by M. B. Feeney
“We’re closed.” I called out as I pulled the door open. “Come back tomorrow.” I looked out and was stunned into silence. Johnny Jones was stood on the doorstep, smiling at me.
I made myself busy while the band and Johnny catch up. I even leave the room, so I don’t tempt myself into eavesdropping. This is none of my business and I kinda wish they would take it elsewhere.
“When did Jonesy turn up?” Gwen breezed into the pub kitchen where I was finishing off the buffet and making sure I left the kitchen clean and tidy.
“At about seven a.m., and I’ve been hiding down here since then.” I glanced up at the clock. I’d been pottering around for almost three hours. I had other stuff to do, and I wasn’t going to let them prevent me from doing my job. “They’ve had plenty of time, I’m going up to sort stuff out for later; if they haven’t finished, tough shit.” I grumbled as I stomped up the stairs.
“Why are you pissed off?” Gwen asked me as I snatched my cigarettes and lighter from behind the bar and went outside for a smoke.
“I just feel trapped in my own pub; I know they’ve got issues, but I have a job to do. Couldn’t they have taken it somewhere else?” Strangely, Gwen was quiet.
“Sorry if we’re intruding.” Shit! I turned to look at Sam and Johnny. “We’ll head off soon to grab our gear.”
“I didn’t mean it like that guys, honest. I was just venting. I’m not used to feeling like I don’t have free reign in my own pub.” I felt like a prime bitch, I knew stuff needed to be said between these guys and here I was bitching about them doing exactly that.
“We understand.” Johnny smiled kindly at me. “if you want us out, just say the word.” He was just as nice as I remembered from meeting him before. “I don’t think I introduced myself, I’m Joh-”
“Jonesy, she knows who you are dude.” Sam nudged his friend. it was nice to see some of the original camaraderie back. “We met both of these ladies a few years back. Playboy bunnies...” Not a flicker of recognition from the married man thankfully. “They gave us that book with the stories and matching photos?”
“Shit, yeah. That was awesome.” Johnny shook both mine and Gwen’s hand. This week was getting more and more surreal every day, all I needed now was for Will to-
“Hey guys, are we ready to go and grab the gear?” I watched his smile grow as the whole band piled out of the pub behind him. “We’ll catch you later yeah?”
“I’ll be here.” I looked sideways at Gwen. “Shut the fuck up.” I hissed at her.
“I never said a word.”
“You didn’t need to.”
The two hours between the band leaving and coming back to set up were a whirlwind of activity. Gwen and Casey helped me set up the back room so all they had to do was bring their gear in, whilst the other girls helped with getting the entire pub clean and presentable. I was desperate for another shower, so I decided to be a little selfish and snuck upstairs to grab half an hour to myself, leaving everyone else to deal with people turning up to watch the show.
Mary had suggested that I charge a door cover, but I decided against it. The pub was going to make money behind the bar that it normally wouldn’t because of the band, I wasn’t going to try and make even more. I just wanted to be able to chill out and enjoy the show. Besides, that would have meant paying out for door staff that weren’t needed.
I sat in my kitchen smoking a cigarette while my bath filled with scalding hot water. I was kind of nervous about watching the guys perform today. Was the dynamic going to be the same? Although Johnny was here, he wasn’t going to perform with them which was a shame, but I understood why. Even though he had never ‘officially’ left the band, he rarely performed with the them anymore. I hoped this would give me the chance to talk to him a little more as he was the only one I hardly spoke to when Gwen and I managed to meet the band the last time they were in the country.
“You drown yet?” Gwen’s voice woke me up. I found myself sat in a fast cooling bath going wrinkly. I jerked upright, sloshing water over the side of the bath.
“Shit! What time is it?” I pulled myself out and wrapped up in my robe in a panic.
“Calm down, you’ve only been gone forty-five minutes.” I flung the door open and practically ran into my bedroom. “Slow your roll woman, there’s no rush. Everything is completely under control downstairs.”
“Thanks.” I sat on the edge of my bed and calmed myself down. “I can’t believe I fell asleep in the bloody bath.”
“You’ve been stressing all week, and have been working like a madwoman to make today perfect. It’s out of your hands and in those of five crazy guys downstairs now. Just make yourself pretty for Will, and enjoy the rest of the day.” I threw her a dirty look. “Oh, come on! Like you haven’t considered it.” I watched as my best friend rifled through my wardrobe pulling out clothes before discarding them on the bed.
“I really haven’t Gwen. And even if I had, it would be pointless anyway.”
“What’s pointless about a good night with a hot bloke who obviously wants more from you?” I had no answer, but I doubted one was expected. “Plus, the bonus is the not seeing him again. Good honest no strings sex.”
“I cannot believe you went there.” I pulled on the clothes she was holding out to me. “Nothing is going to happen between me and Will.” Cue one raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, okay. Whatever.” She left me alone to sort out my hair and minimal make up. Gwen’s words rang in my ears and slowly got my stomach churning in knots. Yeah, Will was a great guy, good looking, and really sweet, but was that worth a quick fumble? I wasn’t completely against the idea, quite the opposite. It had been a while... a very long while since I’d gotten any kind of action. Maybe a no strings something or other would help scratch an itch I hadn’t realised I had. I gave myself the once over in the mirror, decided I would do, and headed downstairs. I walked into utter bedlam.
There were wires everywhere. My pub looked like a total death trap.
“I do not want to know.” I told Sam as I walked passed him, even though he hadn’t said a word.
“Okay, I won’t tell you that you look hot then.” He grinned as I flipped him off on my way to the office. Considering my favourite band of all time were about to perform and record a video in my pub, I had grown used to having them around. So much so, I was treating them the same way I would any other of my regulars. With feigned disdain and a mouthful of banter.
“He’s right, you look great.” Casey was sat on the stairs keeping out of the way. She looked at my leggings, biker boots, and summer dress style top. “Dressed to impress are we?”
“Don’t you fucking start, bitch.” I grumbled half-heartedly as I unlocked the safe to float the tills. I still felt uncomfortable charging my friends for drinks today, but I had to remember I had a business to run as well as have fun.
“Would I?” The innocent face wasn’t fooling me one bit, it never did.
“Yes, you would. You spend far too much time with Gwen. Is it ‘annoy the hell out of Zoe’ week?”
“No, its ‘get Zoe laid finally’ week.” I could have strangled her.
“Shut up.” I leaned back in my chair to look up the stairs, checking if anyone was listening. Feet passed back and forth, but no one stopped. Thankfully, no one would walk in on me saying something inappropriate again.
“Why are you so nervous? It’s blatantly obvious there’s an attraction there. Why not just act on it before he buggers off home?” Well, when she put it like that?
“When who buggers off home?” Sam’s “English accent” was awful. I glared at Casey, willing her to keep her mouth shut, but when did she ever manage that? Sam sat down and waited for Casey to spill, which she did.
“Will. I was just saying to Zoe that there’s no harm in those two hooking up at least once before he flies back to the States.”
I may suddenly be a barmaid short in the pub, because I was going to kill her. Of course she’d told him what we’d been tal
king about, it was what Casey did.
“That’s a great idea.” Sam hopped back to his feet. “I’ll go get hi-” I grabbed hold of his arm.
“You will do no such thing Sam, not if you ever want to father children.” He sat straight back down. I looked at both of them. “Stay out of my business, both of you. Go along on your merry ways and just leave me alone. I do not want to spend today feeling like I’m on a blind date.” I turned my back on them. “And you can tell Gwen the same.”
The stage was set, the pub was packed, and the band were in my office writing their set list as was their tradition just before going on stage. Casey and I had worked our way through the initial rush of people buying drinks, and now that it had calmed down, I found myself a decent spot where I could sit on the bar. I looked around at a lot of familiar faces who had turned up for the free show, and for the opportunity to actually be in one of their videos.
The guys emerged, sheets of paper in their hand which they took with them onto stage in front of each of their instruments. The crowd was going mental and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Will and his camera working his way around the room. A ‘run’ had been left free so that he could move around without tripping over anyone, allowing him to film from all angles. Gwen was also there, armed with her camera, ready to take the amazing shots I knew she would. Will gave me a quick wink as Sam began to speak into his mic.
“Before we start, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming today. I know it was last minute, but as usual, The Cosmos has been awesome in pulling together. But none of us would be here if it wasn’t for one person in particular. Can everyone please thank Zoe for not only letting us use this wonderful pub of hers, but also for getting the word out to you all.”
He pointed at me, and about sixty pairs of eyes turned to look at me as people began clapping. I smiled through my blushes, yet somehow, I could only feel one set of eyes watching me. I turned to see Will looking at me from across the room, a small smile on his face. When I caught his eye, he nodded a thanks to me before raising his camera back onto his shoulder. I watched him work his way through the crowd, a weird feeling deep in my stomach before I realised the band were almost halfway through ‘Road Trippin’’, a fan favourite that was played at every single show they put on.
“Are you okay?” Johnny hauled himself up onto the bar to sit next to me, his ‘famous’ biceps warm against my own bare arms.
“Yeah, I’m good. You?” What the hell was going on here? Why was he sat here with me and not up on stage with the band? Then I remembered he wasn’t part of the band anymore. It was weird, and I couldn’t quite get my head around it.
“I’m good. Jet lag is starting to kick in a little, but I’ve had worse.”
I watched the guys on stage for a couple of minutes. They were on form, but there was something missing, and I think everyone in the room knew what that was. One of them was sat on the bar with me, the other… God only knew where. My eyes found Will again. Why I kept watching him, I wasn’t sure, but watching him work was intense. I suddenly realised Johnny was talking to me again.
“Sorry, what?” He smiled knowingly at me.
“I was just saying that it’s great of you to do this for the guys today. They needed it, even if just to reconnect with the fans.” His voice was wistful, and I could tell from the look on his face that he missed being up on stage with them.
“Thanks. It wasn’t really my idea, it was Will’s.” Just at the mention of his name, I turned to look at him as he fiddled with his camera.
“He has brain waves like that; why he isn’t working in Hollywood is beyond me.” Johnny sounded like a proud father.
“I think if he wanted to, he would be, but he seems to be happy in what he’s doing with his career.”
“You might just be right.” We both watched the band launch into their next song. ‘Running’ was a great song, but not one of my favourites so I climbed down behind the bar.
“Another beer?” I indicated Johnny’s empty bottle.
“Sure, thanks.” I popped one open and handed it to him before getting myself a bottle of cider. “Can I ask you something?”
“Go for it.” I made myself comfortable back in my spot on the bar which gave me a great view of the entire room.
“Why does Mary keep giving you dirty looks?” I glanced over at the band’s manager and sure enough, she was glaring at me rather than watching the band.
“I have no idea. I’ve hardly spoken to her.” Johnny sniggered. “What?”
“I’ve just realised, I’ve never seen her jealous before.”
Say what?
“What the hell has she got to be jealous of? Anyone in this room would give their right arm to be in her position career-wise.” Johnny looked at me as if I had sprouted another head.
“Are you kidding? Even when she had a thing for Seabrook, she was never like this around fans.” I knew she’d fancied him! I gave myself an internal high five. “But, she’s looking at you as if she wants to gouge out your eyes with a rusty spoon.”
“What have I done to her?” I was really confused. Before he could answer, the bar was swarmed as Sam announced they were having a break before performing their new single, Crashing Walls, the song the video was for and the reason everyone was crammed into my pub on a Sunday.
“Want some help?” Johnny climbed over the bar as well.
“If you can pull a pint, you’re hired.” Off he went, smiling at everyone. Just as I finished pouring the last drink, Will came over, his camera carefully placed on a table away from the crowd and the stage.
“Drink?” I asked him, reaching for a glass.
“Please, it’s hot out there.” I noticed he’s pulled his shirt off to reveal a black wife-beater underneath which enhanced his arms. Oh my. I actually heard Gwen’s voice in my head as I poured a pint and handed it to him. He took a large mouthful, and grinned at me. “You gonna join the crowd for the video?” He asked.
“Yeah, why not? It’s not every day I get to be in a music video.” I climbed back over. Will offered me his hand to help me down. “thanks.” I noticed he didn’t let go as I joined the crowd near the front of the tiny ‘stage’.
“Anytime.” He gave my hand a squeeze before going to pick up his camera. Johnny managed to fit himself in beside me.
“That is why she’s jealous.” He stated, watching the guys getting back upon stage, a certain longing in his eyes.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I actually snorted.
“I’m serious. They had a pretty acrimonious split from what I heard, and it was his choice not hers.” Jesus, why was he telling me this?
“That’s none of my business really.” Sam and Abraham were tuning their guitars while we spoke.
“I think it may well be in the very near future.”
“Oh, for fuck sake, not you too?” I didn’t quite snap at him, but I groaned as I spoke. This broken record was getting boring and needed changing.
“Not me too what?”
“If you mention me and Will hooking up, I’m going to lock you in the cellar overnight.”
“So, I’m not the only one who’s noticed the way you watch each other then?” I wanted to punch the smug grin off his face, but the music started allowing me to ignore him and get lost in the upbeat new song. Just as Abraham started singing, I felt Johnny lean in and whisper in my ear. “It’s obvious. Just don’t leave things to chance otherwise it’ll be too late; believe me, you’ll regret it forever.” I ignored him.
As per tradition, the guys did a signing after the show allowing the fans to congratulate them on an awesome set. It was a little pointless for those who had been in the pub the night before, but some had come only for the show and video shoot I was pleased to note that Sam had taken my advice and the band hadn’t performed ‘Forever’, which no doubt pissed off a few fans, but it was the right thing to do. As much as the new set up worked, that particular song would just not work without Preston.
> Martin and Bryan were excellent musicians, and clearly relished being on stage with Sam and Abraham. They moved effortlessly among the crowd once the signing was done, chatting to anyone and everyone. The fans had accepted them as members of Cosmic Tush which was wonderful to see. It would have been horrible to watch fans shun them for not being Johnny or Preston.
The buffet lasted no more than ten minutes as everyone stood around, making new friends, rekindling online friendships, or just chilling out. Everyone had spread themselves out across the two rooms of the pub, leaving a bit of breathing space, which was nice.
In accordance with my licence, and being told to do so by the brewery, I made paying customers who weren’t staying in my flat leave within forty minutes of the end of the show. The guys made themselves busy packing away their gear while Johnny helped Casey and Gwen clean up the bar, as he had spent most of his night behind it serving customers. I took the till down to the office to cash up and to grab a few minutes peace and quiet.
Almost a week to get the whole day organised and it flies by in what felt like minutes rather than an entire day. It was going to be weird not having the excitement, and wondering if the guys were going to walk in for a drink or not. Although, the lack of teasing would be a welcome change. I always seemed to be the butt of many a joke by Gwen and Casey, but I wouldn’t change the pair of them for love nor money. Not that I’d ever admit that to them though.
“Hey, Zoe, you down here?” Sam’s voice floated down the stairs.
“In here.” I called back, hearing his footsteps on the stairs. I smiled up at him when he joined me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, we just wanted to let you know we’re all packed up. Also, is there any chance of a quick drink before we get going? We’re all still pumped.”
“Sure, tell Casey I said it’s fine. I’ll be up in about five minutes.” I had no issues with having a short lock in, as long as the noise level was kept to a minimum.