Fade to Red

“I’m here to talk about the show tonight. 8 p.m. at MGM Grand. Hope to see you there,” he said to the camera, paused a moment, and then pulled off his lapel mic.

Randy frantically motioned for the cameraman to cut. His expression was panicked until the camera turned to Ian. Randy’s face suddenly brightened with his phony smile.

“So how does your wife handle all the groupies? I know they must come out in the droves with both you and Beckham.”

Ian sat back in his seat, crossed his arms, and stared down the host. He didn’t say a word. The man began fidgeting. Sweat beaded on his forehead and upper lip.

“So the music…” he started.

“There we go,” Ian leaned forward, “that’s the direction you take in interviewing a musician. What do you want to know?”

“I-uh, what have you learned musically from Beckham and what do you think he’s learned from you?”

“I’ve learned that I suck as a dancer, unlike Beckham. And musically, playing with someone as talented as Beckham makes anyone better. Pushes me to work harder.” He shrugged. “You’d have to ask him what he’s learned from me.” He gave the host a shit-eating grin that was not returned.

“Thanks for your time today. Ian Sterling, everyone. Make sure you come out to see Ian and Beckham Woods tonight. After the commercial, we’ll…”

The producer rushed as far forward as he could without being in the shot. He was shaking his head and sliding a hand across his throat.

“We’ll b-be back,” Randy stuttered. His shoulders drooped when the commercial started. “I thought they were singing,” he said to the producer and waved an arm toward Ian.

Ian was already taking off his microphone. “Doesn’t look like we’ll be singing today,” he said. “Jerky thing to do, man, bringing up rehab and then pictures of an obviously private moment? Not cool.”

Randy sneered, nothing close to a smile, phony or otherwise.

Ian shook his head, gave him the bird, and stalked off.

The band and Roxie were on the sidelines, watching everything. Beckham was pacing the hall by the exit. No one said a word. They filed out behind him and crawled back into the limo. Somehow Beckham ended up by Roxie.

“Shit, I coulda slept longer,” Taz joked.

T.J. bopped him on the head. “Shut up, Taz.”

They all looked at Beckham and Roxie. She flushed and looked out the window.

“I’m really sorry, Roxie,” Beckham said softly.

She looked at him and barely nodded. “I know you didn’t mean for that to happen.”

He leaned his head back on the seat and pulled out his cell phone. He had a few voicemails and texts waiting. He texted Howie, even though Howie was in the limo with him.

We need more security. 24 hrs. Extra on Roxie.

Howie checked his phone then looked at Beckham and gave a subtle nod.

As soon as they got back, he went straight to his bus. There was a room booked for him at MGM, but he’d given it to Sierra. He went and stretched out on his bed and called Nate.

“Hey, there you are. Was trying to catch you before you went on the show.”

“Pictures of me with Roxie—are they everywhere?”

“Yep.”

He let out a string of curses as he got up and paced the bus.

“I like this girl, Nate. I don’t want to scare her off. She’s not even sure she likes me most days.”

“Well, that’s a twist,” Nate said. “Maybe we’ll keep her.”

“Shut up.”

He laughed. “So … I’ve gotta ask. I’m assuming Roxie is the one you called about before the tour—is that right?”

Beckham was quiet. “I forgot about that,” he finally said.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Listen, there are a few ways to play this. You can either wait for it to die down, which means don’t get caught with her again. Or, you can just enjoy your tour and not worry about it. Get your picture with some hot fans—or better yet, I heard Taylor Swift will be at tomorrow night’s show. We’ll get a picture and let that circulate a bit.”

“No way am I go

“That wouldn’t be all bad,” Nate mused. “You know she’s always been hot for you.”

“Piss off, man,” he muttered. He pulled the phone away from his ear when Nate’s laugh got too loud. “Dude, really.”

Nate took a deep breath, but the laugh was still in his voice. “There’s always the last option, which I wouldn’t mind seeing…”

“What’s that?”

“Date Roxie and be out with it. You need a girlfriend, Beck. You’ve paid penance long enough.”

“I kissed her this morning, and believe me, it was not her idea.”

“Okay, just tell me how you want to spin this and I’ll get it started-” Nate paused.

“She’s got me all wrapped up…”

“You’ve got it bad.”

“Fuck me, I know it.”

Beckham looked for Roxie at di

“Hey. Have you seen Roxie?”

“She’s in the bus. Hiding.” Sierra gri

“Is she mad at me?”

“Oh yeah, probably,” she said.

“Probably?”

“From what I’ve seen, she seems to stay mad at you.” She took a bite of cheesecake and pointed her fork at him. “I like this girl so much. And that was even before I knew just how tightly she had your balls in a vise.”

“Oh, you know what?” he groaned. “Don’t start, Sierra.”

She laughed.

“Just tell me … how do I get her out of the angry?”

“How much do you like her, Beck?” Sierra’s expression turned serious. “You know you’ve had enough notches on your bedpost…”

Beckham stared at her. “You too?” He ran his hands through his hair and glared at her. “Okay, I deserved that. But … seriously … mean.”

She shrugged and sampled the chocolate cake.

He shook his head. “She’s different. I want to get under her skin and know what makes her angry heart tick.”

She paused mid-bite.

“God, I know this is wrong to say because you’re my brother, but … that was kinda hot,” she finally said.

“Is everyone talking about it?” Roxie asked the minute she let Sierra on the bus.

Everyone was at di

“I might have heard a little buzz about it. Honestly, I think everyone thought you might be dating a while ago.”

Roxie tried to tackle her as she walked by and Sierra went sprawling on the bus floor.

“Ow! Dammit, Roxie!” Sierra yelled. “You don’t know me well enough for that yet!”

“I’m so sorry! I can’t even believe I did that, after what happened with Sparrow! I didn’t think you’d go down!” Roxie cried. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Sierra said with a smirk. “Go

Roxie clamped her hand over her mouth and started laughing hysterically.

Sierra pulled her down and hit her over the head with a pillow. “Quit being so bitchy! Go get laid by my hot rock star brother. He wants you bad.” As soon as she said it, she shuddered and mumbled under her breath, “Things I never thought I’d say…”

Roxie stopped laughing. “What did he say?”

“He wants to get in your skin and know what makes your angry heart tick,” Sierra quoted. “If that isn’t sexy, I don’t know what is.”

“This is so weird,” Roxie snapped back.

“Go get laid and get it over with!” Sierra repeated, louder.

“Shush! Someone might hear you.”

“I thought everyone was gone,” Sierra whispered.

“They are, but … someone could have heard … outside.”

Sierra rolled her eyes. “Oh lord.”

“Seriously, what am I go

They sat up and leaned their backs against the couch.

“I’ve never seen him like this, Roxie. He’s never fought for anyone.”

Roxie’s forehead crunched into a tiny V.

“He’s made a lot of changes, especially the last year, and … I think you can trust him.”