Page 86 of Feuds and Interludes
His expression was concerned. “Youaregreat. How’s your sugars? You okay for a bit?”
I pulled out my phone and sure enough, I was in the good zone.
“Can we go watch Maggie’s Bones?”
“I’d love that.”
Twenty-Nine
Shane
My teenage self was in heaven. Not only was I watching my favorite band perform live from the side stage at a ginormous metal festival, but I had my arms around the most wonderful guy I’d ever met. He’d also just managed to blow me away during our performance. He was so vulnerable and passionate, and then he unleashed that massive voice and I was carried away. So what if I just told tens of thousands people that I was in love with him? So what? I was riding a high unlike any I’d ever known, and I was going to enjoy the spoils for a bit.
We’d run over to the main stage and managed to arrive as Maggie’s Bones was finishing their first song.
“They sound amazing,” Boone said, his eyes wide. He spoke in my ear. “Is it bad that I had the biggest crush on Marcus when I was like fourteen?”
I shook my head. “As long as it’s not bad that I had a ridiculous crush on Devon. That was before I met him. It went away when we became friends. At least I never hit on him.”
Boone’s eyes went wide, and he took my arm and draped it over his shoulder. He stood with his back to my front and I held him close as my idols showed the world that after many trials and tribulations, they still had it.
Maggie’s Bones formed in 2005 in Houma, Louisiana, when brothers Marcus and Jade Lambert joined with cousin Devon Boudreaux and best friends, Mage Dumas and Star Stevenson. The band rocketed to the top of the metal and hard rock charts, thanks to the keen management of Devon’s older sister, Maggie Boudreaux-Stone. As they were riding a huge wave of success, Maggie was killed in a single-car accident with her intoxicated husband at the wheel. He got away with it, the band nearly fell apart, and thankfully they managed to survive the grieving process with the help of tattoo artist Jaylene Charles-now-Boudreaux.
But strife continued to plague the band, and eventually singer Marcus left for a while to pursue a solo album. Devon and Mage continued to make music under the name Houma. Jade went to university and Star ended up in rehab. That was eight years ago, and I worried they were done. When Devon hit me up to tell me the Bones were playing Rocktoberfest, I knew I’d move heaven and earth to be stage side for their set, and they did not disappoint.
“My God, it’s like no time has passed,” Boone murmured as I was tapped on the shoulder.
“Jaylene!” I greeted Devon’s wife, and then Marcus’s wife Sherry, at the same time Boone squealed in delight when he recognized Mage’s wife, music journalist Sammara Gunderson. The women stood with us while the band played and man, my world felt complete. The only thing that would have made this perfect would have been to have Pops there. I pulled out my phone and texted him a pic of the crowd.
Missed you, old man. We did you guys proud.
“You guys were brilliant,” Sherry said into my ear. “I heard what happened with your band.” She shook her head. “I hope you know that you’re better off without them. And Jeff was a dick for letting that happen.”
“Thanks,” I said, and then the crowd roared, making it impossible to talk anymore. Boone kept a hold of my hand while he danced to the music with the women, and once more I wonderedhow…how had I not known?
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out.
Caught the set on YouTube with Vera Jean. We’re so proud of you both.
I held the phone out to show Boone, and he grinned at me.
Their set was over too soon. We all cheered for them and when they came offstage, Boone and I stepped back to let them hug their wives before we got sweaty hugs.
“You guys should come hang out with us,” Devon said. “I want to hear aboutthis.” He wagged his finger between Boone and I. “Killer fucking set,” he added, as he shook Boone’s hand.
“Thank you,” Boone said, grinning way up at Devon. The dude was nearly six foot seven. He mademefeel short.
“Please come!” Jaylene said. “I barely know any of these people.”
“We’ll come for a bit,” I said. “You okay with that?” I whispered to Boone.
He nodded, his eyes big as saucers. I forgot that this wasn’t his scene and there were likely a lot of folks he didn’t know. I needed to do better introducing him around. At least I’d kept him away from the drama. Some of the guys from Warrior Blackgot into it and security had to get in there and break it up. We passed by as things were still being sorted out, tempers were still flaring.
The Bones camp was much more our speed. They had four RVs parked in a square with a couple of couches in the middle with a canopy over them and a bar. They were serving smoothies, energy drinks, and a bunch of hot teas. They had been through it with the health issues, too. I knew Boone would feel comfortable with them.
“What can I get you to drink?” I asked him.
“I’d love a smoothie, but tea sounds great, thank you.”
