Page 46 of AMS.TER.strum

I’m about to say something smartass-y when clapping and cheering erupts.

‘Man, if you were going for panties to be thrown at you together with those bras, you’re on the right path,’ Joey whispers in my ear, covering the microphone.

The final part of the show goes as planned, with some of my loudest upbeat songs and one of my greatest hits for encore.

‘Great idea, that kids’ song,’ Gordon says. ‘We should make it a regular feature.’

‘I’m sure they’ll ask for it, once the videos people filmed are uploaded,’ Joey adds.

Aaron isn’t happy, though. ‘What were you thinking?’

‘What do you mean?’ What the fuck is his problem?

‘The bomb about your two favorite little people!’ He air-quotes that last part. ‘Now everyone will start talking about your secret children.’

‘Aren’t you exaggerating?’

‘Don’t be such a stick in the mud, Aaron,’ Gordon says. ‘They loved the song.’

‘As for the secret kids, after tonight, I can see plenty of volunteers to give him some.’ Joey winks at me.

‘You are all brainless smartasses,’ Aaron grunts. ‘I’ll go get some rest. Don’t get wasted.’

‘He isn’t far off the mark, you know,’ Gordon says.

‘About the secret children?’

‘About people jumping to conclusions. There’s already the assumption that you have an active dick, and it takes one time without…’

‘I don’t have secret children. You know what? I feel tired, I’ll go and catch some sleep.’

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, man,’ Gordon says.

‘I’m not.’ I grab my jacket and head for our hotel.

One of the great things about small places is that distances are a joke, so I’m back in my cosy room in no time. Despite the owners’ efforts to make the space look homey, the magnet in my pocket tells me why it isn’t home. Until her message arrives, after I send her a ‘Hi’.

Corrie

How did it go tonight?

Me

Pretty good.

Me

The boots’ song might become viral.

Corrie

Really?

Corrie

The kids will love it!

Corrie