Metal Urge (26 page)

Thom strode into the waiting area holding Deanna’s hand.  He led her to a couple of seats situated a few rows from Nigel and Brad so they could have some privacy.  He hated the thought of leaving her on her own for two months, but she was back in school and working long hours at the hotel as well.  After missing most of her summer school classes and being granted a second chance to slip back into the College Dean’s good graces, she couldn’t afford even a day or two away.  It was bloody unfair---they’d had only a scant few days together since the wedding.  Two long months of waking up without her, craving her beautiful smile, the sound of her voice, the feel of her warm body and loving embrace; it was inconceivable.  His heart and soul felt windswept and barren although she was still here by his side.  Draping his arm around her shoulders he pulled her close and lost himself in her sweet, gentle softness while she nestled against him, talking quietly about last minute concerns, and going over his itinerary to make sure she knew where he was on any given day.

Sudden movement brought him back to the harsh, noisy reality of the overly crowded airport as Nigel got up, shot him a filthy look, and sauntered into the nearest lounge.  No doubt Nigel would get good and pissed in an effort to ward off his overwhelming desire to beat his old mate to a bloody pulp. There would be no talk of rekindling their flagging friendship now.  Once that plane jetted its way into the cloudy, blue heavens, Metal Urge would be on their way to landing smack dab on the Yank’s unsuspecting heads.  It would be their job to kick the American’s arses so hard and heavy they’d never be able to forget the best metal band England had to offer.  Looking at Deanna he sighed softly.  No matter how satisfying it would be to conquer the States, it wouldn’t take the sting out of leaving her behind.  He leaned over and kissed her temple, nuzzling her soft skin with his lips. “I’m gonna miss you, baby.”

“I’m going to miss you too,” she said, pressing her face into the crook of his neck.  “I wish I could go with you.”

“Next time, yeah?”

“Yeah, next time,” she whispered, her voice choked with tears.

When the loudspeakers announced it was time to board, Deanna clung to Thom, crying softly.  He cupped her face, kissing her lovingly, feeling tears stinging his eyes.  “I’ll call you as soon as I get to New York.”

She nodded and held on to him until he gently pulled away.  As soon as he disappeared through the gate, she ran over to the window to watch him board the plane from the tarmac.  A soft tap on her shoulder startled her.  When she turned around, Nigel took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.  His mouth tasted of whiskey, and his breath was warm on her neck as he nibbled the skin just below her ear lobe whispering “it isn‘t over.”  Before she could push him away, he looked into her eyes, his expression somber.  “I love you, Deanna. 
I always have even though I lacked the guts to admit it.  Forgive me for being such a bloody spineless fool.”

“No,” she moaned, but he didn’t hear her as he staggered away towards the gate, the stewardess scolding him for being late.

Andy was practically running into the waiting area when he spotted Nigel grinning lopsidedly at the beleaguered stewardess.  He grabbed the inebriated singer’s arm and steered him towards the gate as Nigel turned and looked one last time at Deanna’s tear-streaked face before vanishing through the boarding gate doors.

“That son of a bitch!”  Deanna hissed as the limo whisked her back to Chelsea.  She was so upset she couldn’t even enjoy the luxurious ride.  She rummaged around in the built-in bar and took out a bottle of Tanqueray gin, a can of ginger ale and some ice.  She mixed the drink and drank it down quickly, trying to quell her raging emotions.  Damn him, damn him, damn him!  The drunken bastard kissed her just to humiliate and torment her.  She had half a mind to tell Thom---screw whatever happened to the band.

She knocked back four more shots of Tanqueray straight from the bottle cringing at the memory of Nigel’s slurred words.  He loved her…the vile, drunken, lying prick.  Nigel Guilford was wrong.  It
was
over.  If he came near her again his position as lead singer of Metal Urge would be over too.  She would see to it.

****

Thom called as promised, his spirits high.  Deanna didn’t have the heart to tell him what had happened with Nigel.  Partly because she didn’t want to hurt the band and partly because five Tanqueray shots had mellowed her temper, leaving her practically numb.  She listened as he talked excitedly about the posh tour bus, and how much he looked forward to their first show in Hoboken.  He sounded so proud when he announced that almost every show was sold out.  Once “Beyond the Darkness” received some radio play, he said it was almost guaranteed that all of the shows would sell out.  She tried to be happy for Metal Urge but Nigel’s despicable, alcohol-fueled behavior still made her stomach lurch and burn.

After saying how much they loved each another they reluctantly ended the call, leaving Deanna feeling almost as empty and alone as she felt when she lost her baby.  Calling to Mims, who bounded into the room and onto her lap, made her feel less anxious and lonely.  She cuddled the purring cat, grateful for the warmth of her abundant fur, and her scratchy little tongue as Mims licked her hand.  Carrying Mims to the bedroom, she undressed quickly and burrowed under the covers while Mims settled onto her corner of Thom’s pillow.  Deanna scooted over and rested her head on his pillow, the lingering fragrances of his shampoo and aftershave relaxing her.  The soft rumble of Mims contented purr vibrated through the down pillow lulling her into a deep, restful sleep until the phone jolted her awake.  She peered at the clock which read nine a.m. before picking up the handset.

A rough, weary voice crackled over the line, “I’m sorry, Deanna.  I shouldn’t have kissed you.  Not like that.

“Nigel?”

“Please listen to me, Deanna.  I need…”

“Are you insane?”  She shouted into the phone.  “How dare you call, especially after what you did to me at the airport!  You had no right.”

“I know I didn’
t.
”

“What part of “leave me alone” don’t you get?  How about “I’m married?”  Is that serious enough to penetrate your thick, stupid, alcoholic skull?”

Nigel paused for a moment before blurting out, “Please listen to me, love.  I need you to know that I made the worst mistake of my life when I broke up with you.  I told myself that I had good reason, but I was wrong…so bloody wrong.”

Deanna couldn’t help but laugh with disbelief.  “It’s a little late for remorse don’t you think?”

“You don’t love him.”

The phone felt red hot in her hand as shock and anger came boiling to the surface.  “You arrogant, narcissistic, bastard!  Who the hell do you think you are?”  She was ready to slam the phone in his ear when she heard him sigh.

“I felt the love between us the night we kissed at the club, and I know you felt it too.  I’m not trying to be arrogant, Deanna, just honest.”

“My God, Nigel!  You’re completely delusional!”

Nigel knew he was balancing precariously on the proverbial fine line but he needed the final proof.  “Tell me that you don’t love me.  Just say the words, Deanna.”  When she didn’t respond he said quietly, “I need to hear you say it.”

Unable to control herself, Deanna shouted into the handset, her voice rising like a banshee’s wail, “Leave me the hell alone or I swear I’ll tell Thom that you’re harassing me.  I will make sure that you get your sorry ass thrown out of Metal Urge!  Did you
hear
that
, Nigel Guilford?”  She slammed the headset down so hard it cracked.

Nigel rubbed his ringing ear, smiled with relief, and lay back on the comfortable hotel bed.

He despised upsetting Deanna, but he was fighting for her love, and it was proving to be a bloody battle.  Admittedly he had gone too far at the airport; he couldn’t seem to help himself.  He wanted her so badly it made him do mad, impulsive things.  If he thought falling to his knees, groveling at her feet, and begging for another chance would work then he would gladly do it.  It hardly mattered that he was playing a dangerous game---she was Thom’s wife now---but he didn’t care.  He knew in his soul that she didn‘t love Thom.  Their marriage was a sham.  Even after he gave her the chance to do so, she hadn’t denied loving him.  In his mind that meant he still had a fighting chance.  “Sorry, Thom,” he said under his breath.  He never believed that he would love again yet against all odds he had fallen for Deanna.  There was no way he was going let her go without a fight no matter what the consequences.

Chapter 34

The two bands were three weeks into the “Feel the Urge” tour when they rolled into the industrial city of Flint, Michigan.  The musicians felt right at home as they passed the belching smokestacks of General Motors, Flint’s largest factory which employed almost eighty thousand men and women churning out cookie cutter Oldsmobile Cutlasses’ for middle class Americans.

The entourage pulled onto the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint where they would be performing in the student activities hall---the smallest building on campus.  No one really cared: a concert was a concert whenever and wherever people gathered to listen to music.  Thom took the opportunity to approach Nigel while the other band members went with Andy to meet the college Dean, the faculty, and maintenance personnel who would help
make the gig run smoothly.  Both he and Nigel were content with the others taking on the challenge of planning, negotiations, and stage set-up.  He just wanted to play his music and move on to the next show.  Apparently Nigel felt the same way.  Thom thought it was the perfect time to call a truce while making an effort to put aside their hard feelings.

“Oi, mate,” he said to Nigel, who was lounging in his tiny “bedroom” thumbing through a rock music magazine.

Nigel looked up, eyebrows raised, wondering if Thom was there as friend or foe.

“I need to talk to you and its quite important, yeah?”

Nigel tossed the magazine aside and sat up, running his fingers through his hair.  “About that Thom…I’m really sorry,” he lied.  He wasn’t sorry, not one bit.  “I was way out of line.  I should’ve told you straight away instead of waiting for Deanna to tell you.”  Nigel shrugged trying to look properly shame-faced.  “Look mate, I had no right to kiss her, yeah?  I was falling down pissed and it just happened.  You know what a bloody stupid prat I am when I’m drunk.”

“You what?”  Thom shouted and lunged through the doorway, his eyes blazing.

Nigel could see from Thom’s reaction that he knew nothing about what had happened at the airport…until now.  “Fuck,” Nigel said under his breath as Thom grasped his shirt, yanking him up, his fist primed and ready to draw blood.

“You bloody bastard,” Thom shouted, his face scarlet with rage.  “I’m gonna make you truly sorry.  Sorrier than you’ve ever been in your miserable, useless life.”

Alistair ran in and grabbed Thom‘s shoulders, holding him steady while Andy pried Nigel’s T-shirt out of his grip. 

“Take it easy mate,”  Andy said as he pulled Thom back into the narrow hallway, rubbing his shoulders as he slumped against the wall almost panting with rage.

Alistair coaxed Nigel to sit down, which he did, relieved that the two men had come in before all hell broke loose.  “What the fuck is going on between you two?” Alistair asked quietly, trying to remain calm after finding the two hotheads at it again.  When Nigel looked away without answering, Alistair knew it was the same old hormone fueled drama over Deanna.  He liked the girl, but he wished she had never gotten mixed up with these two wanks.  They seemed destined to muck up every chance that Metal Urge had to be successful and all because of a pretty blonde.  “You’re thinking with your dick again,” Alistair hissed.  “Put it back in your leather trousers and get on with your job as lead singer of this band.  She’s Thom’s wife, and you had better get that through your head or you’re gonna fuck it up for Metal Urge.”

****

The show went off without a hitch, but Andy made sure the two men were kept apart both before, and after the concert, just as a precaution.  After he returned to the tour bus, Andy received word that a radio station disc jockey in Indianapolis was keen to interview the band on-air following the debut of their newest single.  That would be fantastic publicity for Metal Urge, and their album, so he contacted the station manager and finalized the arrangements.  Once the interview was over he faced a very unpleasant task.  He loathed the idea of having a “talk” with Nigel and Thom but if he didn’t he would be babysitting their arses through the entire tour.  Not a pleasant thought.  There were always one or two prima donnas in these bloody, spoiled rock bands, and in that context, those two were spot on.  Thank God for Beastrage---they played nice with one another.  He yawned and looked at his watch.  God, he was knackered and needed a good kip.  He hoped that those two wankers could refrain from killing each other during the night.

The radio station DJ enthusiastically welcomed the members of Metal Urge, helping them get comfortable with the headphone gear they would have to wear during the interview.  He took Andy aside and asked if he would be interested in giving away a few concert tickets and back stage passes to provide some lucky fans the opportunity to meet the band and take a photo with them.  It was the perfect publicity stunt.  Unwilling to commit without the lads approval, Andy asked them if they would mind.  Of course they didn’t mind; it was a brilliant idea.