Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

“Okay, we’re going to take a minute to catch our breath,” Brian began. “And introduce some people to you.  They are the finalists in our Battle of the Band contest coming up in the fall which I’m sure you’ve all heard about by now.”

Brian continued his introduction and asked each band to join him up on stage.  The stage security then allowed the photographers to briefly occupy the empty space below them which set off a barrage of flashes.  Annie felt like a deer caught in the highlights of a car; and like a terrified animal, she wanted to run.  It was the best and the worst sensation, all rolled into one moment of time.  Then concert security cleared the aisle and the bands returned to their seats before Thrust resumed their aerobic rock ‘n’ roll workout.

A few songs later, Thrust finally said good night and the finalists were escorted back into the press room.  There, the press waited like ravenous vultures wanting good copy or blood - Annie wasn’t sure which.  The camera flashes were relentless and lit the room up like fireworks on the Fourth of July.  The entire scene was overwhelming for all of them.  Annie tried her best to remain invisible, which was especially difficult due to the dance she had performed with Brian.  For an eternity, they waited like cattle and still there was no sign of the Thrust members.

“Where the hell did Thrust go?” Annie asked Sammy.

“You mean, Michael, don’t you?” he said with a laugh.

Annie shot him an angry glance; which made him laugh even louder.

“Right now they’re probably back in their dressing rooms getting cleaned up before coming in here.  Some of them take showers, so it could take a while,” he answered.

Finally Annie noticed a commotion gathering by the doorway and the white flashes began again in earnest as the members of Thrust trickled into the room.  Reporters and cameramen quickly began grabbing at them.  Annie saw Michael standing across the room engaged in conversation with a beautiful blonde that furiously scribbled notes onto a pad of paper.

“You’d make a great split-leg sandwich,” a raspy voiced man whispered into Annie’s ear.  Eyes wide with horror, Annie spun around to face the perpetrator.  When she did, Brian was standing there with a lecherous smile bigger than his face.  Annie felt herself turn red with embarrassment.

“Oh, I should have known it was you,” she replied, with a nervous smile.  “I don’t know of anyone else that would use a phrase like that for the opening line to a conversation.”

“That’s what endears me with the masses,” he snickered, waving his hand in a kingly manner, his voice sounding positively wicked.

“You’re absolutely right.  We’d be disappointed if you underwent a personality transplant at this stage in your career,” Annie giggled.  “I think you’d lose some of your followers!”

“I believe I would,” he agreed, his tiny brown eyes twinkling with mischief.  Then he bent in close to her ear.  “Can we talk seriously for a minute?”

“I suppose so.”

“Mike told me what's been going on between you two.  And, to be perfectly honest, I was less than thrilled to hear about it.  This is the first time our band has tried any type of promotion like this contest and I'd hate to see the good gesture it holds go down in flames because of his indiscretion.  Do you understand what I am saying?”

Annie saw the seriousness in Brian’s eyes and nodded.

“So, I'd like to thank you in advance for having the good sense to walk away from him and not risk being disqualified.  Don't get me wrong, Annie.  I'd like nothing better than to give you and Mike my blessings and tell you to run off and go make babies.  But right now, I can't do that.  I'd like to think I can trust that you will do the right thing for your band and mine.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” Annie said, wishing he’d change the subject.

“That’s what Mike keeps telling me but I still worry,” Brian shook his head.  “Look, I hate to be a hard-ass about this but the rules of the contest were clearly laid out to us before we got started in this little venture.  Mike heard the same speech as the rest of us, so frankly, he should have known better.”

“Seriously, Brian, don’t worry about it.  It was a one time thing and it’s over.”

Brian smiled broadly.  “Got it out of your system?”

“I guess you could say that,” Annie lied, struggling to maintain her composure.

“I appreciate what you're saying but I don’t believe it for a second,” he said.  “I’ve known Mike too long.  He sees something he wants and he’s like a dog with a bone.  So I guess we’ll see what happens.  On a lighter note,” he said, sliding an arm around her waist, “I personally wanted to thank you for the dance earlier.”

“No problem.  It was fun.”  Annie forced a smile on her face.