by Shealy James
Max’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it then looked my way as he grabbed his phone and keys. "Hey man. You wanna go eat with Maggie. Her roommate is going to come too. Her treat. You heard Jim."
I wasn’t sure spending time with the girl was a good idea, but I figured I probably should get to know my roommate since we were sharing a small box for a year. "Uh. Sure." I set my guitar down then followed Max out the door. Maybe I shouldn’t be lusting after my roomie’s girlfriend, but damn if I have ever seen a girl that close to perfection before. Daddy Cojones Cruncher said she and Max were best friends, but I figured there was no way he could be just friends with her. They probably were keeping it quiet, so he could keep his family jewels safe and sound. "So, how long have you and Maggie been together?"
He smirked. "No. It's not like that. She’s practically my sister. We’ve lived next door to each other our whole lives. Her sisters are older and snobs, so we are more like siblings than they are. Her parents treat me like one of their own and my parents do the same with her."
"Oh.” I acted like I understood, but I couldn’t fathom seeing Maggie everyday and not wanting to get in her pants. Then I remembered why I wouldn’t be attempting to get in her pants. “Her dad is pretty intense."
Max laughed and shook his head. "No. He isn't so bad. Maggie’s his favorite, so he was a little overprotective of her. No one would ever ask her out in high school because of her dad. She couldn't even go to prom unless it was with me."
What? "She’s never had a boyfriend?"
"Maggie? Ha! No. If anyone from high school ever asked her out, she would probably turn bright red and run away or kick the guy in the balls. She would have never believed a guy was sincerely asking her on a date."
"Seriously? I’m sorry. I find it hard to believe. Has she looked in the mirror? She's hot!"
He laughed again but this time it was out loud like I surprised him. "Tell her that. You won't have to worry about her dad. She'll never speak to you again. You’ll either piss her off or embarrass her to death. Look, Maggie has no idea what she has to offer the world because her mom and sisters pick at her, so she thinks she is the black sheep of the family. Treat her like one of the guys, and she won't instantly hate you."
"Wow. Ok, I get it. You’re protective of her. Don't shit where you eat. But really, you two never hooked up?"
Max rolled his eyes and shook his head while I scoffed incredulously. I couldn’t believe he never even experimented with her. As we walked the rest of the way to the girls’ dorm, I thought about how endearing it was that she had no idea how attractive she was. I bet the sight of her in a bikini would be enough of a trigger to make any teenage guy to pitch a tent in his gym shorts, and she thought of herself as one of the guys? She sure didn't look like one of the guys to me.
As we waited outside for the girls to come down, Max said, "Wait ‘til you meet Sarah. She may be more your type."
"What do you mean?"
"Ready, Max?" a girl's voice shouted. When I looked up, I saw Maggie bounding down the stairs. She had changed into short shorts and a simple t-shirt but looked just as hot as she did before. I think this is the real Maggie who exists when Mother Dearest and Papa Ball Chopper aren't around. Maybe she is one of the guys. Although, I don’t know any guys who have legs or a rack like that.
I glanced over at the other girl. Sarah was tall, thin, and tan, with light blond hair. Been there done that, but she's easy enough on the eyes. I mean I’m in college to have fun, right?
Max replied when she was close enough to hand him her keys, "Yeah. Let's go get burgers and beers. You bring your id? You know they'll be checking since today is move in day."
"Of course. Do you guys have fake ids? If not, I know a guy." Maggie replied with wide smile and a wink at Max.
I shrugged. I've never needed a fake. I looked older than I was and had always hung out with older band-mates, so no one ever bothered to check or ask how old I was. Maybe I would talk to Max later. I was guessing with all of his computer equipment, he was likely her "guy."
Sarah answered Maggie with a sugary sweet southern accent, "I use my brother’s ex-girlfriend’s ID. She lost hers and had to get a new one, so when she found the old one, she passed it on to me. We have almost the same hair color, but hers is dyed. You can’t fake this though.” She flipped her hair then turned to me. “Hi there. You must be Parker. I’m Sarah." After holding her hand out to me, she turned to Maggie pretending to try to be quiet enough not to let us hear, "Wow Margaret. First Max and now Parker. What is with the hottie parade?"
Maggie blushed and rolled her eyes while glancing up to see if Max and I heard. When she realized we did, she immediately dropped her head while she rushed around to the other side of the car. Max unlocked the top of the line, white Audi q7, and we climbed in the car. Maggie sat in the front, and immediately plugged in her iPod. Expecting some new age pop music to play, I had to laugh when Guns N’ Roses 'Paradise City' filled the car. This girl is definitely not like most girls.
Sarah sat next to me in the back seat. She turned her knees towards me, and if I wasn't careful I would see straight up that tiny skirt she was wearing or down the low cut top. For the record, she was wearing hot pink panties and a matching bra. I may have peeked once or twice, but I fully blame it on the fact that I was a hormonal teenager. Besides, girls like Sarah wanted you to look. If they didn’t, they would wear clothes that covered their goods…like Maggie. Shit…I can’t go five seconds without thinking about her body.
Sarah batted her eyelashes my way and said, "So, Parker. Where are you from?"
I looked at her, in the eye this time, and said, "Here. My dad is a math professor."
I hated going to the same school that my dad worked at, but with my scholarship and the fact that kids of faculty get to go for cheap, I could eat, sleep, and learn without going into debt. It was the only way Pops would let me go to school without working to pay for part of it. Between working and studying, I wouldn't have had time for soccer and music. I didn't want to choose. Now I was here under Pop's watchful eye. At least all soccer players were required to live on campus for their first two years, so I didn't have to live at home with curfews and lectures. My younger brother Preston could deal with that, not that Pops was as strict with him though. He wasn’t the one who “struggled with the death of his mother.”
Sarah wasn’t interested in my sob story though. "Oh. Nice. Then you must know of some places around to hang out and party? I could really go for some drinkin' and dancin' tonight." She said flirtatiously as she rested her hand a little too high on my leg. My body automatically responded even though I wasn’t particularly interested in the girl whose fingertips were remarkably close to my junk.
I stopped her hand as politely as I could with a gentle pat. "Uhh. Yeah. Sure. I don’t dance though. My buddy’s band is playing at a little dive I know. Maggie, Max, y'all in?" I asked. I didn't know about dancing, but since Grady’s band was playing, I figured I could take them to The Ale House to hang out.
Maggie turned around and said, "Yeah, we'll go, but I don't want to dance."
"Max, you can take Sarah for a spin on the floor." I said laughing knowing now what he meant about Sarah being more my speed.
"Nope. Not much of a dancer. I’m more of a stand around while I make fun of the dancing kind of guy. Sorry Sarah."
Her hand finally moved from my lap, and I let out a breath of relief. "No worries, I can find some delicious man to have a good time with tonight. Maggie, don’t you worry. I’ll have you dancing in no time," She said as she offered Maggie a conniving grin. Sarah was going to be trouble.
Maggie
We pulled up to The Bold Eagle Tavern, a local burger joint, and all piled out of the car. On the way to the door Parker stopped and bent down in the middle of the parking lot. He picked up a penny and handed it to me. I must have looked confused because he said, “For good luck. It was heads up.”
“Oh,” I said lamely. “Thank you.” I don�
�t think he knew how much that simple gesture meant to me, but no one had ever done something like that before. I didn’t even know how to react to his kindness. Boys had never paid much attention to me before. Parker did though. He didn’t give a penny to everyone; he gave one to me with a smile on his face like he truly wanted me to have the good luck that came with that coin. When I thanked him, he shrugged like it was no big deal, but I didn’t miss his satisfied grin while he held the door open for all of us to walk through.
The place was full of new college kids hanging out getting their first taste of freedom. We walked in and the hostess quickly led us to a square table in front of the bar. The booths that outlined the restaurant were full of groups of people eating, drinking and laughing, while many of the tables in the middle of the large room were pulled together or had chairs pulled up to them as more friends showed up.
I was so excited to be away from home that I couldn't stop grinning as I looked around the room. Once seated, I looked down at my menu. We all ordered beers. I was relieved when the waitress, who looked like she had been smoking and lying in the tanning bed for the last twenty years, didn't check ids. I had my new fake that Max made this summer. It looked so real, but we never were able to use them at home because most people knew us around there, so I still felt nervous about it.
The overly tan waitress was all over Parker. She was standing close to him and putting her hand on his shoulder when she spoke to us. He let her, so I guess he didn't mind or he didn't want to risk making her mad. I wouldn't want spit in my food either.
When she walked away, Sarah laughed and said with a flirty wink, "Well someone thinks you’re hot…I mean besides me."
Max smirked at Parker and leaned in like he was telling a secret. "Hey man, if you need the room tonight, I can get out of your way."
"No thanks. I think I’ll pass, but you feel free. I’ll spend the night with Maggie and Sarah. You can have Lady Leather."
"She isn't Max's type," I said and gave Max a playful smirk.
"Oh!” Sarah shouted way too loudly before realizing her mistake. She looked embarrassed for a moment before she whispered, “I didn't realize you were gay. That explains why you two can be best friends without benefits." Sarah announced like she solved a difficult math problem.
I cocked my head to the side looking at Sarah completely perplexed as Max started waving his hands and shaking his head. "No, no, no! I’m not gay. She was saying that I like a certain type of woman, and she isn't leathery and old, and she certainly doesn’t have a dick."
"What kind of girl do you like then?" Sarah asked with a hair flip and a wide smile. Could she be any more obvious? I almost laughed out loud but thought better of it when I remembered I had to live with her. I could never flirt like that. If that is what it takes to get a man, then I guess I’ll be alone forever. I would never be that ridiculous, not to mention the super high wedges, mini skirt, and low cut silky blouse she was wearing.
Max explained his affinity for Asian women. "The eyes, and dark, silky hair. I don't know. I think it’s hot. I would marry Lucy Liu today if I could." Our food came then, so we all quieted down while Lady Leather put our burgers in front of us.
Throughout dinner the conversation flowed from hot movie stars to best movies of all time to favorite bands and songs. Even though I was quiet throughout the meal, letting Max speak for me most of the time, I was having a really good time. It was pleasantly surprising to see how similar we all were. I had always heard horror stories about freshmen year roommates, but those stories were long forgotten during this dinner. Sarah seemed fun and nice. Sure she was a major flirt, but anyone seemed really flirty compared to me, the ultimate wallflower.
After the bill was paid, Sarah announced that she still wanted to go dancing, so we loaded in the car and headed to a place Parker suggested. When we arrived at the small building that looked like a converted warehouse, Parker walked right up to the very large, very frightening bouncer and shook his hand like they were old friends.
“Parker! Good to see ya, man. Ya playin’ with the guys tonight?” The bouncer asked as he stamped Parker’s hand.
“Nah, man. I brought my new roommate and some friends out to hear them. Jack, this is Max, Sarah, and Maggie.” Parker said as he pointed us out, so we could get our hands stamped.
“Too bad. The new guitarist has nothing’ on you.”
Once inside, we found a high top table, and the guys dragged some stools over. The stools were high enough that I now saw eye to eye with the three of them. I hadn’t noticed before now how tall they all were. Max and Parker were both over six feet, and with Sarah wearing those heels, she was right there with them. Then there was me. My shoulders had always fit right under Max’s arm, like I was the perfect height to be his armrest. It was as if three models brought their frumpy friend out for a night out on the town. Great. At least the wave in my confidence came when we were already out. If I had noticed how strange we all looked together, I might not have come out with them at all. Ever.
The bar was pretty full even though the band hadn’t started playing yet. Parker nodded a hello to the bartender. The bartender nodded his head towards the stage in response. Parker shook his head no and turned back towards the table. Sarah was already scanning the room for someone to entertain her, and Max was looking at something on his iPhone as always.
I took a deep breath and spoke directly to Parker. “So, you play?” I asked intrigued by the bouncer indicating that he used to play with the band.
He smiled widely when he turned to face me, and I caught my first close-up glimpse of his perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth. I immediately turned my head to watch what was happening around the bar. Looking at Parker was like staring into the sun. Dangerous. He lowered his head toward my ear, so he wouldn’t have to yell and explained. When I felt his breath on my neck, I almost fell over. No guy had ever been this close to my neck unless it was Daddy or Max giving me a hug. I had kissed a boy once, but even that didn’t cause the stir in my body like Parker did when he spoke in my ear.
“Yeah. I played with these guys a lot in high school, but I couldn’t commit to the rehearsals this summer, so they found someone else. I still play with them for fun when I have time.” He seemed to be embarrassed by the questioning, so I didn’t push it further, but I wondered why he would bring us here if he didn’t want us to know about playing in the band.
Then the bartender brought us over a pitcher of beer and four glasses. He set it down and slapped Parker on the back and said, “I told them you were here in case you change your mind.”
Parker shook his head and said thank you for the beer. As he poured us all a glass, he didn’t make eye contact with any of us. I wanted to say something, but I was not exactly known for my people skills.
“What kind of music do they play?” Max asked. Tension broken. Parker started talking about how the band plays classic rock and particularly likes eighties rock. They had some originals but only played them on empty nights with locals. Apparently college kids prefer songs they know and could sing and dance to while drinking cheap beer and feeling each other up, or at least that’s what Parker said.
The band stepped out on stage, and the crowd in the bar started moving forward and cheering. You could probably hear the loud, high-pitched screaming of the girls in the bar three blocks away. The lead singer strolled up to the microphone and welcomed everyone. He was a smaller guy with a jet-black faux-hawk, pale skin, and black eyeliner. He had red skinny jeans on with a black and white striped shirt. What was completely surprising was the ultra-southern accent that accompanied his words. It was not what I expected from someone who was dressed like a punk.
The four-member band started with Def Leppard’s ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me,’ and the crowd went crazy. Sarah immediately ran out to join the mob in front of the stage. Max, Parker, and I sat back, drank our beers, and hung out. Once again, I was one of the guys.
I watched as the punk lead-singer and guitar p
layer molested the microphone as he played his guitar. The female bass player was also singing back up and playing her instrument. I was impressed that they could do both at the same time. What I was not impressed with was her blond hair with a hot-pink streak in the front, ripped tights under her hot pink mini-skirt, and twice as much eyeliner as the lead singer. She looked crazy.
The drummer and guitarist were more mainstream looking. The guitarist was tall and thin with straight blond hair that came down to his shoulders. He had tattoos on his arms, but I couldn’t see the designs other than the bright colors from my spot near the back of the bar. The drummer had a shaved head, and I couldn’t see most of him once he sat down. They all had piercings in their faces that intrigued me. Why would someone put a hole in his or her face? What happened when you didn’t want it anymore? Did you walk around with holes in your face forever? I didn’t understand.
Despite their holey faces, the band was good, really good. I could see why there were so many people here to see them. They played high-energy songs and if I closed my eyes, I would have thought they were the original artists. I swear the girl sounded just like Pat Benatar when she sang ‘Love is a Battlefield.’ It really was amazing.
The music stopped, and the lead singer stepped up to the microphone. “All right, all right. Ladies and gentlemen, but mostly the ladies! We have a special treat for y’all tonight. Parker Pryce is here!” Everyone started cheering. Parker shook his head and the lead singer stepped back up to the mike. “Now, wait a second. From what I hear, he doesn’t want to play for y’all.” A round of booing filled the bar. Parker looked down still shaking his head and started muttering something. “Oh, come on Parker! We can’t play the next song without you! Maybe he needs some encouragement from the crowd.” The crowd went wild.