Chapter 1

“Wow, you guys are so good. You’re totally going to be famous one day.” I remembered telling a band known as Trigger five years ago. I was a senior in high school and I went to school with the band’s lead vocalist and my best friend, Tony Ruff.

“You think so Bobby?” Tony asked. They had been having a hard time getting gigs, and I guess they were feeling a bit down. I did think so, they sounded phenomenal.

“Yeah, of course!” I exclaimed. “All you need to do is let me be you guys’ manager.” I joked. I didn’t know that he’d actually have me manage their band. I mean, I was only 18. I didn’t know the first thing about managing a band.

Here I am now, age 23, managing Trigger. I was shocked at how quickly they became famous. I was shocked that they become famous at all. It’s not that I didn’t believe in them, it’s just that stuff like becoming a hugely famous rock band didn’t happen in real life.

I worked my butt off for them. I sent out demo tapes and snagged gigs. I got them in at the best venues. Slashed a few tires, slit a few throats…just kidding! I did work really hard though, and it paid off.

They hadn’t been expecting the record deal, but that’s because I hadn’t told them I had even been trying to get them one. I wanted it to be a surprise, and if it didn’t happen, I didn’t want them to be disappointed. We all graduated from high school first, but none of us went to college.

My parents were pissed. I was valedictorian and not going to college!? They said that I wasn’t even in the band, and that I would have absolutely nothing to fall back on. I haven’t spoken to them since I left with Trigger.

Tony was the vocalist, Sam played bass, Jay was our drummer, and Ian played guitar. They were all so creative. They were all so glamorous. They were all so famous. I felt really depressed sometimes when I was around them all.

It was mainly because I, as silly as this may seem, had had a major crush on Tony. He wasn’t the brightest guy in the world, but he was really nice, and handsome, and as groupie-ish as this sounds, his voice made me want to sleep with him even more.

I could have told Tony how I felt, but I had become Robert the Manager. There would never be able to be an us. Plus, Tony was now an icon. He was possibly the most famous musician in the world. Five years and loads of awards later, everyone knew who Tony Ruff was.

Tony wasn’t even gay. At least I thought he was straight. I had never asked. I mean, he knew I was gay when he first talked to me and I thought he was into me, but that’s just stupid. I’m just stupid. He wouldn’t even want me now.

Nobody sees the manager, nobody cares about the manager. My job is very, very stressful. It always allows easy access to food. I don’t have to look hot like the rest of the gang. I eat and manage, eat and manage. I was 5’11 and 160 pounds when I first became manager. Now I’m 5’11 and 195 pounds.

I honestly didn’t notice the weight at first, but then what was I going to do to lose it? I had basically no time to myself. I ignored it for a while, but then I’d think about it and get all depressed again and eat some more.

It was the last concert of Trigger’s second tour and everything was going great. When it ended they all came back stage and Tony gave me a hug, like after every concert. I don’t think it means anything in particular, just a sign of gratitude for working so hard.

“Great show, eh?” He asked after gulping down a bottle of water. He smiled. He had black wavy hair and he was tall, about 6’3. He was muscular in an average sort of way. He focused his brown eyes on me and I blushed.

“Amazing show Tony. You were amazing.” I said.

“It is a group band you know!” Exclaimed Ian. I blushed even more. Everybody laughed.

“You all were fantastic…I meant everyone did a…a great job, not just Tony, although he did do a remarkable job...” I shut my mouth so I wouldn’t keep blubbering like an idiot.