Burlesque

FOUR

At lunch I'm shocked to hear they haven't had any Nando's before. So I order them all chicken wraps, according to the spice they can handle, and a huge fries for us to all share. Once seated at the table Andy states once looking at what I'm wearing
"Glad to see you are a rocker. Does that jacket come in men's?"
I laugh
"I'll let you know."
He stands
"I'm going to run to the men's room before food comes."
I roll my eyes
"Thank you for the public announcement. I'll be sure I alert TMZ."
He can't help but chuckle as he walks away. As soon as he's out of earshot the other boys state
"Look- I know you may think we're assholes for not supporting Andy and his relationship with Juliet. But believe me- if you heard her music and some of the stories we have about her you wouldn't be a fan too."
I smile at them
"Maybe- but everyone deserves a chance."
CC sits back in his seat
"That is true. And we gave her a chance. You're giving her one too- but I'm sure she isn't going to give you one."
I quirk an eyebrow
"What do you mean?"
Ashely elaborates
"We can see you and Andy are getting pretty Buddy Buddy- Juliet won't like that. She doesn't like any girls getting near Andy- especially not women with bodies and personalities and talent like you have. Everything she lacks. She's insecure. She doesn't even let fans who just want a photo with him get near him."
I pout
"Well I have to have sympathy for her if she has insecurities. Besides- I'll probably never meet her so I don't think I'll have to worry. And thanks for that body and personality compliment Ash."
He nods
"No problem. And I wouldn't be too sure- Andy likes you. We like you. We might have to get you to travel with us and be our opening act."
I laugh. CC shakes his head
"You laugh but we're serious."
I roll my eyes
"Sure."
Andy returns at this point- jut about as our food is delivered as well
"What did I miss?"
I smile
"Nothing much."

At the end of lunch we go to Starbucks- just because it was on the way and I have a personal rule to never drive by a Starbucks without getting something. The boys didn't seem to have any objections. Since they shouted my lunch I shout them all a coffee. Then we finally head back to the venue. When I pull up they jump out, Andy bends down to see me and asks
"Wanna see a show tonight?"
I smile
"I would love to- but I'm working. Thanks anyway Nikki Sixx."
He pouts
"How about just the end of rehearsals then?"
I look at my car clock and decide
"Yeah, yes please."
So I park and we walk in. I sit side stage, watching the sound check. Thy introduce me formally to Jake and Jinxx. They're the quiet ones I find, but they're very kind. They inform me that instead of just sitting side stage, which they say seems very boring, to come out on stage and muck around with them. I can see these aren't very serious rehearsals. So I do. I run out and jump on Andy's back who runs me around stage during the guitar checks. It's super fun. Up until they ask me to 'show them what I've got'. Jokingly I deny stating
"No you pervs."
They laugh and move me to stand in front o Andy's microphone stand. I sigh
"You guys know any Nirvana?"
CC answers from behind the drum kit.
"Heart Shaped Box?"
I accept
"Perfect."
Before I know it I've done the whole song. They applaud. Andy jokes from where he sits in the first row of seats behind where the mosh pit will be, calling to me
"Encore!"
I roll my eyes. But before I can deny they begin playing Kickstart My Heart. So I begin singing along. They've got me preforming like I used to in my band again. I missed this.

I leave, giving them all hugs. Time for work. My act tonight comes up later, towards the end of the night. I'm doing Tough Lover since I'm tired and can't be bothered to do anything too big. The girls who perform with me don't seem to mind either. This song is easy to perform- it always goes down without a hitch. Towards the beginning of the song, the Mics cut out. Odd, this never happens. I narrow my eyes and look through the stage lights up to where the guy who normally controls all the technical stuff is. I see a female figure, can't see the face. I just know it's Lolita. This is the second time she's pulled shit like this. I see what she's tried to do. She thinks if we don't have Mics we can't project our voices enough. She thinks she's won. I see the curtains begin to be drawn. So I improvise. And begin to sing, solo. No instrumental. Sooner rather than later the band starts up again and the curtains are drawn back again and it continues as normal- just without Mics. Bad plan aye Lolita?

I leave stage and head to the bar again, initially to tell Kurt about what I think Lolita did. However I remember he isn't working tonight so I decide just to get a drink. At the bar there is only one seat free between two men. I hate to but I sit in it. I feel better when one of them to the left of me turns around. I huff
"Andy, are you stalking me?"
He laughs and stands, extending his hand to me
"Come on, we're going for dinner."
I quirk an eyebrow
"Dinner? It's almost midnight?"
He shrugs
"So, this is London. Somewhere will be open. You're not getting out of it."
I sigh and place my hand on his.