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TEGAN
A tour of the venue is quick and boring. Metal shutters block off some areas; chairs are stacked in corners. I try a few doors that lead into the stadium but most are locked. Apart from a couple of ladies vacuuming the dark blue carpets, the place is empty. After taking a few shots of the surroundings on my phone, I head in the direction Bryn went ten minutes ago. Maybe he’s backstage.
Backstage. Could be awesome. Could be boring too. My stomach growls. Bet there’s food, though.
Circling the huge venue, I finally locate a door without a section number above and step through into a concrete floored hallway. The door slams behind, sound echoing down the empty space and I pause, attempting to figure out the best way to go. Nearby sounds of voices and music point me in the direction of the stage.
A door opposite opens and a girl around my age steps out. Perspiration shines on her deathly pale face, and the scarlet red hair instantly tells me who this is. The larger than life, seldom polite, lead singer of Ruby Riot, Ruby. She rests against the wall smoothing tendrils of damp hair from her forehead. I glance at a sign on the wall above. The bathrooms.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
Ruby looks up and blinks at me. “Yeah. I’m good.”
“You don’t look it.”
“You’re Bryn’s sister, aren’t you?” she asks, ignoring my concern for her welfare.
“I am. How did you know?”
“You look like him. Same eyes. Jem told me you were here and how pissed off Bryn is.” Ruby wipes at her clammy forehead with the edge of her jumper.
“I think he’s generally pissed off with everything currently.”
“Haven’t spoken to him recently.”
“I’m Tegan.”
“Ruby.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
She pulls herself away from the wall. “I said, yes.” The irritation in her voice points to the Ruby reputation I’ve heard about. Short fuse. She looks past my shoulder. “Fucking great…”
I turn around. Jax strides toward us and ignores me when he reaches Ruby. “What’s going on?”
“I needed the bathroom.”
He reaches out and rubs her arm. “You look sick. Were you sick again?”
“I’m fine, Jax,” she says tersely.
“Is this about tonight? Are you that nervous?”
Jax chews his lip as he studies her and the concern on his face grabs me. I never considered how close he’d be to the lead singer, especially as she’s in a relationship with the intense and scary Jem. Ruby rests against the wall again and looks at the floor, breathing deeply.
“Shit, Ruby. You need to see a doctor. This is getting worse.” Jax pushes hair from Ruby’s face and places a palm on her forehead.
Stunned, I watch the so-called new bad boy of rock mothering the foul-mouthed girlfriend of rock royalty.
“We need to finish the sound check,” she mutters.
“I think you should rest, you can’t be like this when we play tonight.”
“I’m totally fucking aware of how big tonight is for us,” she snaps. “Do you think I enjoy this?”
Ruby’s hand trembles and Jax’s concerned frown grows. “Youhavebeen sick! Rube… Find Jem. Go back to the hotel. I’ll do the vocals for the check instead, rest and save your energy for for tonight.”
“I don’t want to let you guys down.” Her voice is a whisper, shoulders slumping further.
