Strings (35 page)

‘She isn't going to be pleased with me for telling you. She said she’d kill me if I did
.’ Threats were part of daily life for Kelsey, so one more didn’t phase her at all.

             
Melissa didn't want to feel sorry for her, but the more she listened the more she was beginning to. She told herself to snap out of it though, because she knew she had her own life to put back together. ‘Don’t forget what this bitch did to you and Luke,’ she told herself sternly.

‘I want you to leave
, now!’ Melissa pulled the girl up from the floor and dragged her to the door. Kelsey begged her to help her, but there was no way. Not after all her lies, not to mention the crime she’d committed. Kelsey grabbed Melissa by the shoulders. ‘Please, I want to apologise to him, in person,’ she begged again.

Melissa’s anger got the better of her and
she slapped Kelsey one last time before throwing her through the door and into the street, yelling as she did.

‘You stay away from him
!’ She slammed the door behind her.

             
Kelsey hadn’t expected anything else, but she felt better for telling the truth. She meant what she’d said about going public if that was what they wanted. The only thing left to do now was head back to Darren before he got suspicious about where she’d gone.

She had nothing else
, and running away wasn’t worth it because he would find her. The whole mess had been nothing but a huge mistake. She’d come out worst from it all as she never even got the four grand, and Darren had taken the thousand from the newspaper story towards her debt. Her life sucked, she thought as she pushed the note with her phone number through the door. She’d written it in case Melissa wouldn’t see her.

             
It read,
             
‘Luke and Melissa, I’m so sorry for what I’ve done to you both. I didn’t sleep with Luke, it was all a big lie. I drugged him and took the photos while he was out cold. I’m disgusted with myself and I know you will never forgive me but I don't expect you to. I’m not proud of what I did, but I had my reasons. If you want to report me then go ahead. I’ll accept whatever you throw at me. It can't be any worse than the situation I’m in now. My number is on the back of this letter. If you want to talk in person I will be happy to meet with you. I truly am sorry for the hurt and pain my lies have caused you. Kelsey.’

             
Melissa was pacing around the kitchen, her hands shaking while a confusing rush of emotions pulsated through her. Her mind raced. She was relieved, happy even, that Luke was not guilty, and there was excitement at the thought that maybe they could be together again. But she also felt terrified that everything had gone too far. She feared that Luke would be just as hurt and angry with her for not believing him as she’d been with him when she thought he had cheated.

She now knew that h
e was the victim in this, and she needed to see him, to kiss him and tell him how sorry she was for doubting him. That was all she could do, and she would have to hope that he was able to forgive her.

             
She decided that she had to go to LA and see him, even though she knew Ray wouldn’t be pleased about her turning up and causing a scene. But she didn’t care. She called her mum to explain what had happened. Jean was relieved, but also worried about what it meant for them now. Melissa packed a small case and got the first available flight, disguising herself as much as possible to avoid any fuss at the airports. She had enough going on in her head.

Double Trouble

July 2014

‘OK boys, this is the last one, so let's bring the house down,’ Dale said in his team talk as they prepared to hit the stage at a packed LA venue.

             
‘We always do,’ Luke replied. Dale playfully punched his friend on the arm, who returned one equally hard. They laughed together, avoiding the elephant in the room as long as possible, but Dale knew he had to say something.

             
‘Luke, I don't mean to sound like your mum, but you need to ease up on the white stuff and the booze.’ Dale was concerned that Luke was heading for trouble. He knew it was hypocritical after doing a line himself, but Luke was obsessive and could become dependent on things. None of the others did it as much as he did.

             
‘It's all good, I’m living the dream!’ Luke said, smiling his cockiest smile. The crowd roared as Silver Daggers finished their set, making way for the headline act. They waited a few extra minutes to whip up the excitement in the crowd a bit more. Luke was ‘totally buzzing’ as he put it as he and Zac, the front man for Silver Daggers, chatted for a few minutes. Zac’s girlfriend, Lyla, waited patiently with a group of girls who had tagged along for the evening, pretending to like her. Amongst them was a blonde, trying to look like Melissa, who seemed to be following Luke around. It was embarrassing, he’d told Zac. But he knew she was wasting her time because he was done with all that. He would be heading home soon and he wanted one girl and one girl only. He needed her back before he completely lost the plot. He was only truly happy when he was with her. When he was on stage, he could forget his issues for a few hours because he was in control. They were like gods on that stage and nothing could hurt them. But as soon as the shows ended, he was lonely again.

             
‘Get on with it lads, that lot are going to riot soon,’ Ray yelled, looking irritated. But then, he always seemed to look that way.

             
Beth was chatting to Dean about Luke. Everyone was worried about him, and talking to Dean was better than mixing with the hangers-on that had been invited backstage who didn’t have a clue. Besides, most of them were awkward because they were intimidated by her, or they were jealous bitches. ‘Pathetic,’ she complained to Dean, and he laughed.

             
‘We miss her too,’ Dean said, knowing that Beth was missing her sidekick. Everyone missed Melissa - she had won over the whole crew.

             
‘It sucks, Dean, but you can’t blame her. He is such an idiot.’

             
Dean didn’t answer, and walked off to check on a few things with the equipment as Ray yelled at them again.

‘
Get your asses out there!’                           

             
‘Take the roof off, babe,’ Beth said and kissed Dale.

             
‘We always do,’ he replied with a wink, then followed the others out to a huge ovation.

             
This was Beth's favourite bit – the roar from the crowd sent a shiver down her spine every time. But this time, it felt a little empty because she didn’t have her best friend with her. Things were just not the same any more. But maybe one day, she hoped, as she sent her a message, ‘I miss you, girl.’

*****

‘I landed fine, Mum, don’t worry. I’m in a cab and I’ll be there in a few minutes.’ Melissa had smiled at the text from Beth then had called her mum who was worrying as usual.

             
‘What will you do – or say?’ Jean asked, panic in her voice. She really wished Melissa had made more arrangements before jumping on a plane at the drop of a hat. Luke had no idea she was even on her way to LA. What if he didn't want to see her? Jean knew he had been just as upset when they split, and she feared that Melissa could be walking into more heartache.

             
‘I don't know what I’ll say yet. The plane was delayed so I’ll be late getting there and they’ll have started already. Don't worry, I’ll be fine,’ she promised. She’d decided not to tell her she didn't actually know how she would get in. It had dawned on her mid-flight that nobody would be expecting her and she didn't have a ticket because she never usually needed one. The plan was just to get to him – she hadn’t worked out the details. It wasn't a conversation they should have over the phone, but on reflection, she was also a bit concerned that surprising him might not be a good idea.

             
‘You that Eagle girl?’ The cab driver said suddenly, and Melissa nodded, hoping that would be enough. But he was very excited about her being in LA, and in his cab. He knew the full story.

‘
Are you back with Luke?’ he asked. Melissa said nothing and let him jump to his own conclusions. She couldn't be bothered to get into it.

             
The cab ride seemed to take hours, and it was gone ten by the time she paid the driver and stood outside the venue with no idea what to do next. They were in full swing, and she could hear his voice.

She had to get in there.

              ‘Sorry, but I can't let you in. You don’t have a ticket, and your name isn't registered,’ the security guy said. He had a job to do, and he refused to budge on his decision.

             
She almost used those dreaded words, ‘You know who I am, right?’ but stopped herself in time. That would have been a major fail.

             
‘Beth!’ She realised that Beth was her only hope. After they’d finished screaming down the phone to make themselves heard, Beth got the message and hung up, telling her to stay where she was. True to her word, within ten minutes the security guard called her over. The man was massive, with dreadlocks that hung past his shoulders.

             
‘Looks like this is your lucky day, baby girl. Come with me.’ He took her round to the back entrance where Beth and Ray greeted her.

             
‘Liss!’ Beth screeched, and Ray smiled at her, seeming genuinely pleased to see her. They took her inside and Ray got her a drink.

             
‘What the hell are you doing here?’ He asked.

             
Melissa explained about Kelsey’s visit and what she’d done. They both sat and listened, open mouthed in utter disbelief.

             
‘It’s disgusting,’ Beth said, but was glad Melissa had given the girl her marching orders. Melissa was a sucker for sob stories.

             
Ray looked deep in thought. ‘I think you need to speak to Luke, and let him decide what he wants to do. Liss, I really am glad to see you. He needs a kick up the ass.’ He knew that Luke wouldn’t take this well. But who would?               

             
Melissa asked Ray how someone could get his key, but it was a mystery. He felt uneasy about it because only the boys and Ray himself had access to their rooms – and it certainly wasn’t down to him. Melissa looked towards the side of the stage then back at Ray.

             
‘Come on,’ Ray said and took them both to watch the rest of the gig.

             
Melissa’s heart pounded as she saw Luke. He was doing his thing, and she felt at home again. Beth hugged her and handed her a beer as there was a shout from behind them.

             
‘Hey, trouble ... you’re back!’ Dean rushed over and picked her up. ‘Great to see you.’

             
‘Good to see you too, Deano.’

He asked her what had changed. ‘Long story, Dean. You’ll find out soon enough, but I need to talk to Luke first.’

              Dean put her down, smiling, and headed off. He seemed just as relieved as Ray and Beth.

             
There were several shouts from the crew.

             
‘Huh oh, double trouble are back.’

             
‘Alright, Liss … you here to give him a kick up the arse?’

             
‘He’s been a right miserable bastard.’

             
It made her feel like she was back where she belonged, and this time she knew she had to make sure she stayed for good.

             
‘Who are
they
?’ She asked as she waved and smiled at Lyla and her boyfriend’s band. She didn’t know them, but it was polite to acknowledge them. Naturally, everyone backstage was confused by her sudden appearance, and there was plenty of whispering and pointing going on.

             
Beth cursed silently as she noticed that one of the groupie girls looked upset that Melissa had shown up.

‘She’s looking at you like that because you just stamped all over her chances
with Luke. You walked in, and she knew it was game over,’ Beth said as she threw the girl a smug look.

‘
But the game never started. Luke hasn’t even blinked in her direction.’

             
‘Is she trying to look like me?’ Melissa laughed.

             
‘Pathetic, isn’t it?’

             
‘She’s got the hair all wrong, and I would never wear shoes like that. And Luke hates that much make-up.’ She knew she was being a bitch, but she had every reason to be defensive. The girl was clearly after Luke’s attention so she was fair game and Melissa wasn’t having it. 

             
‘Let me pap you,’ Beth said, and took a photo with her phone. It was so quick it caught them both looking at each other and laughing.

             
It was the perfect picture – best friends, together again. Then they posed, putting on their famous pouts.

             
‘You know, I feel like setting the tongues wagging!’ Beth said as she uploaded the photos to all her social networks.

             
‘Bliss in LA rocking it backstage. The Eagle Queen is back where she belongs!’

        ‘
See what people think about that!’ Beth chuckled.

             
Bliss was the name some of the tabloids had given the two girls, combining their names like celebrity couples. It was pretty cool, they thought. The photos went viral in seconds.

             
‘I’m so glad you’re here, Liss, he needs you,’ Beth said.

             
Melissa was worried about how Luke would react to seeing her like this, and how he would take the news. Beth assured her she needn’t worry. They did have a lot to talk about, but she had a feeling things would be just fine.

             
‘He looks thinner, and tired,’ Melissa pointed out, worried. He didn't look right and she didn’t like it.

             
‘It's exhausting doing this most nights … it’s a better workout than the gym,’ Beth replied.

             
The crowd sang the lyrics loudly to ‘Weekend High’ making Melissa smile and forget her concerns for a moment.

But s
he felt uneasy. Luke definitely didn’t look right. His voice didn’t seem as strong and he didn’t look focused. He would normally interact with the crowd during this song because it was a fans favourite, but he wasn’t doing it tonight.

*****

The sweat was pouring from Luke, much more than usual, and his guitar suddenly felt very heavy. His vision was blurred, and the faces in the crowd moved in and out of focus. The noise was like an echo in his ears and he knew he couldn't continue the song. He knew the words, but he couldn't sing them. It was as though the connection between his brain and his body wasn’t working properly. His legs felt like jelly, and he felt sick. He was getting hotter, and he started to panic as he felt his chest tighten and a pain shoot through his left arm. He needed air, but he couldn't move.

             
He could hear Dale shouting, ‘Luke! What are you doing? What's wrong?’ But he couldn't answer him. The guitar strap was digging into him, and he had to get it off. Using what little energy he could summon, he pulled it over his head and threw it aside before dropping to the floor, gasping for breath.

The sound of his guitar h
itting the stage made a terrible sound that vibrated through the amplifiers and around the stadium. Dale’s and Tom's guitars followed made similar noises as they were thrown aside. They ran to his side, and Toby yelled for help.

Backstage
, the road crew burst into action, running on to disconnect the equipment. They thought he’d been electrocuted by the way his back arched before he hit the floor. The medical team took no time making their way to the stage and the security guards and stewards focused on the crowd. An eery silence fell across the venue, apart from the voices of those on the stage. Melissa’s screams echoed as she ran to his side.