Twelve
Veronica
I hate to admit it but Kat was right, I did need a holiday. Or maybe I needed to find someone like Gear? That’s not right, not someone like Gear, I just needed Gear. The last few days have been amazing. He’s a wonderful lover and a great support.
The Grinders are on stage doing a sound check and I’m making sure that everything is going to plan. It’s only a rally but The Grinders, all of them, are professionals. They want to give the best possible show for the fans.
“Hey, Veronica.”
I look up and Charlotte is staring down at me. She is Ryker’s old lady and he’s the President of the Kings of Korruption.
“Hey yourself!” I stand and embrace her.
“Your face looks better.”
I nod. “Yes, and makeup helps.”
Charlotte’s gaze goes to the stage as Truth belts out the chorus for Heaven. “Damn, he sounds good, not as good as Kat. It’s a pity she lost her voice.”
Kat lost her voice in a car accident and is now lead guitarist. It was a hard adjustment for her but like everyone, we were glad they managed to figure it out and not break up.
“You’re right. I miss hearing her sing too.” Charlotte looks at me. “What brings you to sound check? You need something? Or did you want to hear them rehearse? They’ll be done in about fifteen minutes if you’d like to say hello to them?”
“I came to check on you.”
Her words take me by surprise, like everything has in the last few days. I’ve had men and women from both clubs check on me, not to mention my boss had a fit when Kat told him what happened. He wanted me to fly home to LA but I’m loving the atmosphere here and apart from that one incident, I feel safe. Mind you, if I’m not with Gear, I’m with a Savage Angels or a Kings of Korruption member, I’m never left alone.
“I’m fine.”
Charlotte looks awkward and looks around, finally, she places her hands on her hips and looks me in the eye.
“Gear is good for you.”
Smiling, I answer, “Yes, he is.”
“And you are good for Gear.”
Realization dawns on me, she’s looking out for her friend.
“We are good together. He’s been….a complete surprise. Gear is something I didn’t know I was missing.”
Her hands drop to her sides and she hugs me. “I’m so happy you said that.” Relief is evident in her tone.
“Yo, V!” yells Jamie, the drummer, over a mic.
Looking up at him, I yell out, “What?”
“How do we sound?”
I do the thumbs up, Jamie smiles at me, throws his sticks in the air and stands up. He leans down to the mic, “Good then let the party begin!”
I look at Charlotte. “I have to go. Are we good?”
“Yeah, we’re good.”
I take two steps away from her then reach back and grab her hand. “Come on, come say hello.”
Charlotte’s huge smile is all the encouragement I need and I drag her, willingly, to meet the whole band.
“Everyone! This is Charlotte, Charlotte this is The Grinders!”
Kat is the first to bound over, closely followed by Jasmin, the keyboardist. “Hey Charlotte, we meet again!” says Kat happily. “And this divine creature is Jasmin,” Kat leans over and points at the different members. “That’s Jamie, Curtis, the big hunk of man is Blair and that’s Truth.”
Truth, ever the ladies man and flirt, holds out his hand to Charlotte. “Well, hello there charismatic Charlotte, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Curtis laughs and pushes Truth out of the way. “Ignore him Charlotte, he loves to hear the sound of his own voice.”
Two arms wrap themselves around me and I twist to find Gear, smiling down at me. “You finished working for today?” he asks right before he kisses me.
He pulls back and I’m grinning like an idiot. “Nearly.”
“Vivacious Veronica, are you going to introduce us to your man?” asks Truth.
Gear releases me and eyes Truth warily. “Curtis says to ignore Truth. Everyone, this is Gear, Gear, meet The Grinders,” gushes Charlotte.
The band erupts in laughter except for Truth who shakes his head. “Look what you’ve done, she was a fan,” replies Truth, trying to sound hurt.
“Give it up, man, give it up. Nice to meet you Gear,” says Blair holding out his hand. “You’d never know he’s happily married the way he carries on. It’s all for show. There was a time when Truth here, nailed anything that moved but now? Now, he’s in love.”
Truth grins and holds his hand out to Gear. “It’s true. My beautiful bride is around here somewhere and I need to find her. V are we good? We sound awesome, security is top notch, thanks to the Kings of Korruption and the Savage Angels, and I want to spend some alone time with Rosie.”
“My name is Veronica,” I grind out. “And yes, we’re good. See you all here tomorrow for the concert.”
The band as a whole grin at me and wander off to secure their instruments and find the ones they love. Kat grabs Charlotte’s hand and drags her over to her twins who are on the side of the stage with their daddy, Dane.
I turn and face Gear. “So, gorgeous Gear, do you want to find somewhere quiet for some alone time?”
“Fuck yes! You know V suits you. It’s sexy, just like you.”
“It’s Jonas’s fault, that bloody nickname is going to stick, isn’t it?” I complain.
“Babe, if you don’t like it, I’ll make sure no one ever calls you that again,” Gear replies seriously.
Smiling, I say, “You’d do that for me?” He nods. “Let’s go find some alone time and I’ll think about it.”