“Sounds good to me- I love a girl who loves her food. Can’t bear those girls who order a salad.” Rick then told the waitress what we wanted and she said it wouldn’t be too long.
“So, ambitions? Dreams?.. Let me guess... To meet and fall in love with a bass player, and live happily ever after?” He chuckled to himself.
“To meet and fall in love with the right guy would be great, but I'm very shy and don't date a lot.” I said, quietly.
“Really? So no crazy ex's lurking in the background?” He asked, just as the pizza and wedges arrived.
I laughed. “No, no crazy ex. This looks yummy, I'm starving.”
“Me too. I rarely get to sit and enjoy good food and good company. Always rehearsing and gigging. What kind of music are you into?”
“I like all music really, you should see my iPod, full of ranges of music from r & b to heavy metal.“ I told him, shrugging my shoulders.
“And a bit of Flix too, I hope?”
“Yeah, I may have to add them to it.” I said as I giggled.
“Ha-ha, playing it cool- I like it. So what does a beautiful girl like you do when she isn’t working at The Archer?”
“I like to read, hang out with my friends. Occasionally, they drag me to a club, which I'm not always keen on, but I do like to dance.”
“I miss clubbing... Maybe I could tag along with you and the girls if I ever get a night when I’m not gigging? I’ve seen you dancing at work, you can move...” He winked at me again; I started thinking he may have a twitch going on.
“Thanks, sometimes I just get caught up in the music... That pizza was lovely. Dessert?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“I’m stuffed, but don’t let me stop you.”
“Oh, maybe I will just have some chocolate cake. Love dessert.” I told him, hoping I wasn’t looking like a pig. He called the waitress over and ordered me dessert.
“So, did Jax tell you we are going on tour at the end of the summer?”
“No, I didn't know that. For how long?” I asked.
“Three months at the moment, though we still have bookings coming in. I can’t wait.” He sounded very excited.
“Wow, that will be so great for you.” I said.
“It could be the start of something big. Hopefully we will get signed, then one day we may eventually hit the big time… That cake looks amazing... fancy sharing?” He asked me, looking hopeful.
“Sure. Two spoons, please.” I asked the waitress, before she disappeared. “Don’t go eating it all!” I said with a cheeky grin.
“Ha-ha, I promise- you have a feisty side, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of you.” He said joking. “You must get that from working at the bar. I bet guys hit on you all the time?”
I looked down at the cake as I broke off a bit to eat. ”Some do but they know I'm not interested. They tip well.”
“Not interested? So how come you agreed to go on a date with me, but not guys that come in to the bar?”
“I like to know someone first, I don’t like the idea of putting myself in danger by going on a date with a complete stranger.” I explained to him.
He reached across the table and took hold of my hand. “You are safe with me, Es, I won’t hurt you.”
I gulped as he grabbed my hand, but I didn’t pull it away straight away, until he started rubbing his thumb back and forth across my palm.
“Can I give you a lift home?” He asked.
“Yeah, that would be nice, thanks.” I said, I didn’t fancy the walk. I grabbed my purse and went to get some money out, just as he said to me;
“Hey- I’m paying.” He sounded almost shocked that I was about to pay. “I never let a girl pay on a date.” He explained to me.
“Um...Thanks. That's really nice.” I said, feeling a little shy, hoping that I wasn’t giving out the wrong signals.
He put the money on the table and we left the restaurant, heading to the car park. He opened my door for me and then ran around the car and got in himself.
I gave him directions to my place; it didn’t take long to get there as it was late so the roads were quiet.
We pulled up outside and I started to get nervous about how this date was going to end.
“Thanks for the lift, I had a good time...” I paused, not really sure what to say. He then got out and came and opened my door. As he helped me out of the car he leant in to kiss me, I panicked and jumped back and said; “Oh sorry... I....Uh...” ‘Awkward’ I thought, I didn’t look directly at him.
“Sorry, Es, I think I got carried away... It’s just that you are so easy to talk to, and I had a really great night... I hope I haven’t offended you, I think I got the wrong idea...”
“I enjoy your company, but can we just be friends?” I asked him, hoping he wouldn’t be angry and felt like I’d led him on.
“Of course, Es, I really like you, I feel like I can really talk to you. I’d rather be friends than nothing.”
“Thank you.” I leant in and give him a quick hug. I walked up my steps, walked in my front door, turned around and gave him a little wave.
Chapter 7
Jackson
We had just finished our first set at The Archer, and we had a thirty minute break. I was on a high, and it was great being back here, every week the crowd seemed to get bigger and wilder. I was looking around for Cindy but couldn’t find her, so I made my way to the bar.
“Hey, Esme, can I get a...” I started to say, but she interrupted me with;
“Jack and coke?” She was smiling.
I nodded, smiling to myself that she knew my drink. She was a really great girl, a bit shy and I was surprised when she started working here, but I looked forward to seeing her every week. I really thought we could be friends; I just wasn’t sure what Cindy would think of that.
She passed me my drink.
“That’s on me, you guys are killing it tonight. The crowd are on a major buzz, you’re getting me good tips.” She smiled brightly.
“Good. Have you seen Cindy?” I asked still looking round for my girl.
Her smile seemed to drop from her face and she just shook her head and carried on serving other customers.
I figured she was just busy and didn’t have time to talk; I’d catch up with her at the end of the night when it quietened down, and went off in search for Cindy.
I checked back stage in case she was waiting there for me; we had a big room we all chilled out in, with a sofa, flat screen TV and a constant stream of girls coming and going trying to get the attention of the guys. There was also a smaller room that was a bit more private at the back. The rest of Flix were all chilled out on the sofa with a couple of girls.
“Hey, any of you seen Cind?” I asked, starting to get a little worried.
“No, man.” Will said.
“Sorry, dude, no” Frank replied.
And Rick just shook his head. So I left the room and decided to check the dance floor. As I was scanning the room I saw her rubbing herself up against some guy. I walked over to them and pulled her away by her arm, and the guy squared up to me as if I was stealing his girl.
“Don’t touch my girl!” I all but growled at him.
“Hey, she searched me out.” The guy said to me. I turned away from him and pulled Cindy out the side fire escape door into the car park.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” I asked her.
She just shrugged her shoulders and said; “Having fun, it’s not like I was going to go home with him.” She acted like it wasn’t a big deal.
“You’re my girl, MINE! You DON’T dance with other men, let alone rub yourself up against them!” I shouted at her.
“You were busy!” She spat.
That answer surprised me, this wasn’t my Cindy I was talking to, the one I fell in love with. I was at a loss for words and didn’t really know what to do or say next. There was a long pause between us and I asked her “Is that what you want? Other men? Am I not enough for you now?”
“I was only dancing, I don’t see what the big deal is.” She said as she threw her arms in the air.
“The big deal is, that guy’s hands were all over you, he was rubbing himself up against you, getting off on touching what’s mine, thinking he is taking you home. Who knows what he would have tried to do to you if I hadn’t shown up.” I shouted at her. I walked away, I couldn’t be dealing with this, I had a show to perform.
Esmeralda
It was nearly closing time and thank God, I was exhausted. Flix were drawing in a bigger crowd every week, and tonight’s shift was the busiest I’d ever worked. All I wanted to do was go home have a hot bath and get lost in my book.
“Esme, can I get some water?” I heard Jackson ask.
“Sure.” I said passing him a bottle. I noticed he looked down and a bit fed up.
“You ok?” I asked, concerned for him. Usually he was buzzing after his gigs. He sighed, looked down at the bar and cleared his throat, then went quiet.
“Did you find Cindy?” I asked.
“Yeah, she was dancing all over some guy. I pulled her away and shouted at her because I thought it was wrong. She is my girl, you know? She shouldn’t be that close to anyone else. It just seems so unlike her... She seems different lately... Oh, Esme, I’m sorry I shouldn’t be putting this all on you. How pathetic do I sound?”
He seemed really torn up about this; he obviously didn’t know about her little escapade with Frank. Should I tell him? Or just keep quiet? I didn’t really want to get involved, so I said to him
“Hey, we are friends; of course you can talk to me about it, though I’m probably not going to be much help. I’ve not got a lot of experience in dating.” Then I thought, if we were friends I should tell him, right? Or maybe I should confront her? I reached out to touch his hand in a soothing gesture. As soon as I touched him, I felt something I’d never felt before, it was almost like a spark and I wondered if he’d felt it too, because as soon as I felt it my eyes shot to his and he was already staring at me. I looked away, stepped back, grabbed a cloth and began cleaning down the bar.
“Where is she now?” I asked, glad to put a little bit of space between us.
“She’s gone back to the hotel, think she was pissed at me.” He said screwing up his face, as if to say maybe he should be there with her. “I guess I better go and see her, talk this out.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Hope things go ok, text me if you need me.” I said as I handed him my number.
He smiled at me, nodded and then turned around and walked out of the bar.
***
I finally got home at around two o’clock in the morning and jumped into a bubble bath. I picked up my kindle, ready to get lost in another world, when my phone beeped. I wondered who could that have been at this time of night? It must be Marcy, I thought, and she was probably pissed and needed a lift. I kind of hoped it wasn’t her as I was just starting to relax. I picked up my phone and didn’t recognise the number.
Hey, just wanted to say thanks for letting me ramble on earlier. Jax
My heart skipped a beat, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach that he had actually contacted me. Don’t get your hopes up, I thought; he has a girlfriend, though she doesn’t act like his girlfriend, the way she was with other guys. Especially after the night I saw her with Frank.
Not a problem, all sorted?
Yep I guess. Was all he replied. That didn’t sound good.
You ok?
I don’t know, not sure if I’m just overreacting
Where is she now? I didn’t want her to get mad at him for texting me.
She‘s asleep. I’m having a j and coke and flicking through TV channels. What you doin’?
What was I doing? Should I tell him the truth? I didn’t want him to get the wrong impression. I didn’t ever want to lie to him, but then was I lying by not telling him about Cindy and the other men? And why was I feeling so guilty over it?
In a bubble bath, reading I texted back, I still wasn’t sure if I should have said that.
What you reading? He asked.
The rocker that needs me
A rocker book, huh?
Yep
Is it good? He asked
Yep, love these books, I get lost in them I told him truthfully.
Wow. Love a girl who can be completely honest. He texted back.
Thanks, best get to bed, got another shift tom. G’night
May pop in for a drink. Goodnight, Es x
Night, Jax
I then placed the phone back on the toilet seat that was next to the tub, wondering if I was getting into something I shouldn’t have been, but I couldn’t help smiling at him putting a kiss at the end of his final text.
Chapter 8
The Archer was pumping and outside things were also heating up; the couple were outside the club in the dark alley, which was by the stage, so the pulse from Flix was in the background. She was pressed up against the wall, his hands running all over her body. She was panting and enjoying his attention, she pulled his head closer to hers and kissed him passionately. She hooked her leg over his hip and began moving with him. His hands went up her top, under her bra and began pinching and puling at her nipples. She gasped in surprise at the sensation, her head fell back against the wall and she moaned in the back of her throat.
He pulled her legs up around him and she held on by connecting her feet together. “You are so hot.” He said to her as he reached under her skirt and felt how wet she was, he then groaned out loud and pushed her panties to the side and slipped his fingers deep inside her. She bucked against his hand, he could fell her nearing orgasm so he pulled his hand away, put his fingers to his lips and licked them clean, “Mmmm, you taste amazing.”
“Please, stop teasing and fuck me, I want you.”
He then pulled himself from his jeans, and began rubbing himself over her wet pussy, she was panting. He then thrust into her and she gasped at how big he was. She put her arms around his neck, he grabbed hold of her backside and she started riding him.
He started raining kisses down her neck then he pulled her top down and was running kisses over the top of her breasts, he was kissing and sucking her.
“Don’t leave a mark.”
“Too late, babe.”
He then pushed her against the wall, and began thrusting faster and faster.
“Yes, yes.”
“Oh my god, Cindy!”
Jackson
The show was amazing, everyone was buzzing and the crowd were constantly singing along with us; it made you feel even better knowing everyone loved and appreciated your music that much. I could see Esme at the bar serving drinks, singing along and swinging those hips of hers. She was seriously hot and she didn’t have a clue about it. I’d seen many guys looking at her, I just honestly thought she had never noticed.
I looked around for Cindy, she was sat at a table by herself, sipping her drink, she seemed like she didn’t want to be here, normally she would be in the crowd dancing around and singing, but not tonight. Something wasn’t quite right.
We were coming towards the end of the show and I was buzzing and on a serious high.
“Thank you, Plushton, you have been great!” I shouted out to the crowd.
I went in search of Cindy; I was on a high and completely horny. I needed sorting out and there was only one woman I wanted.
She was sat on the sofa in the backstage room, looking down at her phone.
“Hey, baby, there you are.” I said as I stalked towards her. I picked her up and began kissing her. She kissed me back and then I moved towards her neck, peppering little kisses from her ear to her throat. She pulled back and I thought she wanted to move it to the private room or back to our hotel, but she stepped away from me.
“Not tonight, babe…” She muttered as she pulled her jacket tighter around her neck. I looked at her confused and asked her what she meant.
“I’m not really in the mood.” She looked unc
omfortable, like she didn’t want me touching her.
“Not in the mood? You’re always in the mood after a show, especially after a show like that.” I said probably a bit sterner than I should have. She stood there and shrugged her shoulders, looking at the floor.
“What’s going on? You have been different lately, is there something wrong? Are you ok?” I was thinking maybe she was ill or something was on her mind. Then I started thinking was it me.
“Nothing is going on, I’m just not hyped up tonight.” She explained. I stood there and stared at her, then said; “You have been losing your sex drive recently, something is going on.”
“I’M FINE, STOP SUFFOCATING ME!” She yelled at me and stormed off.
Chapter 9
Esmeralda
I was on my way to meet Marcy, Kate and Danni for lunch, we were meeting up at The Coffee Bean for a catch up, as I hadn’t seen them much lately because of my shifts at The Archer.
“Hey, girl, do I know you?” Danni said to me as I walked in the door.
I chuckled and said to her, “It's not that bad, I’ve been busy especially since Flix started playing at The Archer, but I’m here now...” I got cut off as she interrupted me to say
“Speaking of Flix...” I looked at where she was staring, and it was the guys from Flix and Cindy, all having lunch. I turned back around and just shrugged my shoulders.
“So, tell me...” Marcy started when she stopped to look over my shoulder, I was about to look around when I heard;
“Esme, nice to see you.” Rick said as he walked by. I just smiled at him and turned my attention back to my friends.
“What’s going on there?” Kate asked.
“Nothing, since our date. We just decided to stay friends.” I said. Like it was nothing important, and when it went quiet. I looked up from my menu to see my three friends staring at me with their mouths open.
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