Page 16 of True Stars Collide

Liam flipped the drummer off and picked up his guitar. “Yeah, yeah. Have your fun, you fuckers. And if our fans find out this isn’t real, Black Velvet Machine is done for good.”

Ben shrugged a shoulder. “We got it––you two just couldn’t wait. Soul mates and all that shit. Don’t worry, we’ll pull it off. And thanks for taking one for the team, man.”

Liam grunted.

Yeah, surly guy was back. Zoe gritted her teeth and dumped her fire-engine red satchel on a table against the wall. Time to focus on why she was here––the music––and tune these guys out. Because they were acting like Liam was a martyr and what, this was just par for the course for her? This is my dream gig. This is my dream gig.

She didn’t know any of them yet and it wasn’t the time to assert herself or express her own feelings about any of it. She needed to show them she could be the lead vocalist for the band, and as a woman, she had twice as much to prove. Not just in the entire music industry, but in the group. She hadn’t driven through that wedding tunnel to lose out on this opportunity.

“Okay guys, how do you usually run things?”

Ben walked over and handed her the set list. “I think it makes sense to practice the songs in order. Take a look and let us know if there are any on here you don’t know.”

She skimmed the list, which consisted of many of the band’s top hits ranging from anthems to a few ballads. Her song, Shine, which she knew would vibe perfectly with the band’s signature sound, was conspicuously absent. Krissy had confirmed she’d sent it over after they’d signed the contracts. It was part of the deal.

“I’ve got a handle on them, some more than others. But where’s my song, Shine?” She forced herself to slow her breathing down and prevent the irritation flickering up her spine to flare into anger.

“What song?” Liam’s brow furrowed.

“The song that is part of our agreement. I wrote it. We’re singing it tomorrow night and if it goes over well, it’s going on the album.”

Ian finally raised his head from where he’d been fiddling with equipment. “Yeah, you guys and girl should close with it. The list should have been updated.”

“You’re kidding, mate, right?” Liam scowled at Ian.

And her irritation blazed into a raging inferno.

She stomped toward Liam. “Not kidding. You’ve been playing the BVM songs for years so you should have the bandwidth for one new song.”

“It’s not exactly fucking ideal. Like we don’t have enough to pull off without a song we didn’t write?”

“I. Wrote. The. Song. Aren’t I the lead singer of the band, babe?”

Before Liam could respond, Ben stepped between them. “Hey, everyone hold on. Liam, shut the fuck up. Ian, you should have given us a heads up before today.”

Ben pointed a finger at her. “Zoe, calm down. You have to agree the timing’s a little rough for tomorrow night. Can it wait until the tour?”

Zoe’s hands curled into fists, her fingernails digging grooves into her palms. “Look, guys, I’m part of the band now. If we come out for the first show in over three years and I sing only your material, it’ll seem like I’m just a fill-in. Not the new lead singer.”

“But we’re playing one of the new songs we wrote, already the fans won’t know the difference,” André said.

“This is the perfect opportunity to cement that I’m the new singer, that my material is part of the band. I mean, like we aren’t going to be under a microscope with the marriage?” She scanned the room. “You can handle a three minute song. If this is going to work out, we need to work together.”

Ian marched to the middle of the room. “It’s not a question. It’s what’s happening and it’s part of the deal. I’ll give you the music at the first break and you can review it. So quit your bitching and get your equipment set because we’re starting in ten minutes, period.”

Tension permeated the air and for a moment everyone remained rooted to their spots.

Liam shrugged and his pissed-off expression smoothed out. “Zoe’s right. We’ll learn the song later today and highlight it at the show. For now, let’s do the set list in order.”

Zoe’s shoulders softened and relief flooded through her. Liam had stepped up––not exactly a given––and the rest of the guys followed his direction. It felt good to have him support her, but would every single event with this band be a battle?

She’d won this round but how long was she expected to fight before she’d be accepted?

CHAPTER 8

Liam’s gaze swept the small stage. Only one minute until the curtains pulled back for Black Velvet Machine’s return show. The 4,600 person venue was packed, and the crowd noise was deafening. The standing room, seats, and luxury suites buzzed. Beads of sweat prickled on his brow and he wiped them away.

Not as overwhelming as when they’d played stadium venues, but tonight’s intimate gig was the perfect way to re-introduce the band to the world. Their first performance without the incomparable Austin up front. Without the incomparable Tommy pounding the drums.

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