I cover my ears when Jen screams as Ryder walks on stage strumming his guitar. Compared to the whistles and calls from the audience, her yell is drowned out but my ears still hurt. Cash is the last to come on stage, a light jog as he reaches the microphone. He greets the crowd and introduces his bandmates before going straight to their most popular single. The crowd sings along and dances, girls yelling all sorts of things as if the guys can hear them.
I find myself singing along to some of their songs. I must have heard them on the radio. I take my time to watch Cash as he sings and moves on stage. He’s a definite flirt, and women eat up his act. But it’s his voice that gets to me. If I were blind, his voice would still satisfy me. It is distinct and deep, yet gentle when it needs to be. Ryder and the other guys don’t stay behind; they each shine their own light, showing that this truly is a band and not a one-man-show. As they finish this song, Cash takes a chug of water and speaks.
“Hope y’all are having a great time!” The crowd roars even more. He chuckles, seemingly at ease in front of thousands of people. “It’s great being here sharing our music with you. Unfortunately, I am in a small predicament.” I shake my head as all the women “awww” and one yells, “I can help you out with your pickle.” Cash laughs loudly.
“I need y’alls’ help. You think you can help a guy out?” The crowd yells yes, men and women alike. “I met a girl last week.” The crowd interrupts him with awws and boos. He continues to work the crowd, his laugh spreading through the speakers. I, on the other hand, freeze. “I know, I know, but a guy can’t help but notice a beautiful woman.”
“Holy shit,” Jen whispers next to me. I keep my gaze forward.
“Anyway, she refused to give me her name and now I’m on the hunt. I know she’s here today; but a stubborn woman won’t come up on stage without a little pushing. So, if you see someone about this tall,” he puts his hand about shoulder height, “with brown hair and blue eyes and a killer ass,” I begin to choke and cough up very unladylike. Bri looks over at me and asks if I’m okay.
“Holy shit,” Jen repeats. “You gotta go up there!”
“What?” I screech. “It’s not me!”
“Brown hair? Check. Blue eyes? Check.”
“You know how many women have that combination?”
“I doubt she’ll be wearing her pajamas today,” Cash continues. “So if you want to help a guy out and see this woman, send her my way.” I swear he sees me. I must be imagining it. There’s no way he can spot me in such a big crowd. I need a drink. Another beer. Or something stronger. What are the odds I can get someone to share some liquid-fire with me? I’d even drink tequila right now.
“Get your ass up there!” Jen hisses.
“No. I need a drink.”
“Sidelines, Liv,” she warns. “Cats. Hundreds of them if you don’t get out there.” I ignore her and walk away to a booth selling beer. Bri looks confused but I’ll let Jen explain it. I’m sure that’s exactly what she’ll do.
“In the meanwhile, this song is for my stranger.” He begins to sing.
Hey girl, you look good tonight,
In those jeans that fit just right.
A lonely heart hiding from the crowd,
But I hear what you don’t say nice and loud.
Hey girl, give me a try.
We can get lost in each other’s eyes.
I wanna get to know you, know you.
As Cash continues with the rest of the song, I watch the expressions he makes as he sings and listen intently to the words. Words that could very well describe me, if he actually knew me. Everyone cheers loudly as he finishes. I grab my beer and stay by the booth for his next and last song. It’s a hot day in Nashville and the sweat is evident on him. His white tee wet, as his body moves underneath. I can’t believe he called me out.
I finally return to my spot, Bri and Jen waiting for me. I should have guessed. I look between them and take a deep breath. You know that moment right before you know you’re entering a losing battle? That moment when you question whether fighting is even worth it. Right now, I know fighting will use up my energy, but I’m stubborn and standing my ground.
No guy would actually romance a woman so blatantly. He’s an entertainer. He does things for the show. This opportunity was probably a perfect one to make the crowd love him even more and get in my pants at the same time. The bad boy country artist falling for the simple girl in an open display of vulnerability. It sells. People love to see the human side of famous people. It would be like watching Chris Hemsworth walking his dog on a Sunday morning. That’s what normal people do.
“You have got to find a way to get to him!” Bri is the first to speak.
“I’m texting Ryder!”
“No! You girls are crazy. No way in hell he meant that. He thinks I’m playing hard to get and he wants the chase.”
“Did you hear the song?” Jen asks.
“Yeah.”
“He wrote it for you!”
“Nooo, he just said it was for me.”
“That’s a new song. I’ve heard their entire EP. That song isn’t on there,” Jen argues.
“If a guy did that for me, I would struggle to not jump him right there and then, audience and all.” Bri has a faraway look. Adding a new fantasy to her already long list of fantasies.
“Sex in public is on your list, not mine,” I reply.
“Boy has a crush.” Bri waggles her eyebrows.
“We’re meeting up with them after the concert,” Jen announces. Bri high fives her and both ignore my scowl. I decide paying attention to the concert will be better than arguing with the two of them for the rest of the afternoon.
I allow a part of me to daydream what it will be like to see him. How I would act if I weren’t a hot mess in the social department and a skeptical person. I get lost in my thoughts as images of what could have happened had I gone up on stage and claimed my place. Would he have kissed me? He’s probably a great kisser.
The memory of his arms flexing as he held the microphone and the veins on his neck showed as he strained his voice with each line sung. I shake my head. Stupid imagination.
If he did write that song for me, that means he started working on it right away to have it prepared for today. Jen must be mistaken. No way in hell the guy wrote a song for some crazy woman who shows up at bars in her pajamas and was snarky to him. Damn Jen for making me pick her up that night.
“Here, drink this.” Jen hands me a cup.
“What is it?”
“Don’t ask questions and chug.”
I sniff the cup and gag. “How the hell you get free drinks when you’re clearly underage is besides me.”
“Oh, don’t act all serious and conservative. You’re anything but.” Bri says and takes her shot like a champ. I follow in suit, along with Jen.
“Exactly! You’ve told me stories. What the hell put a stick up your ass in the recent years?”
“My ass is stick free, thank you very much,” I respond.
“Maybe that’s the problem,” Bri mumbles and Jen laughs.
“Funny. I’m not the one that likes meat between my cheeks.”
“Ha! Maybe not those cheeks,” she points at my ass, “but you love them between those.” She points at my face.
“Jackass.”
“Cocksucker,” she replies.
“Ah, just like the good old days when I was the bratty teenager listening in on your stories.” Jen sighs wistfully.
“You’re still bratty,” I reply.
“But you love me, cocksucker.” I laugh with them and shrug.
We continue to drink through the sets, no one bringing up Cash’s display again. I know I’ll see him tonight when we meet up with the rest of the band. By Jen’s determination, she won’t let me skip out on this, and Bri will help her make sure I show up. So, while I know showing up under the influence of beer and moonshine is not my best bet, I continue to drink just enough to lower my inhibitions and build my courage
.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Ryder sits next to me at the high-top table.
I shrug. I usually go off on my own after a performance and today was no different. Except today, I didn’t return to the guys. I went straight to the bar where we were meeting after the concert.
“I knew there was a reason for getting that song perfect in time for today.” He claps my back. “So Grandma, huh?”
I chug my beer and ignore him.
“She’s coming tonight, you know?” He continues.
“What?”
“Yeah, Jen is making sure of it.”
“Her cousin?”
“Yeah, bro. I’m into her.”
“More like you want to be in her,” I joke.
He laughs. “Fuck yeah! The idea of having her toned legs wrapped around me is driving me wild.”
“Say no more, please. I’m good without knowing what crosses your mind.” I stare at the television, pretending to focus on the basketball game they’re showing.
“You called her up on stage,” he repeats in disbelief.
Yeah, asshole, I called her up. I called her up in front of thousands of people. Did I honestly think she’d follow through? Probably not, which is more reason as to why I did it. I saw her, though. I saw her surprised eyes stare at me. Then I saw her walk away, unfortunately in the opposite direction of where I was. At that moment, I wanted to call out to her, let her know I had seen her, and go to her. I could blame my attraction on her lack of attention, but I’m not one to play games.
I can’t get her out of my head though. When I saw her show up the way she did that night, I watched her until I saw my chance to enter the conversation. Ryder, with his smooth operator style, didn’t work for her. Jen seems more his type. But her, pajama girl, she was all mine. I don’t even know her name, and I wasn’t about to get my man card revoked by asking Ryder to ask her cousin. Hell no.
Then, I saw her out on Thursday night. She didn’t see me, but I admired her as she drank one too many margaritas and danced her heart out. That dress and those heels. Let’s just say, I went home and jacked off to the memory of her. Unlike my bandmates, I’m here for the music, not the groupies, but I can’t help think about her.
“You!” My head snaps up to see a very angry female wearing short-shorts and cowboy boots. Fuck. I thought her heels were hot.
“Grandma’s here,” Ryder says, amused.
“Shut it,” she tells him and everyone grows still. Her cousin, Jen, and some other chick merely stand behind her trying to hold in their laughter. My lips twitch, but I keep it under control. I stand and walk up to her, my six-foot-four frame not intimidating one inch of her. She looks up at me and glares.
“How dare you?” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“What? Declare myself to you and dedicate a song?” I smirk.
“Oh, you’re smooth.” She tilts her head.
“Grandma’s got sass,” Ryder says, as he approaches Jen.
“And a nice ass,” says Cole, our drummer.
I hide my laughter with a cough. She puts her hands on her hip and tries to look intimidating. It’s cute, really.
“You know, I should be the one who’s upset. I got rejected in front of an entire audience.”
She rolls her eyes at my comment. “Psh, I’m sure there were willing women waiting to console you.”
“Eh, they wouldn’t do. So, you gonna tell me your name?”
“Liv,” Jen says, as she sits next to Ryder.
“Liv,” I muse. “I like it.”
“Wouldn’t matter if you didn’t.”
“I’m Cash.” I reach out my hand to shake hers. I figured a proper introduction was appropriate. She looks at my hand for a second, but her good manners weigh out and she shakes my hand. I pull her in slightly and whisper, “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Thanks.”
I guide her towards the table where we all sit. I watch her carefully as Jen speaks animatedly, throwing her hands around. Ryder eats it up.
“Hey guys, what did I miss?” Jason, our bass player says, as he looks around and smiles at the female attention.
“Just sit,” I tell him.
“Where’d you go after the performance, man? I couldn’t find you.”
“You know I always take some time after I perform.”
“Yeah, but you never came back,” he tells me.
“Needed more time.” I steal a glance at Liv, who is watching me. Knowing she’s been caught, she drinks her beer and smiles.
“Is this the girl?” Jason asks.
“Yup.” I smile.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Maybe now we can make some new music and not mull over this stranger.” Jason needs a fucking filter. Liv looks away and listens to Jen. This is awkward. I have no idea what to say to her, especially in a group where all are expectant.
“Did you like the concert?” I ask her.
“Yeah, it was great. You guys did good.” She smiles my way.
“Thanks,” I say proudly.
“Well, except when you singled me out. Thankfully, no one knew who I was.”
“Right,” I smirk.
“Your songs are good. I’ve actually heard a few.”
“Really?” I lean back and toy with my beer mug. I feel much more relaxed now. I had a momentary lack of confidence, but this is more like me. “Cool.” I smile openly.
“Yeah.” She refills her beer from the pitcher.
“Why didn’t you approach the stage when I called you?” I raise a brow.
“Because it’s embarrassing. Pajamas and all.” She shakes her head as if she’s horrified with her own actions. “God, what a loser.” I stare at her with raised eyebrows. “Me, not you!” She jumps immediately.
“I know.” Her body sinks a bit. “You’re not a loser though. I kinda liked your PJs.”
“Right.” Her sarcasm is deep and I chuckle. “Why did you even do that?”
Her question doesn’t surprise me. “I wanted to get to know you. See you again.”
“And that was the way to do it?”
“I had no other choice. You didn’t even give me a name to go by.”
“It was risky,” she replies and leans back on her stool, gaining confidence. I see a glimpse of the person I assume she hides.
“Worth the risk.” I wink.
“Was it?” She challenges.
“I’m sitting across from you, right?”
“Because Jen made me come.”
“I’m sure she would have let it slide, had I not done what I did, considering she’s paying so much attention to you.” I tilt my head towards Jen and Ryder. Those two have been extremely busy with each other ever since she moved from her stool to his lap.
“Ugh!” Her reaction amuses me.
“You got a problem?”
“No, it’s just that . . . Never mind.” She shakes her.
I lean forward so she hears me. “Totally worth the risk. If you don’t take the leap, you won’t know how big a splash you could make.”
“I’m sure you got a few new fans from that stunt.”
“No stunt, darling, only the honest truth.”
“You going to tell me the crowd didn’t love seeing the newest hotshot singer all vulnerable for a girl he barely knows. It’s the epitome of romantic gestures.”
“So, you thought it was romantic?”
“I mean, if you’re into getting called out in public. I rather not have the spotlight on me,” she shrugs.
“Romantic, huh?” I smile widely.
“Then your fans will hate on me, for not running to you. No, thanks. I’m glad there was no picture to blast on the screens.” She adds and I flat out laugh now.
I’ll admit, my move was impulsive, but that’s me. It’s what I do. In the back of my mind, I knew I was going to do something like that today. I also thought she would feel bad for me and walk up. If I had a picture, I probably would have shown it.
The song w
as written for her, my observations from that one encounter and watching her out with Jen after that first night rolled into verses—my best form of communication. Maybe I should say, she inspired the song. But isn’t anything that inspires us already that person’s? The muse. She’s my muse. I stare into her baby blues and try to find a balance between the grouch I met last week and the carefree woman I watched after that first encounter.
I tear my eyes away from her, but not before noticing the red creeping up her chest. It’s easy to tease her, but I meant what I wrote in that song. Something about her draws me in. I think it’s her eyes. I’ve always been known as the most sensitive in our group, but I’m still a man. And right now, I see a woman I want. My body agrees with my thoughts and my mission is to get her to see me again, alone, before the night ends.
I watch her interact with her friend, Bri, and can’t hide my smile as I watch her in her environment.
“Hey, man, keep staring that intensely and you’ll get labeled for inappropriate ogling,” Cole says next to me, loud enough for Liv to hear. She looks at me with raised eyebrows but I see a blush cover her cheeks.
I shrug unapologetically and reply to Cole without taking my eyes away from hers, “Can you blame me?”
“You got it bad, boy,” Cole taps my head as if I were a dog, but I hold her stare.
“We should get going,” Liv tells Bri. “Jen?” She looks over at her cousin in question.
“I don’t work tomorrow, so I’m good to stay a while longer,” Bri replies.
“Lucky you.” Liv looks at her with annoyance.
“Don’t give me your shit, you’re self-employed. Sit your ass back down and get another drink, stronger than beer.” Bri waves over the waiter and orders a round of shots. Fireball, no less. I chuckle. I like that girl.
“Self-employed? What do you do?” I ask Liv.
“She’s an amazing graphic designer,” Bri jumps in for her.
“I can answer for myself, thank you very much. What she said.” I laugh and her smile lights up her face.
“That’s a cool job. Creative.”
“It’s fun. I love what I do.” She shrugs.
“That’s important.”
Lovin' on You Page 2
