Chapter Sixteen
“Don’t wait up,” I call into the sitting room after I see Guy pulling up in his car at the bottom of our drive. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?” Dad asks, looking up from reading his newspaper.
“I told you earlier. There’s a local band playing at McGinty’s. We’re all going from school.”
I’m really looking forward to tonight. I haven’t seen a live band in ages. And Guy’s been raving about Twice Bitten ever since I met him. His father’s best friend manages them. Which is how come we got free tickets. According to Guy they’re on the brink of making it big. Just about to sign a recording contract.
“Do you want me to pick you up?” I don’t think so. He means well, but really.
“No thanks, Dad. Guy will bring me home.”
“Well, make sure he doesn’t drink. And if he does phone and I’ll come and get you.”
“Dad. This is Guy we’re talking about. He won’t drink and drive. Anyway, no-one will be drinking they’re really strict at McGinty’s and always check ids.”
“Good.” He returns his gaze to the paper. “Have fun. And don’t be too late.” He suddenly looks up again. “Does your Mom know where you’re going?”
What is it with the twenty questions? I thought we’d moved on from that. I’m only going out with my friends. And I’m going to behave myself. Surely he realizes I’m different now?
“I told her yesterday.” My tone is decidedly sullen and a frown flies across his face. Uh oh. I think I might have overstepped the mark. He’s normally fairly placid, leaves most things for Mom to deal with. Every now and then, though—
“Suzanne.” Told you. He never calls me Suzanne unless he’s getting cross. “I hardly think asking whether your mother knows what you are doing warrants that sort of tone. We’re only concerned about you. Is that such a problem?”
“No. Of course not. I’m sorry Dad.” I go over and give him a hug, which usually does the trick. “Mom’s okay about it. She knows what I’m doing and who I’m with. Don’t worry.” I kiss him on the cheek then walk back toward the door.
“Try telling your mother that,” he mutters, more to himself than me, I think.
Whatever, I can’t hang around or Guy will get cross. He hates bad timekeeping with a passion. I slam the front door behind me and race down the drive. Well, not race exactly as I’m wearing a pair of black heels that are totally crippling me. Not sure how I’m going to dance. I suppose I could always take them off.
***
“Hey,” I say to Lori when we get into McGinty’s.
She’s managed to grab one of the big tables at the back, which is great as it means we have a fab view of the whole place. I slide along the bench and sit next to her.
“Hi,” she says. “Don’t look now but guess who’s at the bar.” My head swings around before I have time to check it. George. I wonder if I can do something tonight?
“Suzy,” Lori shouts—so loudly I spin back in double quick time. “I said don’t look. He’ll know we’re talking about him now.”
“Don’t worry. He didn’t see me. And why would he know? It’s not like he suspects we’re up to anything.” Yet.
“Drink, girls?” Guy asks on his return from chatting with the band’s manager. “Mark will get them for us.”
“Beer for me please,” I say. “Lori?”
“Same. No, make that lemonade. I said I’d share the driving to Mom’s friend’s house tomorrow morning. Mom will freak if she smells beer on me when I get in, and give me one of her you-shouldn’t-be drinking-lectures ending with alcohol-stays-in-the-system-for-over-twelve-hours. Even if I do have only one.” And I thought sometimes I had it bad.
“Have a Vodka-ice. Vodka is smell proof.”
“Is it? I didn’t know.” She pauses a moment. “No. I better not.”
I glance away from Lori and scan the place. McGinty’s is so cool. It’s part of a chain of restaurant bars. This one reminds me of the one Maddie and I used to go to in Dallas, only it’s smaller. But they have the same muted lighting and décor. There’s a small stage at the side near the back door where the band is setting up. Four guys who look decidedly ordinary. Can’t say there’s a hot one amongst them.
“What do you think of the band?” I ask Lori, nodding toward the stage. “Have you seen them before?”
“They’re okay. They played at Guy’s birthday party last year.”
“That would be so amazing once they’re famous to say they played at your house.” I am suitably impressed. If I’m still going with Guy maybe they’ll play at my eighteenth. Hey, maybe Guy will let me use his house for the party.
“If they become famous.” Lori laughs. “Guy’s told you about the recording contract, I take it?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“They’ve been on the verge of signing one for two years. I think it’s wishful thinking on Guy’s part. He was probably trying to impress you.” Well it worked. I’m so gullible.
“Surely they can’t be that bad if they’re playing here. Look at the place it’s packed. They must have a lot of fans.”
“They have, locally. And really they’re not that bad. Anyway, looks like you won’t have to wait much longer. They’re just about to start. Want to go down to the stage.”
“Sure.” We scramble out from the table and head toward the stage, along with most other people here by the looks of things.
We manage to find a space slightly to the left of the stage which gives us a great view. You know what, they’re not bad. Not sure whether they’re going to be as huge as Guy thinks, but I’m no expert. The drummer’s amazing that’s for sure. I’ve always fancied learning the drums, but Mom wouldn’t let me. I think the couple of years Rosie learned the violin put her off musical instruments forever. I’m not saying Rosie was bad, but in the end Mom made her practice in the garden shed. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when she decided to have tennis lessons instead. Mom even bought a net for the yard.
“Come with me to the bathroom,” Lori says while the band are taking a break.
I agree and follow as she wends her way through the crowds. When we finally get there the line is huge. I hope she’s not desperate.
“I’ll wait out here for you.” I say.
There’s a red leather sofa close by so I drop down onto it. My feet are hurting so much I’m tempted to take off my shoes, except if I do I’ll never get them back on again. I haven’t seen Guy in ages. I wonder what he’s doing? Probably chatting with the band. I’ll find him once Lori comes back.
“Suzy, hi.” I glance up and am faced with George.
George.
“Hey, George. I didn’t know you were here. What do you reckon to the band? Who are you with? Want to sit down?” Whoa, Suzy. Slow down. Play it cool. This is your opportunity. Don’t screw it up.
He grins, a sort of cheeky grin. If I wasn’t with Guy and I didn’t know Lori liked him I’d be tempted myself. He’s a real cutie.
“Thanks.” He flops down on the sofa and sticks his legs out, crossing them at the ankle. He seems relaxed enough. Let’s go for it.
“I’m waiting for Lori. She’s in there.” I nod toward the line by the bathroom.
“Yes, I know. I saw you earlier.” Did he? That’s promising. At least he’s still noticing her.
He stares sort of vacantly in the direction of the door.
“Great band, huh?” I wait for an answer but none is forthcoming. His eyes remain fixed on the bathroom. “George?”
“Sorry. What did you say?” He turns his head and looks at me. Definitely cute. His eyes are such an unusual green color.
“It’s okay. I was just saying how good the band are.”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“I guess you were thinking of Lori.” It’s so sweet because a little pink dot appears on each of his cheeks. “You still like her, don’t you?”
“Yeah, sort of. But she’s not interested. Because of that f*cking club.” A shocked expression crosses his face. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. I say much worse myself.”
“You do? You’re not like Lori then. She hates me cursing.” Yes, that is something I need to work on. Not that I curse much in front of Lori and the others. I mainly save it for Maddie.
“Anyway, back to whether Lori’s interested. Between you and me, she is.” Got to let him think Lori doesn’t know what I’m doing, in case he thinks it’s a set up. Mind you, she doesn’t know what I’m doing. So it’s not a lie.
“Are you sure?” I nod my head. “But she was the one to finish it.”
“Yes, and I think she regrets it.”
“But what about the club? I’m not joining. No way.”
“Hey. It’s not so bad” I can’t believe I’m saying this. “Why don’t you try it? And no-one is twisting your arm to stick rigidly to the handbook.”
“Handbook?” He frowns.
Shit. Why did I mention that? Arrggh. I could kick myself.
“It’s just there for support. Nothing to worry about.” I wave my hand dismissively.
“I don’t know. That Jamie. He’s such a dick.”
“You can say that again. Only say it to me and not Lori because she thinks he’s way cool.”
“Why do you go? Sounds like you’re not that into it.”
“Yeah, well. I agree with some of it. And Guy goes. And—”
“Suzy.” Phew. Saved by the Lori. “Hi George.”
I move along the sofa so there’s a space between George and me. “Sit down for a minute.” I pat the seat and Lori looks from me to George and then gingerly sits down, smoothing her skirt under her legs. You know, some girls are just born feminine. Others of us—well—
“Hey, Lori,” George says. “How’s it going?”
“Good, thanks.”
“Listen, you two. I better get back to see Guy before he sends out a search party.” I jump up and once I’ve walked past George I turn and wink over his head so only Lori can see. She stifles a giggle by turning it into a cough. I guess that’s my good deed done for the day.
***
I find Guy sitting all alone at our table. When he sees me a huge smile crosses his face. Awww. He’s so sweet. I shuffle my butt along the bench until I’m sitting next to him and our thighs are touching.
Both his arms are resting on the table and I put my hand on top of one of his. He moves his head in closer. I think he’s going to kiss me. I tilt my head up slightly and my eyes are beginning to close when suddenly he jerks his hand out from under mine and he jumps away from me.
“No, Suzy. We mustn’t. We’ll regret it.” He shakes himself as though he’s trying to get rid of something disgusting.
“Guy, we haven’t done anything. I hardly think a kiss is going to send us down the path of ruin.” This is seriously driving me crazy.
“Maybe, not this time. But each time we start something we’ll go further and further. The handbook is right.”
Screw the freakin’ handbook.