Read Rocked on the Road for Free Online Page B

went out into the club and through to a back bar area. There was a line of people milling around waiting for the band. They applauded and someone squealed when Joe stepped into dimly lit space. He was surrounded in an instant and I stepped back, looking for a corner to hide in. It had become a familiar thing for me, staying out of the way, fading into the background. I had no idea how he could handle being surrounded like that without freaking. It made me nervous just watching.
    Beth appeared with a bouncer, and they managed to get the small crowd under control quickly. Joe took a few swigs on a beer and started greeting people. He perked up under their attention, standing straighter and plastering a bland smile across his face. It only wavered when a very tall, skinny girl turned around, pulled her pants down a bit and asked him to sign her ass.
    I gritted my teeth as he obliged a little too happily. It started a trend and CDs and t-shirts gave way to body parts as the items shoved in his face for an autograph. Joe's eyes flitted over to as he was writing over the top of a very round, full breast and he shrugged.
    Joe was really in his element. He was so animated and friendly, open in a way I only got to see when we were alone, but different. Sure, he wasn't sharing his deepest secrets and fears with his fans, but he was happy and fulfilled, in complete command of everyone around him and loving it. He gestured broadly and seemed almost hyper, practically vibrating under all the attention.
    I waves as his eyes landed on me but he ignored me and went back to signing autographs and taking photos with the fans. One girl asked for a picture and practically climbed up his body to get the shot. All the while he grinned.
    Rolling my eyes, I took a sip of the glass of wine the bartender had just handed me and scanned the room for something, anything else to look at. But apparently Joe noticed and he was at my elbow in a minute.
    "Liss, you okay?"
    "Yeah."
    "Look," he said, running his fingers through his hair, "I have to do that shit. It doesn't mean anything."
    "Joe, I know that. And I'm not mad." I had been, but his concern blunted it. "Do what you have to do. I just don't want to watch, okay?"
    "Okay, great. See ya later, then," he said, relieved, and patted my knee. He was already turning away when Ryan rushed over and grabbed his arm.
    "What the fuck are you doing," he hissed.
    "Nothing. Taking a break. Chill out, man."
    "Fine. Break's over. Back to work." Ryan's stare hit me like and ice pick to the chest so hard I rubbed the spot.
    I smiled briefly at Joe and turned back to my wine. This was by far my least favorite night on the tour and I couldn't wait for it to be over. The drinking did help a little. I'd finished that glass and another by the time the fans started filing out. When they were gone the bartender left too, and it was just Dream Defiled, their support staff and assorted hangers-on like me.
    Ryan stalked over to me once more and I could tell he was going to let me have it.
    "Melissa, I thought we'd talked about this," he said icily.
    "I'm not sure what you mean."
    "You. Getting in the way."
    "How am I in the way of anything? I'm just sitting here."
    "That's not what I mean and you know it. Joseph is working. Part of his job is talking to fans. He needs to focus on that, not you."
    "What the hell are you talking about?" I stood up, squaring off against him. "I didn't do anything. Joe signed everything and talked to everyone. Why are you giving me a hard time right now?"
    "Because you're a distraction. And he doesn't have time to be distracted. This entire enterprise rests on his shoulders and I won't let you or anyone else jeopardize it."
    "I'm not. I mean, I've been trying to do everything right. I do whatever you say. Go everywhere you want."
    "You're not listening to me." His voice grew louder and everyone was watching us now. "Joe is the center of all of this and he needs to be on his toes at all times. He