Page 53 of Rock Giant

“Thanks, man,” their bassist replied, in lieu of Nash.

Paul acknowledged him with a nod.Bassists were usually the soundest blokes in a band.Seemed the Ghost Boys were no exception.

On stage, Ash was saying something about how good the Ghost Boys had been, and how they were stoked to have them supporting them on the next leg of their tour.The crowd seemed happy enough to hear it.He warbled on a bit longer, then the stage lights dropped.Outside, darkness had swallowed the field, a hushed whisper rolled through the audience.A sharp note pierced the veil, then a familiar riff kicked in—Ash.Then Spook, complementing him.Drums followed, then keys, then him on bass, and finally Xane strode on, pinpointed by multiple spotlights, and the six of them gave their audience exactly what they were there for—a fucking killer show.

CHAPTER 17

Jodi Castle

“You were talking to him.What did he want?”Nash demanded, leaning in to embrace her, despite his shirt being soaked through with sweat.It didn’t make for a very pleasant hug.His hair, also drenched, lay plastered to his brow, and his lips which he pressed to her brow, seemingly as an afterthought, were rough, apparently chapped by his onstage efforts.

“He was just saying hello.Shall we?”She turned towards the ramp that the rest of the band had already exited down, even though she’d have loved to stick around and watch Black Halo play.She’d never seen them live.Hadn’t known anything about them prior to meeting Rock Giant.She never recognised all that much of him in their music, except the occasionally killer bass line.He just wasn’t really very gothic or metal, in her head.When she thought Rock Giant, she thought of folk songs and country footpaths.

“Well, I’d rather you stayed away from him.”

“Nash, that’s going to be difficult if I’m coming on tour with you.”Harry had miraculously agreed to her taking on a dogsbody role for the band.“And it’s unnecessary, too.There isn’t anything between me and him.”

“Is that what he thinks?”

“It’s what he’s agreed.”

“Lighten up, shithead, eh?”Balin clapped him on the shoulder from behind.“If Jo says everything’s cool, then everything’s cool.No sense making an issue.I for one am grateful we haven’t just been turfed.”

They met Jez and Lee at the bottom of the ramp.

“Yeah, Balin, I think your opinion might be a little different if he was trying to fuck your—”

Jez prevented him from launching into a regurgitation of earlier, by accidentally on purpose treading on his foot and then sticking his tongue out in lieu of apologising, before legging it across the field.Nash gave chase.Balin followed.Boys were weird.Though she was grateful for the distraction.

“They’re full of it,” Lee said, putting his arm around her and guiding her in the same direction the others had sprinted.Towards the band enclosure.“Don’t worry about Nash.He’ll settle down, once it’s evident there’s not an issue.There isn’t one, right?”

She shook her head and dearly hoped that Rock Giant had meant what he’d promised.“We agreed to be friends.”

“And forget all that bonded shit?”

Not entirely.“He gets that I love Nash.That I’m with Nash.”

That seemed enough to appease easy going Lee, who gave a nod of approval.“So, what did you think of us live?The crowd fucking loved us, right?So many people, Jo.I need to find out how many.It was mad looking at them all.Seeing them singing our lyrics.Not that I could see or hear them that well.The spots are blinding, especially once the sun set.”

“I thought you were fantastic, obviously.”She bumped her head against his shoulder and breathed in the familiar comfort of him.“I knew you were all going places the first time I heard you, and you’ve improved astronomically since.It was awesome, Lee.Really fucking amazing.”They paused for a moment, arms clasped, and did a stupid little jig together.

They began walking again.

“Make sure you tell Nash that too, eh?Or hell, even show him.”

She stopped and stared at his back until Lee turned to see where she’d got to.He sighed on seeing her frown.

“I just mean that he’s feeling a bit insecure after—after what happened.”

“I’m not exactly feeling secure myself right now.”Was this a good point to mention Rune’s dismissal at this point?

Lee strode back to her and took hold of her hands.“It’s gonna be all right, Jo.This will blow over, but maybe you and Nash should grab some time for yourselves for the rest of the evening, rather than hanging out with the rest of us.”

“Maybe.”Honestly, she had the most fun when they were all together.The guys were just as important to her as Nash, and she wanted to celebrate their achievement this night with them.Playing a festival this size was a major achievement, especially given they’d only been a real band since earlier that year.

When they caught up to Jez, Balin, and Nash, The Ghost Boys’ drummer had her fiancé in an uncomfortable-looking headlock.“Want to take this fucktard off me?Fiver and he’s all yours.”

“Five pee, more like,” Balin quipped.