She wraps her skinny little arms around his waist and hangs on tight while Robbie tries to pry her off the stage. Jacob sings through the mauling, breaking into laughter a few times.
A red, lacy bra lands at my feet. I pause long enough to pick it up and toss it to Garrett, who hangs it on the end of his bass. My gaze scans the crowd, landing on a topless girl sitting on her boyfriend’s shoulders. She points at Garrett and cups her tits, indicating—I think—that the bra was meant for me. Not sure what she wants me to do with that, I shrug and nod at her and keep on playing.
The crowd’s still screaming their heads off when we finish. The four of us meet in the middle of the stage to put our arms around each other and bow.
Robbie tosses a towel my way as I pass by.
Mallory’s waiting for me, and I push past people to get her into my arms, lifting her in the air. I crash my lips against hers, and she presses my face between her hands, kissing me back just as hard.
“That was incredible,” she whispers against my lips in between kisses.
My heart’s still pounding from the show, and I realize I’m dangerously close to hiking up Mallory’s dress and fucking her in front of everyone backstage. Reluctantly, I set her down, but she keeps her arms looped around my neck.
“I hope Cutter didn’t stick around to watch that,” I mutter.
“Why? You were amazing.”
I shrug, still bothered by the choppy start to our set.
“You’re too hard on yourself.” Mallory slides her hands down my sweaty chest while peering up at me from under her lashes. “You should be hard on me instead.”
“Done.” I sling my arm around her shoulders and turn her toward the hallway. Surely, there’s an empty room or broom closet around here somewhere.
We’re thwarted by Valerie herding all of us into our dressing room.
“Fuck!” Jacob throws his towel at the couch and chugs a bottle of water. “That was insane!”
Alvin’s still jumping up and down. “Did you see that reaction?”
Garrett’s more reserved. “Still have a few rough edges to smooth out.” He shoots a glare at Alvin. “And maybe degrease your fingers.”
“I was sweating my balls off up there, bro.”
“Guys, I have never been prouder,” Val gushes. “You were born to play crowds this big.”
She gives each of us a hug, landing on Jacob last. She pats his cheek. “You sounded good.”
“I’m dying. I behaved all day. I need a drink.” Jacob wipes his towel over his sweaty forehead and gives her one of his pleading puppy faces.
“We have two more shows,” I remind him. “You can’t afford to get shit-faced tonight.”
“Did you see that crowd?” He points in the direction of the stage. “We need to celebrate.”
Shit. What’s the better option here? Let him have a mini-celebration tonight or risk him drowning in a vat of Jack Daniels Sunday after we’ve finished all three shows?
“We’ll discuss it in a minute,” Val says, pushing Jacob toward the couch. “Sit.” Her eyes gleam. “I heard Mark Cutter’s here tonight.”
“Uh,” I raise my hand. “Alvin and I met him earlier.”
Poor Valerie completely deflates. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Yeah, why the fuck didn’t you tell us?” Jacob adds.
“Well, you were busy with your diva act in here.” I gesture at Garrett. “And no one knew where you were until two minutes before we went on stage. Andrew brought him and introduced us.”
“I knew working with that crackhead would pay off!” Jacob high-fives me. “You’re the man, Chaser.”
“Good job.” Val squints. “What did he say?”
“He was looking forward to sitting down with us.” Val knows I wouldn’t try to undermine her on purpose. Hasn’t she been busting my balls about “networking more” for years now? “Andrew talked us up quite a bit.”
“Good.” She nods again. “Good, that’s better coming from another musician Cutter already has a relationship with than coming from your manager. Good.”
If she says good one more time, it’s going to be clear we’re anything but.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mallory
“One down, two to go.” Val points to Jacob. “For the love of all things holy, stay sober tonight. Fuck your way through that wall of groupies waiting out there, but you have two more shows to nail, and I need you at your best.”
“I’ll be fine.” Jacob pats her on the back and sips his water.
“Well, I’m going to go watch Shooting Fences.” Val glances at each one of us. “Anyone joining me?”
“When do we get to meet them?” Alvin asks.
The already tense smile on Val’s face fades away. “Well, uh, about that…”
“What?” Jacob sits forward and frowns at Val.
“It’s nothing personal. They’re happy you’re here.”
“But?” Garrett prompts.
“Well, remember last year when it was all over MTV and in every magazine how they took all that time off to get sober?”