MERCS
Five Weeks Later
I’m always at the stadium before everyone else. Effa is coming early too. I know she tended to do that before I showed up. Hell, it’s how we first met. And so it’s become our thing, now that we’re in full couple mode, and have been for the last five weeks.
We’re at Phillips Arena in Georgia. We’ve been checking out the area for a few hours now and watched all the gear arrive while taking in the atmosphere. Watching Effa get a feel for her surroundings is special. I enjoy witnessing her tuning into her spiritual side. While I found it more than a little kooky at first, watching her let go and being at one with her environment and the ambiance around her is quite liberating.
We sit on the edge of the stage and look out at the empty stadium as we sip on our berry water—which I’m trying to imagine is beer—and casually loving the comfortableness between us. There’s an ease to our relationship—we flow, we fit, it’s effortless.
She turns to me and smiles. “Do you think we can try ramping up the lasers tonight when we perform Electro-charge? I think it might enhance the impact of the song,” she suggests, and I tilt my head.
“Well…” I think for a moment, “… what about when you hit the crescendo, instead of the lasers, I break out into a full-on strobe frenzy in time to Kristy’s percussion solo? You know… for an even more intense effect?”
Her eyes light up. “See, this is why you’re the lighting expert and not me, because you’re simply brilliant. Keep up the good work, and you will be rewarded,” she reveals with a glimmer of something in her eyes that I can’t quite place.
“Oh… yes? How exactly?” I ask moving in and pressing her lips to mine tenderly. My hand slides up into her hair, fisting it, and forcing her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. We hear a clearing throat behind us, and it makes her giggle against me as my lips turn into a smile against hers.
“Seriously, do you two ever stop?” Jett jabs as he walks across the stage, huffing and stomping his feet like an adolescent child, just like he has been for the past few weeks around us.
I pull back from Effa, and she actually winces then rolls her eyes. My skin crawls whenever he’s nearby. The way he leers at Effa is fucking annoying, and the way he tries to talk to her when I’m busy pisses me off. I know he has a thing for her, and I know he’s pissed that I got in first, but for fuck’s sake get over it, man. There’s lots of other women he could go after, so why does it have to be my girl?
Probably because she’s the only unattainable one.
You know, the chase and all, some men dig that shit—fuck head.
“What are you even doing here, Jett?” I grunt out with a little more anger in my voice than I meant to. Effa eyes me through her berry water bottle as she takes a mouthful.
He looks at me and huffs while winding a guitar cord up around his elbow and hand. “For your information… Mercury,” he sneers my name like he’s talking to a child. “I’m here because I want to check this place out before the concert. It’s home to the Atlanta Hawks, and that kinda impresses me.”
I snort trying to hold back my laugh and turn back to face the empty stadium shaking my head. “Since when have you been interested in basketball?” I tease.
Effa’s resting her hand on my knee, the warmth of her hand makes me feel at ease.
“There’s a lot about me you don’t know, Mercs… a lot.” He lets the words hang in the air, and I furrow my brows at the drop in the tone of his voice as he places the cord on his amp and walks over to the edge of the stage to where Effa’s sitting on the other side of me, and takes a deep breath. “We’re going to be playing to a packed house tonight.”
Effa nods. “Sure are. Capacity… twenty-one thousand crowd. I love it when it’s packed out.”
Jett looks to me and curls up his lip. “Can’t imagine you care much about size, cupcake. Unless it has anything to do with the size of one’s… ego.” He chuckles. “Because I know there’s nothing packing down in his pants… if you know what I mean?”
Jett’s trying to emasculate me in front of Effa, the problem is she’s seen my cock plenty of times and she knows it doesn’t need defending.
“Why do you have to be so mean?” Effa asks in her cute little voice.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her to me and planting a kiss on her temple which makes Jett tense up.
“Because Eff… the fucktard’s insanely jealous that I have you and he doesn’t. So to make him look like the better man, he has to stoop to insults and accusations. The problem is, Jett… I’ve been around assholes like you before. So, you trying to screw around with me isn’t going to work,” I retort.
Effa turns around, smiling brightly at me.
Jett grunts as he looks at Effa, and exhales before he blurts out some more crap. “Look, cupcake, if you change your mind you know where to find me. But just so you know… Mercs has been calling another woman behind your back. He tells her he loves her all the time. A woman back home in Ligonier. And that’s why I’m aggressive toward you, asshole, because I care about Effa. And you… you little fucker, are using Effa and hurting an innocent woman who’s waiting for you at home.” The dickhead turns to walk away, but finishes with, “Shame.” He storms away from us, and I let out a heavy sigh as I turn to look at Effa who’s staring at me with her eyes glistening as if she’s about to cry.
Shit!
I reach out grabbing her shoulders and hold onto her looking right into her eyes as deep as I can, with all the strength I can find. “Effa… listen to me. I’m not calling a girlfriend back home, I don’t have one,” I defend. “But I am calling a girl… in fact, two. It’s my Gran and Kiera. I tell Kiera that I love her all the time when I’m on the phone to her.”
Her body sags in obvious relief while her eyes clench closed tight.
“Shit… fuck…” Her eyes open and she lunges forward embracing me tightly. “I have no idea why for a second I fell for Jett’s stupid antics.” She shrugs her shoulders and continues, “But I have to say hearing you say that you love your sister, well, that’s the single sweetest thing I think I’ve ever heard you say.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I embrace her tightly. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Effa. I’m not that guy.”
Her big beautiful doe eyes look up at me, misty and full of adoration. She smiles at me as her arms wrap around my neck. “I know… I mean… I knew that.”
“You couldn’t have known it was my gran and sister, and I guess, Jett didn’t either. He probably overheard me telling Kiera I loved her, without knowing she’s my sister. And in his own strange protective way, he probably thought he was doing the right thing by you. I guess I have to give him kudos for that. Doesn’t mean I like the guy, though.”
Effa giggles. “He’s not so bad, really—”
I raise an eyebrow. “That’s just your sweet nature talking, you find something to love about everyone. That guy… he’s trouble.”
“Na… he’s just a little hotheaded when he gets protective or excited about something.”
“Well, I’ll do the protecting, not him. He needs to back the fuck off, Effa. But, his act of stupidity has given me an idea.”
She tilts her head and raises her brow. “Yeah? What’s that?”
I let go but reach out for her hand, taking her tiny fingers in mine, and start dragging her to the crew room where my backpack is located. She giggles, walking with me happily. The stadium is practically empty, with the exception of a few crew sporadically positioned, carrying out their casual jobs here and there to start getting things ready for tomorrow’s concert.
“Should I even ask what we’re doing? Or… should I be scared?”
We enter the hall, and I chuckle while walking down the darkened area toward my brilliant idea.
“Scared, no. Nervous… probably,” I tease as we walk into the crew room. Letting go of her hand, I step over to my backpack and unzip it picking up my iPad.
Turning toward Effa, I gesture for the sofa, and she furrows her brows obviously wondering what I’m up to. I walk over and take a seat next to her. She studies me as I open the Facebook Messenger app. I don’t give her a chance to register what I’m doing before I do it. I want all parties to be surprised when they meet each other.
“Mercs, what are we doing?” she asks as I start the video call.
Quickly it connects and Gran answers, but the screen is facing the kitchen and not on her. “Hey Kaden, sweetheart, I wasn’t expecting your call.”
She makes me chuckle. “Gran you have the camera on backward again,” I inform her, as I glance to Effa while she chews nervously on her bottom lip.
“Oh gosh… how do I fix that again?”
With a chuckle, I roll my eyes. “Hit the little camera icon with the little swoosh symbol. Remember?”
“Oh, yes… I see it. Hang on...”
The camera flips, and she comes into full view. Her rectangular glasses framing her round, wrinkled face as her long gray hair sits in a plait along the side of her neck, with wisps of hair sticking out of the braid. She looks like she’s been working hard in the garden all day, and like usual, the wind has been messing with her hair.
She looks just like Gran.
As I look at her, she smiles widely, as she takes in the sight of Effa sitting next to me.
“So, I see a stunning little lady next to you. I’m certainly hoping this is Effa?”
“Hi, Mrs. Mercury. That’s right I’m Effa. It’s great to finally meet you,” she chimes in so formally, and I chuckle slightly because Effa’s the least formal person I know.
Gran scoffs out a laugh and waves her hand through the air. “Oh sweetheart, please, call me Gran, everyone does. And the pleasure’s all mine. My boy Kaden here has told me so much about you. I’ve been hoping we would meet soon. And he wasn’t lying when he said you were stunning. Sheesh, you are a looker—”
“Gran,” I chide.
Effa grins. “Thank you. You’re looking pretty amazing yourself there, Gran,” she replies.
“Gran… who are you talking to?” I hear Kiera call out from another room as Gran looks back behind her.
“Kiera, Kaden’s on the phone…” she pauses, “… with Effa.”
A high pitched squeal sounds, then I hear what sounds like running. Effa looks at me and raises her brow while Kiera comes into focus behind Gran, wearing her favorite beanie, as she puffs a little out of breath from her short sprint. She plonks down on a seat next to Gran and smiles so widely while staring obviously at Effa. Kiera looks awesome as her eyes gleam with delight at finally meeting my girl.
“Oh my God… it’s about time you introduced us, Kaden. Effa, it’s sooo freaking good to meet you. You have absolutely no idea how long I’ve wanted to talk to you.”
I roll my eyes as Effa beams and glances from me back to Kiera. “It’s so good to meet you, too. Kaden talks about you… a lot. He loves you guys so much, and I know he misses you lots while I have him here with me on tour. I wish you guys could come out and be with us.”
I see Kiera’s smile falter, and I wince as I watch Gran reach out and grab her hand for comfort. Sighing, I wrap my arm around Effa and pull her to me, leaning in and holding her tightly to me. “So, anyway, I thought it was past time that you guys finally meet. Sorry, it’s taken me so long—”
“Yeah, what’s your excuse? Because Effa seems really cool, and I know I’m freaking awesome, so it can’t be because either of us need avoidance,” Kiera mocks.
Effa giggles then covers her mouth. “Yeah, Mercs, what’s the deal? Why were you holding out on us?” Effa chimes in, turning to me and folding her arms across her chest in defiance.
Gran laughs, shaking her head, and I swallow hard. “This is why. Because I knew the second you two met, you’d gang up on me. Band together to take me down.” I chuckle.
Kiera’s sweet laughter fills the air, and I like that she’s enjoying my torment. “Well, you brought this on yourself big brother, chicks before dicks and all that. Us girls gotta stick together, right, Effa?”
Effa bursts out laughing. “Right. It’s us against you, Mercs. You’ll never win,” Effa cheers.
“What about family, hey? Blood is thicker than water and all that. You’re a traitor, Kiera.”
She laughs and nods. “Yep… I fully admit it. And you know why?”
I smile. “Why?”
She leans in closer to the screen and sniffs. “Because you stink.”
Gran rolls her eyes as Effa bursts out laughing again. “God, Kiera, what are you? Five?” Even though her comeback was childish, it still makes me smile, seeing her happy is all I want.
Effa leans in and sniffs the air around me. “You do have a pungent odor about you, Mercs.”
Turning to face Effa, my mouth falls open wide in mock shock. I can’t believe she’s stooping to this level of childishness with my sister. Game on.
“That’s the smell of pure manliness, babe. But seriously quit it Kiera or I won’t bring Effa to meet you in person when we come to Pennsylvania.”
Boom, mic drop.
Kiera and Gran both open their eyes wide as Effa smiles wrapping her arm around my waist. Kiera lets out another squeal of excitement causing Gran to wince beside her.
“Oh my God, are you serious? We get to see you and Effa?”
Effa giggles and nods. “Yes. We’re stopping into Ligonier to see you. Plus, I have some concert tickets with your name on them if you and Gran want to come and see us in Pittsburgh?”
Shit! I feel bad for not filling Effa in on the details of Kiera’s condition. There’s no way Kiera could handle a concert.
Kiera blinks her eyes quickly, almost as if she’s going to cry, but Gran grabs her hand and smiles wide. “Well, we can’t wait to see you in our hometown, to show you all around and to have you in our home. Right, Kiera?” Gran asks looking at Kiera to try and snap her out of her sadness. She nods and fakes a small smile.
I feel for her right now. My chest aches and I hate that things are the way they are for Kiera. I wish I could make everything happen sooner. I really wish with all I had that I could make everything all right for her. But I can’t. And as hard as I try, I know I’m failing in that department.
I turn to Effa whose eyebrows are creased together obviously sensing something’s off, but she says nothing as she looks at me with a smile.
“I’m going to be so happy to meet you guys in person and give you all big squishy hugs,” Effa avows, and I genuinely smile.
Kiera finally grins wide again. “I’m gonna get a hug from the world’s most amazing girl rocker? Holy shit!”
“Language, Kiera,” Gran chides.
Effa, Kiera and I all chuckle while Gran shakes her head. “It will be lovely to meet you, sweetheart, I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Effa nods. “Oh, me, too. I’m counting the days, guys. Can’t wait.”
Squeezing Effa into my side, I lean in and kiss her temple as Kiera lets out a contented sigh.
“I’m so glad you guys found each other,” Kiera coos.
“Me too, booger-butt, me too—”
“Kaden, I’m too old for that nickname.” Kiera laughs, and Effa grins while trying to keep her laughter in.
“You’ll always be booger-butt to me… booger-butt.”
Kiera sighs exasperatedly as Gran chuckles to herself. She throws her hands in the air in frustration walking off into the kitchen. “You pick your nose and wipe the booger on your butt one time as a little kid, and it sticks. One time. My fucking God,” she calls out as she continues to walk away.
Effa giggles at my sister’s temper tantrum.
Gran smiles. “You two never change.”
“That’s why you love us,” I reply.
She nods her head with a genuine smile. “That I do.”
Kiera comes storming back to the screen holding something in her hand, and I furrow my brows as she grins wide. “Payback Kaden. Effa this was Kaden when he went through his high heel stage,” she gleams shoving the photo up to the camera lens, showing the picture of me as a small kid, naked, wearing only a pair of Gran’s high heels.
Effa bursts out laughing while I hold back a smirk.
“Okay, we gotta go. Love you both. Even you Kiera. Bye guys,” I call out and hang up the call before Effa can study the picture for too long or before Kiera says anything else.
Effa’s bellowing laughter ripples through me, but fuck it, I’ll own that shit. “Well, I think those red heels suited me if I’m being perfectly honest.”
Effa looks at me and bursts into an even bigger fit of laughter making me laugh too. I wrap my arms around her, and she looks me in the eyes, hers watering from the excessive laughter, as she settles down finally and takes a deep centering breath. As the humor in the air dies down, and she looks at me in the eyes, she stares right into my soul, and her smile falls slightly like she’s thinking about something.
“You know, seeing you with Kiera was really an eye-opener for me,” she states.
“How so?”
“Well, I haven’t really seen you care about anyone. Not truly, other than me, of course. Yes, you have a friendship with Tank, but with Kiera and Gran, you have an ease around them. I like who you are when you’re with them… and me.”
I let out a small puff of air. “I care about the other girls in the band, too.”
She nods. “No, I know, but I mean truly care. Like, would bend over backward, stand in front of a murderous killer, kinda care.”
Nodding, I get it. There aren’t many in the world I would do that for. And Effa’s hit the nail on the head, I guess, I’m fairly closed off to everything.
But for the three main women in my life—Kiera, Gran and now Effa—I would do anything for them.
It’s only now I realize that Effa means more to me than I thought.
I would walk over hot coals for her.
I would take a bullet for her.
If I had to, I would die for her.
And that thought scares the hell out of me.