Brian raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes. I’m quite certain of it.”
Brian watched his friend drift toward the door. “Sounds to me like you’re getting in over your head, buddy, and into a place you probably shouldn’t visit.”
Michael turned to face him and shook his head. “I don’t think so. It feels right to me and it’s a great place. In fact, I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be.”
Brian followed Michael to his car. “Hey, dick head,” he yelled with hands on his hips. “Don’t even think of coming back here and telling me you shook anything more than her hand!”
Michael smiled at Brian and turned the key in the ignition, essentially drowning out the sound of his friend’s voice in the process.
“Did you hear me?” Brian shouted.
The black blur of Michael’s car sped from Brian’s driveway, leaving him in a cloud of exhaust.
CHAPTER FOUR
By the end of the first week, Annie and the band were finally beginning to feel somewhat comfortable around Michael. That is, everyone except for Gary.
“Hey Mike, we’re all heading across the street to shoot some pool and maybe have a couple of beers if you feel like joining us,” Buzz offered. “Although, being Friday, I’m sure you’ve already got plans.”
Annie stood beside Buzz and held her breath waiting for Michael’s answer. She knew he no longer drank and wondered how he would respond.
“Sure, sounds great,” Michael replied, tossing his leather coat over his shoulder. “Will my car be okay here?”
“Michael, this isn’t Boston,” Annie teased. “It will be fine.” She smiled at him and he returned one to her. Every time he looked at her she felt naked and exposed to her soul. It was uncomfortable and exhilarating all at the same time.
He walked beside her, cutting an impressive image against the night sky, wearing a lived-in pair of jeans and a tight t-shirt. Being beside him she had never felt so alive. Self-consciously, she tugged at the bottom of her soft pink half shirt in an attempt to keep it from riding up and exposing too much of her stomach. The motion was not wasted on Michael. Several times she caught his eyes surveying her curves, which made her skin flush.
When they reached the door of the bar, Michael yanked it open with his right hand. Gary entered first and Buzz followed. Then with the fingertips of his left hand, he softly pressed against the bare skin at the base of Annie’s back. Gently he guided her ahead of him and into the bar. Annie felt a shiver of heat dance up her spine when she felt his touch. She bit her lip and swallowed hard.
Inside, Michael quickly scanned the room. It did not look too crowded and no one seemed to notice or give a damn who he was. Over the years it became increasingly harder for him to go out in public and simply blend in to the scenery. When he was on stage that was different: he was out there exposing himself to the world. But when he was off stage, he wanted desperately to be left alone.
“Al, why don’t you go grab a pool table before they’re all taken,” Gary suggested.
Annie nodded and began to walk off with Buzz at her side.
“Al, wait a minute,” Michael said, “What do you want to drink?”
Annie stopped in her tracks, turned around, and headed back toward Michael. “Do I look like an ‘Al’ to you?” she asked, a sly grin curling her full mouth.
“No, but I heard Gary call you that so I thought…”
“Gary only calls me that because he knows how much I hate it when he refers to me by my initials,” she interrupted, her voice slightly raised. “You can call me Annie…and I’d love a club soda with a slice of lemon, please, if it’s not too much trouble,” she teased and went back to the pool table.
Michael could not help smiling to himself. After a week of working together, she was finally beginning to relax around him and more of her real personality was coming out. She was a real smart ass and he loved that in a woman.
He ordered the drinks and turned away from the bartender’s inquisitive stares before the questions started. Annie and Buzz had already racked up the pool table and began the first game. Michael watched her move effortlessly around the table.
“That’s twelve-fifty,” the bartender shouted to Michael. “Hey, aren’t you…?”
Michael ignored the man and tossed a twenty dollar bill onto the bar and headed off with the drinks toward Annie and Buzz, leaving Gary at the bar by himself.
“Do you play?” Buzz asked, taking the mug of beer from Michael’s hand.
“Let’s just say I play guitar a lot better than I play pool.”
“You know, it would be really cool if you played with us sometime,” Buzz said.
“Sure, if you want me to. It’s really hard sitting back and listening while other’s get to jam.” He handed Annie her drink and took a sip of his own club soda. “Maybe next week I’ll join you. ”
“Cool.”
“Where’d Ivory sneak off to?” Michael asked.
“Ivory? Oh, he’s probably outside getting stoned.”
“Yeah, I noticed he seems to do that a lot,” Michael said.
“Well, are you two girls going to play pool or stand around shooting the shit all night?” Annie asked, and then laughed at her own joke. Michael spun on his heel to face her. She was leaning against her pool stick looking as if she were bored with the world.
“I don’t think she knows who she’s messing with, Mike.” Buzz laughed, jabbing an elbow into Michael’s ribs. “You want to teach her Defaulta lesson, or should I?”
Teach her a lesson? Michael wanted nothing more. But suddenly Brian's words of wisdom crept into his brain and he forced the carnal urges he had for Annie from his head. He had to at least try and keep things on a business level with her.
“She’s all yours,” Michael chuckled.
“Okay, tough girl, rack ‘em up and lets go,” Buzz said.
“I’ll play the winner,” Michael said, and retreated back to the bar and stood next to Gary.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you play pool?” Gary asked.
“Yeah, but I’m not very good at it. Besides, I thought maybe Buzz wanted to play with Annie.”
“He can try, but she’ll kick his ass. Does every time.”
“You sound like you’ve been on the losing end of that deal,” Michael remarked.
“You could say that.”
So far, Gary showed no hostility toward Michael. Perhaps he was finally realizing he wasn’t the enemy. “Are Buzz and Annie a couple?” Michael asked.
“Are you serious? I don’t think Buzz would know what to do with someone like Annie - or with any female for that matter!”
“They just seem…close.” Michael took a swig of his drink and continued to watch Annie and Buzz in the throes of a playful contest.
“Nope, they’re just friends,” Gary replied with a note of contention in his voice. “So, tell me: what do you think of our band?”
Michael couldn’t help but detect the sarcasm in Gary’s voice and realized he must be treading on thin ice. “I was going to discuss that with all of you at Monday’s practice.”
“What’s wrong with right now?”
Michael looked at Gary and studied his expression. Why was Gary always looking for a confrontation, Michael wondered. “Look, Gary, just so we’re both on the same page, why don’t you tell me why you’ve got such a problem with me?”
“You know, you’ve got a lot of fucking balls…” Gary started.
“Hey, the guys at the end of the bar are asking if you’re Michael Wade from the band, Thrust?” the bartender inquired. Several patrons now eagerly wanted to hear the answer to the question.