"Hey, Elaine! Can you grab some stock from the back? We're running low up here." I looked at my flustered Aunt and nodded before running to the stock room. Saturdays were always busy, but this one was busier than most. The bar swarmed with unfamiliar faces that seemed to know this bar inside and out, meaning they had definitely been here in the past. Probably long before I arrived one year ago.
Once I grabbed a crate and filled it to the brim with shiny new liquor bottles, I made my way toward the bar once more. Sitting in front of my Aunt was a handsome man in a brown leather jacket. He seemed to be chatting her up, which was only confirmed when I saw her ring the bell at the back of the bar. Everyone knew the rules: disrespect a lady, buy everyone a beer. The dozens of civilians and aviators erupted in cheers at the free round. But the poor man who had to pay didn't seem to mind at all. He just stared at my beautiful Aunt, mesmerized by her.
"Don't tease the poor man, Penny. You'll break his heart." I say with a giggle as I hand her the bottles. She scoffs, "I can't possibly break his heart as much as he's broken mine, Dove." I scrunch my nose at the nickname. She has called me that ever since I was a baby. And now that I was in California she made a point to get everyone I meet to call me that. I stare at the man a moment before it clicks in my head as to who he was. "So you're the famous Maverick?" He finally stops looking at Penny to give me a once over. "I see she's mentioned me. And who might you be?" He smiles holding out his hand. I grab it gently and shake, "Elaine Moore. Penny is my Aunt." He raises his eyebrows in intrigue as he releases my hand. "I didn't know Jillian had a kid. Nice to meet you, Elaine. Or should I call you Dove?" At the mention of my mothers name all the air leaves my lungs. It's like a punch to the gut. My hands start to shake as my eyes find the floor, searching for something to distract me from the pain in my chest. Still looking at the floor I manage to mumble, "Um... Elaine is fine. Sorry, uh... please excuse me."
I finish the sentence as i'm already walking away. My eyes were glued to the floor, taking notice of my heavy yet swift footsteps headed toward the front door. And before I can stop myself, the door swings open almost hitting me in the face. I jump back, startled and lightheaded from the surprise attack. "Woah! Sorry there, Darlin'." A smooth and deep voice says, sending shivers down my spine. Too distracted to even look up, I step past him out the door pausing to say a quick "Excuse me." before walking away.
My feet carry me to the edge of the beach, just listening to the waves crashing on the shore. The ocean was a lot like my forest. The sound of waves and the salt laced air overtake my senses yet, I still can't feel them. No matter how hard I have tried, I still can't feel the music. God, I am pathetic. I can't even hear her name without freaking out. But damnit, I just can't seem to let her go. After a few minutes and deep breaths, I feel calm enough to go back inside.
Before I enter I notice that Maverick is no longer sitting at the bar. I sigh in relief, not wanting to face him after my outburst. Just as I open the door I hear the music from the jukebox come to a halt, along with the cries from the crowd. I look around the bar trying to figure out what was going on. But before I can even think about it, a man sits himself at the piano in the middle of the room.
The only way to describe him was glowing. He radiated under the gaze of all the annoyed patrons. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and jeans yet I could still tell he was Navy. With a pair aviators on and a smirk on his face his fingers slam the piano sending a jolt of electricity through my body. "You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain. Too much love drives a man insane." As he sings, tingles arise in my chest. And that almost forgotten feeling of butterflies in my stomach leaves me breathless. My eyes widen, still staring at him. My senses sharpen as his skilled hands play the piano like the world depends on it. His charismatic charm fills the room as all the bar goers shout the song in unison.
And then I realize, for the first time since my mothers death; I feel the music. It enters every single pore and breaks through the iron clad barrier that was once holding my heart hostage. My eyes flutter closed, taking hold of the feeling in the hopes it will never escape my grasp again. My conscience sings the song in excitement as the man continues his unintentional serenade. He doesn't even know what he has ignited in me. Yet, I feel like he has already accepted my silent gratitude.
As the song comes to a close, the crowd erupts into cheers. I open my eyes and stare at the man who without knowing, filled my heart with music for the first time in a very very long time. And at the same time he turns his head in my direction. His aviators had fallen down his prominent nose, revealing his eyes. He looks around before his eyes meet mine, making my heart stop. Atop his wide grin sits a mustache that makes my chest buzz with attraction. I had to admit, he was very handsome. I furrow my eyebrows before practically sprinting to the bar. Trying to get rid of the fluttering inside my stomach, I start hastily taking orders. My mind races with thoughts as I make several drinks. Thoughts of the man at the piano overtake me. His smile, his eyes, and his music fully entrancing me even though he was no longer playing.
It felt like only minutes had gone by, but as I look at the clock I realize it has already been two hours.
"Hey, Darlin'. Mind if I get another beer?" I turn to greet the man before pausing as I notice who it was. His smile was even brighter up close. With his aviators now resting atop his head, I get a full view of his face. I swallow hard before looking down at the floor, trying to hide my red cheeks. I turn and grab a beer from the cooler before popping the lid off with my beer opener. "Uh here you go." Handing it to him with a shy smile. He opens his mouth to say something but before he can, Jenny shouts at me from across the bar. "Dove! Can you pass me some grenadine?" I sigh, "Aye Aye captain!" I hurriedly grab the bottle of red syrup before making my way to Jenny, handing it to her. She gives me an appreciative smile before she resumes making her drinks. I walk back to my section and notice that the man is still there, looking at me. I look away from him, hoping that someone else at the bar needs something so I don't have to awkwardly stand there. Unfortunately it looks like everyone already has a drink in their hands. To keep myself busy I turn to the sink, which happens to be right in front of the man, and start washing some empty glasses.
"Dove, right? I've never seen you here before. I'm Rooster." He says with a goofy smile. I knew he was Navy. Everyone who comes here who was an Aviator always introduced themselves with their callsigns. I grin at myself as I look up from the sink. "My name is Elaine. But Jenny would say otherwise. She has called me that for as long as I can remember. She started when i was born and ju- God, uh... sorry." I bring my nervous rambling to a halt, blushing as he takes a swig of his beer. "I think i'll stick with Dove. I mean come on, Rooster and Dove? Sounds like a match made in heaven." I laugh trying to shake off the cheesy comparison. "Do you always introduce yourself with your callsign, Rooster?" He laughs before sighing dramatically. "Damn, and I almost thought I got away with it. How'd you find out?" He teases. I raise my eyebrows. "Do you think this is the first time one of y'all has tried to flirt with me?" He smirks at that. "No, but I'm hoping it's the last time. My name's Bradley Bradshaw."
Bradley. The man who lit a fire in my soul.
"Nice to meet you, Bradley. As I said before my name is Elaine. Elaine Moore." I offer a smile. His eyes light up at the sight. I blush before getting called away to make another drink. "I'll see you later, Bradley." I say while walking away. "Oh Darlin', you definitely will."
The night ends a few hours later. With the bar empty, it's just me and Jenny cleaning up. "Dove, will you lock up? I want to get home before Amelia goes to bed." It makes me happy to know how much Penny cares about my cousin. In a lot of ways it reminds me of me and my own mother. "Yeah, you go ahead. I'm almost done anyways." She smiles before hugging me. "I'm sorry about Pete. I guess he hadn't heard about your mom." I smile sadly while looking at her. "It's okay, Penny. He didn't know. Don't go and beat him up or anything" I laugh as I say the last part. She smiles before heading out the back. "Be safe getting home, Dove!" She swings open the door. "Aye aye captain!" I shout with a salute.
With the building now empty, I can actually ponder on what happened tonight. With the high still buzzing through my veins, I approach the upright piano. Would I even feel the music if I'm the one playing? So far only Bradley could make me feel it. Anxiety strikes me at the thought. I sit down before lifting the fallboard and stare. The instrument whispers sweet nothings to me as my fingers glide along the keys. Releasing a shaky breath, I press my fingers into the piano and play.
Electricity shoots through my fingers as the piano sings and comes to life. I gasp, flinching away from the keys. I actually felt it. I smile and start again. And before I know it, my fingers are flying. As I play, the notes hum under my skin and my heart swells with excitement. I feel like an addict inside a drug den, and I can't stop. It's like my own personal brand of heroin. My eyes close as the music swallows me whole. The song i'm creating is a whole different type of lover. This one is both gentle and passionate, but also lighthearted and fun. And without even thinking, I know exactly who my music is creating.
Bradley Bradshaw.