Time to get to work. Ryan realizes he's forgotten his laptop, his head is so high in the clouds in love, but there's nothing he can do about it now. At least he has his camera. As Salvation plays, Ryan takes killer photos. See what's going on in this week's chapter of In Pieces. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
In Pieces #43 (11.2)
They devoured everything Ryan and Abby had brought in record
time. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, looking forward to that night’s
concert. When they were finished, they tossed their trash in the can then headed back inside. The club was pretty
packed now. Ryan thought it was awesome that so many people had come to see
them play. Surely this was a sign that Salvation
was on its way to success. Fame, fortune… the sky’s the limit.
As they headed toward the stage, maneuvering their way
between the tables and through the milling people, Ryan knew he probably
wouldn’t be able to get a table, not as crowded as it was. He’d just have to
roam the crowd, taking pictures, although that would make taking notes
difficult. He couldn’t very well type standing up.
Shit. He realized
with a sudden twinge of guilt that he’d forgotten his laptop back at Cameron’s
house. What was he thinking? He wasn’t, that was the problem. Too over the
moon, head over heels in love with Ben to pay attention to what he needed to be
doing. He was lucky he’d remembered his camera case, which he’d slung over his
shoulder.
When they reached the stage, most everyone
jumped on, heading to their respective positions. Ben remained at Ryan’s
side. He gave Ryan a troubled look. “You okay?”
“Yeah, fine.” Ryan forced confidence into his voice he was
far from feeling. “I think I’m just gonna get some shots of you guys from out
in the crowd, then get closer in.”
“Yeah, good idea.” Ben nodded.
Ryan started to offer to fetch drinks if they needed them,
then remembered the band had water bottles with them already. Maybe when they
took a break between sets, he and Ben could grab a drink together. Assuming he
wasn’t overwhelmed by his fans. If he was, Ryan would just have to live with
it. This was Ben’s dream. He wasn’t about to rain on that or ruin it for him by
being too possessive.
“Earth to Ryan.” Ben’s voice drew him out of his reverie.
“Oh, sorry,” he apologized. “I must have been daydreaming.”
He laughed a little self-consciously.
“As long as it was about me,” Ben said with a wink.
“No one else,” Ryan promised, which garnered him a huge
smile from his lover.
“That’s what I like to hear. Don’t go too far, sexy, I’ll be
looking for you.” Ben pulled Ryan in for a long, deep kiss. People standing
nearby broke into spontaneous applause and cheers. By the time Ben released
him, he wore a great big smile which Ryan couldn’t help but return.
“Knock’em dead,” Ryan said. “Remember that I love you.”
“Love you too.” Ben leapt up onto the stage to cheers from
the audience. Blowing Ryan a quick kiss, he grabbed the mic from the
stand. “Hello Houma. We are
Salvation and we’re gonna rock your world!”
The group launched immediately into their first number. Ryan
loved the way Deacon’s keyboard sounded like a pipe organ, adding to the almost
church-like quality of the music. The reverberations of the two guitars lent
the song a definite metallic edge, along with Abby’s impressive drumming. As
for Ben, his beautiful voice was otherworldly and enchanting. The light show
was pretty impressive too. Maybe when they had a bigger budget to work with,
they could add something of a gothic element. Ryan had seen a lot of concerts
where the bands displayed computer graphics in the background to accompany the
lights. Maybe he’d suggest that to Ben later. Being part of Salvation was exhilarating,
something beyond his wildest dreams. Maybe this would put his writing career
back on track too. Being with Ben was going to make all the difference in the
world, he just knew it. With Ben, he could do anything.
Time to get to work.
Ryan pulled out his camera and concentrated on taking shots
of the band first. He loved the way they dressed, each member with his own
individual persona. Ben was the priest, of course, and Abby the nun. Aiden was
dressed as a monk, although he drew the line, as he’d told Ben, at adding a
tonsure, even for the sake of art. He wore a long brown robe with a hood,
although he didn’t wear it up all the time. Probably got too hot under the lights.
A chain link belt girded his waist, from which dangled a large Coptic cross.
Keanu, as the bishop of the group, wore black robes adorned with gold buttons
and crosses, topped with a high black bishop’s hat. His better half, Deacon,
wore the scarlet robes of a cardinal, including a cape and a red skullcap. Ryan
thought Ben looked the best of all of them, but he knew he might be more than a
little prejudiced on that point.
The audience was more than appreciative, cheering each and
every song. Many of them stood and
swayed, singing along with the refrains, adding an almost church-like
atmosphere. Ryan knew he couldn’t possibly use all the pictures he was taking
in the book, but he could use the best of them.
He worked at getting pictures of the band and the audience both from
different angles, utilizing the zoom feature of his camera.
Caught up in what he was doing, he backed up to get a wider
shot of the stage and unexpectedly hit something solid. Ryan started to fall.
His first thought was not to fall on the camera.
Shit.
Before he could regain his balance, he felt strong arms
circle his waist, holding him tight.
“Careful there, handsome,” a low voice came from behind him.
Ryan found himself back on his feet, facing his savior. His
first impression was of long red hair and deep blue eyes and a smile that went
on forever.
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