Page 56 of Accidental Fire
Chapter Twenty-One
Kit
Rocktoberfest, Black Rock
Black Rock City was a little more than three hundred and fifty miles from Las Vegas. We checked out of the Paris Hotel and Casino at seven and were on the road by seven-fifteen. This time, River rode with me.
I could tell he was full of nerves as I watched the way his fingers moved over the imaginary strings and frets of his air guitar. I could see his lips moving, but I couldn’t hear the words. I guessed he was going through the whole set list in his mind, singing every word and playing every note. I didn’t interrupt him.
My mind wandered to the little cottage on Dockweiler Beach and how we could remodel it to make itourhome. Riding around in the truck all the time, I’d rarely given a second thought to the well-worn furnishings and mismatched flatware and dishes I’d accumulated since I’d left the Coast Guard. Purchases borne more from necessity than choice.
“When do you want me to move in? I mean, my stuff that I don’t have with me is at my parents’ place in Cupertino. I don’t have very much, but I don’t want to crowd you right off the bat,” River said, his hands still moving in the air.
I chuckled. “What song are you playing?”
“‘Bird.’ I think I want to change it up for this performance, so we have two different choices for the next release since the live album is coming out on Friday. We’re not playing any of the acoustics at this performance because it’s definitely not that kind of crowd, so I’m going to change the guitar solo and thrash it more. Have you ever been to a festival like Rocktoberfest?”
“No, I haven’t. Until I met you, I was never much of a metal fan, but I’m a convert now. It takes a lot more skill to play than other genres. I doubt many people think about it that way.”
Riv nodded.
“When we leave here, we’ll go straight to the beach. We can go to your parents’ house when you’re ready and get the rest of your things. Will they be upset that you’re moving in?”
River laughed. “No. The fewer people in their house, the better, according to Regal. I haven’t told Mom about us, but I know she’ll be happy for me. Regal’s never been that great of a father, and he’s been even less of one to Arlo. Skyler isn’t Mom’s son, but she was very happy when he and Sandy got married… I mean, not that we’re getting married or anything.” His right leg began bouncing up and down, and my smile was hard to hide.
“Oh, you don’t believe in marriage?” I had to tease him. He was cute when he didn’t know what to say.
“I mean, based on Regal’s history with my mom, Skyler’s mom, Arlo’s mom, it’s hard to understand how important marriage is when he couldn’t seem to be faithful to one woman. Regal cheated on Hope with Cindy Timmons and then with my mother. He’s not a very good role model, so I try not to pay much attention to what he does. I’m just… I’m not trying to corner you.”
His voice was timid, and I didn’t want my partner—which was what I intended River to be—believing he wasn’t an equal in my heart and mind.
“Well, I can honestly say that if I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t be driving across the damn desert for just anyone who paid me. I also wouldn’t invite someone I didn’t love to move into my beach house. We’ll need to decide what we want to do with the place. There’s always room for improvement.”
I made a left onto the graded road that led to the festival area. I followed the signs to turn toward the band entrance, stopping at the guard station.
“You are?” the female guard asked.
“I’ve got the equipment for Accidental Fire. They’re appearing on the east stage at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon. We’re hereto park the truck. You need this?” I asked, handing over the pass we’d received from Masterson Management. Olive had printed one for each of the vehicles in our entourage, and River and I had been the last to arrive because we’d been selfish and stayed in bed longer than we should have. Having him in my arms was too damn good to get up.
“Okay, here’s the map. Follow the highlighted trail to your spot,” the guard said as a map with a yellow highlighted path marking our way was handed over.
“Thank you,” I said as I handed the map to River. “Navigate for me.”
Like a seasoned pro, River gave me directions to wind through the sea of trucks, buses, tents, vans, and bodies. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before.
We finally found the sign for Accidental Fire, and I easily slid into the spot between the tour bus and the luxury van the roadies drove. I stopped the truck, and a sea of bodies surrounded our little group.
“Is this how you remember it from last year?” I asked River.
I glanced in his direction as I turned off the truck. “Honestly? I was so damn scared, I don’t remember much about anything.”
“I’m not surprised. This looks intimidating as hell. I’m here, sweetheart, so I’ll look out for you, and you can enjoy this.” After I turned off the engine, I took River’s left hand and kissed it. “Remember, I love you, and we have a great life ahead of us. You tell me what you need, and I’m there, River.”
My sweet guy turned our hands and kissed the top of mine. “I know that, Kit. We’re here to support each other in everything.”
He couldn’t be more right.
I stood behind River watching a band, Blue Monday, as they finished their last song before the break to swap equipment. It was just before four on Friday afternoon, and River and the guys were pacing as they waited to take the stage.
