Page 50 of Chasing Storm
“Thanks,” I mutter.
She scrunches up her face. “So, what’s up?”
“Nuthin’,” I lie, scuffing my shoe on the pavement as I stuff my hands into my jeans pockets. “Storm.”
“Things not going well?” she asks sympathetically.
“Things not going, full stop,” I point out.
She sighs. “Look, I promised her I would back out, but consider this a parting gift. She is going to karaoke tonight with the girls and me. You know the place?”
I nod.
“She is bummed out, so we’re treating her to a night out to forget her woes. Be there or be left behind. It’s all I’ve got for you, buddy.” She punches me on the arm, and with a nod, she crosses back over the road, leaving me a bit fuzzy in the head after two shots with no food and wondering what the hell we are going to do later.
I guess it’s time to call an emergency meeting, because timeisrunning out, and not just for my dad, but for us as well. If we don’t lock this down soon, our chance will be gone.
30
STORM
It’s nearing 7PM when the girls call for me on their way to the karaoke bar. It’s a fun night out, and I’m in serious need of some fun. I have no money to spare, but Cass said she had this, so I agreed. I know I’ll pay her back one day, but for now, I’m accepting charity because being jobless will soon mean I’m homeless.
I check myself in the mirror quickly before I leave the flat. I look good in a tight black dress with cutout sides which don’t leave a whole hell of a lot to the imagination, and high black heels. Not that I’m on the prowl, I just want to feel good about myself for a few minutes before reality crashes down around me.
The time with JP earlier has left my head and heart in an utter mess, and I don’t know what to think. I don’twantto think. I just want to drink and sing.
* * *
An hour later, slightly merry and not butchering Dancing Queen by Abba with Cassidy and our other school friend, Meredith, we blast out the lines and return to our seats to a round of applause and catcalls.
I beam, happy with my performance and let Cass lead me to the bar for more Vodka. I take my glass and walk back over to the table we are sitting at, only to find myself greeted by a stranger with a big smile.
“Hey,” he says. “Saw you up there. I’m Alfie.”
“Storm,” I say with a small smile, taking a sip of my drink and sliding my pert arse onto the high stool. He stands next to me, leaning on the table while he chats about himself. I nod and answer questions when required to, my heart not really in it when the lights go dim.
I look up at the hush and see Josh on the stage holding the mic. “This is for Storm,” he says with a sexy smile. “It’s from all of us, but the other two can’t sing for shit, so you’ll have to make do with just me.”
I swallow and look to Cassidy on my other side for help.
She doesn’t provide it.
She shrugs and giggles into her glass.
My heart pounds as the opening beat to my favourite song, ever, resounds around the hushed bar. He has the attention of every single woman, and some of the men, in the place.
He is dressed in a tight, short-sleeved black shirt and black jeans. The shirt shows off his hard body and well-defined arms. He is something to look at, that’s for sure, but when he starts to sing, I nearly fall off my stool.
“Fuck me,” I mutter as Cassidy turns to me, her eyes wide.
“Man can sing,” Cass comments, stating the fucking obvious.
He has everyone entranced with just three lines to a song sung by a woman back in 1985. How? Fuck knows, but he has pretty much bowled me over.
“Uhm,” I stammer as the bloke next to me starts getting a bit annoyed.
“Want a drink?” he asks, cutting over Josh’s singing.
