“Mr. Hope will emcee.”
“Of course.”
“Annabelle is judging with you, and Cubby.”
“Good to go with an authority figure. No comeback there.”
“Exactly. Go get a drink; people have started arriving, and we’re using the office for the performers to get ready.”
“Thanks.”
“Shay judging with you?”
“He’s going to heckle from the crowd,” Ryan said.
“How have you stayed away from here for so long?” Shay asked for the tenth time that day as they headed to the bar.
“Honestly, now I’m back, I don’t know.”
“This place is like my home in Ireland. Everyone knows everyone and everything about everyone, but it’s all in a good way. Okay, sometimes you feel like your shirt’s too tight, but most often it’s cool, right? To be part of it,” Shay said.
“Leaving was all I could think about for so long, I forgot about the good stuff.”
“Nice that you remember now then.” Shay nudged him with an elbow.
“Real nice.”
“Shay, Ryan!”
Ryan saw Mikey and his friend Deano. He’d introduced them to Shay earlier.
“What’s up, Mikey?” The kid looked worried.
“It’s Deano. He’s sick. I don’t think I can do it alone.”
“Sure you can. Take a breath, Mikey. Everything is going to be okay.” Ryan put an arm around his shoulders. “You ok there, Deano?”
“I don’t feel so good, Ryan. I’m gonna head home. Sorry, Mikey.”
“Need a lift?” Ryan asked the boy. His face was pale and sweaty.
“Mom’s coming to get me.”
“Want me to play guitar for you?” Shay asked after Deano walked away.
“B-But you’re a pro. Is that allowed?” Mikey looked excited and terrified now.
“Don’t see why not,” Ryan said.
“Let’s go do some practice, and Ryan can make sure it’s okay with the judges,” Shay said.
“Thanks, man.” Ryan slapped his friend’s hand. “He’s a great kid.”
“All good, it’ll be fun. Get me a beer and something to eat, and I’ll see what I’ve got to work with. No way are we losing now.”
Faith was manning the bar when he walked in and looked seriously hot in a white shirt with the Howler logo on it and short black skirt. She wore a red bandana.
He didn’t like the distance that was now between them and planned to do something about it right now.