.He couldn't be further from the truth and he knows it. Instead of taking the bait, I ignored him and let Rome and Valentina guide me away. The ecstatic high I was riding on post-concert is now long gone. In its place is sheer exhaustion. Stupid men just have to always ruin everything.
