Page 63 of Served
There were no open tables, and the dance floor was packed. I stood watching and listening to the all-male rock band. They were playing original music, but it was pretty good. And they had a good aesthetic. Even though I played for the home team, as an artist, I could appreciate a purposeful look to match their genre. I was checking out their attire, as it seemed to be more than standard cheap jeans and t-shirts. Someone took time to curate this look and I was here for it. As I was scanning the men in the band, I noticed a woman standing off to the side of the stage and felt my mouth fall slightly open.
Not a college student, and not a regular here. She was also horribly overdressed for this place. She wasn’t quite as curvy as Luce, but a little more filled out than me, in all the right places. She had on a red pant suit that hugged her body with a black shirt underneath and black come-fuck-me heels. My favorite. Her hair looked like black silk as the stage lights bounced off it. She was too far away, and the lighting made it hard to tell, but her eyes were very light. Light eyes and dark hair. Like kryptonite.
Her lips matched her suit, but otherwise, she wore very little makeup from what I could tell. Though, she didn’t need it. She was looking up at the band, but not smiling, more like observing, while regularly looking at her phone. She wasn’t a groupie, and not someone who stumbled in here accidently. She must be with the band.
My suspicion seemed correct once the band took a short break and the lead singer went to the edge of the stage to speak to her. The body language wasn’t sexual, but professional, as was her demeanor. After speaking briefly, he returned to the stage and the music started again. She started moving to the bar.
I didn’t ever find dates here, but was it really anything to simply walk to the bar and try to gauge her response to men versus women? She was probably straight, but what’s the harm in checking?
I casually pushed my way back through the crowd and knocked back the rest of the beer so I could order a new one at the bar. I was still a few feet away when I saw the lady in red shaking hands with Luce. Of course, that made sense. Lucy was the one who invited the bands, and this woman was clearly associated with them. Still, a strange sensation washed over me. My heart was beating a little faster, my free hand growing clammy. I shook it to get the sweatiness to subside before I got to the bar, because Lucy saw me coming and would surely introduce me to this beauty.
Lucy was standing as I approached the bar and I saw her motion for Jaz. Once I made it to the bar, Jaz was already pushing a fresh Blue Moon to me. I leaned between Lucy and the lady in red to swap my empty bottle for a new one. I made sure to put my back to Luce to look at red lady’s reaction from the corner of my eye. She seemed to acknowledge me as her eyes did look me over, but I couldn’t read any sort of emotion on her face.Straight…damn.
Lucy put her hand to my back and then spoke loudly as she leaned in toward both of us, “Hey, this is my Amy, she’s the artist friend I told you about. Amy, meet Val.”
The beautiful lady smiled politely and extended her hand out to me, so I shook it. Professional, firm grip, but soft hands. A slight tingle formed in my hand, but I didn’t allow myself to get too excited. She was stunning, but no use in torturing myself over someone I couldn’t have.
“Nice to meet you. So, are you with the band?” I asked as our hands broke free.
“I’m their manager, but I represent other clients as well,” she replied with a slight accent. It was subtle, but sexy as hell.
“I hope I don’t offend you, but do I detect an accent?” I had to know.
“I’m Brazilian. My parents are from there. I was born here, but English is their second language. I learned it quickly, but being raised speaking Portuguese, you typically don’t sound ‘American,’ I suppose.”
“So, is Val short for something?”
She took a sip from a mixed drink, maybe cran and vodka, before answering me, “Valentina.”
Lucy chimed in, “Isn’t that so beautiful? I’d make people call me that!”
Valentina grinned and gently nodded. “Well, I appreciate that. But it’s lengthy. Many people have nicknames. Didn’t I hear your fiancé call you Luce instead of Lucy?”
Lucy nodded and replied, “Yep, everyone really calls me Luce. But we call Amy Amy and Jason is Jason. So, who knows! Guess it’s preference.”
The conversation felt forced. Valentina was being polite but didn’t seem comfortable. Eventually, she put her drink on the bar and leaned in front of me to place her hand on Lucy’s shoulder. She had her face to me, but she didn’t have much of a choice because of how I was standing and where Lucy was sitting. Still, I couldn’t help but pretend she arched her back to push her chest toward me. The black shirt she had on under the suit was buttoned almost to the top but could have been painted on, it was so tight, and I caught a faint smell of her. I detected jasmine, and maybe a hint of vanilla. It was enchanting.
“It was nice speaking with you again, but I really should get back to the band. If I don’t see you again later, thank you again for the invite on behalf of the band.” Valentina was still leaning in front of me as she spoke.
“Oh, anytime, this crowd is fantastic! If you want to do another open stage night, shoot me an email and I’ll make space for them! They’re great!” Lucy was beaming. It was the most crowded I had ever seen this place, and Lucy did it.
Valentina walked away and started to push her way through the crowd, but not before I turned to watch her. The pants hugged her perfectly. There was no shortage of ass on that woman. The blazer was a shorter cut and sat perfectly on the top of the roundness, showing the stark contrast of her small waist to her round hips. I could even see her perfectly proportioned thighs under those tight red pants. Not thick in the way people think thick nowadays, but not thin. Perfect size for earmuffs.Enough, Amy.
It was highly unlikely that woman was gay. I needed to stop. In fact, I needed to get out of here. My fancy had been tickled and I needed it stroked.
“Hey, Luce, I’m taking off. Gotta get to The Lounge,” I said, leaning into her ear so she could hear me over the music and crowd. “Congrats on tonight, you did good!”
Lucy jumped off her stool again and gave me a huge squeeze. I saw Jason walk over as I was pulling away.
“You leaving already? It’s early for The Lounge, isn’t it?” he asked.
“Well, it’s very peoply in here, and not my kinda people. But congrats to you, too. Nice crowd tonight. I’ll catch y’all tomorrow.” I nodded to Jason and turned to leave.
It was still hot as hell outside, even though it was nine at night. And it was humid. Georgia summers. The Lounge was on the other side of town, far from my apartment and the club. I checked the time, and a bus was running soon. I quickly walked up the street to the bus stop and made it, just as it was pulling up. Not very luxurious, but air-conditioned and much cheaper than a ride share. The bus made it to the stop the block down from The Lounge, so I hopped off and walked to my spot.
The Lounge was a little more upscale than the club, but not fancy and no dress code. Softer lighting, more updated décor, and no live music. Just a mix of pop and dance music. The drinks were a little pricier, but it was also the unofficial gay bar in town. Some straight people came, but usually, with friends. Lucy used to come with me when we were in college, but it was a more mixed crowd back then. It was not near my old job, my apartment, and the people here didn’t go to the club.
I enjoyed my space and never had a relationship after college. And that one was a disaster. Women can be so clingy and annoying. I didn’t need anyone stalking me. Although, I often ran into ladies here that I already had my fun with. There had been a few times where drinks were tossed at me, as well as a few choice words, but generally, they would leave after giving me a death stare for a few minutes. I had a reputation here and I didn’t mind. In fact, I liked it that way. The ones who got attached had no excuse. I was upfront with my expectations, or lack thereof, and the warnings about me were sprinkled around this place like Frank’s Hot Sauce. But some misguided souls always thought they could change me. The thing was, I didn’t think I needed to change.
