Page 4 of Painting Her Fate

The bassist is quick to snatch the bright pink lace from the stage floor and dangles them on the neck of his instrument as a token.

Wouldn’t be a proper night at Tally’s pub without a little panty tossing.

“Hell yeah!” Zane laughs, “That is what I’m talking about!” He glances at Dex, the panty thief, “Hey mate, I think you’ve got yourself an admirer.”

Dex strides to Zane’s side and leans into the mic, his sly smirk and rumbling tone sending just about every lass to their knees.

“See me after class, love.” Dex croons then backs away as cat calls sound from a few of the guys. The lass and her friends give an ear-piercing wail and I immediately know whose panties those were.

*Shudder*

“You are the best mates a band could ask for!” He chuckles once more and looks over the crowd waiting for them to die down just a bit.

“We have one more for you this evening, it’s a new one we’ve been working on called,Fallenintospace.”

The lead guitarist and drums begin, the crowd right away mimics clapping the beat. Suddenly, the band intros into a sea of heavy beats and riffs, the crowd exploding with excitement as the song growls and rips through the speakers.

Between the mix of Zane’s tenor and alto transitions, to Nate’s deep dark growling and screams, this song would no doubt top the rock charts once it’s recorded. It reminds me of ‘I Prevail’ mixed with the older songs of ‘Five Finger Death Punch’, the lyrics meaningful when analyzed. I have goosebumps.

The place lights up once more in cheers and whistles when the last note rings on the electric guitar and the lights dim. The lead singer gives me his typical sexy smirk when our eyes lock across the room. He’s more than a little animated tonight. Just what he desires, what we both desire.

He gives a wave and thanks the fans. “You are the best! Thank you so much for coming out tonight! Be sure to visit our trusty bartenders for one last drink and see you at our next show! Cheers!”

I happen to be one of the bartenders he mentioned. Liliana Hayes, drink maker extraordinaire, striving artist, and friend to the band and tattooed bad boy lead singer, Zane Morrison.

The crowd soon floods the bar area to follow up with his demand.

After a fast-paced night of nonstop drink mixing and bottle tossing, the band finished packing then made their way to my section of the bar sporting huge grins and high energy as they found their seats.

“The usual pints, boys?” I’m not sure why I ask, they always go for the same thing every night they play.

They nod as they talk about the show and the man that they met whilst they packed. This band is going to make it big someday soon. Tally’s is always maxed out on patrons when they play here, the line often times extending around the corner, some having to be turned away.

All men are heavily tattooed, pierced in quite a few areas, some I’d rather not know about, and for the most part they are all modestly built, with the exception of Nate, who is just a fucking beast.

Any girl who sees them mindlessly swoons and offers themselves as an entree. Who wouldn’t? They are soon to be known in the music industry. Every lass wants bragging rights for being first. Their name is being broadcasted throughout London and everyone is wanting a piece of the action so they can say they knew the band or shagged the band before they made it big.

I have come to think of these men as good mates, or at least as much as I let people into my circle.

Dex is their bass player, and is the biggest player in the bedroom, from what I hear. He is always on the pull, anywhere, anytime, doesn’t matter, pissed or not. The ladies flock to his side with little to no effort on his part. Then again, every band member seems to have it easy when it comes to finding a quick shag.

Oh, the Rock star life, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that? I just hope for everyone’s sake they wrap it up well and good.

Ryker is the lead guitarist and one of the most talented shredders I know. He is quiet when around anyone and tends to keep to himself most days. The other band members tend to look at Ryker as the go-to mate, mainly because he is so levelheaded. He and Zane take on writing the instrumental music, the lyrics, and toss ideas back and forth with ease. Out of all the band members it’s Ryker and I who have the most civil, intelligent conversations.

He told me his deepest secret so, I trusted him enough to know a flicker of a secret of mine. Ryker was also gifted my mobile number, on one condition only; he does not share it with anyone, not even Zane. Respect my privacy and I respect yours.

Continuing on, you have Nate, who plays rhythm guitar and does a few deep vocals. You can find him at the gym when he’s not on stage or picking up lassies in his spare time. He is the one who hounds the gents about getting to the gym, most times having to threaten them if they refuse. He is a big man but is always a teddy bear whenever we converse. I’ve come to realize though; this man is an observer. He enjoys watching more than acting if you catch my meaning.

Everyone has their vises. You will find no judgment from me.

Their drummer, Ian, is Zane’s younger brother and an absolute sweetheart; no girl can resist his baby face. He often tells me of his displeasure at being told he iscute. I told him he better get used to it because it’s only going to get worse when they become famous. At nineteen he is the youngest in the group and labeled as the jokester. If there is a chance at pranking his band mates, he takes it, most times with his fart sounder. He’s afraid to prank me, saying I scare him too much to even attempt it. *Sarcastic* Me? Scary?No.*Devilish snicker*

Lastly, we have Zane, the lead singer of the band ‘COLLECTING HATE’. He is a hot as sin looker and my occasional bed mate. Zane has these bright blue eyes, is covered head to foot in tattoos, has a single hoop piercing in his lip I like to lick, and that wicked charm.

Deep down he is as gentle as they come, and that is why we would never work together as a couple. He is often warm and touchy-feely as to where I’m cold as the arctic. I rarely show any amount of emotion or affection and most find that off putting. His confidence and swagger gives him an edge that every girl desires.

Zane knows our agreement on being strict friends with benefits, but

---