by Jesse Jordan
We arrive at the theater, an old place in Noho that looks like it came out of the fifties, probably on purpose. The sign out front is done in lots of old-school neon, making it look very retro. “At least the parking lot's decent sized.”
“I've done reviews here before, it's actually a lot of fun, the seats are some of the most comfortable you'll find in a movie theater. Come on, you get to carry the popcorn,” Andrea teases, taking out her keys. I'm slightly surprised and touched when she takes my arm and we go into the theater, which turns out to only be three-quarters full. Not a great turn out for the world premiere in my opinion, but I'm not a movie expert.
The only way I can describe the movie is confusing as hell, especially as I can't quite figure out who the good guy is, mainly because whoever they hired to do the subtitles from German did a pretty terrible job. Leaving the theater, I give Andrea a look, waiting until she's finished talking into her voice recorder, she needs the notes for her write up.
“How many stars?” I ask as we go back to her car. “I'm going to be honest... I have no idea what went on the whole time.”
Andrea laughs, nodding. “Yeah, me too. I wrote down some notes on my pad here, I've got some stuff on the voice recording, but I'm going to be hard pressed to try and write up something positive for this. Thankfully, I don't have to do the actual film review, I just need to turn some press release stuff the studio sent and these notes into a story on the actual opening. The nice part is it won't run until Monday, so I can type it up tomorrow instead of trying to cram it in tonight. Tonight is all about Joey Rivera and me.”
“I like the sound of that,” I admit, climbing into the passenger seat of her car. “So, where to, or are you letting me pick?”
“How about we stop closer to your house?” Andrea asks. “I'm not drinking tonight, not with the early start to my assignment tomorrow, but I'd love to share some late-night grub and there's nothing wrong with letting you do what you'd like.”
I nod, sitting back. “Okay. But I'm not that heavy a drinker. I've had my fair share sometimes, but I don't knock them back one after another. Hmm. There’s a place over in Westlake that might be good. Supposedly, the chef got a James Beard award, and it's been written up in the Beat. I've heard they've got smart staff.”
Andrea laughs, pulling out onto the road to head towards the 101. “You are a certified foodie, you know that? And a smooth flatterer.”
“I like preparing good food for my family and friends,” I reply, looking over at her. “Careful, you keep dating me, you're going to have to start doing daily workouts to keep fitting into your clothes.”
“And if I gain some weight?” Andrea asks, smiling. “I don't take you as that shallow.”
“I'm not. You can get as thick as you want,” I reassure her. “I like you for what's inside your head, not what's on the surface. Even if that's prettier than any woman I've ever known.”
Andrea smiles softly to herself as we drive, chatting and joking about the movie as we do. The restaurant is just as good as advertised, and it's fun to watch Andrea try the funky flavored Japanese gyoza that we share two plates of. I sip at my Lager while Andrea enjoys a green tea smoothie. Andrea takes a sip and smiles, looking around while I use my chopsticks to pick up another gyoza for her to share. “You've got some legit chopstick skills. So, have you guys been to Japan before?”
I shake my head, laughing to myself. “We had a chance, right before we made Four Letters, there was a music festival over there that wanted us to play. But there were a couple of issues. First off, the guys only wanted to talk to Rocky, our manager at the time was totally pushing him over everyone else, and that didn't sit cool with all three of us. No, the chopsticks are from lots of Chinese takeout. I used to do deliveries for a place and they'd let me grab a few cartons that were destined for the trash on the way home. Hey, a question from my sister, she wanted to know when the interview is coming out.”
“My editor loved it so much they're bumping it up to the Pulse's Sunday supplement, and he was asking me to do a longer one for LifeBeat. I was going to mention it to you earlier, but you looked so handsome, I kinda got distracted,” Andrea says, picking up a gyoza herself and wrapping her lips around it. If you've never thought of food as foreplay, watching this woman relish the flavors of the grilled Japanese dumpling has me thinking very naughty thoughts for a good reason. The sensual way her lips caress her chopsticks before the tip of her pink tongue comes out to lick just a bit of sauce off her bottom lip is pure seduction, and I wish there was a greater market for food seduction rock because right now I could write an epic song about sensual gyoza.
“By the way,” Andrea mentions as I settle up the bill, insisting on paying, “thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not drinking too much. Sometime I'd like to share drinks with you, but I've had a bad history with people drinking too much around me. You show restraint, you know that? Like, there's a powerful side to you, Joey, but you restrain it, and keep it all within that gentlemanly, boy next door sort of exterior.”
“You're a lady, you deserve to be treated with respect,” I reply, taking Andrea in my arms. We kiss once before we get in the car and she pulls out. “On another note, you mentioned your editor expanding the idea. What about... well, I was considering it earlier too, but what about coming over to my house, meeting my family? We can have a barbecue, you can meet my mama and Maria, all that sort of stuff. And I'll let them know it's for a story, but also, well... I'd like for you to meet my family as a date, too.”
Andrea smiles, nodding. “I think I might even be able to talk my editor into letting me put some sides on the expense account. So, does that mean I'm on track to becoming your girlfriend?”
I smile, looking over at her and nodding. “I'd like that a lot. I'm warning you though, my family can be unique. Keep an open mind and relax. I like you a lot. I think they will too.”
We get to my place, and Andrea gives me another kiss in the car, this time taking my hand and resting it on her breast, moaning when I lift the soft weight and run my thumb over the nipple inside her bra. “Mmmmm, Joey....”
“I know,” I whisper back, gasping when her hand comes to rest between my legs on top of my cock. “Andrea... I almost asked to go up to your place last time.”
“I almost asked you up last time,” Andrea replies, giving my cock a gentle squeeze before pulling back and taking a deep, shaky breath. “But I want to go slow, still. Not because I don't want you, but because you are worth waiting for.”
I nod and give her hand a kiss on the knuckles. “So are you. Buenas noches, Andrea.”
“Good night, Joey,” Andrea says. I watch her reverse and back out of our driveway, giving me a little wave as she heads off. I wave and go inside, sighing happily, surprised when I see Mama waiting up for me even though it's nearly one in the morning.
“Mama? What's wrong?” I ask, shrugging off my jacket. Yeah, I dressed up for this one, wearing one of my trendier outfits I got for award shows and stuff like that. I'm glad I did, jeans and a t-shirt would have looked stupid next to Andrea's chic outfit tonight.
“Nothing,” Mama says, seeing my face. “You've got a little lipstick on your cheek still.”
I rub at my right cheek furiously, and Mama chuckles. “Sorry, Mama.”
“Don't be, Joey. You're a grown man now, and I trust you to be a good man at that. So how was your date?”
I hang up my jacket and smile, trying not to laugh since I can hear Maria and Angel snoring down the hall in their bedroom. “That had to be the strangest movie I've ever seen. Even weirder than that time the Tijuana station showed El Santo taking on vampires.”
Mama laughs softly, getting up. “I see. So, you had a good time?”
“I did. Mama. Andrea was asked by her editor to expand the story, to do something for LifeBeat magazine. I would like it if she could meet you guys too, it'd be a good chance to invite her here. I thought maybe next weekend, we can do a fam
ily barbecue, have her come over? I'd really like it if she got to meet all of you.”
Mama's smile spreads and she comes over, kissing my cheek. “Of course, Joey. I can tell you like this girl very, very much, and I would be proud to meet her. Maria and Angel too. For now, though, I have Mass in the morning, I'm going to get some sleep. Will you be coming to Mass?”
I consider it, I haven't been to Mass since getting back, and considering how things are going with Andrea, maybe I can use a little divine luck or at least reassurance. “I think so, Mama. Good night.”
Mama goes back to her room while I go to my bedroom, taking off my clothes and lying down on my bed. As I do, I listen and realize I've got a problem on my hands. Lying in bed in my boxers, I can hear Maria snoring lightly, and the toilet flushing as Mama finishes brushing her teeth and washing her face before bed. My house, my home is filled with people, and one of them is four years old.
This is no place to bring a woman to do things with. I want to go a lot farther with Andrea than what we did in the car. Even making out with her in the driveway honestly felt a little bit weird. What if Mama had seen me touch Andrea's breast? What if she'd seen the expression on my face when Andrea had cupped my cock?
But my God, it felt so right and good to touch Andrea that way. It felt different than any other woman I've ever been with. Before Andrea, it wasn't a problem. Whether it was backstage in dressing rooms or hotel rooms that I had on the road, there was a way to find a space to have sex. A lot of those road girls, they kind of expected it, the fumbling with the room key, the unfamiliar squeak of the springs as we banged, with a bathroom just a few feet away to do the post-sex wash up and scrub down.
I don't want that with Andrea. I want to do more. I want to... I want to wake up and make her pancakes or help her wash her hair. All that glorious golden hair that hangs in such cute wavy curls down to her shoulder blades. I want to make love with her.
Wait, did I just think that? Did I really just think that I didn't want to bang, or fuck, or have sex with Andrea, but actually make love? Jesus Christo, I am really starting to fall for this girl and quickly. Especially since just thinking those words has me grinning foolishly.
I wonder what the band would say? Cora would probably giggle and give me a high-five and a hug. Rocky'd be cool, he's always had my back. Ian, too, although I think Ian would most likely have something wiseass to say about it. I haven't told Ian yet, I probably should do that this week. I don't want him to be the last guy to know about this, he gets grumpy when he finds out last. At least I know part of why he's so grumpy, he's got sleep apnea that's pretty bad. I should check in with him to see if he's getting treatment for it, I don't want to get the crap scared out of me again like I did in Tallahassee when I walked into the dressing room and he wasn't breathing for like ten seconds.
Hmm, sleepy.... I guess it has been a long nigh.....
Chapter 7
Andrea
Nervous much?
Of course, I'm nervous, I'm waiting outside my building ten minutes early in order to meet Joey, and he's taking me to meet his family. He's been the man of the house since he was ten. And he’s warned me his family can be a little intense. Which means I need to be ready for a ton of questions from them, or maybe them being a little protective of him.
And let's face it, he's Puerto Rican, and from what I can tell, Roman Catholic. While me being white has never been a problem with him, I've heard too many bad stories about when people cross racial lines, especially from protective mothers. And I'm not Catholic, I'm a lapsed whatever. I know if Joey was asking to come to dinner at Dad's house, I'd be just as nervous. Actually, I'd be more nervous, mainly because I don't think Joey would get a warm reception at the Coates estate.
I see Joey out on the street, waving to me even as he makes the turn into the parking lot. I hop into the passenger seat and lean over, giving him a quick kiss that just as rapidly deepens. “Mmm... I've missed that all week.”
“You have no idea,” Joey replies happily, pulling out of the parking lot and driving back towards the freeway. “It's been a good week, though. Not only did we wrap up the personal stuff I wanted to work on, but Cora thinks some of it is so good, she asked Ian to come in next week to do some back drums for it, maybe to be on the next album. Oh, just to let you know... everyone thinks it's great that we're seeing each other.”
“Really?” I ask, somewhat surprised. “I did a little digging myself. After the rumored problems Rocky had with Martha Mellors and what she was feeding the tabloids, I thought they'd be more worried.”
Joey shakes his head, signaling to get over onto the I-5. “No way. Rocky and Cora already asked me when I'm bringing you by their place, and Ian... well, Ian's his own type of guy, but he's cool with it. I'll tell you about it on the way.”
We make the drive to Thousand Oaks, and I think about how strange and wonderful this feels. I've never dated someone with such a large gap in our living distances, it takes almost an hour with street traffic each way, but the time gives us just a chance to relax, to catch up on the two days since the last time we talked on the phone. It's been a refreshing time too because while I've wanted to talk with Joey every day, it's allowed me to gain some perspective on just what is going on in my life.
“I saw the Sunday paper,” Joey says about halfway there. “Maria went out and bought two copies to trim them and have them laminated for the kitchen. She just might ask you for an autograph.”
We’re just getting off the freeway when suddenly, I smack my forehead. “Oh, shit!”
“What?” Joey asks, concerned. “What is it?”
“I uh... I forgot to bring my gift,” I reply lamely. “After everything you guys made, I thought I'd return the favor, so I tried my best to make some potato salad, and then I got a call from my Dad, and I just forgot it. It's still sitting on my counter. I know it wasn't much, but if you guys are going to the trouble of having a barbecue, I thought I could do something.”
Joey nods, then turns right at the next intersection, grinning. “There's a supermarket up ahead, a Trader Joe's. Let's go in, get some stuff from the deli and a six pack of organic root beer. That's Angel's favorite, and blame the traffic on the freeway.”
I laugh, both at Joey's intense consideration and his inventiveness. We end up getting exactly what I'd originally planned, potato salad along with a six pack of root beer to share with Joey's family. When we pull up, Joey gives me a wink and a kiss on the cheek. “Just be yourself, Andrea. That's pretty damn impressive, in my opinion.”
Joey leads me towards the front door of the wide, L-wing ranch style home, but before we can even get from the driveway to the door, the screen slams open and a little boy comes running out, a huge grin on his face until he sees me, stopping in shock. Joey steps forward and sweeps him up into his arms, giving him a hug. “Hey buddy, I wasn't gone that long!”
“Mommy got the charcoal going, and Gramma had me help with the chicken! Is this your girlfriend?” the little boy jabbers quickly, glancing over Joey's shoulder at me. “She's pretty!”
As he looks at me, I'm shocked, seeing his eyes. They're the exact same shade of green as what runs in my family, Dad and I have the same color. It's pretty rare, most green eyes are either brownish green or a dark emerald, not the sort of pale jade that we have. But this little boy does, and as he blinks at me, I feel a disconcerting sense of familiarity with him, even though I've never seen him before in my life. Finally, I clear my throat. “Thank you. Are you Angel?”
He nods, giving me a goofy grin that charms my heart immediately. “Are you Andrea?”
“Yes buddy, this is my girlfriend Andrea,” Joey says, my heart fluttering a little at Joey calling me his girlfriend. “Now, you run inside and tell Maria that we're here, okay?”
Angel runs off, and Joey turns to me, grinning. “That's Angel being Angel. He has a habit of every time I come home, he gives me pretty much a full report on everything he's done since I last saw him. After t
he tour... that took a while.”
“I bet. Is everyone in your family so nice?”
“Let's find out, why don't we?” Joey jokes, leading me to the front door and opening it. My first impression that I get of the Rivera house is that it's fresh, but then I remember that Joey's family just moved in here about a month ago. The decorations are simple and seem small like the family is still figuring out just how much size they have, but that they are slowly starting to relax into the new space.
“Joey, can you help me out?” a voice calls from the kitchen, and Joey leads me over, where I see a small, compact woman with long black hair that has a few streaks of gray standing out in them. She's dressed almost all in black and around her neck is a simple gold crucifix, her only adornment. Still, when she turns to look at us, she's got the same dark, soulful eyes as Joey, and the smile in the middle of her round face is kind, welcoming. “Hello. I'm Teresa Rivera. Welcome to our home.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Rivera. You have... I haven't seen the rest of the house yet, but you have an amazing son. You must be proud of him.”
Teresa's eyes twinkle as she looks at Joey, who's starting to blush. “And my son has good taste in girlfriends. Come, help me with some of the last prep here, and we can let Joey go play caveman over the fire for a while. My husband loved barbecues, and men tend to be happier when they get to smell the smoke and play with the fire and the toys.”
“I'd love that,” I reply, giving Joey a look. “You don't mind, Joey?”
“Do I mind if my new girlfriend hangs out with Mama?” Joey asks himself, scrunching up his mouth to the side before grinning. “No way, have fun. I'll send Maria in, you can make your hellos then too. Mama, is there anything you want me to put on?”
Teresa points to a big tray of chicken pieces, most of them sitting in a marinade. “Start with those, I'll have Maria come out with the vegetables when they're ready. Would you like to eat inside or outside?”
