by Monica James
I shake my head, unable to speak, as my eyes are still glued to the bar.
“What the hell?” she asks, following my line of sight, hoping to make sense of my transformation into a mute.
She turns back to me quickly, her pigtails whipping her in the face. “What. The. Fuck?” she demands, her voice raising an octave.
My mouth is agape and I shrug limply, because I have no freakin’ clue why Indie and a horde of about fifteen Harpies are surrounding Jasper at the bar. Of course the leader of the pack is Danielle.
My heart sinks when I observe Indie giving Jasper an overly affectionate hug. But thankfully, Jasper doesn’t return her embrace as he stands immobile, his hands dug deep in his pockets, leaning against the bar. However, he looks totally ill at ease when Indie attempts to give him an open mouthed kiss on the lips. He pushes her away lightly, shaking his head. She, of course, pouts, appearing surprised at his rejection.
I inadvertently tighten my grip on the table, which creaks in protest.
“Take a deep breath, Ava,” V says, concerned.
I seriously doubt a deep breath will contain the flames of hell burning in my stomach right now.
“Why the hell is Indie here? And who are all the hoochies?” V questions me.
As I look at Danielle, who is standing off to the side, looking dotingly at Jasper and Indie, I know the answer lies with her. She’ll stop at nothing until she gets Jasper and Indie together. Although, as I witness her push some random blonde girl with huge boobs and a pixie hair cut into Jasper’s face, I know she’ll settle for anyone, as long as she’s not me.
Well, she has another thing coming. She wants to play dirty, then so can I.
“Ava, um, what are you doing?” V asks as she peers over at me.
I have bent down low and shoved my hands down my top, rearranging the girls to make them work for me in this low slung top.
“Showing those bitches that Jasper is mine,” I reply as I stand up, quickly walking over to the DJ’s booth before I lose my nerve.
I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, and I hate that I feel I need to prove a point. But it’s either this, or I tell Danielle exactly how I feel about her, divulging it all. In the end, this is the better option. It’ll embarrass the hell out of me, but the satisfaction will be well worth it.
Avoiding eye contact with anyone other than the DJ, I ask him if he has what I’m looking for.
He thankfully gives me a thumbs up and I linger off to the side. I’m nervously biting my black painted fingernails, waiting for my turn to shine. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I reacted impulsively when I saw Jasper being pawed by a group of girls who would do anything to get into his pants.
And of course, a switch inside of me flipped to crazy, when I saw his mom glowing when anyone other than me was touching her son.
So, goes without saying the song I have chosen is directed at two people.
“Okay folks, we have a request for something a little edgier. She’s pre-warned me that she can’t sing to save her life.” The crowd lets out a soft laugh, and I’m all but hyperventilating. “But she’s going to be a good sport and give it a go. Ava Thompson, it’s your turn to bring the house down!” the DJ says in a vivacious voice, attempting to rev up the crowd.
My heart starts beating madly and my feet stay cemented to the ground.
Holy shit, I really need to think before I act!
“C’mon girl, I can see you hiding back there. Get your ass up here.” The DJ nods, giving me an encouraging smile.
I realize I have just drawn more attention to myself, so I step out from my hiding spot and receive a huge supportive wolf whistle from, you guessed it.
“Go, Ava, go!” V whistles loudly.
Ascending the three steps, I take my place behind the microphone stand, which is way too tall for me.
I attempt to adjust it, but the stand topples forward. Luckily I catch it in time before someone loses an eye. The feedback from the sudden movement is ear splitting, and I avoid covering my ears because as I attempt to correct the position, the microphone suddenly drops with a loud thud onto the stage, causing more feedback.
Great, like this wasn’t awkward enough!
The DJ runs over to save me, and the silence in the room is deafening.
I seriously just heard the toilet flush!
The DJ looks at me, giving me a big smile while whispering, “You’re going to be great. Show those bitches who’s boss.”
His words loosen me up somewhat and I stifle a chuckle behind my hand.
My eyes are lowered, as I’ll chicken out if I meet anyone’s gaze. Being up here actually shows me how brave Jasper is for doing this time and time again, and making it appear so effortless. That fact alone gives me the guts to lift my eyes and search the room for the people I’m singing to.
Indie and Danielle.
I am an incensed woman on a warpath when I see Indie standing near Jasper, making sure some part of her body is touching his. As I meet her venom-laced stare, she narrows her eyes, glaring at me something wicked.
My eyes wander on their own accord to Jasper, who is totally ignoring Indie, and looking up at the stage with a baffled, but intrigued look. When I catch his eye, I give him a quick wink, totally stealing his stage moves.
He returns my gesture with a small shake of his head, but I can’t ignore the amused, dimpled smile spreading from cheek to cheek.
The drumsticks count in the intro, and as soon the music starts, something takes over and I get a surge of cool confidence. Suddenly, my inner rock goddess comes charging out of me… loudly.
I’m not much of a singer, and this is the reason why I’ve chosen “The Curse” by Devil Doll.
Taking nothing away from Devil Doll, who is one of my all time favorite singers, this song is one l can fake my way through. And instead of singing, I can half talk, half sing my way through it.
Every word I sing is directed at Indie, as the words are perfect. It was like this song was written for me, especially when I give her a look to complement the lyrics of staying away from my man.
As I get through the first verse without passing out, I get a little more poise and meet the eyes of the patrons around me. I notice most of the lady clientele are up from their chairs dancing, cheering me on, or saluting me with their drinks.
I know the reason behind their gusto. Every female has had an Indie in their life, so this song is for them all.
This song is for us.
I feel empowered, and as I begin the chorus, I open up my lungs and go nuts.
Unhooking the microphone from the stand, I begin stalking the small stage, not needing the TV with the lyric prompts, as I know this song word for word. I love being able to interact with my fellow comrades, high-fiving a couple of palms as their owners are en route to the bar.
By the second verse, I’m living out my rock star dreams, and adding little uncoordinated dance moves to accompany my singing.
I look ridiculous, but as I meet Jasper’s eyes and witness him laughing hysterically, holding onto Lucas for support and hooting loudly for me, it’s all so worth it.
But what makes this even more worthwhile is the look on Indie’s face.
And also on Danielle’s.
I have accomplished all I wanted by coming up here, but just to add salt to the wound, I stalk to the edge of the stage and direct my glare at Indie when the spoken word part of the song commences. I spit out the words, putting all my passion and frustration behind it. And when I snarl the words about chicks wanting your man, I point at Indie and wag my finger at her, making it clear I won’t stand for her shit a moment longer, or I will totally stiletto her ass.
That earns me a ruckus of hoots, wolf whistles, and applause from all the women in the room. I belt out the last few lines with as much oomph as I can, and it feels good, because I know Indie and Danielle understand I mean business.
Once the song ends, I take a small curtsy and the room erupts into a rou
nd of applause. I even get a standing ovation. I give everyone a small wave and scurry over to the DJ to give him the microphone. During my Diva moment, I kicked over the microphone stand and I don’t know where it ended up.
“You showed her, that skanky bitch,” he says, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
Letting out a huge laugh, I thank him before running off, because without the microphone, I’ve lost my nerve.
On the way back to my table, I am high-fived, congratulated, and patted on the back by random women who have stopped me, wanting to tell me what a great performance it was. I give them all a shy smile, totally embarrassed that I just wailed like a wounded hyena in a roomful of complete strangers.
Oh well, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, me included. So, fuck it.
After finally getting through the sea of vengeful women, I’m confronted by a pair of amused cerulean eyes.
The fact that I just attempted to sing and dance in front of a roomful of people hits home, and I can feel my skin turning a bright pink.
This just earns a bigger laugh from Jasper. “Gee, watch out, world. A star is born. You can totally duet with me any day.” He chuckles and I slap him lightly on the arm.
“Shut up,” I say, blushing further.
“Oh, come here.” He smirks, his left dimple highlighting his amusement.
I walk into his outstretched arms and he pulls me close, whispering into my ear. “I kinda liked you going all Basic Instinct cross Glee. Real turn on,” he adds while kissing my neck.
I smirk, feeling ecstatic that even though I made a right royal fool of myself, Jasper gets it. And so do Indie and Danielle, who are giving me the biggest stink eye known to mankind.
“C’mon, Diva.” Jasper smirks, grabbing my hand and leading me over to the table. “Let’s give them something to really be pissed over.”
I raise my eyebrow, and just before we sit, Jasper pulls me towards him and lays one of the most delicious kisses on my stunned mouth. At first I’m taken aback, but that lasts for about two seconds, because when he slips in his tongue, I match his passion, kiss for kiss.
And just in case they haven’t received the message loud and clear, Jasper dips me dramatically while our lips are still connected.
I let out a muffled laugh, and can hear disapproving grunts from our table at our scorching PDA.
But you know what?
They can all suck it.
“You said an hour,” V whispers while drowning her curly fries in ketchup.
I speak out of the side of my mouth. “I’m enjoying this just as much as you are. So shut it.”
We have been here for over an hour, and it has been the most painful hour of my life.
There are roughly twenty people sitting around our long table, and most are female. Some faces I know, like Jasper’s band mates and their partners, but the others, I have no idea who they are. And I don’t want to know, because the majority of them are glaring at me for breathing.
“So Jasper, when are you playing Rip It Up?” asks the pixie looking blonde with stars in her eyes.
She’s the one who was all but shoved into Jasper’s crotch by Danielle. I’ve seen her and Indie giggle and whisper to one another all night. It goes without saying I hate her already.
“Um, we’re playing the 5th so, in a couple of weeks or so,” he answers between sips of his beer.
She nods way too animatedly, waiting for him to elaborate, which he doesn’t.
“So Jasper,” pipes up a redhead, sitting across from us. “Who are you guys playing with?” she asks, twirling a piece of hair around her finger suggestively.
No doubt, she’s another of Jasper’s stalkers, and I actually have to restrain myself from banging my head on the tabletop repeatedly.
The only good thing about tonight is that Danielle and Indie haven’t said a word to me. It’s still awkward, but thankfully I don’t have to see Danielle, as Jasper is blocking her from my line of sight. Of course she insisted he sit near her, and then had the nerve to suggest Indie sit on the other side of him. Jasper put that suggestion quickly to rest as he plonked me to his right, and his mom to the left.
“Jasper, darling, are you going to sing?” Danielle asks.
Jasper shrugs, peeling the label off his Budweiser.
“Yeah, maybe later,” he replies casually, and I don’t know if I’m reading into things, but he’s been quite cold and dismissive towards her all evening.
In a circumstance where I would usually encourage him to be nicer to her, I don’t. As I look around the table, of all the faces of the girls that are here, there’s no doubt that some of them have seen more of Jasper than I care to think about. I know Danielle invited these girls with the intent to make me feel uncomfortable. And obviously, inviting Indie over for dinner wasn’t enough punishment for me.
But funnily enough, her plan once again has backfired, and has Jasper seeing her true colors. In a situation where she’s attempted to drive a wedge between Jasper and I, she has inadvertently done that between him and herself. I have no sympathy for her in the slightest, and the only person I feel sorry for is Jasper.
Looking at him, I instantly feel for him, as he’s trying his hardest to appear interested in some pointless conversation he’s engaging in with some random brunette. I can see by the hard set of his jaw and the strain around his eyes that he’s not having a good time. He’s not one to make idle chitchat with the ghosts of his past. His mom doesn’t know him at all. And sadly, I think Jasper is starting to see that.
“Jasper, do you remember the time we went to Blackout?” Indie asks with an edge to her voice.
I feel Jasper tense up and I don’t like it. I suddenly wonder where she’s going with this.
V mumbles under her breath, “Seriously, I am going to kill her.”
I pass her a goblet of my untouched Red without a word.
“This is the only thing keeping me from going homicidal on her ass,” she says before taking a big sip. She makes a pained face. “And it isn’t even any good.”
Lucas gives her a small kiss on the forehead and smiles. “I’m proud of you, babe. You’re showing great restraint.”
I let out a small laugh because I agree with him. However, as I hear Danielle speak, I wish I could show the same restraint as my friend.
“Jasper, Indiana asked you a question,” she scolds like he’s eight years old.
The hackles on the back of my neck instantly prickle in rage. And Jasper’s hand, which is entwined in mine, squeezes gently. He can sense my irritation, but he’s asking me to calm down.
Out of respect for him, I do.
“Yes, Indie, I remember. So?” he replies, annoyed.
I risk a glance at her and celebrate when I witness her looking a little offended at his curt response.
She purses her lips and flicks her blonde mane over her shoulder. “Do you remember what happened in the Pavilion? Or does your memory need refreshing?” she says, winking before shooting me a dirty look.
This time I give Jasper’s hand a squeeze, but it is anything but gentle.
He exhales noisily and reaches for his beer like it’s his savior. He takes a big sip and licks his wet lips when he’s done. Every female at the table follows the movement, fantasizing about what that tongue is capable of.
Jasper interlaces his hands behind his head, looking extremely smug as he replies, “It mustn’t have been that great, as I can’t remember anything but the bands. However, what I do remember is you bitching and moaning about the mud, and how sore your feet were, due to the stripper heels you were wearing.”
My mouth falls open, surprised at his tone, but what he says next drops my jaw to the ground.
“So, if that’s what you’re referring to, in regards to refreshing my memory, then no thanks. I’m reminded of it every time I see you.”
I am so resembling a goldfish right now, my mouth opening and closing, incapable of speech. The table is suddenly silent, and everyone’s eyes are on
Indie and Jasper.
Well, everyone is silent except for V, of course, who snorts loudly, and then breaks into fits of laughter.
I really don’t know what to do, so I bite my lip, hoping to stop my own bubbles of laughter, which are threatening to burst free at any moment.
Indie’s mouth is hanging open and her eyes are bugging out of her head. I wish I could photograph this moment, as I would gladly frame the happy snap and give it to Danielle, seeing as she loves pictures of Indie so much.
After a few seconds of silence, Jasper leans down and kisses my cheek freely. He then tilts back into his seat to call out to Lucas, asking him what the basketball scores are, totally ignoring a fuming Indie.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Indie and three of her minions storm off in a huff. The laugh I’ve been holding in comes cackling out of me loudly and I nearly choke on it.
V joins me and whispers around her chuckles, “I have a newfound respect for Jasper. His insult has outdone all of mine.”
Nodding quickly, I wipe away the tears from my eyes, but I can’t reply as I’m laughing uncontrollably, holding my stomach.
“It’s about time,” she says, raising her glass and saluting him.
“Jasper!”
My laughing sadly dies down when I hear the tone behind Danielle’s words.
“What, Mom?” he says on an annoyed sigh.
She yanks him towards her and begins whispering into his ear. The wailing up on stage blocks out the majority of their conversation, but I hear the words: apology, rude, and Ava, repeated heatedly.
I am all but leaning into Jasper, straining my hearing to catch wind of what Danielle is chewing Jasper’s ear over, when the DJ announces, “Okay, folks, up next we have…”
But I ignore him, as I overhear Danielle say, “She is no good for you.”
No guessing who she’s speaking about.
“Holeeee crap,” I hear V mumble.
Intrigued by what has her attention, I turn to face the stage and nearly fall off my seat, because standing up there is Indie. Well, it’s Indie’s back, but I know it’s her, as those fake extensions are a dead giveaway.