I am so glad you enjoyed Eli and Heather’s journey! Here’s a look into what Eli saw that first night! Thank you for all of your love and support. xoxo, Corinne
BONUS SCENE
Eli
The screams of thousands of women roar through the arena.
Blood flows through my veins as I get ready for the fanfare.
After almost twenty years of this, you’d think it would get old—but it doesn’t. I’ve been the lead singer of Four Blocks Down since I was eighteen, and it still gives me a rush. I bounce up and down, cracking my neck as adrenaline flows through me. My pre-show routine is always the same. I look over at my brother Randy, who nods. Then over to Shaun, who gives me the thumbs up, and Adam, who’s staring at himself in the mirror. PJ, the forth member of our group, doesn’t come out until right before we get on stage. He does some kind of chant or some meditation shit that none of us want to know about.
I hear the crowd. “Four Blocks Down, FBD, FBD!”
“Eli,” Randy calls me. “You ready for this?”
I smirk. “I’m always ready.”
“Well, since you’ve become a big bad actor, we never know.”
Dick.
My brother is such a prick. He has no talent other than singing. Plus, we all know I’m better looking Walsh brother.
“Jealous much?” I taunt.
He flips me off, and I chuckle.
Shaun shakes his head. “What’s the color of the day? Blonde, red, brunette?”
“We’ll see what catches my eye first.”
We may not be in our twenties anymore, but we still got game. I’m also full of shit. Some nights, I’m too tired to do anything. Tonight, however, I’m more than willing to partake in some groupie appreciation. I don’t give a shit if this makes me a pig, at least I’m a whole lot pickier than I was years ago. Plus, I don’t think there’s a man alive who would turn away a good blow job once in a while.
Shaun looks at Adam, who shakes his head. Randy’s married, so his only flavor is his wedding ring. My sister-in-law would chop his balls off and feed them to him if he ever strayed. Besides, they got married way before he had a chance to say pre-nup. So, if he screws up—she gets half.
Randy rolls his eyes. We give him hell, but he genuinely loves Savannah. She puts up with our tours, the women, and the less than desirable media attention. I give her credit. Sometimes.
“I’m going red tonight. Those women are always freaks,” Shaun announces.
I laugh. He isn’t wrong. “The last redhead I had was one kinky bitch. Not that I’m complaining, but she wore me out.” I stretch, feeling my age. Forty came fast and with our lifestyle I feel sixty most days.
Finally, PJ emerges from the room and we all get on the risers.
I take a deep breath as the arena goes black. We slowly ascend. This is my favorite part. We can see them, but they can’t see us. The lights are sweeping over the crowd. The energy in Tampa is always intense since our hometown, but tonight everything feels like . . . more.
There’s something I can’t place. I feel more amped than usual. My blood pumps faster and my adrenaline is doubled. I stand still and enjoy the moment. Concerts like this are rare, I’ve done enough of them to know, and this is going to be memorable.
I try to get my head back in the game, and I almost manage it. Then the light hits the front row.
A blonde stands there with her friends.
A blonde I can’t look away from.
She stares at the stage, my heart races, and I feel numb. She’s gorgeous, smiling, and her when the light leaves her, I instantly want it back.
Our voices fill the arena.
The lights go back up, and when I find her again, I realize my color tonight is definitely blonde.
And it’s going to be one hell of a night.
