The concert had begun. The sounds of the crowd swelled as the band took the stage and the rhythmic thumping of the heavy bass and drums rang out in the filled-to-capacity arena. Everything came off without a hitch, just as it always did when Alex was in charge. It was his job to make it look effortless, but several months of planning, sweat, and hard work was now paying off. Alex's job was over for the time being. There would be more to do at the end of the night, but for now, it was time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Andi loved the action before a concert - eager fans and supporters vying to buy t-shirts and CDs - all hoping that the band would be around after the gig to sign autographs into the early morning hours. It fueled her inner fan-girl to be a volunteer at the merchandise stalls, to let the concertgoers assume she was somehow related to the band. Let them think it, she thought. It'll make them buy more, which was her job. Selling as much as she could for the band, with the hope they'd be grateful and toss a free tee or CD her way. It had happened more than once. Good for her she had known Alex for years - a connection that had paid off for both of them more than once when he needed extra hands to help at a concert.
Alex walked past the merchandise stall and saw Andi there, no crowds now that the band was on stage. He felt the familiar tug of desire that he always felt in her presence. He wanted her, had for a long time. But they were friends - and up to this point, they hadn't shared any benefits of that relationship. God help him, though, he wanted to. He walked past, waved at her, and headed for his private suite backstage. Time to get himself under control before Andi and the rest of the world knew just how much he wanted her.
Every venue was different, but this arena was one of the better in terms of accommodations. He had his own little domain next door to the artists' "green room". He could hear the music and noise of the crowd, but was safely and securely insulated from it. It was his own private cocoon and no one entered unless he invited them. As he sat down on the soft, supple leather couch and let his thoughts wander back out front to where his friend sat on her stool listening to the concert, he wondered if it was time to issue an invitation. Would Andi come? Only one way to find out Alex thought, picking up the two way radio and calling.
"Alex to merch," she heard in her ear. The inner ear speakers were necessary once the concert began.
"This is merch. Go ahead," Andi answered, thinking it was odd to be called by Alex during a concert. She couldn't recall another time he'd ever called for her on the radio and she wondered why he needed to now. She hoped everything was alright.
"I need to go over something with you. Anyone there with you who can cover the stall?" Alex asked, knowing full well there was. He never had people who worked with money work alone. It wasn't good business practice.
"Yeah. We've got two people out here besides me. I'm on my way back," Andi replied and made her way from behind the stall to the stage door. She flashed her all access pass and the security guard let her pass. Once again knowing Alex provided her with great adventures. Alex's suite was behind the stage and Andi enjoyed a peek at one of her favorite acts from stage right, safely out of sight from the cheering, singing crowd, but with a great view of them at work. She kept moving, quietly leaving the stage area and winding her way down the hallway to Alex's door. She knocked and heard him call to her to come in.
