Page 60 of Loved Out Loud
As I do what she asks, someone reaches across the barrier and pulls her hair. The guy who does it sneers at her. “Bitch made me spill my beer.”
Rage consumes me. I push an unsteady and dazed Hazel beside me just as Xander drops down with me. My fist connects with the guy’s face with a satisfying crunch. I’ve never been happier about my misspent youth where fights weren’t uncommon because I don’t feel any pain from the impact.
Should I have done that? Probably not. But I’m sure the guy will go away easily enough if I throw money at him.
When I turn around Tobias is helping pull Hazel onstage while Xander boosts her from below. I vault on stage beside her and pull her offstage where I wrap her in the tightest hug I’ve ever given anyone.
Her entire body is shaking. Or fuck, maybe it’s mine. Adrenaline races through my veins as I release her from my arms only to cup her cheeks between my palms. I wipe the blood from near her eye as I catalog her injuries. Her eyes are dazed as she looks up at me.
“You punched that guy.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay? Your hands are important.”
“Not as important as you.”
Tears roll down her cheeks as those words sink in. Before she can say anything, Jade whisks her away, and I’m handed a backup guitar.
I drag in a few deep steadying breaths before walking back out onstage. The area where the fight broke out is now empty, a few people starting to fill it back in. Xander gives me aquestioning look, one that asks whether I’m good. I nod and walk to the microphone.
“I think we need to have a little chat about basic fucking etiquette,” I say into the microphone. “Blue Sunday doesn’t tolerate violence or harassment of any kind at our shows. We especially don’t fucking tolerate laying your hands on a woman. Have some goddamn decency, and let’s get back to the music.”
The crowd cheers as I launch into the intro of the next song. I’m enough of a professional that I still give them what they came for. The best damn concert of their lives, even if my mind is currently on the woman backstage. I’m sure she’s being checked out by paramedics. That’s the only reason I’m able to focus on my job.
By the time the lights go down and we walk offstage, I’m shaking with the comedown from the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. The only person I want to find is Hazel. I need to see her with my own two eyes.
Darren steps into my path, his hand splaying over my chest. “She’s back at the hotel resting.”
“Alone?” I clench my jaw.
“No. Jade went with her.”
My jaw loosens. “I’m not staying around for anything tonight.”
“That’s fine. The guy you punched took a pay off.”
I scoff. Of course he did. Darren looks like he wants to lecture me.
“Don’t,” I say sharply.
He lifts his hands and steps back. “I won’t. At least not today.”
“Is there a car ready?”
He nods, and I stalk past him. Adam falls in step beside me, his body as tight with tension as my own.
“Is Dan okay?”
“Yeah.” We reach the car and get inside. “He’s got some cuts and scrapes, but nothing serious. He’s mostly just concerned about Hazel. The crowd surged between them before he could grab her.”
“I saw.”
From onstage I could tell the crowd tonight was a different breed. The way they kept pushing forward toward the barricades in waves was making me nervous. It’s why I didn’t work them as much. Part of my responsibility is making sure I keep an eye on them as the concert progresses. We’ll stop if we see someone needs assistance. I’m not going to let anyone get hurt on my watch, not if I can stop it.
Despite the fact that I punched one of our fans tonight, I do actually care about them. I care about their well being. Especially when they spend a good bit of money to come see and support us.
“How’s your hand?” Adam asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
