Black Lace

Prologue Reading about yourself on the internet might be a bad idea, masochistic even, but during the audition break, Jed has the urge to see what the latest gossip about him is, and he’s found an article that starts with a recap of Black Lace’s history—his history. Lead singer of Black Lace, Jed Chance, shocked the world when he confirmed that he is, in fact, gay. Rumors started when ex-Black Lace member Bert Goode sold his story about their affair while Jed was married to Jamie Pierce, manager for Black Lace. Jed winces because it hadn’t been that simple, and because Bert’s betrayal still hurts, even though it’s been nine years. Jed skips over the speculation of why he’d played it straight, marrying Jamie Pierce, his manager and now ex-wife. At the time, it seemed like the scandal would be the end of Black Lace, but two years after they went on ‘hiatus,’ the band returned with a new guitarist, and a new attitude. Mrs. Cherry Lee was a welcome addition to the band and a breath of fresh air. The once great rock band was back and better than ever, delivering some memorable music. But now Cherry Lee has retired to spend more time with her family, having given birth to three children during her seven-year stint with Black Lace. Cherry Lee and the rest of her band mates all claim to be parting on good terms. What this reporter wants to know is: what will happen to Black Lace now that Cherry Lee is gone. The band’s record company claims this isn’t the end of Black Lace, that there will be another tour soon and even a new album. Who will step into Cherry Lee’s shoes? And will Black Lace be the same? Better? Worse? Watch this space. Jed sighs. He’s worried about what will happen to the band without Cherry Lee. She’d joined the band when Jed was feeling pretty low, and she’d fit in perfectly. She’d allowed them to start again. Cherry Lee had given Jed back a band he loved. He’s now deathly afraid of losing it, but he’s not mad at Cherry Lee for leaving. But auditions aren’t going well. Some of the guitarists they’ve seen have played well enough, but none of them have clicked with the band, who are all lined up with Jed behind a table, like they’re judges on X-Factor or something. Benton and Drew are hunched over the list of names, crossing people out, making notes. Penny’s leaning back in her chair, eyes closed until Jamie brings over a bottle of water and hands it to her. Then Jamie comes toward him, concern on her face. “You look stressed.” Jamie says. One of the bonuses of hiring your now ex-wife as your manager: Jamie knows him better than anyone. She can read his face like a book. “I was reading something online,” Jed admits, putting his phone back into his jeans pocket. “Let me guess: more stupid speculation about Black Lace? God, I loathe reporters. It’ll be all right. Black Lace has been through worse than this.” Jed has never regretted marrying Jamie. He’s not sure if she feels the same, but she’s stood by him. He thinks it helps that even though he wasn’t always honest with her, he came out to her before his relationship with Bert started. The reporters call it an affair, but it wasn’t, not really. “I know, but I can’t help stressing anyway. I don’t want to lose my band, but it’s hard to find someone who’ll fit.” Jed sighs. They’ve been doing this for three days, and no one has been right. “Chin up, babe. You’ll find someone.” Jamie pats his shoulder and then takes her seat so they can get back to work. They go through a few more auditions before anyone really gets Jed’s attention. The info sheet says his name is Donnie Small and he’s twenty-six. That’s ten years younger than Jed, which makes him want to say no right away, because surely some kid won’t fit into their band. Then Jed sees him, and he sort of freezes, trying to keep his face blank. Donnie Small can’t be any taller than five-foot-seven, and he’s slight, almost delicate looking. He’s pretty, really pretty. He stands out, too. His hair falls all the way to his ass, and it’s dyed fire engine red, with a strip shaved out of the left side of his head. He has bright blue eyes, and Jed can see several piercings in each ear, a bar in his right eyebrow, and a ring in his left nostril. He’s wearing black jeans with the knees all torn to s**t, a studded belt, a Green Day T-shirt, and an open purple hoodie that kind of clashes with his hair, but doesn’t look bad. He’s holding a cherry red guitar. His hands look comfortable and strong. He’s also wearing a silver thumb ring. Jed has seen various levels of nerves over the past few days. Donnie doesn’t look like the most nervous person to audition, but he’s not the most confident either. “Donnie Small?” Jamie asks. “Yeah, that’s me. Hi.” Donnie waves a little hesitantly, his smile shy and frankly adorable. Jed scolds himself. Donnie isn’t a puppy. He’s a grown man, and Jed isn’t about to make a decision about his band using his d**k, not again. “So how did you hear about Black Lace?” Jed fires off the first set question. “The band or the audition? Because I’m pretty sure everyone’s heard about the band,” Donnie says calmly. “The audition,” Brenton says a little firmly. Jed looks at Brenton, their six-foot-five, shaved-head drummer with steel grey eyes. He’s thirty-three, with a tattoo of a purple orchid on his neck. So far, he’s intimidated quite a few of the people auditioning. Donnie doesn’t look intimidated. “I’ve been working as a session musician in a studio. They heard about the auditions and told me. I thought it was worth a shot, seeing as you only needed guitar and not vocals, since you have those covered.” Donnie adjusts the guitar strap on his shoulder. “And you thought you’d fit in with the gayest rock band to ever play?” Penny asks. She’s actually the only other gay member of the band, other than Jed, but the band are all accepting, more than Jed had ever imagined they’d be. “You can’t ask someone’s sexuality in an interview,” Jamie reminds them, rubbing her temples. “I don’t mind. I actually work for a LGBT charity for homeless teenagers,” Donnie says “What made you want to do that?” Penny asks. “I owed them. I want to be a musician full time, and they’re all encouraging me to do more. I’ve been in bands my whole life, but I think you can find time for charity work because it’s a more flexible job. And I figure if I make more money, I can do more to help people,” Donnie says, looking nervous now. “You owe them?” Drew raises an eyebrow. He’s not as intimidating as Brenton, but he’s pretty big: six foot tall, with spiky brown hair, but warm brown eyes. He and Brenton are both kind men, though, no matter what they look like. “They helped me when I was a teenager.” “You’re gay then?” Jamie asks, with a critical look on her face. “What happened to not asking?” Jed asks. She just shrugs. “Like I said, I don’t mind. I’m open about my sexuality. I’m bisexual, but I don’t think it’s important. I don’t think a person’s sexuality is the most interesting thing about them.” Donnie bites his lip, but Jed can tell he means every word. “I like him. I agree. Everyone makes a huge deal about the two of us being gay, speculation if the other members are really straight. It’s tiresome,” Penny says. “So he’s not an asshole, great,” Brent says. “Let’s hear you play, kid.” “Whenever you’re ready,” Jed adds a little more gently. “I was going to play something I wrote. Is that okay?” Donnie asks. “You write music?” Penny asks, and Donnie nods, looking a little shy. “Hearing something new will be cool. We’ve heard the same songs over and over,” Drew groans. Donnie starts playing after a few moments, looking nervous at first, but his hands are steady on the strings of his guitar. He plays well, almost simple at first, but the piece becomes more complicated, a real rock and roll piece of music, a true guitar solo. Jed is impressed. Donnie has true skill, and the longer he plays, the more he seems to get lost in the music, his head bobbing along slightly, his bright red hair swaying. It’s beautiful hair. Jed wonders if it’s soft, the way it looks, or brittle and dry, like some dyed hair gets. Jed shakes his head, because what does that even matter? It’s not like he’s ever going to touch Donnie’s hair. It’s not the first time he’s run across a pretty boy, and it won’t be the last, so there’s no reason to be acting like a fool over it. Jed is here to find someone who can play and fits with the band. Donnie’s song comes to an end, and he stands there waiting. “That was good. How long have you been playing?” Brenton asks. “Since I was eleven, so fifteen years,” Donnie answers. “And how long have you been writing music?” Drew asks. “Five years.” Donnie unplugs his guitar from the amp. “If you’ll go back to the waiting room, we’ll get back to you,” Penny says with a smile. They haven’t asked everyone to wait, but Jed thinks it’s a good idea. “Thank you.” Donnie gives another little nervous wave and leaves. “What do you think?” Jed asks the others. He thinks Donnie has great technical ability as well as passion. “I think he’s sweet. I mean, he’s just a baby, but he does charity work, and he writes his own music, which is really good. Plus, his hair is rad,” Penny grins. Brenton nods. “‘I’m impressed he writes his own music. And like Penny says, it’s done well.” “The hair is cool, and he’s talented. I think we should get him to play one of our songs,” Drew suggests. “Could we set something up so we can all play? I’d like to hear how he sounds with all of us,” Jed says thoughtfully. “I can do that. You guys call in a few more people while I do it,” Jamie says, getting up from her seat. She doesn’t say what she thinks of Donnie, but she leaves creative decisions to the band. She’d only speak up if there was a real problem she could see with the person. They run through a bunch of other auditions, but none of them spark interest the way Donnie had. It’s a few hours later when Jamie moves them to another room with their instruments waiting. While they set up, Jamie sends someone to go get Donnie. In the time that has passed, Jed has been telling himself that Donnie isn’t as good looking as Jed has been picturing him in his head, but then Donnie walks back into the room with his guitar across his chest again, and Jed’s chest goes tight; he almost can’t breathe, and his d**k throbs a little. Jed fiddles with his microphone, looking away from Donnie. Jed likes the kid, from the little he’s seen. He plays well, he writes his own music, and he does charity work. But Jed’s unsure if he is, in fact, letting his d**k rule him. Donnie is stupidly attractive, but that won’t get him a place in the band. It’s not just because Jed won’t be the only one to make the choice, but because Jed would never, ever date a member of his own band again. So if anything, his attraction means he wouldn’t want Donnie in his band. If Donnie isn’t in the band, Jed could sleep with him. Jed takes a breath. The band comes first—certainly comes before his s*x life. If Donnie is right for the band, then he should be in the band, where he will become off-limits to Jed. Wandering over to Jamie, Jed looks around to make sure no one is paying attention to them. “So what do you think of him?” Jed asks. “Small, pretty, he’s totally your type. You want to f**k him,” Jamie says bluntly, but she keeps her voice down. “I’m not going to lie: he’s attractive. I’d have to be blind not to notice that. But he’s ten years younger than me. I’m not looking for a boy toy, and if he was in the band, I would never make a move on him. I want to know if you think he’d be good for Black Lace.” “I think he’s skilled. I contacted the studio he works for. They had good things to say about him. If he can keep up with you guys, then he’s good enough musically. Image wise? A hot bisexual guitarist—it works for you guys. And he’s younger. He might bring in new fans. I think he could work, but…” Jamie trails off. “But what?” Jed asks. “I’m worried about you. He’s really pretty, Jed.”‘ Her eyes flick briefly to Donnie, who’s setting up with the others. “I don’t pounce on every pretty boy I see. And after the mess with Bert? Do you really think I’d go there again with a band member?” Jed shakes his head. His heart hurts when he says Bert’s name, when he thinks about him. He wonders if it’ll ever stop hurting. “I know you wouldn’t risk it, honey. If you’re sure having him around wouldn’t bother you, then I say go for it. Have him in the band if he sounds good playing your song.” Jed goes back to his microphone while Jamie takes a seat facing them. They all get ready—Penny on the keyboard, Drew on bass guitar, and Brenton on drums. It feels weird to look to his right and see Donnie instead of Cherry Lee, but then, it had taken a fair while to get used to performing without Bert all those years ago. Brenton counts them in, and they start playing. Jed starts singing, one of their biggest hits, a song called Leather and Lace. Jed listens to every note being played around him as he sings, and it sounds perfect. The band sounds good. Jed loses himself in the music, feeding off his band mates. When he glances over, Donnie is rocking out, head banging along to the music. While Jed is watching him, Donnie looks up, and their eyes meet. Jed looks away quickly, trying to tell himself he didn’t feel a spark low down in his gut. Right in that moment, as the song comes to the end, Jed wants Donnie in the band, and he swears to himself that no matter what happens, he won’t do a thing to mess up Black Lace, not again. This band is his life. He almost lost it once. He’s not risking that again, not for something like a quick roll in the hay. “So do we have to go through more auditions, or can we just decided now? Because I know what I want,” Penny says brightly. “Should I leave and let you guys talk?” Donnie says. “Good idea. Just go get a drink outside. Pack up your guitar. We won’t keep you long, either way.” Jamie nods. Donnie unplugs his guitar and heads out of the room. He looks nervous now. “Should we vote on it?” Brenton suggests. “Sounds good to me.” Drew nods. “Okay, who wants to offer Donnie a chance in the band?” Jed asks. “All in favor raise your hand,” Penny says, already lifting her hand. Jed raises his hand, and watches as everyone around him does the same. “I’ll get started on his contract.” Jamie’s face is impossible to read. If she were pissed though, she would tell him. Jed’s sure of that. “Let’s go tell him,” Penny says happily, her long, honey blonde pigtails bouncing as she jumps a little. Jamie leaves to do the boring side of things: paperwork, contracts, telling the production company that they’ve found someone. She must have sent Donnie back in because he walks into the room with a guitar case and a bottle of water. “Can I tell him?” Penny asks. She’s clearly taken a liking to Donnie, but then Penny likes most people. She’s a lovely, kind, friendly woman. “Go ahead.” Jed nods. Her happiness is catching, and he finds himself smiling. They have a new band member. Black Lace can get back to performing, working on their next album. “We’d like you to join the band!” Penny grins. “Really?” Donnie seems surprised. “You play really well. We’d be brainless not to give you a shot.” Drew nods. “Wow, thank you. This is…Just wow.” Donnie smiles. “You are old enough to sign the contract, right?” Brenton winks. Donnie laughs. “Dude, I’m twenty-six.” “Still the baby here, I’m afraid. Come on, we’re taking you for a drink.” Penny insists brightly, linking her arm through Donnie’s. Jed just laughs. There’s no point arguing with Penny when she gets insistent, so he grabs his things and heads for the door. “Welcome to the band,” Jed says when he reaches Donnie. “Thank you,” Donnie says, a little shyly, so Jed bumps his shoulder against Donnie’s, wanting to get Donnie to feel comfortable around them. Donnie smiles, and it’s like a punch in Jed’s gut, but he ignores it. He won’t be fooled again.