Page 52 of Beyond the Stix

Connor

The imageof John climbing into that red car with that fucking guy still has me riled up. I should not care one way or the other, but the moment that vehicle took off, my heart dropped into my stomach and I wanted to call John and have him come back. Then I remembered that I’m still pissed at him.

I retreated to the back room, and stayed there for the rest of the ride, until Pen announced that we were five minutes away from our destination. It’s time to pull myself together.

We arrive in Black Rock just past ten-forty p.m, right after the last of the Thursday night lineup of bands finished on stage. Even on the bus, I can feel the energy of the fans that are filing out of the inner grounds where the stages are located.

As soon as the bus parks in our allotted spot, I leave to get some fresh air. What I’m not expecting is for the night to be so chilly. But I welcome it with open arms. I’d rather deal with the cold than see the worried glances of my friends, or feel the animosity coming off the security team.

I need space to think. Space from the band—from everyone on that damn bus. I turned off all notifications on my phone, since Jessup isn’t letting up on his text messages. I’m too damn tired and aggravated over everything that has happened on this trip.

Why couldn’t John just ask me for my phone…But he did, and you said no.

“Don’t go far,” Pen calls out in an abrupt tone. Him being my new bodyguard feels wrong, but I don’t respond other than to give him a thumbs up.

Pushing past the warring pain in my heart and the contradictory thoughts in my head, I focus on my feet and the chasm that’s forming between me and the bus.

As far as I can see in the dark, there are hundreds—maybe thousands of campers sitting on the perimeter of the event venue. The bands have the choice spots in the innermost circles, next to the food, medical, and merchandise tents that line the border of the large encampment.

Right now, all is quiet, but tomorrow when the bands hit the stage again, their music filtering through the desert venue, it’s going to be crazy-town in here. That’s when my blood will hum with excitement, ‘til then, I have to keep it together.

After shoving earbuds in my ears, I hit a playlist on my phone, and keep walking. The music is like a drug, coursing through my veins, making me forget the reality of the world. Behind the drums tomorrow, I’ll fly high. My focus will be only on the beats, and what my sticks produce, and nothing else.

As I round the empty food tent, which is a good distance away from where the bus is parked, I see a flash of something out of my peripheral. I stop, pull the buds out of my ears and look around. Seeing nothing but empty tents, and distant lights from campers, I keep walking.

This time, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn my head to look and find myself alone. “It must be the wind.” I shake off a subtle shiver and continue on, but keep the earbuds out of my ears.

Again, a slight shuffle of feet. I quickly spin around, expecting to find Pen following me. But instead, I find a hooded guy tucked in the shadows, standing several feet away, just staring at me.

I can’t see his face, since the hood is pulled down low. If this asshole wants money, he’s shit out of luck. I don’t carry cash with me, and my wallet is back on the bus. If he wants something else, he’s in for a fight. I’m no weak bastard.

“What do you want?” I demand, as I back up and stand under the single portable light tower, hoping to coax him out of the dark.

“Connor.” I freeze, knowing that voice. The second Jessup says my name, my gut clenches. He’s barely skimming the edge of light as he pulls back the hood.

“What are you doing here, Jessup?” My uncle is the last person I expect to see here—especially at this time of night. “How did you… Never mind. Just leave.”

I turn to go, but he pleads, “Please, I had to see you.” Jessup looks around us with caution, before stepping closer to me. And rightly so, since the last time I saw him, John nearly broke his arm.

“For what?”

“Give me five minutes, and I will walk away, and you’ll never see me again.”

“You keep saying that, and here you are again like a bad rash. We already talked. What else is there to say?” I take a tentative step back, still staying in the light.

“Lots,” Jessup says.

“I told you I don’t want to see you anymore. What don’t you understand?”

“What don’tyouunderstand? I miss your friendship, Connor. We had many great adventures, didn’t we? And now that your father…”

I burst out laughing. “The last time we had agreat adventureis when I was nine and we went camping, and then I got sick. I’m not that naïve kid anymore. And don’t bring my dad into this.” I look him dead in the eyes, and—Jesus-fuck, Jessup looks so much like my father. It’s eerie.

“I want you in my life. Since your father’s death, you and your mother are all that I have left. Please, don’t take that away from me,” he chokes out.

If it was any other normal person breaking down right now, and offering up a friendship—that family bond, I wouldn’t hesitate. But with what happened years ago, I will never trust the man. “I can’t talk to you now. Just go before security finds you.”

As soon as I turn my back on Jessup, he has me in a bear hold. His arms wrap tight around my chest, and I’m not able to lift my arms in defense. “You’re mine—you always have been and always will be. You can’t deny me anymore, sweetheart,” he growls into my ear, then he painfully bites my earlobe—Jesus, that hurts!