Rock 01 - FRET Read Online Free PDF Page A

right?”
    “Yeah. After that we were always sold out.”
    “You weren’t before?”
    “No, not really. The band did well, don’t get me wrong, but now we’re packed instantly.”
    “Is there anyone on staff who makes you nervous?”
    I thought about that one. The only guy who made me uneasy was Paul’s right hand man, Stan. He always looked at me funny, like I was some reject.
    “I get weirded out around Stan. I think he’s homophobic.”
    “Stan Jackson. Paul’s assistant? What makes you think he’s a homophobe?”
    “Just the way he looks at me, like he’s praying for my soul.” I chuckled.
    “Has he ever said anything around you?”
    “No, but I’ve heard him on the phone talking about the ‘fag.’ I’m going to assume that’s me.”
    “What made you decide to come out?”
    “Are you kidding me?” I snorted. “After each and every show there’s some strung-out chick that wants to suck my dick or fuck me. I got tired of fucking just to save an image that didn’t even represent me.”
    Axel eyed me skeptically.
    “What?”
    “You’re nothing like I thought you’d be.”
    “Is that a good thing?”
    “I expected a spoiled rotten, full-of-himself guitarist.”
    “Yeah, well, Ransom and I have seen hard times and we’re really grounded, as are the rest of the guys. I love being able to buy a nice car and live in a mansion, but I don’t have either. I bought a Jeep because I always wanted one as a kid. And I own two houses. I sold the first one after the incident and then bought another one. Then I had one built special. Let’s say it’s a bit unconventional.”
    “Meaning?”
    “It has to be seen to be believed.”
    “I’ll take your word for it. In the file it says you all live in Arizona.”
    “Yep.”
    “Why stay there? You grew up there.”
    “Because it’s home, no matter what shit we went through. I love the heat and the rain.” Axel snorted and I lifted a brow. “What?”
    “I hate rain.”
    “Well this is ‘special rain’.” I lifted my fingers to indicate air quotes.
    “Yes, I’ve seen the special rain.”
    “Turn around, don’t drown.” I laughed softly.
    “Well, we’ll have plenty of time to talk on the plane tomorrow. You should get some rest.”
    I glanced at the clock and realized it was after one in the morning. We had another concert the following night in Vegas and then it was on to Glendale, Arizona. I couldn’t wait to get back home. I yawned and stretched out my arms.
    “Okay. 6 a.m. wake up call sound good?”
    “I’ll be awake at five.”
    “Ouch.” I got up from the chair. “Is that a military thing?”
    “It’s a survival thing.”
    “Goodnight, Mr. Survival.”
     
    I woke up covered in sweat. My hands were tingling and my body was shaking so hard the bed was moving. The door to the room flung open and a huge shadow blocked out the light from the living room.
    “Gareth?”
    “Yeah.” I rubbed my arms and closed my eyes, wishing my nightmare away.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah, just a nightmare.”
    “You have them a lot?”
    “I guess. Did I wake you up?”
    “The screaming did, yeah.”
    “I was screaming?”
    Axel sat on the edge of the bed and I pulled the sheet up around me.
    “Yes, you were screaming for someone to ‘watch out’.”
    I groaned and fell back against the pillows. In one way or another, I was still in that stupid car — could still hear the sound of glass breaking, metal tearing apart and screaming. I could still feel the blood soaking my shirt — the smell of it overpowered everything.
    “Gareth?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Are you okay now?”
    “I think so.”
    “Have you seen someone for it?”
    “For what?”
    “Your nightmares. If you don’t get a hold of that shit, it’ll fuck you all up.”
    “I take it you have firsthand knowledge?”
    “Yeah, I do. I wasn’t too proud to see a shrink. The shit I’ve seen would make you puke.”
    “I’ll take your word for it. What time is it?”
    “Time