Editorial Note: Edited for F-word.

Savannah was backstage in the dressing room with the rest of the Storm Riders. She’d finally settled on an outfit that Stone liked, and she felt comfortable in. The rest of the band was getting ready. She sat on the sofa sipping a Mountain Dew.

She watched Stone, Manny, and Blade fix their hair, apply eyeliner. It was the 80s, everyone wore eye liner. They all chatted, joked and seemed totally at ease. Savannah may have looked calm on the outside, but inside she was a bundle of nerves. She was about to perform in front of 20,000 people, give or take a few hundred.

She was thankful she wore shades tonight. When she was particularly nervous she’d close her eyes and just let the music take over. Savannah was only the vessel that carried the music. The music was what everyone wanted. The sunglasses allowed her to look cool on stage and close her eyes without anyone noticing.

She got more and more nervous as time for the concert grew closer. Fidgeting in her seat just wasn’t cutting it anymore. She decided a once-over in front of the mirror would help. She could make a mental checklist to make sure everything was in order. That would help her calm down.

Her strappy black velvet dress barely covered her thighs. When she sat down it would no doubt show her black lace panties. Silk thigh-highs came up to about two inches below the dress. She chose the kind that didn’t need a garter belt.

Soft black velvet high-heeled boots covered her shapely calves and ended just below her knees. They were old-fashioned looking and laced up the front. Savannah tied them in a double knot like she used to do with her sneakers during basketball, to insure they wouldn’t come undone in the middle of her performance.

Over the dress she wore a sleeveless duster that she’d made herself. The top was black velvet to her waist. From her waist to a few inches below her thighs it was black silk brocade. The rest of it was a sheer black material. It floated out behind her as she moved.

Her long nails were painted black and she wore silver rings on several fingers. Some fingers bore multiple thin rings. On one arm she wore a variety of black and silver bangles, on the other she wore thin black leather bracelets, both going from her wrists to her elbows.

Large blackened silver hoops with stars were in her first piercings, while she wore small silver studs and hoops in her other piercings. Except for the one lone ruby stud earring. She’d once worn the cross that Aaron gave her. Something she’d worn every day since then, until last night.

Last night was a gamechanger for her in more ways than one.  Given time she might even be thankful for the bitch that was hanging all over Aaron. Oh no, Savannah Cher James, you are not going to think about Aaron Angel right now. Focus!

A black velvet choker with a silver and moonstone pendant graced her neck. A tiny diamond sparkled on her nose. Aunt Judy had surprised her earlier today with the tiny diamond stud to replace the small gold hoop she wore.

Her black shades were coffin-shaped. She’d seen them in a fashion magazine over the winter and saved until she could buy them. Her black lips shone with a few layers of gloss. She’d chosen to only wear white eyeshadow with shimmer, black liner and mascara to complete her look. Her hair was straight, hanging loose down her back.

If she’d had more time she would have pin-curled it and used the hair-black that she usually streaked through her blonde hair to give it a rocker look. The curls both made her hair look shorter and gave it more volume. The perfect 80s hairdo for a rocker.

She saw Stone come behind her in the mirror. He put his arms around her waist as he pulled her close. His voice was low as he whispered in her ear. “You look good enough to eat, SJ. I’ll do my best not to be distracted by your beauty during the concert.”

She blushed and was about to reply when Aaron Angel walked into the dressing room. He spoke before he caught sight of her and Stone.

“Hey, guys. I heard that Lenny had a family emergency. I came to offer my axe skills.”

Manny walked over to him giving him a handshake and a bro hug. “Hey, thanks man. We have it covered. Stone’s girl is a fu@&in’ phenom on the bass. I’m pretty sure she was playing one in her crib.”

“Oh? Anyone I’ve heard of?”

Stone turned around, Savannah still in his arms. “I’m pretty sure you know SJ. The goddess you let slip through your fingers. Hey, your f@&k-up is my gain. Thanks, man.”

“You’re seriously going to let her play? She’s just a kid, man.”

“You’re wrong there, dickweed. SJ is all woman. She’s also a bitchin’ bass player. You’ve heard her play, man.”

His jaw clenched, Aaron replied. “Yeah. I heard her. I won’t deny she’s good, but what about in front of 20,000 screaming fans?”

“I’ll be just fine, thanks, Aaron. If Stone didn’t have confidence in me he wouldn’t let me out on stage. Storm Riders is the hottest band in the world right now. Do you think he would let me f@&k that up for a piece of ass? That’s what you’re thinking right? That somehow, he has sex on the brain and therefore I can’t be that good. Why don’t you go take my seat in the front row and see just how good I am.”

She was so pissed she was trembling. Aaron turned around, stalking out of the room without saying another word. Stone felt her shaking. “Are you alright, sugar lips?”

“I’m fine. I’m just fu@&ing pissed off at the hoser. How dare he think I’m not good enough to play on stage. I mean, who the f@&k does he think he is?”

“You’re trembling.”

Meet Author Candi Fox…

Candi Fox, co-host of the wildly popular radio show Candi and Company with over a million listeners began her venture in the paranormal at the tender age of two, when she witnessed her first apparition. From that moment on the paranormal seemed to follow her. No matter where she moved, the house she lived in the house next door, or the house down the street always seemed to be haunted.

Candi lives with her husband and furry children in Tulsa. She is passionate about the occult, saving and rehabilitating horses, horseback riding, magic, all things mystical and has her Reiki Mastery.

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