Page 5 of More Than Scars

The next yahoo thought he’d take it upon himself to break into Social Sinner’s Never Enough. “Is he fucking the guitar?” I whispered to Stoli. His laughter was louder than the guy’s playing.

“Dude, dude, no.” Stoli stopped him midway through the song. “Just…no.”

The third and fourth players weren’t much better than the first two, though they didn’t tackle any Social or Maiden songs, and thank fuck for that. Nothing like screwing up your idol’s songs in front of them. But the last guy, the mysterious one whose name I learned was Bowie James, played something different. A song I’d never heard before, though I was mesmerized watching his fingers flawlessly scale the board. Never once did he make eye contact, nor did he attempt to produce any instrument porn. Thank the rock and roll gods for that.

“Gentlemen,” Wolf stood and addressed the group. “Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

All five heads hung, so I guess he had to.

“Bowie James, welcome to Masterson.”

No cheers, no smile, and still no eye contact, though the man standing off in the corner cheered, and Bowie flipped him off.

“Not happy, son?” Wolf asked him.

“Nah, man, I really am, and as you can see, the fool formerly known as my friend is too. I appreciate the opportunity.” Shy, maybe? What was his deal? I’d be fucking elated.

The other four who were dismissed pressed Joey and Stoli for autographs and pictures before they left. Stoli spent a few minutes talking with them, telling them he understood nerves and if they ever landed in another band to shoot Masterson an email and he’d come check them out. Guess autographs and fans were a part of their job they’d never get past no matter where they were.

“Bowie, man, you shredded up there.” Stoli shook his hand. “Congrats, but what song was that?”

“One of mine, I hope that was okay?”

“Okay?” Joey smiled. “Dude, I can see your new band recording it.”

That had Bowie’s eyes widening, though he kept his long hair covering most of his face.

“Bowie, I’ll be the band manager for Imminent Danger. We’re happy to have you on board. Your gift is amazing, and I can’t wait to hear you play more.” Bowie’s friend was the exact opposite of him—all energy and smiles.

“Sorry, he’s my ride. This is my friend Tony, he got knocked out in round one.”

“Dude, way to rub it in.”

“No worries. We’ve got the contracts to go over, but I’m sure it’s been a long day. Can we get you guys a hotel for the night?” He said friends, but maybe they were more, though I wasn’t about to assume anything. Wasn’t my business, plus I’d been slapped by that bug more than once and wasn’t in the mood to make a fool of myself.

Bowie and Tony got to talking with Joey and Stoli while Wolf nodded for me to follow him into the office.

“That kid’s talented, no denying it, but I’ve got a feeling there’s an issue that might need to be tackled right up front.”

“What do you mean?”

“He pretty much kept to himself today, hid behind his hair, and when another contestant tried to talk to him, he bit his head off.”

“Huh, interesting. Thanks for the tip.” I watched the four of them engage through the window that faced the open area where the tryouts were. While Bowie talked to Stoli, his hair remained covering his face, and that side of his head was turned away from the others.

What’s your story, Bowie? What are you so afraid of?

Chapter Three

Bowie

“Holy shit, dude! Just look at this place! Have you ever seen a hotel like this?”

“You know I haven’t,” I replied, looking around, seriously in awe myself, though I lacked the energy to show the same kind ofappreciation Tony had.

Not only were there two king-sized beds for us to pass out in, but there was also a mini-living room and a giant flat-screen television that took up half the wall.

We carefully leaned our guitar cases in the corner of the room furthest from everything else, with Tony steadily keeping up a stream of chatter that added to the swirling sensation in my head. One of the few good things about having him with me was that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I hadn’t dreamed how the day had turned out. His excitement was confirmation enough that I’d not only been signed by Masterson but also that we’d literally met two of our idols in Stoli and Joey.