CHAPTER 7: BACKSTAGE PASS
Vincent
We cooled off back stage in a dark, cramped room with crappy couches for a few minutes after the gig, savoring the moment and congratulating each other on an electric show before we had to lug all our instruments and equipment into the big van Buck had rented for us. That’s when my mother walked in, followed by a gorgeous brown-haired girl with a slightly familiar face and a killer outfit.
“Guys, this is my mother!” I shouted.
“I could say something right now, but I won’t!” Buck said with a laugh before gulping a beer. He was the only one among us old enough to drink at the Heartbreak.
“Nice to meet you all!” my mother said, waving and coming over to give me a hug. “Great show, you guys. Great job, Vin.”
Freeway, Friday and Craig understandably were busy staring at the younger girl in the tight pink top, black leather skirt and wolf skin boots.
“Who’s that, Vin, your sister?” Freeway finally asked with a mischievous grin.
The girl smiled as my mother introduced her.
“No, this is Saturn,” she said, pushing the girl toward me a little. “She loves your music, but she wanted to tell you guys something about fashion.”
“Oh no, look out!” Freeway shouted.
Everybody laughed.
“Hoodies and jeans, guys, come on!” Saturn said with a sexy look. I don’t think she had an unsexy look. Not possible.
Surprisingly, Friday spoke up.
“Shit, I told them to mix it up, girl,” he said. “They don’t wanna listen. We’ll shake it up next time.”
“Good,” Saturn said. “Vin, can I talk to you for a second?”
“Sure,” I said, jumping at the chance.
“Vin, make it quick, we gotta load the van,” Buck interrupted, as he and the others started heading back toward the stage to take it down. We certainly didn’t have any roadies at that point. We were the rockers and the roadies.
“Bye Vin,” my mother said, hugging me again. “I’m so proud of you.”
The she hugged Saturn. It made me wonder if Saturn was a fellow stripper for a second, but then my mother said, “Have fun you two. It was nice to meet you, Saturn. I’m sure we’ll see each other gain.”
“Absolutely,” Saturn said with a smile.
After my mother left the room, I was all alone with one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Rock and roll was paying off already. Thank you, Uncle Al! Unfortunately, I only had about a minute to talk before the guys would start harassing me.
“Do I know you from somewhere?” I asked Saturn. “You look familiar.”
“I was here for your first show two weeks ago, but I was working,” she replied. “I’m a bartender here. I was looking right at you while you were singing.”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “Now it makes sense. I don’t think you were quite dressed the same.”
“No, definitely not,” she said with a smile. “I requested the night off. You’re band is so good and so are you. I wanted to wear something to get your attention.”
I blushed. Couldn’t help it.
“Mission accomplished,” I said with a smile, extending my hand like a shy fool. “I’m Vin Masoli.”
She shook my hand and looked at me with those hypnotizing blue eyes.
“Saturn Satriale,” she said. “Italian, just like you, but with a little dash of French.”
Seriously paralyzed for a moment, I didn’t know what to say or how to move. Then I got practical.
“Can I get your number?” I finally mumbled. “Before they start shouting for me to get my ass on the stage and I never get this chance again.”
Saturn smiled.
“Give me your cell phone,” she said. “You must be tired and I want to make sure every digit is typed in properly.”
The mutual attraction was ridiculous right off the bat. I fumbled in my pocket for my phone and handed it to her with a sweaty palm.
“Vincent, get your ass out here!” Buck shouted as he stuck his head in the dark room and left again.
“I’ll be right there!” I shouted.
“I’ll be quick,” Saturn said as she deftly punched her name and number right into my phone list in a matter of seconds. Then she handed the phone back to me with a seductive glance.
“I will call you the first chance I get,” I assured her.
“You better,” she said. “I like you, but you only get one chance with a girl like me, Vin. Here it is. Don’t blow it.”
Saturn kissed me on the right cheek with those hot, red lips and then slowly orbited out of the room.
What a sight.
What a night.