A new girl in town
Chapter 12
Kayla/J.J./Kane
"Not a fuck of a lot right now to be honest," Kayla said with a laugh.
Besides internet stalking you. She thought.
"I've been trying to get a 'lay of the land' as it were. You know, watching the show, people backstage, that kind of thing."
"So you're still finding your way around?" Kane asked. "J.J. did that too only she posed as ring crew." Kane laughed. "That's where I first saw her.'
"When I first saw her in blacks I was like what the hell?" Kane added. "She started taking pictures of me when I wasn't looking. Then she pushed her way right into my life."
"I did not push." J.J. said defensively. "Well maybe just a little." She admitted.
Kane laughed.
Kayla laughed. "I couldn't find my way out of a round room," she joked.
"It took me like , 15 minutes to find the food the other day."
"And that's only cause there were people there. If there hadn't been, I'd probably still be looking."
"Kane never has trouble finding the food. His stomach leads him right to it every time." J.J. laughed.
"Are you saying I eat a lot." Kane said seriously.
"Yes." J.J. replied still laughing.
Kayla laughed.
"I can sympathize, girl," she said.
"My brother, Tye, is about Kane's size and he eats like a garbage disposal. He plays ball overseas so I guess it makes sense but it's something to see. And there's Wade at home, of course. When those two eat at the same table, you better run for your life because that shit becomes an Olympic event. You can bet your ass you ain't getting none, either."
J.J. just laughed harder.
"Your brother is an athlete? When you say ball what kind?" Kane asked curiously.
"You'd better not sit with the two of them and eat Kane. You'd wind up body slamming them to get the food." J.J. laughed again.
"I would not. I might accidently stab them with a fork. But I wouldn't body slam them." Kane laughed.
"Yeah, he is. He plays basketball," Kayla said.
"That's actually how he met his husband, Darius. They met at a high school camp or something. We were still living in Cali at the time and D just wouldn't give up. He was convinced that they'd be able to do great things if Tye would just come to New York for college."
"D eventually wore him down I guess because Tye ended up making the move. D was the point guard and Tye was the center for 4 years," Kayla said smiling.
"He's gay too? Is it normal to have both siblings gay?" Kane asked before he realized what he'd said. "Is it genetic?"
"Kane," J.J. said slapping him on the arm.
Kayla laughed.
"It's rare but it happens," she said.
"There's a Canadian band that Cassie likes; they're called Tegen and Sarah. They're twins and both of them are lesbians." Kayla said.
"As for it being genetic, I couldn't tell you. I wouldn't be surprised if it was though." Kayla added.
"So people are just born that way?" Kane asked earning another slap from J.J.
Kayla shrugged.
"Yeah, that's what I think anyway," she replied.
"No worries, J.J.; I really don't mind the questions. I'd rather Kane get the right info, you know?"
Kayla said.
Kane got quiet for a moment as he thought.
I wonder what father would have done if I'd been gay? Kane thought. Then again he never talked about that with me. The one time he caught me doing something he screamed at me for an hour about being a deviant.
Kayla was just about to put her headphones back in . . when another text from Wade came in.
What did you think? Tell me everything!
You guys made me cry, assholes.
LOL. Sorry, babe. But did you like it?
It was gorgeous. You guys sounded amazing. Tell Cassie that that is so her song.
Yeah, it is. She's had it on repeat since she found it.
Kane looked over his shoulder at Kayla and saw her typing lightning fast on the face of her phone. How does she do that? He wondered.
Typical Cassie.
Yeah. Then she found out that Adam Lambert released a new track. She fangirled about it for like 5 minutes and hasn't taken her headphones off since.
He did? Why didn't I know? Send it!
Oh god, not you too.
Fuck off. Gimme. Now.
La sigh.
But he sent her the file anyway.
Oo, nice. Say hi for me when she gets there. :)
Kayla saw Kane looking at her thumbs as they typed.
"It's not hard," she told him.
"It takes a little getting used to but it's laid out just like a computer keyboard so that's not different," she explained.
"You should see Cassie. She has a braille keyboard on her phone and she flies. It's crazy."
How did she know what I was thinking? Kane wondered.
"You seemed pretty focused on my thumbs," Kayla said.
"Yay, Adam fucking Lambert!" she added, not being able to resist an uncharacteristic squeak of excitement.
God, I'm turning in to Cassie. She thought. What's next: using those stupid smiles and saying 'whatevs'?
Damn she did it again. Kane thought cocking his head. But why did she make that noise and who is Adam fucking Lambert? That's a strange middle name.
"Oh my god oh my god oh my god!" Kayla shrieked as she listened to the song for a second time. He sounded amazing. His voice sounded effortless and his range was still ridiculous.
Definitely the head bitch in charge. She thought. I wish he were my gay best friend.
She made that noise again. Is that shock, happiness what? Kane thought.
"Oh my god what?" J.J. asked.
"I can't explain; just have to listen," Kayla said excitedly. Then she unplugged the headphones and restarted the song.
Kane listened intently. If she loves it maybe I will too. He thought
[Adam Lambert feat. Laleh]
Welcome to the show
You know I have a veil
All covered up, to myself
It's always there
Now they wanna know
How does it feel?
Gonna let it show!
I'm happy to entertain and share with you
It's hard to say how your own thoughts can hurt you...
I'm gonna let them stare
They feel like me out there
So welcome to the show
Bring on all the lights
Let it shine on you
We're together here tonight
Welcome to the show
Welcome to my life
Welcome to the show
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life
I know I have my flaws
I pay the price but I'm grateful
You're letting me be myself
The good and the bad
I'm gonna let them stare
They feel like me out there
So welcome to the show
Bring on all the lights
Let it shine on you
We're together here tonight
Welcome to the show
Welcome to my life
Welcome to the show
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life...
Welcome to my life...
I'm gonna let them stare
I'm gonna let you in
I'm gonna let them in
They feel like me out there
So welcome to the show
Bring on all the lights
Let it shine on you
We're together here tonight
Welcome to the show
Welcome to my life
Welcome to the show
Welcome to my life
(Welcome to my life...)
Wow. Kane thought. That's really good. I like the lyrics and he has an amazing voice.
"He's amazing." J.J. said, voicing Kane's thoughts without realizing it.
"Oh my god, I'm so glad you guys get it," Kayla said.
"He's actually toured with Queen in Freddie Mercury's spot. He can never replace him obviously, but I think he was a good choice."
"J.J. do I know Queen. Have we played it?" Kane asked.
"I don't know do you." J.J. said.
"I've played their songs. Bohemian rhapsody? Another one bites the dust? I want it all?" J.J. said smiling.
"Oh yeah." Kane said smiling. "I remember those songs. He was really good."
"Queen is amazing," Kayla enthused.
"Bryan May is a god," she added.
Then she remembered hearing them for the first time. All thanks to dad. She thought with a twinge of sadness. I wouldn't be a music geek without him.
"Who is Bryan May?" Kane asked.
"He's the guitarist for Queen. He's incredible." J.J. told him.
"If I ever got the chance to meet him, I'd totally freak out," Kayla added.
"Wade would probably die."
"In this business you never know who you might meet. Pete Rose actually had the nerve to give Kane a hard time. He got tomb stoned for his big mouth." J.J. said laughing. "We've had all kinds of bands on too. Hey maybe we could convince Vince to use your band one of these days."
"God, that guy is a douche," Kayla said.
"I'm sure he deserved that and more," she added.
Then she heard J.J.'s next comment and her eyes widened.
"Uh. Wow? That would be made of awesome. Wade and Cassie would lose their minds; they probably wouldn't be able to perform because Cassie would go in to super fangirl mode and Wade would just follow Kane everywhere without ever shutting up," Kayla said in a rush of words.
"Unfortunately you'd have to be the one to convince him. We've all pissed him off in various ways." J.J. said laughing slightly.
"Yeah, any idea coming from the three of us would be shot down immediately." Kane said. "I once had him surrounding him and his family with security for their protection."
"Not that the security could have stopped you if they tried." J.J. said.
Kayla shrugged.
"Maybe I can get them back stage for a jam session or something," she mused.
"We're definitely loud enough; he'd notice eventually for sure," she said laughing.
"That would probably work well enough. I mean you're as good as the bands we've had on better than some." J.J. said.
"Especially if you can get a crowd outside and inside the room." Kane said. "He'd be curious as hell."
Kayla smiled.
"We've worked to get that way," she said.
"We're all really passionate and dedicated to what we do. It's never been about the money or being famous; we just all really love music and sharing that with people."
"You've definitely got the talent. We just have to make sure Vince hears you." J.J. said.
Kayla nodded and looked thoughtful.
Then she laughed.
"Okay, I stand corrected. Wade totally wants to be famous," She said.
"There was an online position making the rounds when the Deadpool movie first came out. People really wanted Ryan Renolds to host Saturday Night Live as Deadpool.
"That pissed Wade off. He was convinced that he'd do a better job because in his words, 'I'm the original Wade Wilson, mother fuckers'," Kayla said laughing ,
"I have an idea." Kane said. "Let Linda hear you she can convince Vince of anything."
"Yeah, that's a thought," Kayla said.
"You said you were a personal hire from Vince and Linda." J.J. said. "I'm sure they checked you out and Linda at least knows about the band."
Kayla shrugged.
"If she does, she's never mentioned it," Kayla said.
"Believe me Vince will have forgotten because it didn't matter to him." J.J. said. "But Linda's mind is like a steel trap. She won't have forgotten."