VICE

Chapter 31

The next day I was at soundcheck and sat on top of a few piled equipment cases as I chatted to a geeky tech guy. As soon as the sweet little guy started to bore me with technical jargon my eyes trailed over to the stage. I watched Duff concentrate on his riffs and then get annoyed when he got a note wrong. Axl would give him some shit for it and then they'd bicker like a married couple for a minute or two then they'd resume. Every soundcheck was the same. I looked over at Slash who swung his guitar over his shoulder so effortlessly and began to improvise with a riff that bellowed through the whole stadium. Some of the stage crew would Bob their heads along until he stopped. I smirked to myself as his hair bounced up and down as he walked back and forth. I smirked to myself but was interrupted

"Do you know what I mean?" The tech guy said and pushed up his glasses. I looked him and tried to remember what he said to me, I couldn't

"Yeah, I do. Haha..." I said and jumped down from where I was sitting and waved to him. "I'll see ya later, man."

As I started to walk towards the stage a hand grabbed my wrist and I spun around to see Gilby.

Shit

"Hey Ivy, how are ya?" He asked and fixed his guitar strap.

"Hey Gilby. I'm good. You?" I hope I didn't seem hesitant to talk to him.

"Yeah I'm fine. You look real good today." He said and eyed me in a sleazy way making me clear my throat. I could smell the alcohol off of him.

"Wow thanks, you're not looking too bad yourself." I forced a smile and went to turn away but he stopped me again. I stood up straight and out my hands on my hips

"What is it Gilby? I've got stuff to do and you're drunk." I stated and he looked at me, offended.

"What the fuck?" He staggered back a little. I looked over at Slash who noticed from afar.

"I don't have time for this right now. Come back to me when you wanna talk sober." I said and went to turn around but he put his hand on my shoulder and I turned around, angry this time and saw him staggering closer to me, his lips just centimeters away from mine.

"What the f-!" I stuttered and stepped back.

Suddenly a deafening screech was heard through the venue, making everyone jump a little. Gilby held his ears and Axl swore into the microphone. Everyone looked over at Slash who has his fingers on the guitar strings. He stopped and I heard him call out

"Sorry my finger slipped." He lied and I smirked at him. Axl shook his head and tightened his microphone stand. "Fucking moron" he muttered

"Ivy can you help me?" Slash shouted over and I looked Gilby in the eye.

"Yeah sure!" I strutted up beside Slash and I smiled weakly at him

"Thank you." I said under my breath so no one could hear. "Don't mention it." He answered me

"You've done This before, can you walk down there and see if the sound's ok?" I nodded in understanding and ran down to the middle of the stadium and gave him the thumbs up to start.

He and Matt gave me the start of Mr Brownstone and I gave the thumbs up whilst moving further back each time. I saw Gilby run his hands through his hair and join the guys onstage again, looking pretty annoyed. He looked out to me and then Axl spoke to him about something. He nodded and his attention was ripped from me.

"Ok that's it!" Slash said into the mic and I walked back to the side of the stage.

I skipped up the stairs and a tech guy took Slash's guitar from him. He turned to me and I folded my arms