Crash and Burn

15. Opening Night

Rehearsals went perfect through the week and it was now opening night. Demi's guitarist unfortunately had missed out all the rehearsal dates and he was still getting parts wrong during the rehearsals earlier today even though I was beside him telling him what to do. "I can't have my opening night fucked up, damn it." I heard Demi's voice before she burst through the doors of her dressing room. "We don't have time to go through this again, Demi. How about we just play the backing music and Alex can go through it once more with him backstage?" They had to set out on the road right after the show was over and Demi was most worried about having her guitarist fuck up the rest of the tour. I sat and watched the conversation between them awkwardly, not knowing what to do. I heard someone clear their throat quietly and I looked over to the direction to see Mel stood there with her arms crossed, giving me a look. I looked at her with confused eyes and she rolled hers before walking over to me. She bent down to my level and whispered. "Why don't you take over tonight? You can go on the road with them for the next week and still make it back on time for your finals." I shook my head and stood up, pulling her by her arm out the room. "Are you insane? You said it yourself. I have finals and I have to study." Mel gave me an unamused look. "You're all ready for your finals already so I know that you don't have to study that much. Even if you don't want to go with them, what about tonight? We're in already in San Diego and you have literally no excuse since you're here for the show anyway." I kept quiet, knowing that I didn't have a way out of this. "Demi needs your help, Al. I'll let you make the decision." Mel walked back into the room, leaving me standing there and feeling horribly inclined to help Demi out.

I walked back into the room, shoulder slumped and saw Mel sitting where I was with a smirk on her face. Bitch knows how to get her way. I tapped Demi on the shoulder and she lifted her head out of her hands. "How about I do your show tonight? You can get your guitarist to stand beside me and I can fill him in on the parts where there are changes again." Demi beamed up at me and stood up. "Really?" The excited look in her eyes broke a smile on my face and I nodded. "Oh my God, you're a life saver. Thank you!" She brought me into her arms and hugged me tight, thanking me over and over. "You heard her Phil, get everything set up." Phil gave me a pat on the back and walked out of the room, making the necessary arrangements.

An hour later, I was taking my position with the rest of the band. I walked over to my mark and frowned at the sight in front of me. "Wait, why is there a mic in front of me?" The stage hand shrugged and rushed off. "Hey," I looked over and saw Demi standing there, already in her first outfit, looking beautiful. "I want you to back my vocals tonight. I'm really nervous because it's opening night and I'm afraid that I'll fuck up." I raised my eyebrow at her. "What are you talking about? You'll do fine. You're Demi Lovato." She smiled wide and motioned me to walk over to her since she couldn't step out on the stage just yet. "Thank you. For doing this and everything." She enveloped me in a tight hug and when we pulled away, she gave me a kiss on the cheek before turning away and rushing off into her position. Here we go.

The show went perfectly and I found myself smiling alongside Demi when we were all back in the dressing rooms, celebrating. "Here's to the rest of the Tell Me You Love Me Tour!" I raised my water bottle up with everyone else and we smashed our bottles together. "Hey, I wanted to talk to you before I go." I nodded, smiling at Demi and we walked out into the hallway where they were busy wheeling cases to load onto the buses. "I really want to thank you for tonight. I have to go soon but I want to properly thank you when I get back." I nodded, taking another drink of my bottle while waiting for her to go on. "Do you think I can take you out to dinner when I'm back?" My eyes almost bulged out of my head and I choked on my water. Was she asking me out? "Are you asking me out?" I blurted before I could stop myself. I mentally rolled my eyes and facepalmed. Demi bit on her bottom lip nervously and nodded. "You can say no if you don't want to." I sighed and looked at her hopeful eyes. How could I say no to that? I nodded, the big smile on my face mirroring hers.

We all hung out at the venue for a while longer, waiting for the fans around the buses to clear up so that Demi could head over safely. "So, are you into her?" I looked over at the voice and saw Demi's sister, Madison, standing beside me. "I'm sorry?" She let out a chuckled and laid her hand on my shoulder. "We all can see how into you she is and I'm sure you already know that by now. The question is, are you into her?" I looked over at Demi, watching her smile and laugh with her family and friends. I shrugged and sighed. "I feel this pull towards her ever since we met and there's no doubt, she's one of the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my life." A small smile broke out on my face when I saw Demi throw her head back laughing. "That doesn't answer the question." I looked over at Madison and saw a small on her face when she saw me watching her sister. "I don't know. I've only ever felt this pull once and I'm stuck between trying to process these feelings or pushing them aside."

Madison beamed at me. "You're so into her."