Some Kind of Hell (2 page)

“Something tells me we’re the most hated people in the world right now,” I said.

Maggie finally let my hand go and smiled at me. “Not even close. Everyone out there is jealous of us right now. Put that on your calendar.”

“Shut up,” I said.

Maggie tried taking a step but I stopped her. “Don’t make a fool of me.”

“I won’t,” Maggie said. “Wow, do you need a drink.”

I looked to my right and there was the bar. Neon blue and green lights hung from everywhere, complete with a white glow at the wide selection of booze. The back wall was made of mirrors, making the lights brighter and giving the illusion that the choices were endless.

We started walking across the large floor and there was already crazy vibe in the air. The stage was already set up, the instruments standing there with the equipment. Silent. Beautiful. Deadly... to the heart, the mind, and other places. My own heart raced and I had nothing to do with the show.

“This is going to be huge,” Maggie said.

She was almost trotting. I tried to keep up with her but my eyes glanced everywhere. I had never been in a place like this without a crowd shoulder to shoulder, cheering (or sometimes booing) a band. It was like being on the set of a movie or staying after class, everything big, open, resting in the glory of its own potential.

“Maggie, hold up a second,” I said as we started to pass the stage.

There was one single door separating us from the backstage area. Where DownCrash was right then. Waiting, practicing, drinking, calming their nerves. More so, that’s where Logan was. I could tell you how long it had been since I’d seen Logan, but my obsession with time needed to find a way to relax.

“What’s wrong?” Maggie asked. “I want to get back there and say ‘hey’ before this place goes nuts.”

“Where are we going to stand?” I asked.

“Right here, next to the stage. See that gate right there?”

Maggie pointed and I nodded.

“They’re going to put it right here,” Maggie said. “That way nobody can bother the guys as they come out. Or bother us. We have the best seats... or places to stand... or whatever... are you nervous?”

“Me? No.”

Wow, talk about a terrible liar.

“You are,” Maggie said. “Because of Logan, right? Oh... that’s so cute.”

“You promised.”

I cringed as soon as I said it. Maggie and the word
promise
had been the source of her past troubles with her psycho ex, who quite honestly caused more of a rift between Maggie and I than my decision to stay put with my now ex. “I mean, you said you wouldn’t pick on me.”

“Annie, relax,” Maggie said.

Maggie opened the door and we walked through it. I wasn’t sure to expect, but when I saw a semi dark hallway that stunk of moisture and dust, I was surprised. I figured for the crowd waiting outside to get in (all of them paying to get in) it would be a little cleaner. Then again, DownCrash wasn’t signed and their reach didn’t have them at the top of the rockstar charts.

Yet.

At the first door on the left, Maggie stopped and knocked. The door opened a second later and she dove into Tatum’s arms. He had her off her feet and spun her as he took her into the room. I stood and watched, smiling but feeling like a knife had cut me. I could have had something like that with Jared - and at one point I did - but he decided to fuck another girl, get her pregnant, and become some kind of ‘man’ and daddy all at the same time.

How lovely.

Tatum started to close the door and Maggie playfully punched his shoulder.

“I know,” Tatum said.

He opened the door and put a hand out for me.

“Yeah, thanks,” I said.

“Oh, come on, Annie, don’t be like that,” Tatum said. His tongue flicked his lip ring and he smiled. He was certainly a sexy man and his smile was addicting.

“Hey Tatum,” I said with a big smile.

“There she is,” Tatum said. “Now get in here.”

I went into the room and standing two feet to my left was Logan. I saw him and gasped.

“Hey there,” he said.

“Whoa, you scared me,” I said.

“That’s because he’s so fucking quiet,” Tripp yelled.

Logan shook his head. “Tripp’s pissed because I didn’t call the management guy and have him here already.”

“We’re killing time,” Tripp said. He slid his arm around the Scarlett’s waist and she looked at me and Maggie and nodded.

“We’re fine,” Tatum said, trying to be the voice of reason.

“Jason knows to come here,” Logan said. “I talked to him this morning. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7...”

“It’s already 6,” Tripp said. “Where the hell is he then?”

Right on cue, another knock came at the door.

That’s when the real tension came. It was instant, like someone had dropped a smoke bomb in the room. The look on Tripp, Tatum, and Logan faces was priceless. They were scared out of their minds. Two of us ladies were able to do something about it. Scarlett squeezed Tripp’s hand and Maggie hugged Tatum. I looked at Logan and for a split second our eyes met, but he moved to answer the door.

He opened it and said, “Jason...”

“Logan, my man. Where’s the boys at?”

Logan turned and a man in a black suit and skater shoes walked in. He had black spiked hair and a long goatee... it had to be a foot long. He looked weird and scary all at the same time. His muscles looked ready to break the seams of the suit.

He slapped hands with Tatum and then Tripp.

He looked around the room and laughed. “Yeah, I remember these rooms too. Sometimes these are better...”

“Better than what?” Tripp asked.

“The rooms on tour,” Jason said with a smile.

“On tour,” Tripp whispered.

“Fuck,” Tatum said.

“Wait a second,” Logan said. “There’s no deal yet.”

“Not yet,” Jason said. “But you three play your best and I’m sure I can get you something soon. I have two guys meeting me here in a few minutes. They’re executives for CraZee E Records...”

“They can sign us?” Tatum asked.

“If they like the show, I’m signing you,” Jason said. “Once you have management, then I can do more. But for now, just impress the hell out of them. Okay?”

“No problem there,” Tripp said.

I looked at the man in the suit with awe. A stupid kind of awe though, imagining what it must have been like to hold that kind of power. With his words or recommendation he could possibly put DownCrash in a studio and out on tour. Talk about life changing...

But then as everyone talked and Jason grabbed a guitar and started playing (really well, by the way) I felt myself standing back, watching everything. The way Tatum and Maggie shared flirty glances. The way Scarlett had to hold onto to Tripp, no matter what. And then how Logan and Jason talked and played guitars together.

I was so far out of my element and my comfort zone that I felt like I was drowning. Drowning in my own despair and my own worry of time and circumstance. Worried about my grandfather, who, according to my calendar was recovering from his last round of chemo. Worried about money and my basic need to survive. But more so, I felt drained and changed all at the same time. When I first walked into the apartment and saw Tatum and Maggie, it was all hope. I had fun. I flirted. I enjoyed everything. Then what really happened with Jared it began to weigh on me, over and over. That the woman he cheated on me with was pregnant. That his life would be some kind of perfect.

Jason broke up my thoughts with a big laugh. He then answered a cell phone call and the moment it ended, he hurried to wish everyone in DownCrash good luck and was gone.

“We’re going to be huge!” Tatum yelled.

“Fuck yeah, man,” Tripp said. “We’re getting signed.”

I smiled and felt something touch my arm. I turned and there was Logan, again, now inches away.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

For a quiet guy, his voice and eyes were commanding. They were... irresistible.

“Uh, nothing,” I said.

“Yeah, right,” Logan said. “You better cheer up for this show.”

“Is that an order?”

“Do you like taking orders?”

From you...?
my mind thought. I looked away for a second to catch my breath.

“Worried about your grandfather?” he asked.

I was shocked. “How did...?”

“Heard you say something about it once before. I’ve been there, you know. With my grandfather. Greatest man on earth. I’m sure it’ll work out for you.”

I nodded. Then he touched my arm. Well, my wrist. He held it as though he didn’t want me to go away.

“It’s scary, I know,” Logan said.

“Thank you,” I said. I couldn’t believe it when I jumped at him and wrapped my arms around him.

I felt like the whole world was watching us and I expected cheesy romance movie music to start playing.

But none of that happened, of course.

I stepped back and apologized.

“Don’t be sorry,” Logan said. “That’s why I’m here. Get it all out now, we need so much energy for this show...”

“You should see it out front,” I said.

“A lot of people?” Tripp asked.

“The entire town,” I said.

“No lie,” Maggie said. “This is like the biggest show ever.”

“Holy shit,” Tatum said.

He found a pair of drumsticks and started to play a random beat on the top of an old, cracked leather barstool. The nerves were starting to kick in by the second and I wanted to know what time it was, but I was too afraid to look. I didn’t want Maggie to say something stupid.

“We need to get out there like now,” Logan said. “I can’t wait.”

“I need a distraction,” Tripp said.

“I’m here,” Scarlett said in a fake, seductive voice.

“Oh, Christ,” Tatum said, “get a room.”

“Can we?” Tripp asked, smiling.

I doubted he was joking at all.

“What about you?” Logan asked, staring at me.

“What about me?”

He leaned close and put his lips way too close to my ear. “Want to be my distraction?”

~3~

A short while later, the noise out front echoed all the way to the back. The place was full and more than once a deafening chant of
DownCrash!
broke out. With only five minutes left until the show began, Maggie took my hand again and pulled me close.

“We’re going out front now. They need a few minutes alone to get ready.”

Scarlett, Maggie, and I walked out and stood next to the stage, right at the gate. The second I walked out the door to the main floor I lost my breath. Seeing those same people outside in a line, a massive crowed that could spread out on the street was one thing. Seeing the people jammed into the club, desperate to see DownCrash play a show, was like nothing in the world. Every sound caused a cheer. Every movement on or near the stage caused a cheer. The people were ready.

When the lights finally went off, right on time, it told me that DownCrash was ready too.

The screams almost busted my eardrums. I put my hands over my ears, but the funny part was that I was screaming too. When the three silhouettes made their way on stage, I couldn’t contain myself. I got it. I understood it. The live show. The feeling. The crowd. Everyone together for the same purpose. Waiting for the same thing to happen.

Tripp walked to the mic and a light came on him. The crowd didn’t calm, not for a second. He said something, but it could barely be heard. He looked to Logan who now had a light shining on him. They both then turned and looked at Tatum just as a third light came to him.

The crowd started to swell. It literally started to move. Everyone pushed to get that extra inch closer to the stage and the band. For a few seconds it was like the club was too small for DownCrash. I worried that the show was going to stop because the band couldn’t get the crowd to calm down. When Tripp turned back to the mic he didn’t say a word. He reached down and did something to his guitar, bringing it to life. He hit a chord and let it ring... and ring...
and ring...
the crowd continued to cheer, but the sound of his guitar started to squeal with feedback. It was the only thing that brought the crowd down.

“Okay,” Tripp finally said. “I guess you’re all here for a show?”

The crowd exploded again and Tripp looked back at Tatum and nodded.

With a simple four count of the drumsticks, the night began. The first few seconds of the first song were almost a blur, thanks to the cheers of the crowd but everyone calmed enough to enjoy the music. When Tripp sang, the crowd sang. I watched Logan’s fingers move along the bass with ease, not missing a note. I also noticed the way he handled the stage, checking on Tripp and Tatum, keeping the songs together, keeping the crowd alive, and always willing to let the last note ring out as needed.

I lost count after four songs, finally able to relax and enjoy myself and the show.

Right when things were reaching the point of being too loud for too long, the band  came to the side of the stage, almost right to Scarlett, Maggie, and me. They reached for acoustic guitars. I stared at Logan and saw the sweat dripping off him. He looked at me and the sexual implication was so hot that my knees felt like they were going to buckle.

The three guys then walked to the stage, to three mics, ready to play some more.

“We’re going to slow this down for a few minutes,” Tripp said. “You don’t mind, right?”

The crowd didn’t mind and neither did I.

DownCrash played three acoustic songs, keeping the crowd with them the entire time. They didn’t miss a note, a lyric, nothing, and the crowd didn’t miss a beat either. They sang when Tripp said to sing. They screamed when Tripp said to scream.

And when the little set was done and the band went to stand, Logan called them back.

“Wait a second... wait a second...”

“What’s wrong, Logan?” Tripp asked.

They talked so casual, yet they had the voices that were meant to work a crowd. Everyone watched, cheering, laughing, waiting for something to happen.

“We have a few special guests in the crowd tonight, don’t we?” Logan asked.

My heart started to drop. If he said something about me... or called me on stage... or...