Anything helped to take my mind off the anxiety I was feeling.
Mallory was a help as well, even though she wasn’t aware. She kept me on task with a couple meetings I wasn’t completely prepared for. She provided me with the necessary notes to get through them without looking like a total failure.
When the workday finally ended, I couldn’t get out of there quick enough.
“Ya ready?” I asked Maryellen.
“I am.”
As she shut down her computer, I grabbed her bag to speed things along.
“Where you guys off to tonight?”
When I heard Gage’s question, I dropped my head in frustration. This was what I’d been trying to avoid.
“Harper said you couldn’t make it over for dinner.”
Maryellen gave me a quick side glance, then touched my hand as she joined me standing next to her desk.
“We have plans with Evie at her gallery,” she said. “But I can’t wait for the next invite. This is going to be fun with the four of us.”
I grasped her hand, gently tugging on her finger as a show of thanks. She was smooth with her little white lie for me.
“Maybe next weekend, have a good time,” Gage said as he entered his office and closed the door.
Dragging her down the hall, we jumped on the elevator to avoid any more delays.
“That’s a bit scary how easy you lied to him, and so believable.” I pulled her into my arms, thankful for the privacy to be able to feel her body against mine. We made sure to keep it professional while at the office.
“I hated lying to him, I really did. It was for you, though.” She clasped her hands around my neck and looked up at me with a bright smile. “Anything to make this night perfect for you.”
My lips landed on hers just as the doors opened to the first floor. The lobby was crowded with people from every other company that worked in the building; no one down here paid any attention to us.
“C’mon, Tommy’s waiting for us out front. I want you to come to my place and we’ll head to Iggy’s together.”
That was when I felt the bag in my hand. Mare’s overnight bag I was carrying for her.
“Yeah, damn, forgot we already decided you’re staying at my place.”
She grabbed my hand and laughed. “That’s OK. You’re excited, and that makes me even more excited for you.”
Iggy’s was packed. Mare and I weaved our way through the crowd the best we could, being careful with my guitar as we did. My pulse ratcheted up a notch knowing I’d be up on that stage soon singing for all these people.
Singing my own shit.
“Chase!” Jerry was a sight for sore eyes. He was always smiling and in a good mood. “Hey, man, you ready for this?”
“I don’t know, there’s a shit ton of people here.”
He cackled. He literally cackled. “Yeah, word got out you were playing tonight.”
My stomach dropped. Maryellen squeezed my hand, and I felt her excitement.
“Jerry, do you remember my girlfriend Maryellen?”
He took his cap off as he bowed in her direction. “What are you doing with this bozo? You’re too pretty for him.” He moved over to the side of his stand and pulled her behind him. “I have the perfect seat for you, my darling. Away from this craziness, and right up close to the action.”
She smiled at him, then me, as she walked toward her guest of honor seat.
