Going Nowhere (5 page)

“Really,
Johnny? Plunder?” I said incredulously at the name of our destination. Who comes up with these things? Johnny just laughed and headed towards the door.

“Oh hush, it’s cool. Low key, which I know you, prefer. Give it a chance.” Kayla said as she shook out her hair and followed Johnny in. Taking a breath, I followed them.

Johnny
’s friends were playing, but as I looked towards the small stage I noticed no one was up there yet, but all the equipment was set up. I navigated through the tables that surrounded a dance floor and sat down at one of the high tops Kayla and Johnny had set up shop at. Slipping on the stool I took a minute to take in the bar.

It was actually pretty cool despite the name. The stage was set up to look like a front of a ship with really cool woodwork. The bar was behind us and thankfully none of the three bartenders were dressed up in costume. The place was packed so I was thankful that Kayla was able to find this table. I leaned over and grabbed my phone from her pocket.

“What do you guys want to drink?” Johnny asked when Kayla and I were seated.

“I’ll take a Coors Light.” I said, still scanning the bar.

“Vodka Cranberry.” Kayla said, giving Johnny a peck on the lips before he made his way to the bar.

“So
Johnny’s friends are playing tonight?” I began, looking back at her.

“Yep! They’re pretty good, you’ll like them.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, they have that whole folk/rock thing going on.”

“Awesome!” I said now more excited about tonight. Sitting up a little in my chair, I glanced at my phone and debated on whether or not to send Jason a text.

Before I could make a decision, my phone let out a little ping, letting me know I have a new message. Seeing it was from Jason, I raised my eyebrows. Was he psychic?
Johnny arrived with our drinks, murmuring my thanks; I took a sip. Clicking it open and I let out a snort.

What are you up to, Crazy?

At a bar w/ Kayla and Johnny.

Cool. U having fun?

Just got here, but there’s live music so I will be!

Sweet. Care if I join u?

I hesitated for a moment before responding.

At Plunder, come on over friend!

K, see you in a minute!

Smiling at his reply, my stomach filled with butterflies. Not unpleasant. I looked up at
Johnny and Kayla, who were snuggling and talking softly to each other.

“A friend of mine is going to join us in a little, if that’s cool.” Kayla’s head whipped around and her face broke out into a huge smile. “Dude, stop right there. We are just friends.”

“Uh huh, when is he getting here?” She asked, still smiling.

“Dunno, soon-ish I guess. He said a minute, but in man speak that could be hours.”

“True. Well cool, I’d like to meet this new friend.” She said sipping her drink.

“Me too.”
Johnny growled jokingly, playing the protective older brother. I laughed a little and was going to say more when the clapping started. I turned my attention to the stage.

“All right people, let’s give a warm welcome to our friends
The Boonies:
Declan, Trent, Blake, and special guest Jason!” The announcer moved off stage and my beer froze half way to my lips as I watched the guys walk on stage.

They were all good looking, and ro
cking the hipster-folk look, but my attention was immediately riveted to the last one. Jason walked out with an acoustic guitar strapped to his back. He was dressed completely in black. Black jeans, black button down with the sleeves rolled up his elbows, showing off his toned forearms. Black Chucks were on his feet and as he sat on a stool off to the right of the lead singer, I saw he wasn’t wearing socks.

Don’t ask me why, but I found that hot.

I watched as his eyes scanned the bar and he cracked a small smile when they landed on me. I lifted my beer in a salute, still kind of confused and shocked at his sudden appearance.

“Do you know that guy, Mari?” Kayla asked.

“Uh, yeah, that’s Jason.”

“What?! Really? Why didn’t you tell us he knew
Johnny’s friends?” Kayla accused.

“Cause I didn’t know, Kayla, obviously.” I rolled my eyes. I looked over at
Johnny who was staring at Jason intently. “Do you know him?” He looked at me a moment before answering.

“I k
now of him.” He said. Wow, cryptic much?

“Good or bad?” I asked, wary.

“He’s a good guy, but-” Johnny was interrupted when the lead singer grabbed the mike and began speaking.

“How’s everyone doing tonight?” He yelled into the mike, pausing while everyone hooted and hollered. “Aw
esome! We’ve got a great set for tonight and we are in great company because our good friend Jason is here to help us out! Thanks for being here, we are the Boonies and we hope you enjoy the show!” With that he counted down and one of the guys whipped out a banjo and began the fast intro to one of my new favorites from Mumford and Sons. I tapped my foot as the lead singer started singing the words to
Holland Road
.

I looked over to Kayla who was nodding her head along with the music and gave her a big grin. Nothing made me happier than music and listening to it live, especially when the band was good like these guys
were. Johnny got up and offered a hand to Kayla who looked to me before going out on the dance floor. I waved them away, perfectly content to sit and listen.

And watch Jason’s sexy hands play the hell out of the guitar.

His head was bent towards the guitar and he had his lower lip caught between his teeth as he focused on playing the difficult riffs of the song. As the chorus drew nearer, he looked up at me and smiled again before singing into the mike like he was singing directly at me.

I have no idea why I was blushing, but I could feel the heat in my cheeks as I smiled back at him. He was so talented.
He could play the hell out of the guitar because anyone covering a Mumford and Sons song had to. His voice blended so well with the others, but I was dying to hear how he sounded on his own.

I co
uld feel myself starting to fangirl over him so I took a sip from my beer and tried to calm down. So what if he was a musician and a good one at that? I glanced over the dance floor looking for Kayla and Johnny and found them slow dancing. Well, more like they were plastered against each other and swaying.

Kayla looked up from
Johnny’s shoulder and shot me a wink and then tilted her head towards Jason. I rolled my eyes and shook my head back at her. Thank the Lord we lived a good forty minutes apart, she couldn’t be trusted to mind her own business when it came to my love life. Or lack thereof. My foot tapped to the beat of the new song the band transitioned into. They were really good. I closed my eyes and absorbed the music.

There was nothing like listening to music live. I could feel a small smile stow way across my face and I realized that this was the first time in weeks that I truly felt happy.
They played for a good thirty minutes before the lead singer announced they were going to take a short break. The nerves found their way into my stomach again so I drained my beer. I glanced up at my sister and saw that she was doing the chicken dance in slow motion and felt laughter take place of nerves. What a nutcase.

“Look at that! Your face knows how to do things other than scowl.” A low voice murmured in my ear f
rom behind me. Jumping in my seat, I looked behind me to find Jason standing there grinning. He walked around the table and took up the seat opposite from me. “How’d you like my performance?”

“Well you’re talented. That much is obvious. I couldn’t really hear your voice though.” His eyes were intent on mine, like my opinion really mattered. “
Are you only doing that one set?”

He smirked a little, “Can’t wait to hear me sing can you? Aren’t you afraid you’ll immediately drop your panties and beg me to have my way with you?”

I let out a surprised laugh at his audacity. “Well you have the rock star ego so you’re one step ahead towards stardom. Don’t know about you making my panties drop though. I just like good music and you seem like you can deliver on that front.”

He leaned across the table and got right up in my face, “That’s not the only thing I can deliver on.” I stood on the rails of my bar stool and leaned closer to him, forcing him back a little. His eyes widened and his nostrils flared a l
ittle, making my insides smile.

“I can imagine. Which is the only way you’ll ever be delivering anything to me. We’re just friends remember?” I murmured a breath away from his lips. I let my eyes fall there for a moment and mentally sighed when I saw they were slightly parted. It would be so easy to close that inch and kiss him. Flopping back in my sea
t, I inhaled a deep breath.

“Of course, the very best of friends.” He said quietly as he took his seat and signaled the waitress for another round while keeping his eyes on me. “So you know the guys?” He tilted his head towards the band still on stage.

I shook my head, “Not yet. Johnny knows them.”

“They’re cool, they used to go to
Flagler which is probably where your sister’s boyfriend knows them.”

“Hmm.” I answered absentmindedly, scanning the crowd again looking for Kayla and
Johnny. I sit up a little straighter when I notice they’re both on their way over to the table. Kayla has a huge smile on her face, immediately freaking me out.

Yikes this was going to be awkward. I pray to God Kayla didn’t start in with this match making shit. I give her the evil eye the entire time it takes them to reach us. Before I can introduce them Kayla opens her mouth.

“Hi! I’m Kayla, this loony’s older sister. This is my fiancé Johnny.” She takes the seat next to me and we watch as Johnny faces off with Jason. They do the whole “long and meaningful handshake” with required amount of eye threats from Johnny as per the adoptive older brother code. Stupid male posturing.

I snort a little as
Johnny finally let go and takes the seat on the other side of me. Jason looks over at me with his dang eyebrow raised. One day I’m going to shave it off. I swear it.

“Guys, this is my friend Jason. I have an interview with his sister on Monday to nanny.”

“Oh! This is Bartender Jason?” Kayla gasps in total mock surprise, the little over actor. I roll my eyes.

“Been singing my praises have you, Crazy?” Jason asks, highly amused.

“Crazy?” Johnny asks.

“It’s my little nickname for Marisol since she calls me Bartender.”

“Crazy fits, but she already has a nickname!” Kayla laughs. Dread settles in my stomach. Jesus Mary no-“It’s Pi-“

“Kayla, finish that sentence and I will cut your hair in your sleep. I swear I will.” I growl at her.
Johnny starts laughing.

“She will, too. She did it before after I cut all the hair off her Barbie’s.” Kayla nods sadly.

“Crazy! Who knew you were so vicious?” Jason laughed, thoroughly delighted to have the dirty on me.

“We did!” Kayla and
Johnny said eliciting another eye roll.

I glanced over at Jason who was grinning at my sister and then he turned his attention to me. My stomach did this weird pulling sensation when he looked at me. I
felt like I was going to be sick and laugh at the same time. What the actual fuck? He tilted his head and opened his mouth as if to ask me something when I saw the guys from the band making their way over to us. I sat up in my chair and tried not to fidget, though I was grateful for the distraction.

As
covert as possible I ran my hand through my hair, hoping it was still in place. I felt a pointed shoed foot connect with my shin and shot a glare at my sister. She put both of her hands under her boobs and did a mock lift like she was fluffing them and batted her eyelashes at me while she nodded at the guys heading over here.

I flicked her off. I
loved her, but she was annoying. I wasn’t primping,
per se
; I just didn’t want to look raggedy in general. Not for any other reason. I shot Johnny a “get her under control” look and gave Jason a quick glance. He was still staring at me over his beer while he took a sip.

“What?” I practically barked at him and then winced. Maybe drinking wasn’t the best idea.

“Not. A. Thing.” He enunciated and smiled thinly at me. Moody bastard.

The band
had reached us and greeted Johnny, slapping him on the back; I pasted on a smile and waited to be introduced to the bountiful man candy.

“Guys this is Kayla’s little sister, Marisol. Mari this is Blake, Trent, and Declan.”
Johnny said pointing first to the lead singer, the drummer, and the banjo player.

I gave them a little wave and scooted my stool closer to Kayla, to make room for them to pull up a seat. Once everyone was all settled, I looked across the table at Declan.

“You rocked the hell out of that banjo.” I smiled.