Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  “The bottle is fine. I’m a simple kind of gal.” She giggled.

  Frederick smiled at the man, still holding onto his violin as if it were a life raft. He wondered why the bartender seemed put off by his request. “Something funny about 7-Up or Sprite?”

  The bartender eyed him with his head tilted slightly to the side. “Oh nothing.” He spoke, his lips forming over the two words making them escape his being easily. “Nothing at all.” Without another word, he walked over for a clean glass that sparkled. They had the word Prince’s with a crown on the side in golden letters. Using large hands, the bar man operated the tap to expertly fill the glass with Sprite before grabbing a green bottle of Heineken from a cooler and prying off the cap. When he returned he set the glass before Frederick without a word but offered Deena a smile with her drink. “Ma’am?”

  “Thanks.” Deena batted her eyelashes at him.

  Flirtatiously.

  Frederick suppressed a growl and eyed his glass, watching the bartender walk away again. For some reason, it bothered him that the guy appeared to be bothered by his choice of beverage. “I don’t drink alcohol, by the way. I’m sort of boring. The fact I play violin is the most interesting thing about me.” Frederick set Gabriel beside him in a vacant chair. He lifted the glass to his lips and swallowed slowly, still gazing at the handsome gentleman working the bar.

  Deena nearly spat out her beer, and she nudged him with her elbow.

  “To each their own,” the bartender said. “Did anyone let Stuart know you’re here?”

  Frederick finished his Sprite, still gawking at the man. “Yes, the hostess did. I suppose she’ll be back shortly. Do you mind if I ask your name?” Frederick thought he’d go for broke even though it was quite possible he’d be barking up the wrong tree. A part of him said he wasn’t, or perhaps he hoped that to be true.

  Deena gasped next to him, seemingly in surprise.

  The bartender moved to stand directly across from Frederick, braced his elbows into the bar and leaned in. “If you wish to tell my boss I’ve been an ass to you,” he said, his voice warm and rough. “You don’t need my name for that. All you have to do is tell him the black guy at the bar. I’m the only one here.”

  Frederick shivered at the sound of the man’s voice and how he leaned in so close to him. Instead of shying away as he usually did, he decided to play the game. “Actually, I wasn’t thinking that at all. More like, I wanted to know your name so I know the lovely man that is taking such good care of us tonight and, maybe might like to have a drink with me after my performance?” Frederick knew he was going for broke. Gazing at the bartender, Frederick had every intention on finding out something about him, even if it was the disappointing news he’d dread.

  “I see.” The barman licked his lips. “I’m working. Drinking on the job is strictly prohibited, and besides—you’re not a fan of alcohol.”

  Frederick sighed inwardly. He looked to Deena for help, but she only kept drinking her beverage.

  “No, I am not. I believe alcohol coerces people into doing stupid things. I had a bad experience once, and, well, let’s just say that the situation swore me off of it. And believe me, I do understand that you’re working, but I’m sure you have a break or something you could take. You have people working with you, I’m sure. A place like this has to have a slew of bartenders.”

  The barman chewed on the corner of his bottom lip before righting himself. “Let me think about it,” he said. He turned to leave before facing Frederick once more. “And by the way, my name is Vaughan—Vaughan Singleton.”

  “Vaughn. I’m Frederick Tremblay, and this is my friend, Deena. By the way, our drink would be non-alcoholic, so technically you wouldn’t be breaking any rules.” Frederick added a smile, showing his teeth. He supposed winking at the man would be too much, but he wished to drive the point of desiring to get to know him home.

  Vaughan nodded a greeting to Deena without really taking his eyes off Frederick. Instead he looked him up and down. “I don’t know, Freddy,” Vaughan said. “I suppose a man like you would make me crave something a little bit—stronger—than Sprite.” Vaughan gave him a wink and walked away.

  Frederick watched him and nibbled on his bottom lip. He slightly tossed his head back, thinking he might’ve been way over his head when it came to flirting with men.

  “What the heck, Freddy? You let him call you that, and damn, man, how did you even know he was gay?” Deena scolded him, whispering in his ear.

  Frederick shrugged. “I don’t know. Lucky guess? Deena, he’s so handsome. I’ve seen and met a lot of beautiful guys in my time, but, he’s so different. So, rugged and you know I’m attracted to rugged men.”

  “Yeah, but Julian isn’t all that rugged.”

  “Please don’t mention him, Deena. I’m trying to enjoy myself, and besides he might hear you and get the wrong idea.” Frederick continued to look at Vaughan, admiring the way his pants fit on his backside. Not too tight, but well enough to see how well built and toned he was. Frederick licked his lips and looked back at his friend, leaning in close so only she would hear. “What do you think he meant?”

  “Probably because you look a sight,” she giggled. “Denim suit, your blond hair, going in all directions. You look the part of crazy musician.”

  Frederick grinned at her then, looked back at him, noticing his firm build through the jacket. “Hmph. Well, I hope Vaughn really likes the crazy in me enough to have a drink later on.”

  Chapter Five

  The evening wore on and Vaughan couldn’t stop thinking about Frederick and their interaction earlier. Honestly, Frederick wasn’t his type. He loved a man who could knock back a scotch with the best of them. Frederick seemed timid, and that could be a problem.

  If you were interested.

  Vaughan frowned. Blond men were never his thing. But for some strange reason the eyes on that man made him think naughty things. When he’d leaned in to speak with Frederick, Vaughan caught his scent, a polar opposite than the looks of him. Frederick reminded Vaughan a little of a science teacher—a little frazzled and shy but a genius. But the cologne he wore said hold-me-fuck-me. That thought stuck to his brain and repeated. He wanted to go to the back and breathe, but more people had arrived for the party and they all seemed to want a drink.

  Inhaling deeply, he released it and reached across the bar to hand a woman a glass of Hendo. She thanked him by caressing his palm as she accepted it. Though he wanted to roll his eyes, he remained polite, offered her a smile and quickly disengaged. Scott had arrived at some point between him speaking with Frederick and him feeling Frederick watching him. There was something so sexy about having those eyes on him that a few times Vaughan couldn’t concentrate. He shook his head to clear it long enough to help Scott with a drink he was having trouble remembering the right recipe. With that done, he turned to glance at Frederick, and their eyes locked.

  “V?” Patrick’s voice called close to his ear.

  “Yeah, boss?”

  “The birthday boy is on his way up,” Patrick said excitedly. “He has no idea what’s happening!”

  Vaughan grunted but gave Patrick a smile. Stuart, Patrick’s friend, made his way to the front of the room and hollered to get everyone’s attention. No one listened and kept right on chatting. Irritated, Vaughan stuck his fingers beneath his tongue and blew. A shrill whistle pierced the air, and everyone jerked to attention. Stuart took over by shouting and waving his arms to get everyone to face him. When they were finally focused on Stuart, Vaughan hunched down to check on how many Hendos he had on ice.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Patrick asked.

  “Nothing. The man needed a loud speaker. I gave him the next best thing.”

  “I saw you talking to our musical guest earlier. Everything all right?”

  “Yeah. He asked me to have a drink with him later.” Vaughan remained hunched down for the lights suddenly dimmed in the room as silence, complete silence, washed over it. That
unnerved him. In Iraq that kind of quiet meant shit was about to hit the fan. Still, he tried reminding himself that he was home. Kelliani was in the back cooking up a storm, Patrick, his friend and mentor was bending down beside him, and rich people were about to give the birthday boy a heart-attack by shouting—

  Suddenly the room flooded with lights and everyone hollered. “Happy birthday!”

  Vaughan rose and Patrick with him.

  “What did you say?” Patrick asked.

  “To what?”

  “Frederick asking you out.”

  “He didn’t ask me out.” Vaughan frowned. “He asked me to have a drink with him. There’s a difference.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Damn it! Look, I told him I’m working and drinking isn’t allowed.”

  Patrick rolled his eyes like an insolent child, a look that looked rather strange on the older man. “For Christ’s sakes, boy! Have I not taught you anything?”

  “What?”

  “You get a break, don’t you? Have a drink with the man,” Patrick said. “As a matter of fact, I’ll have Claudia cover the bar—take an hour.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.” Vaughan walked away, pretending to check the taps. He’d hoped Patrick would get the message, but when he turned, Patrick was standing next to him. Vaughan sighed. “It’s my first night as manager.”

  “And I’m the owner. I outrank you.” Patrick beamed. “Have a drink with him. Remember, he is one of our guests of honor.”

  “You do know I’m not a whore, right?”

  Patrick laughed out loud. He laughed so hard he snorted. “I know, V. But this guy was obviously flirting with you. And you’re too inside your damn head to notice. What could it hurt?”

  “I’m going to tell you the same thing I told him. I’ll think about it.”

  And so the evening wore on. Frederick performed, and to Vaughan’s surprise, he liked it. “No David Bowie or James Arthur but it’s all right, I guess,” he muttered.

  “Talking to yourself again, old man?” Kelliani said as she walked over to him.

  “You’re here to see Frederick.”

  “Is it that obvious?” But Kelliani wasn’t paying him any attention. She was busy craning her neck trying to see the celebrity violinist.

  Vaughan groaned. “I suppose you wouldn’t be interested to know he asked me for a…” Vaughan watched as the birthday boy kept getting a little closer and Frederick kept backing away. For a moment, he merely watched as Kelliani tried tugging his arm to get him to finish what he was saying. Perhaps he’d misread what he was seeing. There was no way that punk could be—Vaughan gritted his teeth and hurried over to Scotty. “Get Claudia to help you out. I’m taking my break.”

  “Sure thing, V.”

  “Vaughan!” Kelliani shouted, but he was already on his way around the bar and walking toward Frederick and the birthday boy.

  When he reached them, he stood just behind Frederick and spoke over his shoulder. “Are we having a problem here?” Vaughan asked, his gaze fused to the other man with the beady eyes.

  “No problem,” the boy said. “Aren’t you supposed to be behind the bar?”

  “Actually.” Vaughan stepped between Frederick and the punk, allowing his six foot one frame to tower over him. “I’m supposed to be doing a lot of things. The question becomes whether or not I do what I’m told.”

  The guy seemed to shrink back at that. “Oh, uh, are you and Freddy friends?”

  “Frederick,” Frederick said in a stern tone.

  “We are very close friends,” Vaughan added. “So the next time he says no, just think WWVD—What would Vaughan do?”

  Frederick chuckled. “And yes, he is my friend. I believe we’re supposed to be having a drink now, too. Besides, I already told you I wasn’t interested.”

  “Oh, uh, all right. I’ll leave you alone now. Dammit, Freddy, I mean, Frederick, it is my freaking birthday.”

  Frederick harrumphed. “Sure it is, but that doesn’t mean I’m to entertain you in any way other than playing the violin. You have a nice evening.”

  The guy scurried away as if he’d stolen something. Frederick turned to Vaughan and nodded in appreciation. “Thank you. If you wouldn’t have come over, he might’ve been still trying to get me into bed.”

  Vaughan smirked. “Well, I can’t stand a man who doesn’t know the meaning of the word no.”

  “Yes, it seems he didn’t get that I refused his offer to see the stars from his dad’s helicopter.”

  Vaughan pressed his lips into a thin line. “Well, Freddy. It seems my boss likes you.”

  “Your boss likes me?” Frederick looked confused.

  “He gave me an hour to spend with you,” Vaughan said. “Come with me. We won’t be able to have proper conversation in with this racket.”

  Frederick nodded. “Hold on.” Frederick reached down below the table he’d been sitting at and grabbed his violin case. “All right, where are we going?”

  “Don’t worry, Mr. Tremblay. I promise on my word as a Boy Scout your honor will still be intact at the end of the night.”

  “I’m not worried in the least. Curious is all,” Frederick said with a wry smile, holding the case tight against him.

  Vaughan said nothing to that. Instead, he led Frederick by the bar and in through the blackout door toward the kitchen. He stopped. “I have someone who’d love to meet you,” Vaughan said. “Do you mind? She would disown me if I had some private time with you and she didn’t get to say hello.”

  “That’s not a problem. Where is she?”

  “Do you see that beauty with the pink and black hair?” Vaughan asked pointing into the kitchen. “Go on in.”

  Frederick bowed his head and walked up to the woman. He put his case down then tapped her shoulder. “Hello there. Frederick Tremblay and you are?”

  “Um…” Kelliani said, shock evident in her eyes.

  Vaughan stood off to the side, watching their interaction and smiling.

  “Kelli—um—wow—Kelliani.” She managed. “Do you know who you are? Well, hell, of course you know who you are! Oh-mi-gawd! I’m sorry. I’m not a stalker, but I never thought I would get to say hello.”

  Frederick took her hand and lightly placed a kiss on the back of it. “You’re not a stalker. It is a pleasure, Kelliani. What a pretty name, too.” Frederick continued smiling, seemingly pouring on the charm. “Did you enjoy the performance?”

  “Unfortunately, I missed it. I’m the head chef so I was back here.” She looked crestfallen.

  Frederick cocked an eyebrow then reached down for his case, opening it. “Then I will play you a couple of minutes as a highlight. I know you’re working, but perhaps this will suffice.” Frederick held his violin and the bow. He plucked a couple of strings and started playing, much to Kelliani’s delight, and giving her a private concert. A couple of others, too, stopped to notice him strumming his violin, making no mistakes, speeding up, slowing down. Then in about three minutes or so he’d finished, with everyone giving him applause. Frederick bowed at everyone, then at Kelliani. “How was that?”

  Kelliani flailed happily before hugging Frederick without asking. She quickly stepped back and looked by him at Vaughan. “Can we keep him?”

  Vaughan laughed. He was so impressed with what Frederick had done. Still, he cleared his throat. “He’s not a pet, Kelly. You can’t just keep him.”

  “Well, hell.” Kelliani applauded. “That was beautiful. You just made my year! Wait, what’s your favorite dessert?”

  “Well, shouldn’t my stalker know this?” Frederick laughed jokingly.

  Kelliani pouted prettily at him.

  “No, really. I love candy corn to eat all the time, but as far as cake and pie, I suppose cheesecake would be good. With chocolate swirl. I love things dipped in chocolate.”

  “Did you hear that, Sin?” Kelliani asked, smirking. “He likes things dipped in chocolate.”

  Vaughan’s cheeks he
ated. “I heard.”

  “Are you sure?” Kelliani asked.

  “Yes.”

  “He meant he likes your—”

  “Kelliani Masters!” Vaughan growled. “Okay, Frederick, time to go!”

  Frederick appeared to be blushing himself. He cleared his throat and shook Kelliani’s hand again. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kelliani. I tell you what, give your information to Vaughan and I’ll invite you to a concert the next time I’m here. I’ll have you, and Vaughan, if he wants to, as my guests.” Frederick leaned down, placing the violin back in the case, latching it, then standing straight up, holding it close to himself again.

  “I’d love that!” Kelliani cheered.

  Silently, Vaughan led Frederick into Patrick’s office and closed the door. In the fridge, he pulled out a bottle of Sprite and one of water. The Sprite he handed to Frederick. “Have a seat,” Vaughan said, loosening his tie and pulling the ends loose letting the flaps fall around his neck. He undid the top two buttons, exposing the silver metal of his necklace. He hopped up to sit on Patrick’s desk, legs slightly apart while he wrung the cap from his bottle.

  “So, here we are. What do you want to talk about?”

  Chapter Six

  Frederick fiddled with the cap in one hand while he held the bottle tightly in the other. If he squeezed it anymore it might explode in his hands. Here he was, in what he assumed to be the boss’s office, with the man he had designs on.

  Frederick tried his best to keep his eyes level, not letting them drift to the spot below Vaughan’s belt. Though he was thinking Vaughan had done it on purpose, he had to stay focused on the conversation instead of what lay below those black slacks.

  Dipped in chocolate indeed!

  Frederick took a long swig and sighed when the cool liquid raced down his throat. “So, um. Kelliani called you Sin. I’m wondering if that meant something else other than the first three letters in your last name.” Frederick surprised himself with that comment, but he figured now that they were alone, he might as well go for it all. Besides, Vaughan had to be interested because if he wasn’t he wouldn’t have come to Frederick’s rescue earlier.