Smolder (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)

30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Sandy

RocktoberfestBlack Rock, Nevada

“I can’t believe I get to see this show!” Petey was standing next to me near the bus. Skyler was on the bus going over a few changes he’d made to ‘Bury Me’, and I was happily enjoying an adult beverage from the bar in the catering area while our new houseguest was scarfing down a massive churro that he’d picked up from a food truck nearby.

The journey to having Petey come to live with us had been a whirlwind. Skyler’s friend, Rich Sohn, had investigated Perry’s allegations and found them to be true—Petey was being held in the basement of the minister’s home. He’d been chained to a drainpipe with only a bare bulb hanging over his head—that was turned on and off at the minister’s discretion—a bucket and a Bible.

Petey was removed immediately and temporarily placed in our custody. We were living in West Peoria, so Petey was attending West Peoria High again, playing with the jazz band. What would become of him, we didn’t know, but my Skyler would fight tooth and nail to see the boy had a better life than he’d had in the past.

Perry was in quite a bit of trouble, but we got him a good lawyer, and it didn’t hurt that the cops found a letter on him when he was arrested that apologized to Skyler for the poison and explained the issue with Petey. We hoped the court would give him a break, but his lawyer assured us he would go to jail for some of his actions.

I didn’t turn in a claim to my insurance for the busted garage door, and Sky refused to press charges for the drum kit, so the poisoning was the thing that would get him in trouble. It was a wait-and-see game at this point.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I turned to see Marshall with Regal and the members of the now defunct From the Ashes.

“Really good. Skyler’s going over some last-minute changes with the guys. Glad you could make it. This is Petey. He’s staying with us for a while.” I introduced him to everyone, and thankfully, he shook hands like a perfect gentleman.

We’d been working with him on manners. Seems Gram Elsie had had a lot of other things on her mind besides manners. As Sky had told Petey, if you wanna go anywhere in life, you need to learn to chew with your mouth closed and have a good handshake. There were many other things to teach the kid, but we were starting slow. He’d only been with us for two weeks.

“Why are we here? I knew Ripper and Franny were coming to see JD play, but Sky called yesterday and told us to get here in time for their show. It’s not that we didn’t want to come, but we haven’t talked to you guys since San Francisco. We weren’t sure they’d want us here.”

Accidental Fire was taking one of the side stages at six, and Skyler had something special in mind as a tribute to his father’s band. They would go down in rock history as a successful band, and one of their number one hits would be memorialized in a summer blockbuster next year, but he wanted his father’s band to have one more moment of glory before the sun set on their careers. Thankfully, Easton Masterson had been great about it when Marshall approached them with the request.

We were all chatting when Michael Cruz found us. “Where’s the band and Marshall?”

“Inside. They’re going over the last-minute changes to the set list.” I nodded my head toward Regal and company. Michael and Marshall had gotten close—apparently—so Michael knew about the surprise.

“Easton Masterson called me. They need to move Accidental Fire to the main stage. One of the bands isn’t here yet. An accident has the highway closed, so they won’t make it in time for their slot. If AF moves to the main stage at six, the other bands can move up an hour, and that band can play the east stage at nine. It’s confusing, but I’ve alerted the crew to move the guys’ equipment behind the main stage. They’ll need to forgo a sound check over there because other bands are already playing, but we can get levels after the switch. Have them head over that way by five-thirty.” With that, Michael rushed off.

The door to the bus opened and Marshall stepped off. “Was that Michael? What’s going on?” I could see my brother was a ball of nerves, and I wasn’t surprised at all. He knew the success of this performance was important in his career moving forward. Alicia Cordell had called him in for a come-to-Jesus meeting, and he’d straightened up his ass after that. We were still a work in progress, but we’d be fine.

“Accidental Fire has been moved to the main stage at six. It’s a long explanation, but the guys need to be—” I didn’t get it all out before Marshall was running in the direction Michael had gone.

Skyler came off the bus looking every bit the sexy man I loved. He hadn’t cut his hair yet, and nobody at school had mentioned it. He was still on the fence about it, but he was thrilled to be back on the podium on game nights. I had volunteered to run the chains at the home games so I could watch him work, and life was purring along.

“What had Marshall running off?”

The rest of the band stepped off behind him, and everyone said hello to the members of From the Ashes. It was a bit contentious between the groups because of their less-than-stellar beginning, but things had been resolved, so it was time to move on.

“I’ll only say this once, so, everyone, listen up. Accidental Fire will be playing on the main stage instead of the east stage at six. Your equipment will be moved for you, so you need to be dressed and ready to go at five-thirty.”

The chatter reached epic proportions, but I herded everyone toward the catering area to grab a bite. The band didn’t go on for three more hours, and hell, I was starving.

Petey was in awe of all the bands, pointing to them and telling us who they were. “That’s Social Sinners over there with Embrace the Fear.

“Flightless is over there, and Grindstone is at the table next to them. Those are the guys from Warrior Black. It’s so cool they all come to listen to all the bands. Oh—that’s Wolf Pack. Can I ask for autographs?”

I laughed as our plates were filled with pasta, salad, and cheese bread. We went over to a large, empty table while everyone in our group started arriving with their plates.

We all ate our fill and then headed back to the bus to wait until it was time for them to head to the main stage. We pulled out more chairs and everyone sat around enjoying the atmosphere. I saw Hardy was more excited about the pot smells in the air, but he didn’t go in search of it, thankfully.

A thin guy with a clipboard and a headset stopped by the front of the bus, looking at the number board on the windshield. He stepped around the side and stared at us. “I need Skyler Ashe.”

River, Arlo, JD, Goldie, and Hardy started cracking up. “What did you do?” No one answered Skyler’s question, so he got up and walked away with the guy.

Once they were gone, River spoke up. “We made Skyler an appointment with Tyler Kennedy. He’s dating Ethan Jones from Wolf Pack, and they put out a message on the website that Tyler was doing hair and makeup for any of the band members. Sky will always be an honorary member of Accidental Fire, and we wanted to treat him.”

Hope stood and walked around the table to hug the boys and thank them for thinking of Skyler in that way, which was sweet. She then came to where Petey was sitting and pulled a chair over. “Hi. I’m Hope, Skyler’s mom. How do you like living with Sky and Sandy?”

“It’s really great.”

The two of them got lost in conversation as they tried to get to know each other. A tap on my shoulder had me standing and turning around. “Can I talk to you?”

I stood and followed Marshall around the bus. “I need to tell you something. I’m sorry I’ve been such a prick about everything. I love my job, but I’m still learning, and I’ve been so hard-headed about it. I’m going to counseling to get some help. I came out to Mom and Dad, and you can imagine how well that went.”

“Yeah, I can. Well, I’m proud of you. Are you seeing Michael Cruz?”

Marsh smirked. “Yeah. He and I are thinking about throwing in together, but we haven’t decided anything yet. I’ve been working with Franny Horn to get the band’s instruments here. I had Clancy take them over to the main stage. I’m going to go over and see that everything is set up on a cart to be ready after the first song. Can you steer everyone toward the VIP section to the side of the stage when it’s time?”

“Of course. You’re doing a great job, Marsh. This will be a great show.”

Marshall hugged me and hurried off. I felt a little sting in my eyes, but I pushed it down. I had a big surprise to pull off.

Herding the members of From the Ashes and their significant others was like herding cats. There was a lot to see, and between Petey and Hope, they were determined to see it all.

We showed our passes and were led into a VIP area with a lot of radio station contest winners and members of other bands. Murder of Crows was on the stage when we sat down, and Accidental Fire was coming after them.

Kenny Robbins made his way over to where I was standing, a big grin on his face. “Goldie’s excited about this. He sent me a text that Skyler is freaking out, so maybe you should go find him. Goldie gave your name to security. I’ll watch out for these folks and get the band where they need to be. Man, this takes me back.”

I nodded, told Petey where I was going, and hurried over to the entrance behind the stage for the talent only. The guard looked at my pass. “You used to play—”

“For the Breeze. Yeah. I’m looking for Accidental Fire.”

“Go ahead, man.” He pointed to the area behind the backdrop for the band on stage. I saw Skyler and Marshall with the band, Skyler talking a mile a minute to Marsh and shaking his head.

“Thanks.”

I hurried through the crowd and found my guy. “What’s wrong?” He wore a white T-shirt ripped in all the right places and had a blue bandanna tied around his neck. His hair was pulled back in a bun, and there was liner around his eyes, which really made them pop.

“Look at you. They really gave you the royal treatment.”

“These clowns just told me Hardy hurt his shoulder. He can’t play. They want me to play in his place. I’m glad Franny got Regal’s kit, but I haven’t played in weeks. I can’t fuck this up, Sandy.”

I pulled him to the side and put my hands on his shoulders. “You’ve got this. It’s important for the guys that this goes well, baby, and you’re the best one to do it. If Hardy did hurt his shoulder, he can’t go on, and you don’t want to miss this tribute to From the Ashes. Now, buck up. You look smoldering hot.”

Murder of Crows finished their encore and started coming off stage. Marsh grabbed my shoulder. “Go get From the Ashes now.”

I honestly had no idea how I’d get them to come with me, but what Skyler had just told me about Hardy gave me an idea. I fought my way through the crowd and back to the VIP area. “Hey, From the Ashes, we need your help. The guys need you. Come with me.”

Thankfully, none of them questioned me. Dusty stepped up next to me and grinned. “I worried about this. This is a larger crowd than we saw in the venues we played this summer, so I could see where they’d panic. We’ll talk them down.”

When we got backstage, Accidental Fire was getting ready to take the stage. Sky turned to his father and teared up. “I’m sorry for all the covert shit, but we want you guys to play with us. Your gear is over there. Regal, you sing, and I’ll play.”

The roadies began hustling the old guys around to get them ready, and we all heard the emcee, some radio guy. “How we doin’, Black Rock?” The crowd roared.

“We have a great new band that’s just making the waves. Rocktoberfest, give a warm welcome to Accidental Fire.”

The guys hurried out, Sky taking the stool behind the kit, and Arlo stood behind the keyboard, mic in hand. “How’s everybody doing? It’s hot as fuck here, but I heard there’s free water not far from the entrance, so after you listen to us, go get some while they trade setups.”

Skyler held up his arms and cracked the sticks together. “One. Two. Three. Four.” His arms came down on the crash cymbals, and they were off with a new song, ‘Hot Tonight.’ I knew it was one Arlo, JD, and River had worked on together, and it was rocking.

Sky was working hard, and I was hard watching him. After this fucking thing, I was gonna have him fuck my brains out. His eyes were closed as he played the bridge while River shredded on the guitar.

I glanced around the side of the Rocktoberfest backdrop to see a mosh pit in front of the stage and the crowd going wild. When the song ended, the applause and cheers were deafening.

Goldie walked over to the side of the stage to pick up a towel, and Marsh gave him the okay signal. He walked back to the front as he wiped his face. “Hello, Rocktoberfest! We have a treat for you guys.

“We wouldn’t be a band if not for some of the best mentors in the business. Please welcome to the stage, From the Ashes.” He replaced his mic and stepped back next to his bandmates while Ace, Dusty, Tony, Ripper, and last, Regal came out to rousing applause.

Regal stood at Goldie’s mic, and I could see he was a little choked up. He turned around and pointed to Skyler, who counted out the slower tempo for the original song. Dusty began playing the song the way the band had played it at every venue, and Regal began to sing.

You say I’m cold you think I’m mean

You claim when I’m with you,you always feel unseen

But you don’t know how hard I try to be the man who walks through life by your side

And now, you’re gonna leave and rip the heart right outta me

You’ve found another man you think you can believe

AF accompanied them as they all sang the chorus, Regal barely able to sing through all the emotion in his throat.

‘Bury Me’

Oh, set me free lay me in the ground right there beneath your feet

Without your love I have no need to breathe

Have mercy on me

Please have mercy on me

If you ever loved me, won’t you bury me

As Regal’s last note faded, Skyler put his arms in the air, guns blazing. “One. Two. One-two-three-four.” The much faster tempo had the older guys fading back while the kids took over, playing the hell out of the song in the rewritten version. Goldie’s throaty rendition fit the new version perfectly.

You want to leave and lock me in the past

If you’re not in my arms I don’t think I can last

He won’t know you

He won’t love you

He won’t kiss you half as well as me

If you must go I wish you well

Before you close the door and tell me I can go straight to hell

Goldie stood next to Regal sharing the mic, and both bands sang the chorus, the older guys trying like hell to keep up.

Bury me

Oh, set me free

Lay me in the ground right there beneath your feet

Without your love I have no reason to breathe

If you ever cared then please won’t you have mercy on me

Have mercy on me

Have mercy on me and

Bury me

Lay me low without your lovethere’s nowhere else for me to go

So bury me before you walk away

Without you by my side I wouldn’t want to stay.

Without your love I never ever want to stay

I just can’t bear to watch you walk away

The band stopped abruptly, and Goldie handed the mic to Regal, who appeared uncertain, but he nodded and pressed the mic into Regal’s hand. The crowd roared but quieted as Regal spoke first.

“This was a big surprise for us old bastards, so I want to thank Accidental Fire for their hard work. I especially want to thank my sons, Arlo on the keyboard and River on lead guitar. You’re both an inspiration to me, and I’m proud of you.”

I could see the guys were shocked, but they played it off. Skyler’s leg was shaking as he waited.

“JD and Goldie, you guys do us proud, and last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my oldest son, the music prodigy in the family, Skyler Ashe. He rewrote the song to adapt it for a special project, and he had to deal with us cranky old farts who didn’t want to change it. It was released in the nineties, and Sky brought it into the future and made it new without leaving us behind.”

Regal looked at River who played the last chord again, and then he sang the ending with tears falling down his face.

So if you ever loved me won’t you bury me.

Please bury me.

Skyler played the cymbal swell and then the crash, signaling the song’s end. Like the first time I heard the song, I let go of a few tears. It was beautiful.

Everybody went crazy, and as they screamed and clapped, From the Ashes left the stage for the last time. Hardy then came out from the wings and took the sticks from Skyler, who was very confused, but I knew what River and the guys had done. Sky had worked so fucking hard on the song. He deserved to play it for the huge crowd.

When Sky came off the stage, I pulled him in front of me and held his sweaty body in my arms as we watched Accidental Fire soar. They sang another song they’d written, and then they sang my favorite. It was the song I would always claim as the one Sky wrote for me.

‘I’ll Find You’

I wake up alone I go to bed the same way

I’m tired of going out I wonder where you are today?

There once was a time I thought I’d found a true love

but in the blink of an eye it flew on the wings of a dove

Momma says you’re out there Daddy says I’m a fool for believing such things can exist

How can fate be so cruel?

[chorus]

I’ll find you (yeah, I’ll find you)

my heart tells me to trust you’re yearning for my touch

Oh, I’ll find you (yeah, I’ll find you)

and when we finally meet, you’ll love me just as much

And when I find you (when I find you)

Our hearts will know we fit

We’ve been waiting for so long it will be clear that this is it

[verse]

Our eyes will meet across a crowded room

All the rest will fade away

Our hearts will know they’ve found their other half

The sparks we’ll feel are here to stay

[chorus]

I’ll find you (yeah, I’ll find you)

my heart tells me to trust that you’re yearning for my touch

Oh, I’ll find you (yeah, I’ll find you)

and when we finally meet, you’ll love me just as much

And when I find you (when I find you)

ur hearts will know we fit

We’ve been waiting for each other for so long

It will be clear that this is it

Sky turned to me and quietly sang a new ending.

I found you (yeah, I found you)

Our hearts know that we fit

We waited for each other for so long, and finally, this is it

We both cried then. The big football stud and his drummer-teacher partner. All it took was one smoldering look from Skyler Ashe, and that was it. Forever.