11. Johnny
Johnny
After Beth and I had our meet-up in the parking lot, I texted her the next day and asked if she wanted to go out after work. This was all about enjoying the summer with each other, even against all my best judgment since she was a local for now—someone I wouldn’t usually touch with a ten-foot pole.
As I walked through the house, I tried to clean up some of the dishes that were left out.
The old house sat on a few acres outside of town, backing up to a small patch of woods.
When I moved here, it had been run-down with torn-off shutters and overgrown trees outside.
But in the last few years, I took the time to clean it up and get it looking more livable.
It still wasn’t where I wanted it to be—the downstairs bathroom was still covered in mauve tile everywhere from the floor, to the shower, to the walls.
But despite that, it was starting to feel like home.
I took one last look in the mirror, fixing my shirt and hat before heading out.
The drive to Beth’s house only took about fifteen minutes even though it was on the other side of town. Stepping down from the truck, I slammed the door shut and walked up to the front stoop. Beth came right out and gently closed the front door behind her.
She walked off the porch in her brown boots, dark hair curled at the ends, and a pair of dark jean shorts that hugged her hips just right. Her tank top was tucked in, and, while it wasn’t skintight, it clung enough for me to see the curves she had.
I swallowed hard. “You look great.”
“Thank you. So do you.” She pulled on her jeans a bit and stood next to me, coming up to my shoulder. “Where to?”
“Windbreaker,” I said, putting my hand on her back, guiding her to the truck. “You know the place, right?” I joked.
“I do.” She grinned at me, and I knew I was in trouble.
When we arrived at Windbreaker, it was already packed. Even though it was on the main strip, most of the time it was a lot of locals that came in. This place had been around for decades. I remembered my grandpa taking my uncles here when I was a kid. And it looked every bit as old too.
Black and white photos lined the walls, and there were about a hundred one-dollar bills stapled behind the bar. I nodded at a few of the guys I knew as we found one of the last seats on the far wall.
“I love this place,” she said.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Okay. Yeah, they do a good job here—nothing beats an old-school dive bar and restaurant.” I took a seat and held a menu out to her.
“I’m assuming you know what you’re getting already?” She crinkled her nose as she let her head fall back in a sweet laugh. “You seem like a regular everywhere.”
I shrugged. “It’s what happens when you live in a town like this. The locals know what’s up.”
“Guess so.” Her eyes lit up as Lane walked over to the table.
“What brings you two down here tonight?” Lane stared us both down, crossing his arms and raising one end of his mouth in a smirk.
“Just grabbing a bite,” I said.
“That all?” he asked.
“That’s all for tonight.” I gave him a knowing look.
He rocked back on his heels. “Well, that’s too bad. I was hoping you and Beth would sing a duet up on the stage tonight.”
“What?” I looked around again, taking in how many people were here for a Thursday night.
It was a lot. As my gaze skimmed across the crowd, I saw the stage that they’d occasionally bring in for local acts to play.
But instead of a band set up, there were two microphones set up next to a chalkboard sign that said Tonight: Karaoke at 9:30. “Fuck.”
“I didn’t realize it either until Sam mentioned it,” Lane said, chuckling. “He said they’re trying to bring more of the tourists in with themed nights. This is definitely one way to do that.”
“I love karaoke! Watching everyone waltz onstage and be ridiculous.” Beth squealed a little. “This will be great.”
“Yeah, Johnny, this will be great.” Lane’s eyes bounced back and forth between us. “I’ll see you guys when you get up there.”
Our server came by and took our order, leaving us beers to sip on in the meantime.
“I take it you don’t like karaoke?” Beth asked, sticking her thumb out, pointing to the stage.
“Not especially.” I didn’t know what my problem was. I had an attitude I couldn’t shake. I knew it was because I was protecting myself, trying not to let her in, trying to keep it casual, but it was becoming tougher than I thought it’d be.
“Well, the truth is, I was a little nervous about tonight, so karaoke helps to take some of the edge off.” She sat back in her chair, crossing her tan legs.
“No need to be nervous with me,” I said, looking at her in the eye now.
“I’m just not used to this kind of thing… at all. I wasn’t sure what to wear. I feel a little fish out of water to be honest.”
“Well, I think you look great. And, hey, if it makes you feel any better, I was a little nervous about tonight as well. As much as I hate to say it, maybe karaoke will have its perks.” I leaned toward her across the round bar table.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” She blushed up her neck, and I had to watch my face as the pink spread over the tops of her breasts, peaking out of her top. “So, this your favorite place?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not my favorite, but a staple, for sure. Hence why Lane is here. It’s one of his places too.”
“You guys are close, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m friendly with most people here, but he’s my closest friend by far. I don’t know what I would have done a few years back without him.” I paused a beat, realizing what I was saying. I cleared my throat. “I moved in with him for a while. When I first got to town.”
“He seems like a good guy. And hey, all you have to worry about tonight is sitting back and enjoying the vocal variety of people who can’t sing. It’ll be a night to remember.” She grinned at me, placing her hand on my arm that burned hot, then looked to the stage as the first singer walked up.
The next hour or so sped by as we watched the different tourists and locals belt their hearts out.
As Beth watched and listened to the singers, I loved watching her cup her hands and scream for more to the people onstage, leaning in to her enjoyment.
She was hooting and hollering during the choruses, gave some standing ovations, and even egged on a neighboring table to get up on stage.
I could have watched her all night. The drinks stayed filled, and despite myself, I couldn’t keep a goofy grin off my face.
She went to the restroom, and Lane decided to plop down in her seat.
“You know, can’t say I’ve ever seen you look like this before.” Lane smirked at me.
“What are you talking about?”
“Smitten. I thought you were going to hold her at arm’s length?” He laughed before taking a swig of his beer.
“I’m not smitten.” I shook my head, keeping an eye out for her before she walked over and overheard something she shouldn’t.
“Hey, I’m not judging.” He lifted his hands in the air. “You’re the one who said you shouldn’t get wrapped up into anything.”
“It’s nothing—just some summer fun.” As I said it, I knew it was a white lie, but I tried to convince myself all the same.
“Whatever you say, bud,” Lane said, patting me on the back and giving Beth a wave as she walked back up.
“What was that about?” Beth asked.
“Don’t ask.” I shook my head, smiling again at her.
She just grinned over the top of her beer.
“Alright, folks,” said the emcee. “We’re going to take a quick break, and when I come back, I expect to have a few new names on this list up here—especially with the drinks flowing. Remember, there are some song lists floating around. See you in ten!”
“Okay, so, here’s what I’m thinking…” Beth leaned forward in her chair, eyes wide at me. “Summer Nights from the Grease soundtrack. It’s a classic.”
“What?” I laughed. “Are you insinuating I go up there? On stage? Hell no.”
“‘Hell no’? What happened to ‘karaoke has its perks?’”
“Like hell I said that.” I laughed, throwing my head back before taking a sip of my Coors. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh, yes you did!” She tilted her head, looking at me under her eyelashes, and I felt my stomach drop a bit. “And I’m holding you to it!”
This girl was something else, and I knew I would cave, just not yet though.
“Besides, Grease has a special place in my heart.” She placed her hand on her chest, beaming.
“How so?” I flagged the server down for another beer. I knew I’d need it if this charade continued—or started.
“When I was a kid, Grease was my favorite movie. Every night, I’d set my old-school boombox on the table next my bed and fall asleep to the soundtrack.”
“You’re kidding me.” I leaned back and started laughing. I couldn’t stop, feeling my eyes water for no reason I could think of, except for the incredibly sexy woman that didn’t even know it sitting across from me. I wiped my face and caught a small tear. “That’s ridiculous.”
She contemplated for a moment. “Yeah, I guess it was. Thinking back, it’s definitely ridiculous. It drove my dad nuts because he could hear it on the other side of the wall.”
I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Maybe Lane had a point.
Beth seemed to lean into who she was, and this was no different. She was strong. Quirky, yes, but also knew what she wanted. There were only a few hints of hesitancy, but other than that, she was all in.
“Yeah, so anyway, Summer Nights! I’ll put our names on the list.” She stood up, walking up to the podium, looking back at me, giggling and doing a little shimmy dance while she went.
A few minutes later, I was standing on stage looking out at the sea of people with the bright lights in my face.
How the hell did I get here?
That’s when I heard the music kick in and I looked over at Beth and saw her shimmy next to me.
“Summer lovin’…” she started.
Shit. I’d have to sing up here. I joined in with her, following the teleprompter while keeping one eye on the woman next to me who was completely getting into this and hamming it up for the crowd.
I was going to have fun it if it was the last thing I did, and surprisingly, I did actually enjoy myself.
The next few minutes went by in a blur, us singing about summer nights, making out under the dock, and holding hands.
All with the crowd hooting and hollering along with us.
Lane had pushed himself up front and was standing right at the foot of the stage with a giant smirk on his face and his arms crossed.
He was almost unreadable as we sang, but his was one of the only faces in the crowd I could see, and I felt myself performing even more knowing the hard-ass was watching from the front row.
Beth was in her element, singing along and gyrating her hips to the music. It was impossible not to get into it, and my grin widened as a deep laugh erupted from my belly. I hadn’t laughed like that in so long, and I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this and loving it.
As quickly as it had started, it ended, and we got a standing ovation from the crowd for our duet. Beth came and jumped up into my arms, giving me a huge hug around my shoulders and kissing my cheek.
“See? Wasn’t that so much fun now?” she tried to yell over the crowd. All I could feel was that I was on stage and felt myself stiffening against her, and I had to put her down. Her hands went into the tiny hairs at my neck, and I wondered if she was enamored with me as I was with her.
My hands caught her hips and grabbed them, pulling her down to the floor. As I gave a large wave and a bow before exiting the stage, I caught Lane’s eyes and his slow clap as he watched me, shaking his head. I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. He had me there.
“Oh my gosh,” she said as we walked back to our seats. “You did so great! I’m proud of you conquering your irrational fear. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that.”
For the next hour, we continued to watch the others get up on stage, and Beth rooted for every person who sang.
She didn’t seem to realize it, but her energy and glow was contagious.
As she high-fived the other singers, everyone she came in contact with couldn’t help but smile and laugh along with her.
That warm, tingly feeling she gave me was one I haven’t had in years, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d have to deal with the heartache all over again.
I couldn’t let that happen.