Page 25 of The Leaves In Autumn
Van opens the door and scoots over to make room for our final passenger. Shit. Didn’t think it out. I turn to Layla and send a message minus the words. I knew she would get it and be willing without making any big deal. She takes control.
“Van, make room, I’m coming over.”
There was no hope of fooling anyone, but I won’t make eye contact to confirm their take. I am just happy Teddy isn’t filming. Barbra climbs in and heads for the empty seat next to me. She grabs the back of the dress making sure her ass is not on display. I would like to flutter that ruffle with both hands and have one more look at that peach.
“I’m so excited! Hello people!”
“Barbra’s in the house!”
Taking the seat, she turns her face to me, wearing the look of a woman who knows an impression has been made. I don’t hate confidence that is well placed. Hers is. Her head cocks and a booted foot taps.
“I’m waiting.” The singsong delivery lands.
“Very nice. Very nice. Like the boots.”
This is the first time in the history of Lyon family get-togethers that they aren’t all weighing in. Offering their opinions. Silence has descended in the limo. They are more interested in watching the show.
“Man! This would have been gold,” Teddy whines.
“Got that right,” Tyler agrees.
“Somebody toss me one of those beers!” Barbra calls. “We only have two hours to loosen up.”
It is as if the freeze frame of a film resumes its normal speed. Suddenly everyone has something to say and the attention shifts. Tyler and Teddy start talking about the girl they saw at some restaurant. Nobel fills Layla and Van in on where we and the other guests will be sitting. Sam fiddles with the music.
Barbra and I have not moved on at all. She looks me up and down and does not try to hide it. It brings out her dimple and a beautiful smile. What a great mouth. Never noticed the freckle above her lip.
“Like this whole thing,” she says, moving a hand up and down the length of me. “You have a great body for clothes.”
For a second she looks panicked. Like she would not want me to misconstrue the words. So I don’t.
“Thanks. Thought I’d represent my favorite band.”
Liar. Why did I say that? If she calls me on it, I am fucked. And my pretense at having casually thrown something together sounds weak. Teddy knows the truth. He listens without looking at us. I picture a gigantic ear picking up all the nuances of the conversation he is dropping in on, while pretending to look out the window.
My self-appointed stylist. Thought I was good at the clothes thing. My interest has slipped just a little lately. Like five or six years lately. Funny. He loves clothes like I used to. Preening may be genetic.
It took a half hour to figure out what wouldn’t make me, in his opinion, look dated. Or worse yet, that I was trying too hard to be cool. With the young, that sin will send you straight to hell. These black jeans and the AC/DC vintage T-shirt, pulled from his still unpacked suitcase was the best we could do. She likes it. Guess the kid knows what he is talking about.
CHAPTER 8
Barbra
Brick Breeden Fieldhouse looks surprisingly small. And that name. It suits a wing of a botany center better than a venue for rockstars. According to Nobel the last tour played to huge houses. Here there is only ten or twelve thousand seats. But because Montana State University was Dove and the band’s first big gig, they come back each year to acknowledge its place in their beginnings. Nice touch.
Huge banners with the faces of the band members are positioned across the width and depth of the room. Dove figures prominently, but the guys are not shortchanged in the least. They are stars, drawing the fans too. Each visage is the bass guitarist’s artistic handiwork. He has captured the heart of each musician.
For Dove, her beauty aligns with the talent. She is a golden girl that has captured fans worldwide. Her banner highlights her expressive eyes mid song, which I have seen referred to in countless articles. She is the Lyon’s resident psychic. I have heard unbelievable stories from Aargon.
ZZ’s expression is caught grimacing as he beats the drums. Jimmy captured his own soul somehow, it’s all in the eyes. Tony wears that sexy on the hunt look he gets with womenand menin the audience that he finds attractive. Oscar is all internal, shy and happily lost in a musical moment. The Montana logo stretches across each wall.
Here, with the stage in the middle, every view is a good one. But not one compares to ours.
“Let me have that end seat, okay?” Teddy says, pushing his way forward. “It’ll be the best place to get a good shot.”
We are in pole position. The private small section that is part of the stage, makes us the fortunate few. Right behind us I see the other bridal shower invitees. Across the stage Aurora and Gaston sit like royalty behind the curtain. She gives a Queen’s wave to our group and Gaston joins her. So awesome! I feel like a VIP. Tonight, I could genuinely claim the title.
The bottled energy coming from the packed audience as they wait is striking. Many are standing. The scene makes me think of a caged lion about to be released from its enclosure. It is palpable. The air is electric. Excitement, alcohol, and whatever other pleasures have been consumed, are evident. It’s a party in the USA.
