RYDER
“Goodnight, Boston.” I waved at the audience in our second city and threw my pick into the audience. This would be our last performance before heading overseas in a couple of days. The kids’ performances for the three U.S. shows brought them to the spotlight, and we hoped it would increase their fan base even more.
They didn’t need us to help out with that. Their music spoke for itself. The fact they had a look all women craved and a sound all fans loved didn’t hurt either. The music and lyrics drew the fans in, too. They were written from the heart and told of the old tropes and issues listeners desired.
Walking to the wings, I spotted my favorite photographer talking to my favorite A.D. members.
“The show sounded fucking awesome, Ryder. Hell, we all knew it would.” KeeMac patted me on the back. I didn’t need his validation, but it made me feel great to know an up-and-coming singer and songwriter appreciated our sound.
“Thanks.”
“Yeah, Ryder. Y’alls’ fans go crazy for your new stuff as much as your old music,” Chandler added. “We can only hope that we develop fans who’ll follow us for a lifetime.”
I looked up at her. My daughter’s beauty mimicked her mother’s in every way both inside and out. “Thanks, Chandler. I appreciate hearing that from you youngsters in the business.”
KeeMac stuck his chest out. The boy’s actions reminded me of all of us when people called us young. He’ll get a thrill out of it when he turns forty. “We’re not some punk-ass youngsters anymore, Ryder.”
“Get your feathers back under control, Leghorn. I only meant that you’re younger in comparison to Steel.”
“Yeah, that’s for damn sure, old man.”
I turned in time to see Chandler slap his abdomen. “Don’t worry, Dad, I got this under control.”
“Is that right? He calls me old again, and he’ll see how fast I can drop his ass.” I popped him on the back of the head.
“Hey, one hit’s enough. I get it.” Chandler and I shared a smile.
“I’m thinking you don’t since we’ve been down this road already. I’m not old, and you’re not young. I get it.” I reached down and grabbed G’Anna’s free hand where she stood watching the sparring. “You agree with me, G’Anna?”
“Don’t get me between the two of you, but I’ll be here to get the money shot when you knock him in the dirt.” She snickered at her comment but held up her camera that hung from the neck strap.
“Well, damn. I thought you were here to snap fucking photos of hot musicians to sell to magazines and make those cool millions. I didn’t realize you needed abuse to make the money.” KeeMac’s joking tone kept the conversation light as we made our way to the backstage after party. “Shit, get a good pic of my babe kissing her favorite fucking rock god.”
As he turned to finish his statement by lip-locking with her, she stepped forward and kissed Ryder on the cheek leaving the cocky boyfriend bewildered.
“Damn, babe, that’s not fair. I meant me.”
She turned and grinned at him. “You said my favorite rock god.” She swung her attention to me and added, “I did what you asked, so G’Anna could capture a great moment between us. You got it, right?”
G’ANNA
“Sure did, and it looks great in the viewfinder. Want to see?” Chandler moved to my side as we made our way in the door of the full-blown party going on. Both bands’ members started the party without us.
Women made their way in the bands’ direction the moment the door slammed shut behind us by the bodyguard.
“Sign my concert t-shirt, please.”
“I’ll show you my tits if you’ll sign them.”
“Did you catch my double D sequined bra when I threw it at you?”
The comments came from all sides.
I stepped away and focused my camera, listening to some of the absurd questions and comments while shooting the unfazed looks on the two singers’ faces. Those photos were priceless in my book. Some women’s sincerity brightly glowed while others made my gag reflex jump into full action. They were there for one reason only—sex with the superstars for the bragging rights.
Why did women debase themselves this way? Some would turn and cry foul when the front men used them and sent them on their way, and others would rejoice in their luck of having these men. The former’s actions made me feel like they undermined everything most women fought daily in a man’s world. I stood looking at them but refused to shoot a single shot that disgusted me.
“Take our picture,” a dyed redhead barked as she wrapped her arms around Ryder’s neck and rubbed her almost bare body against him. The comical look on his face made the shot worth it, though. I could blur her out later, never wanting to give credibility to her forced affection.
“She will not shoot a single damn picture with you dangling loose body parts on me. If I wanted a Steel Stripper, I’d asked. Go find Joel. I hear he’s in the market for a new favorite.” Ryder pealed the woman off him being careful not to touch exposed flesh.
Guess no one would see that shot.
As she walked away, I let my camera dangle from the neck strap. KeeMac doubled over laughing, and Chandler’s eyes followed the woman across the room. “There are no words for women like that,” she finally said loud enough for everyone around us to hear. Clearly, she wanted no part of a Steel Stripper latching onto her lover the way they did Ryder.
“Please tell me you didn’t shoot a picture of that scene.” Ryder’s voice came out low and raspy.
“I did, but no one will ever know it was her. She’ll be blurred out.”
“If you could lose the photo, I’d be happier. The Strippers know I don’t fucking work that way.”
His frank comment caused me to hit the delete button. “Gone.”
Before we moved on, I found myself wondering how I felt about these women being around at all. I quickly decided the convenience of a warm body waiting and willing irked me. Ryder and I weren’t actually a thing, but he’d said he wanted to see where we might be headed, and so did I.
A chance for anything physical to happen between us hadn’t occurred yet. I felt like it might have happened somewhat faster, but events and people got in the way. Now I knew if he had a pick for the night, why would he want me in his bed? I doubted I could hold a candle to the skills these women packed in their bags of tricks.
“Thank God. I never want a picture surfacing of me with one of them in that type of pose. We dealt with all of that years ago, but it doesn’t stop them from always trying.” He reached down and took my hand holding it up between us. “I’m sure she saw this when we walked in, and a jealous streak rushed down her back. Some of them know no limits.” He turned and took a step toward the food and beverage tables tugging me along behind him.
We admired the spread of goodies displayed. “I like this catering company. We might need to see if they can do overseas work at some point.” My mind still hovered around the knowledge I considered, and I didn’t respond. “What’s wrong?”
I looked up at him through my lashes, and his head cocked to the side.
“What’s going on, G’Anna? Did I say something wrong? Did you see something that bothers you?” He stepped directly in front of me, so I could only see the black of his t-shirt covering the pecs that stretched it.
“Uh… no. Nothing’s wrong.”
His warm hand cupped my chin tilting it upward until I looked into his probing eyes. “Must be something. We were discussing photos, then food before I lost you to something else.” He offered no relief when he continued to look at me with an unwavering view.
“I don’t know. It’s stupid.” I placed my hands on his chest. Maybe it was to hold on, maybe I needed the contact. I didn’t know which.
“Nothing’s stupid if you aren’t comfortable about something.”
“I’m a grown woman and should be secure in myself.”
“You exude confidence, sugar,” he said this with conviction as though he never doubted me about anything.
I glanced from side to side. Beautiful people held light conversations all around us. Laughter could be heard from every direction. I took pictures of celebrities on a daily basis, so why was I having a hard time? Why was now any different?
Finally, I looked back up at Ryder. His bearded chin, his perfect lips, his kind eyes all held my gaze. “I guess I’m not used to being part of this crowd. I’m usually the person on the fringes doing my thing with a camera. Now, I’m in the middle of it all. It’s a little overwhelming.”
He pulled me into him. “Don’t worry, sugar. I got you.”
After that he kept me close the entire party.
In my heart, I knew this was all a huge lie. I was scared shitless. Here I stood with stunning women staring at the one thing they wanted—Ryder Steel. The question I should have asked him is what did he want?