Feuds and Interludes (Rock ‘n’ Romance Legends #1)

Chapter 28

Twenty-Eight

B oone

“Are you ready for Butler Collins?”

Shannon Gunz from SiriusXM announced us and the crowd went wild, sounding much louder than the approximately twenty or thirty thousand people who’d gathered at the second stage for the opening day of Rocktoberfest. All afternoon, I’d been wandering around the grounds trying to get an idea of what the crowds would be like, but it was tough to tell. Shane said first day numbers might not be as big, but there were people as far as the eye could see, so that didn’t tell me anything.

“You’re going to be great, babe,” he assured me that morning when I woke up covered in sweat from a nightmare that we’d been performing in front of five people who kept yelling “you suck” at us. “We gotta do something about these dreams. They can’t be helping your fasting sugars.”

“I know. I wake up in a panic at least a few times a week. I’m not even drinking alcohol or caffeine, so it’s not that.”

“Let’s see if we can get you into a nice relaxed state,” he’d whispered, and when he went down on me with his talented mouth, I nearly bit through my thumb trying to keep from screaming at the strength of the orgasm he brought on. At least I’d been quiet.

“You promised no orgy bus, Boone!” Annie shouted.

Shane snorted from under the covers and cracked up.

“You’re getting me in trouble,” I whispered. I climbed on top of him and tried to take care of him, but he was laughing too hard. Then Bran started rocking the RV, and someone banged on the door.

“Did someone say orgy bus?” Rowan and Martin, our techs for the festival, must have heard Annie, because then they were making porn-shoot noises outside the door while Annie howled with laughter.

Rowan and Martin had worked for Wicked Soul for years. Shane had already hired them to come on this trip, which was fine with me. Our roadies were off doing other gigs at the moment. I was glad he had someone from his team, and though they were being assholes at the moment, they were damn good at their job. Sound check had gone off without a hitch and now that we were standing backstage, ready to face the screaming desert hordes, I was grateful they’d had experience with this venue, since I was totally out of my element.

“On three,” Shane shouted, putting his hand out. We all followed suit, he counted us down, and as I shouted “asslicker,” the three of them shouted, “orgy bus!”

It was enough to get me out of my head.

Bran climbed up the back of his riser and started with a kick drum beat that Annie picked up as she sauntered out onstage to feral screams from the women in the audience.

Shane and I walked out together playing the opening riff of California’s “Entertain You,” which was their opening number for most of their career. Papa and Bruce harmonized on the guitar, then with their voices. It was one of my favorites that we added to the set. We came to the front of the stage together, and Shane waved to the crowd.

“Friends, Fans, and Nonbinary Stans,” he said. “Thanks for giving us such a warm welcome. I’m Shane Butler, and this is the incomparable Boone Collins!”

He held his hand out for me, and I played a little variation on the riff.

“We are the grandsons of the legendary John Boone and Bruce Duncan of California—” He was cut off by loud shouts from the side of the stage, where we looked to see a whole contingent of our musical peers who, apparently, were just as excited to see what we’d come up with as we were to play.

“Thank you,” Shane continued, shaking his head. “We’re going to play the classics, a few songs from my band, Wicked Soul,” there was another loud shout from the fans, “and a few songs from Stellar, which features Boone and our rhythm section, Annie and Bran Thompson.”

There was applause, but it was a little less feral, a little more reserved.

“We thank you for being here. Now, get ready…”

He turned to me, and I approached him at the mic. His smile was almost lecherous as we both took a deep breath, put our mouths close to his mic, and we belted out, “Weeeeee are here to entertain you.”

The noise from the crowd almost overwhelmed my in-ear monitor as I backed away from Shane. We played a complicated set of notes before I turned to the mic and sang the first part.

When you’re down and life gets mean

turn your back on the in between

Join us in the California scene

Grab a honey and smoke that green

Shane laughed every time I sang that line, and he was still smiling when he came in on the chorus.

We are here to entertain you

Got nothing but love and joy

to wrap around you

We’ll all get high as the sky

and entertain you

Everything’s all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

Shane sang the next verse, and I couldn’t help it. I moved to his side and watched him as he sang the wacky words our grandfathers wrote all those years ago.

Girl, come on along with me

You’re the prettiest girl I ever did see

Say you want my company

and say you wanna get down and be free

Weeeee are here to entertain you

Got nothing but love and joy

to wrap around you

We’ll all get high as the sky

and entertain you

Everything’s all right

everything’s gonna be all right

The dueling solos were so much fun to play, but I had to concentrate. Shane was so much better than me, but I was proud I was able to keep up with him.

We repeated the chorus with just the drums backing us, and Annie got the whole crowd to clap along. Our lips were so close on the mic I could feel every word he sang. Our guitars knocked once and we laughed, but it was like we were created by some otherworldly deity to make this music together, like destiny reached down from the aether and brought us together to make this unique sound no one else could duplicate, not even our grandfathers, who were touted as being the best singing duo in rock for the longest time.

I was so wrapped up in his eyes, I almost missed the cue to start the next song, which we’d rehearsed to flow directly from the first one.

I headed back to my microphone and stayed there for the next couple of songs, as I was singing lead on them, then I went wandering along the edges of the stage during Annie’s vocals on the song, “Do Right By Me,” which was a favorite from Brothers and had featured a duet with folk singer Tess Miller. Annie’s sexy-ass delivery had the crowd dancing and ripping off their clothes. There was more nudity in the audience than I’d ever seen at a show, and a few couples were making out up against the rail. Shane sang backup to her, but she was the fucking star. She sang a couple Stellar songs on her own, but man, I was starting to think we should rework some of the new songs and put her front and center.

Then it was time for us to play two of Stellar’s biggest hits. Shane watched me the whole time for cues and they went off without a hitch. We’d practiced with my band, we’d practiced after hours together in his house, and I’d been pleased to see that he played them effortlessly.

I was not as great with the Wicked Soul songs we chose to play. Thankfully he played all the really tough parts, so I only had to play the chords and I only fucked up twice. Shane smiled at me after the second time and raised his eyebrows to make sure I was okay.

I mouthed “sorry” to him, and he winked at me. God, he was so hot. So fucking competent and in control of the set. I hated making mistakes, and he knew that. He made it a little easier to accept I wasn’t perfect, because he thought I was. That was all that mattered to me.

It all went by so fast and then it was time for us to perform “Paisley,” so we were back on the mic together.

“Thank you all for being here tonight for the inaugural performance of Butler Collins. This show all came together while we were sharing studio time, and I want to thank Stellar for accepting my invitation to play tonight.”

More loud shouts from the sidelines as well as the stage. Jesus, even more of our peers had arrived. Plus, the entire journalist pit was jam-packed with photographers all climbing over each other to get shots of us.

“It was our pleasure,” I said, as we’d rehearsed. “We’ve saved something special for last. If any of you happened to see the Rock Hall Ceremony, you may know that my grandfather was posthumously inducted this year. John Boone accomplished many great things in his career, but the one he was most proud of was the work he did with my grandmother, Vera Jean Collins, on the Collins Foundation, which provides assistance to our fellow artists in the industry experiencing catastrophic medical emergencies. Many of us have health issues that impact our ability to work, and no one should live in fear of losing everything if the worst happens. If this cause speaks to you, please scan the QR code at our merch booth and give what you can. The majority of the proceeds from our merch will also go to support the Collins Foundation. There’s also an online auction in case you want to bid on gear donated by various members of our community, including Maggie’s Bones, who will be playing the main stage in just a little while.” I paused while the crowd lost their mind. “But before we say good night…”

I turned to Shane and smiled up at him, and my heart leaped in my chest. We’d made it. Almost. There was just one more song, and it was the most emotional of all.

“If you saw that performance, you’ll also know that my grandfather, Bruce Duncan, got to perform the song ‘Paisley’ with Boone, and he dedicated it that night to the one who stole his heart, Ms. Vera Jean Collins. Tonight, I’d like to dedicate it to the person who stole mine—Mr. Boone Collins.”

Well, shit. We hadn’t rehearsed that. And the crowd’s gasp when he turned and smiled at me let us know that they hadn’t all heard the news yet, but now they knew, and they screamed like Elvis had just wiggled his pelvis.

He bent down and kissed my sweaty cheek, and I was so startled that I missed him playing the opening notes. Thankfully, I caught Annie’s wide-eyed stare and picked up the riff.

The vocals were challenging on this song, so I mostly stayed at the mic while I stretched my voice and tried to commune with my grandfather’s spirit, only cursing his decision to go up an octave in the middle of the song.

But Shane was there, and I felt grounded as we stood together playing the harmonized guitars, our grandfathers’ signature sound, and when he sang with me, I could practically feel him holding me up.

By the end of the song, I was out of breath and a little light-headed, but I was stunned. We’d pulled off a massive performance with only a month to prepare, my band slayed, and Shane was there to support me the entire time. My eyes filled with tears as we played the final notes and I sent up a little prayer to my papa.

I hope you’re proud of us, old man.

The song ended and Shane pressed his forehead to mine as the crowd went absolutely apeshit and started chanting But-ler Coll-ins But-ler Coll-ins But-ler Coll-ins.

Shane gestured for Annie and Bran to come up and take our hands, and we bowed together, me going through the motions as my hearing fuzzed out and my vision was blurred with tears.

It was the greatest performance of my life—and it was all because of Shane.

He gave my hand a squeeze and waved as he dragged me offstage. Rowan took my guitar and Martin handed me water with electrolytes and a towel as I passed by. I was sure Shane had told him to do so.

I followed Shane backstage in a daze as we were surrounded by people I knew only by name and face, not personally, but they all knew Shane. There were so many hugs and congratulations that all I could do was smile until my face was about to break. Shane was pulled away, and I searched frantically for Annie and Bran, who were also deluged. The three of us grabbed onto each other and made our way away from the crowd.

“Are you fucking kidding me,” Bran squealed. “That was fucking awesome!”

“Did you see all those people practically fucking in the audience? What kinda drugs are they handing out?” Annie looked shock, and I elbowed her.

“It was all you, sweetie. Damn, you were hot.”

She rolled her eyes and threw her arms around my neck. “And that fucking Shane Butler, trying to make me cry onstage. Can you believe he told the whole fucking world he loves you?”

“He does.” And then the tears really hit. Annie and Bran held me as I sobbed. “I miss the old man,” I said.

They totally got it. They’d been with me through Papa’s illness and death. They’d held me as I mourned him while trying to be strong for Gran.

“Hey, hey, babe, what’s?—”

Shane’s arms went around me then while the twins still held me, and I was able to let the emotions roll through me.

“He misses John,” Annie said.

“Damn,” Shane said, holding me tighter. “He was here tonight, singing with us. You were amazing, baby. So good.”

“Dude, you’re fucking amazing,” Bran said, slapping hands with Shane. “I’ll fucking play with you anytime, anyplace.”

“Back atcha. You two are so fucking solid, man.” He slapped hands with Annie too, who laughed.

“I was just trying to keep up. And why did you not tell us people be taking off their clothes and making out like that? A bitch needs to be prepared for that kinda shit.”

“I’ve never seen that before either,” Shane said with a shrug. “That was all you, Thompson.”

Annie blinked at him and then rolled her eyes, trying to play it off. “Yeah, well, that was some distracting shit. I think Bran and I should go get a closer look at the crowd.”

“Yeah,” Bran said, clearing his throat. “For research purposes.”

“What about Becca?” I asked him, and he shrugged.

“Who do you think told me to get pictures?” The two of them trotted off, and Shane pulled me close to him.

“You okay?” he whispered.

I nodded and smiled up at him as I wiped my eyes. “I’m great.”

His expression was concerned. “You are great. How’s your sugars? You okay for a bit?”

I pulled out my phone and sure enough, I was in the good zone.

“Can we go watch Maggie’s Bones?”

“I’d love that.”