Dear Readers,

Chapter Twenty-Four

Teri was trying to concentrate on the conversation and not stare at Patrick. He had gorgeous brown eyes. His brows were heavy, and his lashes long and thick. Thick. Oh, my God, she thought. I'm sizing him up. No, No, No! Teri kept trying to stop staring and letting her mind get lost in a crazy fantasy.
"Teri, honey. My mom asked you a question."
Teri stared at her, and she politely repeated her question. "What do the band members do when they finish a show?"
Teri nodded and smiled. "We have a meal. We are hungry after working out in front of the crowd for almost three hours. We try to stay hydrated during the show. Usually, the band goes out. Would you like to join us?"
"Oh, no, dear. That is very kind of you to offer. But I'm all ready to go home. One hour of the Wildcats has worn me out."
Jenn was laughing. "C'mon, mom. Stick around and stay up late. I know you'll love the next set. You can sleep in tonight."
"Well, it looks like tonight will be tomorrow. I suppose I can stay until I can't keep my eyes open. But, Teri. You impressed me tonight. You are a consummate musician and have a beautiful voice. It's so obvious that you and your sister are related."
Gina walked by and gave her a pat on the back. "C'mon, Little. Time to go to work."
When Gina walked away, everyone stared at her wrapped in spandex. Julia turned to her boyfriend, "Now, she is hot."
Jenn's mom asked Teri, "She called you Little. Is that a nickname?"
Teri laughed and hugged everyone. "I've gotta go. I'll let Jenn explain that."

The lights grew bright on the stage to find all five Wildcats wearing their Fur Face outfits. After appearing on the Tonight Show, everyone on mainstream television had seen them play their heavy metal spoof. They'd even asked Wiggins and Richard what they thought about dropping it out of the show, thinking they were beating a dead horse.
Richard shook his head. "People count on seeing and hearing Fur Face live. It's just part of going to a Wildcats show. Maybe for next year's tour. But it's huge in Asia and Europe."
Wiggins only shook his head. "You have honed your show to something special. There are no hiccups and no slow spots. Everybody is enjoying everything. I still love to see the crowd's reaction to Chances. You know, the movie people plan on using the whole performance. I've seen a mock sample of a trailer that starts in classical mode and ramps up when you rock it. They were even using a live cut that Phil had sent us. I've watched them play it for small sample groups, and it's getting a huge response. It's a one-of-a-kind trailer when all you hear is the cello playing when the screen fades to black."
No one said a word after hearing Wiggins.
"And, oh yeah, Wildcats. I am sure the song will be submitted as the best song for a movie when Oscar time rolls around. You'll all have to go to Hollywood, walk on the red carpet, then do the song live on TV. After that, who knows? You might have to all gather on the stage to receive an award."
The Cats just looked at each other and smiled.
"And when Teri's Vampire love story hits Broadway, you could get a Tony. Catch a Grammy, and you'll be one step away from an EGOT."
Gina looked puzzled. "An Ego?"
Tiffany laughed. "No, you moron. Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar. Our names would join some pretty heavy hitters in the industry. We'll get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!"
"We'd still need to get an Emmy for acting."
Wiggins nodded. "We can help with that. We can arrange for a live version of Teri's love story on TV, and you can all be in it. That could be your Emmy win."
Lisa laughed. "But what's that got to do with dropping Fur Face?"
"Well, Jimmy Fallon keeps mentioning Fur Face on his show. The band even plays it. You'd get some serious props if you just dropped in and played it with him again. I heard he's lining up a Christmas Special and wants to include the band again."
Tiffany laughed. "We'd need Christmas versions of our furries.
Richard laughed. "Oh, you're scheduled to do Saturday Night Live this year. You'd have to play two hits."
Teri shook her head. "No, not Fur Face. I don't want to be remembered as a joke band like Weird Al."
That immediately stopped all discussion while the Cats yelled out their favorite Weird Al songs.
"Amish Paradise"
"Another One Rides The Bus"
"Fat"
"Eat It"
"Party in the CIA"

After the second set, they thanked everybody and waved goodbye. Of course, they would return for another thirty minutes of an encore, playing their download hits and a few favorites, including introducing Smith. After the show, he'd be heading back to LA, where EBR would make their first pop-up shows in the clubs while releasing their new album.

Teri was drying off and saying goodbye to Jenn's mom. She was taking an Uber back to her daughter's place and promised to see him for lunch tomorrow. Teri and Jenn would have a day together because they weren't playing at the Ruoff Music Center until Monday night in Noblesville, Indiana.
Jenn pulled her close before she was ready to walk back on stage. "Hey, are you interested in going out with my sister and her boy toy after the show?"
Teri nodded. "But I'm going to need something to eat."
Jenn kissed her hard. "I know something you can nibble on."
Teri nuzzled her neck. "Unless you're hiding a cheeseburger on your body somewhere, I gotta get something. After three hours, I'm hungry."
"Baby, Chicago is know for its deep dish pizza. And they've got cheese steaks and hot dogs, maybe the best hot dogs ever. We can get food to go and chow down at Patrick's place. You'll love it."
Patrick's place. Jeez. She couldn't stop thinking about Patrick and knew it was wrong. She needed to focus on the show.

When they reappeared, the crowd was chanting 'Wildcats, Wildcats'. They could feel the applause thundering as they immediately went into Summer Song. As the band played and the crowd sang along, Teri knew that she should start to live in the moment and not let the past color it in negative shades. She loved where she was, and as Lisa had constantly reminded him, even in the worst of times, she should make a list.
Right now, the good list is a long one. It includes unique experiences and all the potential of the future. I'm touring, and I'm taking a vacation trip to Hawaii over the fourth. I'm also arranging music and working with huge talent for the telethon. I'm playing out on the West Coast and eventually traveling to Tahiti with Jenn.
The lousy list was small. Too much activity to write. Always on the go and sleeping in a different place each night. She knew those things seemed important now, but she had to remind herself that the tour wouldn't last forever. Teri knew she'd adapt. Her fear that she'd never write another song again was unfounded. Sure, it wasn't going to happen this month. She was learning about touring. Grace reminded her that the rest of the Cats had been on the road for four years.
Teri wanted to believe that her imagination would return as soon as she had some time to herself.
After playing Summer Song, they switched it up with A Change is Gonna Come. This gave Teri an opportunity to wow the crowd with her guitar. After the audience watched her play and listened to her guitar, they stood and tore the whole place up with their cheering for her. It was a pretty incredible moment.
Because this would be Smith's last night on the tour, Lisa was excited to have her man on the stage with her; as she talked about Eaten By Raptors, some of the audience applauded just hearing the name EBR. But the place erupted when she introduced Smith to help her do a few songs.
The place was clapping and dancing as the band finished Devil With A Blue Dress and Good Golly Miss Molly. As Smith left the stage, everyone cheered for him.
As he left, Tiffany stood out on the stage, and the spotlight found her playing the bass notes of "Show Me Some Love." The band gave it the full ten-minute treatment, including the Space Twins and the Theremin. When the song ended, the concert was over.

Afterward, all Teri could think about was standing out there with very little covering her body. And now that the show was over, she didn't want to be on display anymore. She'd made a big mistake not bringing a raincoat to slip on and cover herself up. So, while everyone stood around drinking bottled water and eating trail mix, chocolate, and energy bars, Teri was flashing her whole body.
Jenn whispered in her ear, "What's the matter?"
Teri shook her head. "I wish I could wear a coverup, like a fashion raincoat. I never thought about standing around being naked like this was a cocktail party, and I'm the only one who's undressed."
Jenn smiled. "Well, I get it. But I've really enjoyed looking at your bod tonight. For all the times I've seen you naked, you are so sexy tonight, all covered in silver glitter. I hope I get my hands on you before you get that shower." She squeezed Teri's hand firmly. "I want to grab your butt and boobs. I want to push you up against the wall and get you all turned on in just your silver body."
Teri laughed. "You've reduced me to a slab of meat, you pig. You are such a bad girl."
"Bad girl, huh? I've been hanging around with my family, which includes Patrick. He's an incredibly nice guy but such a hunk of meat. All I could think about was picturing you in his arms, watching the top of your head explode."
Teri blushed. "He does seem nice."
"Watch out for him. He and my sister are living in the fast lane. They party in the second biggest city and live well. They both visit some very private clubs together to satisfy their needs. I'm afraid our Allentown, PA, brains won't be able to keep up. I've been here for two days and can't wait to return home. Maybe your offer to hang out at the band house still stands."
"Chicago is cool but my mom works all day and night and my sister has her special clothing store. That means that I'm seeing too much of Patrick. He just models and makes big money but doesn't go anyway. Of course, he's got an incredible house, but I don't want to hang out with him all day. And you can only do so much touring before you get crazy."
Teri kissed her. "I'd love to know you're back between Allentown and Philly. I'll sleep better knowing that you're in our bed."

When Julia and Patrick came over, it was time to leave. Teri checked in with Richard, and they would take care of everything. Julia talked about all the junk food they could want as she walked out.
"Julia, how close is your shop?"
"We can walk there in ten minutes, but Patrick drove. Why?"
Teri explained that once she got a shower, she didn't have a coat or anything to wear. "I was hoping to shop and buy some stuff from you," she said.
Julia leaned in and grabbed her arm. "I would love to dress you. I think it will be fun."

Julia's shop was right in the center of Chicago's best streets. As she unlocked the door and turned off the alarm system, Teri could see a Coach, Tiffany's, and other big-name places.
Julia turned to Teri and double-checked her sizes. "Right. Give me five minutes, and I can surprise you."
Right on time, she reappeared with two shopping bags and a coat slung over her arm. She tossed the coat over. Teri slipped it on and looked in a mirror. It was perfect. It was a fashion statement, not a raincoat. It was the same length as her mini, and the bottom was pleated. She ran her hand across the shiny black material. It had big pockets and an oversized collar. It fastened inside. "Oh, my gosh. This is beautiful!"
Julia grinned as she led them back outside. "Just wait until you see what's in the bags." She handed them off to Patrick, and they followed him to the car.
Patrick drove for a few minutes, then pulled into a lot. Everything was lit up, and cars and people were everywhere. You'd never know it was one in the Morning. The sign said Monti's Late.
Patrick smiled. "We can eat in or take it all back to my place."
Julia laughed. "We'll eat in, so Teri gets to sample everything. And I need to start with a drink."
While Julia was ordering for everyone, Teri drank a double chocolate milkshake. She was surprised to see that Julia and Patrick were sipping cocktails. Julia kept the waitress busy with food orders and more cocktails.
Jenn was stealing Teri's shake, and they ended up drinking three. Teri's eyes were wide open, looking at the pizza, cheese steaks, and hot dogs that came to their table. There were also french fries and onion rings. "Oh. I'm going to be so fat when we're finished."
Julia was starting sot show signed of the alcohol when she grinned at Teri and kissed her on the lips. "Oh, baby. We're just fattening you up for the over. When we get to Patrick's place, we'll get you so hot you'll be roasting. Don't worry, honey. You'll be working off all those calories."
Teri thought she meant while she was up on stage playing. "Well, we don't play until Monday night, so tomorrow is a rest day."
Julia looked at her iPhone. "Well, baby. Tomorrow is already here."
Teri saw that it was almost three in the Morning.

Patrick's house was hooked up. It was very modern and huge, reminding Teri of something you'd see in Florida or Hollywood. After Patrick proudly showed her around, she led her to the great room. "This is where we hang."
Teri saw many low couches and the biggest TV she had ever seen. As Jenn and her sister followed them downstairs, Patrick lowered the lights and flipped on a movie. Teri smiled when she saw it was one of her favorites, Crazy Rich Asians.
"Oh, I love this one!"
Patrick was lighting up a bong with a large bowl. He took some hits to get it going, then passed it around. Jenn squeezed her hand as she passed it.
As Teri took a hit, she realized she was still wearing her silver body paint. "Oh, I need to shower and wash all of this off."
Jenn laughed. "No hurry, baby. I'm looking forward to unwrapping my shiny present first." She reached around and blew a hit from the bong down Teri's throat. Before she could protest, Julia did the same. Teri noticed that her lips were soft like Jenn's. But the big surprise was when Patrick went to blow smoke down her throat. He gently grabbed the back of her head as he finished with a very gentle kiss that seemed to last a long time.
Teri kissed him back as he slipped her raincoat off leaving her with just her mini dress covering her body and well, not covering her body at all. But that wasn't important because Patrick held her firmly as he nuzzled her neck.
Teri realized that two other bodies were joining her together on the couch. When she opened her eyes, she realized that everyone was kissing everyone.
Jenn whispered in her ear, "It's not cheating if we're doing it together."

Teri woke up needing to pee. She was still on the oversized couch in the great room. She threw back the quilt and looked around.
A voice came from under the quilt. "Over on the right."
The bathroom was huge, with white and black marble. She did not want to look in the mirror and immediately sat down and urinated. She noted that it was a bit painful. As she wiped off, she examined herself but didn't see anything that would indicate why.
As she stood up, she glanced in the floor to ceiling mirror. She was still silver and worried if the paint would ever come off. Her body felt refreshed as if she'd slept forever. But she decided that it was from being with Jenn.
As she thought about Jenn, many images, some of Julia and Patrick, flashed through her mind. She squeezed her eyes closed, hoping to make them go away. As she moved, she noticed that she was sore. Her arms and legs needed a massage, but one other spot hurt. She vaguely knew what had happened, but things were hazy. She had visions of all four of them entangled, having sex with no hesitation or shame.
Seeing Jenn enter the bathroom in underpants, she kissed her and said, "Morning. How are you?"
 Jenn kissed her back. "The big question is, how are you?"
Teri shook her head and kissed her again. "I'm just starting to put together bits and pieces. I know I was pretty high."
"I think that you needed to be high to let yourself go."
"You and Julia?"
Jenn smiled.
"You and Patrick?"
She nodded her head.
"What did you think of Patrick?"
Jenn frowned. "Not my cup of tea. I think that I'm queer."
Teri sighed. "Was that your first time with him?"
"Yep. And only because I didn't want to leave anyone or anything out. But my sister and I have slept together for a long time. She's fun. But does that surprise you?"
Teri thought about it. "Do you still love me?"
Jenn squeezed her tightly. "More than ever. Do you still love me?"
Teri kissed her back. "You are mine. Was all of this planned? Was I set up?"
"Not the way you think. I wasn't thinking in terms of your thinking with strong arms. My sister and I just talked about a four-some. And yes, everyone knew what you had in your panties before we started."
"Uh, I have this image of Patrick's head kinda between my legs. Did that happen?"
"Everything happened, baby. But that was nine hours ago. We're looking at the present and the future, not the past. I don't want you to be angry or upset."
Teri thought about it. "Okay. I guess what happens in Chicago stays in Chicago." She sighed, then shivered. "I'm not beating myself up cause of your mantra."
"Uh-huh. It's not cheating if we're doing it together."

Teri wiped her eyes before the tears started. "Uh, I need your help."
Jenn looked at her. "Sure. I am yours."
"Will you wash my back?"
Jenn laughed. "Sure. But for the record, you look good in silver."