Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Five, Tinted Crazy, part a
Rating: R [language, alcohol and drug use]

Summary: Robert and Summer spend time with the band. Bonzo causes trouble. A lot of trouble.


Posted in two parts due to length.




With Robert’s request ringing in her head, Summer nearly panicked. She could only play and sing three songs and one she had just performed. She could just hand the guitar over to Jimmy and have him play whatever. But no. Robert was expecting her to, she could see it in his eyes. And seemingly the rest of the room was waiting as well. She couldn’t back out now.

“One more,” she stated before turning her attention back to the guitar.

While the intro to the song was far more complex than she could play, something Jimmy probably could play in his sleep, Summer did not strip it down too much. As her parents had long been fans of Bob Dylan, having even met the man when they still lived in Greenwich Village, she had been working on this particular song for well over a year. She only hoped she didn’t mess it up with her amateur guitar skills.

“Cant you hear that rooster crowin’? 
Rabbit runnin’ down across the road
Underneath the bridge where the water flowed through
So happy just to see you smile
Underneath the sky of blue
On this new morning, new morning
On this new morning with you...”

As her soft voice played through the song, Robert finally recognized the song, the songwriter. Summer’s melody contrasted so greatly with Dylan’s gruff voice that it lent a sweeter slant to the song. Eyes holding steady with hers, he could not deny the emotion she sang each note with. Any other circumstance, any other songstress, he would question her sincerity, especially following that particular Elvis song. But he knew more than anyone, the young girl seated on the couch next to him, singing softly and stroking Jimmy’s guitar was real, was sincere, hadn’t a manipulative cell in her body. She was the real deal, no LA Queen at all.

This time Robert did not hesitate to join her in the last bit of the song, smiling when her eyes lit with pleasant surprise.

“So happy just to be alive
Underneath the sky of blue
On this new morning, new morning
On this new morning with you.
New morning ...”

Again it was Bonzo who lead the party in applause. Summer flushed even more deeply this time, her eyes cast down to the guitar, tracing the lines of the wood grain with her eyes. It really was a beautiful instrument, so much more than her beat up guitar back home. She really didn’t deserve to play her two shabby songs on it. Only guitar gu—

“Beautiful,” Robert commented, tilting her face back up to his so he could kiss her gently. “Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she flushed again.

“Will you play us another?” Jimmy spoke up, drawing her eyes to him.

“I—”

“All right, boys!” the boisterous tour manager entered the room. “Time to get downstairs and head to the plane. We’ve got a show tonight, you know!”

Though she did not like Richard Cole one bit, his appearance and announcement filled Summer with relief. Loading into the limos to head to the plane completely saved her from having to sing ‘Three Blind Mice’ as that was the only other song she could sing and play. Hopefully everyone would forget about her little performance and she wouldn’t be asked again. With the drugs and booze in the room, she was hoping that was the case. Robert frowned at the intrusion, truly wishing to hear his little siren sing more for him, but instead of supporting Jimmy’s request, he stood and helped her to her feet. She forced a little smile at him before stepping away to return the guitar from whence it came.

Returning to his side a moment later, Summer slipped her hand into Robert’s. He joined the small crowd heading out of Jimmy’s suite, Bonzo falling instep behind the couple. Thinking nothing of the drummer trailing behind Summer at first, Robert headed down the hallway. Suddenly Summer’s hand snapped out of his and she squealed. He barely turned in time to see his girlfriend evade Bonzo and take off running down the hallway, slipping around and jumping over people to get to the elevator. She barely managed to slip in with Jimmy and a few of the roadies before the doors closed, protecting her from the pursuing drummer.

Robert frowned as the door closed, the drummer quickly hitting the button, hoping to recall it. Slowly the singer and the others caught up with Bonzo. Most everyone found it quite amusing. Robert did not.

Arms folded over his chest, he glared at the drummer, “What was that all about?”

“She ran. I had to give chase,” the drummer responded, looking to Robert. “Uh oh.”

“And why did she run?”

“Nevermind. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you. I’ll play Moby Dick extra long tonight.”

“And how does that make it up to me?”

“You get more time with Summer?”

Glancing around the elevator as it began its descent, Summer realized she was in the lift with Jimmy, Cole, and a bunch of other people she didn’t really know. There were no groupies in the elevator at all, not even Lori. Just her and a bunch of men, a few of whom she could feel staring at her in ways she wished they wouldn’t. Without even thinking about it, Summer stepped closer to Jimmy.

Smirking, Jimmy shifted his weight, shuffling slightly closer to the girl. With his protective stance, neither Cole nor any of the other guys could get a very good look nor touch Summer. She seemed to sense this, glanced over her shoulder at him, and smiled. Her smile was sweet but most importantly genuine. Nothing about her seemed fake at all. Where had Robert found her?

“So why did you come darting into the elevator?” Jimmy asked softly.

She turned around to face him, “Bonzo was chasing me.”

“And why is that, sweetheart?”

“Probably because I squealed when his pinched my bum,” she responded.

Jimmy chuckled, “He pinched you, you squealed, and then he chased you?”

“More or less.”

“He likes you.”

“What?”

“He likes you,” he repeated.

“Well that’s nice. I’m with Robert,” Summer declared.

“Oh I know, sweetheart. We all know. That doesn’t mean Bonzo can’t like you,” he responded. “But I wouldn’t worry your pretty little mind about it. Bonzo is a good guy. He would not risk anything for those he loves and he does love Percy.”

“Um, all right.”

Jimmy smiled, “Summer, have you ever—”

The ding of the elevator stopping at the fifth floor interrupted his question. Turning around, Summer met the reporter’s eyes before glancing back at Jimmy, unsure if they would be letting the press in or not. He nodded, hand going to her arm to nudge her over as he made room for the reporter. However just because they allowed the man in, did not mean Jimmy was going to speak at all, meaning the rest of the descent was silent and tense.

Noticing the elevator stop midway down, Robert decided that was his one chance to catch up. He really did not wish to wait for it to descend completely with his girlfriend and Jimmy in it and then for it to make the long journey back up to collect him. It wasn’t like he didn’t trust Summer. It was Jimmy he was wary of, more so of Cole. Without another moment’s thought, he turned and quickly pulled open the nearby door concealing the staircase. He wasn’t even half a flight down before Bonzo bounded down as well. Having neither the care nor desire to tell him to bugger off, Robert skipped steps as he hurried down. He needed to catch them before they piled in limos.

As he slammed into the door on the ground floor, his hands missing the handle, Robert swore. Bonzo pressed down on the bar, releasing the latch while the singer still pushed on the door. The two men stumbled out, the door swinging and slamming into the wall. The elevator had been vacated a moment before, the small group of mostly men heading down the hall towards the limos in the back of the hotel. They stopped, turning to see what had caused all of the commotion.

Unable to see over Jimmy or around Cole, Summer asked, “What was that?”

“Percy and Bonzo,” Jimmy responded. “Seems your knights in white armor have come to rescue you.”

A mischievous glint filled her eyes as she met Jimmy’s gaze, “Then we should give them something to fight for.”

“What do you have in mind?” his eyes glittered.

“Well I don’t really know. Something that would make—”

“Push her up against the wall and fuck her,” Cole suggested.

Jimmy glared at the tour manager before focusing back on Summer. With a quick grin, he stepped forward and whispered in her ear. Her eyes widened, a soft giggle tickling her lips. Before she could reply, his hands reached out, intent on her ribs. Jimmy’s fingertips danced over her ribs like he was playing some energetic melody. Within seconds of his touch, she burst out in a peal of high-pitched giggles. Turning she tried to get away from him, but ran into a wall of bodies. With little effort, Jimmy’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her away from the other men. His fingers once more went for her ribs. With his other arm still holding her, Summer had no chance of escape as he tickled her.

“JIMMY! STOP!” she squealed in the middle of giggles. “JIMMY!”

Alarm filled Robert at the sounds of her squeal, not entirely comprehending them as shrieks of laughter. He struggled to get through the small crowd separating him from her. And then she shouted Jimmy’s name. His slight jealousy-tinged worry mushroomed into something much bigger. Bonzo read the shift in Robert’s stance, having known the singer longer than he knew anyone else there.

“MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!” the drummer shouted.

The small crowd parted, hearing rage in Bonzo’s voice and instantly fearing it. Jimmy and Summer froze as the sea of people made way for Robert and Bonzo. Tears glittered on her cheeks from the giggling, but that wasn’t how Robert read it. He saw Jimmy’s arm looped around her waist, keeping her a prisoner, his other hand... his other hand cupping her breast. Rage he had never felt before coursed through his veins and he stepped forward to intervene. Before he had even taken two steps, Bonzo had charged forward. Jimmy instantly released Summer, his hands going up in surrender. Summer instantly stepped in front of the guitarist, cutting off Bonzo’s route to him.

Her hand went to his chest, her eyes focusing on his, “John, take a deep breath. Everything is okay.”

Slowly his gaze moved from Jimmy to the blond girl keeping him from the guitarist, “He was FUCKING tou—”

“Not any differently than you would me,” she declared. “He was just tickling me.”

“WITH HIS HAND ON YOUR BOOB!?” Bonzo demanded.

Her other hand darted out to catch Robert before he snuck by her to have words with Jimmy. For a long moment she stood there poised, her body taut from holding both men back. Keeping her hand firmly upon Bonzo’s chest, she turned her face and pulled Robert bodily to her. Without hesitation at all, she kissed him, holding it until he relaxed some.

“We need to go,” Cole grumbled.

“I’ll ride with Bonzo and Robert,” Summer declared after breaking the kiss.

Remaining with the two men, hearing Jimmy shuffle out behind her, Summer refused to let go of either of them. Bonzo shifted slightly, causing her fingers to tighten on his shirt. She tugged gently to get him to focus back on her. Robert was wiggling too.

“If you’ll hold my hands, I’ll let you go,” she declared. “Agreed?”

“Okay,” both men said in unison.

Releasing both of them at the same time, she turned towards the door, holding out her hands to each. Robert quickly enfolded her hand, Bonzo hesitated. With a short huff, Summer snatched up his hand and headed towards the door. She paused as one of the security guards opened the door for them, letting Robert take the lead as she wasn’t going to release either hand. The three stood joined on the curb as the next limo pulled up, the door opened a moment later. Only then did Summer release the men’s hands, following Robert into the car. Instead of taking a seat next to him, she pivoted and straddled his lap. Her eyes held Bonzo’s as he slid in, the door closing behind him.

As soon as the car began to move, she turned her attention fully to Robert. Her hands framed his face briefly before running through his soft, blond curls. Leaning forward she waited until he closed his eyes, expecting her lips to brush his. Instead she kissed his closed eyelids, her fingers still buried in his golden locks. His hands moved from their stationary position on her thighs, slipping up under the skirt of her dress to cup her ass. Her kisses lightly rained down upon his skin, slowly making their way to his slightly parted lips.

When her lips finally touched his, Robert thought heaven called out his name. She did not linger in the kiss, barely even rolled her tongue across his, but it lit his soul all the same. He could almost forget about everything that had lead up to that moment. Almost.

She pulled away, tossing her hair as she settled back on his knees, his hands still up her skirt. Her eyes looked into his as she lovingly smoothed his hair from his face. Summer leaned forward once more and kissed his mouth.

“Robert,” she finally spoke, her eyes glancing to Bonzo briefly, “I know we’ve only known each other for a few days, but I am already immensely attached to you. Bonzo and I may kid around. Jimmy and I may kid around. But you’re my man. You’re the one I want. You’re the one I need. You don’t have to worry about anyone else. I promise you that.”

“But—”

“I am yours.”

His hands slipped out from under the white, eyelet skirt. He cupped her cheeks, tucked his fingers under her long hair. Gently he leaned forward and kissed her. Merely holding his lips to hers for a long moment, not bothering to deepen it at all, Robert opened his soul up to her. He instantly felt that connection with her, instantly felt her soul embrace his. Satisfied he leaned out of the kiss, brushed her bottom lip with his thumb and leaned back against the seat back.

Pleased with his reaction, her attention turned to the drummer seated nearby. She quickly pivoted out of Robert’s lap, slipping to sit between the two men. Her right hand picked up Bonzo’s. Like he had done to her earlier within the first hour of their meeting, she turned his hand over, splayed out his fingers, and traced over the lines of his palm. Though she knew Robert would not like it, Summer lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed in the very center of his palm.

“I appreciate your friendship already, John,” she declared softly, her left hand reaching over to Robert to gently clasp his hand and reassure him of her previous words without speaking to him. “I am honored that you already think so highly of me that you would come to my rescue. And I hope should the day ever come that I truly am in trouble that you are right around the corner from me. You have already made me feel accepted and welcomed into your circle. And I thank you for that.”

He looked down at the hand that still held his, “I’m sorry. I thought he was...”

“Has Jimmy ever done anything like that before?”

“No. But there’s never been anyone like you before either,” Bonzo answered honestly, looking to her eyes.

She nodded slightly in acceptance, “But as long as you’ve known Jimmy has he ever been the kind to hurt a woman?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Let me rephrase: has Jimmy ever done anything that a woman hasn’t asked him to do?”

“No.”

“Do you believe Jimmy would hurt me?”

“I would never let him.”

She repeated her question.

“No.”

“Do you think I would be giggling if he was hurting me?”

“I... I honestly didn’t hear you giggling. All I heard was you tell him to stop. And then I saw him holding you. And I... I saw red,” he admitted.

Summer lifted his hand to her lips once more and kissed it again, “I am at fault for this more than he is. When I was informed the two of you had arrived in the lobby, however it was that you did so as loudly as you did, I suggested to Jimmy that we prank the two of you. I am sorry that it went awry. I should have thought what it would appear like to you, to both of you. Jimmy is blameless in this.”

“No, he’s not,” Bonzo countered. “He had his hand on your breast.”

She released Bonzo’s hand, but held onto Robert’s, placing it on her ribcage, “If one was tickling me here, do you not think that it would be difficult to accidentally touch my breast, especially if I’m thrashing around giggling?”

He watched as she moved Robert’s hand to her breast briefly, “I still don’t think he’s blameless. He knew damn well where your boobs are.”

“Fine,” Summer agreed, moving Robert’s hand back down into her lap where she shifted her hold, interlacing her fingers with his. “So he copped a feel. That doesn’t mean you need to tear him limb from limb.”

“I...” Bonzo looked down. “I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you,” she instantly declared. “But you should apologize to Jimmy when we get to the plane.”

Before he could say anything in return, the limo turned and passed through the gate onto the runway. Even though this was now her third time boarding a plane, Summer instantly felt her stomach clench, her hand tightening on Robert’s. To be honest, her two previous trips had gone so horribly wrong. The flight to San Diego, she had thought they were going to die, something that hadn’t been helped by Robert joking as the plane shook on its descent with an Elvis song playing on the tape deck. The return flight hadn’t been much better, though the storm had cleared up some, enough that she had taken the risk of fellating Robert. And now she really didn’t want to get on the plane. Robert leaned over and kissed her temple, saying nothing, as the car came to a halt.

Bonzo slipped out of the car, offering his hand to help Summer out. She quickly kissed Robert, released his hand, and scrambled out, purposefully letting her skirt flip up as she did so. Hopping a bit as she got out of the car, Summer stumbled into Bonzo’s arms, smiling crookedly as she separated from him as Robert climbed out. Her hand once more found Robert’s, as much for his reassurance as hers at this point.

“Let me... let me talk to Jimmy first?” she requested softly. “Please.”

Robert nodded before glancing to Bonzo. With agreement from both men, Summer lead them to the stairs up to the Starship. One hand clutched the railing carefully, the other tightened around Robert’s. As soon as they stepped into the airplane, he stopped her. Turning Summer about, his lips grazed hers, before moving to kiss her ear.

“You have nothing to be nervous about,” he breathed. “I promise this flight will be better than the last two.”

Nodding she squeezed his hand once and then pulled away to find Jimmy. Glancing past the galley, her eyes connected with Jimmy’s as he settled on a couch in the club room. Without pause she stepped away from Robert who was now speaking with one of the traveling reporters anyways, Summer made her way back to the guitarist. His eyes remained focused on hers the entire time, but she couldn’t read what he was thinking at all. Wordlessly, Summer sat beside him.

“Everything is fine,” she stated softly. “I’m sorry for getting you in trouble.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it, sweetheart,” he responded. “You didn’t know how Bonzo would react. I should have known better than to tempt The Beast.”

“It was foolish of me to think it was all right to do something like that, especially since I’m just getting to know everyone,” Summer claimed, her eyes focusing on the hem of her dress, her fingers gently playing with it. “I’m sorry and I hope you can forgive me. But more importantly I hope that you can forgive Robert and Bonzo and have an excellent show.”

He reached out and touched her knee, drawing her eyes to his, “I’m sure everything will be fine. Don’t worry your pretty little head, sweetheart.”

She nodded, “All right.”

“Maybe we can get you to sing again? You have a pretty voice,” Jimmy complimented. “I am sure it would cheer everyone up.”

“And who will accompany me? Your guitar is back at the hotel.”

“Jonesy!” Jimmy shouted over at the one band member Summer had only briefly met at breakfast the previous day. “Would you play something with our pretty little Summer?”

“Sure,” the bassist smiled. “Any special request?”

“I—” her words instantly disappeared as her eyes landed on Bonzo accepting a drink at the bar. “Excuse me.”

Jimmy watched as the young blond stalked towards the drummer, gathering up everyone’s attention as she passed them. Her hand slammed over the top of the glass, forcing it back down onto the bar, the alcohol splashing onto her hand. Bonzo turned sharply, prepared to bite off the head of whoever dared to stop him from his preflight preparations. Again the young girl had managed to cause an odd silence to settle around her and Bonzo like a large invisible halo. Everyone waited on baited breath to see the drummer’s reaction to yet another interruption by the new girl.

“Not yet,” she declared strongly.

“Look, Summer, I like you. I do, but—”

“Not yet,” she repeated.

“Why in bloody hell not!?” he demanded.

“You have to do something first.”

He glared at her, “What gives you the right to—”

“John,” she warned.

His eyes instantly wavered as she spoke his name. With a sigh, Bonzo slipped off the bar stool and lumbered over to Jimmy. Turning, her hand still covering the glass, Summer watched, noting that Jimmy relaxed a few moments into the exchange. A minute later the drummer returned to the bar, his eyes still tinged with anger. Nodding she lifted the glass and handed it to him. While Bonzo accepted the glass, he did not raise it to his lips. Instead he glared at her and slammed it back down on the bar and stalked away.

Robert approached Summer, his arm slipping around her waist as he kissed her temple gently. Her eyes turned up to his, leaving the retreating form of Bonzo. Amusement danced in Robert’s eyes, something she couldn’t quite understand.

“Is he going to be okay?” she asked.

“Sure he is,” Robert smiled crookedly. “You just thwarted The Beast once again, Summer.”

“Good evening, gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. This will pretty much be an up and down flight, twenty minutes travel time total, which is including take-off andlanding. Please be certain to—”

“Robert?” Summer’s eyes went to his again after she listened to some of the pilot’s announcement.

“Yes, baby?”

“If the shows are in Long Beach, why are we flying? We’re not that far from Long Beach at all. Like not even an hour’s drive,” she pointed out.

Robert grinned and kissed her nose, “You’re adorable. You know that, right?”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

He lead her over to the couch where Jimmy still sat, hearing the engines roar on, “Summer wants to know why we’re flying, Jimmy.”

“I ask that every time we get on the plane,” the guitarist declared. “I think it has something to do with traffic, sweetheart.”

“It makes no sense,” she declared, caring not that Robert pulled her into his lap. “We spent nearly forty minutes driving out here to the airport. We’ll spend twenty minutes in this plane. Then we’ll spend probably another twenty minutes driving from the other airport to the arena. So there’s an hour and a half of traveling right there. If you were to drive it, the journey I presume would take less than that, since it’s not even forty miles from the hotel.”

Jimmy blinked, looking at her, “How do you know these things?”

“I do have tickets to the show. I needed to know how to get from one place to another,” she explained.

“Then tomorrow we’ll drive to the show,” he decided. “And we’ll test your theory.”



It was a bit odd to be backstage without Lori. Even though the girl had been giving her the evil eye seemingly the entire time they were in Jimmy’s suite, Summer had expected to spend the concert with her. Maybe it was because she was nearer in age to herself, but she had thought that she and Lori were something. Clearly that wasn’t the case as she was no where to be found. Then again she hadn’t been a part of the group leaving the suite to head out of the hotel. Why was that?

Changed into their concert attire, the guys began to appear backstage. Not seeing Robert but meeting Jimmy’s eyes, Summer headed over to the guitarist. Standing to the side while he gave instructions to his roadie and uncapped a bottle of Jack Daniels, Summer bided her time.

“Tell me, sweetheart, where did you learn to play the guitar?”

“Back home. There’s a few people who play in the community,” she responded. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” his eyes held hers.

“Why isn’t Lori here?”

He didn’t even bat an eye at her question, “I told her to stay back at the hotel tonight.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t want her to cause a scene tonight,” he explained, glancing towards the door as Robert stepped out of their dressing room.

“And why would she do that?” she asked innocently.

“Lori is a jealous girl, Summer,” Jimmy explained, focusing on her again. “And I knew Robert wouldn’t leave you behind for a second. So that meant Lori had to stay behind.”

“I don’t under—”

“Hey, baby,” Robert’s arm slipped around her waist, his lips touching hers.

Saying not another word, Jimmy nodded and walked off, leaving the couple alone. Disturbed that Jimmy would leave his girlfriend back at the hotel because she was jealous apparently of her, Summer pulled away from Robert. Intending to pursue Jimmy and ask him to clarify what he had told her, she was suddenly stopped by Robert’s hand grasping hers. Turning back to face him, she was unable to say anything before he kissed her again.

“Jimmy says he left Lori behind because she’s jealous and I’m here,” she blurted out as soon as Robert leaned out of the kiss. “Why would Lori be jealous?”

Smiling, he brushed hair from her face, “Why wouldn’t Lori be jealous? You’re beautiful—” he kissed her “—and sexy—” another kiss “—and charming—” another kiss “—and—”

“Come on, Percy!” Bonzo shouted. “We’re just waiting on you! Leave the little lady be for awhile!”

He kissed her once more, “I’ll be back.”

Shaking her head, she turned as he walked pass her to join the rest of the band. Summer couldn’t help but notice that Jane slipped into the room with them, knowing full well what that meant. Without Lori to hang out with, Summer wandered aimlessly backstage. The show hadn’t yet started, though the door hiding the band from view just creaked open. While she wanted to go back to Robert’s side, she knew they were headed to the stage. It would be better to find herself some place to watch the show.

Slowly she made her way to the stage, weaving through equipment, skirting roadies. Even though Summer was not really a known person to most everyone, a backstage pass dangled from a lanyard about her throat, marking her as one who belonged. With that mark, she was left alone, barely glanced at, at least until she walked pass and the horny men turned to watch her walk away.

As she neared the stage, her eyes fell upon a perfect perch, some place she could see Robert in his perfect glory. Heading towards that dark location off stage, Summer was suddenly cut off by the tour manager. Her large sapphire eyes went up to his. As their eyes met, she felt her entire soul turn to ice. If she had the choice, she would have turned and bolted. But as there was something darkly predatory in his eyes, Summer instantly decided that fleeing him would not be a good action to choose. Even if the man was three or four times larger than her, meaning she was probably faster than him, she had a feeling he would overpower her some way. Flight was not the choice, which meant fight was.

“Can I do something for you?” she asked, amazingly holding his gaze.

“Rumor has it that you suck cock like none other, so yes, there is something you can do for me,” he replied with a smirk.

Summer arched an eyebrow, “Really now? And what makes you think I would even get anywhere near that thing much less put my mouth on it?”

“Because if you don’t, you won’t see lover boy again,” Cole motioned up to the stage.

She rolled her eyes, “Whatever, asshole. I’m not going to suck your cock. I’m not going to touch your cock. Now get out of my way.”

His hand went out to stop her, “No one goes anywhere without my permission, little girl.”

Summer slapped his hand away. With a glare she punched him in the gut and jumped out of his reach so he couldn’t reach for her. Squealing, she evaded his reach, ever aware that her weak little jab hadn’t done a thing to the road manager. Turning around quickly, she lept over the line of cords running up to the stage. Having no idea where to flee to or whom she could jump behind, Summer merely tried to put as much space between her and Cole.

Glancing over her shoulder to see how close he was, Summer ran into Robert’s assistant.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he steadied her, cocking his head to the side for a moment as Robert’s vocals filled the air. “Who you running from, Summer?”

Her eyes went up to his before she glanced back over her shoulder and quickly slid behind Benji, “Him.”

“Dick, leave her the fuck alone,” Benji growled.

“She’s the one who—”

“Leave her the fuck alone,” he repeated, still glaring at the tour manager.

For a few moments the two men stared each other down. Finally Cole broke and turned away. Without even thought, Summer looked down and noticed she had been holding onto the back of Benji’s shirt. Slowly disengaging her fingers, she smoothed down the back of his shirt. She smiled innocently at him as he turned around.

“I don’t need to know the details about that at all,” he stated. “Stick with me and he’ll leave you alone, okay?”

Summer nodded.

“And maybe we can even surprise Percy?” he smiled, turning to head back towards the stage.

“What do you mean?” she asked, trotting to catch up with him.

“I’m in charge of his equipment.”

“And what does that mean?”

Benji chuckled, “At some point in the show, he’s going to need to switch out his mic. I think you should be the one to do it.”

“Really?” her eyes brightened.

“Come on, Summer,” he grinned at her. “We’ve got a job to do.”