Page 32 of Real Rocks
Scott stumbled his way through the first verse and I joined in with the chorus. To say the performance was a shambles was an understatement. Anyone watching would think it was the first ever time we’d sung together and hadn’t practiced less than an hour before. I hated to think what the audience made of it.
When it got to the guitar solo, Scott clutched me to him, one hand resting on my arse, eyes closed as he swayed to the riff. I could feel Tris’ gaze boring into us as I struggled to get away.
“Come on, you know you want me,” Scott hissed in my ear. He wrestled my body so I was facing him. Then, without warning, he launched himself at me, his tongue probing my mouth.
With enormous effort, I shoved him away and he stumbled backwards, falling over his own feet and ending up in a heap on the floor.
And as I looked towards the crowd for help, the space previously occupied by Tris was conspicuously empty.
20
Tris
The crowd parted almost as if I were some kind of religious force. I had to get backstage, had to find Saff, had to make sure she was okay.
Scott Lincoln was an absolute fucking prick. If I laid eyes on him any time soon, he’d be more than struggling to get up off the floor.
“Hey, you can’t go back there.” A burly security guard held up an arm to prevent me from entering the space behind the stage.
“I’m with TheSB.” I tried to shove past him, but the meathead stood firm.
“Yeah, yeah, course you are. Nice try, buddy.” He gave a gruff chuckle. “No pass. No entry.”
Shit.
I hadn’t realised I’d need a pass. I thought being on the VIP list or whatever it was would be enough.
“Can you check the list? I’m Tris Judd, Saff’s boyfriend.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper before scanning it. “Nope, don’t see you, sorry.”
I didn’t understand. After the earlier issues, I thought everything had been sorted. I tried to explain, but met a brick wall, both physically and metaphorically.
Just as I was about to give up, Darren appeared.
“Hey, Tris, you coming to join us?” he called.
“I would, but apparently this guy thinks I’m not allowed.” I gestured to the security guard who turned around to see the guitarist there.
“Come on, man, let a guy see his girlfriend,” pleaded Darren.
“Mr Lincoln provided the list and if he’s not on it, I can’t let him through.”
The mention of Lincoln’s name made my blood boil. I could see what Scott was trying to do; trying to keep me and Saff apart, so he could make his own sleazy move on her.
Well, I wasn’t going to let it happen.
“I guess you’ll have to tell Mr Lincoln his list doesn’t mean anything to me. I’ll be heading backstage with my friend now. My girlfriend needs me.” I squared up to the security guy, though he was easily twice my size. Risky, but necessary.
“Humph. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?” He stepped aside and let me through.
What changed his mind, I’d never know, but I’m glad he did.
I followed Darren backstage and grabbed one of the beers from the ice bucket there. The table was lined up with every type of alcohol you could imagine. I suspected there wouldn’t be much left by the end of the evening. It looked like everyone was up for celebrating.
“You glad this is over?” I asked Darren.
He nodded. “Too much drama in such a short space of time. Much as I love Saff, she does have a habit of getting herself into some ridiculous situations. That thing with Scott for instance. Great publicity, but who knows how many people it’s actually hurt.”
