78. Megan
Chapter 78
Megan
Hattie pulls into a staff parking spot behind Moonshine, and leads us in through the rear entrance. The floor is packed when we come out near the bar, but I don’t need to scan the crowd for Ollie, he’s already up on stage.
We’ve missed most of his set but get to hear the end of an anecdote while he tunes his acoustic guitar. I swoon like a besotted teenager when he removes his cap, tucks his hair behind his ears, and pushes it back into place.
“So I’ve got one more song left, and this one is dedicated to my landlady.”
His quip draws a laugh from the crowd, but Hattie and Kara grab both my arms to steady me. There was a time where I found that word insulting, then it became a private joke between two people whose nightly bed-hopping definitely breached the landlady/tenant contract.
It hurts to think that I could be relegated back to that position. Is that what he'd think of me? Just some woman he once rented a room from.
The room quietens as his fingers pluck out the opening notes of his song, and I try to place the melody. It’s not something he’s played for me at home.
Ollie’s eyes flutter closed when he opens his mouth to sing, just like in the video Hattie sent me. His voice is smooth and full of anguish as he sings about taking his hand and telling him what I’m feeling. It takes a second for the lyrics to sink in, and I can’t tell if the ache in my chest is from my heart breaking or being stitched back together again.
“Do you know this song?” Hattie whispers next to me.
“Leave a Light On. Belinda Carlisle,” I whisper back. “Dad plays it in the work van and Ollie loves it.”
“Sounds like he wrote it just for you, babe.”
Luke and Rob appear behind us, and I’m vaguely aware of them hugging their women, but can’t tear my eyes away from the stage. I’m torn between hanging back and keeping my distance, or pushing my way to the front so he knows I’m here. He makes the choice for me when his eyes flash open and lock on mine just as the chorus begins.
Hattie is right, the 80s song takes on a whole new meaning with Ollie’s stripped back version. The line about leaving a light on means more to me than anyone in this room, and my face hurts from smiling even as tears line my lashes.
That silly little lamp by the door, an early peace offering back when we couldn’t seem to get on the same page. I’ve thought of him every time I switch it on in the darkness of our hallway. It’s painful to think about switching it off one last time, when he and that lamp have switched on so much light in me.
“This is so fucking hot,” Hattie says.
You have no idea.
This is a song that balances pain with promise, as a lover leaves but vows to return. He sings the title line one last time, soft and slow, his eyes never leaving mine, before setting his guitar by his side.
The room explodes with cheers and applause, a good chunk of it from the friends whose arms surround me. The MC appears from the side of the stage to shake Ollie’s hand.
“He’s about to hit the road on a great big campervan adventure, so give it up one more time for Ollie Mortimer!”
Ollie jumps down from the stage, and a few people in the front row greet him with more handshakes and backslaps. The crowd parts, and his face dips in and out of spotlights as he makes his way towards me.
It’s wild to think I used to lust after men in suits and ties, when Ollie is a dream in his soft white t-shirt and worn jeans. With his tattoo and back muscles, and his big, calloused hands I love to hold. I’m frozen to the spot, taking all of him in. My friends make space for us and he keeps walking until our toes touch.
“I didn’t think you’d hear that,” he says, cupping my cheek as his thumb sweeps away one solitary, happy tear.
“I’m really glad I did.”
He takes a deep breath as we regard each other in the low light of the bar. “Think you could leave a light on for me?”
“No.” I shake my head and curl my fingers into the sides of his t-shirt. “I think we should take it on the road with us.”
His face falls, then lights up again, right before he pulls me into his arms and spins us around.
“Are you serious? You’ll come with me?”
“I didn’t get the job,” I tell him when he sets me down. “Jenkins hasn't found a replacement yet, but still wants me to cover both roles in the new school year. I turned him down.”
His warm hands cup my shoulders, and I melt into his touch. “I’m so sorry. I know you really want it.”
“I don’t think I do. To be honest, I just thought I did because it was the logical next step. These past few months with you have shown me there’s so much more to life than work. I don’t want to quit completely, but if the offer still stands, I’d love to come with you for the summer.”
“You really mean it?”
“Yes! School finishes on Friday. We can leave right after, if you can wait a little longer.”
He steps back and folds his arms across his chest, then strokes his chin as if considering my offer. “The Megan I know and love is a planner. She isn't usually so impulsive.”
“How's this for impulsive?”
I wrap my hands around the back of his neck, pulling him down to kiss me just as he grips the backs of my legs and boosts me up. My ankles lock around his waist, and at long last, our tongues meet again. Ten unbearable days without his kisses, and I never want to miss another day.
Applause surrounds us, with a couple of wolf whistles thrown in from Rob. Normally a scene like this would embarrass me, but I don’t care what anyone thinks, as long as I’m back in his arms.
“You’ve been adding notes to my jar,” I whisper between kisses, and Ollie slows right down.
“You weren’t supposed to see those until the end of the year.”
“Hattie opened it and read a few before I could intervene.”
“Oh shit,” he says, casting his eyes over my shoulder and in her direction. “Not the one about your vibrator, I hope.”
I follow his line of sight just in time to catch my parents approaching from the back of the room.
“You’re in big trouble, young lady,” Dad says sternly.
I freeze in Ollie’s arms, my eyes wide as my heart lodges in my throat. “What are you doing here?”
“They come to all my shows,” he says, giving my bum a squeeze before setting me down. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more warning, but your dad knows about us.”
“What do you think you’re playing at?” Dad says, before Mum shoves her hand over his mouth.
“He’s kidding, love,” she says, turning her attention to Ollie. “We think this is super news. Well done, Ollie. You were just brilliant up there.”
My lips press together as I watch her fawn over him like he’s a local celebrity, but when I look at Dad, I can’t get a proper read on his expression. The background music gets louder as the DJ takes the reins for the night, so I grab his arm and lead him outside to a quiet spot a little further up the street.
“What’s going on?” he says, flapping the front of his coat with his hands shoved deep in his pockets.
“Are you mad at me?”
“Why would I be mad, love? He’s ten times better for you than that Max wanker. I mean, I wouldn’t want to snog him, but I trust you to make good choices.” He laughs at his own joke while I try not to die inside. We’re close, but we’re not that close.
“Did he tell you he wants me to go on the road with him?”
“He did.”
“Is it OK if I go?”
I’ve always trusted my parents to have my back, but over the years that support has often looked like pushing me towards my goals, and less like the relaxed attitude I’m getting from him right now.
“Sweetheart, I'll say to you the same thing I say to him: life is for living, you can’t live to work. And yes, I know that’s ironic coming from me. Listen,” he says, looking around to make sure we’re not being overheard. “Don’t tell your mum, but I’ve booked two weeks in Greece at the end of August. All-inclusive.”
“Have you really?”
“Yeah, she’s waited long enough for a proper holiday. I’m gonna propose again, ask her to renew our vows.”
My jaw drops. “Oh my gosh, Dad! That’s so romantic. What about work? Summer is your busiest time of the year.”
“I’ve got enough guys to cover it. We need a break. And I think you do, too.”
“You really think I can do life on the road? Me?”
“You can do anything you set your mind to, sweetheart. You’re amazing, and whatever you decide, we love and support you.”
He pulls me into a big hug, wrapping his arms tight around my back. My cheek presses against his shoulder, and for a second I’m his little girl again, and I know everything will be OK.