Free Rocked Forever by Clara Bayard Page B

and I needed to talk to you first."
    Dex, who'd been uncharacteristically quiet, chimed in. "Are you leaving the band, mate? If so, you could've told us tomorrow."
    "No, that's not it," Joe said emphatically. "But I do have to come clean about some things. Please, everyone just let me get through this, okay?"
    There were a few grumbles, but no one interrupted him again.
    Joe started pacing back and forth. "I've been thinking about all of this for a while, but now that Matthew's back, we're all together and it's the right time." Liss took his hand and he held it tightly. "You know there's been a lot of shit going on around us and between us. I think we're back on track, pretty much, but it's gotten me thinking." He stopped and looked at the ground, unsure of himself in a way I'd ever seen. One of his strengths as a front-man was always exuding confidence.
    Liss shook her head and smiled at us. "Let me help. As you all know, Joe and I were planning to get married once this tour is over. I mean, that was the plan at first. After the accident. We always expected to want a very long engagement with so much going on."
    The accident. The one that had taken the life of their manager and almost Matthew's.
    "Right," Joe continued. "That was the plan. But lately we've been talking. And if the past year has taught us anything, it's that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Anything could happen, so it doesn't make sense to wait to do the things that matter. Do what you want while you can. Maybe it's selfish, but we all have to be selfish sometimes."
    "Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Rick asked.
    "That all depends on you, boys. We're family. Always have been. And I know the timing is shit, but I want to marry Liss. Not someday or when the tour is over. I want to do it right now. We talked about it before her flight and she agrees."
    Becca ran over and hugged Liss. "You mean actually right now, don't you?"
    "Yeah," Joe said. "If you guys are up for it."
    "Of course we are," Matthew said emphatically.
    "Not so fast," Rick nearly bellowed. Julia punched him kind of hard on the arm, but he waved it off. "Are you fucking kidding?"
    Joe's face fell. "No, man. I am serious. And I want you all with me on this."
    "Not a chance in hell."
    I gasped.
    Liss's eyes narrowed and if looks could kill, Rick would've been dead on the floor.
    Dex turned and glared at him too. "What's your problem now?"
    Rick crossed his arms across his chest. "How the fuck are you gonna get married before we can throw you an epic bachelor party? I forbid it. If I gotta listen to sappy declarations of love I need happy memories to get through it." A wide grin spread across his face.
    "Asshole," Julia spat at him before kissing his cheek.
    Joe laughed and finally relaxed. "You're right, Rick. I'm sorry to deprive you of that." He took Liss in his arms. "But I can't wait another hour to make this woman my wife."
    Rick shrugged. "Might as well. You've been whipped since the day you met her." He scowled, but I could tell his heart wasn't in it.
    "So, does that mean we're doing this?" Julia asked. "When and where?"
    Joe looked around. "You're all onboard?"
    Everyone was.
    "Then the answer is here and now." He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed. He muttered something brief and then put it away. A minute later a parade of people entered via the door we'd used. Crew members, Red and the security guys, Julia's backing band, Blaze and the rest of Playology, even Julia's mother and my new cameraman. There were even a couple of people I didn't recognize. Most were carrying a bottle of booze or a covered plate. They dumped everything on the bar and surrounded us. The mood turned from confused to celebratory.
    Becca grabbed Julia and me and hustled over to Liss. She was beaming.
    "What do you need us to do?" I asked.
    Liss shrugged. "Not much. Ellie, we're giving to exclusive coverage of the wedding for your site, if you want it."
    "Really?"
    "Of course. I know we