Black Girls and Bad Boys: Changing his Tune

by Neneh J. Gordon

  She looked down at the table. “I... I don’t want to talk about that.” If she could spare herself from the way he would look at her if he knew... He didn’t need to hear that story.

  He watched her for so long she had to look away. “Okay. Now we know where we stand, there’s something you can help me with.” He got to his feet. “We need to find the rest of my stash and pour it away.”

  She looked at him with wary eyes. “I thought you might have had more stuff hidden away.” Close contact with bottles of liquor wasn’t something she felt too comfortable about, but it would be better to get it out of the way.

  “Come on, we can start in the shed. We can keep each other on the straight and narrow.”

  That wasn’t such a bad idea. Neither of them would be likely to give in to temptation with the other one watching.

  CHAPTER 5

  The next day, after a shared breakfast of porridge with fresh berries from the garden, Angelique left Noah to his guitar and went to meet with John. Now she’d cleared the air with Noah, she was sure things would go smoothly. At least until the tour started.

  “Morning, Miss Jones—”

  “Angelique.”

  “Angelique. You look well rested.”

  Was that meant to imply she’d been neglecting her duties? His expression didn’t give much away. “I had a talk with Noah last night. We came to an understanding.”

  John gave a politician’s smile. “Good, good. Glad to hear you’re getting along. Do you think he’ll make it through the tour in one piece.”

  “As long as he stays focused, yes. He’s already started writing tracks for the album.”

  His eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. “Really? He hasn’t touched his guitar since he came back from The Cloister.”

  “Well, he picked it up yesterday and he’s making real progress. Actually, that’s what he’s doing now. He’s in the conservatory if you want to say hello.”

  “This is fantastic. See? I knew I was right to hire you.”

  The doorbell rang as they were walking through to see Noah. “Expecting anyone?”

  She shook her head. Noah bowled out into the hall, nodded hello to his manager and opened the front door.

  “Dave!” He spread his arms wide and a stocky, bearded rocker lifted him off his feet.

  “Noah. It’s been too long, man.” He set him down and stepped back to look him over. “I was hoping the booze had fattened you up, but I see I’m out of luck.”

  Angelique winced. Whoever Dave was, she didn’t like him already.

  “Dave.” John waved.

  “Hey.”

  “Dave, this is Angie – my assistant.”

  She kept her distance. “Angelique.” It would be more than she could bear to have both of them calling her Angie.

  “You two aren’t...?” He raised his eyebrows and looked from Noah to Angelique and back again.

  She was too shocked to reply.

  “No,” Noah called over. “Nothing like that.” Behind Dave’s back, he rolled his eyes.

  “Good.” He pouted at her before going back to throw his arm around Noah’s shoulders.

  “Come and hear the new stuff I’ve been writing.” They disappeared back off to the conservatory.

  “I think I’ll leave them to it.” John headed for the door.

  “Who the hell was that?” She had a feeling she wouldn’t enjoy finding out for herself.

  “He was Noah’s bassist back when he had a regular band.”

  “What happened?”

  John opened the door. “The usual – drink, drugs and fights over women. I’d keep an eye on him if I were you. I doubt he’ll do much for Noah’s recovery.”

  That’s about what she’d thought. “Don’t worry. I will.” Noah had shown too much potential for her to let some old band-mate turn up and ruin everything. It would be better to show some tolerance and let them have their fun, but if she had to put her foot down and throw him out, so be it.

  ***

  “Man, I’d forgotten how huge this place is.” Dave followed Noah into the conservatory and flopped down in an armchair.

  “You could have bought a place like this if you’d wanted to. What happened to the money from the last tour we did?” He hoped this wasn’t the run up to a loan request. At least he wouldn’t be lying when he said he couldn’t do it.

  “Wine, women and song, mate.” He let loose an evil laugh and hiked his leg up to rest his ankle on his knee.

  “So what are you doing now?” He queued up the track he wanted to play.

  “Session work, mostly. I heard you’re doing a comeback tour.”

  “Comeback? Cheers, Dave.” Surely it took more than six months for people to think you’d disappeared?

  “You know what I mean. I’m not being rude, but you haven’t looked too good the past year or so.”

  He’d seen the evidence in the mirror – the visible ribs, the dark circles under his eyes, the sallow complexion – but it still hurt to be reminded of what he’d done to himself. “I thought you knew flattery doesn’t work on me. Are you angling to get up on stage with me again?” It hadn’t exactly worked out brilliantly the last time. Sometimes he wondered if he should have let Suzy back into his life instead of Dave.

  “I wouldn’t say no.”

  But he didn’t want to make him the offer. “Tell me what you think of this.” He pressed play and let the music change the subject. If he knew Dave, this would end up being a flying visit. He wanted to have fun while he was here. And that meant living in the moment.

  He tapped on his ankle in time with the song. “It’s a bit of a departure for you, isn’t it?”

  “Is that good or bad?” Playing for Angie had been the most natural thing in the world. But Dave... Dave knew his stuff and now Noah’s heart was trying to set some sort of speed record.

  “It’s good, man. Kind of angsty, but good. The emo girls will eat it up with a spoon.”

  That wasn’t the type of compliment he’d been hoping for, but it was better than calling it a dud. “It’s a market, right?”

  “Yeah, man. They’re not so keen on what I’ve got for sale.” He took hold of his sizable belly with both hands and they both laughed. “What’s the story with your assistant then? You been there?”

  “No. She works for me.” Not that he hadn’t thought about it. But things were complicated enough as it was.

  “What happened? They cut your dick off in that rehab clinic?”

  “Some of us can keep it in our pants, man.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  Noah shook his head. Same old Dave. Which made him dread what would probably come later on.

  “Do you mind if I have a crack at her then?”

  He gave a snort of laughter. “Be my guest. I’ll lend you a basket to carry your head in when she rips it off.”

  “No, mate. You haven’t seen me in action recently. She’ll be begging me to take her by the time I’ve finished. Especially when I’ve had some of this.” He reached in his pocket and brought out a bag of white powder very much like the one Angie had confiscated the day before.

  “Put that away, man.”

  “What’s the big deal? Don’t tell me you’ve given that up too?”

  He shook his head. It was like talking to someone from another planet. “Just put it away, okay?” The last thing he needed was Angie walking in and getting the wrong impression.

  “Whatever. I guess that means you won’t be wanting any?”

  “Nope.”

  “More for me.” He put it back in his pocket. “So Angie’s fair game?”

  He almost told him she didn’t like to be called that, but something stopped him. “Seriously, I’m tempted to let you try just so I can watch what happens.”

  “You’re on. Why don’t the three of us go out for lunch and I’ll show you how it’s done?”

  “We can go out for lunch, but I wouldn’t advise you to try anything.”

  “
Don’t worry about me. Worry about her when it’s time for me to leave. She’ll be heartbroken.”

  Time to change the subject again. “Did you bring your guitar? We could have a jam before we go out.”

  “Yeah. I’ll go and fetch it from the car.”

  Noah walked out with him. He was relieved that Angie stayed out of the way. He’d seen the look on her face every time Dave opened his mouth. Lunch was going to be interesting.

  ***

  It made Angelique’s life a lot easier when Dave invited her out to lunch with him and Noah – she’d been worried she’d have to invite herself. Obviously, she’d have preferred him to leave before anyone started thinking about food, but she couldn’t have everything.

  “I vote pub lunch,” Dave said as they walked out to his car.

  “Actually, there’s a lovely restaurant in town.” Noah caught her eye and gave her a reassuring look.

  “As long as it’s licensed. I’m parched.”

  “You can always pop out for some beers if it isn’t. I don’t drink any more, remember?”

  “Yeah, right. Neither do I, mate.”

  Dave’s attitude wasn’t doing wonders for her peace of mind. She looked at Noah. He gave her a worried smile.

  In contrast with his hard-living appearance and demeanour, Dave actually drove like a sixty year-old widow. She’d never seen such a wild man turn as meek as when he got behind the wheel. Even she would have driven through some of those amber lights.

  Noah gave him directions to a good car park and they trooped out in search of somewhere to eat. Dave wanted to stop at every pub they passed and the damn fool looked thoroughly confused when Noah said they should press on to a restaurant.

  Eventually, they stumbled across a tapas place that looked reasonable. She signalled to Noah with her eyes, then stayed quiet to let him make the suggestion.

  “What about here?”

  “Do they sell beer?”

  “I don’t know. We can ask.”

  He heaved a sigh. “Alright. I’m too hungry to keep looking.”

  They went inside and a waitress showed them to a table. The restaurant didn’t serve alcohol, so Dave got straight up again and went to find a corner shop.

  “I’m not surprised the band broke up,” Angelique said when Dave had left.

  “I don’t remember him being this full on. Maybe I was that bad back then.”

  She couldn’t imagine it, but she had to admit drink changed people. “It wasn’t just alcohol, was it? What else did you take?”

  “Acid, mushrooms, weed, coke. Never did heroin.”

  That was something at least. “What was the hardest to give up?”

  “Besides the drink?”

  She nodded.

  “Coke. No comparison. I don’t know if it’s physically addictive, but it makes you feel like you’re invincible.”

  “I can see why that would be hard to turn down.” Their eyes met for a moment and she could tell he was thinking about her past. Had she been right to tell him?

  Dave came plodding back up the restaurant with a bright blue carrier bag. “Right. I got us some cans.” He yanked one out of the plastic that held them together and set it down in front of Noah. “And one for you.” He put a lager next to Angelique’s lemonade before opening one for himself.

  He took a long swig and finally sat down beside Noah. “Come on, get them open.”

  “I’m not drinking, man.”

  Dave reached over and cracked Noah’s drink open. “One won’t kill you. Come on.”

  Noah looked at Angelique. A whole world of unhappiness was laid bare in his eyes.

  Dave followed his gaze. “I thought you said there wasn’t anything going on between you two.”

  “There isn’t,” she piped up.

  “So why’s he looking at you? What’s it got to do with you whether he has a drink or not?”

  This wasn’t going to end well. “Nothing.” The yeasty scent of the beer was strong in her nose. It was exactly what she didn’t need.

  “Look, it’s not a big deal.” Noah picked up the can and took a swig. “There. I’m still here. The world didn’t end.”

  “You’re making a mistake.” She reached over and put her hand on the beer. “You need to stop.”

  Noah pulled the can away from her. “I’m fine. I’ll just have this and then I’ll stop for the night.”

  If only it was that easy. When you had a problem with alcohol, there was no such thing as ‘just one drink’. It wouldn’t take much to knock the beer out of his hand. She’d failed him. He was drinking and she hadn’t stopped him. She got up and walked out of the restaurant.

  “Angie, wait.”

  She ignored him and carried on walking. Once she got outside, she reached in her pocket for her cigarettes before she remembered she didn’t smoke any more. If she’d had a pack, she would have lit one up right there and then.

  “Angie.” Noah came out into the street and stood beside her. “You didn’t have to come out here.”

  “Yes, I did. I couldn’t take it, Noah. How do you feel now you’ve had a taste?” She could see the thirst all over his face. “How hard was it to walk out here without bringing that can?”

  He rubbed at his jaw. “I can handle it.”

  “That’s what I used to say. When I tried to take that beer off you...” She hesitated, unsure she could share the truth with him. “I didn’t know if I could pick it up without taking a drink.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “I didn’t. You didn’t give me the chance. And then I took myself away from the temptation.” Maybe she should apply that to the bigger picture and hand in her notice.

  “Come back inside. I’ve told him to behave himself.”

  “And what about you? I mean it, Noah. You can’t drink.” He was fooling himself if he thought he could.

  “I’ll stop. I won’t have any more.”

  “You promise?” There was still a chance they could salvage things.

  He nodded.

  If she wanted to keep this job she had to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid. “Okay. But you have to stop. And if he starts up again—”

  “He won’t.”

  She wasn’t so sure about that, but she went back inside anyway.

  ***

  Lunch went by without any further drama. No one commented on the fact that Noah didn’t drink any more of the beer in front of him. But he gave it more than the occasional glance. Dave was subdued – he clearly didn’t trust himself to speak if he had to be non-confrontational. Angie said even less than Dave did. Which left Noah carrying the conversation. He tried to keep it positive and talk about how the new material was going. He even mentioned some potential stops on the tour. But nobody had anything to say.

  Eventually he gave up and finished his food in silence.

  “Be back in a minute.” Dave got up and walked out of the restaurant.

  Noah turned around and watched him through the front window. Dave pulled out his phone, pressed the screen a few times and put it to his ear. “Well, that was awkward.”

  “Yes, it was.” She didn’t look up from her plate.

  “I’m sorry about all this. If it’s any consolation, I don’t think he’ll be staying for dinner.”

  “I know he’s your friend, but I hope you’re right.” After eating her last meatball, she put down her cutlery and met his eye. “You’re doing so well. Please don’t throw it away.”

  A waiter came by and Noah asked him to take the can off the table. It was a relief not to have to look at it. He’d only got through the meal without chugging it because he wanted to prove her wrong. But it had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.

  He hadn’t taken more than a few sips, but he could still taste it. And he wanted more. The worst part of it was the fact it had taken the edge of his shakes – he felt better than he had in days. She was right. He couldn’t have a drink and stay in control.

  “It helps to know that y
ou understand what it’s like.” In spite of himself, he found he was warming to her. In fact, he was finding it really hard not to put a friendly hand on hers. But she didn’t want him to touch her. He hadn’t realised how much he relied on little gestures of affection like that. He even hugged John when he was in a good mood.

  Dave came back in and asked for the bill. “All sorted.” He had one of those looks on his face. Like he was up to something.

  “Who was that on the phone?”

  “You’ll find out.”

  He didn’t like the sound of that. By her sour expression, neither did Angie.

  The waiter brought the bill and they all chipped in some money.

  “Back to yours?” Dave asked.

  “I haven’t got anything else in mind.” He hoped the evening would be less eventful than their lunch. But Dave wasn’t making him feel very confident about that.

  CHAPTER 6

  Back at the house, Dave made it very clear that he didn’t want Angelique hanging around while he caught up with his old friend. She was reluctant to leave Noah in his hands, but after sitting with them in the conservatory and getting the sort of looks that were intended to give her second-degree burns, she decided she’d have to trust Noah to make the right choices.

  She didn’t go far – the dining room next door gave her somewhere to sit and pretend she could concentrate well enough to read her Nora Roberts. She was thinking about offering to cook dinner when the doorbell rang. Should she answer it? Her duties probably didn’t extend to that. There were sounds of movement in the neighbouring room and she got up to see what was going on.

  When she looked out, Noah was walking across the hall to open the front door. As soon as he turned the handle, about five guys with hair of varying lengths and a selection of black t-shirts for bands she’d never heard of swarmed over the threshold.

  “Noah, man.” Bear hugs were exchanged.

  This didn’t look good.

  “What are you lot doing here?”

  All of them were holding bags. The beer bottles that poked up through some of the handles made her wonder what else they’d brought.

  “Dave said there was a party.”

  Shit. She opened the door wider to go out there and say something, but then a second wave of men appeared and she got nervous. They weren’t going to like it if she got in the middle of things and spoiled their fun. Even if Noah backed her up that would only make two of them against more than ten. And she could hear another car pulling up outside.