Tears streamed down my face as I recorded this. I inspired a song. Me, Payden, the one it was so easy for men to walk awayfrom. But not the right one, not my Stone. Hurriedly I sent the video to Mom and Dad and rushed to the stage.
Daddy came to the edge and kissed me then whispered, “I love you.” I said the same, even though the crowd drowned the words out. But Daddy knew what I said.
When I turned to head back to the table I was met with a wall of muscle. Two huge guys, bigger than Shadow, were there and led me back to my seat. Then they stood outside the ropes and waited. Were they waiting for me?
“We sent our bodyguards to get you, just in case,” Lucas said.
“Bodyguards?” Okay, so these two really were important.
“You don’t know who we are, do you?”
“I’m sorry but, no.”
Lucas laughed. “Do an internet search for Maiden Voyage.”
Hmm, okay. Kind of a strange request but given how much the last few weeks of my life have changed, it really wasn’t that odd. Millions of hits came when I typed that in and there he was, Shadow, drummer for the multi-diamond award winning metal band, Maiden Voyage.
I glanced from the phone, to Shadow, back to the phone then up to Shadow again. He winked, and if I’m not mistaken a slight grin curved the corner of his mouth. Whether I wanted it to or not, my world just shot up a million notches.
“What are you guys doing at a dive bar in L.A.? Sorry if that’s rude to ask but I’m a bit stunned right now.” And that was putting it mildly, though it did explain the hired muscle.
“Masterson Management, they manage Maiden and a few other bands and they’re always looking for more talent to sign. Since we’re the only ones in their repertoire that live in Cali they asked if we’d come check out tonight’s show. Then when they got wind of Stone reemerging here, it was a no brainer to come and see if he still has it.”
“Does he still have it?”
Lucas grinned at Shadow as the quiet man typed away on his phone. “I’d say so given the rapid-fire texting over here.”
Daddy still had it, Daddy still had it,I sang on the inside, proud as a peacock.
It was nice to sit and listen to Daddy sing. He was clearly in his element and comfortable on stage. I wasn’t familiar with any of the songs, but he was so happy there was no way to not cheer along with him. The crowd had a blast, singing the lyrics they knew. What a fun night. When he was done, he took a bow and thanked them all but had to leave the stage so the next band could set up.
“Where do we go now?” I asked Lucas.
“We wait here, they’ll bring him over.”
The crowd was so dense, I hated not being able to see where Daddy was. What if he couldn’t get through the wall of humans? Being a concert virgin was no fun and being five foot six was even worse. Everything above a belly button was lost on me.
Shadow nodded to the guards and one of them left, returning a few minutes later with… “Daddy!” Oops, we’d never talked about what to call him in front of work people. “Sorry, Stone.”
“Sweetheart,” Daddy gave me a huge hug. “You can call me Daddy anytime your little unicorn heart wants. Did you enjoy the show?”
“I did, you were fantastic.”
“You say the sweetest things. Shadow, it’s been a long time.” Shadow stood and gave Daddy a one-armed bro hug. Learned that one from the people at work.
“Indeed, it has. I’m here on official Masterson business.”
Daddy sat between me and Lucas. “Scouting new bands?”
“Always and checking out past ones too. As soon as Easton heard you were on the prowl he sent us out.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m not looking to tour anymore.”
“Understood, but how do you feel about working with green guitarists?”
Daddy took a deep breath and sat back. “You’ve got my attention.”
“Thought that might grab ya. Can you two stay and watch the last two bands, then we can chat?”
