James’ POV

It was so hard to believe that we made it to the Rock on the Range, I mean, wasn’t this what we always dreamed about?! This was it, we made it to one of the fucking biggest festivals here, and I couldn’t wait to fucking play it.

I drummed with my stick on the table in the bus, till Sam took them away from me annoyed. “Dude, can you fucking do something silently?” He asked throwing the stick into the backroom for me to probably never find them again.

“And why are you having that shit eating grin on your face the entire time?” Sam groaned, he was probably pissed because he was having trouble with his lady, while I had just received a call from my girl early this morning, which was the reason for my good mood.

“Well, Jessica-” I started but a pillow was thrown at my head form behind “Shut the fuck up, we don’t wanna hear your sappy love story, you bloody idiot” Cam yelled from the other bunk and the pillow bounced of the back of my head to the floor.

“Where are Ben and Worsnop?” I asked changing the topic, knowing, these assholes wouldn’t appreciate my good mood any longer.

“No idea, isn’t Danny sleeping in the back? Ben went out looking for our dressing room, I think. I guess Danny wants him to check if everything is right for his sensible mind and body, to accustom every one of his needs, you know how crazy he is lately.” Sam shrugged falling down beside me.

“That is so weird, I think the fame is getting to his head” I chuckled knowing Danny had never been really right in the head in the first place. “I’ll check on Ben, see if he needs any help” I pushed myself up and turned around to Sam a final time “Has any of you guys seen my phone?” I asked but Sam was already typing on his phone so I knew I probably wouldn’t get an answer from him soon.

I would find it later, couldn’t take it with me to the show later on anyway. I climbed down the bus stairs and walked into the direction of the festival building. I had no idea where our dressing room would be, but couldn’t be that hard to find right?

Just when I was about to enter the building I heard some yelling over to my left and decided Ben would probably be okay for a couple of minutes longer and I could check out the area for a moment.
About 30 minutes later I walked back to the main building when a guy walked up to me “Hey, aren’t you James?” He asked looking me up and down. I hadn’t seen the guy before, and frowned.

“Who wants to know that?” I asked and he smiled “I’m on the crew and just had a talk with your singer. He said he ordered food and needs you to pick it up. Everything else is arranged, and he didn’t want me to get it, he said he only trusts his bandmates or something like that.” He shrugged and I sighed “Really? That guy is un-fucking-believable!”

Was that really what Danny was thinking? Sending us fucking around town to get shit for him, or he wouldn’t go on stage? Not that he hadn’t tried and done that before but, man this was a huge fucking festival and I wouldn’t let him ruin this experience for us.

“Where do I need to pick it up?” I sighed and the guy with the familiar looking brown eyes handed me a note with an address, time and restaurant name and a number on it.

La Lune - Restaurant 12:30 pick up
555-515183

“Over there is a car waiting for you, it will pick you up as well if you need it.” The guy said and I nodded. Wonderful, just what I had planned with my day, driving around freaking town to get Danny’s fucking food.
I walked over to the car and opened the door “You driving me to the La Lune?” I asked and the driver nodded.

I climbed in and let myself fall onto the backseat with a loud sigh “How long will the drive take?” I asked the driver who seemed to not be very talk active.

“About 30 minutes depending on traffic” He answered shortly and my eyes widened “What? Dude, put the pedal down, I cannot be away for more than an hour…” Or even longer if I also had to wait for the food or some shit, I hoped for Danny’s sake he ordered food for all of us and not just himself. That selfish prick.
Goddamn, I didn’t even have my phone to play around with. Could this day start any worse?

When I had finally arrived at the restaurant round about 35 minutes later, I looked up and saw the fancy sign, the heavy curtains and decorative windows. Holy shit, what the hell had gotten into Worsnop?!

I wasn’t feeling too well walking in this restaurant, with my ripped jeans and muscle shirt, but honestly they could be lucky I was wearing a shirt right now because, being a drummer meant being constantly shirtless in the normal day.

I shrugged and walked in anyway, let’s get this over with, and just when I opened the door, I heard the car start behind me and drive off. Oh fuck, was he kidding me, I told him to fucking wait! Bloody hell!

At least I had his number could let the reception call him in case. At least something…

I let the door fall shut behind me and stood in the classy restaurant feeling more out of place than ever. I looked around when a young woman came rushing towards me.

“Sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Your desk is ready, please follow me” She said and was about to take my hand and lead me forward.

I shook my head “No, you must be mistaken” She smiled at me and shook her head “I don’t think so. Mr. Cassells’ right?” She walked forward, almost dragging me behind.

“I-I- yes.. but-” What the hell was going on here? We stood at the reception area and the waitress almost sighed “Mr. Cassells, your date is waiting. Please follow me, everything here will meet your expectations, don’t worry.” She said and I frowned, what expectations, what was she talking about?!

“No, you don’t understand,” I tried again “I’m here to pick up a to-go order. I don’t have reservations and I sure as hell don’t have time to sit down. There must be some kind of mistake!”

“James?” A familiar, yet a voice I haven’t heard in quite a while sounded beside me. My heart still did a little jump and I turned around, maybe I was mistaken.

“Ave?!” I said seeing her beautiful face, what the hell was she doing here?! Was she having dinner with her fiancé? Shit, I should get the hell out of here, asap.

“What are you doing here?” Ave asked the same question that was swirling around in my mind, she was looking perplexed and then took the final step to me. I couldn’t help it but pull her into a big hug, lifting her small frame of her feet. She held on to me and chuckled with joy. “Set me down, James!” She giggled and I had to smile too, damn I missed her.

“I’m supposed to pick up food for Danny-” I started to say when another waiter came walking over to us “Sir, Madame, could you please give the reception free. You may continue your talk in the back room, we will be there within a second and the three course meal will start” With that Ave and I were pushed into a romantic set up back room and then pushed down on a chair, with lit candles between us while we were sitting opposite of each other.

“What is going on? Why are-” I was about to ask when the waiter with the first meal arrived. Putting the plates before us and holding up two wine bottles, before I could even pinpoint one he was already pouring my glass to half.

He left us alone, the door closing behind him. “Wow… I mean… I didn’t expect seeing you here, but it’s so good to see you” I said and looked at Ave closely. She was as beautiful as ever, even more so if I was honest.

"I didn’t expect you either, I was just about to ask someone to call Maya or Brian... and then I heard your voice..." Ave explained and I nodded "Yeah, it was weird they knew my name and told me to go back here, but I didn’t even do any reservation, I was send here by some guy picking up food for Danny..." I frowned, was this Danny’s making? Was he fucking with me? Did he know Ave was here? But ... no how could he, or?!

"Why are you here?" I frowned and looked at my dishes, damn it smelled amazing. "I was given a note from Brian... that he was supposed to meet me here after sound check, but that was long gone... I don’t know, he is not showing up, and I didn’t have my phone with me..." Ave patted her pockets and looked down on her plates too "It seems great" She almost moaned and I couldn’t help but watch the expression on her face.

"He didn’t show... are you guys.. you know, in trouble or something?" I couldn’t help but let the question slip out. Ave widened her eyes "No, no everything is fine really... I don’t know why he isn’t coming..." She looked helpless.

"Is everything okay here? I mean, doesn’t you like the food? Something wrong?" The waitress from earlier approached looking confused and helpless, I quickly shook my head in denial.
"No no, the food smells delicious.. the thing just is, we didn’t order this, and I am completely wrong here, I was supposed to-"

"Excuse me, Sir. But this is right, don’t worry. Please enjoy your food." She interrupted me again and I wanted to give up already, when another idea struck me "Sorry, Ms. could you do a call for me? I don’t have my phone with me, that would be great" I stood up and handed her the note with the drivers number on it.

"Would you please call and tell him to be here as soon as possible, because I have a show to play, I cannot be late" I begged and she nodded "Of course." With that she went away and I looked back at Avery with asmile, still not believing she was really here and we had some time to talk apparently, so I grinned and asked,

"You want a ride?!"

Maya’s POV

I had been so excited to meet Matt after the sound check, and was eager to have a couple of minutes for us, before they would head on stage, and then… what happened… I was stuck in a utility room with my ex.

How the hell could this have happened?! I mean… something was definitely wrong here. Was it Ben’s making to have another talk with me alone? But then, why wouldn’t he just send me a message that he wanted to talk, was he afraid I would brush him off? I thought we were long over all of this?!

Hadn’t he told me just a couple of months ago, that he was fine with us being friends, and that there wasn’t anything to worry about anymore? Didn’t he say something like Ben Bruce is back to his ‘before Maya phase’.

Probably some drunk texting from him, but still… I had hoped we could be real friends without his dick moves. But apparently I was wrong.
And wasn’t he pissing me off, I was missing my date with Matt. And we really needed this time together, I didn’t want to upset him, just when we were fine again. I needed Matt right now, and was sad that this was now in our way.

“Why don’t you just call your prick in shining armor to come open the door,” Ben grumbled, I widened my eyes. Shit, first time Ben had a good idea since we were locked in here together.

I looked at Ben before patting down my pockets and cursing. “It must still be on the bus…” I grumbled and then looked at Ben, why wasn’t he doing anything. “Why don’t you call one of the guys?”

“I would have done that already but my phone’s dead,” Ben explained, I let out an exasperated sigh, this was just my luck. Lately everything seemed to be more complicated and fucked up. What the hell was going on, that everything went wrong lately?!

“What? It’s not my bloody fault we got locked in here together, okay? I went where I was told… and some bloody dressing room this is….” Ben shrugged and I frowned, something was really wrong about this whole story.
“It’s more like a storage closet,” I nodded in agreement before sitting down on the floor. I was sweating, my top was clinging to my body, and I whisked some of the sweat from my forehead “Or a boiler room… damn…”

“Someone will come looking for me soon, we shouldn’t be here too long,” Ben said and I didn’t know if he just wanted to make me feel better, or if he really believed his words. This was the worst situation possible. If Matt was finding us here together, he would probably think the worst. I had to get out of here, and quickly.

No one would ever believe that this was a mistake, even I couldn’t believe what was happening here right now. Why Ben and I? What the hell was this about?!
Someone had to go walking around this area, right? Someone had to go looking for any of us, this couldn’t take much longer, Ben was right. Someone will be searching for him soon…

I laid down before the door and tried to look through the small crack, when I saw a shadow walking past or even just thought about hearing some footsteps I yelled for help, but instead of more sweating it didn’t lead to anything.

“This isn’t working!” I groaned after a while, leaning back against the door. “There has to be some way to get out of here!” I was slowly losing my nerves, this was just too fucked up.

“Maybe there are some tools in one of these boxes?” Ben suggested, standing up and pulling off his t-shirt. I looked at Ben, as he began undressing and blinked a couple of times.

“What are you doing?” I asked, watching him as I pulled off his belt. Was he crazy undressing like that? Even though I had to admit, it was just too damn hot in here. I was melting, my hair sticking to my neck.

“What does it look like? It’s hot as hell I here!” He said, pulling down his jeans and kicking them away. He seemed satisfied after the removal and I saw his smirk “You can take off some clothes too, it’s not like I haven’t seen it all already,” which earned him a smack in the arm. “Now help me go through these boxes.”

Instead of getting undressed as Ben suggested, I rolled my top up and put a knot at the end revealing my belly, but nothing more. My cleavage was showing but nothing more than normal, and I couldn’t do much with the shorts I had on.

I pulled my hair up in a ponytail with the band around my wrist, and hoped that would at least give me a little better feeling against the warmth.

“Isn’t here somewhere a heating that we can regulate?” I looked around while, Ben took one of the boxes down and opened them up.

“I think all the rooms are regulated from the main room” Ben looked up from the box and I groaned. “Who would put the heating up like this? It’s even outside so hot already, they should put on the ac and nothing else.” I complained meeting Ben’s grin. “I cannot say I don’t like the view”

“Stop the stupid comments, Ben” Even though I had to chuckle, that was totally him. “Come on, love. Tell me you didn’t miss that… You liar” He shot back another smile on his face, and I was honestly glad to see him joking and happy again.

“Not really… but for your sake I will say it was different” I shoved his side and he chuckled “You were always a bad liar” He pulled on my arm and motioned to the second box he set down on the floor. “Let’s have a look so we can get out of here.”

I opened the top lit and searched inside, but sadly I only found stuff to clean and nothing useful. “You found anything?” I asked hopeful but Ben kicked the box away in answer. “No just bloody bullshit.”

I squeezed myself past Ben and the shelves and found some water bottles, and I just realized how thirsty I was. I grabbed one bottle and opened it, I quickly held it up and took a long drag.

Some of the water running past my mouth and onto my chin and chest, I couldn’t get enough in at once.

“Oh thank god. Give me one” Ben held his hand open and I handed him my bottles and grabbed the next one. I heard Ben taking some big gulps and then setting the bottle aside. “At least something useful”

We rummaged through all the boxes, we found a screwdriver and hammer, we tried using it both on the door, on the walls, but no one heard us and neither did it help us open the door, even though Ben did some damage on it, it still wouldn’t budge.

We finally sat down exhausted and I leaned against the staples of Boxes and Ben’s side. “They will be coming soon, don’t worry.” Ben tried to sooth me and I nodded “Sure… I guess” All my energy was gone.

We were silent for quite a while; the heat was getting more and more to me. I felt like I could barely move anything before sweating to death. I grabbed the last water bottle and took a small drink before handing it to Ben. He had found some blankets for us to sit on, instead of the hard floor.

“Hey M” Ben turned a little and I looked up to him “Yeah?” He opened his mouth then closed it again. “I meant what I wrote you couple of weeks ago. I want to be friends… You know, I know this sappy talk isn’t really my thing, but… I wanted you to know that you will always be special in my eyes, and always have a place in my heart, and if that Sanders dude, will fuck up, you know where to find me right?” That was Ben’s way of saying things I guess.

I touched his cheek and then placed a small kiss there “Thank you, Ben. I appreciate it.” I settled back against his side “I’m sorry for the way it went, though. I mean I don’t regret our time, it felt right then, but…” I trailed off, I wasn’t good at this talk either. “You know?” I asked hopeful and Ben chuckled “I know, we both aren’t good at this shit, huh?” I nodded, “But still we understand”

“Ben?” I asked uncertain and Ben turned to his side “I-I.. want you to know that I didn’t leave you just because for the fun of it… I know you probably don’t wanna hear, but… you gotta promise me not to tell anyone, okay?” I asked and breathed deeply in and out Ben narrowed his eyes “Don’t tell me your pregnant, M” Ben groaned and I rolled my eyes, “No, you ass.” I shoved his side again and he chuckled. “I promise”

“I’m gonna ask Matt to marry me soon. He doesn’t know anything about it” I admitted and felt excited all over again. Ben gaped, stayed silent, then his mouth opened and closed “I fucking… wow… marrying… Well… if he doesn’t say yes, you know where to- ouch! I’m kidding, I wish you the best, I guess.” Ben hugged me, when suddenly commotion sounded outside and the doorknob turned. Ben and I let go, just as the door burst open and a guy with a RaR crew shirt stood there, together with a panicked looking Matt.

His eyes narrowed down on me and then moved over to Ben “I’ll fucking kill you, you god damn bastard!” Matt yelled, rushing forward.

I quickly got up and Ben scrambled to his feet as well, “You dared to try this shit again, you-” Matt raged on and I quickly met him halfway “Hey! Big guy! Hey stop it! It’s not what you think!” I put my hands on his chest, but Matt’s tolerance was nonexistent. He gently but still pushed me away from him. “I’ll talk to you later” He marched forward and grabbed Ben by the shoulders pushing him against the wall.

“Dude, nothing happened!” Ben got out before Matt pushed the air out of his lungs, slamming him against the wall.
I quickly moved up to them, grabbing Matt’s arms and trying to push him away, we didn’t need another fight of these two, especially with the press all around here.

“Maya, I told you to step aside.” Matt growled and the Crew member and another one entered the room pulling Matt and Ben apart from each other “No fighting… and you are up for the show. Your roadie is here, they are waiting for you…” One guy said and Matt looked from me to Ben and back.

“It’s not as it seems like, Matt. We were shut in here together, I was told to wait here for you, and someone else shut Ben in. A crew member gave him the wrong room.” I tried to quickly explain but Matt wasn’t even really listening to me.

“I’ll get you, Bruce. And god be with you, you will suffer… and you-” Matt pointed at me and then shook his head “I thought we talked this all through, I thought… fuck! Fuck this!” With that Matt was accompanied off by the crew member, slamming his fist into the wall before exiting the room while Ben was tugging his clothes back on.

“What the hell did just happen here?” Ben asked and we both looked at the retreating form, and I saw my world crumbling down, yet again.

Brian’s POV

Ave didn’t want to attend the sound check, so I told her to wait together with Maya in our dressing room.

Even though I really wanted her to be with me, and watch me, I mean… we all knew what this was doing to her, and I couldn’t wait to have her in my arms again, sadly only after the show. But then I would make sure that she and I wouldn’t leave the fucking bus or room, wherever we landed before her and I were sated and we would leave this place, because I wouldn’t risk Ave running into James or any other guy.

I know I can trust her and I know, we would marry only in a couple of weeks, but damn it if I would let her out of my sight, especially on a place like this with people like these.

“Gates? You even listening? Burn it down, from beginning” I heard someone speak into my in-ears. I nodded and cracked my neck, I really wasn’t with the right mind here. I should be fucking paying attention.

Ave was fine, she was waiting for me in the dressing room, together with Maya, I had nothing to worry about and could fully concentrate on my music.

I shut every other thought out and tried to just let the music flow into my fingers, I let my eyes closed just as I did during the show, and enjoyed to do what I loved, playing the songs I wrote with my brothers, staying on a stage and doing what I was made for.

“Alright guys, and another one.. then we should be done” MB’s voice sounded and I opened my eyes again.

“Daydreaming of the little gnome?” Matt’s amused voice sounded and I chuckled. “Maybe a little” I grinned and Matt laid his hand around my shoulder laughing “I know, I cannot wait to see Maya. I need to shut us into the back room of the bus, and won’t let her out till we play our show, I want her standing there-” Matt pointed to the side of the stage, where MB was standing now, “-And then I will drop the mic, head over there and carry her off as soon as we are done, and won’t come out till we fucking leave again, that is my fucking plan, how about you?” He grinned and I nodded. “About the same… I told Ave to wait in the dressing room, I bet the girls are already back to the planning of the last wedding details… and when we head in there, there will be no planning anymore.” I chuckled and Matt clapped my shoulder “Back room is mine, Haner”

I flipped him off “Fuck you, no way” But Matt walked away, and Jimmy started playing the last song ‘A little piece of heaven’ the great closure for our show, especially this one, we had a set of about 8 songs including the encore and we would pull out a great show that much was sure.

When the sound check was done, we helped the guys to pack away our stuff and store our guitars and equipment away to make place for the next band. We were up early on the main stage, and didn’t have much time during sound check and the actual show.

“Alright, everything set, we will see you guys back here in an 1,5 hour. It’s a tight schedule but we are happy you guys filled in the place” A crew member announced and I saw behind the stage Trevor running around a phone at his ear.

I walked past him and heard him say “I’m sorry, I’m not able to make it yet. A little more time, but don’t worry you and the lady will be back in time.” His voice sounded different and I frowned, when he saw me he hung up and smiled, the phone he pushed back into the pocket of his pants.

“Are you okay? You sound a little weird?” I asked and Trevor coughed a little “Nah, I’m good really… just a little scratchy in the throat, that’s all” He turned to leave and I frowned, okay, not that I really cared, but his behavior was sometimes just weird.

I turned and went back to the way where our dressing room was supposed to be. The door was only ajar and Matt stood in the doorway “Ave, come one we-” I started to say, but the room was empty beside Matt.

I frowned, where was Ave? “Was Ave here?” I questioned Matt who turned around to me, but was typing on his phone. “Not since I walked in, Maya wasn’t either… I told her to meet her here in our room as well, where the hell is she?” Matt grumbled and then held his phone to his ear.

I heard a beeping noise but no one picked up so Matt left a message “Babe, where the hell are you? We were supposed to meet in the dressing room? Call me back!”

I pulled my phone out and searched for Ave’s number “Maybe they decided to watch and just aren’t back” I suggested and Matt nodded “Yeah… maybe”

Voicemail on Ave’s phone, fucking hell, why did there women even have phones, when they never fucking used them, at least never when we really needed them to have them, I would fucking tape that stupid phone to her one of these days.

“Hey love, I’m waiting for you. Let me know where you are… We don’t have much time before the show… Bye” I hung up and Matt rolled his eyes “Those women will be the death of us.” I nodded “At least we die as happy men then.” Matt chuckled, that’s about right.

“I’ll head back to the venue, see if Maya is there, you looking in the bus?” Matt asked and I nodded “Send me a text if you find them…” Matt nodded and walked off “I will”

I went to the busses and checked every bunk, every back room, fuck I even walked around the other busses to see if they were there… but nothing. I looked down on my phone and saw, no message, no call… just as my phone beeped.

Matt: Nothing, you?

Me: Checked both busses, and even the parking lot – nothing.

Slowly I was getting worried that something might have happened to them, and this wasn’t just a small misunderstanding or something.

“Yo, Haner!? Hey… I found a note from Ave here” Trevor walked up to me and held the small piece of paper out to me.

I frowned “Where you found it?” I asked and Trevor shrugged “Was at the dressing room couch, maybe she thought you will find it there” I read the note.

Meet me at the La Lune.
Waiting for you there… I have to tell you something important!

A grin came over my face, fuck yes! I didn’t have much time a little over an hour left before the show would start, but hell I wouldn’t let this chance slip, she was waiting for me!

“There is a car waiting, if you need it” Trevor pointed to a black car and I nodded in thanks, perfect.

The drive took good 30 minutes and during the ride I quickly wrote Matt a message, hope he would find Maya as well.

Me: Ave left me a note, she is at a restaurant. You found M?

Matt: Nothing so far, I’m going fucking crazy! Ask Ave where she could be!

Me: I will

When I arrived at the restaurant I saw the fancy attire and the expensive looks, well hell, if I didn’t know better I would say Ave wants to make something official here, and I couldn’t wait to fucking see her. Hope she had the back room, I mean.. I only had a few minutes left to spare, but it sounded important!

“Sir, may I help you?” A waitress came walking over to me when I walked into the reception area and I smiled “Hey, yes… may fiancé must have a table here… Hmm.. Haner?” I tried, not sure if she used my name or not.

“Ah yes, please follow me.” She walked forward and I followed behind her leading me to the back room just as I had hoped for, the expectation and giddiness so high, I couldn’t wait to see Ave grab her and fucking-

“What the fuck is this? Are you fucking kidding me?!”

Notes

Took us a little longer,but finally here it is :)
A new chapter!!

Let us know what u think how this will continue :O