No Holding Back (26 page)

“Mmm-mmm-mmm,
” Rick moaned. “Now
that
is what I call a nice piece of ass.”

Wade stared
down his rival, determined to burn a hole through him.

“I wouldn
’t know,” he fired back.

“Really?
Oh, I dunno man. She looks incredibly fuck-able. How do you think she’d look at the end of my dick?”

“Not half as good as
you’d
look at the end of my fist.”

Rick
laughed, goading Wade into a fire-hot temper, mildly unaware of how close Wade’s statement would come to fruition.

“Oooh…
harsh, man. So, you
have
fucked her.”

“Well, that
’s something you’ll never really know either, Rick.”

“Oh, I wouldn
’t say that. If you hadn’t come along, I almost-.”

But Wade had enough. He stepped fearlessly into Rick
’s personal space causing him to back up in surprise. Wade could have easily throttled him, but he was very aware of the contest rules. If he threw the first punch, Chris would be disqualified. He had to be careful not to take Rick’s bait.

“See? That
’s the thing with you, Rick. Your band? Your music? Your singing? Compared to Heretic, Dark Water will always be…
almost
.” 

Wade
took his index finger and thumb and put them together in Rick’s view with hardly any space between them. Rick narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

“
We’ll see you tomorrow,” Wade finished and left Rick in his dust.

“Oh, I
’ll be there Wade! Just make sure you bring your cute little lady friend!” 

“I
’ll bring her alright,” Wade said under his breath.

As soon as
Wade stepped onto the bus, Chris busied herself with the shades, turning the inside of the bus into nothing more than a dimly lit cave.

“What the hell were you guys talking about?”
she asked.

“Nothing. Look:
from now on? You either step off this bus as Chris Rebman…or if you’re wearing five layers of clothing.”

Chris tried to contain a fit of
giggles but it only contorted her facial features. She just hoped Wade wouldn’t notice just how funny all of this was to her.

“Sorry,
” she said with a frown.

“Not yet you
’re not. I let you out of my sight for one hour and you’re already hittin’ on the enemy? You’re lucky I came out of the bathroom just in time,” Wade teased.

“Hey! He was the one that pounced on
me
! As if I really need a ‘tour’ of Dark Water’s bus,” Chris said, mocking Rick’s voice.

Wade snickered while Chris looked around the bus
. But besides the two of them and Pete, it appeared empty.

“
Where’s Joe?”

“He
’s grabbing something to eat. So, talk to me. What’s the setup like in there?”

“Well, you
’re not gonna like it. But the projector screens are everywhere.”

Chris winced, bracing herself for another outburst, b
ut Wade just rolled his head back and clasped his face with both hands. He took a few moments to collect himself before he looked back up at Chris and gestured for her to continue.

“
Five judges, tons of people, and I only made out with a few guys.”

Wade
’s eyes grew twice their normal size and his chest ballooned. “What!?”

“Just kidding!”

“Oh, so we’re funny now, are we?”

“Well it got you going, didn
’t it!?” Chris teased as she poked her finger playfully into Wade’s chest.

But Wade was determined to one-up her, sinking into a predatory position while his voice became low and deep.

“I know what
’ll get
you
goin’…”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” he said, giving her his best stare down. “Five…”

“Ahhhhh!”

Chris screamed and made a mad dash to her bedroom, but not before Wade grabbed her by the wrist and picked her up. She screamed and giggled uncontrollably as he carried her back to his room.

Finding that the door was already open, he walked through and tossed the squirming drummer down on his bed.

“That’s not fair! You didn’t give me enough of a head start!” she whined.

Wade closed and locked the latch behind him while Chris tried to put as much distance between the two of them.

“Like you would have gotten very far…”

Wade tore off his shirt while Chris clamored to hide beneath the covers.

“You’d better be getting naked under there!” he said hungrily.

She struggled to lose her pants, but before she could even get one button off, Wade ripped the covers off his bed completely, revealing Chris
who clawed at the bed to get away. But in the small space of Wade’s room, she didn’t have much of an escape route.

He made a quick
swiping motion with his arm and just barely missed Chris’ shirt. She squealed in both fear and excitement when Wade finally managed to grapple her with both his arms. As she wriggled about, she could already feel Wade’s growing bulge from behind his jeans.

“
Dammit! Would you hold still!?”

She giggled as Wade made every effort to remove her from her shirt and jeans, and when he did, she slipped away again in nothing more t
han her black thong. She bounced onto his bed, purposefully exposing her delicious bottom to him and such an act drove Wade to the edge.

He went after her
and grabbed her hips, and flung her on her back with little effort. But Chris kept her arms tightly pinned to her chest, depriving Wade of seeing her breasts. As much as it frustrated him, Chris noticed him struggle and teased him even more.

“
C’mon, Wade! You want it? You have to work for it!” she laughed.

Wade growled again at her foreplay, but finally got the upper hand. Catching both her wrists, he held them to the side and
teased her in return by gently biting at the soft skin just below her breasts. As soon as she felt his breath hit her body, she became limp and submissive under his touch but pursing her lips together couldn’t put a lid on her whimpering.

When Wade sensed that she stopped struggling, he moved his hand roughly over her hips and tore at her underwear, ripping
it off completely and discarding it on the floor. Before Chris could gauge his next move, his head went down in between her legs.

“
Shit!” she hissed to herself.

She tried to keep it together, but biting the hell out of her own lip wasn
’t working. Her hands fisted the sheets as Wade moved over her soft tissues with his tongue. She was much too embarrassed in her nudity to look down at him and did her best to keep her eyes glued to the ceiling as she let out another long moan.

She
bucked her legs in a weak attempt to get away from him, while Wade’s suckling lips grazed a certain spot, but he held her quaking hips firmly in place. Her body quivered, tensed and released over and over again, and she thought she’d swoon on this ride.

“
Jesus, Wade! Stop! I can’t take anymore!”

Finally, she palmed his face and scooted away, unable to rid her uncontrollable shivers a
nd laughed hysterically. Wade submitted and laughed along with her, undoing his belt and pants before his own monster lost control.

He mounted her and slid inside easily, praising his own prowess at working her into
a foreplay frenzy. But Chris made no effort this time to hide her small cry as she accepted him fully inside her. He hovered just over her and pumped her relentlessly, feeding the monster that was hungry for her. He loved the way her breasts bounced on her chest with his rhythmic thrusts. He kept going, unable to rid himself of the euphoria that she placed him in until it climaxed in his groin and ended just as he pushed into her one last time.

As Wade fell to the side, they both huffed and panted, but
he knew he’d want her again in fifteen minutes. He’d wear himself out entirely before he’d let her go. When tomorrow night rolled around, they’d both have to return to being serious musicians.

But he still couldn
’t get the awful feeling in his gut to go away.

For the last hour, Chris got ready in front of the bathroom mirror while Wade watched as she meticulously picked out the clothes she would wear - right down to the color of her boxer shorts. Wade helped tuck her hair under her beanie, but he didn’t envy her in all of her baggy clothing. It was a warm August night and even though the bus rested a safe distance away from the amphitheater, they could still hear the booming sound of the competition getting under way. It was worse than a ticking clock.

Once again, the parking lot was nearly empty and the concert
was very close to wrapping up. After this evening, Wade thought, it would all be over. Everything would finally go back to normal.

Several times, Wade took a few steps back
to survey Chris - making sure that not a single part of her was female.

Chris finally spoke up to kill the
silence while Wade sprayed her with men’s cologne.

“Where
’s Joe?”

“He
’s already inside waiting for us. I just wish I knew where the hell Os was.”

Chris tried to look concerned but she hardly cared. Right now, there were more important things going on in her mind.

“What’s this?” 

Wade flicked a piece of clothing that Chris had tucked into one of her back pockets.

“Oh, uh…just a…good luck handkerchief,” she beamed.

Wade
’s forehead wrinkled. “Since when did you start using that?”

“Since today!” 

She pushed his hand away and tucked the handkerchief back down into her pocket.

“Whatever.”

“Okay, so how do I look?”

Wade took a step back and
cocked his head to the side.

“Try to square your jaw a
little bit more if you can and it helps if you look like you’re pissed off,” Chris giggled but Wade corrected her. “And no smiling!”

“Sorry,
” Chris glared.

“Perfect! Oh, that reminds me. I snuck inside earlier and got a
look at how everything’s set up. The projector screens
do
suck, but they’re angled in such a way that if you just keep your head down, no one’s gonna see your face too much anyway.”

“Cool.” 

Chris relaxed, feeling better about that bit of information. She almost felt like they’d pull this off without a hitch.

“
Got your sticks?”

Chris brought them out from her other pocket and twirled them in the air,
almost hitting Wade in the nose.

“Always.”

“Yeah, yeah. Real cute. Keep the tricks to a minimum and just stick to the song. You won’t be up there any more than five minutes, got it?

“No problem.”

Chris’ confidence, while remarkable, still puzzled Wade. If it were him, he’d be sweating bullets by now.

“Are you sure there isn
’t something you wanna tell me? I just get the feelin’ that-.”

“To hell with your pansy-ass feelings!" she barked, "Now can we go? I wanna see a few solos before I
go on.”

Wade bit the i
nside of his mouth but gave in. “Alright. I suppose now’s a good a time as any.”

They both
walked to the door but Wade had to pry it open. Pete was out cold and he’d never get him to wake up in his condition.

They walked in silence
across the parking lot while Wade peered about nervously to see if they were being watched or followed before he spoke.

“W
e’re gonna go in through the back. No one’s allowed back there but the bands, techies, and security. If we get separated somehow, just run to the bus as fast as you can.”

“
Okay.”

Within arm
’s length of the colossal amphitheater, Chris could already feel and hear the building vibrate from wild fans and blaring music. But it did nothing to rattle her. She was in complete control. The only difficult part now was stop herself from smiling while she, and she alone, kept her secret safe and sound.

Chris kept her head down and eyes averted while she strolled inside of the building alongside Wade. To the unknowing eye, they looked like two regular guys. And for once, Wade was relieved he didn
’t have to shield Chris from anyone. There were absolutely no fans allowed backstage. Period. But he would have given anything to be close to her, but he was scared to death to even look at her.

Chris peered
from underneath her hood and scanned her environment. Several bands she recognized smoked and joked while others spoke only with members of their own band, creating a circle around an invisible fire. Some groups waited for their drummers to go while others stayed and watched everything from behind the curtains, hidden from crowd.

But no matter where they walked, she noti
ced everyone around her turn to look at Wade. And if they happened to be too close, they took a step back and out of his way, as if he exuded some kind of aura.

“
Hey, man! How’s it goin’?!” 

Wade extended a hand t
o the drummer of Strife, Rob Wilson.

“
Great! It’s good seein’ you here! Sup, Chris?”

Chris nodded
just to be polite, but tried not to speak. And so Wade quickly redirected Rob’s attention back onto himself.

“
So…I hope we’re cool with a little friendly competition.” 

Wade and Rob finally released their man grip
on each other and Wade dug his hands deep into his pockets again. But Chris noticed at once how Rob’s disposition did a one-eighty at those words.

“
In all seriousness?
Fuck
the competition.”

Wade was surprised. After all, he had known Rob and the rest of
Strife for years. They toured together when Hess was still Heretic’s drummer and like Chris - he lived and breathed his drums.

“
Why? What’s up?”

“
Man... Ever since Dark Water came in here throwin’ their weight around, Rick’s been tryin’ to start fights all over the place. He’s already got two drummers disqualified.”

Wade
’s gut sunk even lower. So Rick
was
the reason why those bad feelings he had wouldn’t go away. And why he downed a whole bottle of TUMS since he arrived.

“
When this is all over,” Rob continued. “I’m gonna shove my sticks up his ass!”

Wade roared with laughter.
“I’d pay money to see that. You already go on?”

“
Yeah, about thirty minutes ago. Not like it matters anyway,” he sighed.

Wade frowned
. “Whadd’ya mean?”

Rob hesitated and then looked
directly Chris.

“
I’ve been playin’ drums my whole life, man. But I know talent when I see it. Everyone here has your back. Just blow away Rick’s drummer, would’ja?  I’d give anything to see that asshole speechless.”

Wade reached forward and shook Rob
’s hand again before he reached for Chris.

“
That means a lot comin’ from you, man. Thanks.”

“
Alright, I’m outta here. I’m gonna go smoke.”

Rob smiled weakly and fisted Chris
’ shoulder as he walked by. But Chris had trouble keeping her emotions together. She wanted to smile, but she couldn’t. To her, receiving the blessing of a fellow drummer felt like she had the blessing of them all.

“
Hey,” Wade said suddenly, snapping Chris out of her stupor. “Let’s go. I think I see Joe.”

Chris f
iled in behind Wade as he cleared a path through other band members all while he greeted and shook hands with singers and musicians alike. Chris was still absorbing was Rob had said when Wade turned to speak to her.

“You know it
’s really hard for someone to do that.”

“Do what?” she
asked in a low voice.

“To admit when someone else is better than you.”

At first, she just wanted the chance to play drums and without having to hide who she really was. Now, this turned out to be more than just some competition. To Chris, there was so much more at stake.

“Joe!” Wade yelled in his
ear, startling him on purpose.

“Jesus! Dude! Where the fuck have you guys been?!”

“Getting ready," Wade answered casually. “You seen Os anywhere?”

“No, but Dark Water
’s drummer’s going on soon,” he said, and then looked at Chris. “How ‘bout you, Chris? Shots ‘er on me if you win!”

“
I think you mean
when
I win.”

Joe nodded.
“Yep. You’re ready t-. Oh Jesus, fuck me…”

Just as Joe melted into sarcasm, Wade heard an oily voice from behind him.

“Well, well, well.” Wade inwardly cringed at every syllable and turned to see Rick along with this heavily tattooed minions from Dark Water. “I bet Horace here twenty bucks that you wouldn’t show your face.”

Rick nodded to his band mate and fellow guitarist - an average musician as far as Wade was concerned. But too much of a pierced freak machine for Wade to get upset over.

“How many times do I have to tell you, Rick?” Wade continued, having fun with the situation. “You pay
prostitutes
- not whores.”

Right away, Horace took a step forward, but Wade didn
’t flinch before Rick held up his hand - preventing his band mate from moving any further.

Wade smiled when he saw he hit a nerve but just then, he would have given anything to get Dark Water disqualified - even if that meant taking one for the team and getting a bloody nose. But no
w, all he could do was situate himself directly between Rick and Chris. They had come so far and he couldn’t risk her being exposed.

Despite th
e fact that Heretic was outnumbered by Dark Water, Wade stood with his feet firmly planted, mentally and physically refusing to budge.

Rick smiled evilly at Wade, but then looked at Joe.

“Joe, my man. Where the hell’er you keepin’ that hot sister of yours?”

“What?!”

Caught off guard by the question, Wade immediately stepped in, holding up a hand in front of Joe, in the same way Rick did to his own. He should have known that Rick would try his hand against Joe. After all, he practically handed him information about his legendary temper.

“She
’s around,” Wade said coyly.

“Good
. Maybe after my guy wins this, she’ll wanna stop by for a little…’victory celebration’.”

Rick licked his lips and laughed a
long with the rest of his band. As much as Wade wanted to wipe the floor with him, he maintained his composure. He could even tell that Chris was starting to become anxious when he felt several of her deep breathes hit the back of his shirt.

“Hey, Joe?
” Wade asked his friend, while maintaining eye contact with Rick. “How much money do you think daddy had to dish out to get his one and only son a record label?”

Joe snickered while all of the laughter seemed to fade from Rick and
the rest of his group.

“Do you really think you
’ll be laughing after we take home a hundred g’s from a scrub band like you? Although, if I were you? I’d use it to fix up that piece of shit you call a bus.”

By this time, Joe was furious
and had it not been for Wade keeping him back, he would have pounced on him. And as much as Rick’s obnoxious smile made him want to hurt small animals, Wade’s grin became bigger.

“We both know you
’re not here for the money, Rick. So why even bother showing up? I’m sure you get a blank check every year for your birthday,” Wade sneered.

“You
’re right about one thing, Wade. It’s not about the money,” Rick agreed, stepping closer. “It’s about who’s the best.”

But Wade wouldn
’t back down, not even when Rick’s foul breath hit his face.

“Oh, I think sales
speak for themselves-.”

“
Sales are overrated – just like this new drummer of yours,” Rick interrupted, breaking eye contact long enough to try and steal at peak at Heretic’s drummer. “I hope for your sake, Wade that he’s not into little kids either.”

Rick had his entire crew rolling with laughter
while he gestured to Chris.

Wade smiled. “Not to worry, Rick. Y
ou’ll be perfectly safe.”

Rick
’s smile dropped from his face and the rest of his crew fell silent. Joe, however, burst into gut-wrenching laughter. He knew he could beat him at verbal judo any day of the week, but he was outnumbered, desperately needing Os to even the odds.