I can feel tears welling up in my eyes, so I look up at the ceiling, widening my eyes and forcing the tears to stay back. I can’t ruin my make up a second before it’s time to go on stage.
“Oh, you know by tomorrow you’ll have a book from me in your email, as I give you a play by play of tonight’s performance!” I giggled into the phone. “Stay safe, and hurry home Cane.”
As soon as I end our call the other band comes bursting through the door followed by Holden, who flashes a wicked grin at me as he pours himself a shot, “Show time! Ready to go blow the roof of this joint?” He asks as he tosses his shot back.
Nodding my head, I squeeze through the now full green room as Holden pours another shot and holds it out to me, “This will help settle your nerves.” His eyes are glazed over from all the shots they’ve already consumed tonight. These guys sure can hold their liquor.
Me…not so much. I’m more of a beer or wine kind of girl. I don’t feel like spending my first day of 2006 with my face in a toilet, so one shot is good for me.
Taking the shot glass between my fingers, I tip it back, and my eyes instantly begin to water as the smooth liquor burns, sliding down my throat. “Wooaahh!” I shout as I bounce on the balls of my feet and shake my head as the burn slowly disappears.
Holden erupts into a roar of laughter, “Now, you’re ready.” He tells me as he claps me on the back and leads me out the door.
Following Holden out into the hall, I spot Levi and Nash at the end of the hallway with Casper. They’re jumping up and down chanting like gorillas…it’s quiet the sight to see.
“Get your ass over here, Brittan; it’s time to kick off 2006 with a kickass concert!” Levi shouts at me as I follow behind Holden.
There are people everywhere, so we’re zig zagging through bodies of bystanders and doing so in these heels isn’t an easy task. My stomach is twisting into knots with every step I take. I keep focusing on breathing, so I don’t pass out.
You can do this.
Go out there show them you belong up here with these guys.
I keep repeating it over and over again in my head.
“Woo…Woo…Woo!” All the guys start chatting and bouncing around laughing. I start bouncing on my toes pumping my fist in the air beside them. It’s their ritual before performing, and it does seem to help get your blood pumping and adrenaline coursing through your veins before you have to run out there to sing and bounce around the stage for the next hour.
The manager of the club pops his head around the corner with his headphone on, speaking to someone on the other end before focusing his attention on us. “Get your asses out on the stage, time to give the fans what they want!” He says shouting like he’s impatiently waiting for us, but the humor in his voice and a sly smile on his lips lets me know otherwise.
The guys run out onto the stage ahead of me, taking their places on the stage. As soon as the crowd spots us making our way out, they go crazy; the screams are almost deafening.
Looking out at the crowd, I can’t help but laugh at all the signs written in bright marker or glitter asking Levi, Casper, Holden and Nash to marry them. There are women holding up signs with ‘I want to marry you.’ ‘You’re fucking hot.’ And the last one made me literally laugh out loud, ‘Holden! Rock out with your cock out.’
It’s insane how obsessed these women are for these guys, and they’re just a local act. They’ve traveled around Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, but that’s about it. I’m hoping they won’t be pissed that Tara isn’t performing tonight as planned, and they’ll be accepting of me. I’ve had nightmares all week of being booed off the stage.
Waving to the crowd, I glance over my shoulder and give the guys a small smile as I step up to the microphone stand. I drop my eyes to the fans at my feet, and suddenly relax as my eyes lock with Matt, Dalton and Roxie’s.
“You look fricking awesome, girly!” Roxie shouts, as Dalton and Matt make cat calls up at me.
I can’t help but blush. I’m wearing a micro mini leather skirt, black lace bra and red sheer tank top over it. I have on fishnet stockings and red stilettos which seem to be a favorite for all the guys in here tonight, because my friends aren’t the only ones making cat calls. My dark auburn hair is falling down my back in big curls with the bright red highlights I added this week to give me an edgier look. I was nervous about it, but Roxie assured me it looked amazing.
Pressing my mouth to the mic and raising my hand in the air towards the crowd, I yell out to them, “Are you guys ready to ring in 2006 with Beyond Redemption?!”