Harrison
harrison
. . .
“ L et’s get this party started,” Liam shouts, throwing his hands up in the air as the crowd swarms around us. The women flock to us: married or single. Being with a musician is some crazy fantasy they have. I always look for a ring. But if you’re that guy, the one who has been cheated on, you should be asking yourself why.
The club is packed, more so than usual. There’s a band playing on stage, rocking the house and energizing the crowd. I miss this atmosphere. No one has any expectations of you when you’re just playing for yourself. The fans are up close and loud enough that you can hear them over the music as they dance and create crazy movements to your music. I love watching people come alive as a result of something we’re playing. It’s so worth it, but at the same time, I wouldn’t trade what we have going on right now for anything.
Shoulders are bumped and bodies jostled as we make our way through the swarming bodies. Sam likes to think she can part the sea. People here don’t care who she is or who her father is; they’re not going to lose their place in line for the bar or on the dance floor for her. The only people who care is the band on stage, which she’s probably scoping out tonight at our expense. It won’t be the first time she’s used us to her advantage and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
My brunette’s hand slips from mine and by the time I can turn around, she’s gone and lost in the cluster. I’m pushed toward the VIP section by our roadies, unable to stop and seek the girl out. I knew it was too good to be true. She either used me to get into the club or Sam sunk her claws into the chick I was digging to spite me. I don’t know what it is with Sam and why she has to butt her fake-ass self into my business. I’m not the moneymaker, Liam is. What I do when I’m not on stage is my business and has nothing to do with the band. I was looking forward to spending some quality time with the brunette and assuming it was all Sam’s fault is better than the alternative. Thinking this chick used me to get into a bar doesn’t bode well for my ego.
The VIP section already has a hoard of women waiting for us. I try not to roll my eyes, but it’s all the same plastic shit. With their fake nails, fake hair, fake eyelashes and high-pitched voices, they make me feel sorry for them. They need at least one honest friend in their life to tell them to just be normal. If you want to land a guy like me, just be yourself. I don’t need all the extra crap.
I stand at the private bar and place my order. I have a girl dancing on each side of me, but neither of them interests me. They’re grinding with their arms up in the air with one hand holding their drinks. They’ve been warned to never put their drink down because you never know what pervert is lurking and trying to slip you a jimmy.
“Excuse me, ladies,” I say, as I squeeze through them, sipping on my Jack and Coke. I lean over the edge, watching the band. My focus is on the drummer. Questions run through my mind as I study him. Is he better than me? Can I learn something from him? I need to know my competition only because I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’ve never been a fan of Sam’s and even though Liam brought me in, she wanted him. I was the tagalong and the fact that she and I don’t get along scares me. All she needs to do is find a drummer she digs and I’m out on my ass, back to working for the house band at Metro .
My eyes gravitate over to the bassist who is doubling as their keyboard player. He’s young and seems to have a good sense of the music around him. I glance over at Way, our third member, and wonder how long he’s going to be around. He’s part of the Moreno Entertainment group, going from band to band when someone needs an extra. I can’t imagine being a part of a group that wants to tour all over is up his alley. Maybe it’s time we start looking for a replacement or another member. It’s not my call, though. That has to come from Liam. When it all comes down to it, this is his band and I’m just along for the ride.
This band is good, though, as I watch them work the crowd. It won’t be long until they’re making waves in the industry and headlining a major tour. We’re not there yet but I hope we get there soon. We need to take our music serious and party less, although partying is pretty fun.
I find myself looking for the brunette I brought in here. With all the gyrating bodies, it’s difficult. If the club wasn’t so packed, my vantage point would be optimal but now I just see nothing but hands and hair moving up and down. Taking a gulp of my drink, I scan the outer perimeter for her. She could’ve gone to the bathroom, telling me she had to go, but I couldn’t hear her and now she’s looking for me. If I spot her below, I’m going down to her. We can dance, get a drink at the bar and maybe have a loud, hard-to-hear conversation over the music.
A tap on my shoulder causes me to turn. Liam stands next to me, beer hanging between his fingers. He’s just barely old enough to drink, not that it’s ever stopped him from partaking in adult beverages. When you’re the lead singer of an up-and- coming band, people turn a blind eye as long as the press doesn’t find out. That’s where the VIP lounge comes in. No press up here, Sam would never allow them anywhere near her prize. The only time Sam likes the media is when it can benefit her. Right now, there’s no benefit.
“What’s up, man?”
“Sam wants us to hit the studio hard and get an EP done. She says we’re not reaching our potential. She pisses me off sometimes.” He shakes his head and brings his bottle to this mouth. He leans over the railing, watching the same crowd I have been.
“She right,” I say, earning the stink eye from him. He never wants to hear that Sam is right, not since he’s been sleeping with her… or was sleeping with her. I don’t ask because I don’t want to know. Shit like that makes things complicated.
“What do you mean?”
I sigh and run my hand over the top of my hat. “We aren’t tapping into our potential in my opinion. You’re writing some great songs, but we’re not getting the airplay we need. Sure, we’re playing a little larger venue than this, but look at that crowd down there. They know the music and are into it – there’s a reason Sam doesn’t let you put your mic out into the crowd. We need to build and capitalize. We need to come out with an amazing single.”
“Everyone has to start somewhere.”
I nod in agreement. “You’re right, they do. So what do you want to do?” I leave it up to him because, frankly, this is his group. He can make whatever decision he wants to and we’ll follow. If he quits, we no longer exist.
Liam frowns and continues to drink his beer. He’s silent as he watches the band, the crowd or thinks about our future. It’s a heavy topic and probably not one that should be discussed after a gig. It’s time to celebrate the successful show we had, not to worry about tomorrow.
“I have some music I’ve been working on, we could take a stab at it this week in the studio.”
“I’m game, man,” I say as I tap my empty glass to his bottle. Over his shoulder, I see Sam heading our way and know that it’s time for me to make my exit. “I’m going downstairs to mingle.”
“Watch out for those crazies.”
I laugh. “Nah, they’re only after you!”
I hightail it down the stairs before Sam can say anything to me. The less she and I socialize, the better. I head toward the bar, looking for a bit more liquid courage before I hit the dance floor, it’s always a good time when I can get my groove on.
After three rounds and some serious bullshitting at the bar, I’m in the middle of the dance floor with two hot blondes, neither seem to care what they look like as they’re sweaty and their hair is pulled up in those messy bun things. Out of all the girls around me, these two are here to have fun. And fun is what I can give them.
The band is done and now it’s time for the late night DJ to take over. The club was packed when he came in, but now we’re body to body. We dance around a bit, getting a feel for each other until the music switches. The DJ drops the tempo, giving us a smooth vibe; it’s sexy and something we can really get into. I have both girls in my hands, one on each hip, letting them work their bodies against mine. Lips press against my neck as I let my hand slide up the girl of my left’s back. My life is a revolving door of chicks with no names tonight, but somehow I don’t think they care.
A third blonde joins us, dressed in a skin tight dress and far too made up for the likes of the two I’m already dancing with. She rubs up on me, making sure I can feel her ass against my crotch. The two on my hips don’t seem to care, so I let this new one show me what she’s got.
I glance quickly up to the VIP room and see Sam hanging on Liam. I’m better off down here with my newfound trio of girlfriends. I think tonight, I’ll break my no one-night stand rule and take these girls home. At least these girls won’t expect breakfast in the morning, or even ask to stay the night.
When the DJ changes the beat, the girls don’t stop, they just grind faster. The newest has some sort of routine she’s trying to do. I’m attempting not to laugh but am finding it hard. I have a feeling she senses this because she turns with a flip of her hair and is gone.
One more of my gals leaves or is taken by another man. I’m not sure, but I think it opens the pathway for me to see the brown-haired beauty that used me to get in tonight. She’s in the arms of another man, his head is tucked into the crook of her neck and I can only imagine what her skin tastes like. Our eyes meet and her hand pulls on his hair. I don’t know if I was expecting her to ditch him, or what, but it pisses me off. I hate being used.
Two can play her game and I don’t even have to try as hard. I pull my remaining blonde around, pressing her back against my chest. Her back arches instantly as I grind my cock into her ass. When her arm comes up and I feel her fingers pushing under my beanie to pull my hair, I know she’s mine. Her collarbone beckons me, waiting for my mouth to touch her. She hisses, pulling and grinding harder as I nip, lick and kiss my way up to her ear. I give it a little tug just to tease her enough, to show her what tonight could be like.
The brunette is glaring at me when I look up. I smirk, trying to convey that she could’ve had this but is now occupied by someone else. Women like her and the one I’m dancing with are a dime a dozen. I can’t think of one of my friends that picked up a chick in the bar, took her home and married her later. Sure, a few have dated them, but that lasts for about a week or two until the next chick comes along or she’s sidetracked by another dude. Bar hookups do not last and are meant to be just a one-time thing. As long as you wrap it tight, there shouldn’t be any issues.
My blonde turns in my arms, smashing her boobs into my chest and giving me a nice view. I lean down to kiss her, but she moves slightly until her lips are pressed against my ear.
“I’m thirsty,” she says, yelling over the music. Placing my hand on her hip, I nod for the bartender. I’ll treat her well and definitely want her hydrated for later.
She orders a bottle of water while I order a Jack and Coke. She eyes me cautiously.
“I’m not driving and I’ll have no problems functioning later,” I lean down and speak in her ear, tugging gently on her earlobe. She reacts by pushing herself into me slightly.
A stool opens up in front of us and I motion for her to sit down. I take up the space behind her, leaning in every few seconds to kiss her salty skin.
It’s hard to have a conversation in a club where the music is blaring, but I try. “What’s your name?”
“Holly,” she yells over the noise.
Holly and Harrison – that’s cute. I push that thought away as quickly as it popped into my head. One night, that’s it.
“I’m going to use the restroom,” she says as she slides off the stool with her hand pressed against my chest. She stands on her tippy toes and brushes her lips lightly across mine. The kiss is quick, but I’ll take it as a sign of things to come tonight.
I plant my ass on the stool, saving it for Holly. I down my drink and order another one while I wait. As I sit here and nurse my second Jack and Coke, the seat next to me becomes available. I think about claiming it but realize that if we want to sit, we can easily head to the VIP room.
All of a sudden, the brunette that I brought into the club is sitting next to me with her hand on my forearm. I stare at her and her hand, hoping she gets my drift.
“That wasn’t very nice of you,” she says, close to my ear.
I lean into her and touch my lips to the curve of her ear as I say, “What’s that exactly?”
“I saw you dancing with that other girl.”
“Mhm… and you were all over that guy out there. Are you planning on going home with him?” It’s not like I care, since I plan to take Holly back to my place.
The brunette chuckles; it’s cute, but doesn’t change my position on her. “No, I’m definitely going home with you.”
“It’s sweet that you think that,” I tell her. I pick up my drink and down the rest, slamming the glass onto the bar for emphasis.
Before I can disagree with her, Sam is butting her way into our conversation. She stumbles and as much as I can’t stand her, I reach out to catch her.
“You guys are cute together; let me take your picture,” she says, slurring her words. We watch as Sam pushes people out of the way so she can find the best angle. After all the effort, I lean in, even though I don’t want my picture taken, and smile.