the way they insulted one another. But when they went off on all the things they were excited for once we left on tour, I suddenly felt every bit the kid that I was.
These guys weren’t my buddies, and despite blending with them musically, I was an outsider. They had history, and it was hard to see how I’d fit in. Clearly, the differences in our personalities were blaringly obvious after just one day. How the hell would I be able to live with them for thirteen weeks?
“The girls are gonna eat you up,” Lou said with a grin. “Did you tell him your rule, Can?” The way he asked that meant Lou wasn’t thrilled with said rule. At Cannon’s silence, he groaned. “No banging on the bus allowed.”
“Wait a minute…” Russell’s eyes lit up with some sort of revelations. “With Archie not coming, we outnumber you now.” He clapped his hands together like a child. “Three single dudes versus the one married chump will make for some fun times.”
“Nope. I’m the boss and my rule stands,” Cannon said, rolling his eyes. “Besides, Shane isn’t single.” The two of them stared at me as though Cannon had announced I was a leper.
“Time to ditch her,” Lou said. “You have no idea how much pussy you’ll be able to—”
“I’m not ditching her,” I interrupted. The man had six years on me but didn’t act like it.
“That’s what I said the first time I toured,” Russell said, adding his two cents. “That changed quickly. One photo of me and a groupie, and she dumped my ass. Saved me from doing the dirty work. If you don’t have the balls, just one week on the road and—”
Cannon barked, “Leave the kid alone!” When they both raised their hands in innocence, he went on to say, “Don’t listen to them, Shane. It’s a miracle their dicks haven’t fallen off yet.” Ironically, they were no different than any of the stories I’d heard about Devil’s Lair. I gave him a weak smile as he crumpled up his sandwich wrapper and tossed it. “Okay, let’s get back to work.”
We did just that, and I played my ass off. But the entire time my fingers strummed the strings, my mind reeled with unease.
The next hour went by quickly, and before I knew it Cannon had announced last song. Again, I played my heart out, referring to the sheet music only a few times. As the last musical bridge came to an end, I stilled my fingers on the strings, relieved day one was over. For some reason, it wasn’t as fun as I’d thought it would be.
“That sounded fucking awesome,” Cannon said with a huge grin. “You did great, Shane.”
“Thanks.” His drummer, Lou, and his guitarist, Russell, lifted their chins as an acknowledgment. If they thought I was nothing more than a dumb, inexperienced kid, at least they seemed to appreciate my skills.
After hours of being in the zone, now that it was over my limbs screamed in protest and my headache resumed.
Eager to go home, I snapped my bass case closed as Cannon came over. “It’s like you were born to play with my band.” The dude was such a nice guy I felt bad for not liking him on occasion.
“I really appreciate the opportunity, Cannon.”
“This will be great for you. I had no experience when my old label signed me. Because of it, my first tour had me feeling like a fish out of water most of the time. Nothing or no one can prepare you for living on a bus and moving from city to city like actually doing it.”
“That’s what worries me.”
“What does?” His gaze held steady on my face, waiting for me to elaborate.
“It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life. I just hope I don’t screw up.”
Cannon shook his head and smirked. “You’ll be fine. Look how well you’re playing already—”
“Not with playing,” I explained. Cannon remained silent, trying to read between my cryptic words. “Just screw up in general… handling fans, shit like that.”
And there it was… what really bothered me about leaving. It wasn’t the work, or the part I had to play in the band, or even the fact I was basically a kid who would be living as an adult rock star. It was knowing all the crap that could come at me, crap that came with the territory. I knew damn well I’d never give in to any of those temptations. What I needed was to make