LUNAR

THE TOUR BEGINS

 

Danger and Effa still haven’t finished their duet, so they’re going to keep working on it during the tour. The buzz around them is growing, and they’ve been doing plenty of television interviews along with radio to hype it up. The first show is tonight in Melbourne at AAMI Park, which is nestled between the Yarra River and the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground. The arena is huge, and we’re all backstage in the green room preparing.

I glance over to Danger and notice while he sits on the couch his knee is tapping up and down in quick succession like he’s nervous as he guzzles down a beer. Sighing, I walk over to him and sit down. I should be out at the merch stand, but for the first night I wanted to be here with him for support. And now I’m glad I am, he seems unsettled.

“Should you be drinking before a show?” I ask as I slide in next to him, the couch dipping under my weight. The sounds of Luminous ending their set echoes quietly through the room.

“Lunar, I’ve done this before, I think I know what I can and can’t handle.”

Jolting my head back, I purse my lips at his blunt reply. “Okay… geez, I’m just trying to help. You don’t have to be a prick about it.”

He slumps his body and nods, turning to look at me. “I know, I’m sorry. This is my first headline, I’ve always been the backup. This is my night to shine, and I don’t want to fuck this up in front of a twenty-one thousand capacity crowd… you know what I mean?”

Nodding, I half smile and reach forward taking the beer from him. “Then lay off the booze, and just breathe. You know your songs, you know the order, and you know you can do this. This is only the beginning for you and Recoil, Danger. Only the beginning…”

He nods and rushes forward pulling me unexpectedly into a hug.

I smile and embrace him back giving him all the comfort he’s seeking. “You got this.”

“I’m so glad I have you!”

“You’ll always have me. Now go and rock out like you know you can.”

He pulls back then leans in kissing me briefly, but forcefully. Danger stands up taking a deep breath and heads over to Ryan and the guys who seem all fired up and ready to go.

Smiling, I chew on my bottom lip, so proud of my man for coming this far. Standing up, I walk behind the band who are now laughing, and he seems to be a little more relaxed now I’ve had my pep talk. Danger going on stage with a bundle of nerves wouldn’t have been good for anyone.

We step around to the backstage area, and the sound of the crowd talking amongst themselves is almost deafening. I can’t wait to hear them all cheering for my boys. I’ve seen them perform in bars and the bigger clubs, smaller arenas, but nothing like a packed out stadium. I have a feeling the roar of this crowd is going to knock me off my feet.

I can’t wait.

Luminous are gathered around the back and seem to be on a high. This is the biggest crowd they’ve ever performed to, and I’m so happy for these girls. They really are a great bunch, even if Effa is a little too friendly and spiritually connected to my guy. Danger looks over to me, and I wave as he takes a deep breath and smiles back. He mouths ‘it’s show time’ and I nod and give him two thumbs up.

“Good luck,” I call out.

Ryan, Matt, and Nate all race up the stairs. Blackness engulfs the stage as the crowd cheers even though they can’t see the guys running on. I listen on as Ryan strums his guitar, and the crowd erupts in a manic screaming fit. The ground beneath me vibrates, and I smile so wide it makes my eyes water. I turn back to Danger and he’s grinning the biggest I’ve seen him smile since I said I was leaving the club. His chest heaves in pure adrenalin-fueled excitement, and it fills me with so much happiness to see him in his element.

I stand up on my toes excitedly as the neon lights flash brilliantly and strobe down onto Ryan and Matt as Nate kicks in with the drum beat. The powerful beats flowing through the stadium make every inch of me tingle. The reverb and heavy bass filling me with a deep vibration through my very soul only heightening the excitement running through my veins. I take one last look at Danger as he cracks his neck to the side and jumps on the spot a couple of times before he looks at me, winks, and then turns running up on to the stage.

The shockwave of noise that erupts from the crowd makes me lose my balance as I stumble on the spot. I almost have to bring my hands to my ears, the screams and cheers so loud it’s practically deafening. I can hardly hear the music over the ruckus, and my eyes well with so much pride that the hot salty water seeps from my eyelids and runs down my cheeks as he runs to the middle of the stage soaking in the appreciation from the crowd.

They love him, just like I knew they would, just like he deserves, and with the sheer volume of noise echoing through the stadium right now I’m sure it can be heard from the other side of Australia.

Shaking my head as I chuckle in excitement, Danger opens his mouth to sing the start of the song. The cheers erupt again and they stomp their feet as his deep sensuous voice flows around my body, tying me up in knots and pushes through my veins. Every inch of me litters in goosebumps at the way he makes lyrical love to the words, and my muscles clench at how every time he sings he manages to turn me on.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I clench my thighs together as my breathing increases, and I stand in awe of my man rocking it out like the greatest performer I’ve ever seen. And right at this moment I wonder how the hell I got so lucky to score him. Sure he’s damaged, sure he needs time to work on things, but hell if I’m not going to help him in every way I can. He’s worth it, and as he thrusts his hips on the stage in time with the music, I know that every girl out there wishes they were with him and every guy wants to be him. Danger doesn’t know how amazing he is and I want to show him.

I find myself singing along to the hook of the first song, just as the crowd is doing, they’re only halfway into their first song and already I know this concert is going to be a smashing success. Bouncing along in my own little world, I get a sense of someone watching me as a presence appears right next to me.

“Excuse me are you Annalise or Lunar?” she asks loudly over the music.

“Umm… both,” I say turning to face the woman who’s appeared out of nowhere. She’s wearing a dress suit and kind of looks like she should be working as a PA or something. She so looks out of place here.

“Can I ask you a few questions about your relationship to the band?”

Shrugging, I nod. “Sure, I guess.” I have no idea who she is, but I guess answering a few questions won’t hurt, right?

“How did you meet the band?” she asks with a slight smile like she’s happy to be talking to me.

Tensing, I decide to tell the truth. Well, a limited version of the truth. “Danger came in to where I worked and we became friends.”

She nods and pushes her black rimmed glasses higher up her nose. “Mm-hmm, and where did you work?”

“At a bar.” I’m not lying Strapless is a bar, I just happened to strip there not work behind it serving drinks like I’m implying.

“And you sell the band’s merchandise, is that right?”

“Yes. They also helped me form a foundation which they support to help raise awareness for Autism.”

“That’s very noble of you,” she says raising her eyebrow.

Shrugging, I tilt my head. “Well, it’s not noble, just something I want to do.”

“And Annalise, what’s your full name?”

“Annalise Sheffield.”

“And do you prefer Annalise or Lunar?”

“Either is fine.”

“Thank you, dear, you’ve given me plenty.”

Furrowing my brows, I wonder what that means as she walks off.

Given her plenty?

Plenty of what?

I decide to ignore the weirdness that was the last three minutes of my life, and turn back to the stage to watch my boys rock out on their first official headline act. They’re on fire and the crowd is loving them.

 

***

 

The encore finishes and the crowd erupts again as the lights dim and Danger runs off the stage. I stand back, but in line, so he can see me as soon as he runs down the stairs. I thought he’d make a beeline straight for the table with refreshments, but he spots me, smiles widely as he bolts straight for me and grabs my body and hoists me up in the air, spinning me round in a circle making me squeal from the force. He pulls my body flush with his as we both laugh at his enthusiasm, and he slides me down his body and presses his lips to mine hungrily. His body presses against me as his sticky forehead leans against mine.

I pull back and screw up my face jokingly. “Urgh… you’re all sweaty.”

He laughs and shakes his head, droplets of sweat fly from the ends of his loose hair smacking me on my face, arms, and chest. I groan stepping back and slapping his bicep playfully as he chuckles at me.

“So what did you think?”

“I think you’re truly a voice to be reckoned with, Danger. You guys are so ready now. I know you’re going to make it really big.”

“Yeah, we are! We’re not the bridesmaids anymore now, baby!”

Opening my eyes wide, I smirk. “Baby?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, just roll with it.”

I nod with a great big smile. Being called baby by your brand new rocker boyfriend is not a bad thing, not at all.

“After party?” he asks.

I nod as he takes my hand and we head back toward the green room with the crowd still chanting ‘Recoil’ in the distance. The halls to the green room are dimly lit, but the smile on Danger’s face could easily be seen from the space station, I’m sure of it. He’s on such a high from finally being the main act, and it makes me so happy that he’s happy. We round the corner and enter the room to see Matt, Nate, and Ryan all packing up. We have one more show here tomorrow night and then we move on to Queensland.

Ryan spots me and smiles wide. “I thought you were supposed to be selling our shirts not wearing them. Were you even on the merch stand tonight, little miss lazy bones?” Ryan quips, and I look to Danger, who smirks and shrugs.

I have no comeback, so I simply grab the hem of my shirt and lift it up flashing him. He cracks up laughing as Danger groans and shakes his head while Matt chuckles and Nate stares at me a little too much.

“If I can’t wear your shirts I’ll just take them off then, hey?” I quip out.

Ryan throws his hands in the air in appraisal giving out a loud “whoop” as Danger grabs my shirt and pulls it down.

“Okay, that’s enough. Please don’t flash my band mates,” Danger warns with a glare in his eyes.

I smirk and nod. “Sorry, Ryan just makes me wanna take my clothes off.”

“Hell, yeah,” Ryan quips.

“Only because he makes me feel so dirty I need to shower,” I add in, and he frowns as the others laugh at his expense.

“I will get you back for that one, little miss, don’t you worry.” He chuckles and I look at Danger noticing he seems a little less annoyed now. I probably shouldn’t have flashed my bra covered boobs to his band mates, but Ryan brings out my teasing side and I can’t help but provoke him, he’s such a loveable character.

“Okay, let’s get to the after party. I need a drink,” Danger announces.

The guys all nod and walk toward us.

He turns to me and looks me in the eyes lowering his voice. “Keep your clothes on. I’m not asking, Lunar, I’m telling you, okay?”

Chewing on my bottom lip, I nod. “Sorry, won’t happen again.”

“Good, ‘cause if it did I’d have to spank your ass so hard you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.”

Swallowing hard my nipples bud and my thighs clench together while a dull ache forms low in my stomach. The threat of rough play in the bedroom with Danger isn’t a deterrent for me, it only turns me on more.

I lean up next to his ear whispering softly, “Maybe you can spank me anyway?” My teeth grab onto his earlobe and I tug hard as he groans thrusting his erection into my hip.

“Jesus baby, why you gotta go and turn me on when we have to go out?”

Pulling back, I smirk and look deeply into his eyes. “Because, I can be a tease to not only Ryan but you too, big guy.” I run my hand over his chest and trail my fingers down his stomach, then grab his bulging crotch making him squirm, then I turn and head out the door after the rest of the guys.

“Lunar! Oh man. Lunar, can’t we stay in the green room for a little bit? Just five minutes?” he calls out as I head down the hall with a giant smirk.

“No can do, the car is waiting.”

His deep throaty growl echoes down the hall and I chuckle to myself as I walk with a swagger behind the other guys who are oblivious to me tormenting their lead singer.

Thunderous footsteps pound the concrete behind me, and I grin from ear to ear wondering what his reaction is going to be when he catches up. He leans into my side wrapping his arm around my shoulders pulling me to him. “You owe me a blow job,” he whispers in my ear. I smirk with a giggle and turn kissing his stubbly cheek.

Nate opens the door to the back of the complex and the night air hits my face, it’s still warm and I can’t wait for the cooler months to come in, but I guess it’s not all bad. We slide into the back of the car ready to head off to Vengeance, one of Melbourne’s most upmarket clubs with a terrific VIP section. Luke has a new security team on us, but Vengeance also has added security too. So it should be a good spot for our first party. I’ve only really been to biker parties, so going to a rock star after party is something new to me. I’ve only ever heard bad things about them. That they’re full of sex, drugs and all that jazz, but that’s not what these guys are about, so I’m expecting just drinking and dancing mainly.

The car pulls up to the curb of Vengeance and the guy at the end of the red carpet opens the door. There are a few paparazzi stationed by the other side of the lane ropes, and my muscles are tense at the attention I might get from the media considering my past, but hopefully they won’t even know who I am. I step out, still wearing my Recoil merch T-shirt and torn jeans with a pair of killer pink pumps to match my hair. I know I’m probably not dressed slutty like the rest of the people in here would be, but I don’t care. I like what I’m wearing, and I’m supporting my guy, so that’s all I’m worried about.

Danger steps out behind me and the cameras start their incessant snapping. No one asks any questions though, which is nice, but the people in the lineup all start fussing and wondering who’s going into the club they’re going to be partying in.

Then someone calls out, “Hey, isn’t that Recoil?” just as Ryan steps out of the car followed by Nate and Matt. Then the cheering begins, and a girl breaks free from the line up and bolts for Danger. He grabs hold forcing me behind his back as she screams like a crazy person, but Kane the newest of our bodyguards steps in grabbing the girl and escorting her away just before she reaches Danger. The cameras keep on snapping as the crowd all laugh and cheer while my heart rate spikes and I breathe heavily.

Who knows what could have happened had she gotten to Danger? It could have been as simple as her hugging him like mad, or she could have been crazy and stabbed him, we will never know. But what I do know is I’m shaking as Danger turns to me grabbing my shoulders and forcing me to look at him.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod taking in a deep breath. “She was crazy.”

He nods. “Yeah, but it happens, babe. Just know I will always protect you from them. Always.”

Smiling, I nod as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and we start to walk the red carpet and into the venue. The music isn’t that great, but it’s pumping loudly and the bass vibrates up through my toes and into my chest making my inner shaking feel even worse. We’re directed straight to the VIP stairs and we traipse up them quickly to avoid carnage in the crowd below. When we get up into the open expanse of the room, it overlooks the downstairs dancefloor with wall to ceiling one-way glass. There’s couches all around the walls, with booths and tables on one side and a dance floor in the middle, and a bar at the side. It’s a great set up and it looks quite fancy.

Smiling as my nerves begin to settle, I look over to the corner to see Luminous are already here and it seems they have an entourage of their own. Groupies probably, but the funny thing is they’re all male. Mainly youngish men, probably ranging from eighteen to mid-twenties. I chuckle as I grab Danger’s hand and gesture for him to look in their direction.

He scowls and turns up his lip. “That’s just weird.”

I shrug. “Just let them have their fun, and they can party their way and we’ll party ours.”

“Hmm… okay. Let me get us some drinks. Go grab a booth.”

Nodding, I let go of him with a quick peck on his cheek and start the small walk over to an empty booth. I sit with my back to Danger so I can keep watch on Luminous and their posse. It’s entertaining to watch and I figure if Danger wasn’t with me there would be a brood of young women here for Recoil, so I don’t see the difference in what Luminous are doing just because they’re girls. They’re all single so let them fuck around if they want to I say.

A shadow appears to my left, and I turn my head to see Nate sliding into the booth opposite me. I raise my eyebrow and smile as he places his hands on the table in front of him and grins. “How you doing?” he asks, and I chuckle.

“I’m good, how are you?”

“Yeah, really great, I’m on a high after the show. It’s so good finally being the front runners. We’ve worked so hard to get here and it’s finally paying off. It’s great to know people like our music.”

I scoff. “Nate, they don’t like your music… they love it.”

He tilts his head and sighs. “Well, I hope they do. I know I love it. This band means so much to me. Always has, it’s all I have. I mean Matt is so talented in everything he does so he can get by with anything, but me, all I’m good at is music. The drums are everything to me, so being in this band gives me purpose and drive. This is what I’m meant to be doing, you know what I mean?”

Smiling, I’m seeing a new side to Nate. He’s opening up a little to me, which is something new and I kind of like it. I know he doesn’t really have many people to lean on besides his brother, so it would be nice if I could be here for him like I am for Danger and Ryan.

“Well, I’m sure you’re good at things other than just playing the drums, Nate. You’re a smart guy.”

He scoffs. “Not really, I was a bad kid at school. Didn’t pay attention. Didn’t graduate, unlike Matt. I don’t know your basic math, and I can’t read really well other than music. So when you say I’m smart… I’m really not.”

My chest tightens and I frown wishing I could make him feel better about himself. “Why don’t you get a tutor to come and teach you some stuff? Like how to read and also some math?”

He shrugs. “Ryan and Danger don’t know how dumb I am, only Matt does, and having a tutor around on tour would make them ask questions I don’t wanna answer. So yeah, don’t tell Danger any of this, I just feel like I can trust you.”

“Of course you can. I won’t say anything. Nate, I’m here for you if you need to talk.”

Danger appears by my side with two drinks and he sighs as he slides in next to me putting the conversation to a complete halt. Danger looks from me to Nate and then back to me.

“I’ll see you later,” Nate says, then he slides out of the booth on the opposite side walking off with his head down low and his hands in his pockets. A sweeping pang of sadness washes over me for Danger’s band mate—and kind of nemeses at the moment—and I wish I could tell Danger what we were talking about but I know I can’t. I promised.

“What’s happening later?” Danger asks, and I smile and chuckle.

“Nothing, it was him saying goodbye. You read too much into things.”

Danger huffs handing me my small tumbler of whiskey and shakes his head. “I know he’s my band mate and all but I don’t trust him, Lunar. I don’t.”

“Oh, you’re being melodramatic.”

“Am I? I don’t think so.”

Suddenly, a bubbly blonde slides into the booth opposite us with a young guy and she looks as high as a kite.

“Hey guys, great night, hey?” Effa asks.

“You okay, Effa?” I ask.

Effa laughs and turns thrusting her lips and tongue down the guy’s throat, and I turn to Danger and smirk as Effa continues to pash on with the young guy at our table. I begin to chuckle as Danger and I both grab our drinks and take a sip.

They finally pull apart and Effa looks at us leaning forward placing her hands on the table and staring at us enthusiastically. “The world is made up of atoms and every molecule in those atoms are buzzing right now with the electricity of Mother Nature. Can you feel it?” she asks, her eyes gazing up to the ceiling as her boy toy smiles at me seductively. My eyes open wide and I look around to see if he’s actually looking at me. He is. Shit! I look away from him shaking my head.

“Umm… Effa, I think you better lay off the drugs. They make you weird.” Danger doesn’t hold back as I chuckle.

“Who says I’m on drugs? I’m high on life, Danger.”

Danger and I both laugh shaking our heads.

“Effa, look… I know drugs when I see them. Just cut back, okay?”

“You’re no fun. C’mon Sven.” Effa pulls her boy toy up from the booth and goes to walk off.

“My name’s Toby,” he replies, making me smirk.

“I know, but Sven is so much sexier,” she answers.

Glancing at Danger I shake my head with a laugh. “I don’t want drugs on this tour.”

“Then get Luke to talk to Luminous. By the look of it, Casey, Andrea, and Alana, are all wasted too. God even knows where Kristy is.”

Danger nods. “Yeah, this is only the start of the tour. We have to be on our game more than this. Ella’s dad was into cocaine, so I know firsthand what that can lead to.”

Tensing at the mention of his ex-fiancée’s name, like I always do whenever I hear the name Ella, I swallow hard. I hate she was such a big part of his life and that she broke him so badly. If I ever get to meet her, people will have to hold me back ‘cause that will be one epic bitch fight.