"Wake uuup."
Rosie's eyes eased open. Eddie had rolled over onto his back, snoring softly.
"There's a bat."
She followed where he pointed, to the corner of the room.
"Big ollllld bat."
A snort escaped her. She covered her mouth.
"Nancy…gun…"
She kept still.
"Wake Chrissy." His arm waved. "Hello."
Rosie spluttered.
"Wake up."
"Hello?"
"Wake up! Chrissy!"
"Rosie."
"Rosie?" He gasped. "Rosie, wake up!"
"I'm up."
"Wake up! ROSIE! Rosie, wake up! PLEASE! Wake up! Wake up! Rosie!"
"Eddie!" She turned and shook him.
"Wake! Up?" He gaped at her. "Rosie?"
"You were dreaming again."
Eddie searched around the room. "I was."
Rosie stroked his forehead. "See? No bats."
"Bats?" He blinked. Then laughed. "Did I say that?"
"Uh-huh."
"Those fucking bats, Babe. Shoulda seen 'em."
"Nah, I'm good."
He was getting up now. Pulling his jeans on. "Steve bit the head off one."
"Like Ozzy?"
"Just like Ozzy."
The venue was larger this time. Slightly more like a proper hall, with a noteworthy stage and dedicated stage door. Eddie dragged her through the brick-lined corridor and let her peep while one of the other bands was playing. There was more of a crowd, too.
"Nervous?" She asked, seeing how his legs jostled where he sat.
"Just slightly dying." Eddie replied, bumping his head to her stomach.
"You'll be fine once you're up there."
"I'm counting on it."
Such a surreal experience, watching a show from here. Rosie sat alone, sipping her drink while enjoying the music. Corroded Coffin were next, and Eddie had gone for some fresh air. When the set finished, roadies passed her. They took down one band's stuff, and set up the next. Eddie's guitar gleamed in the lights.
"C'mon guys, line up." A man called. "Leave room for people exiting the stage."
Eddie and the boys flattened themselves against the wall while the hands hurried on. He edged over to hug her, offering a shaky kiss. The man patted his shoulder, and he had to go. He cast her one more anxious glance as he stepped out.
Just like she'd said, he changed the second he stepped under the lights. When he slung his guitar, it was like every ounce of him forgot to be afraid. Rosie fought the urge to open the door for a better view, instead scooting the rickety stool over a bit. There was a good cluster up at the barrier now, and they were into it. Someone even got a miniature pit started. One or two unimpressed faces, but that was to be expected, and they didn't matter. What mattered was that Eddie -
"I choked." He wailed, slamming the door behind him. The stage hand on her way out glared.
"What?"
"I forgot the lyrics!"
"When?" Rosie honestly couldn't recall it.
"Trooper! I almost sang the first verse at the end!"
"You didn't?"
"I was this close!"
"Relax. You were fine!"
"Fine?"
She palmed her forehead. "Not what I mean."
"Fine!" Eddie wailed again. "I was 'fine'!"
"Great. Amazing. Spectacular." Rosie caught his flailing arms. "LIfe-changing!"
He twisted free. "I meant on stage."
The stool creaked dangerously as he stepped over her. She abandoned his lips to hop down. The same man gave a loud AHEM, and they retreated down the hall, finding a nice corner to hide in.
"Is there anything else fine that I need to know about?" Eddie mocked.
"Stop!" Rosie protested, pouting. "It came out wrong."
"You think that little lip is gonna shut me up?"
Her mouth did, very effectively. Tongue, too. Eddie pinned her completely now, the brick colder than the tiles. He squeezed her ass and fidgeted impatiently.
"Let's go back to the room."
"I want to see the results."
"I don't."
"I'm telling you, it was -"
"Fine. Just fine. They'll stamp that on a medal."
"Fuck off!"
"Is that what I need to improve on?"
"Oh, your sass? Definitely."
He chortled. "Noted."
Rosie pulled his ear. "What about me?"
"Nothing."
"Right."
"Nothing!"
"Liar."
"You're perfect."
There were still a few more acts to go, so they joined the other members in a booth near the back. All of the bands seemed to be sitting here, and soon Rosie's head was filled with more names than she could remember. The boys started to mingle with other members, and Eddie was commandeered despite his best efforts to stick with her. Thankfully, there were female members and girlfriends, all chattering around one table. A woman named Joanne strode over to her.
"They're gonna be yelling at each other for hours." She said.
A large man had hold of Eddie, and they were comparing patches on their jacket, shouting excitedly about their idols. It was cute.
"I thought that. Once Eddie starts talking…" She motioned a flapping mouth with her hand.
"Oh, Vince is the same. They're made for each other."
"He's your -"
"Husband." Joanne flaunted a ring. "I'm playing the supportive groupie-wife."
"I admire your loyalty."
"You too. Come on."
Rosie followed the woman into the other booth. For a while, it felt nice to be surrounded by females. They nattered away about the bands. Then one of the wives bought a round of shots, and they got loud.
Eddie caught up to her at the bar as the last act signed off. "Having fun?"
"Yeah. You?"
"I can tell." He pinched her flushed cheek.
"Don't!"
"You're cute."
The barman interrupted their flirting. Eddie ordered and paid for their drinks. A girl came over to mix Rosie's.
"Um?" She said, eyeing the shaker. "I think that should be vodka?"
"Oh!" The girl threw the gin out and started again.
"At least you know your spirits." The man remarked, studying her. "You said you'd no experience."
Rosie froze. Shit. The same guy she'd spoken to. Twice. How did he remember her?
Eddie glanced between them. "Do we know you?"
"Your girlfriend came here in October looking for a job."
"I didn't get it. Obviously."
The girl handed her cocktail over and scampered away. Eddie was still frowning.
"But you have experience."
"No I don't."
"You said -"
Rosie grabbed his hand and yanked him away, still blabbing. "Shush!"
He shuffled after. "I thought in Boston…"
She waved him to silence. "You're right. I worked at a club in Boston."
"And you served drinks?"
"Sometimes."
"Other times?"
She gave him a Look. "I performed."
"Like…in a band?"
Rosie rolled her eyes and stood close to whisper: "It's not the kind of place you put on your resumé."
In spite of the alcohol, Eddie put the pieces together in reasonable time. "Ooooh."
"Okay?"
"Wait. Was it…spicy?"
"Eddie…"
"It was." He bounced happily. "Can I see?"
"You see all the time!"
He gave her puppy-dog eyes. "That's differennnt! Pleaaaase?"
"Men."
In the end, Corroded Coffin came fifth. Eddie punched a pillar, blaming his "choke" for "ruining" their performance. Rosie asked the barman for a cup of ice, filled his bandana and kept it to his bloody knuckles as they strolled back to the motel. He was disappointed, and faded into a moody silence. The only thing that cheered him up was watching Rosie undress.
Men.
