RYAN

 

We’re at the after party with our backup band. They’re a young bunch of grunge guys. Nice enough, but they’re not as cool as Luminous from Australia. Those chicks were as fun as hell. But these guys still know how to have a good time, and their sound is great. They’re a good fit for us and they’re pretty good guys as well. They’re over by the bar ordering drinks while Nate dances with Candace, the air hostess on the dance floor. Matt is busy on his cell, as Lunar and Danger sit cozied up opposite Tillie and me in the booth in their own little world, as they do.

I look to Tillie who seems a little preoccupied. She keeps checking her cell like she’s watching something and it’s a little worrying.

“Hey, you all right?” I ask reaching out and gently grabbing her wrist. She looks up at me with a sincere smile and nods putting her cell down.

“Shit. Yes. Sorry.” She sighs and winces. “There’s probably something I should tell you.”

I sit up taller as she links her fingers with mine and I nod giving her the all clear to talk to me.

“So, when I did the live feed tonight there was a creeper on there saying she was in love with you, that you were already in love with her and your bodies were going to entangle in all sorts of strange ways… that kind of stuff. I ended the feed before she got too carried away.”

I pull my eyebrows together in slight shock. Usually, that kind of talk is always reserved for the twins, definitely always for Danger, but hardly ever for me.

“Wow! Are you sure she meant me?”

She nods. “She said your name… quite a few times.”

“Ha, cool.”

She furrows her brows and purses her lips. “Cool?” She tilts her head like she’s confused.

“I’ve never really been the one to have fangirls, but it’s nothing new for bands to have those kinds of fans. Danger and the twins have that sort of stuff all the time, maybe not to that kind of extreme, but it’s all part and parcel of this gig. Just typically the whack jobs go for the lead singers.”

She hums and slumps into the booth like she’s surprised by my blasé attitude, but really I’m not worried and she shouldn’t be either. These girls are all talk. They love us behind their keyboards and say creepy things but that’s all it is. They would never do anything in real life, and if they did the most it would be is lunging at us for a hug. They’re harmless. They are just hardcore fans. We should appreciate them, not be scared of them.

“So, you’re not worried?” she asks.

“No, it’s nothing to be concerned about. Trust me, this is completely normal. She’s just a super fan... it’s kinda cool, actually.”

She nods and tightens her hand in mine then leans in pressing her lips to me tenderly. My lips tingle when hers touch mine and I love the electricity I feel when we’re together. It never fails, but I pull back and look her in the eyes.

“Wanna ditch this place and go back to the hotel?”

She smiles brightly and nods. “Hell yeah.”

 

***

 

We’re back on the jet traveling to Florida and I’m watching Matt flirt with Candace yet again and I can’t help but chuckle. I can’t keep up. First Matt is flirting with her, then Nate is dancing with her, now Matt is flirting with her again. I have no idea who’s going to win this little battle. I’m glad I don’t have to fight with anyone to get my girl. She’s right here next to me.

Turning to Tillie, I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her to me. She leans in and I run my finger along her chin forcing her face up. Leaning down I press my lips to hers and kiss her. She kisses back and a tingle starts in my cock as the blood rushes and it grows hard just from kissing her. She has that effect on me.

Tillie seems to notice somehow as her hand runs down my torso. My cock is throbbing and I need a bit of relief, so I grab her hand forcing it down onto my cock. She pulls away from the kiss in a gasp removing her hand in a fit of giggles as she looks around frantically to see if anyone noticed.

“Ryan!” She chides as her cheeks flush a bright crimson.

I chuckle even though my cock is aching so badly against the seam of my jeans. Glancing around I see Matt has gone, but what I want to do can’t be done here. So I stand up, grabbing her hand which forces her to stand with me. She laughs as I drag her with me down the aisle of the jet.

“Ryan, what are you doing?”

I turn to face her just as we get to the back of the jet where the biggest bathroom is located and waggle my eyebrows. “Mile high?” I smirk and she gasps.

I open the door to a muffled moan, and we look in to see Candace on the sink with Matt pounding into her. They both stop, look at us and Tillie laughs nervously with a slight gasp as I quickly close the door.

“Fucker stole my idea,” I say.

Tillie bursts out laughing. “Guess you’ll have to wait till we get to the hotel. I’m sorry I’m so irresistible.”

A deep throaty growl echoes from my chest as I frown. “You have no idea, baby.”

She grabs my hand as muffled moans echo from inside the bathroom and we both chuckle as we turn and walk back down the aisle toward our seats.

 

***

 

As we walk through the airport the fans are all here screaming and yelling.

I love this.

I live for this.

Feeling their appreciation makes it all worthwhile.

Seeing the love they have on their faces as we walk through the airport—the adoration in their eyes—well fuck, there’s nothing like it. I wave to the crowd as Tillie walks next to me giggling slightly. Danger cheers and Matt and Nate high five everyone as they rush past them all. It’s fun, and even though we’re causing a scene, I don’t care. This is part of the reason we do this. The fans are why we make music. If they didn’t love what we do there would be no reason to put it out there. It’s nice to know they appreciate our sound as much as we love making music for them.

“This is crazy,” Tillie calls into my ear. I nod as I wave out to my fans. “Oh, there’s that girl again,” Tillie says pointing to a girl who has a normal camera with a long lens pointed right at us. I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

She doesn’t look old enough to be a paparazzi, but hey, everyone can have a hobby and maybe hers is photography? But as she pulls the camera from her face, she looks right at me and smiles wide giving me a small curt wave. I recognize her. I’m not entirely sure who she is but I’ve definitely seen her before, many times. Her purple and aqua hair is not something you forget easily.

“Oh, I know her,” I say to Tillie. She raises an eyebrow in question. “She was around when we played with Staked and Slayed all that time ago. She must be a real fan.”

Tillie smiles as I glance over to see Declan just behind me. “Oh, that’s nice, she must really be a fan if she knows you guys from back then,” Tillie replies.

“Hey Declan,” I call out, he looks to me and steps up. “Can you flank me, I’m gonna do something a little crazy.”

“Oh God,” Tillie groans as Declan exhales stepping up to my side.

I move over toward the purple haired girl, and Declan shifts people out of our way as girls scream and rush around us. The girl smiles widely as she puts her camera down watching in awe as I approach her. Her eyes open so widely as she watches me advance toward her. She doesn’t scream or go bat shit crazy like most girls would. Rather she’s calm and a little shy as I give her a panty dropping grin.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Ah, um… Cadence,” she says shyly with a shaky voice.

“Well Cadence, that’s a beautiful name, and very musical, too. I like it. Would you like to have a photo with me?”

Her eyes open wider and she looks like she’s almost about to faint as she nods her head frantically and adamantly. “Oh, umm… yes, please. If it’s not too much trouble?”

“Of course not. Declan do you mind?”

“Nope, not at all. Can you set it up for me Cadence, and then I’ll just press the button?”

She nods setting up the camera and then moves to my side. I place my arm around her and pull Cadence to me. She’s completely stiff beside me, and I lean into her which makes her stiffen even more.

Poor thing.

“Okay… smile,” Declan says, so I do so as does Cadence and he presses the button a few times trying to get the perfect shot. Then I hand him my cell to take a shot for me too.

He finishes taking the photos with my cell and I turn to Cadence and give her a giant hug. “Thank you for being with us from the start, we really appreciate it,” I say, and she gasps.

“Y-You r-remember m-me?” she stutters.

I pull back and smile at her. “Yeah, I do, and I mean it, thank you.”

She chews on her bottom lip. “Thank y-you, Ryan, y-you’ve made m-my year. C-Can you s-sign my book?” she hesitates to ask.

“Of course,” I reply as she hands me a book with all our pictures on it, with love hearts all around us, and a giant love heart around my face. I grin as she hands me a Sharpie and I sign right next to it making sure to add two x’s for effect.

“We should get going, the others are waiting,” Declan informs, and I nod.

“Okay, I gotta go. But thank you for your support, and I’ll see you again soon.”

“You betchya.”

I pull her in for another hug as girls around her scream while she hugs me so tightly. Declan taps my shoulder and I let Cadence go, give her a final smile then walk briskly back to the group. Tillie is smiling so wide that I raise an eyebrow at her.

“What?” I ask and she links her arm with mine as we continue to walk through the airport.

“Oh, nothing. I just think it’s sweet that you care about your fans like that. Even if that girl is uber creepy, but she’s obviously a massive fan so it’s great you’re making an effort with her.”

I chuckle. “She’s not that creepy… Okay maybe the scrapbook with love hearts around our faces was a little creepy, but it’s all in good fun.”

She shakes her head, giggling. I love her giggle, it makes my cock throb. Man, I wish that bathroom wasn’t occupied on the jet. Fucking Matt!

“So we’re heading right from here to the local radio station to do a group interview. I don’t want any stupid answers from you lot when we get there. Got it?” Oliver demands as we reach the Hummer.

I chuckle as Danger ignores him and Nate and Matt grin mischievously.

“I can’t promise anything,” Matt says.

“I don’t do anything stupid, ever,” Nate quips making Tillie and me both burst out laughing.

“Hey!” Nate chides as we all slide into the back of the Hummer.

The drive to the radio station isn’t far and on the way we generally talk about the upcoming schedule, boring stuff. I feel a little tired actually, and I’m wishing we could go straight to the hotel. I’d rather be in bed next to my girl, but we have things to do, promotions to uphold—the life of a rock star and all. So I suck it up and step out of the Hummer to make my way with the rest of the crew up into the radio station for our group interview.

The station manager leads us up the hall toward the studio where the interview will be taking place. “So the interview is going to be live to air, with callers calling in after Gregson has asked a couple of questions. So please, guys, be on your best behavior. Keep the language to a minimum. We don’t need the head of the network on our backs. Okay?” the station manager relays leading us down the darkened hallway.

I nod as Nate and Matt grin like always, and Danger is zoned out too busy playing with Lunar’s ass to listen to what’s being said. We step into a giant room that’s surrounded by big glass windows. Inside is a massive desk with soundboards and microphones, and at the desk is a man wearing headphones. He’s talking into a microphone, and above the door a red light is on. The station manager hits a button and a voice comes over some speakers and we can suddenly hear what the guy—who I’m assuming is Gregson—is saying.

“So coming up after the add break… yes, you guessed it… the uber talented guys from Recoil. Not one, not two, but all four of them are here and will be in this very studio waiting to take your calls. Right after this break.” Some music sounds followed by the theme for the radio station and then it goes into ads as Gregson takes off his headphones. The light turns green and the station manager opens the door and gestures for us to walk in.

“Go in, guys, and take the seats around the desk in front of the microphones. Ladies and Oliver, you can sit on the sofa by the wall,” the station manager tells us.

I give Tillie’s hand a squeeze as she winks at me mouthing ‘good luck.’

Grabbing a seat, I pull it up next to Gregson who nods to me while the others take their seats and the station manager leaves.

“Well, hey guys, we don’t have long before the break is over, but I’m going to start by asking a couple of questions, then I’m going to open it up to phone calls. You all good with that?”

Danger seems more alert now Lunar isn’t in his presence, so I look over at him.

“Yeah, I’m good,” Danger replies.

“Me too,” Matt agrees.

“Whatever,” Nate adds.

I roll my eyes at Nate as Gregson raises an eyebrow and I shake my head slightly while taking in a deep breath. Gregson gestures to the headphones on the desk in front of us all, and so we each pick them up and place them on our heads. I can hear someone talking but I can’t see them as they count us in from the add break.

“And, we’re back in five, four, three, two…” It goes quiet as the theme song plays and then Gregson comes in like he knew exactly when. I guess he’s a pro, and you would be after working here for as long as he has.

“Welcome back listeners, and do we have a treat for you. I have with me the four members of the hottest band of the moment… Recoil are here. Say hi guys!”

“Hi,” we all say in unison and then chuckle.

“That’s right, ladies. Fan your fluffies ‘cause I’m sitting here right now staring at Danger, Ryan, Nate, and Matt. And I have to tell you, even my heart’s a little jittery.”

I chuckle. “Oh Gregson, you liar,” Danger quips.

He laughs. “No really, but it might just be my angina.”

We all laugh. “Yeah, now the truth is coming out,” I tease.

He laughs. “Okay, let’s get to the truth then, Ryan, shall we?”

“Oh God,” I groan.

He chuckles. “Yoga? Is it really as easy as you make it look?”

I glance over to Tillie. “It is when you have a good teacher like Lara, and also someone pushing you like Tillie. I wasn’t up for the challenge at first, but it’s actually been a good experience for me, and if you get a chance to have a go at it I would recommend it for sure.”

“Good to know. Now, Danger, I’m going to ask the question everyone wants to know.”

“Ah-huh…” Danger shifts in his seat.

“You and Lunar have been together for quite a while now, and people… the paps and myself right now, have spotted a rather large ring on Lunar’s ring finger. Anything you wanna tell the world?”

Danger looks over to Tillie with his eyes wide. They hadn’t gotten around to doing a press release regarding their engagement.

Tillie just smiles and nods in that unflappable way she has.

“Okay, well, I actually asked the beautiful Lunar to marry me, and she said yes… how’s that for an exclusive?”

Gregson smiles wide. “Well, you heard it here first, folks. Danger from Recoil is officially off the market. Hearts are breaking all over the world tonight… congratulations guys.”

“Thank you, we’re very happy.”

“When can we expect the wedding invites?”

“Urgh, that I don’t know, we haven’t even thought about that part yet. So don’t expect anything too soon people.”

“What about the pitter patter of tiny little feet? Any chance of that?”

Danger shifts uncomfortably in his seat this time and I smile wide watching him squirm.

“Okay, time to talk about something else,” Danger murmurs while Lunar chuckles in the background.

“Right, I think it’s time to take some callers. We have our first one on the line. Caller what’s your name and question?”

“Hi, I’m Carol. I love you guys. I’m really a huge fan. I have all your albums and I listen to all your songs on repeat… like all the time. I like to kiss your posters on the wall before I go to bed and—”

“TMI Carol, do you have an actual question?” Gregson interrupts as we all chuckle.

“Oh, right, sorry, I get carried away. My question is to the twins, where was the weirdest place you last had sex?”

Everyone laughs as Gregson rolls his eyes.

“On the band’s jet.” The brother’s both answer in unison. They look at each other and high five as we all break out in laughter.

Tillie shakes her head and I know she’s thinking this could turn into a PR nightmare if anything wrong is said. But so far everything is going okay.

“Wait, who did you have sex with on the jet?” Nate asks.

“Who did you have sex with?” Matt asks in return.

“Candace.” They both say her name at the same time and the room fills with laughter as they groan and shove at each other.

“Fuck dude, I saw her first,” Nate says.

“Yeah, how do you know? When did you have sex with her?” Matt asks.

“Who’s the sloppy seconds?” Gregson quips as we all laugh, and Tillie puts her head in her hands.

“Wednesday,” Nate says.

“Tuesday,” Matt replies with a giant smirk and Nate throws his hands in the air.

“Fucking hell, always coming second,” Nate groans.

Everyone laughs except for a brooding Nate.

“Gotta love live radio,” Gregson says. “We have another caller. Caller, what’s your name and question?”

“Hi, I’m Alana, just wondering if you guys normally share girls? ‘Cause, I’m down.”

Gregson hangs up the call while we all laugh.

“Okay, maybe no more calls,” Gregson says shaking his head.

 

***

 

The rest of the interview went on without a hitch. The interview was actually quite funny and there was lots of laughter, but more importantly, the ratings were high so the studio executives informed us afterward.

I have to admit our first radio interview went really well, and as we head down the hall toward the penthouse noisily, we’re all happy with how it went down. Well, except for Nate who’s still arguing with Matt.

My fingers link with Tillie’s as she cuddles into my side. Oliver steps up beside us as we all chuckle at Matt and Nate.

“Those two will be at each other’s throats for hours, you know that, right?” I say to Oliver.

He rolls his eyes and gunts. “I’ve already fired Candace and found another air hostess to fill her position.”

Chuckling, I nod. “Good idea. Nate’s already a bitch, we don’t need Matt being one, too.”

“So true,” Tillie says with a slight chuckle. “So true.”