“Don’t worry about it. Look, Cal will be okay. She has Scottie and Angie to keep an eye on her.”
“Yeah, talking of which, you never told me what happened with Angie. What went on with you two? I thought you liked her, but Cal said you dropped her like a tonne of bricks.”
He huffs out a long slow breath through his puffed cheeks. “Angie, yeah. She has magical powers man. Hooked me right in from the minute I saw her but… I don’t know. It wasn’t the right time.”
“When is the right time?” I ask knowing he doesn’t have the answer.
“There never is one. You just got to fight for your girl, keep things going.”
“But you weren’t prepared to do the same?”
“I’m not that kind, Ash. You are.”
“Wow, way to get out of awkward questioning,” I laugh.
He sits with one leg over his knee, his head flopping against the window. “No man. Not getting out of anything. I know myself, that’s all. I’m too easily distracted to be faithful. I love women. All kinds of women which is why I want to taste as many as I can, while I’m young and pretty enough.”
I choke out a laugh. “So, you think I’m a sap for hanging in there with Cal?”
He shakes his head no. “What you two have is far too deep for you to fuck up. She’s got it in her to wait for you, and you’ve got it in you to keep the faith.”
“Wise words Tom, but not words to live by?”
“Not for me.”
When we arrive at The Park Side Restaurant in Queens, we receive a warm welcome from the staff who couldn’t do enough for us. The owners insisted on getting a photo with us to add to their wall of fame. When I tried to tell them, nobody knew who we were, one of them joked it was their insurance policy, in case we made it.
I was glad Bernie brought us here. It had a real homely atmosphere and was brimming over with warmth. Bernie was right when he said it was the best Italian food in New York. I didn’t get my burger, but the steak was fucking awesome, and the pasta tasted unreal. The beer was flowing pretty freely too, and I drained one bottle after the other. By the time we left, I was more than chilled, and when the guys suggested another bar, I was on board.
It’s sometime later when we reach a club downtown.Max, Brett and Bernie get out of the car behind and join us at the entrance. Dani has already gone inside to organise us a booth in the VIP area. I notice a few heads turn when we enter the place. I doubt it’s in recognition of who we are, maybe more to do with the limos and a few flashing lights from the camera’s outside.
This place is bloody beautiful. Lots of wood and leather make up the interior, and every wall has black and white photos of rock heroes in all their glory. It reminds me a little of The Dunbar back home. Maybe, this is where Bernie got the idea from.
We weave our way through the crowded bar and a few patrons hold up their hands to give us a high five as we pass. Apart from a guy I recognise from a news channel here, I have no idea who these people are, but they seem to know us. I get a few congratulations as we make our way to where Dani is waiting; I don’t know why. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve been working our arses off and even had a few fans waiting outside the hotel. Still, the congratulations are going over my head right now.
“What a welcome,” Max says to Dani, who is already waiting with a champagne bucket at our booth.
“What’s happening, Bern?” Brett asks. “Is your publicity machine finally kicking in?”
He has this knowing smirk on his face. “I’ve made it my business to get your faces everywhere, and it’s paying off. I’ve got you a spot on the Ade Miller Tonight show.”
My stomach drops with a good feeling. “No way,” my voice cracks with its eagerness to break free.
“No joke Ash. I got the news about 30 minutes ago.”
“This is unreal. We’re complete unknowns.” The laughter in Brett’s voice displays his disbelief.
Bernie’s smile is so wide when he says, “Not so muchanymore. With the release of the single, you’ve been getting plenty of airplay, and you’ll be getting a lot more attention from now on so get used to it.”
“This might be the last night in a while where you have an ounce of freedom. Enjoy it while you can.” Dani adds with a tone I don’t trust.
We start off with Champagne, but it’s not a drink I can stomach for long, so I have a few beers before getting on the Jack Daniels. Now I’m getting a buzz that’s been missing for a while. I’m enjoying banter with the boys, despite Max finding some random woman at the bar and pawing her freely.
Before long, Tommy has a blonde draped over him and Brett has a woman on each side. I’m okay with it at first as I’m deep in conversation with Bernie. We have similar musical tastes and chat about some of the greats such as The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. This leads to an interesting story about a party he attended with John Lennon at Mick Jagger’s house. Bernie really is a man who has seen it all.
After a little while, Bernie calls it a night. “I’ll leave you to enjoy the fruits of your labour. The album is finished, the single is climbing its way up the charts, and you’ve worked hard. Don’t be afraid of enjoying yourself tonight, Ash. I mean, it’s not as if the others aren’t going for it,” Bernie says.
I look around the bar at my friends draped in the opposite sex. “You know me, Bern. There’s only one girl I’m interested in, and she’s across the pond. But I’ll carry on enjoying your hospitality if that’s okay?” I raise my glass of neat Jack towards him.
