Rock me, p.1
Rock Me, page 1
Rock Me
A rockstar age gap romance
erin trejo
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
1
Tash
The lights twinkle across the stage, and the fire burns in the background. I twirl the drumsticks between my fingers as I look up at the ‘fuck you’ sign hanging behind the stage and smirk. We’ve had that sign since we began this band. In The Wind was built from the ground up by the four of us assholes: Ryan, Carl, Mitch, and me, Tash. We were your typical garage band who played at some of the shittiest and shadiest spots in the city.
California was the dream. It was all we could talk about back then, but when we made it out here, it was a fucking disaster. The four of us lived in a one-bedroom overpriced apartment that was surrounded by asshole neighbors. We had our stuff stolen more times than I can count. We made it work, though. We worked odd shifts doing random shit, so one of us was always home with the equipment while the others were working. We couldn’t afford to lose our shit again.
“You reminiscing again?” Mitch asks as I gaze out at the crowd.
“Just remembering how we got here,” I admit to him.
“Long time ago. We were a bunch of fucking punks,” he adds.
“Hell, we still are,” I say with a grin.
Our lives haven’t been easy. Nothing was ever handed to us. We worked our asses off to get where we are today, but there are some days I wonder if it’s worth it. The life we lead isn’t easy. In fact, being on the road or in the studio leaves very little time to have a personal life. I suppose there are ways around that. Ryan made it work for a while, but the more his ex-wife wanted him home, the more the road called to him.
“You’re right. Still a bunch of fucking punks about to rock the goddamn stage,” Mitch responds before turning on his heel and walking away. I love it. The anticipation of the crowd, how they scream for us. The way they get amped up when they know we’re coming out. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
I roll my shoulders and flip my long black hair over my shoulder, and hit my drumsticks together as I walk out onto the stage. The crowd goes insane as the lights follow me to my drum set. I grin and take a seat, hitting the drums a few times to get the crowd really going. Ryan and the others come out next, screaming into the mic. The crowd goes crazy then. We’ve lived this high for twenty-five years. Twenty-five of the best fucking years of my life.
The show goes on just like always, and the crowd loves every second of it. I twirl my sticks between my fingers before taking a bow and heading off stage. After two and half hours of playing, my arms ache but in a good way and sweat trickles down my temples. I reach up and wipe the sweat onto the t-shirt I took off sometime during the show.
“That drum solo really pulled it all together, Tash.”
“It was pretty fucking good,” I answer Mitch.
“Just like always,” Ryan says, holding his fist out for the rest of us to bump. It’s something we’ve always done before walking back to the dressing rooms.
“Next show is outdoors,” Carl reminds us. I nod my head, loving when we play out in the open. There’s just something different about it.
“We have a situation.” We all turn to look at Ron, our manager.
“What is it?” I ask first.
“The photographer just quit on us.”
“What the fuck? Why?”
“Apparently, he’s asked you repeatedly to stop with the paint on the drum set during your solo. You’re staining his camera.” I roll my eyes and smirk at Ron. I use washable paint, which splatters every time I hit the snare drums. It’s fucking amazing, and the crowd loves it.
“Fuck him. It’s fucking washable, man.” I shove my drumsticks into my back pocket as I grab a bottle of water and take a long pull.
“Well, he’s had enough. He quit.”
“We don’t fucking need him anyway. He’s a damn crybaby who is afraid to do any aerial shots. I couldn’t get his ass off the ground,” Ryan tells him. It’s true. We wanted new shots, and he wasn’t willing to do them.
“He wouldn’t?” Ron asks, looking between the four of us as we shake our heads.
“No. He wouldn’t. Besides, I’ve been trying to get the asshole to quit so we could bring Sidnee on board. She’s been asking,” Ryan replies, talking about his daughter.
“No shit?” Mitch asks as Ryan nods.
“She’s been asking about it. Just finished her classes, and she’s pretty goddamn good at it too. The best bit? She isn’t afraid of heights,” he says, making us all chuckle.
“Then she’s in,” I add.
“Yeah, bring her in,” Carl agrees. I don’t know how that’s going to work with a gorgeous twenty-year-old girl on tour with us. We do a lot of crazy shit with a lot of shady people. Ryan will lose his shit if anyone comes near Sidnee, and I can’t say I’d be far behind him. I’ve known her since she was born. I’ve watched her grow from a little girl into a beautiful, smart woman. Yeah, I don’t think this is going to work.
“You sure about this?” I ask, looking over at Ryan.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“She’s twenty. We’re a bunch of rock n roll assholes. We fuck half the city in a night, and you think guys aren’t going to notice her?”
“He’s got a point,” Carl adds while he unscrews the cap of his Jack.
“You think I can’t watch my daughter? That what this is?” Ryan asks, looking between us.
“No one said that. You have your shit going on, and it’s going to be hard trying to keep track of her too.”
“Sidnee is almost twenty-one. She can hang at the parties and bars with us,” he adds.
“You’re going to let that fly? Your little girl hanging out with a bunch of filthy fuckers like us?” I chuckle.
“She isn’t fucking any of us, so that makes it a little easier on me,” Ryan laughs.
“Got that right.” Carl chimes in.
This is going to be a complete mess. There’s no way in hell we’re going to be able to party and hang out the way we used to with her around. I can feel it already. Something bad is going to happen, which will change us forever.
2
Sidnee
“I know, Mom, but it will be the best opportunity for me,” I argue. From the moment my dad called and offered me the position of band photographer, she has been freaking out.
“It’s a lot of work, and you did just finish your classes, Sid. That’s all I’m saying. Life on the road isn’t what you think it is,” she tells me for the hundredth time. I’ve heard this speech over and over, more times than I care to admit. Since I was little, mom has tried to turn me away from the music industry. Always using her and dad as an example of all the wrongs that can happen. Their marriage failed because my dad was on the road so much, and I understand that. It was hard for me to maintain a relationship with him too, but we made it work.
“I know that, Mom. I think I can handle it,” I tell her once more.
“Do you? There’s the drinking, drugs, girls. I don’t think you understand what it’s like, Sidnee. I’m just trying to protect you here.” I know what she’s doing, and I appreciate it. That doesn’t mean I’m going to put my life on hold.
“I get it, mom, but this is something I’ve always wanted to do. I can go on the road and still take pictures. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”
“You want to know why? It’s because I’m your mother. You and I have a good relationship, Sid, and seeing your dad out there with all those other girls is going to be hard for you.”
“I know it is, but I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle it. If it gets too much, I can leave,” I try reasoning with her. My dad made it clear on the phone that this is only an audition. They will make a decision after the first couple of months to decide if I get to stay or not. “Besides, they might not even like my work.”
“That’s laughable, Sid. You may just be starting, but you’re one of the best photographers I’ve ever seen.”
“Are you saying that because you’re my mom?” I smile at her. God, I love this woman.
“I’m saying it because it’s true. I’ve never seen anything like what you can do, Sid. It’s unique, and I’m sure your dad is going to love it. “ I nod my head and shove off the stool, walking around the island before pulling her into a hug. She hugs me back tighter.
“I just worry, is all,” she whispers in my ear.
“I know you do, but I’m going to be fine. All of this is going to be fine. Now I need to call Bryce and let him know I got a job!” I squeal as I pull away from her. She laughs as I dash up the stairs and grab my phone, calling my best friend, Bryce.
The phone rings three times before
“What the hell is that about?”
“Guess who is going on tour with In The Wind?”
“No way! You got it?” he asks.
“I got it. Dad called me and said if I wanted the spot, it was mine,” I tell him excitedly.
“Damn, baby. I’m proud of you,” he says. Not only is Bryce my best friend, but he’s more than that. I can’t explain our relationship because most days, it doesn’t even make sense to me.
“Thank you. I leave in a week. I’m flying out to Florida to meet up with my dad.”
“A week? That doesn’t give you much time to get yourself together. It doesn’t give us much time either,” he says, sounding a little saddened by that. I get it, I do, but this is exciting for me. This is something I’ve dreamt about for as long as I could lift a camera and peer through the lens. Photographing one of the hottest rock bands out there has always been my dream, and this is my foot in the door. Once the other bands see what I can do, they may be interested as well.
“Are you not happy for me?”
“I am, Sid. It’s just so fast, is all.” I drop onto my bed, my head hitting the fluffy pillow as I blow out a breath.
“I know, and I’m going to miss you so much, but this is it. This is my big break, Bryce.”
“What if you can’t handle life on the road? What if it gets to be too much? Promise me you’ll tell me.” The begging tone in his voice soothes me. I know he worries about me being out there on my own, but I won’t be. My dad is there, and I want to spend as much time with him as I can.
“I promise. If I can’t handle it, I will tell you, but Bryce, I get to be with my dad. That’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time now.”
“I know you have. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” My heart swells knowing how he feels. I know he only wants what’s best for me, but I think this is it. This is going to be what’s best for me. I get to live my dream beside my dad.
“I won’t get hurt. I promise. Now I need to figure out what I’m taking and which camera. Maybe I’ll take both,” I tell him as I lay back and let the euphoria wash over me. It’s been a long hard couple of years. Years I’ve spent studying, working, and practicing. Maybe now all of that is going to pay off for me. Maybe all my dreams are going to come true.
3
Tash
My eyes travel the length of her body from the curves of her ass to the hips I want to grab. I can only imagine how that girl would look bent over the end of the bed begging for me to take her harder. I shake the thoughts away as I glance around, looking for Sidnee. It’s been a few years since I’ve actually seen her, but I’d know her face anywhere. I’m knocked breathless when the girl with the nice ass turns around, and I see a familiar face.
“Tash!” Sidnee screams before she comes barreling toward me. She slams into me, wrapping her arms around my neck, her chest pressed against mine. A chest I don’t remember her having. I’m internally cursing myself for checking her out now.
“Goddamn, Sid. It’s good to see you,” I tell her when she pulls back, a huge smile on her perfect face.
“You too. It’s been so long. I can’t believe you guys agreed to this,” she says, sounding excited. Now I’m not so sure it was the best idea.
“We only wanted the best,” I reassure her as I reach for her bags. “Your dad is getting the hotel all set up. There was a mix up with the rooms or some shit.”
“I can crash on one of your couches. It’s really not that big of a deal,” she offers as I begin to walk. Sidnee walks next to me, all eyes on her. She isn’t even aware of how fucking good she looks, and I’m all too aware I shouldn’t be thinking like that. This girl might as well be my niece. I was there when she was born. Shaking my head, I opt to change subjects.
“How was your flight?”
“It was good. I got stuck next to some stuffy-ass suit who wanted to talk about portfolios the whole way here. He asked me for my number when we were disembarking. I almost threw up in my mouth,” she giggles, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. My cock responds, and it’s at this moment I realize everything is going to be fucked up having her around. I need to be strong and control myself.
“I hate those kinds of people. Your dad is excited to have you here,” I tell her just as the lights begin to flash in front of my eyes. Paparazzi is ridiculous, but it’s all part of the life. Sid smiles as I press my hand to her back, leading her through the crowd of people to the waiting limo. I toss the bags to the driver, and he takes care of them as I usher her into the car. Once inside, I release a breath and run my hand through my hair.
“Is it always like this? I don’t remember them being so vulture-like,” she laughs as she fixes her hair.
“It’s worse than before. I swear you can’t take a piss without someone taking a picture,” I reply.
“Does it bother you?”
“At times. Others I love it. The high you get from knowing they’re all here for you. It just does something to me.”
“That’s amazing. I’m so excited to get to photograph you guys,” she tells me. I don’t know if she will still think that after she’s around us. We might be a little older than most in the industry, but that doesn’t slow us down. We’re still wild and unhinged at times.
“You think you can handle us?”
“I think I got it,” she smiles. “How is everyone? It feels like forever since I’ve seen you guys.”
“Everyone’s good. Carl’s still a douche, and your dad is still your dad. Mitch is still as out there as ever, but he’s calmed down a little.”
“And you? Have you found a woman yet?” I know she’s only messing with me, but it hurts. I thought I had found love once, but it was a lie. She wanted the fucking fame just like the rest of them do. A night with the rock star, none of it was real. I crack my neck from side to side when her smile fades. “I didn’t mean to push you. Sorry.”
“Just not something I like talking about.”
“I get it. I won’t ask again,” Sidnee says softly.
“I don’t mind answering questions, Sid. Just not about her.” She nods her head, and that’s all I need.
“What about you? You got someone you’re interested in?” she smiles, and her cheeks turn pink, reminding me how young she truly is.
“We’re not really together together.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I chuckle.
“It means he wants more than I’m offering. I’m not ready to quit the dating scene just yet. I like having fun and being me. Even though Bryce is my best friend, it feels like he’s suffocating me at times. Does that even make sense?” she looks up at me, and I can’t help but notice how perfect she is.
“Makes perfect sense. You’re young, Sid. You need to see the world, meet new people. I can tell you that’s been one of the highs of all this,” I admit to her.
“Fucking half the world?” Sid throws her head back, laughing, and I can’t help but laugh along with her. She doesn’t know everything we do, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.
“You think that’s what I do?”
“I know you all do it, and I’m okay knowing that.”
“You’re a smart girl, Sid.”
“Clearly, or I wouldn’t be here. Do you want to see some of my work?” I shake my head, and she almost looks sad.
“You think I don’t follow your work? I’ve seen it. It’s amazing.”
“You follow my work?” She asks, scrunching up her nose. Fuck, this girl is killing me.
“Yeah. We all do. You think we’d just jump on board without knowing what we were getting into?” I ask her. Sid shrugs and shakes her head.
“You’re right. I’m glad you like it, Tash.”
