Jonny knocked three times. Seconds later Eric appeared.
“Yes?”
“It’s Jonny Rock and Dana Drew from WORR.”
The door swung open. “Hi, Eric Wayne. Nice to meet you.” He shook their hands. “C’mon, the guys are looking forward to meeting you too.” Eric knew the power a radio disc jockey had. For a new band, the jock was more important than pretty much anyone else in their career. If a deejay liked your band, he’d talk you up, make you sound cool and push to have your song played. Only when huge fame hit did the roles reverse. Then the radio stations needed the bands to do interviews to draw listeners for ratings or come down for a station concert festival. But even with fame, the deejay and rock star relationship was important. Bands who became too big for their britches often paid the price. A disc jockey’s distaste was often evident in his voice and he certainly wouldn’t push to promote your group. Eric eyed the attractive Dana Drew. He or she that is.
“Guys,” Eric pushed into the dressing room, “I give you Dana Drew and Jonny Rock…plus one.” He smiled at Jill.
Jill rolled her eyes. She hated her plus one title.
The band turned and greeted Jonny, Dana and Jill with smiles, handshakes and warmth. This night was important to them.
Dana had her eyes on the guy from the CD. He was even more attractive in person. He seemed to tower over everyone else in his faded jeans and light button-down shirt. He had it open a few buttons so she could see his firm, tan chest. His brown hair was highlighted with sunlight, his blue eyes sparkled like brilliant jewels. She felt her stomach tremble. This was not the time to be shy. She called on her radio persona for confidence.
“Hi, Dana Drew.” She extended her hand.
He grasped it and she felt his touch everywhere. “Nice to finally meet you, I’m Cody,” he said, taking in the gorgeous woman before him. Dana had an exotic look about her with her black hair, olive skin and green eyes. She intrigued him. “I heard you on the air yesterday on our way into town. You sounded great.”
“Thanks.” She was flattered and glad he heard her. She was in the zone yesterday, and glad that he had a reason to admire her, just like she had one to admire him. “And I listened to your CD. Quite impressive for a debut.”
“That means a lot coming from you.” He smiled broadly. Dana’s knees gave way.
“I can’t wait to hear you live.” Damn she sounded like a teenager!
“I hope you won’t be disappointed.”
“I don’t think you’d disappoint me,” Dana flirted. Good recovery.
“No…never.” He played along.
She tilted her head and smiled. “That’s good to know.” He held her glance.
Eric came over. “Oh, good, Dana I see you met Cody.”
“Oh…Cody? He and I, we go way back,” she said, playfully, winking at Cody.
“Really?” Eric was surprised.
“Oh, yeah,” Cody said, “at least five…
Eric raised his eyebrows
“Minutes…about five minutes. Isn’t that right Dana?”
She looked at her watch. “Oh. I’d say at least six, Cody.”
“You may be right,” he sighed, “You know how it is when you know each other for so long. The little details become so unimportant.”
“Okay,” Eric said, “I see you guys are having fun. Don’t let me interrupt.”
Dana and Cody looked at each other and laughed.
“It’s nice to meet you Dana Drew,” Cody said, wishing he had more time to talk to her.
“You too, Cody.”
“Okay,” Eric yelled and clapped his hands loudly. “It’s show time!”
Cody leaned into Dana. “Can we continue this conversation after the show?”
His warm breath felt soft on her ear sending chills down her spine. “I’d be disappointed if we didn’t,” she said, trying as hard as she could to keep her composure.
“Great.” He touched her shoulder on his way on stage.
Jonny came over to Dana. “You sure don’t waste any time.”
“What? Me? This is professional research.” She was glowing.
“He’s hot,” Jill chimed in.
“Oh, yeah, that too.”
“And younger than you,” Jonny teased.
“No…” Dana said, “He can’t be that much younger than me.”
“Dana.”
“I’m not that old, Jonny…”
“He looks like his training wheels just came off!”
“No,” Dana smiled, “that’s definitely not what he looks like.”
“All right Miss I’m in Love With a Rock Star…let’s go out so we don’t miss the show and you don’t become a groupie.”
They took their places in the VIP section at Luna, prime seats just to the left of the stage.
“Ladies and Gentlemen…The Cody Blue Experience!”
The crowd roared as the band started playing. The guys could see people singing along to their song…it was an unbelievable feeling for them. This was their first time playing in a major city and not only did they have a huge crowd, the crowd knew their songs. Cody marveled at how far they had come - from the small house, to the rental storage space, to the club in Gainesville, to this rock club on South Beach. Eric seemed to think this was only the beginning. If this was the beginning…where could they go from here?
Cody strutted across the stage like he owned it. He was a true performer with an inescapable charm. Tonight, he owned the room. He knew where his confidence came from…it was from the exciting rush he felt meeting Dana.
Just like the rush he felt the night he met Laura.
He wasn’t expecting Dana to be so beautiful or so sharp. He wasn’t expecting anything. Maybe that’s why things were clicking. He felt extra pressure since she was there, wanting for her to be as impressed with him as she was by the CD. No, he wanted her to be more impressed by their live performance.
She was.
Dana saw the raw talent of the band. They were new to the game, she could tell by the effort they poured into their performance. No one was even close to phoning it in. They lacked polish, but made up for it with sheer energy. The band sounded tight, well-practiced and, most importantly, they had good songs – real lyrics with strong melodies. The band connected with the crowd. Cody had an easy charisma that drew the audience into his emotional songs. His deep, guttural voice was hypnotic. You couldn’t help but listen and love them.
“All right Dana,” Jonny yelled over the music, “if you wanna like him you can. They’re good.”
“I’m glad I have your approval.”
The band finished their set. The crowd went wild.
“You want more?” Cody shouted into the mic, wiping the sweat from his brow.
The crowd responded loudly, hungry for more.
They did an encore then left the stage. Give the crowd what they want, but hold back a bit so they’ll come back for more. That was Eric’s motto. It was a good one.
Jill pulled on Jonny’s arm. “I’m tired. Let’s go home.” It was now almost one a.m.
“Dana won’t be happy about that. I think she wanted to talk to Cody.”
“Look, I can appreciate that, but I’m tired.” Jill had enough of this night. “Can we please go?”
Jonny nodded reluctantly and approached Dana.
“Jill’s real tired. She wants to leave.” He shrugged his shoulders as if to say, I have no choice.
“Really? I wanted to talk to Cody.”
“I know, but what can I do? She’s my wife.”
Dana thought on her feet. “I can take a cab back to my place, right?”
“You’ve really got it bad for him, huh?”
Dana turned red with embarrassment. For once she had no retort. “Look, he seems nice…I’m kinda low on myself now. I could use the attention.”
Jonny put his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t big brother.”
“So, you’
re okay if we go?” He peered into her eyes.
“Well, not really, I mean I wish you’d stay, but you definitely can’t, right?”
Jonny looked at Jill. She was tapping her foot impatiently.
“Right.”
“Jonny, I don’t want to go home to my empty apartment right now. I know what you’re thinking…”
“I’m thinking rebound…”
“You are?” Dana said disappointedly. “I wasn’t thinking that at all…and I don’t want to regret not seizing this moment.” She sighed and shook her head. “Maybe I am being stupid and should go home with you guys.”
“Go where?” another voice said.
Dana looked behind her. It was Cody. Tall, tan, handsome and seemingly available. She had her answer. “Hi there,” she said to him. “Give me a minute…?”
“No problem,” Cody said. “I’m just gonna get some water at the bar. You want anything.”
“The same.” Cody walked away.
“Jonny I’ll be fine.” She kissed him on the cheek, amazed at her own adventurousness. “Thanks for everything.”
“Be safe and call me tomorrow…I wanna know how the story ends.”
“Maybe it’s just the beginning,” she said as he walked away.
Cody returned on cue with two waters. “We’re hitting the hard stuff tonight,” Dana joked, clinking her glass with his.
“Exactly.” He leaned into her ear, again. “Do you want to go someplace less crazy to talk?”
She stopped drinking. Maybe she had misread the situation. She was nobody’s groupie. Not even the sexy Cody Blue’s. “I’m not that kind of girl.”
“Oh, no…no I didn’t mean it like that at all…” Cody was red with embarrassment. Had he blown it already? “I mean like a quiet public spot. Like the beach or something. Honest. I’m not that kind of guy.”
“Oh,” Dana said and paused, feeling bad for totally misreading the situation. “I’d like that.”
Cody took Dana’s arm and steered her through the crowd, ignoring the people who all wanted a piece of him.
They left through the side door of the club and walked across the street to the beach. The cloak of night was a disguise, giving them anonymity and privacy. They found an empty patch of sand.
“I wish I had a blanket or something.”
“It’s just sand,” Dana said, kicking off her shoes and lowering herself to the ground. She curled her legs under her body. Cody sat down next to her. The night was slightly cool. The ocean crashed against the shore and let slip a nice breeze.
“Wild, isn’t it?” Cody said, motioning behind him to the club.
“Which part?”
“The whole thing…it seems like we were just college guys a few years ago and now…I don’t know what we are.”
College guys a few years ago? Okay not that young. “You’re rock stars.”
“No. The Stones, they’re rock stars. The Who, rock stars. Sting, rock star.”
“They were all just regular guys like you once too.”
“That’s hard to imagine,” Cody said.
“A lot of them still are,” Dana said. “I’ve met a lot of famous people and you know what? Most of them are average people with extraordinary luck.”
“And talent,” Cody added.
“Some yes, but a lot I’d say…luck.” She looked out at the ocean. “I’ve seen some bands come through with so much talent you think they’re gonna be huge. Then they crash and burn. Others have so little talent, but become superstars. I don’t know, no matter who they are they all started as regular people. You have to remember that,” she smiled at him, “Most rock stars weren’t born into it.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“It’s my jaded view I guess,” she said.
“No, it makes the untouchables seem real. I think it makes you more grounded, not to be putting them on a pedestal I mean.”
The wind blew through Dana’s hair. “That’s a nice compliment.”
“It’s true.” Cody noticed how beautiful Dana’s face was with her hair flying behind her.
“I know it’s a wild life. I’ve seen it,” Dana pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear. “Before all the money hits it’s a lot of work.”
“Yeah,” Cody said wistfully.
“And it’s hard on the people around you.” She looked up at him, imagining his strong arms around her.
“Are you reading a page from my book?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like you know my life.”
“It’s my life,” Dana said, choosing her next words carefully. “I’m not a rock star, but I have a crazy life. Weird work hours, remotes on the weekend, attention from strangers…” her voice trailed. “It’s what ended my last relationship.” Now Cody knew she was single.
He got the message. “Same thing happened to me. My girlfriend couldn’t handle the lifestyle. Not that I blame her, it’s hard to be involved with someone when you never see them.” Cody omitted his indiscretion.
“It makes for a lonely life.” Dana dug her toes into the sand and shivered, not sure if it was the night air or him.
“True,” Cody said longing to touch her. “It’s nice to talk to someone who gets it. I’ve met so many people since this all started to happen. They all want something from me. No one really seems to care who I am.”
“…just what you can do for them,” Dana finished.
“Exactly.” Cody turned toward her, his voice husky. “I miss having a real connection with someone.”
She looked up into his eyes. “Me too.”
The heat between them was palpable. They were only inches apart. Dana’s breath quickened. He was so close now. She could smell his faint spice cologne mixed with the salty sea air. Intoxicating.
Time stood still.
Dana felt her heart racing in the silence.
Cody leaned in to kiss her. His lips were first soft, his tongue slowly exploring hers. He lifted his hands and gently moved them down the side of her neck, his fingertips stopping just above the collar of her low cut dress, slowly grazing across her neckline.
Dana felt the kiss down her entire body. She traced her hands up his arms, resting them on his broad shoulders, then ran them down his back. She could feel his hard muscles, his incredible body. She drew closer to him, pressing herself up against his powerful frame. Cody felt her every curve on his skin. His warm mouth became more insistent as if he needed to be one with her. He moved his hands back up her neck and into her hair, pulling her closer with desire. Dana heard herself moan with pleasure as she responded to his intensity.
In that moment, they were the only two people in the world. No one else existed, nothing else mattered.
Cody kissed her mouth softly again, then nuzzled her neck and held her in his arms trying to control himself. She wasn’t a one-night stand. She could be so much more. He didn’t want to ruin it.
Dana was speechless. She’d never been kissed like that before. She didn’t want this moment to end.
Breathless, Cody pulled away. They locked eyes, no words were necessary. There was an electric connection between them, something deeper than either of them had ever felt before. It scared Dana how close she felt to this man she just met.
Cody gazed at Dana, so taken with this woman who seemed to know a part of him no one else understood. She was so beautiful, but when he looked into her eyes, he could see her soul.
“Dana, Dana, Dana…” he breathed her name like lyrics to a song and wrapped his arms around her. “Where have you been…?”
She was wondering the same thing about him.
“Are you free tomorrow?” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes…” she murmured.
“Good,” he said, kissing her again slowly. “We don’t leave till Monday morning. Promise you’ll see me?”
“Promise,” she said, trembling.
He held her close in the night. They sat in comfortable silence listen
ing to the rhythmic waves rush the shore and the quiet rustling of palm fronds.
The symphony of the night was interrupted by a blaring car horn. Suddenly they could hear voices of other people walking on the beach and the faint strains of dance techno music emanating from the club. Their moment was over.
Silently they stood up, brushing the sand off of themselves. Words seemed inadequate after what they just shared. Cody took her hand as they walked slowly back to reality. The noise of Miami nightlife filled the air.
Dana took some deep breaths trying to regain her composure and her senses. Cody was essentially a stranger, yet their connection felt deeper than attraction. She knew she needed a clear head to sort this out, but she was intoxicated from his kiss. For the first time in her life she had no idea what to say.
It was Cody who spoke first.
“Do you have a pen?” he asked.
Dana was thankful for a simple question. She rummaged through her purse. “No pen, but I have eyeliner.”
“It’ll have to do,” he said. “What’s your number?”
He wrote her answer in the palm of his hand. Dana smiled, “Why don’t we meet over there at Java Café?” She pointed to the coffee shop a few doors down from Luna. Good neutral ground, she thought, allowing her mind to overrule her heart, her heart that would have agreed to meet him anywhere.
“Perfect. Walking distance from our hotel.” A beat. “How are you getting home? Did your friends leave you?” he asked handing her back her eyeliner.
“Yeah, Jonny’s wife was tired. I was going to take a cab.”
“I guess you could stay with me at the hotel,” he said trying to be polite, hoping it didn’t come across the wrong way. “I’d sleep on the couch,” he added quickly, knowing full well if she came back with him he’d find it impossible to resist her.
“I probably should go home,” she said, wanting terribly to stay, but knowing she wouldn’t be able to adhere to his good intentions. Yes, going home was the right thing to do.
“Right, makes sense. I should probably get back anyway. Eric’ll kill me if I don’t meet the fans. He says it helps us sell more CDs. The curse of fame.” He grinned sheepishly. “Let me get you safely in a cab so I can see you tomorrow.”
Cody moved to the curb and flagged down a taxi passing by. “Listen,” he said as it pulled up, “we’re staying at the Seaside Motel. I’m under the name John McKinley.”
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