Chapter 7.19

Cheyenne

It was girls night out and I was soooo ready. I’d been holing up in my dorm room studying for finals and Zachary was out of town this weekend for a game. Phoebe wouldn’t quit talking about her favorite band, BLITZED, a black metal band who was playing at this dive bar in town. I’d never heard of them but she was up on indie bands and would follow their social media, videos, and swoon. Guess the lead singer, Kade Phelps, was to die for.

When we entered the bar, Phoebe put her arms around us and announced, “Get ready to be slammed with breathtaking beauty, girls.” She gripped my and our other friend, Akia Irvin’s shoulders. “I see Kade. I think I’m going to faint.”

I didn’t know which one was Kade. They all looked fairly handsome–in a rocker sort of way. I was down for some amped up music and screamo death melodies. I’d hoped they were worth the $20 cover.

Mateo

“Sorry, guys,” Kade said, “but it’s got to be that way. My agent says I need to get paid more or move on.”

This guy. Why I let Hunter talk me into hooking up with Kade Phelps is beyond me. Sure he got us a bit of star power. He was known in the biz and had a few one hitters on his own but the guy was a fucking diva. I hated it. Now he was trying to take half our earnings for the night which would leave us to split the rest four ways. I clenched my jaw, trying not to say anything.

Hunter arched an eyebrow. “No fucking way, Phelps. Our deal was even split.” Hunter Rider was the band’s bossman–an awesome lead guitar. The dude shredded riffs like an Olympian.

Kade turned to me. Since I was best buds with Hunter, I guessed he thought I could convince him. Too bad Kade didn’t know I hated his guts. We were better off without him. I had a decent voice. I could lead sing and play the keyboard and synthesizer. Did it before he came along.

I didn’t look at him.

“Come on, Mateo. You know what I bring to this band. You’d be nothing without me. I’m worth it.”

Our drummer, Angelo Peters, sighed. “Give the drama king what he wants, Hunter. We’ve got a show to do.”

He cracked his neck.

Devontae Williams, our bassist, shook his head. “He’s out. We don’t need some greedy cocksucker. We’re supposed to be a team.”

Kade’s eyes locked onto mine. “Looks like it’s two to two. Break the tie and we can get on with business, Mat. We don’t want to keep our fans waiting.”

I snorted. Fans. It was five fricken thirty. Fans wouldn’t start showing until nine. “Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.”

Kade straightened his shoulders. “Fine. Die in mediocrity, fellas. Peace.”

Cheyenne

“EEK!” Phoebe squealed. “He’s coming this way!”

I caught sight of a gorgeous tall-dark-and-handsome storming over to us. “Good God. What’s he want?” I asked.

We held onto Phoebe so she wouldn’t faint.

He stopped and said, “Good evening, ladies. Sorry to say, BLITZED is no more. You can get a refund at the bar.”

******

“Well shit!” Phoebe whined. “I can’t believe BLITZED broke up just as soon as they hit our town. I must have the worst luck.” Phoebe pulled her chair out and plopped down.

I hated not to share in her misery but I was over the moon. Zachary’s game was playing at the bar. I was such a horrid girlfriend. I really had no clue about anything football except that the game was out of town and it was today. But it looked like MY luck was on fire tonight. I’d tried in the past to watch a whole game but it was like jumping beans settled into my feet or my hands and I’d find myself drifting only to hear cheers around me and I’d miss probably the best play Zachary made in his game. At least I could sneak peeks from time to time here while sipping on a yummy cocktail.

I wanted to cheer Phoebe up. “Well, we’re at a bar together. Let’s order our favorite drinks and get the party started!”

Akia agreed. “Yeah, Pheebs. I’m DYING for a snaggle fluster!”

Phoebe nodded. “I guess I’ll drown my sorrows then. Snaggle flusters for us all!”

After I sipped the tasty fruity drink, I glanced at my texts and noticed some from Zachary.

Aww…he was the most romantic guy I’d ever dated. So attentive!

Even though both of us were extremely busy, he always made time for me and would think up the most romantic dates. I’d never met anyone like him before.

Last week, he’d surprised me by taking me to this harvest festival about forty-five minutes away. I didn’t even know it’d existed.

I gazed at all the hoe-down decorations everywhere. The haystacks were bigger than we were!

Zachary challenged me to some horseshoes. I was TERRIBLE at it. I figured he’d be good. He was good at everything athletic.

But he sucked.

The old man running the game quipped, “Good to know you throw a football better than them shoes, Hawthorne. I got two hundred bucks on the Lobsters next weekend.”

I snickered, teasing him. “I’m glad, too, or I’d be embarrassed at the games.”

“You guys are reeeeally funny,” Zachary said, shaking his head.

Next, he surprised me with a picnic at an area where a lot of people were eating and chatting. Even though there were many people around us, it was like we were the only ones in the world.

Zachary sidled up to me and said, “Come here.”

Whenever he said that, it meant he wanted a kiss so I puckered up, anticipating his soft kiss.

But then he threw me up in the air on his feet. He was crazy strong. “Put me down!” I cried, giggling.

He finally did then cradled me. “I wish we could stay like this forever,” he whispered in my ear.

Glancing at a family in front of us, I imagined a life with him. It’d look perfect just like them. Zachary was so easy going, thoughtful, handsome, and he was bound for the SFL. Our lives would be set. I couldn’t believe it, but I was actually rethinking my priorities. Acting didn’t seem feasible as an SFL star’s wife. Our relationship had grown at light speed but it didn’t scare me. I’d change everything for Zachary.

“Do you want another?” came a deep voice, breaking me out of my thoughts.

Blinking, I said, “Uh…yeah…sure.”

*****

Mateo

It was only seven thirty and one of our worst groupies showed up–Olivia Davis. This girl would NOT leave Hunter alone…or me for that matter. And she was going to lose her shit when she found out Kade left. Even though groupies were a pain in the ass, they were great for getting the word out and getting our stuff shared on social media. Happy groupies meant bigger crowds.

But I didn’t want to deal with her. Let Hunter figure it out. He brought the fucking diva to our ranks in the first place.

When I got to the bar, my stomach did a nosedive.

The girl from the party was chilling at the bar. It was like the Universe gifted me another chance. Maybe this time I would have the opportunity to ask her out.

I’d never forget listening to her voice when she was just fooling around on the piano. It was like an angel singing.

And her range was phenomenal.

I wanted to introduce myself to her then but also didn’t want to interrupt.

It figured. Some dumbass was in my seat. I had to rectify that immediately.

“What’s going on, jerk? You cutting in on my girl?” Tough guy speech always worked with wimps.

The guy’s eyes grew and he popped up, wheezed out an apology and the seat was vacated in seconds.

After I got my drink, I managed to grab her attention. This was my chance! “What are you drinking, angel? The next one’s on me.”

“Um…no thanks. I don’t think my boyfriend would like that too much.”

Of course she had a boyfriend.

But then it was like I’d saved up all my lucky chips with the Universe. A smoking idea hit me square in the face. “Then would you help me out with a problem?”

She looked at the tv screen. “See that guy with the football?”

I glanced up to see that douche Lobster quarterback. Hated football. Hated sports. But I knew the guy because he was hitting on our drummer, Angelo’s girlfriend a while back. The dick thought he was God’s gift to women.

With a smug face, she said, “That’s my boyfriend. So, if you don’t mind, please take your lines and throw them at someone else.”

And then my memories came together all at once. I remembered her mugging him in the middle of that party.

But that guy wasn’t someone’s serious boyfriend. He was a manwhore who dropped into a ladies pants like an emergency helicopter.

“Look, I’m not trying to hit on you with this. Honest. My band needs a singer and I’ve heard you’ve got a talented voice. Would you help us out? Just for tonight?”

At this her friend nudged her. “Oh my God, Cheyenne! You CANNOT say no! I’d die if you could sing with BLITZED!”

Her other friend chimed in, “Yeah, Chey! Please do it!”

She shook her head. “I don’t know any of their songs.”

“They do the most AMAZING covers to tons of songs you know. Seriously, this would make my night. Say yes, Chey! For me?” she winked.

“How can you say no to that?” I piled on, hoping she’d cave.

She sighed like a teakettle hissing. Then she groaned, “Okay, fine. I’ll do it.”