EFFA
My mind is still on watching Mercs walk away from me. I should have gone after him, but he said to wait until the after party to talk, so I let him walk. We’re just two ships in the night, pushing past each other with every tumultuous wave. I don’t know what he overheard from my conversation with the girls to make him talk about drama. I mean I was only saying that I was going to meet up with Jett after the show tonight to talk more about extending Swift Division’s set time.
Through the entire show, I kept thinking about whether Mercs was in the rafters looking down on me, watching me rock out, giving Phoenix another stellar performance. But all that did was distract me, so I focused on the show and tried to eliminate him from my mind.
That was until now when the lights are dimmed, the show’s all but over, the crowds are dispersed, and the energy is waning. Now that I’ve arrived at the after party I have time to think, time to reflect, and time to mull over what he might have to say.
“Effa… the music’s thumping, the drinks are flowing, the cocks are loud and proud and readily available. So, what’s with the mopey face, my friend?” Casey asks as she slides into the booth seat opposite me in the VIP room of the after party. Andi follows her, sliding in with a huge grin on her face.
“Did you see that chick with the barely-there skirt on? Fuck! I’d kill for those legs. She’s fucking hot as. Fuck me,” Andi sings, and Casey slaps her cousin in her boob and scowls at her.
“Stop wishing you had a more feminine body and pay attention, Andi, we’re having an existential crisis over here,” Casey snaps.
Andi’s smile falls, and she nods like she’s taking on a serious tone. “Right, okay, girl code. I gotcha. What’s happening?” She looks from Casey to me then back to Casey.
“Effa… the Effervescent, is mopey,” Casey conveys.
Andi nods like she understands completely where Casey’s coming from. “Ahh… yes, I see the crisis. Effa is never mopey. So if something’s making her quiet, then we need to fix it pronto. Because we need our Miss Bubbles back.”
“Did someone say bubbles?” Kristy calls out, as she rushes up and slides into the booth next to me puffing like she’s out of breath. Only Gaia knows why.
“Guys, really… thanks for looking out for me. But I am fine. I need to open my chakra and let the calming energy take hold. Be one with the free spirits in the room. Live in the atmosphere surrounding us and enjoy the moment—”
They all look at me raising their brows as Kristy lets out a bemused laugh effectively interrupting me.
“Effa, I love you. I’ve been your best friend for years, but sometimes talking about things rather than opening your hooha helps too,” Kristy gushes making me giggle.
“Firstly, it’s opening your chakra, not your hooha—”
“Opening your hooha couldn’t hurt either,” Casey murmurs interrupting me.
I ignore her and tilt my head. “And, I guess I’m a little rattled by Mercs.”
“Ooohhh,” they all say in unison like they were expecting me to say that.
“What?” I ask and they all smile wide like they know some big secret. “Guys! What?”
Casey leans forward pursing her lips. “Word is he’s just as rattled by you. What the hell happened the other night?”
“No. I don’t think that’s right. Mercs said he wanted to forget the other night. Although, I am meeting up with him here tonight to have a chat.”
Andi rolls her eyes. “Tank thinks he really likes you, but Mercs is worried about job security.”
“Um… we sought him out. So job security? Yeah… his job is more secure than all of the crew. I guess he needs to know that, though.”
“Maybe overhearing you talking about Jett, after you guys spent a night together, is going to place doubt in any man’s mind.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I need to sort this shit out and now.”
“Go get him, girl. Get him to light up your world.” Casey breaks into a fit of laughter.
“Wow… really?” Andi asks as we all look over at Casey while she continues laughing at her own joke.
She nods frantically. “Yeah, ‘cause he’s a lighting technician—”
“Yeah, we got it. It was just really bad. Girl, your jokes are getting worse, I swear,” Andi teases with a smile. “Eff, just play it cool. Okay? Don’t go in all guns-a-blazing. His job is important to him. So think about what you guys want to do with this infatuation you seem to have with each other. Mercs is fucking good at what he does.” Her mouth sets in a hard thin line. “Remember that pact we made? That none of us would fuck around with him? We don’t want this thing you two have to ruin his place on our tour, just because you want to explore some weird ass connection you have with him,” Andi warns.
I hear her.
I don’t want to fuck this friendship up before it’s even begun either.
Let’s face it, if the tour loses Mercs because of me then that would be devastating.
Treading carefully is the way to go.
I slide out of the booth with her. “Don’t worry, Andi, I won’t fuck this up and let him leave the tour. No matter what.”
Andi purses her lips and shakes her head in disapproval.
Kristy smiles and leans in hugging me tightly. “I love you, Miss Bubbles. Go talk to your man,” Kristy states in complete opposition to Andi’s cold demeanor.
“Love you, too.” I pull back kissing her cheek and turn back to thank Andi and Casey, but they’re too busy arguing over something for me to get in the way, so I shrug knowing that argument is probably about me and Mercs, and walk off to find Alana.
She’s sitting in a booth next to Luke, deep in conversation, and as I approach I see them looking down at Luke’s cell. He’s holding it and scrolling through images while Alana leans into his side looking at them. They’re laughing, and there’s a closeness there that I hadn’t noticed before. I approach slowly, squinting to view the photographs, and I note that it’s pictures of the band from the show. Mainly of Alana while performing.
My stomach flips slightly, but I don’t say anything, just clear my throat as I stand next to them.
Alana turns to see me and smiles wide, not bothering to move away from Luke. She doesn’t shift like she’s been caught, or open her eyes wide like she’s embarrassed. Instead, she looks at me with excitement and waves her hand to welcome me. “Effa, come look. Luke captured some amazing snaps from the concert to put on our website,” she tells me, snatching his cell from his hand and raising it up to my face so I can see.
Seeing a picture of Alana, I then swipe it to notice another one of her. My muscles tense, but I swipe it again to then see one of Casey, then another of Casey, then another of Casey. I relax slightly, observing that he’s taken pictures of us all, and I happened to come in right when Alana was looking at the pictures of her. I must have been reading too much into what I thought I was seeing with her and Luke, because surely there would be nothing going on with them, right?
“Wow! These are great, Luke,” I praise and he smiles.
“I know, right. He’s so good. I was saying he should take pictures at all the concerts, and we should have a page on the website with tour snaps. What do you think?” Alana asks.
“Hey, that’s not a bad idea. Would you be willing, Luke?”
“Yeah, I could do that.”
“Cool, we’ll add it to the very long list of things you already do for us,” I tease.
“Hmm… yeah. You certainly know how to keep me busy.”
“Effa. Just the girl I wanted to see.” A deep sensual voice carries in from behind me, and I turn to see Jett stalking toward me.
Smiling, I reach out to embrace him. His tall frame wraps around me and surrounds me in heavy cologne and the stale smell of tobacco. It’s almost an overwhelming combination, and not in a good way.
I pull back as I look up at him, that mischievous smile plastered on his face, as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and looks from me down to Alana and Luke.
My eyes bug out of my head as I suddenly remember that I was meant to discuss his idea with Luke. “Oh shit, I haven’t even had a chance to ask him yet, Jett. I’m sorry.”
Jett shrugs and smiles as Luke raises a brow and shifts a little closer. “Ask me what, Effa?”
Taking a short breath, I turn to Luke and blurt it out. “I think it would be cool if we gave Swift Division another fifteen on their set. Round it to forty-five. Instead of the half hour they currently have. I know it will extend the length of the entire show, but honestly, fans pay great money to come to the gig, so why not give them a little bit extra?”
Jett squeezes me into his side, and Luke nods.
“Okay,” Luke responds just like that.
Jett chuckles, leaning in and kissing my hair.
“Okay?” I ask.
“Yes, Effa. They can have fifteen more minutes. I’m not a tyrant, the fans will love it. Plus, I’m in a good mood. So yes…” He smiles. “Jett, remember in Denver you’re not on at all, right?”
“Yes, sir. We know that’s a specialized show. But we will be ready to go with an extended set for Montana.”
“Okay then. Good. I’m all for it. Great idea, Effa,” Luke praises.
“Oh, no, it wasn—”
“Yeah, it was a brilliant idea on her behalf. She really is an amazing gal our Effa,” Jett interrupts, while pulling me with him and keeping his arm around my shoulders.
Luke and Alana smile widely as we walk away.
I look up to Jett and furrow my brows. “Why did you say that?” I ask pulling free from his grip.
“Let them think it was your idea?”
Nodding, I frown in annoyance. “Okay, are you trying to sugar me up again?”
“No. Shit! I don’t want you to think that. I just wanted them to believe it was your idea, so they don’t think I pushed you into asking for me. I did it, so I didn’t look like an idiot. I did it for me, Effa, not to butter you up. I’m sorry if that makes me an even bigger asshole than buttering you up would have done, but I’m being honest here. I like you. I want to be your friend, and I don’t ever want to lie to you or hide anything from you. So there it is, black and white, with no sugar. I did it for my own personal gain, and I’m sorry I used you. I figured if they thought it was your idea, you’d get a pat on the back, and I don’t look like the loser who went to you, instead of being pathetic about not going to Luke myself.”
“Why is everyone so fearful of Luke? He really is just a big old softy under all the bravado.”
“Really? ‘Cause all I see is a mean looking surfer dude who’s more like a circling shark.”
I snort—very unladylike—and follow it with a giggle. “Naw, he’s all right once you work him out. I’ve had four years at this, you’ve only had two months. Trust me, you’ll get there.”
“Thanks, Effa,” he beams, then wraps his arm around me once again and leans in to kiss my forehead. I smile as I wrap my arm around his waist, giving him a hug back in return.
It’s great that we get along so well, but my head isn’t in the game right now. My thoughts are focused on another man, and wondering where he is and how the hell I’m going to find him. Suddenly, a shudder runs down my spine and my breathing hitches. I look up at Jett, who’s now making eyes with the bar staff to order us some drinks. I spin in time to see Mercs staring at me.
A gasp leaves my mouth as Mercs’ eyes catch mine. We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity, but it’s only a matter of a couple of seconds before he breaks the connection. Swallowing hard, I shake my head, then look to take in what he saw.
Me, in the arms of Jett.
Fuck!
I swivel free from Jett’s grip, rolling out from under his arm and take off.
“Effa?” Jett calls out, but I don’t stop to explain why I’m leaving him high and dry. I’ll have time for that later. Right now, I have a conversation that’s needed with someone who really matters to me.
Racing over to Mercs, my heart’s pounding as he stands with Tank and Jay.
Tank spots me first. “Hey Effa. Jay and I were just leaving,” he blurts out.
Jay furrows his brows like he has no idea what the hell is going on as Tank drags him away. Mercs faces me, and my stomach flips at seeing him. He’s ridiculously good-looking, and it stops me in my tracks for a brief moment, completely distracting me. He crosses his arms over his chest and lets out a long huff. “Effa, I’m sorry about what was said the other morning. I don’t want to forget what happened. I don’t think you want to either?”
“I really don’t.”
Mercs reaches out and places his hand on my arm which sends a spark through my skin. It tingles and ignites a flame inside me that’s been missing all day. My breath catches, and I finally feel alive again. He’s reignited the fire inside of me with just a simple touch, and I gasp closing my eyes at the feeling.
“Effa, please. Let’s talk.”