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I followed Joel’s gaze to an attractive woman with blond extensions wearing shorts and a tube top.
A slow grin crept over Pierce’s face as he shook his head. “Go dance with her, Joel,” he encouraged.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Pierce sipped his beer and gave an appreciative nod. Rylan took Joel’s seat. “If you need some space from your dad, you can crash at my place. I know you don’t like sleeping in your penthouse.”
“Thanks, Rylan. But I am sleeping in my room tonight. I am not even dropping by Mona’s. I pay rent and might as well use my room to sleep sometimes.”
“True.”
By the time Emilio handed us our drinks, La Floridita was packed. The recorded music that played the same songs came to an end. On the makeshift stage at the center of the room, the small curtains opened up. Bright blue and yellow lights glinted off of the old wooden floor. A handwritten sign on the wall that said Tainted Virtue, an indie rock and country band who had recently signed a major record deal, was taped to the wall. Everything came to a halt. I’d seen their bookmark on Beth’s night desk and immediately I’d known that she was a fan. I’d listened to their music since fans posted videos online of them singing at bars in Florida and Georgia. And last night, I’d purchased tickets to their concert at Double Dulce in Miami, an exclusive club.
Three females attempted to jump on the stage as the lead singer, Ari came on stage first, but three of the bouncers stopped them. Hollering, one female got physical with Gavin, who worked at La Floridita. Ari was six feet tall and he had fine black hair with streaks of red in it, and a multicolored shirt that was ripped in the front to look like someone put their nails through it. I didn’t know how he moved around so much with his leathers so tight, but there was no doubt that people loved it. I bet Beth’s favorite band member was him or Renner, who was not as tall and wasn’t classically attractive, which I guessed was her type because she liked me. Renner had shaggy, inky black hair and a small piercing on his eyebrow and another between his nostrils. He used to have more facial piercings when they’d first started out six years ago, but he’d kept the eyebrow and nostril ones recently. He had a loose vintage t-shirt and torn jeans.
“Hey, Pierce! You know anything about Tainted Virtue being here tonight?” Rylan asked us.
With a broad smile, Pierce shook his head “no.” His shoulders relaxed and he washed down the beer and turned around to watch. Sage, Ari’s younger sister and the drummer, came on stage last. The crowd cheered her on, including Emilio, who had generally carried himself in a relaxed manner. Sage was short like Beth, yet she had a slender spoon shape and dyed her hair a golden blond, which flattered her more than her natural black hair color would. Renner, the bass guitarist, started, and all of his hair covered most of his face, giving him the mysterious look that the girls had to love. He had on a short t-shirt like Ari, only his arms were inked up with swirls and some unique symbols that I’d never seen before. Austin, with his trademark shaved head, dressed in all black with his distinct eyeliner, emphasizing his golden brown eyes, had a toothpick in the corner of his mouth and his fingers at the ready on the electric guitar. They started the beginning of their hit song, “One Night Salvation” and everyone was eating it up. When they did their country songs Sage led with her soulful and mature voice, and Ari and Austin did the backup. Renner complemented them by playing the guitar.
Fans of Tainted Virtue were mostly divided. While most of their new songs were rock, they had a very strong country base, some of whom strongly disliked that they went from country and added some rock songs to their latest album. And they had some rock fans who didn’t think they should continue making country songs. From the interviews I’d watched Ari and Renner explained that they hated to be pigeonholed and loved both rock and country music.
“Man, this morning Beth and I listened to this song on the way to work. There’s no way I could sneak her in if I got her a ride here,” Pierce said.
“I know,” I automatically said. And it went without saying that he didn’t want to see Cassidy.
After two songs, Ari caught a bottle of water from an employee at La Floridita and chugged most of the liquid down. His mouth lifted up into a devious smile and he scanned the crowd with his midnight-blue eyes. Complying with the shouts to take his shirt off, he tore the shirt in the front, wiped off his sweat, and threw it into the crowd. One girl ripped the shirt in half, kept one piece, and flung other to the opposite side of the room.
“Although I’ve lived in Georgia most of my life,” Ari started in his low voice, “Sage and I haven’t forgotten where we were born. Where my family’s been for generations.”
“Ari, baby!” some girl yelled.
Nodding, Ari’s smile widened. “So we called Emilio yesterday. Asked him if we could do a show where we first started, La Floridita, when other places wouldn’t give us the time of day. And we dedicate our last song to you all.”
***
The band signed some autographs and took a few pictures before they had to leave through a back exit because the front was mobbed with aggressive fans. When we made our way to back to the counter, Emilio put our drinks on the counter.
“That was just what I needed,” Pierce said.
Emilio gestured in agreement. “I promised Ari I wouldn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure if they’d make it here or not.”
Eyeing me curiously, Pierce dropped some cash on the counter and thanked Emilio for making his night better.
After Joel gulped down the cold beer Emilio had put on the counter for him, he rubbed his chin. “What’re you doing this weekend, Pierce?” he asked casually.
“I am laying low after work on Friday. I just work six hours this Saturday and then I am free.”
Rylan tapped my chest. “You?”
“It’s a surprise for Beth, but I am taking her to the Tainted Virtue concert in Miami on Saturday.”
Pierce squared his shoulders. “Is that right?”
***
Joel finished his beer and we talked with Gavin for a little bit at the door. Well, mostly Rylan and Gavin spoke. I didn’t need Pierce to tell me to wait up for him when I’d parked my car in the garage and he hadn’t. Pierce carried two folding chairs for us to sit on. He unfolded his chair and I did the same. He unbuttoned his shirt and threw it behind his chair. He was in his white wife-beater, his blond hair damp like mine from dancing at La Floridita.
“I’ve been holding off on the girls,” I started. “But I like Beth.”
