Page 40 of Play Me

“What about it?”

“You wouldn’t leave us hanging. What if no one shows up?”

“Then I’ll never let you hear the end of it.”

“But you gotta be there to witness our failure.”

The phone dings again before I can answer.

“Please”

And again.

“It won’t be the same without you.”

I can’t help but press the phone to my chest for a moment. Touched by his words. I stop one step short of squealing like one of my teenage students.

“Fine. Can I bring Sarah?”

“That nutso, sure.”

“Then OK. I’ll be there.”

“I’ll be waiting. See you soon, Mary.”

This time I don’t bite back the little squeal.

***

“Fuck, they are good.” Sarah turns to me, and we’re both sweating in this overheated club and from dancing to the band. The guys have just finished a forty-minute set, ending on a roof-raising version of AD/DC’s “TNT”. Patrick, the club owner, has saved us two booths on the side and we’re waiting for the band to join us.

“I’m just going to go to the little girls’ room, do you want to come with me?” Sarah asks.

“No, I’ll stay here with our stuff. You’ll be OK?” Knowing full well in a club, it’s not Sarah who needs to watch out.

“I’ll be fine, won’t be a bit. Order me another vodka tonic?”

I nod and watch as she walks through the crowd, always in awe of how confident she is. Maybe being loved unconditionally by an adoring husband gives you that confidence. And maybe having ex-lovers who are determined to destroy you leads people to be more like me. I shake my head to get rid of the dark thoughts and smile when I see Marius wave to me over the bobbing, dancing heads on the dance floor as the band makes it over to the booth.

“How were we?” he asks as soon as he slips into the booth next to me.

“How were you what?” I pretend not to understand.

“The show!” He glares at me.

“Oh! I don’t know, I took a nap...” I make a nonchalant face.

“Bitch!” Marius pinches my arm and I grin at him. “Where’s your friend?”

“She’s gone to the bathroom.” I explain.

“And you didn’t go with her?!? Don’t you go in herds? Your girl membership card needs to be revoked!” Brad jokes.

I dip my fingers into my drink and flick them at the boys, who howl in protest.

Sebastian slides into the empty spot next to me, and leans in, yelling to be heard over the music. “How we were really?”

Even over the din I can hear the genuine interest in my opinion in his voice. “You guys were great. Really solid. The new stuff is dynamite,” I smile at him.