Set the Night to Music, page 9
A known reporter stated that several LGBT coalitions were speaking out against the bandmate who attacked the lead singer for loving another man. Physical violence was never an answer or acceptable.
Rumor had it that Rion Priest left the band permanently.
A hard knock sounded at the door. Marty pulled the door open. The scent of booze lingered on his breath. His eyes were baggy with dark circles under them.
“Have you heard the fucking news yet?!” Linc exploded. “They’re saying awful things about the band. They’re also saying that Priest quit. I tried to call him and text him. No response. This looks bad, Marty. It looks like we’re all gay bashers. This is really bad.”
“Yeah—I received a call this morning from the CEO of Underworld Records. They say if Priest walks, they’re dropping the band.”
“Wait a minute. Can they do that? I mean, worst case scenario Priest does leave, can’t we audition for a new lead singer. At least give us that chance.”
Marty shook his head.
“The company doesn’t owe you that. In fact, the company doesn’t want to be associated with a band that openly displays acts of violence against gays. That shit is just bad juju all the way around. The company owns the band’s name so…they can drop the rest of you at any time.”
“Fucking Shaw.” Linc groaned as he dropped down onto the couch.
“How did things get this bad so fast?” Linc ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
Marty sighed. “I was going to talk to Priest. I could’ve help facilitate this whole coming out if that’s what he wanted to do-.”
“Marty…Priest coming out isn’t the problem. The fans are fucking eating that shit up. The problem is Shaw. I saw the damn replays. The way he clocked Priest when the man was unaware, that was just barbaric. You know something. If I were in Priest’s shoes I’d be contacting myself a lawyer to sue Shaw’s ass. Fuck it. If Priest leaves, then I’m out as well.”
“Look Linc, I understand where you’re coming from. I do. But what can I do? I care about all of you guys. Yes Shaw was wrong. But…maybe there’s a way to salvage this. If I can just reach Priest and get him to agree to talk to Shaw-.”
“Marty…how much of that shit did you really drink? I doubt Priest will ever want to lay eyes on Shaw again. And quite frankly, I don’t blame him. But you go ahead. Make your calls. If Priest is willing to meet, I want in on it. If he tells us all to kiss his ass, go ahead and began the separation papers, I want everything that entitled to me. Call me when you know something.”
Marty grabbed the bottle once Linc left. This was a huge clusterfuck. He was going to need Jesus, Mary and God himself to get Priest to agree to a meeting.
He just couldn’t let go without at least one good college try.
Crowley sat back contemplating his next move. He’d heard the news of the pop star KC being hospitalized. Too bad he hadn’t been able to gain access to the boy while he was in such a public place. Oh it wasn’t from lack of trying. The damn place was locked tighter than Fort Knox.
He’d gone in hopes of capturing the boy. Only things didn’t go as planned. Security was thick and they were physically checking everyone that tried to enter the floor the star was on.
That failure was great but it was only a temporary setback.
He’d already knew where the boy resided. He simply didn’t know which unit in the high class tower he lived in.
Also, he couldn’t get past the front desk without the proper credentials.
So now he had to come up with Plan C.
Sooner or later KC had to show himself in public. And when he did, Crowley would be waiting.
A pissed off Linc left Marty’s place and headed directly over to Shaw’s suite. However, he received no response. That only fueled his anger and led him to Braedn’s door.
“Brae, what are we going to do? Have you seen the news? Heard what they’re saying about Beautyful Nyghtmare? We’re fucking over!”
Braedn sighed heavily.
“I tried to talk to Shaw. To reason with him. He sounded like a raving madman last night. Dude, he’s far gone. He was spitting awful shit against gays. I didn’t know what to think. It was like he was fucking possessed.”
“He had no right to attack Priest like he did.”
“No…he didn’t. But don’t you think he had a point somewhat?”
Linc looked at him with a questioning expression on his face.
“What I’m saying is that, perhaps Priest should have confided in us that he was going to come out like that. Hell, he should have spoken to us first about the gay thing before announcing it in public. We’re like his family. Right?”
Linc shook his head.
“Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. Media and shit has shown that coming out isn’t always a joyous occasion. Perhaps he was scared of our reaction. And after getting a fist to the face, I guess his fear was justified.”
“I’m just saying, I think he could’ve prepared us a little better.”
“Well none of that matters now. What does matter is if we have a band to save. Marty told me that Underworld says if Priest walks, they’re dropping the band. We can’t even use the name and form another band. They own the title. We’re utterly screwed. Just because he came out and Shaw lost his shit. Seven years of work, down the shitter. I am so ready to choke the fuck out of Shaw myself.”
“Please—I think we’ve seen enough violence,” Braedn replied.
“Marty says he’s going to try and sit down with Priest. Try to get a meet-up with Priest and Shaw.”
Braedn’s brow was rose at that.
“Good luck with that. I tried to call Priest and he didn’t answer. I think he’s thoroughly through.”
Linc sighed.
“Perhaps we should call a press conference. Explain our side. Appeal to Priest. If we have to throw Shaw under the bus, so be it.”
Braedn pondered this.
“If Marty has no luck with the meet-up then yeah, I’m in.”
14
Klare lift his head from Priest’s chest. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good. In fact, I should be asking you that?” Priests said as he shifted to his side, kissing Klare’s plump lips.
“You’re here so I’m good,” Klare replied. “Mae finished cooking about an hour ago. I didn’t have the heart to wake you. You were completely knocked out. I sampled a quick bite. I wanted to wait for you to wake up so we could eat together.”
Priest cut him a stern look.
“As sweet as that is, I don’t want you skipping meals waiting for me.”
Leaning forward, he kissed Klare quickly. “Let me catch a quick shower and then we’ll eat.”
While his man was cleaning himself, Klare turned on the television. As a re-run of Once Upon A Time was interrupted for a news update, Klare’s eyes widened and his hand automatically went to his belly. “Priest! Babe come here!”
The sound of scampering feet emanated from the bathroom seconds before his wet boyfriend draped in a towel, appeared.
“What is it? Are you hurt? The baby?!”
“No, no. Everything’s okay. Look.”
Priest stepped closer to the bed as his gaze fixated on the wall-mounted screen. Clear as day his bandmates, Linc and Braedn were holding a live press conference. Linc stepped forward speaking into the microphone.
“Within the last forty-two hours live footage of an unfortunate event featuring members of our band have been exposed publicly. We want everyone to know and especially Rion Priest, that the opinions of one are not the opinions of all. We have nothing against Priest or the fact that he loves another man. We were a bit surprised but we support him. At this announcement, we have decided to cut all ties with Shaw, we are extending an olive branch to Priest. We are family. We can weather any storm together. But only together.”
Chewing his lower lip, Klare stared worriedly at Priest. The rock star was unusually quiet.
A reporter’s rebuttal cut through the silence.
“Mr. Tyler, we the public can’t speak for Rion Priest but we can opt to put to work our right to freedom of speech. With that said, this apology, if you will, sounds pretty much like someone trying to excuse my French, save their own ass. Rumors have been circulating since yesterday that the band known as Beautyful Nyghtmare is in jeopardy of becoming a has-been. Why did you and Mr. Carey not hold the conference yesterday? And furthermore, when Priest was being assaulted, why didn’t either of you come to his defense?”
Braedn stepped up.
“We were just as shocked as everyone else. Excuse us if our Rocky Balboa mechanism didn’t kick into effect.”
Priest shook his head at Braedn’s combative comment.
“Priest, are you going to answer them?” Klare caressed his arm.
“No. I saw how they all reacted. And to be honest, I’m not that Rion Priest anymore, I don’t want to hide who I am. I don’t want to have to live up to an image that’s expected of me. I’m thinking, it’s time for me to make some serious plays in life.”” Reaching around Klare, he grabbed the remote and turned the television off.
“I’m with you Priest. No matter what you decide.”
The rocker lift his slender hand to his lips and laid a sweet kiss on Klare’s knuckles. “Come on baby, let’s go eat.”
Dr. Chau came over to the condo for Klare’s twentieth week check-up. By now Klare had quite the noticeable baby bump. Chau performed an ultra sound and drew blood.
The ultra sound revealed that the baby was now 10 and½ounces and 6 and½
Inches long from head to bottom and about ten inches from head to heel.
Klare was now feeling frequent movement in his abdomen.
Priest was absolutely thrilled and fascinated with all the changes in Klare’s body. At this point Klare was no longer making public appearances. He’d done all the face work for the album in the weeks after its release. The decided not to mention Klare’s hiatus until the public starts to talk about it. No need in feeding the rumor mills when they were more than capable of coming with quite colorful tales. He could only imagine the shit that will grace magazines once the public notices that KC was absent from the limelight. With any luck, hopefully the public won’t realize his absence until after he had the baby.
“You guys have eluded the question long enough,” Klare stated. “Am I going to deliver this baby the natural way or am I having a C-section?”
Chau looked over at Priest, for the two had discussed the options in length on several occasions.
Priest nodded.
Klare didn’t miss the little eye game between them.
“We’ve discussed all the possibilities and have decided to let you go natural. The only way we’ll resort to a C-section is if you or the baby are in grave danger.
His pretty blue eyes shifted from Priest to Chau and back.
“And you’re sure that I can do that?”
“I don’t see any reason why you can’t. You’re young and healthy. Nature took care of the most important part by giving you the equipment that is required for a natural birth. Now—I just have a few instructions. The baby is at a good weight for her size. However—.”
A loud shriek tore from Klare’s throat. “It’s a girl?!”
Chau smiled.
“Yes. I finally got a clear shot of her during the ultra sound.”
Priest eyes teared as he held Klare in his arms.
“Now back to my instructions. I need you to rest as much as possible. Watch your sweet intake. Eat plenty of fruits. Drink lots of milk and water. Cut the sodas.”
“He has cravings like all the time for Dairy Queen’s Blizzards,” Priest interjected.
“Priest!” Klare elbowed him in the side.
The rocker just laughed.
“Actually, that’s not too bad. It does have milk and ice cream which is dairy products…however…don’t overdo it.”
“Is one everyday overdoing it?”
“Priest!”
“You can have it as long as you drink plenty of water during the day to flush the sugar out.”
Klare stuck his tongue out at his boyfriend. “Guess you’ll still be making those Dairy Queen runs.”
“If you’re going to eat the Dairy Queen then replace any and all plain ice cream with yogurt and I’ll be happy,” Chau stated.
Klare pouted.
Priest thought the extended lip was cute.
Dr. Chau left after giving them a clean bill of health.
“So—what do you want to do with the rest of our day?”
“How about I don a large sweat suit and jacket and we go for a carriage ride around the city. And a nice steak dinner would top off the night.”
Priest smiled. “I think that can be accomplished.”
Marty sat in the office of the C.E.O of Underworld Records.
“Marty,” Mr. Devin Queen began. “It’s been well over as month since Beautyful Nyghtmare disbanded. Have you heard from Rion Priest?”
“I received a letter, about two weeks ago from his lawyer, demanding that all monies be accounted for and turned over to his accountant. I have since seen to those matters.”
Mr. Queen nodded.
“Well I too have spoken with a lawyer. It seems Shaw has obtained a personal attorney who is now suing Underworld Records for breach of contract, criminal deceptions, and loss of wages. The prick is actually suing us for identity theft and defamation of character.”
Marty’s eyes bulged at the list. “Identity theft?”
“Shaw’s lawyer is arguing that the band was known worldwide by the name Beautyful Nyghtmare. They’re arguing, that upon the seventh year of usage, that the name belongs to the band by common law. They are stating that Linc and Braedn held a press conference whereas the press basically crucified him and the label did nothing to defend him, which resulted in loss wages from the decline in recent record sales.”
“That’s ludicrous!” Marty argued.
“It may be but he’s retained a topnotch lawyer that’s a damn piranha in the court room. This could cause major issues for the label.”
“I understand. What can I do to help?”
“You’ve spent a lot of time around the band. We’d like you to find Shaw. Talk to him. Try to get him to drop this insidious lawsuit. Offer a settlement if that will work. Just get him to end this.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“That’s all we ask of you.”
“Then I’ll get right on it.”
Marty called Shaw’s phone upon leaving Queen’s office.
Shit. After receiving Priest’s official resignation he hadn’t heard much from anyone. He thought that all the ugliness was finally simmering down. The first two weeks after Beautyful Nyghtmare fell apart had been a real nightmare. The online ridicule of homophobia were non-stop. Sales had pummeled way down. After the tour, the band was scheduled to return to the studio. Since that wasn’t happening, Underworld Records was releasing a Greatest Hits album in just a few weeks.
Priest and his lover KC, had released a remixed version of Set the night to Music. The single was topping the charts and rising.
Marty always said it.
Once the lead singer of a band left, the others were as good as dead. Especially if that lead singer had a unique voice that brought something special to the band. Something that was hard to duplicate or replace.
As he sat in his Lexus, he pulled out his iPad and secured a flight to New Jersey. He’d heard that Shaw went to visit his brother in Cherry Hill. He was sure that was where he’d find him. At the very least, he hoped so. He didn’t feel like hop-scotching across America hunting the wayward drummer.
15
The horse-drawn buggy trotted down Broadway. The city was alive with lights and action. Pedestrians in a constant state of motion. The white horse was simply enchanting that led the fairytale-like carriage.
Priest rested a hand on Klare’s baby bump as they took in the wonder of the city’s nightlife.
The two laughed and joked.
“You know, now that we know it’s going to be a girl, we haven’t come up with a name,” Priest said.
“Oh geez, I-uh-I was thinking of naming him after you, if it was a boy. I didn’t have anything in my arsenal for a girl.”
Priest chuckled.
“We’ll think of something darling.”
“Priest, have you given any real thought as to what you’re going to do now?”
“I’m thinking, after we have the baby, why not open our own record label. We can take on gay artists who are looking for a recording home. A place they can be themselves and put out good music.”
Klare practically gleamed from the idea.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“Say lil poppa, you hungry now?”
“Yes.”
Priest instructed the driver to let them off on 5th Avenue. His man was hungry and he was going to make sure he was fed.
Marty was shocked to find Shaw in the condition he was in. Dude was now sporting a thick black five inch beard. His hair was thick, long and unruly. He must’ve packed on at least twenty pounds all in the gut. The guy resembled a beer-guzzling lumberjack.
“Marty, what are you doing here?”
“I-uh-I came to talk. Are you busy?” Marty looked around to see if he could spot whatever it was that Shaw was occupying his time with these days.
Shaw stood back opening the door. After leading his guest into the great room of the colonial style house, Shaw offered, “Would you like something to drink?”
“Scotch if you have it.”
Shaw made the drink and handed it to his old manager.
“Okay—so what do I owe the pleasure of this impromptu visit? What do you want?”
“Shaw,” Marty breathed. “What’s going on? You look like a refugee from Duck Dynasty. And what’s this I hear you’re suing Underworld Records? Talk to me.”
Shaw rounded on him with a vengeance. “So now you want to come here concerned for me. What did you or the label do to protect me from the snares of the press? My car was keyed. Signs were posted on my lawn. Folks calling me bigot and homophobe. That why I came to my brother’s place. And then there’s the matter of being dropped from the label. I’ve done everything I was supposed to do. I showed up at every show. How dare they try to take the name that I worked my ass off for? And to make matters worse, Cheryl left. She stated the children were getting teased at school. It’s an environment she doesn’t want them in.”
