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
"Hey..." He said.
"Hey." We both smiled.
"I haven't stopped thinking about...you know." He trailed and I raised my eyebrows
"Oh really? So I gave you a good impression?" I turned my attention out to the arena and he shifted his weight onto his other foot.
"Oh fuck yeah you did." He laughed and I looked at him.
"Well that was only a taster." I whispered and strutted past him brushing his shoulder as I did so.
I looked over at Duff who smiled at me but looked over at Slash suspiciously.
"Ok guys let's go!" Axl boomed into the mic and they all started playing again.
Ok, that was a risky move. I had to be more subtle next time.
After the show some of us headed out and some stayed in for the night. I had gone out and had a drink with Matt and Izzy then headed back to the hotel. My boots clicked on the marble floor and echoed through the lobby. I scratched my head as I walked by reception but had to do a double take. A man clad in leather was leaning over the desk deep in conversation with the man. I'd recognize him anywhere, I couldn't believe it.
"Tommy?!" I shouted and he turned around.
He beamed and ran up to me at full speed. I squealed in happiness and excitement as he twirled me around. Some snobby people looked over at us and growled
"Tommy What are you doing here?! I asked still smiling
He threw an arm across my shoulders and I walked with him to the elevator. "I thought I'd stop by and see my buddy. If that's alright with you?"
"Of course it is! I've been dying to have a night with you! I missed you so much!" I hugged him again and he chuckled. "But how did you know I was here?"
"I still had Duff as a contact in my house so I called him and told him I'd pay a visit but told him to keep it a secret. I wanted the element of surprise." I looked at him and shook my head, still unable to fathom that Tommy was here with me.
"I can't believe it. How long are you here for?"
"Only a day or two, when you guys leave I leave. But I can always come back." He shrugged and I nodded
"Yes! Oh I'm so happy!" I squeezed him again and the elevator door opened to a vast hall.
"So how's things, man? I'm glad you and Duff have made amends."
"Yeah it's good, really good. I'm happy I decided to come. I missed everyone so much.." I looked out in front of me and Tommy was silent.
I glanced at him and he had his lips pursed and eyebrows raised. "I see whatcha mean." Was all he said
"Huh?"
"I bet you missed everyone so much. Didn't you have a thing with Slash or some shit?"
I punched his arm and he laughed like a schoolboy. "Oh my god shut up. Yes, but that's all over now." Lies.
"God, I remember that. He was always do doe-eyed with you. He looked at you like fuckin Disney, man." He said and fluttered his eyelashes and I burst out laughing
"Stop!" I looked away and he stopped dead
"Oh shit, a-are you blushing?" He pointed at me and I hid my face
'No I'm n-"
"You fucking are! Oh shit, dude! Your face is like a tomato! Awww cute" he teased and I whined
"Ok ok! Maybe it's not completely over..." I started and he gasped
"Don't tell me you guys fucked."
"No! Well- not yet. We did have a moment though. In a bathroom stall. It was just a kiss but it got pretty heated. If I hadn't stopped myself it would have went further."
"Aw man, I bet. God, I'm just thinking; if he liked you then and likes you now. What's he gonna be like when he find out what your day job is!" He shouted through bursts of giggles and I slapped my hand over his mouth. I looked around us in panic and whispered sternly
"Will you shut the fuck up! No one knows about that! They think I'm a kids dance teacher." He laughed again and resumed to walk
"Ok I won't say anything." He mimicked zipping his lips. He gave it a moment before blurting something again. "Those lucky kids..."
I laughed and rolled my eyes. We walked again for a second in silence.
"Ok-" he started, "What is it you call it? Girl talk? Uh whatever the fuck it is, I can tell you that you're gonna be ok in the Slash department..." he said and I looked at him confusion written all over my face
"What?"
"Aw fuck sake, Ivy. Ok, to be blunt, he has a really big d-"
Just as he was about to finish his sentence a door opened and there was the sound of laughter and music coming from inside. When the being stumbled out Tommy and both thought 'shit'
"Slash!" We both beamed and he looked at us a little confuddled and immediately went to give Tommy a hug.
"Hey man! How's it going? Good to see ya." He said and Tommy nodded
"Likewise dude, likewise!"
"Didn't think I'd see you here." Slash said and looked over at me. I shrugged and smiled
"Yeah I came to visit Ivy until you guys leave. We reconnected in LA and was meaning to meet up."
"Yeah, and again, I'm so glad you're here." I repeated and he winked at me.
"Well I was just gonna go to the store for more cigarettes and booze. You can join if you guys want?" He kindly offered but I declined
"Aw thanks anyway but we've got some catching up to do." Tommy nodded in agreement
"Yeah man, I'll see you tomorrow. I'm down to party."
Slash nodded and smirked at me before leaving. When he got to the end of the hall and down the stairs Tommy cocked his head to me.
"As a straight man, I can comfortably say that he has turned into quite a handsome guy."
"Come on, Lee." I tugged on his coat and we laughed all the way to my room.