She took my hand. “I am.”
We went out to the edge of the stage, which was completely dark. The overall theme of this area wasEnchanted Memories. It was full of starry scenes and trees that extended into the crowd. Some of the tiny star-shaped lights flickered in a cascade, and the crowd cheered. They flickered again, and I looked at Saoirse as she started to sing acapella. The stage remained dark with just some of the stars flickering on and off as she walked onto the stage.
I joined her silently, going to my equipment that had been set up in the middle and started the music. The cheers increased. I could practically taste the excitement as my beats and her voice intertwined, as the enchanted forest backdrop slowly started to wake up.
The overall lights still dim, the music continued to build as the backdrop illuminated bit by bit. At the drop everything went dark.
Then the full stage lights came on.
The crowd roared.
Our pack, Saoirse’s family, the girls’ trip, and their guys, were all up front. People were dancing and having a good time.
I started my rap and my hand reached out to hers. She was nervous, but it was the good nervous, not the bad nervous, and we continued to sing. The thrill of singing with her, of making music with her, was still there.
Yeah, this was almost as good as fucking her.
Almost.
As the final strains of the song ended, I didn’t go straight into another. We let the notes fade as the crowd went wild. My stage crew and some people in inflatable unicorn costumes started shooting T-shirts and gyros into the crowd.
“Good evening, Lovely Fuckers,” I yelled. “I’m so excited to be here in Greece with you this evening, but you don’t seem excited enough. Come on, let me hear you.”
The cheers grew louder.
“Much better! Let’s give it up for my amazing partner.” I gestured to her.
She waved.
Then, I launched right intoEat More PussyandCocksucker.Saoirse disappeared from the stage as I continued to play the songs I knew they wanted to hear.
“I’d like to shout out to Pack Lovely who is here tonight. Especially Lalo, who’s going to come up and sing for us.” I motioned to Carlos as he crawled up on stage.
“Wow. I can’t believe we’re here,” Carlos said, taking the microphone Kace gave him. “We were teenagers with borrowed recording equipment and a shower, now here we are in fucking Greece with all you Lovely Fuckers.”
The music for theCookie Songstarted and he began to sing. Kace handed him cookies and he threw them at the crowd. I grabbed the chips and poured them over everybody at the front as I joined in withGuacamole.
He went back down with Fiona and Hale.
“Give it up for Lalo. I’m so fucking grateful for my pack. Some people might look at me and think I’m just some musician who likes to be shirtless and do silly things. While I do, I will go after anyone who messes with my pack. Of course, I’m a musician. So if you cross my packmates, you might end up in a song. Guess what? I have one for you tonight,” I told the crowd, which rippled with excitement and curiosity.
The music started. I looked over at the side of the stage at Saoirse. She nodded and I nodded back as I kept my promise and eviscerated her stupid fucking family in song.
Her grandfathers seemed to especially enjoy it.
“Take that, all you toxic people out there. I have a really supportive family, but I know not everyone does. Those of you with toxic families keep on keeping on. Someone very wise said to me that the best way to deal with toxic family is to block them.”
A lot of people started cheering.
“I’m so grateful for my pack, but I’m also grateful for my friends. Especially Beefy Pot Roast who has been with me through so much over the years,” I added.
I brought Ava out and we sang our most popular collaboration. She was really tall, even for an alpha woman–over six foot, without her usual platform shoes. Ava always had incredible outfits and tonight was no exception.
“Beefy, I’m so happy to share this night with you,” I said.
“I believe you promised me something. You know, we all missed out with that surprise wedding at Winter-Fest. How dare you get married without me present.” She gave me an exasperated look.
“You’re just jealous because I was there and you weren’t.” Vixen Underground joined us.
