course.”
I leave them, laughing, and I go back on stage with my bandmates. Before the show resumes, I let Alan know about George's request.
"Perfect, Julie. Are we going to sing like a duet?”
“That’s fine.”
They begin to play Fever, with a more acoustic feel. I stand in front of the microphone and Alan begins to sing the first verses:
You give me
You give me fever
Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
Wow! That’s one sexy song! Automatically my thoughts wonder to Danny and his deep green eyes. Alan gives the cue for me to start. With my eyes closed, I imagine myself singing to Danny alone. My voice comes out somewhat huskier, and I’m in awe of my own sensuality.
As I end my section, I tag it out to Alan, and he carries the song looking at me as if he was having indecent thoughts. I look down, embarrassed as I feel my face turn red.
Romeo loved Juliet
Juliet, she felt the same
When he put his arms around her
He said Julie, baby, you’re my flame
He gave her fever
Oh, damn it! I’m going to kill George. I totally forgot that this song mentioned my name! When Alan sings “Julie, baby, you’re my flame”, he winks at me, as if I was his inspiring muse, and the audience goes into a frenzy.
I turn forward and follow the song, holding fingers it may end soon because, with Alan’s excitement as the seductive pop star which he seems to embody so well, he will end up pulling me into his arms and kiss me on stage, in front of this crowd. Then yes, Danny would forbid me to sing!
Just let him try, my rebellious side reacts within me.
We keep on with the song and sing the last lines together. As we finish, we receive a standing ovation. I hear shouts of “handsome” for Alan and “sexy” for me. That may have been George.
Bastard!
At the end of the night, after we close the show, I say goodbye to the band while they disassemble the equipment and I go down to the hall, where I find Rafe.
“Julie, you were perfect. I don’t think we ever had such a lively audience! I made a preliminary survey and we have already broken our billing record. Congratulations! I will close the bills before I go home and tomorrow you can take your fee, OK?
“Oh, do I get that?” The question comes out of my mouth before I could prevent it. “Come on Julie, of course you had to earn something for singing tonight. They always pay the musicians.”
Rafe’s reply just reinforces my naivety
“Of course. Did you think you were going to sing for free?”
I let out a laugh and hug him, thanking him once again for the opportunity.
I go to the bar to find my two best friends, who seem to be very “cheerful”.
“Have a prosecco whit us, Julie Fever”, George let’s out with a silly smile.
“No prosecco whatsoever! I’m finished. I need to go home, have a bath and put my feet up. By the way, you owe me one for picking that song! I thought Alan was going to jump on top of me!”
George and Jo laugh out loud, and he hugs the two of us.
“We all thought so, little girl. Time to go.”
We follow our way home, laughing and talking about the best moments of the evening.
I get home, take a bath and dress a Garfield t-shirt. Then I get into bed and realize that tonight I’ll have a peaceful and happy sleep, as the house next door is in absolute silence.
Chapter five
Daniel
I cannot believe it. After spending long hours visiting properties, having meetings with owners, brokers and investors, and still a business dinner too long for my liking, I finally get to the hotel bedroom to take a bath and rest.
I had to be really focused, as Zach was in and out all the time taking calls or sending text messages. I roll my eyes as I remember the number of times this went on. The guy comes to help me but his mind is elsewhere. I should have brought Rafe along as he is a better planner.
I open into a big yawn, while I stretch, feeling tired. I always worked better at night. That’s why waking up early to travel and go through the day taking care of all those bureaucratic activities knocks me down harder than spending the night at the bar.
I must confess that being far away from After Dark really hurts me. The bar is my life. I don’t have kids and I’m not married (thank God!). My daily focus is my business, which has been growing steadily, and a serious relationship is certainly not in my plans.
Not at all.
Hey, don’t point your finger or roll your eyes to me. My mother’s roasting this morning was sufficient:
“Mother? I’m coming in”, I spoke after knocking on the kitchen door and turning the door knob. As always, it was open.
“Hi, my son! Up so early?” My mother hugged me in the middle of the kitchen and pushed me down a chair, ready to fill me up with morning coffee.
“I only came by to give you a kiss. I’m going on a trip with Zach to see a property. I think we might have found what we were looking for to expand After Dark.
“That’s excellent, love. Drink your coffee and eat that warm sandwich combo.” She pushed the dish with the sandwich and placed the cup full of black coffee right in front of me. “You don’t eat properly and stay awake all night long...My son, you need to look after yourself. To look after yourself, grow up, start a family...”
“Mother...”
“Don’t “mother” me. You’re almost twenty eight years old. Don’t you think you are running late to find a good girl? Marry and give me grandchildren? You’re not getting any younger.”
“Mother, I already told you that I don’t want to get marri...”
“Daniel, it’s time you think your life over.” “Oh, damn it.” “That’s my full name. Sit down and listen. Those girls that hang on to you at the bar will not be around when you turn fifty. Listen carefully to what your mother is telling you. Now, you better eat as I know you are going to spend the day running around
