Chapter Fifteen
Luke
“Get in,” Dean shouts through the open window in his pickup truck, honking the horn over and over. I’m sitting in my regular spot, working out a new song that I’m actually liking.
“For what?” I ask. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen Dean in person.
“You’re getting the hell out of here and going out. It’s Friday.”
“Have you forgotten?” I ask, pointing to my leg. “Not much hardcore partying you can do with a bum leg.” In truth, the trip to the club with Evan didn’t go so well last time. Open mic night got overtaken by some soulful singer with his guitar, someone I couldn’t compete with. I ended up drinking way too many beers and wallowing alone at the bar while Evan flirted with about five different girls. I guess a guy in a cast isn’t all that appealing.
“Are you kidding? That’s the lamest-ass excuse I’ve ever heard. Now throw your guitar in the back and get in. We’re going out. It’s karaoke night at the Renegade, so you can even try out your new song, see if it goes over well with the ladies.”
I sigh. I don’t feel like going out, in truth, or even singing, at least on a stage. The old Luke, the one from years ago, would’ve been jumping in the back of the truck in a millisecond, broken leg or not. He’d have been doing a shot on the way to do shots.
I get to my feet, though. No use sitting here all night. I am turning into a creepy recluse. Wouldn’t hurt to get out.
“Thatta boy,” Dean says as I hobble to his truck. He gets out to help me load the guitar. “Now let’s get you back out there, see what Friday nights are really supposed to look like.”
“I’m pretty rusty,” I say, and it’s true. It’s been a while since I’ve really let my guard down, let loose, and got out.
“Well, it’s time. No creepy cat man tonight or lonely song player. By the end of the night, you’re going to be batting women off you, broken leg or not.”
“We’ll see about that. But damn, I could use some drinks.”
“Say no more.” Dean stomps on the gas, peeling out onto the road, blasting songs to get us pumped up for a night of fun.
***
The crowd actually cheers, and I can’t stop smiling like a damn idiot.
“Thank you,” I say into the mic as I hobble off the stage. I feel like I’m glowing, probably partially from the buzz I’m feeling. Dean’s been pumping me full of liquor since we got here, telling me I need to loosen up.
Part of it, though, is that the crowd actually seemed to like my song. I sort of turned karaoke night into open mic night, deciding to go all in—again, probably the alcohol talking—and sing my new song. It’s called “She Walked Right By.”
Yeah, it’s about her. Of course it is.
I hobble off the stage, Dean whooping from the back corner. I’m heading to claim my next drink, which Dean promised he’d pay for if I got on stage.
“That was beautiful,” a voice says from behind me. I turn to see a woman with long black hair. She’s wearing a tight red dress, halter style, her breasts bulging out. She’s got the bright lip thing going on, and she, in truth, looks like she walked off the page of one of those women’s magazines Lila used to leave lying around the house.
She’s damn gorgeous in an overt way. I breathe out, trying to play it cool. “Thanks. It’s a new song I’ve been working on.”
“Well, it was perfect. What are you doing singing here, though? I feel like you should be playing somewhere bigger.”
I shrug. “I’m not really that good. Just do it as a hobby.”
“Humble, too. Wow. And gorgeous. Definitely a star. Let me buy you a drink,” she says, her voice lingering.
“Isn’t the guy supposed to buy the girl a drink?” I ask, feeling flirtatious but not quite sure how to proceed. I’m off my game.
“I’m not like most girls, I think you’ll find. Much less complicated. Now come on.” She yanks on my arm, and I feel electricity at her touch. I smile, feeling the glowing sensation for the second time tonight.
Less complicated. Absolutely gorgeous. Sounds like just the kind of woman I could use tonight.
I’m feeling high on the rush from being on stage, on the booze, and on the fact a sexy woman is on my arm. I’m feeling good enough to forget everything, all the heartache and longings and regrets. I want to sit a little closer to the woman at the bar, to lean in and tell her all sorts of things. I’m ready to forget about the past and live in the present a little bit. I’m feeling good enough to wonder what those breasts would feel like, what she would feel like….
So when the red dress woman leans in very close, a hand on my thigh, and says, “You know, I’d be okay if you wanted to kiss me,” the smell of tequila on her breath, I don’t take my eyes off her.
“I don’t even know your name,” I whisper, staring into her hazel eyes and feeling her hand creep up. I shudder, my breath ragged.
“It’s Margot. Margot Lane. Can you kiss me now?” It’s more of a command than an offer, her eyes drawing me in like a siren’s song.
Staring at her, I see a woman of mystery, of intrigue, and of wildness. I see a woman not afraid to take a risk and to let her heart lead. I see a woman a little more rebellious and a lot more forward than most.
I see a woman so different than Lila’s polite, humble, rational character.
But maybe that’s the point. Maybe my heart needs something different, something new, something less complicated. Because if I can’t have Lila, what’s the point of rational and concrete? What’s the point of playing it safe?
So it is probably for these very reasons that I, without any thought, lean in and take Margot’s lips with mine, kissing her voraciously, hungrily, like I can consume her.
Something tells me, though, sitting on the barstool and coming up for air, that it’s Margot who could potentially consume me, mind, body, and spirit. This girl isn’t one you rein in. This girl isn’t one who will be looking for a ring on her finger or a baby stroller.
This girl has a fire I’ve never seen.
Pulling back, though, and seeing her smile, I realize maybe I want to be consumed by a fire burning too hot to touch. Maybe I need to be a little scorched and seared.
Margot Lane isn’t what I was looking for or even what I want right now.
But maybe Margot Lane is exactly what I need.