A Stranger In A Strange Land

Part 4: Angel or demon?...

The music from the bar stopped playing and the lights started fading and the music started playing. I recognized the intro to Capricorn right away and the venue exploded when the drums started and Jared started singing. He stood by his microphone, playing his guitar and sang just beautifully. His voice was so full of passion and Tomo jumped up and down while playing on his guitar. Stevie altered between his bass and keyboards besides Shannon who was banging on his drumset with an animalistic energy I had never seen before! Jared threw me some glances whenever he looked our way. Amy and I were standing there, singing along on the few lyrics we had learned when we listened to my CD earlier today. And we weren't even trying to learn them. They just made their way into our minds. But Amy's eyes were all on Shannon and he caught her sometimes, always with that sexy smirk and licking his lips and he had a certain sexface whenever he got lost in his rhythm. It was very fascinating to watch. Jared was very intense on stage. His mouth close to the microphone, his eyes closed a lot when he played on his guitar. I could study how his mouth moved, his glistening white teeth, his perfectly pink lips and how his whole face expressed the emotions in their songs when they played throughout their playlist. The two songs that got people go crazy was Buddha for Mary and Echelon. There seemed to be quite a few people in the audience that had heard them live before, and were happy that they played live in LA again. Towards the end of the show, Jared announced that they were working on their next album that would be released later this year and that they were going to play a song from that album. He announced: "This is a song about freedom. It's called Attack!" and the guitarintro to that song was amazing! I liked the song right away, and I loved to hear him scream too. Actually it really turned me on, and I have a feeling that I was not the only one feeling that. When he sang the chorus "Run away, run away. I'll attack!! he bent down to me, screaming into my face while he stared into my eyes. It was loud, but I didn't care. I was mesmerized with his passion and I felt my panties getting damp. If I wasn't in a public place, I would have jumped up on stage and attacked him right there and then... Remembering what he had said right before Amy and I left backstage, I wonder what he would show me. I knew I would gladly let him show me whatever he wanted to. The song ended and the band bowed and thanked the audience and wishing them goodnight. Amy and I remained where we was and waited for one of the guys to tell us it was ok to come backstage again. The stagelights went off, the music was back on from the bar and people began to spread out, either to buy more drinks from the bar or leave the venue. Shannon approached us while drying off his sweaty face with a towel. Amy squeezed my arm and grinned as he strided towards where we stood and leaned over the barricade and smiled at us. S"well ladies, if you give us about 20 minutes to unwine before you knock on our door?" he asked. Amy fluttered her eyelashes at him:"are you sure you can wait that long?" S"honey, we need to change and eat and kick back a bit, so we can entertain you guys after." Amy"Then we'll be there in exactly 20 minutes!" stroking his upper arm. Shannon grinned at her and winked at me"see you then!" and left. I turned to Amy, who was following him with her eyes until he disappeared behind the curtains before she looked at me: "what? Why that look Jean?" Me"you looked like you could eat him alive! My god Amy, I know it's been a long time, but do you have to make it that obvious for everyone?!" I was almost shocked by her behaviour. It was so out of character of her! A"but he is so gaddamnd sexy! I mean how you seen how hot he is?! Those hazel eyes and his pouty lips! Not to mention his raspy voice. And did you see how he banged those drums? Imagine that energy in the bedroom! And you are the one to talk! I overheard you and Jared before!" Me"ok I get the point. You don't have to paint it on the wall for me! And I understand you. I see what you see in Shannon. I see that in Jared: his ocean deep blue eyes, his mouth, his voice! No one has effected me this quickly before!" Amy"See, I knew you would understand! But hands off Shannon though. You get to keep Jared for yourself!" she laughed at me. I laughed with her before we went to the ladies room again. There was a short waiting line, but we were done in just a few minutes. In front of the mirror I touched up my make up and ran my fingers through my hair. Then we went to the wardrobe to pick up our jackets, and bought new softdrinks in the bar and just hung out and talked until the 20 minutes had passed and we started to walk to the side door close to the stage.

We showed our wristbands to the bouncer and he just smiled at us and opened the door and let us through. We walked quickly to the dressing room door and Amy knocked. We heard chatting and laughter as Tomo opened and grinned at us: "hello again ladies. Step right in and make yourselves comfortable. We'll join you shortly" Amy"hi Tomo. Thank you" As we went inside we also greeted Stevie and thanked them for a great show. The guys were very happy about how it went and were grateful for our support. We were chatting and laughing with the guys, waiting for Jared & Shannon to come out of the dressing room. It took a good 10 more minutes before they came out and greeted us, both freshly showered. Jared and I embraced in a hug again, and I lingered in his clean scent, feeling turned on by it. I also noticed Shannon and Amy together, him whispering something in her ear, making her laugh end then intense kissing. I giggled at them and Jared yelled: "Hey, get a room, will ya?!" and we both grinned at then. Shannon replied:"I have offered to drive her home, if you don't mind?" looking at me. I looked at Amy while she bit her lower lip and grinned shyly, looking between Shannon and I. Jared looked at me, stroking my back and said: "I can drive you, make sure you get home safe!" I smiled at him "yes, thank you! Then I guess we're all set? Right Amy?" A"yes, looks like it!" Me "ok, it's all settled then. You guys go and have fun" Shannon"I'm ready whenever you are. I'm beat and I need to get out of here" Amy"let me say goodbye first, then we can leave" then she pulled away from him to hug everyone goodbye. Jared told her:"don't let him get away with things you don't want to do. Just take care and have fun" he whispered to her while he winked to his brother. I pulled her to a corner before I said to her:"Enjoy yourselves Amy. And just call me whenever you need, ok? Love you!" Amy"thanks for your concern, but I'll be fine. How about brunch on Sunday?" We let go our hug and I smiled to her:"brunch sounds good. I'll call you" A"then it's a date. Love you too" then she waved at everyone while I hugged Shannon:"be nice to her, or else you'll have to answer to me!" I winked at him. S"don't worry, she's in safe hands. And the same goes for you: be nice to my brother. And have fun!" He grinned at me. Me"I like him very much, and I'm nice to all my friends! So don't you worry" He narrowed his eyes and stared into my eyes as if he tried to read me then he smiled"I believe you" then he kissed my right cheek softly, looking at his brother whom I saw mouthed at him"Behave" before they winked at each other, then Shannon grabbed his big shoulder bag and escorted Amy out the door.

Jared turned to me:"are you ready to go Jean? Because I'm exhausted and ready to go whenever you are!" I checked my watch and noticed it was past eleven and I had to admit I was tired. And hungry, so I replied"yeah, I'd like to go home now." J"good, let me just grab my stuff while you say goodbye" I went over to Tomo and Stevie"hi guys. Jared and I are leaving now too, so I just wanted to thank you once again and say goodbye" They both hugged me and Stevie said"anytime Jean. It's been a pleasure meeting you. We'll just wrap up here. I need to get home soon too, cuz I'm flying to my girlfriend in New York tomorrow and Tomo's going home to his girlfriend!" Me"that sounfs nice. Then have a safe trip, and I hope to see you both real soon!" Tomo"so do I, kiddo. And I think you and Vicki would get along great. Would you like to have dinner with us soon?" Me"yeah sure, that sounds lovely. Call me on this number(....) and we'll set a date!" I smiled at him. He grinned while he closed his phone and put it back in his pocket. We said goodbye again, and Jared lead to out of the door with his bag in one hand, and his guitar suitcase in his other. We walked out the backdoor in silence and just nodded at the bouncer who let us out before we walked towards his car in the staff's parking lot. He put down his bag on the ground, unlocked the car, told me to get in as I headed for the front passenger's seat while he opened the trunk in the rear and loaded both his bag in it, closed the lid and got in the driver's seat, turned on the egnition, buckled his seatbelt (I had already done mine) before he turned on his GPS and skipped down to my adress before manouvering out onto the streets of LA.