chapter seven

14 March

Thursday evening, she walked downstairs to catch the rest of rehearsal after Timmy and Taylor had gone home. Grimacing at the sight of Roy sitting not far from the stage, Susie walked quietly to the side farthest away from him, staying back where he didn’t see her.

They sounded fantastic. Duncan was already fitting in well and Evan had no trouble moving from lead guitar to bass. She grinned watching him. He was so wonderful. He’d been the band’s lead guitarist ever since he’d joined and now seemed to be stepping back as much as his friend would let him. Occasionally, they would skip the bass altogether and have a battle of the guitars; not a battle, really, but Duncan backed away now and then, returning the limelight to his buddy. She could tell how much Evan was enjoying having Duncan in the band, and the other guys were much more animated today. Even Roy seemed to be nodding his approval. Maybe this was the push they’d been needing.

Roy finally stood, lumbering closer to their new guitarist. “You think you’re ready for the show tomorrow?”

“I’m always ready for a show.”

Susie chuckled at his eagerness and dedication, but Roy turned and walked away without another word. He noticed Susie as he headed out, barely glancing in her direction. She ignored him and walked down front.

Duncan looked confused. “What’s with him?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Evan saw her approach and set his bass in its stand.

She watched him head toward her, while the other guys wondered where he was going. His friend was still wanting an explanation for the rudeness, and he deserved one. “He thought you were bragging.”

“Braggin’? That’s no’ what I meant.”

“We know what you meant. And his opinion doesn’t matter.”

Duncan raised an eyebrow. “I take it you two don’t ge’ along?”

Stuart laughed. “That’s an understatement if I ever heard one. She avoids him like the plague.”

“Why?” The deep blue eyes penetrated her own.

“Because he’s rude and obnoxious and he cheats on his wife. I can’t stand to be around him.”

Evan touched her back. “I’m surprised you came tonight. I told you he’d be here.”

“I was hoping he’d be gone by now.” She noticed a trickle of sweat on the side of his face. They really needed air in the basement. “And I wanted to ask what time you were playing tomorrow.”

He wiped at the moisture with his T-shirt sleeve. “Won’t you have the kids?”

“I cancelled so I wouldn’t miss the show. Would you mind if I tag along?”

“You know you don’t have to ask. We’re leaving at six-thirty.” He lowered his hand again to head back to the others. “Oh, and maybe you should call Janet and see if she wants to ride along.”

“Janet? Why?”

“She mentioned yesterday that she’d like to come to a show. And it would give you someone to sit with, if Kate doesn’t decide to come.”

March 15

Susie rifled through her closet, finally selecting her favorite skirt; a soft cotton blend with darts to shape it just so without being snug. It was straight, but flared slightly at the bottom - just below her calves, and black, with just a touch of shine. She chose her red silk blouse, a gift from her roommate, to go with it. She hadn’t worn the blouse very often, because the top button was slightly lower than she liked, but she wouldn’t be sitting alone tonight, and Evan would be there.

Starting to pull her hair back, she changed her mind and left most of it to fall down her back, only pulling the sides into a thin braid down the middle and tying the end with a thin red ribbon folded into a neat bow. Slipping her black ballerina flats on again, she heard the doorbell and took a deep breath. Why was she nervous tonight? She went out with the guys all the time. Telling herself to quit being so ridiculous, she opened the door.

Evan noticed the extra trouble she’d taken, as she had hoped. “You look great.”

“Thank you. Come on in.” Unable to say anything to Evan’s buddy, she met his eyes just briefly so he wouldn’t think she was ignoring him. His attire complemented her own, with his slightly faded untucked red T-shirt and black leather vest over his black jeans. “I’ll see if Kate’s ready.” She forced her breathing while feeling stares from behind.

Her roommate opened her door just before Susie knocked. “What do you think?” She turned a slow circle, showing off her shiny blue skin-tight dress which barely covered her thighs.

“I think you’ll need an armed escort.”

“An escort with arms will be just fine, and I imagine I can find one.” She strolled past Susie to the main room, swaying as she walked in order to draw attention from the two men, then turned back. “You know, Suse, I think I’ll have to take you shopping and show you how to get a man’s attention.”

Susie saw her turn to say something to Evan and interrupted. “That’s not the kind of attention I’m interested in.”

“I don’t know why not. It’s not like you have anything to hide.” Kate grinned teasingly and focused on the guy she hadn’t met.

“Kate, this is Duncan.” Evan came to her rescue again, stopping whatever Kate was about to say next.

Her roommate threw Evan a glance, then returned her gaze to his friend. Even from behind, Susie could tell that Kate’s eyes were wandering up and down Duncan’s body. “Susie says I need an armed escort. What do you think?”

“I think that migh’ be a good idea.”

A mischievous smile making her intentions known, she moved in to wrap an arm around him, sliding it underneath the black leather, and let her other hand rest on his chest. “Are you armed?”

Duncan raised an eyebrow. “Probably no’ enough for you.”

“I find that hard to believe.” She let the hand on his chest slide down, until he caught it to stop her.

Evan interrupted tersely, saying they needed to get going, and held Susie’s jacket while she put her arms through. She set a hand lightly on his arm as he held the door for her, wondering if he’d warned Duncan about Kate yet. If not, she was sure he would.

****

Susie sat beside Janet at the long table reserved for the band, listening to the guys play and watching Mike keep an eye on Kate. She was on the floor for the third time with the third guy who had dared to ask her to dance. They were all fast songs so far; a good thing since it forced some distance.

She also watched the crowd, having a habit of trying to read their reactions. Being Friday, the place was packed with young people – older than she was, but most weren’t a lot older. A few were. They seemed to be enjoying the music as well as the majority; also a good thing. It showed the potential for a wide audience.

As the song was ending, she caught Evan’s eye and, with sign language, requested one of her favorite covers, which the band said should have been named for her. She’d loved “Jenny Gotta Dance” at first listen. The Bay City Rollers, a new Scottish group, were still mostly unheard of, but her pen pal in England had mentioned seeing them in clubs and becoming completely taken with them, so had sent the LP overseas for Susie’s opinion. She’d written back that she sure hoped they would hit the States.

Janet didn’t want to dance, but Susie did manage to pull Kate away from the most recent stranger so she’d have a partner. Mike moved as far to the front of the stage as possible and teased her as he sang, “long black hair and flashing eyes, she can really hypnotize, Jenny…. There’s not a boy in town can control her… she’s a natural-born rock and roller…” Susie smiled at him. He was incredibly charming when he tried to be.

He announced a break as the music faded and she and Kate waited on them to walk back to their table. One of the guys Kate had been dancing with tried to cut in by asking to buy her a drink, but she politely refused and took Mike’s arm. She liked having people know she was with the band. Susie wondered if she was just using him tonight or if she really wanted to be with him.

Mike landed at the table and took a swallow of his beer, watching Kate pull her chair as close to his as she could get it. “Did you make a new friend?”

“He’s not a bad dancer. Why, are you jealous?”

“Should I be?”

Without warning, Kate leaned over and pressed her lips hard against his, then moved back slowly and grinned at his reaction. “You were jealous.”

“Stay with me tonight.”

“Only if you promise not to ask for more than that.”

He pulled her back to him for a long kiss, as the rest of the group tried their best to look the other way. Stu jumped up and asked Susie to dance to the recorded music the club always played during breaks.

“Stu, it’s early; there’s no one out there.”

“So we’ll have plenty of room. Come on.” He pulled her chair almost from underneath her and grabbed her hand.

Now and then she looked over and caught Duncan watching them; well, more than watching. His stare began to make her self-conscious, though she wasn’t usually bothered by people watching her dance. But she refused to stay out for the next song and heard a shrill voice as they approached the table.

“Evan, hi! I heard you guys were playing tonight, so I talked my friends into coming here, though we usually go down the street where there’s more action. You’re not done already, are you?”

“No, Shelley. We’re just on a break.”

“Great!” She glanced at Janet. “Ya gonna introduce me?”

“Shelly, this is Janet. She manages the dance studio. You remember Doug and Mike. And that’s Kate, Susie’s roommate.”

“Nice to meet you Janet and Kate.” She looked at Duncan and placed a hand on his shoulder, and Susie decided to step up where Shelly could see her.

“Shelly, I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Hey, Suse. You guys looked good out there. You make a cute couple.”

She ignored Stu's gloating at the couple comment. “Who’d you come with?”

“Some friends. Girlfriends.” She returned her attention to the man trying to ignore her. “It is Duncan, right? Can you dance as well as you lift weights?”

He raised an eyebrow at Stu’s chuckling. “I couldn’t say. I do no’ do either as a spectator sport.”

“Maybe you should. I could show you some new moves.” She winked and pushed in against him.

Evan pushed his chair back. “We need to get back up there. You guys ready?”

Susie grinned at her friend. He knew as well as she did that their break wasn’t over yet, but the guys kept quiet and went along with him. Duncan paused as he went past her and suggested he might cut in on Stu the next time. He had to have known Shelly would hear him. Was that why he said it? To try to discourage the redhead?

“You did it again, didn’t you?”

“Did what?”

Shelly rolled her eyes. “I wish I turned guys on like that and you don’t even notice. It’s disgusting. I don’t know why I talk to you.”

Susie started to tell her she was wrong, but didn’t get a chance. Shelly turned with a huff and went back to her table. The “girlfriends” immediately looked over in Susie’s direction.

“Ignore her, Suse, she’s an idiot. I’ve met her twice before in the parking lot. She knew who I was.” Janet stepped between her and the unfriendly stares. “Although, I think he is interested. You should have seen the way he was watching you.”

“I saw him. Did Evan notice?”

Janet grinned. “Everyone did. Why?”

“Did it bother him?”

“Why would it? Suse, Evan loves the guy. You know how excited he was when Duncan said he was coming, and have you been watching them together? Look.” She nodded toward the stage.

Susie turned. The two buddies were on opposite sides of the stage, now facing each other. She moved back to her chair, watching them. In the middle of the song, the audience became louder as the guitarists seemed to be competing and Mike stepped out of the way to let the music take over. Their enthusiasm was completely contagious; everyone in the club was transfixed. At the next rehearsal, she really needed to turn on her cassette recorder and get this on tape. It wouldn’t make a wonderful copy, but the machine her dad had bought to replace the old one was good quality, just like everything he bought, so it shouldn’t be too bad.

She found herself torn during the rest of the set between watching her best friend, and being pulled in by the man in leather. Janet caught her ear occasionally talking about the baseball game the next day and how surprised she was that Evan actually asked her. She made it sound as though…. Why had Evan asked Janet to go with them? The last time he’d bought tickets, there were enough for just her and the guys. She wondered if he had even asked if they wanted to go. Why only her and Duncan and Janet? The way her friend was rambling on, it was as if she thought it was a set-up; a double date.

Kate leaned in to her other side, speaking barely loud enough for Susie to hear. “Is Evan dating her?”

She looked over, not sure how to answer. “That’s what I’m wondering.”

“And if he is?”

Susie turned away from her. She didn’t want to see Kate’s I told you so expression, or think that Evan would have overlooked her again to ask out her manager. He’d been so friendly recently; so physical. He couldn’t…

A voice from behind asked her to dance. She thanked him but refused. Kate took him up on the offer.

During the next break, Shelly caught Duncan alone on his way to the bar, but he just touched a hand to her arm, then went around her. He was approached by another girl while waiting on his beer, but only talked to her until his drink came, then made the same gesture before returning to claim the empty chair on Susie’s other side. Evan had returned straight to the table from the stage, offering refills of her ginger ale and Janet’s screwdriver, then headed to the bar. Susie saw him meet his buddy heading back with two drinks in his hands.

Duncan set a glass beside her nearly empty one. "Ginger ale, right?"

"Yes, thank you, but I think Evan..."

"He knows I have it." He pulled out the chair beside her and sat close enough to nearly touch her skin, looking over at Shelly's shrill laugh. She and her girlfriends had moved a table closer. “Damn leech, isn’t she? Bad enough at the gym.” He shook his head and took a swallow of his beer.

Susie grinned. “Don’t worry, she doesn’t stay interested in one person very long. But she is persistent. How’d you get away from her?”

He shrugged. “Told her I needed a drink.”

“She’ll be back.”

“Perfect.” He crossed his arms on the table in front of him.

“Not your type?”

His head turned. “No’ anymore.”

His piercing blue eyes held her until Shelly again leaned over his shoulder, touching him with both hands this time. “How about a dance now that you’ve moistened your lips? This is a nice slow one.”

And one of Susie’s favorites: My Love – Paul McCartney. She started to move her chair out. “Sorry, Shelly, he just asked me.” Duncan excused himself and stood to pull her chair out the rest of the way, extending his arm to escort her to the floor.

He thanked her for the rescue and placed a hand on her waist. She was nervous touching him so intimately, though her hand felt comfortable in his and he left enough space between them to keep the appearance of a casual dance between friends. She didn’t feel casual, though. His shirt was thin. She could feel the motion of his waist nearly as well as if her fingers were touching his warm skin. She could feel the warmth, too. Keeping her eyes averted to avoid letting him see her nervousness, she saw Evan and Janet join them on the dance floor. Neither of them appeared nervous. But Susie hadn’t danced with anyone except Evan – other than Stu, who didn’t really count – ever since … since Nathan. The reminder was a figurative slap in the face and she backed away further from her partner.

“Am I doin’ something wrong?”

She couldn’t look at him, but shook her head. She could feel his stare, his questioning. He didn’t pull back and didn’t try to pull her closer. He gently guided her further away from Evan and Janet; Susie wondered if it was intentional. He was a good dancer, smooth and relaxed, and she was drawn in again by the strong, easy touch. She wasn’t quite ready for the song to be over when it ended.

He walked with her to their table and held her chair before going back to the stage. She didn’t dare look at Evan.

“He’s a good dancer.”

She didn’t especially want to talk to Janet at the moment, either. “Evan? Yes, he is.”

“Yes, but I meant Duncan. You dance well together.”

She took a sip of her now half-warm ginger ale. “It was a mercy dance to keep him away from Shelly.”

“You didn’t want to dance with him?”

“I didn’t say that. Actually, it was nice. He is a good dancer.” She took another drink, casting her eyes toward the stage. “You and Evan seem to be getting along well.”

“Yeah, he’s a great guy. I can’t believe he’s not already taken.”

“Neither can I.” Susie noticed her best friend watching as they talked about him and felt a bit jealous that he may be kissing Janet goodnight. But, it wasn’t like he hadn’t dated before, and she wouldn’t have to worry about Janet. She wasn’t right for him.

“Susie, would it bother you if we started dating?”

Had her thoughts been obvious? She tried to keep her reaction neutral. “Why would it?”

“I know you’ve said you’re just friends, but I’ve heard rumors from people who work at the gym.”

The gym. What had been going on at the gym that people were questioning? She and Evan hadn’t given anyone there any reason for such talk. He’d done nothing more than set a hand on her back.

She sipped her drink again, using the time to find the right answer. “The people who work at the gym should find better entertainment.” She suddenly noticed Kate accepting a drink from a man Susie had seen there before, and stood. “Come with me and play along.”

Janet followed her to where Kate was now flirting with the large man.

“Kate, what are you doing?”

“I’m having a drink, what does it look like?”

“Are you crazy? What if your husband sees you?”

“Husband?”

“You know what he’s like when he gets jealous. I don’t want him to draw the rest of the guys into another fight.”

The man looked suspiciously at Kate. “You never said you were married.”

“She forgets a lot of things when she drinks. She’s not supposed to touch alcohol. It reacts badly with her medicine.”

“Medicine?”

“She’s a manic-depressive. We have to keep an eye on her.”

“I am not. And I don’t take medicine.”

“You didn’t take it today? He’ll put you back in the hospital if you don’t take your medicine.”

Janet looked confused, but tried to help. “We better hurry; they’re watching, and Mike looks like he’s getting mad.”

Kate was irritated. “So, let him get mad.”

The man looked up at the stage and noticed three of the five men watching. He backed away. “I ain’t interested in no married dame with a mental problem. Find another sucker to play your game with.” He turned quickly and left.

“What in the hell was that for? I was just talking to him!”

Susie started pushing her back toward their table. “I’ve seen him here before and I know how he treats women.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“And I’m sure the girl he put in the hospital thought that, too.”

“You’re making that up.”

Susie stopped. “No, I’m not. And I don’t want to see you there.” She turned again and continued on, knowing Kate and Janet would follow.


Mike immediately started in on Kate, remembering the guy as well as Susie did. He stormed off at being told to mind his own business, and Kate followed.

“Don’t do that again.”

She looked at Evan. He was giving her an order?

“You knew were putting yourself in danger.”

“No, I wasn’t. I knew you were watching, and I wasn’t going to leave your sight.”

“You were half way across the room. What if I couldn’t get there in time?”

“In a crowded bar? What was he going to do here?”

“Suse, if she had needed help, Mike would have been there. He was watching, too.”

“Yeah, but I fixed it without violence.”

He started to object, then stopped.

“Evan, relax. I know I’m safe when you’re around.”

His shoulders pulled back. He seemed a bit stunned. Maybe he didn’t realize just how much faith she had in him … how much she knew she could rely on him. How much …. She hadn’t seen this look before. What was it?

Stu grabbed her arm. “Come on, I need a dance partner.”

Coming back to reality, Susie noticed Duncan’s stare and accepted Stu’s invitation with appreciation. She hadn’t realized the scene they were causing. She felt eyes on her while they danced and casually glanced over at the table. He was staring again, and when the music slowed, he stood. Stu moved in to dance with the slower beat, but Duncan was soon beside him.

“Can I cut in?”

She avoided Duncan’s eyes as he claimed her hand and waist. He held her closer than Stu had. “Was Shelly heading over again?”

“I ‘ave no idea. I wasn’t watching her.”

His voice was so sensual, and not just because of the accent, which he seemed to try harder to hide when he talked to her. It was … melodic, as if he was singing his words – like Janet’s handwriting. It was beautiful because she didn’t write her words – she drew them. And Duncan sang his, with just the right pitch and tremor…. He drifted closer and watched her face. Susie knew she should pull back, but she didn’t. Evan was probably keeping on eye on them, but he didn’t cut in. She glanced over. He wasn’t at the table. He was dancing with Janet.

“Does that bother you?”

She pulled her eyes away from her friend. “Does what bother me?”

“Ev … dancin’ with someone else.”

“Why would it?”

“It doesn’t?”

How could she answer that one? If she told him the truth, he would back off, and she wasn’t sure she wanted him to back off. “Depends who it is. With Janet, no. She’s a great person.” And he would never get serious about her.

“I’m glad it does no’ bother you.” He moved even closer, until his body was nearly touching hers. She again told herself to back away, but she could smell his cologne and feel his hand slide from her waist to her back and his intensity was so overwhelming. And he was such a good dancer. There was no struggle to try to move together, no trying to anticipate what he would do. It was just … natural.

Neither pulled away too quickly when the song ended. Why didn’t they play two slow songs in a row instead of so many faster ones? She accepted his arm, and refused some guy who tried to ask her to dance on their way back to the table.

Kate moved over beside her when the guys again took the stage. “You two looked awfully close out there.”

Susie ignored her and watched Duncan getting ready to play. She had never begun to fall for anyone so fast before, but she was definitely starting to fall for him. He was gorgeous, but so were a lot of other guys. What was it about him that made him so hard to resist?

“Are you mad?”

She finally looked over at Kate. “About what?”

“About the guy I was talking to.”

“Of course not. You didn’t know.”

“Then why are you so quiet?”

She wasn’t about to try to explain this to Kate when she didn’t understand it herself. “Just tired I guess.”

Her friends looked around her and exchanged glances as Susie turned back to the stage. They weren’t buying her excuse, but they did let it go.

****

Duncan maneuvered around Mike and Kate to walk beside Susie to their apartments. She didn’t speak to him, but didn’t move away, either. He stayed by her side until they reached her door. “Can I walk you in?” He noticed Evan’s glance and saw Kate disappear with Mike into his apartment.

Susie turned the key in the lock. “It’s pretty late.”

“I won’t stay. I just don’t want t' send you into a dark apartment by yourself.”

She noticed Evan, also, but he turned his back to them and went inside his own apartment. Flipping on the light, she allowed him entrance, but left the door open. “You sounded really good up there. The band needed you.”

“Thank you, bu' I was more interested in the dancing tonight than in the playin’.”

Her cheeks flushed. She wouldn’t quite let her gaze meet his.

“I don’t think Kate will be back over tonight. Are you goin’ to be alright alone?”

“I do it all the time. Besides, I’m not alone; Evan’s just across the hall.”

Duncan touched the end of the hair laying against her arm, and leaned his head in enough to force her to look at him. “So am I.” Slowly, he pulled his hand away. “Goodnigh’ Suse.”