Page 51 of His Last Chase
“You and me both, my brother.”
Brother. Honestly, David was the closest I had to a sibling.
Shortly after the meeting, we arrived at the arena and filed off the buses. Jeremiah led us inside where the area team met us and took us to the dressing rooms.
“Embrace the Fear, you’re in here and Chaotic Abyss, you’re right next door.” The guy nodded andwalked away. Guess no further instructions were needed.
The appropriate bands and their significant others funneled into their respective rooms. Ely and Jordan went off to wherever the kitchens equipment was to prepare pre-concert meals for the bands. I didn’t see Rhone or David, so they likely went to help. Which left Seltzer, Jeremiah and me in the room.
I plopped down on a couch I probably should’ve black-lighted first. “Well, nothing wildly exciting here.” Slipping into stage Chase mode. How would I handle that once Daddy got here? Would he hate the performer version of me?
“So,” Seltzer began as he sat down beside me. “Tell me all about Casey. Isn’t he a teacher or something?”
“Professor at UNLV.” I rolled my eyes and made sure Seltzer saw. “Dude, you know all of this. He’s been around for like forever, and we’ve been dating for a while now.”
“True, true. Look, man, you’re a brother to me and brothers protect each other.” Seltzer clapped my shoulder. “Just want you to be happy.”
“I am. Happier than I’ve ever been if I’m being honest. Casey loves me for me and not what I can give him or for my name.” Something I’d kept in the back of my mind since we got signed but having not dated it’d stayed there. While Casey and I had onlybeen together a short while, I knew without a doubt he’d never take advantage of me or the perks that came along with my career.
“Love, huh?” Leave it to Selzter to grasp onto that one word.
“Yeah, love.” Felt great to admit it. Casey and I had kept ourselves in a bubble while I was home and outside of practice my band brothers and I hadn’t spent much time together because of it, which was fine because now we were glued to each other for months while on tour. “He’s coming on tour with us after his summer class ends.”
“Right on. Then I can see him in action and make sure he’s the right man for you.” Seltzer puffed up like he was suddenly in charge. Before I got a word in, David and Rhone came back.
“Seltzer, back off,” David warned as he walked in. “I’ve known Casey all my life. He’s a good man.”
“Hey, man, chill. Just looking out for a brother.” Seltzer meant well but he had a tendency to overstep.
“While I appreciate the concept and the thoughtfulness behind your gesture, this brother is more than fine.” Hopefully that would shut this potential shit show down.
Knock-knock. The door opened and in popped the head of a stage manager. “Soundcheck in ten.”
“Gentlemen,” my handclap echoed through the room. “Time to get our game on.”
Frontman Chase Prescott mode engaged.
Ha, I felt like a video game.
By the time we got back to the dressing room from soundcheck, Ely and Jordan had dinner set up for both bands. The guys from Chaotic joined us a few minutes later along with our wonderful chefs, though Ely and Jordan left as soon as they ate.
“Good evening, Omaha!” My voice echoed through the arena and was met with a mind-blowing amount of screams and whistles as we hit the stage. “Are you ready to rock?” I held a hand to my ear like I couldn’t hear them. “What the fuck was that? I said are you ready to rock?”
That got them fired up.
“Much better. We are Embrace the Fear, and we are here to blow your fucking minds!” That set them off as Rhone pounded out the opening beat and I screamed into the mic, “This. Is. ‘Beautiful Disaster!’” David and Seltzer joined in as I belted out the lyrics.
My resolve slowly decays
Dying a horrible death as I cave
I tried my best to leave
Only to be pulled back in
When I dream
You’re right there beside me