I didn’t want to get too used to being on easy street or too dependent on Alex but, on the other hand, pizza sounded mighty good.
After we’d gorged ourselves on pizza and gone through everything in the apartment, Ferdie suggested heading to the bar.
“We don’t need to go there. We’ll be there often enough anyway. And, Assassin’s Creed…”
“It’d be good to support Pete on his first night.”
“It’s not like he’s not done it before.”
“Yeah, but it’s a new town. The guy’s trying his hardest to do the best for the band. Even if it doesn’t make you happy, he’s doing this for all of us. He hates Alex as much you do, but he’s putting that behind him because he knows it’s what he needs to do.”
Wow, that made me feel less than great. I did want to support Pete but, to do that, I needed to support Alex as well. I just felt like Alex had turned into something giant squid-like, wrapping his tentacles around every aspect of my life. Revenge was becoming harder to plan with all his giving me stuff.
“Okay, I guess one drink won’t hurt.”
Ferdie broke into a huge grin. “Let me get my drinking money and put my best drinking pants on.”
Even though I didn’t care one iota about Alex or anyone else, I got changed into my cutest dress, all tight on top with a short flippy skirt. I threw my leather jacket over the top and put on some lipstick. The horrible thing was that, if Alex was there, I’d have to thank him for this. I didn’t want it, didn’t ask for it, but I couldn’t be bad-mannered either.
Alex
I knew when I offered Pete the job at the bar, it’d bring Dee in. She was sitting at the bar when I turned up that night. She didn’t see me come in, she was busy talking to Carlie. But I spotted her the instant I walked in the door, my eyes drawn to her.
I didn’t approach her. I just sat at the other corner.
I’d received some good news that day but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share it with anyone else just yet.
My musical career had been full of disappointment so far. After the accident, I’d drifted, not wanting to settle. Then I’d found Trouble and had formed my new band. We had a good following. Hell, even fans of The Jackals, the band I’d had with Jake, had found me and followed me here. A small but passionate fan base really helped. But I seemed to have stalled at this level.
Then, my main competitor – in everything – had his band signed and had taken off on a big, international tour. I’d wanted to punch someone. Razer didn’t have a patch on my talent but he’d taken my girlfriend and he’d taken my career. He was in Europe with his band and with Violet, who’d picked him over me. She worked for his promotion company and wanted to settle in Berlin.
Carlie delighted in reading me messages she received from Violet, detailing every triumph of the band.
“You should get Violet to put in a good word for you,” Carlie kept saying.
I’d snort and turn away. As if I were a beggar, needing crumbs from them.
Then today, out of the blue, some guy had called me. Said he was a promoter for the Summer Rock Festival. Nothing was confirmed as yet but some bigwigs from a music company were coming to watch our next show and, if they were happy to sign us, we’d be on the bill. My step felt lighter and I couldn’t keep the grin off my face, but there was one thing that nagged me. If this all fell into a pile of shit, I’d be humiliated. Much better to keep the news to myself and wait until everything was signed and official. I wouldn’t even tell the other guys that the label guy was turning up. They’d get nervous and might screw things up.
Dee ordered another drink. She laughed at something the drummer said. Pete looked right at home behind the bar. I hadn’t just offered him the job to get him on side. We sure as hell needed experienced bar people. It seemed like you got people, got them trained up just right and they moved on.
She drank beer. I’d have never picked that. She’d had such a sweet tooth once.
“You look in a good mood,” Carlie said as she sat my drink down.
I glanced over at Dee. She didn’t seem to have noticed me. I didn’t want to catch her eye or anything like that. She seemed so much lighter when she was with other people.