Chapter Five
Elly
I floated through the day, setting up for the show in Houston with a smile on my face. Something had changed between me and Tristan. It wasn’t anything either of us said out loud, or even alluded to, but I could feel that it was different. It wasn’t just about sex anymore and I was becoming less and less afraid of the feelings I was having for him. I could have been wrong, because he never talked to me about feelings either, but I got the feeling that he was having the same for me. I was still a little worried about whatever happened the day before. But after the show, he seemed okay, so whatever happened in the morning couldn’t have been all that bad.
Hannah and I were standing behind the stage, looking out at Ethan performing and Hannah said, “He’s good, but do you notice how much more into it the crowd gets when Tristan’s out there than any of them?”
I smiled; I’d noticed it, of course, but I thought I was just being biased.
“Yeah, I do notice that. Tristan’s just got that quality that makes him a star. I mean, he’s talented, too, obviously; but even if he wasn’t, I think he could still command a crowd.”
“He has the same effect on you, too. I can see it in your eyes just when you talk about him.”
I didn’t comment on that. There was no sense in denying it. I knew it was as obvious on my face as it was in my heart. Even in my voice, I guessed; the last time I’d talked to both my mother and Susie on the phone they’d commented on it. I didn’t care, though; I didn’t have to hide it from anyone any longer.
Ethan finished his performance and Brooke went next. She was losing weight, drastically. Everyone had commented on it and the producers had even talked with her about it. They were concerned for her health since it seemed to be happening overnight. I kind of felt sorry for her. She was one of those girls who was so pretty, and she’s actually even talented, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. She always seemed to be reaching out, begging for attention. Maybe she’d get a record deal, too, after the tour and that would feed her need for attention. I really didn’t wish her any ill will…as long as she never came near Tristan naked, again. In that case, I’d take pleasure in kicking her ass.
After Brooke finished, the crowd was going wild, chanting Tristan’s name. He always went last and they always got all wound up when they waited for him to come out. I was shocked, and the crowd was loudly disappointed, when instead of Tristan, Ethan returned to the stage. It took him a really long time to quiet the crowd down.
When he finally did he said, “Hey guys! I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Tristan Rodgers won’t be performing tonight.” The crowd went crazy again. I was afraid they were going to riot. I might have joined them.
I looked at Hannah and said, “What the hell is going on?” She shrugged and looked as confused as I felt. Ethan was trying to get the crowd to be quiet so he could finish whatever it was he was trying to say, but they wouldn’t shut-up. They were chanting for Tristan; that’s what they paid for and they were demanding he come out. Poor Ethan looked overwhelmed. He was looking back over his shoulder at us…I thought. I finally looked behind me and saw Jake standing there. For the first time since I’d met him, he acted like he didn’t know I was in the room. He looked really pissed and he was staring straight out at Ethan. Tony was at his elbow, ready to lick his boots if need be. Jake leaned over and said something into Tony’s ear. Tony nodded and scurried away.
Jake breezed past us and out onto the stage. He took the microphone from Ethan and said, “If you won’t calm down and listen to us, then the show is over.” There was a roll of murmurs and then sudden silence. It was almost like suddenly going deaf. Then he said, “Thank you. First of all, I want you all to know that your ticket fee will be refunded for tonight. You’ll be given a receipt on your way out the door which you can redeem at one of the locations listed on it.”
Someone screamed up at him, “Is Tristan sick?”
Then there were a barrage of:
“Where is he?”
“Why isn’t Tristan here?”
“Is he okay?”
Jake held his hand up again until the crowd was silent. I was as much on pins and needles as everyone else, and I felt a little foolish about not knowing what was going on. Then, I felt like someone kicked me in stomach and knocked all of the wind out of me when I heard him say, “Tristan Rodgers walked out on the tour today. He walked out on you…and all of the American’s who voted for him on Fresh Voices.” Jake tried to say more, but the crowd was too rowdy. He finally had them shut the front curtain and as he walked by us again he said, “Break it all down; we need to get out of here tonight.”
I was frozen to my spot. Shaking and nauseated, wondering what the hell had happened, and why the hell Tristan hadn’t told me what was going on. He was walking out on a million dollars and a record contract. Was he a complete moron?