Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3)(50)

He jammed his feet into socks and his motorcycle boots, and then grabbed a pair of sunglasses from his stash. A half-dozen brand name companies still sent freebies to him.

God bless America.

Nick had already left. The boy didn’t know how to relax. The couch looked mighty comfortable, but he knew if he tried for a nap, he’d end up sleeping for four hours.

Even with enough vodka in his system to make his liver weep, he hadn’t been able to sleep much more than a handful of hours.

They’d be officially doing their first rehearsal tonight. And of course Donovan had to be there. How the hell was he supposed to figure shit out if Mr. Suave was there to judge?

As if he hadn’t been nervous enough.

He trudged through the gravel pit outside the bus to the stairs that lead to the underbelly of the stage. Half a dozen roadies were running around with huge trunks on wheels, unloading from the semi parked behind the building.

He climbed the back stairs to the stage and froze. Two forklifts with human sized baskets were on either end of the stage. A huge steel arch was being reinforced by two guys in welder faceplates.

Sparks spit and sprayed at each end.

“Holy shit.”

“Impressive, huh?” Lila asked as she and Donovan came out from the side stage.

“Yeah. I didn’t see this in the drawings.”

“Well, since you continue to give me and my insurance people heart attacks during the shows, we figured we should give you something to climb on.”

“Were you a gymnast in a former life, Simon?” Donovan asked.

Simon folded his arms, gripping his forearms, his eyes never leaving the archway. “I never knew when my old man was going to take a swing, so I got good at ducking and rolling. Just seemed to grow from there.”

At Lila’s shocked silence, Simon cleared his throat. “Anyway, I’m totally psyched to have something to climb on.”

“Just don’t split your head open, all right?”

He rubbed his hands together and finally looked away from the set-up. “Nice to see you again, Donovan.”

The Englishman held his hand out. “I had to come out and see the build. It’s impressive.”

Simon shook his hand. “Yeah, I thought the ramps around the entire stage were rad, but that?” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I want to get on it now.”

“Wait until the welder is done with it, please.”

Jazz and Gray walked up the front steps to the side of the stage. “Oh my God.” She bounced with her arm hooked in Gray’s. “This is ours?”

“Isn’t it amazing?” Simon rushed forward and helped her up the last stair.

She tipped her head back and her dark hair flowed down her back with an arrow of blue at the tips. “Did they build us a jungle gym?”

“Looks like it, doesn’t it?”

She dragged Gray to the back of the stage to the riser that was set up for her kit. Pipes were built out around the edges of the structure.

Lila moved around to the back and hit a switch.

Jazz yelped and hopped up and down. “I have my own neon?”

“LED actually, but the same effect without any of the chemicals.”

Jazz cupped her growing bump and looked down at it. “Look at that, Aunt Lila taking care of you, kiddo.”

Lila flushed and cleared her throat. “Yes, well, it’s just good business.”

“Of course,” Jazz said solemnly and curled her fingers around Gray’s.

Deacon and Harper came down from the back of the amphitheater and Nick met them halfway down. He’d been sitting in the middle of the second section of seats.

Hell, Simon hadn’t even seen him.

Deacon helped Harper up the stairs, after Nick stopped at the bottom to let them go first. When he got on the stage, he crossed his arms and looked around, not saying a word.

He finally came to stand beside Simon. He nodded to Donovan, then Lila. “Nice.”

Deacon tipped his head incredulously, then stepped forward. “It’s amazing, Mr. Lewis. Thanks so much for taking such a chance on us.”

Simon caught Nick making a face behind Deacon and practically sawed through his bottom lip so he wouldn’t laugh.

If anyone could be a spokesperson for the band, it would be Deacon. He knew just what to say and how to play the game.

Simon didn’t give two shits about games. He just wanted to play music.

Nick wanted not to give a shit, but was actually the worst offender. He cared far too much about every little aspect of the band. And the fact that Lila was the coordinator in almost every regard made him nuts.

Simon spotted his guitar in one of the open guitar trunks. “Man, I haven’t seen Cherry in ages.” He crossed to the tall trunk and unhooked his white Les Paul.

“With the expanded setlist, we figured you might want to play her now and again.”

Simon smiled at Lila. “Yeah, you thought right.”

“Donovan and I also had another idea.”

Simon grinned. “Lay it on me. It’s been a good day so far.”

“Hey, everyone.”

Simon turned to the voice and his shoes cemented to the stage for the second time that day.





12





Margo twisted her fingers together as everyone stared at her.