On The Edge
Chapter 43
ROCK SHOW
Addison tried her best to ignore the knocking coming from the door. Judging from the angle the sun was shining through the crack in the drapes, it was entirely too early to be awake. She heard a frustrated groan sound out before the lock beeped and the door opened.
"Are you both incapable of answering the door?" Bucky asked as he walked in.
"When we're sleeping?" Zed mumbled. "Yes." He tightened his hold on Addison and snuggled into her neck.
Bucky rolled his eyes and walked over to the window, opening the drapes up fully. "Get up."
"Not cool, Brother-dear," Addison yawned. "How'd you even get a key?"
"I snagged one when I checked everyone in… Heaven forbid I had to hide something from Lacey and Jacey, the last thing I needed was having to grab a key from one of you."
Addison yawned again. "Then why'd you bother knocking?"
"So you'd put clothes on," he replied dryly, tossing one of the hotel robes onto the bed.
Zed chuckled sleepily as he pulled the covers up higher kissing Addison's bare shoulder. "What's with the early wake-up call?"
"Well, since we have to add a shit ton of stuff with your sister to today's itinerary, the extra practice with Mason for the tribute show is getting a significantly earlier start. I already called Tracey's room to wake those two up."
"Couldn't you have just called us as well?" Zed asked.
Bucky rolled his eyes again. "Yeah right… like either of you would have answered. And if by some miracle you did, you'd still end up late. So… here I am, in person, waking your asses up and making sure you don't get… sidetracked."
Addison and Zed both quietly laughed at the disgust in his voice.
"Anyway… get up. Everyone should be up here shortly and I want to be at Power Plant within the hour."
"Couldn't you have at least brought coffee?" Addison complained through another yawn.
Bucky threw one of the spare throw pillows at her. "I'll make you a cup if you go shower. You reek of sex. I can smell you from over here."
She sat up and threw the pillow back at him. "Fine." She looked over to Zed and smiled. "Let's go…"
"Oh, no you don't," Bucky glared. "Zed, you go wake up your sister. Mine is going to shower… alone."
Addison stuck her tongue out at him. "Buzzkill."
Zed chuckled and pulled her down for a kiss. "I'll be back in a few."
She sighed and nodded. "Fine…" she kissed him back and reluctantly let him go.
"Dude!" Bucky said turning around to face the window. "I did not need to see your bare ass."
Zed laughed as he walked across the room to grab a pair of jeans from his luggage. "Then you shouldn't have let yourself in." He pulled them on and blew Addison a kiss before walking out the door.
Addison pulled on the robe that Bucky had tossed on the bed. "I'm going to shower. I expect that coffee."
"I don't get paid enough for this shit…" he mumbled just as Addison cleared the doorway. She threw the bathrobe back at him, hitting him upside the head. "Definitely not enough…"
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
Zed yawned wide as he groggily stepped off the elevator on the fourth floor, just as the elevator next to him opened up as well.
"Oh, hey man," Jacey said eyeing a half-naked Zed up before laughing. "And I thought I had a long night. Fun birthday?"
"Something like that…" he muttered in response. "Late night... sightseeing?" he asked, motioning to the camera hanging from around Jacey's neck.
"Something like that… You'd be amazed the stuff you can find at night… and you've got to be out early to catch the fish market. Ever been to Seattle?"
Zed nodded sleepily. "Yeah… a few times."
"And Addison?"
He nodded again before quickly snapping his head over towards Jacey. "Wait, who?"
"Casey? I know Lacey and Tracey haven't, but I didn't get a chance to ask Princess yesterday."
Zed pursed his lips as he studied Jacey for a moment. Maybe he had just heard wrong… then again… "Yeah, I don't know if she has or not."
Jacey nodded his head as he reached into his pocket and took out his room key. "Anyway… I'm going to grab some shut-eye before the interview this afternoon. See ya man."
Zed watched as he walked into his room. He definitely needed to tell Addison and Bucky. With a shake of his head, he knocked on Wynter's door.
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
As the steam from the hot water filled the room, flashes of her last shower the night before filled Addison's mind. The feel of Zed's fingertips as they pressed into her hips… his teeth as they scraped against her neck… the way his eyes held hers as they both came undone… She let out a shudder and stepped under the hot spray. "You're like a God, I feel so hot … I got it bad, it's a habit…" she whispered to herself as she bent back to wet her hair. "I'm in withdrawal, I need a hit… My body's cold, gotta have it…"
Her foot tapped out a staccato as she lathered the shampoo into her hair and started to sing a little louder. "Just a dose of remedy, the taking away the death of me
I get a buzz to feel alive, I get a rush deep inside
Just a touch is all I need to trigger the sweetest dopamine
You're taking away the death of me
I can hit it, quit it, not addicted, you know it's a lie…" her hands stilled and a large smile spread across her face. "Bucky!" She quickly rinsed her hair and poked her head out of the shower and screamed his name. "BUCKY!"
The door flung open. "What?! What's wrong?!" he rushed out.
"Can you grab my notebook?" she asked with a sweet smile.
His eyes widened. "I thought something was wrong. Jesus…" he shook his head and went to close the door.
"Please?"
He paused and rolled his eyes. "Fine… where is it?"
"In my bag."
He mumbled something under his breath and closed the door again.
She grabbed her body wash and started to hum as she waited.
"Um, which one? There's two," Bucky hollered from the room.
"The black one!"
The door opened again. "That means it's a really good one," Tracey giggled as he and Mason walked in behind Bucky.
Addison poked her head back out and nodded.
Bucky looked between the two of them. "What?"
Tracey patted his shoulder. "Black notebook is for non-Acey songs… The type of songs Lacey can't hear." He looked back over to Addison. "Whatchya got Honey-Bunny?"
Addison giggled and went back lathering her body wash as started to belt out the song that was running through her head.
"You get me high like a painkiller, like a painkiller
You numb the pain, you're blowing my mind
Like a painkiller, you're the painkiller
That gets me, gets me, gets me high…"
The sound of a guitar sounded out.
She poked her head back out to find Zed standing in the door with his guitar.
"Don't stop," he smiled.
Addison threw him a wink.
"You think I'm cryptic, a touch sadistic
But baby, that's how you made me
You bring the fever, my drug dealer
Gotta love how you fix me…" she blew him a kiss and started to rinse off as Mason started to beat out a rhythm on the bathroom vanity.
"Just a dose of remedy, the taking away the death of me
I get a buzz to feel alive, I get a rush deep inside
Just a touch is all I need to trigger the sweetest dopamine
You're taking away the death of me
I can hit it, quit it, not addicted, you know it's a lie…
You get me high like a painkiller, like a painkiller
You numb the pain, you're blowing my mind
Like a painkiller, you're the painkiller
That gets me, gets me, gets me high
So blow my mind…"
Zed tossed his guitar over to Tracey and stepped into the shower, pinning her against the wall as his lips crashed against hers.
"Really Adds?" Bucky groaned.
"What?" she giggled. "It's a well-known fact that Z and I both have very addictive personalities," she teased. "Better my boyfriend's dick than drugs!" she quickly smacked her hand against her mouth. "Shit! Zoey…"
Zed laughed and kissed her again. "She's barely awake. I doubt she heard." He kissed her again before resting his forehead against hers. "I need to tell you something."
"Why does that sound serious?"
He shrugged his shoulders and started to trail kisses down her neck. "I ran into Jacey on my way to get Zo."
"And?" she breathed out.
"And… I'm pretty sure he called you Addison."
"What?!" Bucky said from the other side of the shower.
Zed huffed out a sigh and turned the water off. He poked his head out of the shower. "Towels?"
"Tell me I heard you wrong?" Bucky pleaded as he passed over two.
"I'm not sure. I was half sleeping, but…"
Bucky threw his hands in the air. "I'm going to wake up the pack and Bonzo. We're having a band meeting now. Get your asses on the bus."
Everyone except for Lacey and Jacey gathered around on the bus as Bucky paced back and forth in front of them.
"So… we've potentially got a problem," he finally said.
Willa rolled her eyes and stood up. "Nope! I can not do doom and gloom this early in the morning without a white cup with a picture of a green siren plastered on it, in my hand. So before you start with all the words, and stress, and bullshit, you better direct this bus to the nearest Starbucks!"
He stepped back and glanced toward Wyatt.
"Don't look at me, Boss-man… You're the one that woke her up…. I know better."
"And I never did get the coffee you promised me," Addison added.
Bucky rolled his eyes. "Anyone else?"
They all raised their hands.
He threw his arms in the air. "Fine… We'll have this meeting at Starbucks."
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
"I'm so confused," Zoey mumbled as she took a bite of her muffin.
Wynter patted her head. "Long story short, your brother banged psycho Lacey a few years ago…"
"Wynnie!" Zed interjected.
She flipped him off and continued. "...And she's been territorial of him ever since. Addie was brought in to replace The Acey's last bass player who was kicked out after your brother banged her too…"
"Dammit, Wynnie!"
"… and Lacey only plays with 'Acey's' so Addie became Casey, but no one knew Addie and your brother had a history, and Addie is under contract that she won't bang your brother."
"Jesus…" Zed mumbled, dropping his head to the table.
"And Jacey can't know because he's currently banging Lacey and he might tell her."
"Are you done?" Zed asked, still face down on the table.
"I think so?"
Addison rubbed Zed's leg under the table as she looked over to Zoey. "If it weren't for the fact that we all signed a contract with La Meurta to sponsor our tour, we honestly wouldn't care if Lacey found out at this point."
"Speak for yourself," Tracey chimed in. "You might be okay, but I'm not thrilled about the possibility of my band imploding. I've put too much work into The Acey's for them to be destroyed because Lacey can't handle the ridiculously obvious fact that you two are meant to be."
"I agree with Tracey," Bucky said.
"And there's that…" Addison added.
"So you're just going to keep hiding your relationship?" Zoey asked.
Zed picked up his head and shrugged. "Yeah. We don't have much of a choice. It'll obviously be a little easier after the tour, but…"
Willa threw her straw wrapper at him. "But it's fucking exhausting in the meantime."
"It is what it is at the moment," Bucky said. "But on top of the weird Jacey run in, I have something else to pile on…"
"What now?" Zed whined.
"Was anyone going to tell me that there was a picture of the two of you hanging up in the venue?"
They all stopped eating and drinking to look at him.
"...And I'm guessing by that reaction that none of you knew."
"He actually put it up…" Zed whispered before he smiled. "I'm on the wall."
"Yeah," Bucky groaned. "You both are… or were… I had Mac pull it down last night." He shook his head. "I swear if either of them saw that picture yesterday…"
"We would have known if Lacey saw it," Tracey said.
"Jacey on the other hand…" Zed looked over to Addison. "You can say he's harmless all you want, but he's acting pretty sketch… between the comment in the hall this morning and him having my phone the other day…"
Addison nearly choked on her coffee. "Jacey had your phone?!"
He nodded.
"Please tell me you put a lock code on it…" she whispered.
His eyes widened and he shook his head.
"Can someone please tell me what is going on?" Bucky asked.
They both exchanged a look before telling him "Nothing," at the same time.
"Whatevs…" Bucky mumbled, glancing down at his watch. "Let's get going. I want a solid practice before we go deal with school paperwork for Zoey."
"He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say…" Addison stopped singing and flung her bass behind her back."Stop, stop, stop…" she looked up to the rafters and let out a loud curse. "We sound like a fucking cover band."
"PLAY FREEBIRD!" Wyatt called out from the audience.
Addison, Zed, and Mason all flipped him off in unison.
Bucky shook his head. "That's the most in sync the three of you have been all morning." He scrubbed at his face. "You've got a shit-ton of work to do in the next month."
"Gee, thanks Brother-dear… like I didn't already fucking know that. I swear to christ… if we go out there sounding like this my daddy and Kurt will be spinning in their fucking graves."
Zed walked over and rubbed her shoulders. "To be fair, the three of us haven't played together since high school."
Her head rolled back as she relaxed under his fingers. "Was it our senior project?"
"I think so."
"I remember that song!" Zoey said excitedly.
Zed looked over towards his little sister. "You do?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Mom and I re-watched that performance all the time that summer… I still have the CD too."
"What kind of school project involves a CD and a performance?" Tracey asked.
"The final project for the music students senior year was to write, record, produce, and perform an original song," Bree said.
Addison smiled at the memory. "And because I was already working on my first solo EP, I decided to give in to their constant begging and work with these two for a group project."
"I mean really, who wants to listen to a three to five-minute drum solo," Mason laughed.
"If you do it right, everyone," Eliza mumbled. "If you're going to suck that much Mason, can you not use my kit?"
Zed chuckled and started to play the opening riff.
"You actually remember it?" Addison asked in shock.
"Oh, like you don't…" he leaned over and bit her nose playfully.
Addison smirked and stepped back up to the microphone. "Some like beautiful, perfect and pretty...
I see the good in the bad and the ugly..."
"Hell yeah!" Mason laughed from behind the kit as he started to kick out the beat on the bass drum.
Addison pulled her bass back around. "I need the volume one louder than ten
Put the pedal to the metal needle into the red
If the windows ain't shaking making my heart race …" she looked behind her and smiled at Mason.
"If I can't feel it in my chest
I'm in the wrong damn place…"
The volume kicked up a notch as the three of them fell back into a familiar rhythm.
"Got a demon in my soul, and a voice in my head
Saying go, go, go, I can sleep when I'm dead
There's a sonic revelation bringing me to my knees
And there's a man down below that needs my sympathy
I got a ringin' in my ears getting' ready to burst
Screaming,"
"Hallelujah mother fucker, take me to church …" Zed harmonized with her.
"I like it louder than the boom of a big bass drum
I need it harder than the sound of guitar grunge
I like to crank it up
Make it thump
And lead on the chord
Head bangin' in the pit and throwin' my horns
And just like old school Sabbath, Zeppelin and Lemmy
I need to drop it down low and make it heavy
I like it heavy
Woahhhhh
I like it heavy
Woahhhhh…"
"That's a hell of a senior project," Tracey laughed as Zoey shushed him.
"I ride the lighting, roll with thunder
I'm goin' down, down, down
With my sisters and brothers
I fell in love with the darkest parts
Standing on the side of the wild at heart
I plucked a feather off a crow so I could fly
Since I was 13 years old
I've had my fist to the sky
I like it louder than the boom of a big bass drum
I need it harder than the sound of guitar grunge
I like to crank it up
Make it thump
And lead on the chord
Head bangin' in the pit and throwin' my horns
And just like old school Sabbath, Zeppelin and Lemmy
I need to drop it down low and make it heavy
I like it heavy
Whooooah
I like it heavy
Wooooah
I like it
I like it
I like it heavy
I like it
I like it
I like it heavy
I like it
I like it
I like it heavy
I like it
I like it
I like it heavy, heavy…."
As the last of the music began to fade Zoey stood up.
"Take me home tonight
I'd do anything with you…" she sang loud enough for everyone to hear.
Everyone stopped and watched her.
"Buy a bottle of tequila
We'll get matching tattoos.
Tell me that you love me
Oh, I'll let you drive my car
We can sit 'til morning light
Just counting every star…"
"Daaaaaamn…." Tracey laughed. "Baby Zom has some pipes!"
"You remember that part?" Addison asked in shock as she walked to the edge of the stage.
"Of course!" Zoey answered. "It's the best part! The way the chaos of the music fades into the background and then just when everyone thinks its over, your voice…" she smiled, trying to find the words to describe how she felt. "It was amazing."
Addison exchanged a quick glance with Zed, silently asking permission. He nodded his approval.
"Why don't you come up here and finish it…" Addison suggested.
"Me? On stage?"
Zed smiled and reached down to pick her up. "Give it a shot."
Zoey took a deep breath and warily stepped up to the microphone. "'Cause if there's a hell
I'll meet you there…" she glanced back over to her brother.
"Keep going…"
She smiled and turned back to the microphone, relaxing a little more.
"And if there's a heaven
They're serving beer
And if you're an angel
Then I must be high
Oh, if there's a church
It's rock 'n roll
If there's a devil
I sold my soul
And it's alright whatever we do tonight
'Cause if there's a God
Dammit she won't mind
If there's a God
Baby, she won't mind…"
Zed's jaw was on the floor. "Zo… when did you start singing?"
She shrugged. "I don't really… It's just something I like to do when I'm in the shower, or when I'm studying, or…"
Addison held up a hand and stopped her. "Have you ever taken lessons?"
She shook her head 'no'.
"Would you like to?"
"I've never really thought about it… I mean, I love singing but…"
"But…" Zed repeated, waiting for her to elaborate.
"But… I'm not very good."
Addison shook her head. "Yes, you are." She looked up at Zed and smiled. "You're better than your brother was when he started at Seabrook. With the proper training..."
"Hey!" Zed said, cutting her off.
"What? It's true," she said with a laugh. "You were good, but did you hear her just now?"
He sighed and smiled before ruffling his sister's hair. "Yeah… I did."
Zoey looked between the two of them. "Wait… do you think I could get into Seabrook?"
"You definitely have the skills," Zed said proudly.
"But I don't play an instrument."
"You don't need to," Addison answered. "But if you want to, they'll teach you."
Zoey's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be…" she smiled and threw her arms around Zed, "Amazing doesn't even begin to cover it!"
Addison smiled and looked back out across the empty room. "Bucky?" she called out.
"Yeah?"
"Can you get my Uncle Jamie on the phone?"
"For what?"
"I think Bamm! needs to make a donation to Seabrook High."
"Where the hell have you been?" Lacey demanded as she walked onto the bus. "You said to be on the bus at one so we can drive over to the radio station for the interview. I can't exactly be on the bus at one if the bus isn't fucking here at one!"
"Lace, relax," Jacey laughed from behind her. "It's only 1:10."
"But everyone else is already on!" she motioned around the crowded bus. "So I repeat, where the hell have you been?"
"I wanted to eat without having to look at you," Willa piped up, "...gives me terrible indigestion."
Lacey rolled her eyes and tossed her purse over to the small table. "Whatever, Wil…" she stopped talking when her eyes landed on Zoey. "Who's the kid?"
Zed took a deep breath and braced himself. "My little sister."
Lacey stared at him skeptically for an uncomfortably long time. "You have a little sister?" she finally asked.
Willa rolled her eyes. "Obviously."
"And why is she here?"
Zed shrugged. "For my birthday," he said like it was the most obvious answer ever. "She's flying out tonight after the show."
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
Addison laid in her bunk, quietly strumming her acoustic guitar, trying her best to keep her distance from Zed while Lacey and Jacey were around.
"The Dale Donnelly Memorial Recording Studio… has a nice ring to it," Mason said as he climbed up into her bunk to sit down next to her.
"Shhhh…." She sat up and looked around nervously.
"Relax," he laughed. "Blondie is too busy grilling Zed about the sudden appearance of a sister."
Addison rolled her eyes. "Don't insult the great Debbie Harry by calling Lacey that."
Mason chuckled. "Seriously though, Daddy Dale would love having the recording studio at Seabrook updated and dedicated to him."
"I hope so," she smiled sadly.
He rolled his eyes playfully and rested his head on her shoulder. "You really need to stop second-guessing yourself."
"Old habits die hard," she shrugged. She leaned her head over and rested it on top of his. "You do know I'm totally putting you in charge of overseeing the construction."
"Of course you are," he laughed. "Zoey seems really excited to start on Monday."
Addison nodded. "Yeah… she's got a decent vocal range, she shouldn't have too much trouble catching up."
He nudged her shoulder. "You know it was pretty bad-ass of you to get her in mid-term. They never do that."
She snorted out a laugh. "Hence the obscene donation… might as well use the Donnelly fortune for good.… that kid has been through hell, it's the least I could do."
They were both silent for a moment before Mason asked, "Has Z told her about their dad?"
Addison shook her head. "Not all of it… He told her that Zevon said Zyla was leaving him and that he kept her from taking Zoey that night, but not that their dad caused the accident… He will eventually… just not for a while. She's had to deal with enough already."
He nodded and looked over to the open notebook on the bed. "Whatchya working on?"
She sighed and picked it up. "Well, I was working on a song with Z for Zoey, but obviously we can't finish it right this second… So… I started thinking about last night, and a new song started to form."
He laughed again. "Of course."
"Last time I checked, you highly profit from my prolific writing," she teased.
"This is true… speaking of which, the studio is booked solid when I get back. Any chance you've got something I can use in that little black book of yours?"
Addison giggled. "How do you know the songs I send you come out of that notebook and not my other one?"
"Because I pay attention to the lyrics… and can I just say that the songs have been soooo much better since you two got back together."
She rolled her eyes playfully.
"I'm serious! I don't miss the gloomy heartbreak ballads at all! Give me totally head over heels in love songs any damn day!"
She laughed and started to strum a melody out on her guitar.
"When the night gets heavy
Lay your heaven on me
Sparks illuminate us
I'll find you in the dark
When the sky is falling
I'll be your atlas holding
The world on my shoulders
I'll find you in the dark
I'll find you in the dark
I'll find you in the dark
I don't need night vision
To see right into your soul
Supernatural lover
Move through me like a ghost
Get on your knees
And praise me like you should
When it comes to being bad
You're so good…"
"Ugh," Mason groaned. "Please just let me record you!"
She threw her head back and laughed before pushing him out of her bunk.
As the three bands and Bucky made their way through the halls of Seattle's most legendary alternative radio station, Willa suddenly stopped walking and grabbed onto Wyatt's arm.
"Wyatt…" she whispered. "Tell me I'm not imagining this… tell me we're really here."
He smiled and pulled her in for a kiss. "It's really happening, babe."
They both looked over to Wynter and let out a loud shriek of excitement.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Lacey mumbled, pushing past them. "It's your hometown, big fucking deal…"
Zed took a deep breath as he looked around, quietly letting the significance of the moment wash over him. This was the radio station they had grown up listening to. The same radio station that had given local artists like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains their starts. He sucked in another breath, wishing he could openly celebrate like The Pack. This had been one of their biggest dreams as kids.
Addison quickly linked her pinkie with his as she walked by, knowing exactly what he was thinking.
As he stood there looking at the pictures of rock legends that lined the walls he heard his name being called out from behind him.
"Zed? Is that you?"
He turned around to find Jay walking out of the door next to him. "No fucking way!" he exclaimed, giving him a bro hug. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Me?" Jay laughed. "I work here. What are you doing here?"
"My band is playing at Power Plant tonight. We're here for an interview."
Jay's brows shot up. "Um… at three?"
"Yeah."
Jay laughed. "Dude… I'm interviewing you. Did you rejoin The Pack? I didn't see your name on the background sheet. I saw a Zed Necrodopolus..."
Zed's jaw dropped open, he quickly looked down the hall, making sure everyone else had already entered the studio. "That's me, I'm with Zombies… But if you're the one interviewing us, there's some serious shit you need to know before we go in there."
"Like?"
Zed let out a humorless laugh. "I'll give you the abridged version. First, does Wynnie know you're a DJ here?"
Jay shook his head. "No, I was hoping to surprise her… she isn't seeing anyone, is she?"
"No."
Jay's smile filled his face. "What else do I need to know then?"
"You remember my girlfriend, Addison?"
"Of course I remember Addie."
"She's is in The Acey's."
"What? Really? I knew I'd heard that voice before..."
Zed nodded. "But here's the kicker… you don't know me, you don't know her, and her name is Casey."
Jay gave him a questioning look. "Why are you two using different names?"
He let out a breath. "Long fucking story dude… But if you go along with this I'll do my best to smooth shit out with Wynnie… you know how she gets."
"Deal," Jay said, holding his hand out for a shake. "But I want the rest of the story after the show tonight."
"You got it, man," Zed said with a smile.
"Come on. The automation is about to end and I need to get you guys set up…" He stopped and shook his head. "I can't believe you guys are playing the plant. That's huge!"
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't low-key freaking the fuck out!" Zed laughed.
"Zed!" Bucky called out from the doorway to the studio. "Get your ass in here!"
"Didn't get enough of it this morning?" Zed called back jokingly, earning him a one-fingered salute. He looked over to Jay, "Just a heads up, my manager is also Adds' step-brother… wish someone had given me that heads up."
Jay bit back a laugh. "If you two are anything like you used to be, I'm sure that's an interesting situation."
"To say the least…" Zed chuckled under his breath as the two of them made their way to the studio.
"Whoa…" Zoey whispered in awe as she walked into the green room backstage on the top floor of the old power plant.
Bree laughed. "Uhoh, Z. I think your sister is starting to see the perks of rock star life."
He rolled his eyes and smiled. "Remember, school first."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know…" she said, waving him off. "But this is just so… cool!"
"Wait until you see it when it's packed with fans after the show!" Wyatt said as he and Willa walked over to the bar.
Zed's eyes widened. "Oh shit… I didn't even think about that."
"What's wrong, Zedward?" Willa asked. "Don't want pipsqueak to see you autographing someone's rack?"
"At least that's the worst she'd see him do in the green room these days," Bonzo laughed. "Let's just hope she doesn't go looking through storage closets or the rooftop."
Zoey sat down on one of the leather sofas and shook her head. "I don't even want to know."
"Good," Zed said as he walked over to yet another ridiculously large floral arrangement in the corner. He picked up the card and bit off a curse.
"Another one for Princess?" Bonzo asked.
He nodded and opened it up. "Fucking bastard…."
"What?" Bree asked.
"He's planning on making an appearance at one of our next shows, wants to take her out to dinner."
"Who?" Zoey asked.
"Salvador Santos. He runs the company that's sponsoring the tour."
"And he's sending your girlfriend flowers?"
Zed nodded. "Every fucking show." He crumpled the card and shoved it into his pocket. "And be careful throwing around the girlfriend thing."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know. No talking about you and Addison."
"You mean, Casey," Bucky said as he walked through the door.
Zoey rolled her eyes.
"Christ, you look just like your brother when you do that… But seriously…" he held his finger up to his lip, reminding her to keep things quiet just as everyone else started to walk in.
Lacey's eyes immediately landed on the flowers and she clapped excitedly. "I'm definitely getting used to this!" she said as she practically skipped over to the corner to pick them up. "They always look so much better in my dressing room." She handed them over to Jacey and pulled him back out the room and down the hall.
Zoey looked over to her brother. "I thought you just said…"
Addison laughed and sat down on the sofa next to them. "It's just easier to let her think they're for her. I sure as hell don't want them." She glared at Bucky. "You just had to tell him I didn't have a boyfriend."
Bucky sighed. "Again, at the time, I thought you didn't. How was I supposed to know!"
"You could have not been completely oblivious," Eliza said with a shrug. "Everyone else managed to figure it out… Well, except for…" she pointed down the hall.
"Let's hope it stays that way," Bucky mumbled. He looked over to The Pack. "You three, sound-check. Let's get started."
Wynter glared at Zed as she walked by.
Addison bit back a giggle. "She is soooo pissed at you, babe…" she whispered as she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Zed let out a breath. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Not say that she'd meet the DJ for drinks after the show?" Eliza suggested with a shrug. "Just a guess."
He rolled his eyes and threw one of the throw pillows across the room at her. "I had to think quick. Let's all be glad that I ran into Jay in the hall, to begin with."
Addison patted his leg. "Of course, dear."
"Don't patronize me," he laughed. "Jay could have totally outed us in a split second. And it's not like Wynnie isn't still pining away for him! The only reason they even split is because she moved with Willa and Wyatt."
"He was the one that didn't want to try the long-distance thing," Addison reminded him. "She was all for it."
"I'm just going to enjoy being a kid for a while… all of you guys with your weird relationship drama is too much for me," Zoey said as she stood up and walked over to the bar.
"And just what do you think you're doing?"
"Relax, I'm just getting a coke," she said before looking over to Addison. "Is he always this overbearing?"
Addison shrugged. "He just remembers how he was at your age."
"Oh like you were any better," he laughed, leaning over and kissing her neck.
"I was much worse," she giggled.
Tracey cleared his throat, giving them the signal to separate before Lacey and Jacey walked back in.
Zoey watched and shook her head. "Definitely too much drama…"
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
"Hey, guys..." Zed said as The Pack walked off the stage after their soundcheck, "can you do me a favor?"
"I'm not doing shit for you, Zedward!" Wynter snapped before mumbling something that sounded terribly painful involving her drum sticks and his anatomy.
"Come on Wynnie, don't be like that," he whined. "I literally found out two minutes before you! I haven't been in town in years! How was I supposed to know your ex worked at the station?"
She threw a drumstick at him, narrowly missing his head.
"She'll get over it," Wyatt laughed. "She's more pissed that you didn't warn her than anything. What's the favor?"
"I'm working on something for Zo, think you can keep her out of here for a bit?"
"Oh, because watching the munchkin is such a chore," Willa smirked. "You know we love her."
"Think she'll want pizza?" Wyatt asked.
Zed laughed. "She's a Jacobs, when is pizza not the answer?"
Wynter pointed her other drum stick at him. "You're lucky I love Zoey. You? Not so much right now... I'll go ask her if she wants to grab a slice from Rocco's."
"Love you Wynnie!" he called out as she walked past him.
"Fuck you, Zedward."
Wyatt patted him on the back as he and Willa walked off to join her.
Zoey watched from the doorway as her brother placed his white contacts into his eyes before rimming them with eyeliner. "You look spooky as shit, Bro," she finally said, getting his attention.
"That's the point," he smiled before looking over to her. His jaw dropped in shock. "What the shit did you do to your hair?"
She walked further into the dressing room and plopped herself down into one of the chairs. "Bree did it for me. You like?" she asked holding up the ends of her now green hair.
"Zo… you start at Seabrook in a couple of days. You can't have green hair!"
She rolled her eyes. "Relax, it's temporary. One or two washes and it will be back to blonde."
"Better be…" he mumbled under his breath. He looked back to the mirror and ran his hands through his hair, pulling on the ends to make them stand up. "You almost done with the hairspray, E?"
She tossed him the can. "Good luck getting any out, I think I killed it."
"Shit…" he sighed. "Bonz, can you call Bree and ask if she can bring another can over when she finishes doing Addie's hair?"
Almost right on cue, Addison and Bree walked into the Zombies' dressing room.
"Did I hear my name?" Bree asked as she dropped her bag onto the vanity and walked over to the sofa where Bonzo was sitting and sat down on his lap.
"Zed needs hairspray," Eliza replied.
"In my bag, Z… um, Zed?… Hello…" she laughed as she watched him openly ogle her best friend.
"You look…" His hands reached out to trace the thin leather straps crossing her torso.
Addison pulled her lower lip between her teeth and smiled. "Not looking too bad yourself, Mr. Necrodopolus," she whispered before his lips crashed down on hers.
"Excuse me," Zoey interrupted. "Child present."
Zed's chest shook with silent laughter as he rested his forehead against Addison's. "Later…" he mouthed before looking over at his sister. "You use a fake ID and smoke, I think you can handle seeing me kiss my girlfriend."
"Kiss, yes… Not whatever the hell else was about to happen. I got enough of an eye-full last night." She looked over to Bree. "Maybe I'll just stay with your folks permanently."
"Ha. ha. Ha…" Zed deadpanned.
Bucky stuck his head in, "Ten minutes."
Zed quickly kissed Addison and grabbed the hairspray out of Bree's bag. "Remember Zo, stick with Bree and Mason. B, don't let her out of your sight."
"It'll be fine," Bree laughed. "How much trouble do you really think she could get into?"
"You do realize this is Zed's sister you're talking about," Bonzo said. "She'll probably end up with a tattoo by the end of the night."
Bree grimaced. "Good point. I'll watch her like a hawk."
"Can I really get a tattoo?" Zoey asked excitedly.
"NO!"
Zoey stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Why not? You've got more than I can count, and Addie has a bunch too."
"And we both got our first ones on my nineteenth birthday, you can wait at least that long."
"I was still eighteen at the time," Addison pointed out.
"Fine," he huffed. "No tatts until you're eighteen. If you still want one by that point then I'll bring you myself."
"Really?" she asked excitedly. "Because Dad wouldn't even let me get a second hole in my ears!"
Zed threw his head back and laughed. "Yeah… and if you want to talk piercings…" he pointed over to Addison. "She's the expert."
Addison giggled. "If you want your ears pierced, I'll bring you to get them done the next time we're in LA."
Zoey jumped off of the couch and started bouncing around. "Really?"
"Of course. It's just a second hole."
"Mmhmm…" Bree smirked. "That's what you said at her age, too."
Addison blew her a kiss and flipped her off.
"Pack's about to start!" Tracey said, popping his head into the room. "Mase is already out front waiting."
"Shit…" Zed quickly flipped his head upside down and sprayed it, making sure it was sticking up just right. When he stood back up, he locked eyes with Zoey again. "If you get separated from Bree and Mason, ask Security to get Mack or Bucky. Got it?"
She rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Zed. I'll be fine!"
"And I want you now
I want you now…" Zed sang as he looked into Addison's eyes. It didn't matter how many times they had played this song on stage together. It always made him stare at her in awe.
"I feel my heart implode
And I'm breaking out
Escaping now
Feeling my faith erode…" As he watched her play out the rest of the song, he fought the overwhelming urge to kiss her right then and there. The only thing stopping him was the fresh memory of his slip-up back in Portland.
With the final chord fading from the amplifiers, he stepped back up to the microphone. "While we have this incredibly gorgeous and talented creature out here," he yelled out, making the crowd erupt with screams and applause. "We're going to do something a little different…" He looked out into the crowd and found Zoey in the front row, sandwiched between Mason and Bree with Mack standing behind her. "This song is for my little sister who's in the audience tonight… so I'm going to need everyone to flick your bics, or light up your phones. I want them high in the air!" He looked over at Addison and smiled, giving her the all-clear to take over.
As Addison stepped up to the microphone, Zed began to strum out the opening chords of the song that they had been secretly working on since that morning.
"Little girl
You like it loud
Come alive in the middle of a crowd…" Addison sang softly as she looked out into the audience.
"You wanna scream
You wanna shout
Get excited when the lights go down…" She met Zoey's eyes and smiled.
"At the rock show
You'll be right in the front row
Heart and soul, they both know
It's where you gotta be
Little girl, there you are
All the lighters looking just like stars
Sing along, feel the sound
Take a ride on the hands of the crowd."
The volume kicked up a notch as she yelled out.
"Here it comes, the moment when
You know you'll never be the same again
Power chord, see the light
You found your place in the world tonight!"
Zoey screamed excitedly as she jumped up and down.
"At the rock show
You'll be right in the front row
Heart and soul, they both know
It's where you gotta be
Yeah at the rock show
Getting high on the solo
So what if it's crazy?
That's gonna be me
That's gonna be me…"
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
Zoey ran through the backstage corridors and up the stairs to the wings of the stage, jumping into her brother's arms just as he took off his guitar. "I HAVE MY OWN SONG!" she screamed.
Zed laughed and hugged her tight. "Good surprise?"
"The best! It was perfect! It was everything I was feeling and so much more! I love it!"
"Well, I love you Zo-Zo-Bear."
"Ugh, I hate that nickname," she laughed. "No one has called me that since…" she tilted her head to the side and pondered for a moment. "...since you."
Zed set her down and ruffled her hair. "It's my job as an older brother to call you that forever… it's in the rule book."
"No, it isn't."
"Totally is," Bucky said clapping Zed on the shoulder. "That was a hell of a show."
"Thanks, B."
He looked around to make sure no one else was in earshot before he leaned in and said quietly, "I know you couldn't openly celebrate a homecoming show like the pack, but I know how much tonight meant to you. You did great."
Zed smiled and nodded.
"Ad…" Zoey caught herself before shouting, "Casey!" before running over to Addison as she was climbing up the steps to the stage with the other Acey's.
"Hey, kid!"
"Thank you! That song was just…" she smiled and sighed dreamily, "everything."
Addison pulled her into a hug. "I'm so glad you liked it."
Lacey huffed in annoyance as she passed them. "Our shows are 18 and over."
"Family doesn't count," Addison replied.
"She's not your family, why do you fucking care," Lacey snapped. She rolled her eyes and mumbled something to Zed as she walked closer to the edge of the curtains to get a look at the crowd.
"Ignore her," Tracey whispered to Zoey. "We all do," he gave her a wink and went to grab his guitar.
Addison waited until Jacey passed her before she leaned over to Zoey and whispered, "Family doesn't always mean blood." She gave her a hug and walked over to get her bass, giving Zed a small smile as she passed him.
Zed walked over to Zoey. "Lacey's a bitch. Sorry if she gave you shit for being back here."
Zoey shrugged. "I don't care. What's she going to do? Kick me out? Willa would beat her ass."
Zed laughed and shook his head. "She has been looking for a good reason to…" he looked over towards the stage where Addison was tuning her guitar. "Wanna watch the show from back here with me or go back out front with Bree and Mase?"
Her eyes lit up. "I can actually watch from back here? Like right here? On the side of the stage?"
He laughed again and pulled on the pass hanging around her neck. "You're all-access, of course, you can. Although I might suggest we move a little closer. You can't see much from the stairs."
She shrieked excitedly and threw her arms around him.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'…"
"Yes, yes, yes! This is like the best night ever!"
He hugged her back and picked her up, carrying her over to where Bucky was talking to The Acey's.
Lacey rolled her eyes. "Really Zed?"
"What?" he shrugged. "She wanted to watch you guys from back here. I'm not going to tell her no."
"Whatever…" Lacey mumbled. "Acey's on three… One. Two."
"Acey's!" they all said in unison.
Lacey pressed the call button on her megaphone a couple of times and walked to the backside of the stage where she'd make her "grand" entrance mid-song, as Jacey twirled a drumstick around and Tracey and Addison put on their guitars.
"Have a good show you guys," Zed said.
"Thanks," Addison smiled. She took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.
Zoey giggled.
"What?" he asked as the noise from the crowd escalated.
"You. She smiles and you stop breathing."
Zed smiled. "It's always been that way."
The heavy beat of their opening song sounded out and Addison stepped up to the microphone.
"Adrenalize me…" she breathed out seductively.
Zoey silently watched as Addison sang to the crowd going wild at her feet.
"She's still better than you… no offense."
Zed chuckled. "It's always been that way, too."
Zoey continued to watch Addison, and watch her brother watch Addison. "You know, Dad made me believe you two were awful… but he was so wrong."
"What?"
"You two are great… and even better together. I know you love her, and it's obvious she loves you too… so marry her already and the three of us can be a family."
Zed threw his head back and laughed.
"Man was that a close one," Zed laughed as he closed the door of the Uber XL.
"Seriously dude, those were some secret agent moves," Bonzo laughed.
Addison rolled her eyes. "Talk about the ghost of girlfriend's past… I'm just glad Bucky got security that quickly. Could you imagine if she'd actually gotten through?"
"Would have been a hell of a catfight," Zed teased.
Addison rolled her eyes again and smacked him playfully. "If I managed to not knock Natalie out when we were teenagers, I sure as hell could have kept my composure tonight. I was more worried about Lacey or Jacey."
"I was more worried about you and Willa. I did not want to have to bail you two out of jail."
She smacked him again and smiled.
"Is it always that exciting after shows?" Zoey asked.
"Tonight was a little crazier," Tracey laughed. "And I'm sure the after-party is going to be even wilder! The Pack must have invited everyone they knew!"
Zed laughed again. "Pretty much. Thank god Lacey refuses to do anything involving Wills or the secret would definitely be out."
"We can go back for the party," Zoey said nonchalantly. "I totally wouldn't mind… we definitely don't need to leave because of me…"
"Nice try kid," Zed said reaching over to mess with her hair again. "You're way too young for that."
She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Not to mention that I have to get back to the salon in the morning. I'm overbooked all weekend," Bree said with a yawn.
"And I've got to get back in the studio tomorrow," Mason added. "I've got a new artist coming in."
"See…" Zed said with a sarcastic smile.
As the seven of them rode through Seattle towards the private airfield, Addison, Zed, Bree, and Mason made sure to fill Zoey in on all the best things to do around Seabrook High, what teachers to avoid, and, most importantly to Zoey, when she could audition for the Mighty Shrimp Cheer Team.
When they finally pulled through the gates at the airfield, Zoey's jaw dropped open. "That's what I'm flying to LA in?!" she exclaimed as the large SUV pulled up to the tarmac next to the Donnelly jet. She slowly turned to Addison. "You have your own plane?"
Addison shrugged her shoulders. "It's a family plane."
"Why aren't you using this thing instead of the tour bus?"
Zed chuckled and opened the door. "Because we're attempting to keep this a secret, remember?"
Zoey shook her head in disbelief. "Yeah… good luck with that."
As the crew loaded their luggage, and the two other couples quietly said their goodbyes to each other, Zed pulled Addison and Zoey into a tight hug.
"I'm going to miss you Zo-Zo-Bear."
"I'm going to miss you too, Zeddy-Bear."
"Zeddy-Bear…" Addison snickered. "That's so ridiculously cute."
He smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "Shut up, Addie-loo."
She cringed and pulled away. "Point taken."
Zoey laughed at their exchange. "I'm going to miss you both. When are you going to be back in LA?"
"We have a shows in Boise and Reno next week, and then Sacramento, Frisco, and Fresno…" Zed said as he mentally checked them off. "We were already planning on cramming some rehearsal time in with Mase while we were in Cali… but, I'm sure we can fly down to Malibu?" he asked looking over to Addison.
She smiled and nodded her head. "As long as you don't mind not sleeping."
His chest shook with silent laughter. "I'm almost used to it at this point."
Zoey looked over to Addison and smiled. "Thank you. For everything."
"You're welcome, Zoey."
"And take care of my brother."
She nodded and smiled over to him. "I will."
Zoey hugged them both one more time. "I'll see you guys next week."
Zed kissed the top of her head. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
She smiled up at him before turning to the plane and walking up the steps.
They quickly said their goodbyes to Mason and Bree and walked back to the car.
Zed sighed as he watched the plane door close. "I did not expect this when I woke up yesterday morning."
Addison giggled and rested her head against his chest. "It has definitely been a crazy twenty-four hours."
"Understatement," he chuckled, leaning down to brush a kiss on the top of her head.
The four of them waved as the plane started to move.
"Well…" Bonzo said with a heavy sigh, "I guess we should head back to the venue. I bet that party is in full swing by now."
"Yeah…" Tracey sighed.
Addison and Zed both exchanged a look.
"You know… we just told Zoey that we'd fly down to Malibu when the tour is in Cali. Any chance you two want to tag along?"
Tracey's arm quickly shot up in the air. "Oooh! ME!"
Bonzo smiled and nodded. "Yeah… these goodbyes are getting really fucking hard."
As they climbed back into the SUV, Zed pulled Addison onto his lap. "Want to hit the after-party? See if Wynnie forgives me yet?"
She giggled and leaned down for a kiss. "If that make-out sesh we walked in on after the show is any indication, I think you're forgiven." She kissed him again and smiled. "I'm good skipping the party."
His eyebrows shot up. "Better idea?"
She nodded and leaned down to whisper, "I'm thinking we go straight to the hotel," she kissed behind his ear. "Just you and me," she bit his earlobe. "On the very top floor, room 1334…"
"Is that so?" he asked, guiding her face to his and nipping at her bottom lip.
Addison nodded her head. "There's a king-size bed, but we can do it on the floor."
"I love the way you think baby."
"Turn our cellphones off... leave a sign on the door that says "Do not disturb…"
"God I love you."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know this chapter sucked, but I was literally just trying to write my way out of a serious bout of depression. So… please forgive the suckage, I promise better chapters in the future.
SONGS USED IN THIS CHAPTER:
Painkiller, Halestorm
In Bloom, Nirvana
Heavy, Halestorm
Night Vision, Transviolet
Hysteria, Muse
Adrenalize, In This Moment
Rock Show, Halestorm
Do Not Disturb, Halestorm