Better than expected

For several reasons, I was more nervous than I expected. I always pictured this moment; standing on stage with Dan Daman, playing a song with my favorite band in front of countless people. In my fantasy of course, I didn't envision that I would be on that stage wearing nothing but a pink towel. My heart was going a hundred miles per hour as I stood wide-eyed at the scores of people who seemed to show up out of nowhere. Where did they come from? Where they always there? I did avoid looking around so I didn't have to see the faces of those who saw me naked. Did they all come in when I was backstage? Why were there so many of them? How big was this beach? Did they come quickly because they heard a famous band was playing? I suppose it didn't matter at this point. Right now there were hundreds of eyes cheering in my direction. This was one of those rare moments when I didn't want all the attention. But fear not, I was on stage with a well-known celebrity. They probably didn't even notice me right?

Any thoughts of comfort I provided for myself went up in smoke when Dan came over and pulled me center stage by the arm. "Hello everybody! I'm Dan Daman and we are Sexplosion!" The crowd roared as Dan spoke into the mic. "I'm so happy to see so many of you make it today. I'm always over the moon to see so many of my wonderful fans. But you should know we can't take all the credit for our impromptu appearance. All the credit is due to Blazeman Entertainment for calling us up and asking us to put on a show today. Because today is a very special day for Blazeman Entertainment. Today is the birthday of it's naming founder, the party animal, a handsome fellow, and one of my biggest fans...everybody give it up for Rorke Blazeman!"

The roar of the crowd was deafening as the spotlight fell on me. I must have looked wildly ridiculous standing there in nothing but a towel holding a guitar. I blushed as Dan guided me to the mic by the shoulders. I looked to the smiling crowd with the feeling of expectancy.

Am I supposed to say something?

"Um...hello everyone...I'm Rorke...it's my birthday today..." The crowd cheered again. I'm normally a lot better at public speaking but I guess my courage vanished along with my clothes. I tried to **** my business smile, "...I'm...honored to be playing with my favorite band so...I'm gonna play now so I hope you like it." That's what I said but I was stiffening under the pressure. The sweet sound of that familiar electric guitar snapped me out of my funk. I turned to Dan who was strumming on his own guitar like the pro that he was. He smiled and gave me a look as the other members in the band fired up their instruments, playing a familiar tune. A tune that I loved.

Yes, they were in fact playing my favorite song by Sexplosion! All the other group members looked to me, hinting that there was a part for me to play. My fingers just started strumming my strings, I knew that I was given an important role in this song. Dan started singing into the mic and I was just crushed by the weight of his talent. I had been to many of his concerts before but to actually be on stage to play with him...I just started rocking out I forgot about the rest of the world. I just kept playing to the song as I danced around on stage. Before I knew it, I was kicking my feet, shaking my hips, and shimming my shoulders to the beat until Dan's big guitar solo came. Dan and the band looked in my direction. Did they expect me to play it? Hell yeah!

I tore through the chords as I spun around on stage to that roaring crowd. My heart was racing but I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I was playing with Dan Daman! As we eased into the final verse of the song, the crowd erupted in elation once again. "Everybody! Give it up for Rorke Blazeman!" I was high on applause as Dan held out his arm, beckoning to center stage once again.

I skipped on over thinking there was nothing in the world that could ruin this moment. My favorite musician giving me the spotlight after playing a guitar solo that enthralled the masses. This could be huge for my business! I was bouncing on the balls of my feet as I faced the audience, this time feeling giddy. Dan took the guitar from me and for some reason, that made the crowd cheer even louder. I decided to ham it up as I struck a pose for my adoring fans. They seemed to like that.

One of the stage assistants came up to hand Dan a black marker. She was a bright eyed girl with her hair in a ponytail. Despite her being in the presence of Dan Daman, her eyes were on me. She giggled and winked right before she gave me the once over and left the stage. I gave her a wave. She was cute.

Dan took the marker and scribbled his signature across the guitar he took from me and held it up, "A gift for the birthday boy!" The crowd cheered again. Was he actually going to gift me an autographed guitar? Best day ever! Just when I thought it couldn't get any more amazing, Dan grabbed my wrist and held it in the air like I was the championship winner of a boxing match. "Wave to the fans Rorke, they love you." I happily used my free hand to wave to my adoring fans. I wonder if I was becoming more famous than Dan Daman himself, because the crowd couldn't stop cheering for me. Then again, I am Rorke Blazeman. I smiled and began to bow for my audience; though if I had bowed just a little lower, I would have noticed what they were really cheering for. "Yes, he is one hell of a showman. Not only does he know all of my songs on guitar but who else would get up on stage and dance stark naked for you?"

I ceased all movements at once. Though the crowd was still cheering, I began to notice that a great many of them were laughing as well. I let my eyeballs fall down and confirmed that I was in fact, butt-naked on stage in front of a crowd of hundreds of people. My head shifted frantically for that ridiculous pink towel I was wearing. It was nowhere in sight. Did one of the stage hands take it? How long have I been naked? Did it fall off while I was dancing? I wasn't paying attention. I looked back up at the boisterous crowd who were still eating up the sight of my naked body. My faced turned a deep red. I'm naked on stage! Finally having some presence of mind, I threw my free hand in front of my penis to hide it as best as I could. Even if it was too late.

"Happy Birthday Rorke. You made this a night no one would ever forget." Dan held out the guitar. I quickly grabbed my gift and held it in front of my crotch. I know I must look rather stupid but it was the only cover I had.

"Uh...yeah...thank you Dan." I tried to put on a smile as best as I could then gave a quick bow to the audience. I quickly turned to leave giving everyone on the beach one last look at my bare ass. Or so I thought...

"Whoa there buddy!" Dan grabbed my arm. "You don't think the concert is over with just one song, right? My friend, we have a whole album to cover."

"A whole album!?" I turned around to hide my ass from the crowd only to share the view with the chuckling band and the stage crew "I...I can't play a whole album!"

"Sage already told me you can play all our songs."

"I meant I'm naked! You expect me to play a whole concert in the nude!?"

"You're a people pleaser Rorke," Dan gave my ass a playful slap "give the masses what they want!" Just like that, Dan started playing the next song and the rest of the band started playing accordingly. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't just run off the stage in the buff. I had a feeling the stage hands and security wouldn't let me. Plus, Dan was right. I'm weak to peer pressure, Especially if that pressure is coming from my favorite musical artist in front of a crowd who would probably eat me alive if I blew this concert.

Reluctantly facing the screaming crowd, I began to strum the guitar. Looking at the vulgar lust in their eyes, I decided to focus beyond the horizon. The crowd kept cheering as we played song after song even though I was playing robotically. I was hitting the right notes but with much less enthusiasm than I was before. And I certainly didn't feel like dancing. The performance didn't go on as long as I thought but it still felt like hours. As the sun began to set, Dan thanked the crowd for their attendance and asked them to give me another round of applause. I gave a faint smile and a nod; staying professional. As the curtains finally closed, I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Wow, you can really see everything backstage."

Judging by that tone of voice, they were most definitely referring to my exposed backside. I turned to meet the owner of that voice.