Chapter 29 #2
He sits with one leg over his knee, his head flopping against the window. “No man. Not getting out of anything. I know myself, that’s all. I’m too easily distracted to be faithful. I love women. All kinds of women which is why I want to taste as many as I can, while I’m young and pretty enough.”
I choke out a laugh. “So, you think I’m a sap for hanging in there with Cal?”
He shakes his head no. “What you two have is far too deep for you to fuck up. She’s got it in her to wait for you, and you’ve got it in you to keep the faith.”
“Wise words Tom, but not words to live by?”
“Not for me.”
When we arrive at The Park Side Restaurant in Queens, we receive a warm welcome from the staff who couldn’t do enough for us.
The owners insisted on getting a photo with us to add to their wall of fame.
When I tried to tell them, nobody knew who we were, one of them joked it was their insurance policy, in case we made it.
I was glad Bernie brought us here. It had a real homely atmosphere and was brimming over with warmth.
Bernie was right when he said it was the best Italian food in New York.
I didn’t get my burger, but the steak was fucking awesome, and the pasta tasted unreal.
The beer was flowing pretty freely too, and I drained one bottle after the other.
By the time we left, I was more than chilled, and when the guys suggested another bar, I was on board.
It’s sometime later when we reach a club downtown.
Max, Brett and Bernie get out of the car behind and join us at the entrance.
Dani has already gone inside to organise us a booth in the VIP area.
I notice a few heads turn when we enter the place.
I doubt it’s in recognition of who we are, maybe more to do with the limos and a few flashing lights from the camera’s outside.
This place is bloody beautiful. Lots of wood and leather make up the interior, and every wall has black and white photos of rock heroes in all their glory. It reminds me a little of The Dunbar back home. Maybe, this is where Bernie got the idea from.
We weave our way through the crowded bar and a few patrons hold up their hands to give us a high five as we pass.
Apart from a guy I recognise from a news channel here, I have no idea who these people are, but they seem to know us.
I get a few congratulations as we make our way to where Dani is waiting; I don’t know why.
Don’t get me wrong, we’ve been working our arses off and even had a few fans waiting outside the hotel.
Still, the congratulations are going over my head right now.
“What a welcome,” Max says to Dani, who is already waiting with a champagne bucket at our booth.
“What’s happening, Bern?” Brett asks. “Is your publicity machine finally kicking in?”
He has this knowing smirk on his face. “I’ve made it my business to get your faces everywhere, and it’s paying off. I’ve got you a spot on the Ade Miller Tonight show.”
My stomach drops with a good feeling. “No way,” my voice cracks with its eagerness to break free.
“No joke Ash. I got the news about 30 minutes ago.”
“This is unreal. We’re complete unknowns.” The laughter in Brett’s voice displays his disbelief.
Bernie’s smile is so wide when he says, “Not so much anymore. With the release of the single, you’ve been getting plenty of airplay, and you’ll be getting a lot more attention from now on so get used to it.”
“This might be the last night in a while where you have an ounce of freedom. Enjoy it while you can.” Dani adds with a tone I don’t trust.
We start off with Champagne, but it’s not a drink I can stomach for long, so I have a few beers before getting on the Jack Daniels. Now I’m getting a buzz that’s been missing for a while. I’m enjoying banter with the boys, despite Max finding some random woman at the bar and pawing her freely.
Before long, Tommy has a blonde draped over him and Brett has a woman on each side.
I’m okay with it at first as I’m deep in conversation with Bernie.
We have similar musical tastes and chat about some of the greats such as The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac.
This leads to an interesting story about a party he attended with John Lennon at Mick Jagger’s house.
Bernie really is a man who has seen it all.
After a little while, Bernie calls it a night.
“I’ll leave you to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
The album is finished, the single is climbing its way up the charts, and you’ve worked hard.
Don’t be afraid of enjoying yourself tonight, Ash.
I mean, it’s not as if the others aren’t going for it,” Bernie says.
I look around the bar at my friends draped in the opposite sex. “You know me, Bern. There’s only one girl I’m interested in, and she’s across the pond. But I’ll carry on enjoying your hospitality if that’s okay?” I raise my glass of neat Jack towards him.
“Go nuts, you’ve got tomorrow off,” he winks.
“You sure you won’t stay for another?” I’m genuinely enjoying our talk. I like hearing his stories, so I’m a little disappointed he’s leaving.
“You don’t need an old fart like me hanging around,” he chuckles. “Are you coming, Dani?”
“I think I’ll stick around thanks Dad, but I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast?”
“Sure. Night, sweetheart.”
Bernie is definitely a little worse for wear, he’s never used a term of endearment with Dani while I’ve been around.
Now it’s just me and Dani left; Brett and Max have disappeared, and Tommy left with the woman he picked up.
At this point, I’m pretty wasted, so I don’t mind Dani’s endless chit chat.
That is until she moves in a little closer than I’m comfortable with.
Her arm slides along the back of the seating while her fingers dance against the leather.
I sense her staring at me, so I glance her way. “What?”
She laughs. “I’m just wondering how long you’ll last.”
I shake my head in confusion. “With what exactly?”
“This whole saintly boyfriend act. Calla isn’t here Ash; I don’t know what you’re waiting for. You could be a little sinful if you choose to be.”
Taking another mouthful of my Jack Daniels, I savour the burn at the back of my throat. “This is the only sin I’m interested in,” I say, holding up my glass. I twitch when I feel her nails graze the back of my neck. “What are you doing?”
She closes the gap between us, bringing her mouth to my ear. “Just being friendly. Don’t you like it?”
“Dani, come on, you know the score with Cal and me. This isn’t going to happen.”
“Only because you haven’t given it a chance.” Dani moves so fast, my head spins. She grabs my face, turns my head and her lips are on mine before I can do anything about it. My body freezes until her tongue seeks entrance to my mouth. I push her away. “Fuck Dani, that’s enough!”
She isn’t put off at all. “Come on, Ash, we could have some fun. Nobody has to know if that’s what you want.” Again, she goes in for a kiss, but this time, I push her away and stand. I look down at her. “Jesus. Have some self-respect, will you.”
Her initial response is to glare at me with daggers in her eyes, but there is nothing more to say.
Dani can see I’m not biting, so she pulls herself up and grunts in my face, “You’re not worth it.
” I watch her leave in a rage, but I don’t know what she expected.
What the hell made her think I’d cheat on Cal?
Especially when she knows how crazy I am about her.
I take a seat at the bar to get a refill. I’m kind of shocked by what just happened and run my fingers through my hair. “Fuck,” I say out loud while I sit and think what tales she’s going to tell Bernie tomorrow, then swallow down the last of the amber liquid in one gulp. It isn’t enough.
“You look like you could with another of those.”
I look to my right and find the most stunning brunette on the stool next to me.
“Let me get that for you.” She holds up a finger to the barman who automatically refills my glass while she orders herself a cosmopolitan. “Thanks,” is all I say as I keep my focus ahead.
“Girl trouble?” she asks.
“You have no idea.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but I saw your girlfriend storm out.”
“Oh, she is not my girlfriend. I can promise you.”
There’s a silence for a beat, until she says, “Is that a British accent?”
I laugh, “Yep.”
“Oh wow, will you do me a favour?”
“Depends on what it is.”
“Talk to me, will you? I have a thing for accents.”
“You’re joking me.”
“No, I promise. Say something, anything. Please?”
My head is buzzing like crap. How the hell do I humour this girl? “What do you want me to say exactly?”
“Just keep talking. Anything is good.”
“Okay. Um, how about I return the drink you just bought me?”
“Are you genuinely asking or just saying stuff?”
“Both,” I laugh. “This is harder than you think.”
“Then I’ll take another Cosmo please.”
“Sure,” I signal to the barman, then smile back at her. It’s difficult to make conversation when your accent is being analysed, but she seems a nice enough girl who is just after some small talk, so why not?
“Talking of accents, where are you from? I don’t hear a local accent in your voice.” I’m not an expert, but as we’ve been in New York a little while now, I’m getting a feel for the local dialect.
“L.A. originally, but I’ve lived here for five years now.”
“Cool, and what do you do?”
“I’m a model by day. Mainly online stores, but I do other stuff too.”
“Oh yeah, like what?”
“You know you can stop the small talk, Ash. I just needed to know if you were available, and from what you’ve said, I’d say you are.”
I spin in the swivel bar stood towards her. “How do you know my name?”
“Sorry?”
“You just called me Ash.”
“I did?”
“I think you know you did.” Our conversation is starting to stink of bullshit.
“I’m a fan,” she blurts.
“Is that right.”
Her hand falls to my knee as she also spins in her seat and leans forward. This girl is making sure I get an eyeful of her ample rack.
“Yeah, I saw your launch video on The Entertainment Show.”
“Alright then,” I reply. “If you’re telling the truth, you can tell me the title of our first single.”
“You don’t know what you called your own music?”
“Oh, I know, but do you?”
“Does it matter? I’m sure you were phenomenal. In fact, I bet you’ll go all the way.” Her fanned hand runs up my thigh, towards my groin. “You know, if you came back to my place, you could give me a personal performance.” She raises one brow, waiting for my reply.
I huff out a laugh and spin back to the bar, knocking her hand from my leg. Draining the last few drops from my glass, I stand on my unsteady feet. I might be pretty wasted, but I know what I’m doing and potentially, what she is trying to do.
“Not tonight, beautiful. I have a girl to go home to. But keep listening to the music, we appreciate it,” I wink, leaving her to sit at the bar alone.
“Was it something I said?” she says from behind me, but I keep my focus on putting one foot in front of the other and getting out of here as quick as possible.
Outside, the fresh air nearly knocks me out.
Still, it’s good to take a lung full as I run my fingers through my hair.
I so need to see my girl right now; more than anything, I need to hold her and tell her how much I love her.
New York is amazing, but fuck, I’ve had enough of this shit for one night.