BETA by Halo140
BURNING EMBERS
DISCLAIMER: Characters used are from the Fifty Shades Trilogy belong to EL James. Characters from the Lithium Springs series belongs to Carmel Rhodes. The plot is highly influenced by "The Rockers" series written by TA Browning. At times I have used some dialogue from the same series.
I own nothing. Enjoy
missmusicteach
CHAPTER THREE: FALL TO PIECES
Annie
"Can he ease up for one night?"
Aggravated, my dry lips parted drilling the cool air through my mouth. My molars begin to grind just thinking about the horrid human on the other side of the country.
My ass was vibrating something chronic. At least it wasn't drumming paradiddles, that have been embedded in my head for the last few hours. Closing my eyes before they explode, I took a much needed breath to get through this call. Removing my phone from it's simple office, the screen was flashing none other than Burning Embers manager. Jackson Hyde.
"Wilks." I answered with a bitter, irritated, and a little bitchiness to my tone. There was no way better to address the asshole.
"So what are you wearing princess?" His teasing voice purred into the phone. The word princess stopped me in my tracks.
"Fuck off right there. I have stipulated to you numerous occasions not to call me princess, pretty, Baby Girl or Annie. Now stop with the sexual harassment, honestly it's getting old. Have I made myself clear?" The line was quiet which was a change. "Hopefully extremely clear. You do remember my legal team headed by Carrick Trevelyan?"
"Oh very… clear…"
Nothing could be more precise to this desperate money hungry bastard, but he constantly pushes the boundaries. Which makes it difficult for me to do my job and too much paperwork for my lawyers. It never changes but my skin shivers hearing princess and that guttural groan at the back of his throat. The thought of what he's actually doing on the other end makes my stomach roil.
"Oh it's crystal… like those baby blues."
"Jackson HYDE! Stop it! Fucking address me either as A or Wilks."
"Woah bitch, hold the phone I was playing nice and you blow it out of proportion. It's only a game."
"God damn… out of proportion. Right! What the fuck do you need?" I grit my teeth, hoping the conversation ends quickly.
"Photo-shoot tomorrow night at the Lincoln Center with an amateur orchestra. I need the band in black and white, suits are good but preferably tails. I'm sure you can work around it. They are wrapped around your little… finger." He swallowed. "Also two new promotions. This time will be at local high schools for thirty minute stints. You know the game, smile to the camera, bitch about their shit life as teenagers and now how awesome they are because… well… of me." Jack rambled along.
"Is that all?" Not wanting to waste my voice on the fucker.
"Oh if only… but I better not. I wouldn't want Mr Trevelyan sending me a formal notice again. If I can think of anything else I'll call. You better be waiting because I am." And it was over.
Thank God.
I made all the necessary reminders on my phone for tomorrow and waited for the confirmation emails from Hyde.
My to do list was growing. I need to focus. My head is a spin and I almost lose my balance, luckily I grabbed the stage frame. So many fucking demands, most were highly unnecessary for the profile of the band now. Maybe early on in their careers but they have made it and have done so for several years now.
Continuing to read through the list of emails, there are new demands from the label. New songs which need to be on the album or performed regularly on tour, negotiations are still happening to determine the particulars. Woah, woah, who the fuck is the songwriter R.L.S. They must be too obnoxious to use their full name so an acronym is sufficient. What the hell? I thought Burning Embers had free reign with their own works. How can I do my job if I'm out of the fucking loop. Oh and an another tour in October! WHAT! When are we going to have a break? Oh look at this, more interviews… in varying formats. Snapchat! They are having an interview on snapchat. Dear lord help us! Fuck this shit, I need to do my job and not Jack's right this second.
Instantly all of Hyde's and the labels demands I shut out and slipped my phone back into it's office.
Security were making their presence bringing out the menagerie. The heard of eighteen backstage pass fans. They were all taped off in a corner. Honestly they looked like dopey sheep in a petting zoo pen. It was predictable like every other show night. Almost half were blonde and five of came from varying shades of peroxide bleach. A handful of brunettes, surprisingly only two were ebony. When I first started touring it was the dominant color these days blonde wins hands down no matter where we are in the world, including Asia. Staring at the remainders, two varying redheads and remarkably two men. The guys were easy to pick, one a true Burning Embers rocker fan and the other a fan of the guys members, if you know what I mean.
Each and every pass holder deep down wanted to get in a Burning Embers bed. Okay maybe not the old school rocker, but then again these days you never know. I hated each and everyone of them. Trying to stay professional I would simply give them a scowl and flare my nostrils at them. Oh and they hated me too, because everyone who was a true fan of the band knew that I was the only female that would ever matter to Burning Embers.
I was particular and precise with the set up backstage for the fans to stay in their pen with the hawks onto them. You need to be careful since they can snap. I've seen women in seven inch heels make a run for dressing rooms for a quick fuck. Something I would never wish on any star, some fucked up groupie wanting to kill one of my guys. It's possible, I'm just trying to make it improbable.
Being a little more casual tonight I had my converse sneakers on. I was tired like always, struggling to lift my feet and the scuff of my shoes squeaked down the cinder block hall way. I was relieved to find each member of Burning Embers in their own dressing rooms. No female or the odd male surprise, they were very much alone.
It was a disappointment rather than amazement to find Luke in his dressing room with a hip sized bottle of Jim Beam. Luke worries me, because instead of a shake or even soda, he was drinking his signature bottle of Jim Beam. I quickly removed it from his grip and replaced with an icy bottle of H2O in his shaking hands. Gripping his shoulders like I do before every concert for close to five years. I say the same words. This shit needs to get sorted before you kill yourself. As always he would grab the bottle from my pocket and swig the remaining contents down his gullet. With an added grin from the drunken guitar player always releasing a foul smelling odor to his surround. These days his stench doesn't help my weak stomach.
Elliot on the other hand, I had some recruiting to fulfill.
"Ell, which will it be tonight?" I pulled out my phone ready to make notes. "Blonde, brunette, redhead, ebony… male there are two?" I asked with a raised brow with a taste of disgust in my mouth.
Elliot hesitated when I mentioned the opposite sex. "Woah… I never swing that way Baby Girl. I'm never ever having a dick close to me." He murmured.
I shrugged in return. It couldn't hurt to ask. I've heard the drummer CT from Lithium Springs requested seven women to wear a mascot suits before entering their bedrooms back in the day, so nothing shocks me these days.
"But, I'll take one of each, minus the dudes okay. Mental note no dudes ever Annie."
He continued to pump his biceps by completing 25 push ups and a few burpies. Apparently it psychs him up for the show. Still I was a little startled by his choice. FOUR. Four at once! Oh well, hopefully he doesn't get a UTI or worse a STI.
"Um eew Ell." Of the four guys Elliot was the man whore, one of each flavor for him was a little different than his usual natural blondes. "Well there are plenty to choose from. Some of the brunettes looked a little interesting."
"Just what I like!" Christian called out from Elliot's doorway blowing a kiss in my direction. I caught it, eating it up immediately and of course it made me blush. Those words did make me feel a little jealous, mostly they hurt because brunettes never mean me. Even though these days my hair is a complete mess with terrible regrowth and desperately needing a bright color touch up.
All the guys began to huddle in Elliot's dressing room, minutes before the final mic checks. I needed my final run down for them, because they all went their separate ways at the end of a show.
"Now please be safe." This was mostly directed towards Elliot. "Are you prepared?"
"Just like a boy scout." Elliot gave the international salute.
"Annie!" I couldn't believe that I made the big muscly Ethan blush.
"I think we are all good, we've got condoms." Two of the four muttered looking at the floor. While Elliot was beyond proud showing off his four 12 pack strips of magnums in his guitar case. Unusual Christian was silent with his hands tucked into his back pockets. I've seen this silence before when he had a girlfriend he secretly kept from me, but I think this is different. Please God tell me he hasn't found someone to settle down with or that slut again. Deep down I hope he's going to be safe. I need him safe.
"Now don't forget guys you have two interviews in the morning at the hotel and then three radio segments, well basically shitty little promos in the early afternoon. Don't play too hard tonight after the show because I need you all in one piece tomorrow. Sober! Now I've arranged for us to have the conference room at the back of the hotel, security will be there just in case any leftovers from tonight want to make an encore for Burning Embers 8:30 in the morning. All your requests have been made. Seating, food and drink." I glared at Luke. "Sorry Lukie, booze free." He held up his hands in defeat. "And please Luke don't make me shower you in the morning to get the smell of orgy and liquor off early."
"Fuck me!" He yelped, directing the sound at me. "What is this? Pick on fucking Luke day on the calendar, especially when he's down! Shit Baby Girl!" He growled crossing his arms.
I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to glare at him. "Just fucking do it Luke. Sober and clean that's all I ask."
He couldn't help but shit stir under his breath. I did feel a little bad about ganging on Luke. The bitch was out to play tonight but he needs to understand he's a grown ass man. More often that not I was bathing him like a toddler because of this ridiculous addiction. Most mornings after he's commonly too drunk or completely hungover to function with the simplest tasks. For one vomiting in a toilet.
Just before they made their way to the stage, I handed them each a bottle of Gatorade (and removed another baby booze size of Jim Beam from Luke). They needed to hydrate because a concert always took it out of them. Christian especially as he would be running around the stage playing guitar and pouring out his soul via his husky tenor voice. Christian's fingers lingered a little more longer than normal, we both finger fumbled and the awkwardness was out of character, well more than normal.
Behind the curtains off stage I was mesmerized looking at each performer of Burning Embers. I was taking in the sheer male virility on stage. The testosterone was oozing. They were all dreamy in their own right with strong facial features and bodies varying in both muscle and body art. Elliot had hints of copper in his light brunette locks. His eyes drew you in, being deep dark blue. Ethan's blond curls lingered over his face and green eyes that changed with his emotions. He was a big guy. Huge muscles bulging from every direction and making some in the industry wonder how is he able to tame a drum set so smoothly because of his restricting bulky mass. Luke the only one to style their hair by spiking his ebony mane for his stage persona. His crystal blue eyes gave chills down my spine as they were hiding a deep secret that I didn't even know. None of us did.
But just for a second longer I let my eyes remain on Christian. His voice fucks a woman from the inside out and those haunting grey eyes hidden behind a curtain of thick dusky eyelashes. Oh fuck, I would be lying if Christian Grey didn't affect my libido even marginally when I heard him sing.
Everyone lusted for someone in Burning Embers in my case it was the multi-talented songwriter, guitarist and lead vocalist in one.
…..
I know I don't have OCD. I'm far from it. I'm the least personally organized female on the planet. But when it comes to Burning Embers, I'm their constant and are completely aware and part of their routine. This is in a form of a playlist that has been performed strictly for over forty concerts in the last few weeks. Hearing song five played at eight and two at eleven is making me claw my eyes out.
"What the fuck is going on? These songs are all out of order? Have they completely lost their minds?" Mumbling to myself backstage.
"New song." One of the crew whispered in passing holding several acoustic instruments.
New song? Why the fuck wasn't I told about this?
The pumped audience died down to a whisper as Burning Embers acoustic guitars made an overdue appearance on stage.
It's highly unusual for the band to use these. On the tour-bus or hotel rooms of course yes, stage was a big fat never. What is going on?
"Ok for anyone following me on twitter here is the new one. This is special. From the heart about a girl. Oh shit man it's always about a fucking girl." He turned to the band and they all laughed getting some inside joke. "It's from my dear friend R.L.S. Thank you man. I miss the old ISS days." Christian kissed his fist and pumped it into the air as the crowd screamed to his action.
R.L.S.? I.S.S? What the fuck was going on?
Then the music started. An intricate guitar riff, simple straight 4 beat on the drums and strict bass line chugged along.
"Fall to pieces." Christian told the crowd as he held the cordless microphone to his lips.
Then the voice from the rock gods came from Christian's mouth. A classic rock ballad, written by the mysterious R.L.S.
.
It's been a long time since you've been gone
I've been alone here I've grown old
I fall to pieces, I'm falling
Fell to pieces and I'm still falling
Every time I'm falling down
All alone I fall to pieces
.
I keep a journal of memories
I'm feeling lonely, I can't breathe
I fall to pieces, I'm falling
Fell to pieces and I'm still falling…
.
(*VELVET REVOLVER- Fall to Pieces)
As the song was wrapping up I was interrupted by my phone again. Flashing on the screen was Jack-ass again.
Fucking great!
"What now!" I snapped as the phone went to my ear. Not by choice rather than convince I had to remove myself from the stage so that I could hear him over the band.
Jackson Hyde chuckled, making me want to slap his Botox face, but he continued to laugh with no words.
"Just tell me what you need." Try to keep my firm voice over him.
"Why are you so shitty Wilks?"
"I'm just in a pissy mood. Most probably because I'm talking to you and I know I need to get up early to organize four guys for two back to back interviews at 8:30am!" I don't know why I'm being such a bitch tonight, well more than normal but he should be used to my attitude. "So what do you need?"
"Ahh the usual… check your emails. Thoughts on … well do you know?" I rolled my eyes. "Well Christian said he wanted to take this summer off. I'm just letting you know that I pushed the combined Lithium Springs tour back to September at the earliest, it's realistically more mid October. I'm waiting on final confirmation regarding venues and ticket preparation. Which I'm sure you can handle that." He purred making my head switch in disgust.
Why hadn't Christian mentioned anything about taking a break especially around summer? I flicked my head back looking to the ceiling, wishing I could demand some answers rather more questions from him. But I'll need to wait, he was still performing. Shit that means I could possibly have two maybe three months free. Free to do absolutely nothing. Thank fuck for that!
"Okay." I groaned to Jack. "Send me the details. I'll make sure that everything gets taken care of."
"I know you will, you always do. You make my job way too easy. That's why I love you Wilks." He said.
"Can you retract that." I gritted my teeth, hissing each word to him. How could he even say that to me the old creep.
"Uncle, Uncle. You fucking moody bitch. I pay you so do your fucking job." And like that he hung up.
I was doing my job, actually I was doing his job too. I'm glad he was paying me well or I'm sure everyone would be walking from the signed contract. There must be better managers here in the US, because Jackson Hyde is the epitome of shit.
Christian's voice out on stage removed me out of my hatred demon pit for Jack. Hearing his vocal cords vibrate gave my full attention to my guys.
.
All the years I've tried
With more to go
Will the memories die
I'm waiting
Will I find you
Can I find you
We're falling down
I'm falling
Every time I'm falling down
All alone I fall to pieces
.
(*VELVET REVOLVER- Fall to Pieces)
His voice was like cream and I was the pussy licking it up. Pussy. Cat… Cat. Oh God! Shit he was making me weak at the knees. Christian's voice was a complex concoction of a husky tenor range added with a hint of hoarse gravel and a dash of sexual desire. "The seduction growl" some groupies called it. Simply, it made every single female in the crowd self combust. Me included. I couldn't help but sway and grind my hips in the air to the rock God performing about falling apart.
When one of the crew bumped into my back by accident I snapped out my sexual Grey Haze and told the guy to fucking watch where you're walking asshole. I couldn't let anyone see how the voice and the complete package of Christian Grey affected me.
I knew that he didn't feel the same way. To him and the rest of my guys I was like their little sister. Little Annie. Sis. Baby Girl. They would lay down their lives for me, as I would for them. Just not horizontally on a bed.
Unfortunately when it came to Christian I was the little dirty girl that he has taken care of since he was almost fifteen. For one he wouldn't want someone fucked up like me, his happiness was more important than my own. It has always been like this and always will.
My lips trembled and a tear escaped. I made a quick get away to ensure I don't listen to any more Burning Embers for the remainder of the night. I'm breaking. I'm falling down. Falling to pieces.
AN:
FALL TO PIECES - Velvet Revolver 2004. I changed a lyric which are underlined in the chapter. Please take five minutes of your time and listen to the acoustic version with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy. Found here - youtube dot com /watch?v=eivRkhXr2vM. I think I listened to this song for a whole day writing this story, it fits perfectly.
I believe ff net has removed the glitch (fingers crossed) that all updates are being emailed out.
So it's official I will be updating every Thursday and Sunday (my time AEST) for at least for the next 5-6 weeks.
I have 13 chapters up my sleeve, and only another nine (& epilogue) to write. I wish I could update daily but I'm tweaking things as I go so they are only 95% finished. :-) I post chapter teasers approx. 24 hours before I update on my fb page (see my ff profile for links) and the fb group - FSOG Fanfic Followers. Pinterest board and playlist is in the works so bare with me… it is coming, not sure when.
Thanks for reading. Please favorite, follow, review and PM any questions or concerns. See you in a few days for Chapter 4 (We will see CPOV how Burning Embers started and a little more A&C family background, tissues maybe needed).
missmusicteach
