Page 85 of All Right No

Luthor hit the drums, and the guys segued into the beginning ofSweet Sanctuary. Ash didn’t even consider joining in. He doubted he could hold a guitar at the moment, let alone play one, and in any case the only thing he had space for in his arms was his lady.

Fuck! She’d agreed. She’d actually agreed.

He could hardly believe that she was going to marry him.

***

Backstage, everyone took turns offering congratulations, but with Christmas Day only a few hours away, everyone was keen to be on their way. Black Halo were heading off in different directions, he and Ginny to spend the next few days with his parents, before the tour picked up again on the 29th.

If the band and crew were eager depart, the same couldn’t be claimed of the fans. They were mobbed when they exited the arena. Xane lost his coat to one group of overzealous girls before security surrounded them and forced a path through the crowd to their waiting cars. Ash mostly had things thrust at him. Panties, Bras, stuff he could sign, and numerous well wishes. One guy was particularly insistent, following them from the venue exit right to the car, where he managed to slip past the security guys as they hauled one infatuated middle-aged lady off Spook.

“Ashley Gore?” He thrust an envelope at him before garbling something else Ash failed to catch. Ginny took the envelope, and sat on it, as she slid into the middle seat in the rear of the car. Ash and Rock Giant got in on either side of her.

“I can’t decide if they’re this riled up because they’ve not seen us for six months, or because your dick’s no longer at their disposal.”

“Our fans have always been fucking psychos, but I think this is happy rioting. I’d still rather not invite them to the wedding, though. Keep it smallish,” he said to Ginny. “And no matter what Sally suggests, we’re not selling photographic rights to some celebrity gossip magazine.”