One
Devon Grimes
Johnny was worried. We’d been touring nonstop for close to a year, and next weekend we’d be meeting Blinding Light at Rocktoberfest to play our last gig before we’d have two months off. By some miracle, and lots of last-minute repairs, the van was still running, and I was relieved as we got closer to Reno.
“What if we’re taking too much time off and when we start touring again, no one is interested?” Johnny asked for the millionth time.
“The first gig is the big one in Sacramento. The fact they asked us says a lot, and that show has grown every year. Don’t worry, we’re going to be fine,” Mateo said and patted Johnny on the shoulder.
“I need a break. You know how much I love playing, but I really need some time off,” I said, earning a smile.
“I know, babe,” he said and went back to driving and worrying.
“So, we play on Saturday?” Jeremy asked.
“Yes, we’ll be playing before Blinding Light. Easy said they’re happier to play right after us so the fans we share get to see both of us in one go. Plus, we can do one song with all of us out there just for fun,” Johnny said.
“Will they let us do that?” I asked.
“You know how Easy is. If he wants to do something, he does it, and I doubt they’d stop us,” he said. “We’re booked to play right before them so I guess there isn’t much they can do.”
Thoughts of last year ran through my mind. Taking over for their drummer, my uncle Glen, and playing the remainder of their gigs had been a dream come true. It also led me to join Anchor Grey and meet Johnny Brown. Sometimes I still wondered whathe saw in me, but every time he looked at me, I could see how much he loved me. The same as I loved him.
“What are you doing on your time off?” Mateo asked, and I glanced again at Johnny who either didn’t hear or didn’t want to talk about it.
“I’m not sure yet. But hopefully something relaxing,” I said.
“I’m excited to play Rocktoberfest, well really, I’m terrified, but I’m glad we have a break after,” Jeremy said from the back of the van.
“Did Tanner say where we’re staying?” Mateo asked. Our manager Tanner took care of all the details like where to stay and who we’d be meeting with, and I appreciated it at every show.
“Yes, he emailed me all the details. He rented a house so we could all stay together,” Johnny said. “We should be there in about forty-five minutes. Then we’ll have a few days before we need to check out where we’ll be playing.”
“I’m so glad we’re not staying in another hotel,” Mateo groaned. We were all tired and road weary. Not even all the nights with Johnny eased my need to sleep in the same bed for more than two or three nights.
“Johnny, we should definitely write some new music when we’re off. We’ll make sure they don’t forget us,” Jeremy said.
“I like that idea,” Johnny said, finally pulling himself out of the funk he was in. “Maybe we could record a song or two for a CD.”
“Great idea. Tanner will love it,” Mateo said. “Hey, has anyone heard from Ray and Josh?”
They were with the band before I joined and were fired when they refused to stop partying even when it affected the band. “Not me,” I said, and Johnny glanced at me before reaching out his hand to settle on my leg. I hadn’t met them so there was zero chance they’d be reaching out to me.
“Believe me, the day Tanner fired them was one of the best days for the band. Well, and the day he hired you,” Johnny said.
“I haven’t heard a peep from them. But I did hear they were in another band and were fired after only a month. I don’t know what they’re doing now,” Jeremy said.
“Probably a lot of nothing. It’s such a waste. They’re both very talented, but too immature to realize it,” Johnny said. He was the oldest of the four of us and it was obvious when it came to dealing with band business; he was serious, and he didn’t tolerate bullshit. Done with talk, he turned up the music and for the next few miles we all sat in silence.
“Here’s the exit,” Johnny said, snapping me out of my daydream. The street we turned onto was far away from the strip where all the casinos were and close to a residential area. This was the newer part of Reno that was perched above the city offering great views and some distance from the craziness of downtown.At least that’s what Liam told me when I came here with Blinding Light last year. I wasn’t into gambling and my only experience being in Reno before we’d played there was going to a concert with some friends.
“This is it,” Johnny said and pulled up to a house that was nearly as big as the one we’d stayed at last Roctoberfest. Only this time it was for us, not Blinding Light.
“Wow, this looks nice,” Jeremy said. We climbed out of the van just as a car pulled into the driveway next to us.
“What do you think?” Tanner, our manager, asked as he stepped out of his car. “Blinding Light rented a place nearby so their manager Vance and I thought it would be convenient if everyone was close.” He led us to the house and took out a set of keys to unlock the door and swung it open. “I know it’s a bit much, but you guys have been working hard, and you deserve a break from hotel rooms.” He looked right at me when he spoke. “I hope this makes this last show a little more bearable.”
“Are you kidding?” Mateo asked as he spun around in the living room before jogging down the hall to explore the rest.
