“Well, the more the merrier, right?” I guided her to the car, and we hopped into the back.
She swiveled on her seat to face me. “So. Where’re we going?”
“I told you it would be a surprise. And it will be.”
“Aw, c’mon.”
“Patience, my pretty,” I said, grabbing her fingers and bringing them to my lips.
Her hand fit mine like it was made for me, and when she gripped me back, I knew I wouldn’t be letting go anytime soon.
Was I turning into a pussy, or what?
The driver pulled up before a non-descript building. No one was around but a burly bouncer standing next to a door that looked like it opened only from the inside.
I knew better, though. I’d heard about the place and had wanted to check it out for a long time. My touring schedule kept me from doing a lot of things I liked, but I was in town and taking advantage of the free time.
“What is this place?” she asked, looking around nervously.
I kissed her cheek and smiled.
As we approached the door, the bouncer stepped aside and by some sleight of hand, managed to open it. We entered a small place wildly lit with black and neon lights, a long bar, and several tables with chairs. On a small stage directly ahead was a dude with a white-knuckled grip on a microphone trying to sing the Police song Roxanne.
Eh, I shouldn’t bust on someone for not being a great singer. Most people weren’t. And I had to give a shit ton of credit to anyone who got up on stage. Even when you were a professional like me, it was hard, much less when you were just messing around with your buds.
“A karaoke bar!” Maizy exclaimed, looking around. “I’ve never been to one.”
“I thought it would be fun, and one of the guys in the band told me this place was awesome. Kind of off the beaten path, on the exclusive side.”
“Ha. Who knew karaoke could be exclusive.” She laughed. “But don’t you think everyone will know who you are when you get up on stage?”
I led her to a table and waved over the server. “I’m not going to sing. You are.”
Her eyes about bugged out of her head. “What? Me? Why?”
“You used to be in a band. I want to hear you sing,” I explained. And, I wanted to see her gorgeous ass up on stage.
“Well. I don’t know. It’s been a long time.”
I took her hand again. Damn, it felt good.
“If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to. But I was hoping you’d give it a try,” I said.
“Yeah. Maybe.” She pursed her lips. “I gotta think about what I want to sing.”
Her face brightened. “I know just the song. You’ll have to wait and see. I’m not telling you,” she said with a wicked smile. She got up to approach the disc jockey and after a bit of negotiation, she pranced back to the table to wait her turn, her blonde hair bouncing.
It would seem I’d made a good call.
“There are four people ahead of me,” she said.
“Cool. Hey, I understand your sister is going out with my brother Penn.”
“I know. It’s cute, isn’t it? I suppose at some point, we four could all go out together,” she said.
“I suppose. But I already spend a ton of time with my brother. He only recently moved out of my place into his own.”
“Is he part of the band? I mean, does he tour with you?” she asked.