CHAPTER TEN
After work, Alyssa makes her way to the studio, when she enters she can hear him playing, and she sees him behind the glass, playing into the microphone and doing a great job. She takes a seat in one of the chairs and sets her purse down beside her. He has so much talent. He’s such an amazing guitar player, of course they gave him perfect guitar solos. If not they’d just be wasting his talent. And while she’s sitting there, she starts to daydream about him, but when Vincent notices her, he starts to get into his old fiery mood while he plays and it draws her attention back to him. His behavior has the studio recorders chatting and getting excited, they haven’t seen him play with enthusiasm like this and they say it’s just the entertainment they need to make it through the rest of their day. Alyssa smiles, she realizes that he’s just doing it for her.
When Vince is finally done he comes out, wiping the sweat from his brow, he chugs down a bottle of water and smiles. “You want to grab some dinner?” he asks, and Alyssa only nods. Vincent nods too, but disappears for a moment. When he comes back, he has a clean shirt on and smells amazing. He grabs another water as he leads the way to his motorcycle. He gets on and motions for her to hop on, too.
The parking lot is illuminated by streetlights and the bright shining of the full moon. As Vince starts up his bike and drives down the road, Alyssa watches the street lights pass in a blur. It’s a beautiful, cool night and she sits close, wrapping her arms around him. She enjoys the feeling of the wind rushing against her, and the rumbling of the motorcycle under her, but mumbles to herself about how her hair is going to be messed up. Vince begins to speeds through traffic passing cars and Alyssa holds onto him tighter.
“Did you say go faster?” He teases as he glances back, before Alyssa has a chance to respond Vince hits the throttle and the motorcycle picks up speed.
“I didn’t say anything!” Alyssa whines as she holds on tight, unsure if she really wants to watch the road fly by this fast.
The engine is loud and Vince turns on some music, but Alyssa can hardly hear it through the wind and the engine. As Alyssa stays close to Vince she smiles. I could get used to this. Going everywhere on a motorcycle, stuck close to Vince, or taking a limo, riding luxuriously through the streets. No wonder Jewel enjoys it. It would definitely be fun.
On the street right before the restaurant there is a round-about, and Vince takes them around several times as he revs up the engine and increases the speed. “Vince!” Alyssa calls out, unsure that she can hold him any tighter. She can feel her heart starting to pound in her chest and she closes her eyes and puts her face into his back. He chuckles as he slows the motorcycle down and pulls into the parking lot.
Once they get to the restaurant, Alyssa can tell it’s a nice place. There’s a valet, lots of plants and romantic lighting. Vincent leads the way in. The inside is elegant, with brightly lit with flowers and candles adorning each table. There are wine collections all over, and waiters and waitresses are wearing sophisticated uniforms. The tables all have white tablecloths and most of the seating is for couples. This is definitely a good sign. Alyssa thinks to herself with a smirk as they get to their seat.
Vince insists that she get whatever she wants, anything at all. And, after they order what they want, Vince looks at Alyssa with the intent to start a conversation but Alyssa can tell that he’s having a hard time with it. He’s been acting differently lately… But maybe that’s a good thing, maybe it just means he’s dealing with emotions he hasn’t felt before – like love. Alyssa smirks at the thought.
“I’ll start for you; why didn’t you contact me after you left that weekend?” Alyssa stops herself there. She wants to continue, she wants to ask him how he could do that to her, and how it was so easy for him to just continue on without her, but she doesn’t. “I just need to know.” She swallows the rest of her words and impatiently waits for his response.
“Alyssa.” Vincent responds as he takes a breath in, “It wasn’t that easy. And it’s not easy being with me… I’m not just a musician who is constantly on tours, building publicity and recording albums to build up this band; I’m also a Grimm member.” Vince pauses for a moment as the waiter brings their wine and glasses. “But…” he continues, “I’ve seen what Ash and Jewel have and I want what they have...I do. Having a relationship… being with someone you truly love. It’d be amazing.”
As Vince speaks Alyssa’s heart starts to race. He really does want it. I told myself he didn’t… I knew he couldn’t resist me. He actually wants a relationship. Alyssa stops her barrage of thoughts as she tries to focus on him.
“I want a normal relationship, but I’ve seen what being with Ash has put Jewel through, and I definitely would hate to do that to you. Being a part of the Grimms, I can’t ignore my responsibilities. But Alyssa, it’s finally happening- they are really doing it. They’re going legit. And it isn’t just some of us, it’s the whole organization, we’re all going legit. We want to be on the right side of the law, now.”
The waiter comes over and places a basket of bread on their table and excuses himself. Alyssa helps herself to a piece of bread and as she takes a bite of it she’s shocked at how amazing it tastes. It’s warm and fluffy, covered with a crispy, buttery crust and she motions for Vince to try some. So he does, and he gives it a nod of approval as he finishes off his bun.
“That’s exciting Vince. It’s kind of important to not be complete outlaws…” she responds. This is exactly what I wanted. I can’t believe he actually brought me out on a date to talk about wanting to be with me. I knew I was irresistible, but hell, I doubted it would go down like this. Can I finally have what Jewel got, what I should have gotten the first time? I don’t even need this wine, or this dinner… I just want to take him back to my place... Alyssa lets her thoughts wander until Vince starts talking again.
When he’s done chewing he begins again, “I mean, being in a band isn’t going to last forever. I’ve heard some things going around about plans to open a recording studio. Apparently we’re going to try run our own label soon.” Vince pauses a minute as he takes a sip of his drink. Alyssa takes this time to snag up another piece of bread. She takes her time to savor it.
“That’s what I’ve really always wanted to do. Open a recording studio and run my own label…” Vince pauses, thinking about something, but Alyssa isn’t sure what before he resumes. “Life got in the way, but it’s going to be awesome now.” He says, seemingly reassuring himself more than Alyssa, he hesitates, “I just. I don’t want you to have to go through what Jewel goes through…” he adds, bringing them back to their previous point in the conversation.
“Hey.” Alyssa says as she finishes off her bread, “I know what Jewel goes through, too, and I know that she thinks that it is beyond worth it. I wouldn’t care if the Grimms weren’t going legit. I wouldn’t care if you had to remain in the band and the gang forever.” Alyssa begins to choke up on the next part, she hasn’t quite been ready to admit these feelings for herself, now she’s reassuring Vince that she does want to be with him. She takes a sip of the wine and takes a deep breath. I have to tell him, “I do want to be with you Vince.”
The waiter returns to bring them their entrées but Alyssa doesn’t look up, her eyes are fixated on Vince and the smile that spread across his face as she spoke. Of course he’s taken the opportunity to look away in an attempt to hide his emotions. He grabs his dish and puts it down in front of him, grabbing his fork and he only takes a second to glance up at Alyssa. She smiles back to him and takes her food. I’m happy that he wants to be with me… but I just. I kept being reminded of those other girls he slept with. He didn’t call me, he just slept with every girl he could… I have to know why. Alyssa shakes the thought away, she doesn’t want to bring it up while they’re having their wonderful evening.
Over their dinner, they have light hearted conversation, and Alyssa even gets a few laughs out of Vince. God, this is truly perfect. Alyssa thinks as she watches the waiter bring in their molten chocolate cake for dessert. Vince wants to be with me, and I want to be with him. Nothing can stop us now. Soon, we’ll be as solid as Ash and Jewel, I know it.
They are only a few bites into dessert before the thoughts begin to haunt Alyssa again. She can’t help but to think about Vince sleeping with the other girls, and at first she tries to ignore it and enjoy the taste of their molten cake but it just continues to nag her. Before long, she gives in and starts up the conversation. “Vince. I have to ask…” Alyssa stops to take a breath, “what about the other women? Why did you go and sleep with all of them after the band left…?”
Vince doesn’t respond at first, he finishes chewing his cake. He looks at the table then back up at her. “What the hell does it matter?” he asks defensively.
“Er. Well, you just. You didn’t call me and then you slept around- a lot. What am I supposed to think? That you didn’t want me… that’s what I thought… but if not, then what?” She asks as she tries not to stumble over her own words.
Vince shakes his head, and quickly sets his fork down on his plate. “I don’t have to deal with his.” He responds as he stands up and reaches into his wallet, he throws down the money for the food. “Find your own way home,” he says sharply as he walks away, leaving Alyssa speechless at the table. Alyssa wants to sink down in her chair and cover her face, people are looking at her and as they do she wants to curse at them, yell at them, tell them to find something else to look at. Have they never seen two people dispute at a restaurant before?! Ugh. She thinks as she marches out.