Surrendering (35 page)

We all meet at Declan’s house and they load all their equipment in his truck. We finally get on the interstate close to 2:30. I ask for the third row in the vehicle so I can sprawl all my stuff out. Declan’s phone rings, but I ignore it because I’m making flash cards.

“You’re kidding me- you’ve got to be kidding, right?” He says into the receiver. “Nah man, but I’m gonna put you on speaker so everyone can hear this.” He plugs the phone into the mount and pushes speaker. “Jay, you’re on- go ahead.”

“Hey, guys, listen, there’s a switch in the line-up and you guys got pushed back to 3:30. We added an extra thirty minutes. You’re now scheduled til 6:00.”

Copper is sitting in front of me and he jumps forward. “Jay, is this good or bad? We can make up the extra thirty minutes, but whose on after us?”

“This is good. The group after you is a local Atlanta band and they have a huge following. People will be getting there early to make sure they get a spot before the band comes on. If anything, this is going to bring you more exposure. And since the organizers gave us less than twenty-four hours’ notice, you get an extra five-hundred bucks and one room compted for the night.”

“Jay, this is Declan; Meet us at the room first thing in the morning and give us our passes. This sounds good.”

I smile to myself at his attempt at professionalism. I know in my heart, he’s just as excited as the others. When they hang up, the car explodes with excitement. Everyone’s talking at once and I catch Declan’s eyes in the rearview mirror. I smile at him, knowing this is what he and Cooper have been working so hard for.

About an hour into the drive, I’ve outlined my entire module and start with my flash cards. Nate notices my strange studying habit of posting the card to my forehead while I try to figure out the answer to the question on the back. He turns around to face me and reaches for my pile.

“Rave, let me help. I’ll quiz you.”

“Okay, are you sure? Don’t you need to be working on a song line up or something?”

“Nah, we got this. We worked all week to make sure we were ready. Besides, when you get this fancy degree and we get famous, you can tell people it was because of my help in the backseat of Declan’s truck.” He winks at me.

“Watch it, asshole,” Declan jokes.

“Okay, Nate. I’d love your help. Just read off the terminology on the front, and I’ll try to guess the term it refers to.”

He quizzes me back and forth and I realize he’s really good. He helps me with clues using acronyms and has the patience of a saint.

“Nate, you’re good at this. Maybe I need to have you over before every final exam.”

He smiles slightly and then blushes. “Thanks, I have a special needs sister and I help her with school projects.” I’m shocked, but I can see how his patience could have helped her.

Outside of Chattanooga, we stop for gas and a bathroom break. When we get back to the truck, Declan hands the keys to Blake to drive and climbs into the back with me.

“I figured you’re giving up the entire day tomorrow for us so I can at least help with your studying. Why should Nate have all the fun?”

I kiss him quickly and hand him half the stack of flash cards. Before I know it, Cooper, Nate, and Declan have drilled my entire study guide into my head. I feel like I can read it from memory. When the last question is answered correctly, I gather the flash cards and throw them into my bag.

“Thank Christ, can I turn on the radio now? I need some music to get that shit out of my head!” Blake screams from the driver’s seat. I feel a little guilty until I see him smiling at me in the mirror.

For the rest of the ride, we listen to music and laugh at stupid jokes. I texted all the girls the change of plans for tomorrow and they’ve promise to meet at the festival.

Declan pulls me over to him and pushes my head to his chest. I see the lights of Atlanta ahead and get butterflies in my stomach. I love this city and I’m excited about all possibilities this weekend could bring to Sayge.

We finally make it to Atlanta and our hotel. We are staying in a residential-type hotel with two bedrooms, a loft, and a kitchenette. I’d rather share a suite with Abbi and Ella, but that’s not possible now that Jimi’s coming. Declan refuses to be in the same ‘surrounding’ as his sister with a guy in her bed. So I get to share the loft bed upstairs with Declan

After we unload, I take a quick shower and the guys run to the store to load the fridge. By the time I get down the stairs, they’re unpacking groceries, liquor, and beer. There’s enough junk food to give me a fat ass and then some.

“Hey, guys, did you get anything healthy?”

“We didn’t, but lover boy, Dec, did. He wore his vagina to the store and picked up a bunch of sissy food,” Cooper answers.

Declan punches his arm and starts unloading a separate bag filled with all my favorite things. He shrugs his shoulders at me and puts everything away. My phone rings; it’s Abbi. Ella, Jimi, and she are in the parking lot waiting on directions to the room. I motion to Declan to meet them and give them the keys to their room.

When everyone is settled, we order pizza and start a drinking game. I get to pick so I get out two decks of cards and start a game of Bullshit. I rock at this game and by the third round, everyone has figured it out. Our food finally arrives as we’re finishing up our game and it’s demolished within minutes.

As the night goes on, the guys bring out their guitars (Declan and Blake) and we head to the pool area to hang out. There’s another group of people already partying when we get there. It’s dark out, but when I see the light blond hair, I recognize Anna from school. She’s with a nice looking guy and a few other couples.

“Hey Anna, funny running into you here.”

“Hey, Raven. What are you doing here?”

“Declan’s band is playing at a winter festival tomorrow. What about you?”

“Wow, we’re here for the same festival. My cousin will be joining us tomorrow. She loves one of the bands playing.”

“I’ll look for you. Sayge goes on at 3:30 so if you’re around then, come watch them.” I see her flinch slightly but she nods her head politely. We chit chat for a few more minutes before I say goodbye and walk back to where our group is hanging out.

Our little jam session quickly grows as other people hear the music and join us. Before long, Declan is taking requests and there are cheers after every song. This goes on for about an hour before we call it a night. Nate talks Abbi and Ella into using the sofa bed in their suite so he doesn’t have to share a bed with Cooper or Blake. He gets his bag and leaves with them.

When Declan and I get into bed, he situates me so I am partly on top of him. I lay my head on his chest and lightly trail my fingertips over his tattoos.

“Dec?”

“Yes?”

“I know you’re going to be great tomorrow and I want to tell you how proud I am beforehand.”

“Thanks, Sparkle, I’m glad you’re here.”

“No place I’d rather be.”

“I love you.”

“You too. Sweet dreams.”

*****

Jay arrives with a massive envelope of stuff. We all get our backstage passes and the guys have to fill out some forms for the organizers. We go over the festival maps, parking instructions, safety tips, times for performances, and the after show meet and greet. The meet and greet is nothing formal. It’s just an enclosed area where fans can go to get autographs and take pictures after each performance. The music organizers like to keep them to a fifteen minute maximum so the area is empty for the next band to start. Even though Sayge isn’t a well-known band in this area, Jay explains that the audience always loves to get autographs in case they’re the next big hit. The last tidbit of information is there’s a group of rock bloggers there that will be interviewing the group offstage. Their following consists of thousands and Jay encourages the guys to do their best to impress them.

The guys follow Jay to his car and I grab my purse. When I walk out to the parking lot, I’m surprised to see Declan smoking a cigarette with Cooper. He’s obviously stressed out. I sidle up to him and throw my arms around his waist.

“So now you’re a smoker?”

“Yeah, when I’m stressed I smoke a little.”

I lift up to kiss him. I nibble at his lower lip when he starts to pull away.

“Don’t be nervous. You guys are awesome.” I take his keys and unlock the doors to the truck.

I jump into the front with him and everyone else piles in the back. Since we only have one parking pass, the eight of us have to ride together. Ten minutes later, we’re pulling into the assigned parking area. The place is already packed. We check in and drop off the guitars, then go find some place to eat.

After lunch, we head in different directions. Declan follows me as I browse the vendor booths. I have an hour before I need to meet Charlie, Harper, and Kendall near the stage.

I stop in front of an artist who has done amazing things with hand crafted wind charms. It’s perfect for Abbi. It would look great on our front porch. I buy one for her and my mom for Christmas gifts and head over to a jewelry booth. I help Declan pick out some pretty pieces for his sisters. We make our way to meet my friends so we can watch the band that plays before Sayge.

The grassy area in front of the stage is already crowded and the small dancing area in front is filled with bodies cheering on the current group. We decide to stand where we are and watch. Declan situates me in front of him with his arms around my waist. I’m not paying attention to anyone else but him when I feel a pinch on my arm.

“Hola’ bitch!” Harper smiles at me.

I reach out to hug my three friends. They give Declan a kiss on the cheek and join us watching the opening group.

“What do you think of them?” I ask Declan.

“I think they’re pretty good. Their drummer is a little off with his beats, but it could be because of his nerves. The rest of them seem solid and I like their sound. They’ve given me a few ideas. What do you think?”

“I think they’re okay. Not nearly as good as Sayge, but they have some catchy songs.”

“Let’s head backstage.”

I hand the girls their passes and we move to the backstage area. When we get in, I see a fenced off area with a sign that says
Reserved for Sayge
written on it. Each of the bands has the same set-up. We walk back and find the rest of our friends sitting around drinking beer. There are a few girls I’ve never seen before trying to get Blake, Nate, and Cooper’s attention. Abbi is sitting on Jimi’s lap and rolls her eyes at them.

“We did some shopping today too.” Ella says when she sees my shopping bags. She winks at me and nods her head toward Declan. All my girlfriends have a secret mission today, to help me with my present for Declan. I found the idea online and I have a deadline to finish it by Monday.

I grab two beers and head towards Declan. One of the groupies is trying to talk to him and he keeps looking at me for help. I land in his lap and hand him his drink, kissing him quickly. She gives me a dirty look and walks away.

“What took you so long? She asked if she could run her hands through my hair. I was trying to be polite, but she wouldn’t take the hint.”

“She wanted to run her hands through your hair? That’s a strange request.”

“Not the strangest I’ve heard, but gross.”

I lean down to his ear, “You’ve never told me you think it’s gross.”

“Baby, that’s because nothing is gross with you.” He starts to kiss me, but Charlie interrupts with choking sounds.

“Something in your throat, Charlie?” I ask her.

“Yeah, vomit. Can you two please stop the PDA for a while? It’s a little disgusting.” She shoots back, but she’s smiling.

The opening band finishes and walks off the stage to the meet and greet area. That’s our group’s clue to get ready. I hug the other guys, but give Declan a deep kiss before he leaves. “Good luck.”

He squeezes my ass and nips my lip before he joins the others. The rest of us crowd around the side-stage to watch the show. The audience has thickened and there are now hundreds of people in the dance pit, mostly females screaming at the top of their lungs. Each member of Sayge has a solo during the performance and Blake’s draws the biggest response. Their song list is nothing like when they play at The Steamroom. This is what they’ve been working on all week. Even though it’s December, Declan’s sweating. He runs his hands through his hair which makes it stick out; it’s a very sexy look for him. It reminds me of when he gets out of the shower. My stomach rolls and my insides quiver. The look on my face gives me away and Kendall starts laughing next to me.

“Are you thinking about sex?”

“Not really, no.” I whisper back.

“What are you thinking about then?”

“Not that’s it any of your business, but I was thinking about how sexy Declan’s hair looks when it is mussed up like that. Then I thought about how he looks when he gets out of the shower which led me to thoughts of-”

“Stop!” She interrupts me. “No more. I can’t take it. Now I’m going to be thinking the same thing and that’s just not right.”

“But Ken, what an image.”

“He is pretty fine.”

We dance on the side stage throughout the whole show; I didn’t want to miss any of it. All the other girls came and went, but Kendall stayed with me. After playing one encore song, Sayge finishes and comes off the stage. Declan heads straight to me and hands his guitar to Kendall. He scoops me up and crashes his mouth to mine. I kiss him back with the same intensity. His shirt is soaked, but I don’t care at all. He puts me down and I’m finally able to talk.

“Y’all were amazing! Seriously, it was the best ever. You looked like a natural and you didn’t seem nervous at all.”

“Thanks, I wasn’t nervous anymore. Once we got here today, I relaxed. We were ready for this; it felt great.”

Jay comes up to Declan and reminds him that he needs to head straight to the meet and greet area to sign autographs. The whole band walks over together and I stand back to watch. I feel nauseous as girls throw themselves at Declan. I’m somewhat used to it, but this is on a much larger scale than at The Steamroom. I watch as several pieces of paper are shoved in each of their pockets throughout the signing. They finish up the last few signatures and I am relieved. I’m glad that it’s over. Sayge then heads over to talk to the bloggers.