Strings (5 page)

             
She finished her beer, which gave her a reason to move away and regain some composure. She told herself to stop staring at him so much, although he didn’t seem to mind, she thought. She returned quickly with fresh beers, anxious not to be away for longer than necessary, in case someone else moved in.

             
She decided she needed to know more about the scene that had unfolded earlier with the other girl. ‘Your groupies are nuts by the way!’ Although she wanted to know more, she thought that it was a bit too soon for personal questions, even though he did seem to have been talking very openly to her so far. Luke's smile immediately faded at her comment, but he had known it was coming at some point. He explained that Amber had been ‘just a one-night stand’ which he wished had never happened. But since that night she wouldn't leave him alone, despite his best efforts to let her down gently, and get the message across to her however he could.

             
He worried about how this would look to Melissa and he didn’t want her to think he was a man who slept around, because he really wasn’t like that. It was certainly true that he could be, if he wanted to – he wasn’t short of offers. But he wasn’t that sort of guy. Amber wasn’t his type at all, and he’d regretted it ever since. Tonight more than ever. ‘I know that wasn't the best way to make a first impression, so I wondered if you were free tomorrow so I can make it up to you?’ 

             
Melissa wrinkled her nose while she pretended to think about it and Luke held his breath, waiting for her answer. The first time you ask someone out is the moment you find out whether they have any genuine interest in you, and it made Luke nervous. He wasn’t sure why, because he was usually pretty confident in these situations. But there was something about Melissa which made it different. He was desperate for her to say yes, and terrified of a rejection. Maybe it was something to do with him struggling to take his eyes off this girl he’d known for less than an hour, he thought. But at the moment all he could think about was kissing her. 

             
‘Maybe. I’ll check my diary.’

             
‘We’re playing in Chichester tomorrow night, and it would be nice if you could make it. In case we need extra security!’ He tried to make a joke of it.

             
‘Do you need me to be your bodyguard?’ she giggled.

             
‘You’re welcome to guard my body any time.’ It was his turn to embarrass himself. You idiot, what a fucking corny line, he thought to himself.

             
They drank and danced the rest of the evening, and everyone seemed to get along really well. It had taken Beth one hour and twenty-three minutes to win Dale over, and he looked just as pleased with himself as she did as they snogged away. Her approach to life was not to hang around waiting for things, but just get on with it. Melissa felt that they were going a bit far. They really did need to get a room, she thought – they hadn’t come up for air for ages. But she didn’t mind her friend deserting her as her focus was on Luke.

             
She was making her way to the bar when a noticeboard caught her attention. It was full of flyers for various local and nationwide events, but one stood out. It was perfect! She pulled it from the wall, folded it up and shoved it in her bag, to deal with later. It needed thinking about first, as she didn’t want it to seem like she was interfering. The band clearly meant so much to Luke. But she was sure it was a perfect opportunity for her new friends.

             
Everyone seemed to have formed friendships very quickly. Toby was hilarious and had the girls almost crying with laughter with his non-stop jokes and laddish antics. Despite his menacing appearance, he seemed like a lovely guy. Tom had warmed to them as the evening went on, and was laughing along with them, just as the others were. He’d chatted to Melissa, realising that maybe she wasn’t a mental case. It was a great relief, in view of recent events. Dale was just a genuine, friendly type who seemed to really like Beth. Of course he was snared now, so he didn’t really have a choice in the matter. But he certainly wasn’t putting up much of a fight. He also seemed to have a calming influence on everyone, which she liked. Melissa was still trying to figure Luke out, but she was analysing him in much greater detail. Overall, they seemed like a typical group of lads, just wanting to have fun. She admitted to herself that they were a little wilder than she was used to, but it was all good-natured and she liked it.

             
‘There you are. I'll get these,’ Luke said, as he caught up with her. She tried to say no, but he wouldn't hear of it. She thanked him and gave him her order.

             
‘You don't have to pay for my drinks all night. I feel guilty.’ So far, he hadn't let her pay for anything. He brushed aside her protests. He was happy to pay, even though his fee for the night was already gone. He was enjoying the night and her company, so why not?

By choice, he had been single for six months, but now he was bored of being on his own. Although they’d only been in each other’s company for a few hours, he was enjoying being with a girl again, and found it remarkably easy and comfortable to slip into that feeling with Melissa. It was as though he’d known her for months, rather than hours.

              ‘Are you trying to get me drunk?’ she joked.

             
Luke shook his head and laughed. If he was lucky enough to get close to her, he didn't want her to be drunk. She was the prettiest girl in the place, and he could see the attention she was getting from other men, and a few of the women too. He wasn't dropping the ball on this one. She was amazing, and what he liked most was that she didn’t even seem to know it. He had known plenty of girls in his time who were drop-dead gorgeous and were all too aware of it, which often made them unpleasant people. It was a trait that Luke disliked intensely. Ironically, he was also oblivious to the attention he was getting. In the same way that men were watching Melissa, the women were watching him. After all, he was the lead singer of the band. They weren’t famous, but that didn’t matter in a small venue like this, filled with genuine music fans. They had a definite presence about them, and it felt as though they could be famous one day. Melissa hadn’t missed the fact that there were eyes on him – she could see other girls lying in wait, hoping he would stop talking to her and present an opportunity to pounce. She laughed to herself. No way. He’s mine
.

             
‘I have to go after this drink. I’ve got to work in the morning. Beth wants to stay out though, so will you make sure she gets home OK?’ she asked.

             
Luke looked disappointed because he didn't want her to go. It seemed like only five minutes since he’d pushed her over. He looked at his watch and realised it had in fact been nearly four hours. He promised her that Beth would be fine, and they’d look after her. She knew Beth would be safe with these guys, but was aware that she wouldn’t normally entrust her well-being to a group of men she’d only just met. But this was different somehow.

             
Luke tried to make her drink last a long time, playfully moving it away every time she tried to take a sip. He made her laugh, and kept reaching over and messing with her hair as she talked. They sat at a table and talked for what was supposed to be the last few minutes, while the others ‘ripped up the dance floor’ at Toby’s insistence. Over an hour later, and not before making Dale swear over and over again that he’d make sure Beth got home safely, she said goodbye to her new friends and Luke walked her to her taxi. It was cold in the night air, and without thinking, and as if to prove how comfortable she felt with him, she linked arms with him and they cuddled up as they walked. He put his arm around her, tucking her under his jacket to keep her warm. She was so tiny, she could almost fit inside it with him. As they turned the corner, they saw her taxi waiting and Melissa suddenly felt irritated that she had to leave.

             
‘I had a really good night. I’m sorry I have to go.’ Luke seemed disappointed too. This was that moment when you don't know if you should get in the taxi and go home or kiss the person. Melissa wanted to kiss him, but what if she had totally misread his friendliness as just that?

             
‘Did you check your diary?’

             
Melissa frowned as she pretended to think about it. ‘Yeah, I think I’m free, and besides, you might need my protection.’ Luke smiled, and pulled his phone from his pocket. They swapped numbers, then she turned to get into the taxi. At that moment he decided what he should do, and grabbed her hand, pulling her back towards him. They locked eyes and she willed him to kiss her. She’d been waiting all night for him to do it, but she wasn’t as forward as Beth. As Luke bent his head slowly down, her heart beat faster and fluttered as she felt his lips on hers, locking her into a gentle, passionate kiss. He held her tightly around the waist, pressing their bodies together with one hand while his other hand cupped her cheek. He wanted to get in the taxi with her; all she had to do was ask him. But he was a gentleman, and he wouldn’t get ahead of himself. This guy can kiss, she thought as she wrapped her arms around his neck and melted into him. She could taste the beer and whisky on his lips, and his stray bit of fringe tickled her cheek making her giggle. She backed away to move it but he held on to her, not wanting the moment to end.

             
‘Please stay,’ he almost begged.

             
Melissa wished she could, more than anything, but she had to go, and she promised that she would see him tomorrow.

             
Then he kissed her once more, before whispering in her ear, ‘See you tomorrow, beautiful.’

             
She smiled all the way home.

*****

It was so tempting to stay out and not let the evening end, but she was already walking a thin line with her boss due to poor timekeeping recently, and if she was late again she knew she’d probably be in the job centre by Monday. She had no choice but to smile her way through a full working weekend in the busy café. It was hardly thrilling work and not really her calling in life, but it paid the bills.

She closed her eyes to avoid any conversation with the taxi driver, and twenty minutes later she was home and snuggled up in bed, still smiling from an incredible evening. A text arrived from Luke, checking she was home OK and th
anking her for a lovely evening. She thought it was very sweet of him. She took a photo of herself all safe and warm, tucked up in bed, and sent it back to him. It wasn’t rude in any way, but she did it just to tease him a bit. Luke cheekily suggested that if he could join her he’d be there in minutes, she just had to say the word. He made it sound like a joke, but they both knew that he meant it. The flirty conversation went on for a while and she started to think that he should have just come home with her. But she wasn’t that type of girl. It was gone four by the time she fell asleep.

*****

‘Bitch!’ Amber hissed to herself, raging as she watched Melissa kiss him while the taxi waited. She couldn't believe that this girl had just walked into their lives and stolen him, without any shame or hesitation. And he had just let her do it. She promised herself that there was no way she was going to let this happen; Luke was hers, and she was going to make the Bitch regret messing with her man.

He was heading back inside the club when Amber grabbed his arm.
‘Luke, please, I'm sorry about earlier. Can I talk to you?’

             
‘No, Amber, I’ve told you to leave me alone and I meant it.’ He yanked his arm from her grip. He’d never regretted anything as much as he regretted giving in to the crazy girl’s advances, and he was really starting to lose his temper with her.

             
‘I know I embarrassed you earlier and I’m sorry.’ She pleaded with him, but he just shook his head and walked away, leaving her standing alone as he returned to his friends. He smiled as he walked through the crowd, Amber quickly forgotten as his kiss with Melissa still lingered on his lips.

             
Amber's rage bubbled inside and she felt a strange sensation coming over her, a feeling of disconnection from what was going on around her. She walked through the crowd of drunken teenagers and twenty-something’s inside the club, and for a while just stood and watched him, her beautiful Luke. He was talking to his drummer who was laughing at something he had said, and patting him on the back. She heard him say her name and he smiled. She wanted to believe he’d said something nice about her, but deep down she knew it was the opposite. Amber scowled at Melissa’s annoying friend who seemed to think she was centre of their attention now, clinging to Dale and laughing smugly as she passed Luke another whisky.  Amber had seen enough, so she turned on her heels and headed home. She had to find a way to get rid of Melissa and her friend, whatever it took. She was not going to lose him to anyone. It wasn't his fault. It was his stupid friends, she thought. They didn't like her because she was closer to him than they were, so they were poisoning him against her.