“Right. You’ve got the blonde. Who is also a hottie. I mean, check her out.” He obviously stares all over again, this time, his attention all for Hayden.
My Hayden.
I shove Caleb in the shoulder, sending him toppling. “Knock that shit off.” He’s harmless. I know he is. And I’m not worried about him making a move on Hayden, because I already staked my claim and he won’t forget that. Which sounds like macho sexist shit, and that sort of sucks, but whatever.
It is what it is.
Hayden and I keep up the small talk and slowly but surely, Gracie comes back down from her Caleb anger high and starts to participate. Caleb sticks to his phone, interjecting the occasional comment that shows he’s actually listening.
Eventually, the line outside starts to move. They’re letting us in. Anyone underage gets a wristband, so they won’t serve us at the bar, so that means we all do. The cover charge is minimal and I pay for all four of us. Not because I’m showing off, but because I don’t want Caleb to have to pay since he’s always running on a tight budget.
“Thanks man,” he murmurs once we enter the dark building.
“Anytime,” I reassure him.
The space is cramped, the ceilings low. There’s a bar on the far side of the wall that runs the entire length of it. On the opposite side, there’s a small black stage that’s seen better days. There are a couple of guys on the stage, testing the speakers and other equipment, low music playing in the background. The teenage girls all rush to the front, crowding each other as they jockey for the spot with the best view.
“Are all these girls here for Bat’s Cave?” Hayden asks Gracie. She sounds shocked. I’m guessing Bat’s Cave doesn’t usually command such an adoring crowd.
“Not sure. Maybe some of them? Robin told me a lot of people would be coming for the opening act. Some blond dude who croons love songs he wrote himself while he strums his guitar.” Gracie rolls her eyes. “Robin hates him.”
Hayden opens her mouth, looking ready to respond, but Caleb beats her to it.
“Robin hates everyone because he’s named Robin and his name makes him feel emasculated,” Caleb says in a high-pitched voice.
Then he starts to laugh.
Gracie whirls on him. “I’m surprised you even know what that word means.”
“I’m in college. I’m not stupid.” Caleb actually appears offended. “Does your precious Robin go to Fresno State?”
She sulks. “No.”
“Figures,” Caleb mutters.
&
nbsp; “Give it up,” I tell him. “Let her enjoy her night watching Robin.”
“God, that name,” Hayden says, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t make fun since I’ve got a boy name, but holy crap. I hate it. I don’t even like it that much for a girl. No offense to all the Robins in the world.”
“Listen. All of you. Stop making fun of him. His band is the most important thing in the world to him, okay? He thinks this performance tonight is going to take him to the next level. He’s played at Strummers a couple of times already, but there’s a record exec here tonight. He’s a scout looking for talent. At least, that’s the rumor going around,” Gracie explains, her expression like stone. Pretty sure we’ve pushed her too far. “He texted me earlier this afternoon letting me know everything, and now I’m on pins and needles, hoping he finally gets noticed. This could be life changing for him. That’s why I’m here tonight, and why I wanted to bring some friends so we can show our support. But if you don’t want to be here, then leave, okay? Just go.”
We’re all quiet as another swarm of young teen girls push past us, all of them chattering a mile a minute, their mouths open wide, the flash of their braces reflecting off the harsh fluorescent lights above. I feel bad over what’s happened tonight. I can tell by the look on Hayden’s face that she does too.
“I’m sure they’re gonna suck big hairy balls, but if you want us to yell and cheer for them when they walk on stage, I can do that,” Caleb says earnestly, his gaze shooting to mine. “Right, T?”
“Yeah,” I say lightly, hoping Gracie doesn’t kill Caleb before the night is over. “For sure. Whatever you want us to do.”
“Thank you,” she says to me, her chin tilted upward when she looks in Caleb’s direction. “Stop saying they suck.”
Caleb salutes her. “Yes, ma’am.”
The four of us eventually decide to push forward among the sea of girls, trying to find a better position so we can see the stage. I overdressed for the occasion with my jeans, black T-shirt and favorite leather jacket that I rarely wear, which means I’m currently sweating my balls off. Don’t want to take it off and carry it though, because I’m not about to lose the jacket either.
“I like the rocker look you’ve got going on tonight,” Hayden says, running her hand down my sleeve. “This leather is soft.”
“Thanks.” Her compliment makes sweating my ass off worth it. “You look great too.”