Joy Ride (28 page)

“No worries. I promise.” Marc turned back to her, oblivious of all the activity around them, and wrapped his arms around her. “To them you’re just ML. The woman I’m crazy about.”

“C-Crazy about?” Her body suddenly felt liquid, as if she had no power to stand, and her heart was thumping. Had she heard him right? And why did she have to sound so much like an idiot?

He traced the line of her cheekbone and her jaw. “Surely you’ve figured it out by this time. And no, I haven’t discussed you with them. Well, maybe with Rick, but he’s my closest friend and a really good guy. They do know I’m…seeing someone, and I want to show you off.” He touched his mouth to hers. “Just for a few minutes, okay?”

Butterflies began an overcharged tango in Emma’s stomach, and her throat was suddenly dry. She hoped this didn’t turn out to be a huge mistake, but she nodded and let him lead her through the maze of containers and cables covering the landscape of the backstage area. They circle around to the other side of the facility, past two doors to a third. Marc stopped, gave her a quick hug, whispered, “Just follow my lead,” and opened the door.

The laughing and chatter in the room stopped the moment they stepped in. Emma tightened her grip on Marc’s hand as she took in the other band members and what looked like half the women she’d seen at Aftershock. Although “women” might be too loose a term since they all appeared younger than she did. She didn’t know if they were in relationships with the band members or were the groupies even she in her uninformed state had heard about. They were all staring at her with open curiosity.

Every muscle drew taut when she spotted Lacey in full makeup and revealing outfit, lounging on one end of the couch. Damn! What was she doing here? Which band member had brought her? She wanted to ask Marc, but everyone’s attention was too focused on her.

Come on, Emma. You can hold your own. Don’t let the bitch get to you.

But, of course, Lacey was the first one to speak
.

“I see you have your ‘friend’ with you tonight, Marc, honey.” Her smile was more feral than friendly, and she still eyed Marc as if he were her main course for the evening. “How about introducing her to everyone here? Make her feel part of the crowd?” She wet her lips, a slow glide of her tongue. “You know, like you always did with me.”

Emma took in the too-tight jeans and tank top showing more cleavage than Annie’s tiny bathing suit. Jealousy mixed with anxiety made every muscle in her body tense.

“She’s just trying to stir up trouble,” Marc whispered in Emma’s ear. “I told you, Lacey was never anything to me.” He put his arm around her and cradled her closer. “Everyone, this is ML. Don’t scare her away, okay?”

“You think she’s afraid of me?” The redhead ran hungry eyes over Marc, a sly look on her face. “Geez, sweetie. You know how dangerous I can be, right?” Her laugh carried the sound of envy and a hint of anger.

“I’ll be sure to warn her, Lacey.” Marc chuckled then murmured, “Ignore her. Pay no attention to her. I’ll tell you again, she’s not important to me, no matter what she says.”

But Emma wondered uneasily if Lacey really did have history with her Guitar Man. Had she been important to him at one time, despite what Marc said? Was she just waiting to finesse Emma out of the picture? She had to beat back her clawing insecurities. The other women in the room were watching her, obviously waiting to see what would happen next. It was apparent they all knew each other well. Emma sensed a gauntlet had been thrown down and, for a fleeting moment, she regretted coming here tonight.

There were also a couple of men, laughing and joking with the women. Emma wondered if she had a sign on her forehead that read “Alien”. Talk about being a fish out of water. She leaned a little closer to Marc.

A tall man standing at a table, covered with food and drink, put down the bottle of water he was holding, walked over to them, and extended his hand, a cordial look on his face.

“Hi. I’m Rick. Thanks for coming tonight and keeping Marc together.” His smile was warm and Emma relaxed fractionally.

“Rick’s the leader of our group. The one who got us this gig.”

Emma shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Rick pointed at two of the men, one sitting on the couch, the other standing by a chair chugging form a bottle of water. “Garrett, our drummer. Danny, the lead singer.” He indicated the other two men. “Jado, standing there with Danny did our video and Scotty, hanging out by the food, cut our tape. I’m guessing Marc told you about that. We figured they deserved to be here tonight, too.”

The men acknowledged the introduction with a chorus of greetings.

She gave them a tiny grin but still clung to Marc.

“They don’t bite.” He led her over to the table. ”Let’s get you something to drink.”

“Just water is fine.” She didn’t even want that but it would give her something to do with her hands.

Then, as if someone released a pause button all conversation suddenly resumed, filling the room with noise. The same buzz of excitement Emma sensed the moment she walked into the facility saturated the air in this room. Marc and the other members of Lightnin’ looked calm on the surface but there was an unmistakable jitteriness to them.

“We go on at eight.” Marc walked her over to an unoccupied corner. “So in a little bit we have to head for the stage. Make sure the instruments are still in tune and do a last minute check to make sure the roadies set everything up the way they’re supposed to.”

“Roadies?” She lifted an eyebrow.

“You’re cute, babe. I like being the one to teach you all this stuff.” His eyes were hot. “All kinds of stuff.” Then he brushed a kiss over her forehead. “I keep forgetting you’re still learning the lingo. Road crew. The guys who haul the equipment, especially the sound system, and set everything up for the band.”

Embarrassment rushed through her. Had he explained about this before? He must really think she was a dunce. “I’m sorry, but if you mentioned them before I don’t remember.”

“Don’t worry, and I didn’t. Playing at clubs, we usually do it ourselves. Save the bucks. But tonight we’ll be using Deep Blue River’s sound equipment, and their crew helped us with our instruments and stuff. They’re pros. These guys have been doing it for a long time so they know what they’re doing.”

“And you made sure it was okay when you did your sound check, right?” She remembered him telling her about that.

“Yes, but we’ll do one final look-see.”

“Where will I be when you’re on stage?” she asked.

“I’ll show you.” Looking at the other members of the band, he said, “See you guys on stage.”

He took Emma’s hand and led her out of the room and back the way they’d come. There was still activity everywhere, people moving in all direction, the hum of conversation like the counterpoint of a melody.

“Where’s the other band?” she asked as they navigated the snake bed of cables stretching everywhere.

“Did you see the big fancy bus in the parking lot?” Marc asked.

“How could I not? It’s huge.”

“It belongs to them. They’ll hang out in it until it’s time to come inside to get ready.”

“Oh.” Something else for her to learn.
They should provide guidebooks for people who don’t know anything about this business
.

“Here. This will be a good place for you.” He lifted her up onto a large black box that held sound equipment during travel. “Sit here and you can see the whole thing.”

He pointed toward the stage and Emma realized she had a full view of everything, albeit from the side. And she’d be out of everyone’s way. Excitement sizzled over her at the thought of seeing Marc in action on a big stage like this. She hoped none of the women from the dressing room would come to stand near her. Especially Lacey. It was bad enough she knew plenty of women in the audience would be licking their lips over the sight of Marc on stage.

“I’ll just wait here for you until you’re finished, right?”

“I’ll have to take care of my guitar and amp, but it won’t take long.” He stroked a finger down her cheek in a familiar gesture that always gave her hot shivers. “You go on ahead to the dressing room, because it will be chaos here during the equipment change.”

“No. I’ll just stay here.”
Away from the predatory redhead
.

“Just go on ahead to the dressing room. Please? So I’ll know where to find you if I get held up.” He cupped her head and kissed her, thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. When he lifted his head, they were both breathless. “That’s to bring me good luck. See you when I’m done.” He headed onto the stage, where the heavy black curtain blocked everything from the audience.

Emma watched the final preparation with fascination. It amazed her all these people knew exactly what to do and did it without getting in each other’s way. She was startled when a tall, older, good-looking man in slacks and a collared shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, came to stand beside her.

“Friend of the band?” he asked.

“Uh, yes.” Who was he?

He held out his hand. “Butch Meredith.”

She recognized the name. Deep Blue River’s manager. “ML,” she said.

His touch was firm and strong, and she got a sense of solidity from him. His eyes were bright with intelligence and knowledge, and he was obviously completely at home in these surroundings. He exuded confidence, the kind earned with a successful track record. If Lightnin’ signed with him, she believed he’d take good care of them.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re here with one of the musicians in Lightnin’?”

“Yes. Marc Malone.” She bit her bottom lip. “He said I could sit here but if I need to move….”

“No, no, not at all. Just trying to identify all the players back here. Marc’s a good guy. But then all of the members of Lightnin’ are.” He grinned, apparently trying to ease her nervousness. “Don’t worry. Everything’s gonna be great. I believe those boys are going to kick things up a notch for themselves tonight.”

“Thank you.” She folded her hands tightly in her lap and looked back onto the stage.

The rest of the band was in place and the hum of conversation had faded almost to a whisper as instruments were tuned yet again. Marc and Rick stood together, facing each other, bits of music floating back to her.

Butch Meredith had moved away from her to stand to her right at the edge of the stage, and she realized the women from the dressing room had gathered in a cluster just to her left. Lacey, the redhead, sauntered over to her.

Oh, God, not her. Anyone but her
.

“So. You and Marc know each other a long time?” The same nasty tone she’d used in the club.

“Yes,” Emma lied, somehow knowing she shouldn’t tell this woman the truth.

“Funny I’ve only seen you at the club a few times.” That sly look crept over her face again. “Marc and me have known each other forever.”

“How nice.” Emma turned her head deliberately away, hoping the woman would get the signal. She clung to Marc’s assurances he and Lacey had never been together, that he didn’t even like her. But she could tell the woman would scratch her eyes out given the slightest chance. She was doing her best to make Emma feel out of place.

Lacey walked back to her friends and from the corner of her eye, Emma saw her whispering and pointing. Fine. She could whisper all she wanted. But Emma was Music Lady. She was special. Marc certainly told her often enough.

Suddenly everything got so quiet Emma could even hear the muted conversation from the audience filtering through the curtain. The intensity of the excitement in the air changed, ramped up. Anticipation was like a living thing. Emma could almost feel it sizzle in her blood. The lights on the stage darkened, and a voice from somewhere boomed through the sound system.

“Okay, everyone. Let’s party.”

Lightnin’ hit the opening chord of their first tune, the black curtain rolled smoothly open, the spotlights hit the band and music blasted into the Amphitheatre to the cheers of the audience. Just like that Emma was snared by the magic of it, the elation, the thrill, so intense she almost forgot to breathe. The atmosphere was so heady she could see how people were caught up in it, addicted as if to a drug. She zeroed in on Marc totally engrossed in his music, head thrown back, hair wild around his face as she’d first seen him, the pure energy of the tune reaching out to grab her.

All through the first number, Emma sat with her fingers wound tightly together, so nervous for the band she was afraid to breathe. But then she began to relax and soon, she was bouncing on her seat and tapping her fingers on her thigh as the rhythm vibrated through her. When she heard the intro to the song they usually closed with at night, she could hardly believe their set was over. It seemed as if they’d just begun.

They hit the final notes, Danny in his usual pose with one arm extended, hand reaching up, Rick, lifting his guitar over his head in what she’d learned was his signature move, and Marc in the wild pose she loved so much. For a moment, there was dead silence. Then the audience erupted, screaming, cheering, chanting, the noise level deafening until the curtain closed.

Butch Meredith was back to Emma’s side. “Told you they’d get it done.” He grinned at her then headed over to talk to the three men who’d been standing off to her right.

Emma could hardly catch her breath she was so excited. Everything the band hoped for was about to come true. Deliberately she pushed away the unease, the worry. If they moved on, she’d be left behind. Everything she had with Marc would be gone, not much more than a memory she could haul out at night.

No. I won’t let that happen
.

She had no idea how long they’d have to stay at the Amphitheatre or when they could head to his house, but when they did she planned on making this a birthday she’d always remember.

Sliding off the huge black crate she’d been sitting on, she watched for Marc to walk off the stage. The roadies were already out there, setting up for the main act, but Lightnin’ was huddled in a tight little circle, talking. Then she saw Butch join them, shake all their hands, and guided them off the stage in the opposite direction. Finding a out of the way space by the exit door, she attempted to make herself invisible for what seemed like a long time, trying to decide what to do. Everyone else with the band had disappeared by now.