Page 86 of Sangre
Isla stared at it for a few seconds, the craving for it tearing through her body. She shook her head then brought the water bottle to her mouth.
“It’s only pot.” Arsen lit up his joint.
“I can’t take the chance.” She was afraid that if she smoked, it’d trigger something in her that was always just beneath the surface—calling to her, making her sweat, enticing her to just take one last hit. It’d been seven months since she snorted a line or smoked a joint.I can’t risk it. I can’t go back to using.
“Did anyone tell you we got a gig at Sturgis?” He took a pull off of his joint and blew out. The familiar sweet scent spread around the area as spirals of smoke wisped upwards and vanished above his head.
“No. Gage mentioned he and Melody were going to Sturgis, but he didn’t say the band was going to perform there.” Excitement shot through her. “We’ve been trying to play there for the last five years. This is so cool.”
“So you told her?” Jac asked as he flopped down on the cushy armchair next to the loveseat she sat on. “Benz wanted to be the one to tell her.”
“So, the fuck what? He’s in a mood, and we need to be on the same page for the gig.” Arsen handed a joint to Jac.
“When do we leave? We have to practice our asses off.” The water bottle, slick with chilled condensation, began to slide through her fingers, and she tightened her grip around it before it fell to the floor. “Which venue are we playing at?” She leaned over and put the bottle on the small oval table.
“Buffalo Chip,” Arsen replied.
“Rough Creek Label is gonna be there.” Jac leaned his head back against the leather chair.
“They wanna see if we sound as good live as we do in our recent recordings,” Gage added, sinking into an overstuffed chair. He snapped his fingers, and Arsen looked up at him. “Gimme a joint.” Arsen handed him one.
Isla’s insides quivered and she pressed a hand on her churning stomach.If we get signed on that means months of touring. Can I do it without falling back into my old lifestyle?All of a sudden the room began to spin, and she closed her eyes and reclined against the cool black leather cushion.How will I see Sangre if I’m touring? Is this what Ireallywant? Damn. Get a hold of yourself.
“Are you okay?” Gage’s voice pulled her back to the conversation.
“Yeah. It’s just hot in here.”
“Terry Z worked you pretty hard,” Arsen said, craning his neck. “Here he comes. I must be on.” He pushed up from the chair and disappeared down the hallway.
“How’d it go?” Jac asked as Benz took Arsen’s seat.
“Good.” He looked over at Isla. “We got a gig at Sturgis.” Knowing he’d be pissed as hell that she already knew, she feigned surprise and delight. “It’s going to be such a good time. And the exposure’s fantastic. After the gig we’ll head back to LA, so you’ll have to bring your shit on the tour.”
“I have to come back here to close up the house and all that,” she said softly.
Benz narrowed his eyes. “You’ve got almost a month to do that. We gotta start touring and playing festivals and shows around California.” He crossed his leg over his thigh. “We take off for LA after Sturgis. And that means you, too.”
Of course, he was right. They’d been out of commission for too long, and they had to get back to performing.The band would’ve already played several festivals if it wasn’t for me. I can’t hold them back. It’s not fair. I just have to grow the fuck up and step up to the plate. Vacation is over.Sadness descended over her. “Okay. I’ll get everything together.”
Benz nodded, smugness creeping over his face. “Are you going to sell your place?”
She jerked her head back. “No, I’m going to keep it.”
“When we’re on tour, you can’t be running off every fuckin’ minute you have to come back to this dump of a town.” Benz got up and went into the small kitchen down the hall. When he came back, he had two beer bottles in his hands. He twisted off the top, took a long pull then sank back down in the chair.
“I’m keeping my house and will come back here when I need to get away. I like it here, and since you don’t ever have to come back, there’s no reason to get bent out of shape.”
“The band comes first—just remember that.” He took another gulp.
She nodded and glanced down at her phone.It’s going to be a long night.
Later that night, around ten o’clock, her phone woke her up. She’d fallen asleep on a cot in one of the back rooms that had been set up for artists who worked through the night.
“Hello?” she said groggily.
“Hey. Are you still at the studio?” Sangre asked.
“Oh… yeah. I’m sorry. I should’ve let you know that we’re going to be here for a long time.”
