That’s our girl.
Kash turned to look back at me. His eyes glistened while he watched me play. And it almost felt like I was playing for him.
Focus, Motley.
Kash moved closer to the microphone and whispered deep into it. “Now, go ahead and bring our girl back.” The crowd booed his words. He spun around to look at them and laughed. “We can’t finish the set without her! Don’t you want to hear one more song!” He raised his pointer finger to the sky and everyone cheered and applauded. “That’s what I thought! Now, be a good crowd and return my guitarist back to me.” His words gave me chills.
Carmen sucked the energy from the crowd and hooted alongside them, riding their wave of hands until they sent her closer to the stage. All was going well and Carmen was towards the edge of the crowd. They lowered her over the railing, and just as she thought she was clear, a random man tried to grope her.
Carmen’s smile dropped instantly, and she swung at the man. Kash looked back at me, and I stopped playing. We locked eyes and nodded. Kash returned to the microphone. “Hey! Get your fucking hands off her!” The man continued to try to touch her, a second joining as she tried to fight them back. Securityrushed to the altercation, but it wasn’t enough. The crowd quickly began to push through the railing and surrounded her.
Oh fuck!
Kash and I dropped everything and ran to Carmen’s aid. I jumped off the end of the stage, Kash shadowing me, and we both pushed through the many bodies towards her. I had lost sight of her for a minute and panic set in. “Carmen!” I shouted. “Carmen!”
A hand waved in the air from ahead. “Motley!” It was Carmen.
Someone tapped my shoulder, and I whirled around, swinging. Thankfully, I missed, because it was Kash behind me. “Stay close!” I shouted. The two of us forced our way through the merging crowd. The extra security Ducky insisted on was doing their best to control the situation, but there were too many people. We caught sight of Carmen ahead. She looked genuinely frightened, her face red and a little roughed up from everything. I forced my way closer as Kash and I surrounded her. “Are you okay?” I shouted, attempting to use my body like a shield.
Carmen nodded, clinging onto me while Kash shielded her from the other side. He ripped his jacket from his torso and covered her. I couldn’t help but notice how attractive he looked, wearing no shirt and protecting one of his own. Carmen’s words brought me back. “I-I’m okay! As much fun as that was—don’t ever let me fucking do that again!” She forced a smile.
Kash and I ducked past the security, and they tried to surround us. We eventually made our way backstage, and it wasn’t until Ducky had his hands wrapped around the three of us that we felt safe enough to breathe. “I told you I wanted extra security!” He pushed past Kash and me and hugged Carmen close. “How’s my girl?” he asked.
Carmen shook her head and hugged him back. “I’m okay. I’m okay.” The two had a moment.
Twila rushed from out of nowhere and nearly tackled Kash. “I was so fucking worried!” He stumbled back, struggling to hold her as she smothered him in kisses.
I noticed a few bloody scratches and scrapes along his bare back. My hand raised, and I gently touched his shoulder. Kash and Twila both turned to look at me. “What’re you doing?” Kash asked, his face drained of color. Twila gave a puzzled look.
My fingertip grazed the wound lightly. “You’re hurt.” Every ounce of my existence wanted to scoop him into my arms and take him away so that only I could care for him. But I couldn’t. He wouldn’t let me. I never really understood his reasoning behind his shame or fear of being himself, but I did my best to respect him. Kash wasn’t just some random or timely hook up. He was so much more than that. He was…mine.
“You should help him clean that up, Twila.” I reluctantly moved my hand back.
Twila rushed around Kash to look closer and gasped. “Oh my gosh! Baby!” She grabbed his arm and pulled him away. “Let me take care of you!”
His feet hesitated, but he did as she said. I watched them, noticing his eyes looking at me until they were completely gone from view. And my heart sank.
Carmen groaned, and I welcomed the distraction. “Fuck,” she whispered. I looked over at her and noticed Ducky examining her arm closely. I looked at her and noticed just how roughed up she was. Her hair was disastrous, her face scuffed and makeup smeared. The tiny straps of her leather halter top were snapped in some places. Her stomach and arms were smothered in scraps and cuts as well.
“Damn, Carmen,” I breathed. Her dark brown eyes met mine. “You sure you’re okay?”
Ducky scoffed. “She’s not. I think her arm is twisted or something. We need to have a doctor check it out.”
“I’m fine, Ducky—” Carmen tried to yank her arm free from his caring hands. “Oh!” She winced and squeezed her arm tight.
Ducky shook his head and huffed. “Fine, my ass. Young lady, you are grounded from any more of those insane stage dives! I’m taking you back to the motel, and we’re calling a doctor. Motley.” He turned to face me. “Get yourself back to the motel. I’ll call everyone once things have settled.”
I nodded in agreement.
The whole bandwas gathered in Carmen’s hotel room. Ducky had a doctor stop by beforehand and had Carmen examined. I knew they were avoiding the hospital. I mean, the last thing any of us wanted was more press or paparazzi stalking us. Not to mention, we were all still pretty shaken up from that crowd swarming the stage. We didn’t need word of mouth leaking that any of us were in the hospital. It would’ve been a nightmare.
Carmen was dressed in a cropped cut off shirt and some high waist shorts, her arm in a makeshift sling. She was toying with some of her son’s little cars, noticeably trying to keep herself busy. Her son was sleeping on the bed in the other room. Apparently, he had cried the whole time she was seen, thinking his mom was going to lose her arm or something. It was innocently sweet, but the poor guy should never have to see his mom like that. Good thing Ducky got them a suite.
Kash was smoking in the corner, sitting half sprawled across the tiny motel couch. He had some bandages taped around hisbare back but seemed fine overall. I also noticed Twila wasn’t present for this little meeting.
Good.
Ducky removed his hat and sighed. “The good news is Carmen should make a full recovery in about a week or two. As long as she takes it easy, we should be able to resume our tour.”
