“Yeah!”Lon pulled out his camera, snapping photos left and right of them, the venue, the surroundings, and then demanded a collective selfie in front of the sign for their fourteen loyal Instagram fans.
“Our first actual gig.And we get paid.”
Ry’s cheeks hurt, but he grinned right along with Lon.He experienced a lightness, as if he might float off.Ry laughed.“I know!Step one, complete!”
He wrapped them all in a group hug—which was more like everyone hugging Alex—squeezing as tightly as possible.Lon reeked of hairspray and weed.In contrast, Brand had a fragrance of linen and whiskey.
After a moment, they pulled away.
“Schedule master,” Ry said.“How long until sound check?”
“About two hours,” Brand replied.“What are you thinking?”
Ry shook himself out.Lon took a picture of him flailing around, his own way of dealing with nerves.
“Three Sisters?”Alex suggested.“Grab a couple beers to celebrate.We will throw down after Sunday.”
“Agreed,” Brand said.
Ry leaned on his wall of a man.“Solid plan.And Lon can see his fair maiden.”
“Aye, m’lord,” Lon said, swooning.“’Tis the Lady Mindy I seek.”
“Yeah,” Alex said, ruffling Ry’s hair.
“Such a romantic,” Lon said, snapping pictures of them.“Work for the camera!”
Alex rolled his eyes, but humored them as they walked.
The Three Sisters, situated a block from the Libra, had been their regular haunt over the past few months.The bar, dim against the daylight, had a few patrons sitting at the counter, a few others at tables eating.A couple guys played pool.They had gotten to know Mindy, the bartender, and Lon had been smitten at first sight.Lon only talked about her beautiful curly hair or her glowing dark skin.
“So, did y’all save me a seat?”she said, setting out the third beer once they’d made their way to her.
“Of course,” Lon said, stepping forward.He brandished a piece of paper.“You’re my personal VIP.”He slipped her a ticket, then gave Ry a knowing glance.
“I’ll be there, cheering y’all on!”She winked at Lon and handed him the last drink.
Alex grabbed the other pool table and began setting up the match.Brand picked up a couple of cues, giving them a test spin.Lon sat on a barstool, and Ry leaned against his friend.Ry watched a few games, losing more than a few others, nursing his beer.Mindy gave them another round, “For luck.”After the second drink, Ry relaxed into the rhythm of the game.
Not long after Ry made his first win of the night, Brand announced they had to leave.“We’ve got thirty minutes until sound check and still have to move gear.Let’s go.”
Once at the Libra, Brand assumed control, dictating placement, checking equipment, and verifying all the inputs with the house engineer.Ry followed Brand’s lead on the logistics.He’d been the guru for all the shows thus far.Alex did all the heavy lifting, and Lon made most of the finer adjustments.After the initial tests, each took turns at their mic.Ry sipped water, the heat of the lights making the space stuffy.
After the full band played and front-of-house gave the all-clear, Ry and the others headed to the green room to get ready.He changed into his uniform: a black skull shirt, black skin-tight jeans, and black boots.Alex had told him he looked damn good in those pants multiple times.
Alex put on dark jeans and a tank which showed off his thick arms.Lon donned his black cross tee, gray jeans, and red Converse.Brand wore his signature button-up and dark slacks.
Ry paced the small area, his chest tight and his limbs stiff.He shook himself.Alex lounged on the couch.He beckoned Ry with a smile, then kissed him once he was on his lap.Lon patted his face, gazing into the mirror.Brand muttered to himself, wriggling his fingers on an imaginary piano.Alex strummed Ry’s arm.
The stage manager poked her head in.“You’ve got five minutes to places.”
“We can handle this,” Ry said, standing up.
They all turned their eyes toward him.“By the end of the night, they’ll want all records we make.”
“Damn straight.”Alex nodded.
Lon grinned, and Brand agreed.
