Surrendering (40 page)

I’m pissed! “Excuse me- this band thing? You guys are awesome and I fell in love with ‘
THIS BAND THING’
! You guys will succeed and you’ll never ever quit because of me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Ma’am- reason one million and one right there.” He pushes me down on the sofa and covers my body with his. “Let’s go to the courthouse tomorrow and elope. I won’t tell anyone; you can still plan the elaborate party next summer. Be my wife tomorrow.”

“Nope, I want the whole pomp and circumstance, and my mom would kill us. You’ll just have to be happily engaged for awhile.”

“You’re killing me, but at least know the offer still stands anytime you want it. Courthouse, Vegas, or full-on service with hundreds of guests and a huge party, you will marry me.”

“You do know how to melt my heart, Declan Collins.”

He moves to remove my shirt, but I stop him. “Not tonight, too many images running through my mind. Just hold me close.”

His face shuts down, but he carries me to the bed and holds me all night, whispering his love for me.

*****

I finally return home on New Year’s Eve. I had told the girls beforehand that a few people were coming over to hang out. They had gone in to party mode. Our bar is set up, the music is playing, and the food is laid out. It’s almost 5:30 when my brother stalks in and looks around.

“Where the fuck is he?” He spews at me.

“Who?”

“The asswipe I’m going to beat the shit out of. You know who.”

“If you are referring to, Declan, he’s in my bathroom; I’ll go get him.” This can’t be good. Maybe it’s about the DVD, but I don’t think Finn would have told him.

The morning after the DVD arrived, Declan called Finn over and we explained the whole situation including the threat. Finn didn’t watch the video, but he glared at Declan when he found out what was on it. He promised to keep it confidential. He told Declan to let him know when he wouldn’t be around me so he could be there instead. Finn took all the packaging with him so he could fingerprint it at the office. He also made sure Declan had his weapon too. Finn had a few choice words with Declan before he left, but hugged me tight. He had spotted the ring on my finger and told me how happy he was for me. I knew he was going to flip a lid when he watched the video, but I assured him I was okay.

So I’m confused as I walk into the bathroom where Declan’s getting dressed. Why is my brother so angry?

“Dec, my brother is here looking for you and he’s seething mad. What happened?”

He sighs as he takes his lip ring out and hands it to me. His eyebrow ring is already out.

“I guess I need to face the music. I proposed without talking to him first.”

“That’s crazy talk. He wants to beat you up because we’re getting married?”

“It’s not crazy, Sparkle. He deserves one good lick. I’d do it if the same thing happened with one of my sisters. Just give us a few minutes and it’ll be over with.”

He walks out of my room and motions to Robbie. Then he walks out the front door. I try to watch from the front window, but Finn grasps my shoulders and leads me into the kitchen where everyone else has gathered.

All my Atlanta girls are here and Jimi has his arms wrapped around Abbi. Will is here and keeping close to Ella. There’s a commotion coming from the front door. Tripp and Gabe walk in followed by Declan and Robbie. Declan’s lip is split on the bottom and his jaw is turning a nasty shade of purple. Tripp doesn’t even blink as he shouts, “We rode up and caught Robbie giving the beat down to Declan, so that can only mean one of two things-”

“Shut up, Tripp!” I scream. I want Declan and I to announce it together. He gives me a half smile but it’s completely wicked.

I walk over to Declan and slide my hand in his jeans where my ring is hiding. I slip it on and give him a slight nod so he knows I’m ready. “Yeah, Tripp, it means something. I asked Raven to marry me.”

“Holy shit, please tell me she said no.” Tripp quips back.

I bring my hand around and wiggle my fingers at everyone in the room. All the girls scream. I’m assaulted by hugs, kisses, and questions.

How did he propose?

How long have you been hiding the engagement?

Is this why you haven’t called me back?

When are you getting married?

Are you fucking serious? – Of course from Charlie.

There are also a few moans. Tripp and Gabe start haggling Declan and Robbie glares at him. Finn is silent, but I know he’s disappointed for other reasons.

Robbie walks to the fridge and surprises me by bringing out two bottles of Champagne from my parents private selection. Charlie helps him open and pour the glasses, and Kendall passes them around to everyone. Robbie winks at me before he raises his glass to the group. “To my baby sister, and soon to be brother-in-law, congratulations!”

Everyone cheers to us. I kiss his swollen lip gently.

“You may need to put some ice on that tonight.”

“Nah, it was worth it. But I do need my lip ring back before I leave. I know what the ring does to my girl.”

“I love you, with or without it.”

“Good to know.”

Declan leaves early to set up for the show at The Steamroom. I change into a black halter dress and silver heels before we leave. The shoes show off the shiny ring on my finger. Robbie’s driving me. He meets me at the door and I give him a scowl.

“Really, Robbie, you busted his lip? I have to kiss that lip tonight. Now I’m going to be worried about hurting him.”

“That’s what I was thinking, Baby Girl.” He laughs at me as he sets the alarm.

*****

We go in The Steamroom through the backdoor again. Since there are so many of us this time, we give the owner fifty dollars for our cover charge. I’m standing with a drink and talking to the other girls when a girl walks in that I’ve never seen before. She’s stunning in a blue slip dress. She has auburn hair cascading down her back and intense blue eyes. She looks around the room and it goes mostly silent. Abbi and Ella grab the guys and walk over to where I’m standing. Abbi looks like she’s going to be sick.

“Whatever happens next, you stay near one of us. Don’t listen to a word she says.” Abbi whispers.

Finn tenses and positions himself in front of me. His jaw’s ticking.

The redhead takes in our circle of friends and zones in on Abbi and Ella. “Where the fuck is he?”

“Christie, what are you doing here? He doesn’t want to see you!” Ella screams at her.

“Chance meeting, I wouldn’t be here without good reason, bitch. I need to talk to him about a video he made.”

My stomach drops as I recognize her as one of the girls I saw in the DVD. Finn holds onto me and she notices our interaction. Then she zones in on my ring and looks me up and down.

“I sure hope you stay with that fine piece of ass. Don’t give Declan another look because he will break your little heart.” She storms to the back door and goes on stage looking for Declan. My knees give out and Finn catches me. He slides me over to Will and takes off after her. My friends are quiet, but I know they’re wondering what the redhead meant about the video. I try my best to lighten the mood, but Kendall catches on quick.

She sets up shots for us and raises her glass. “FUJIMO BITCH,” and we all chant it back.

Declan walks through the back door a minute later with Finn on his tail. He looks livid, but relaxes as I raise my second shot to him. He raises his eyebrows suggestively, but I ignore him and take the shot.

When he gets to me, he kisses my finger. “You okay?”

I nod my head, but don’t look at his eyes.

He lifts my chin to him and frames my face. “Don’t let her ruin our night. I told you before; she’s a crazy bitch. She just caused a scene backstage. I asked Mark to remove her. She got an anonymous tip about a sex tape and thought I was behind it. Finn was right there and heard everything.”

“Seeing her tonight brought back the image of the two of you in the video. She’s gorgeous, Dec, much more so than the other girls.”

“Shh, don’t say that. You are the most gorgeous girl in the world to me. I have a little secret that may make you feel better.”

I lift one eyebrow, urging him to go on.

“I never even came when I was with her, and I was only with her once. There was nothing there for me at all. I was drunk and stupid and I paid the price. So now, can we forget all about it?”

Even though I shouldn’t, I smile.

All the guys in the band come over to hug me. Apparently, Declan told them our good news already. Nate throws me over his shoulder, threatening to kidnap me so I can come to my senses.

New Year’s Eve at The Steamroom is more of an event than a show. The owners bumped the cover up to twenty-five dollars a head. The price includes party favors, champagne at midnight, and entertainment. I feel bad because our fifty dollars contribution did nothing to cover all of my friends’ heads. Declan assures me that management doesn’t care because the place is expected to bring in over ten thousand dollars in cover charges and probably more than that in liquor sales. All the TV’s are showing New Year’s Eve in Times Square so we can keep up with the countdown. Our group gets our normal table, but I spend most of the night on the dance floor with my friends. Sayge’s popularity is obviously growing because people are shouting requests for some of their newer songs.

Five minutes to midnight, the band takes a break for the countdown. Instead of going the back way, they jump down off the stage and head to our table where the champagne is already waiting. All the couples have paired up. There are a few new girls at our table standing next to Tripp, Robbie, Finn, and Gabe. Blake walks directly up to Charlie and pulls her against his chest. She runs the tips of her fingers over his Mohawk. Finally! The tension between these two over the last few months has been exhausting. Declan looks around and sees what I do. He smiles at his friend.

At midnight, the place erupts in cheers. Declan kisses me passionately, grabbing my ass and holding me as close as he can. We separate, but he doesn’t let me go. He sways with me as “Auld Lang Syne” plays over the speakers.

“Do you have any idea what I want to do right now? If I wasn’t so scared of some psycho running around with a secret recorder, we’d be in the back against the wall.”

“Well, is it a onetime offer? Can’t you show me when we get to my place tonight?”

He nods his head provocatively and I reach up to run my tongue over his ring. I kiss his cut tenderly and feel the ointment on it.

The band heads back to the stage for one last set. I get dirty looks from several girls when they see the ring on my finger. We don’t get home until early in the morning and decide to watch the sunrise. It’s the perfect end to the holidays.

Chapter 34

Social Media

The third week of January, Jay called and asked the band for a meeting. Declan arranged it to be at his house. He asked me to come over too and stay the night. This might be a good opportunity to talk to the band about a project for my business class that I need their help with. They all need to agree in order for my group to get started.

On Sunday afternoon, Jay arrives carrying his laptop and numerous files. We sit down and wait for him to start.

“Okay guys, things have progressed significantly since New Year’s Eve. You’ve gotten the attention of a few key people and I’ve been working to get your name on some lists for upcoming shows. I’m working with the organizers for the Main Street Festival in Franklin, but I’ll come back to that. I got a phone call from a small team that is organizing an Indie Performance Stage at Bonnaroo in June. Even though it’s Indie, it’s not geared towards just indie rock; it’s for all new and unknown acts. Apparently, Ryan from Knight’s Dream mentioned Sayge and the organizing committee sent a representative to some of your shows at The Steamroom. They like what they saw and want to offer you a three hour spot somewhere on the schedule.”

“Holy shit! Fucking Bonnaroo? Are you fucking with us, Jay?” Cooper yells. “This is the chance of a fucking lifetime.”

The guys start throwing questions back and forth, not waiting for answers. Declan pulls me into his lap and I squeal with excitement. I’m not an expert, but even I know this is a huge deal. Even if the stage is a small set up and they play at 3:00 in the morning, there will still be artists from all over the world there representing all types of musical genres. This type of exposure is huge.

After a few minutes, the chatter dies down and Jay continues.

“I think it’s about time you guys find someone new to represent you. I enjoy working with you like this, but it’s about to get out of my area of expertise. My company has some great people I can recommend for your band.”

Declan and Cooper exchange a look and Declan shakes his head. “Jay, man, we don’t want anyone else right now. I know your position isn’t exactly set up to manage us, but maybe we could come up with an arrangement where Cooper and I handle the stuff we know how to do, and you keep on with your work? You sure as fuck know what you’re doing.”

Jay looks around at the guys to confirm that everyone feels the same way and they all nod.

“Well, I guess we can see if it’ll work. But we have to have an honest relationship, guys. I’m ready for the promotion, but my company doesn’t see it that way. If you ever feel I’m not steering you in the right direction, let me know.”

“Deal.”

“Okay, now to the other issues at hand. I’m working on your behalf to complete applications for more festivals. I’ve pulled apps from Florida to Kentucky. The initial paperwork isn’t the problem, your existence is.”

“What does that mean?” Declan sounds offended.

“It means if you want to start to gain recognition, we need to jump on board with marketing. I think you should get some studio time in the next month and record something for your fans to buy. Like I said before, it won’t be sponsored as a recording deal, but there are plenty of people around the city that take on bands in your shoes that would be willing to lay some tracks for you. Also, we need a website with some footage of your shows.”