JOEL
While I cook a new plan to make Gabriella quit, I decided that I can also have some fun while embarrassing her in front of the crew. Nothing dangerous this time, but inconvenient enough to make her forget the idea of becoming friends with any of us.
Last week, when we were trying the clothes for the tour, I heard Kitty and Gabriella chatting. Kitty was complimenting her on a new leather jacket and told her she could walk right onto the stage and join the band. Gabriella scoffed and said that she feels uncomfortable being in the spotlight and that's the reason she enjoys working behind the scenes.
"What's your idea?" Gabriella asks.
"O'Malley's," I say and Alec and Lexy give me an approving nod.
"And O'Malley's is?" Gabriella looks around as she asks.
"It's a local pub," Alec says. "It isn't in the center and they know us well there. Specially this one," he grabs Ozzie in a fake chokehold as he laughs.
"We will be soon on the road," I say. "Living in hotel rooms, seeing the world trough the window of a bus. I say we go out and enjoy ourselves while we can. We have been working hard with the tour preparations and I've been dying for a cold beer."
"Is Steven joining?" Gabriella asks.
"Yeah, he usually makes an appearance," Ozzie says. "And even when he's not around this is the kind of place that is safe for us. Only locals who know us."
"Alright, have fun and be safe. I'll see you on Monday."
"Aren't you joining?" Alec asks her and I realize he looks hopeful.
"I still have a lot to do. We haven't sorted out the app thing and things keep changing-"
"Of course, all work. Do you even know how to have fun?" I challenge her. "I'm asking nicely."
Gabriella lets out a deep breath. "Okay... I guess a night out won't hurt."
"I'll text you the address," Lexy, always helpful, says to her.
"You'll enjoy yourself," Ozzie grins. "They have their own brewery and on Saturday evenings they have-"
"A two for one cocktail special for the ladies," I say. "See you all there."
"Is it a good place?" I hear Gabriella ask Lexy as we walk back to the dressing rooms.
"Yeah, it's fun and gives us the feeling that we are normal people on a night out."
GABRIELLA
Seeing the band so enthusiastic about heading to the pub makes me feel at ease. Lately, anything that Joel says or does makes me feel suspicious. Just to be sure it isn't a dodgy place, I searched for it and found it online. A charming traditional pub and as Ozzie said they have a small brewery on the premises. The smell of beer and battered food welcomes me as I open the door and it makes me smile as it reminds me of the places the bands I managed played at when I started.
Part of the crew stands around high tables while enjoying a well deserved drink and others play pool. I search the crowd and see many familiar faces with the exception of Daan and Ozzie who are nowhere to be seen.
"Hey Gabriella, you made it!" Lexy welcomes me.
"This place is very nice. I see why you guys like coming here."
"A beer? A drink?" Alec asks me as he points at his beer.
"A beer is fine. Thank you!"
Alec calls the attention of the bartender as I take a look around. On the corner, a small platform serves as a stage and two microphones are set up. The television sets mounted on every wall show some sort of sport news show. Alec hands me the beer pint and I take a moment to enjoy the smell. As it hits my tongue I feel myself relaxing.
"Delicious. You can't beat this kind of brew. Did you have fun today at the preview show?" I ask them.
"Fun is an understatement," Lexy grins. "Today was just a few hundred people. Imagine how it will be when we play for thousands."
"It was a good begin," Alec says while staring at the place where Joel chats with some guys. "It also helps that Joel has been in his best behavior recently so there were no unexpected surprises. Doing press conferences with him in the past tour was challenging."
"How was it challenging?" I ask, feeling curious.
"Let's say that he wasn't always sober during those," he replies.
"Ozzie told me he broke up with his girlfriend. How is he doing? I could ask him myself, but he will probably brush me off or hate me even more."
"He doesn't hate you. As to how he feels, you never know with Joel," Lexy says. "When we were together, he kept things to himself and I found that difficult because I didn't know how he really felt."
"Joel and you were in a relationship..."
"Oh, you didn't know. We dated for about three years and things were getting serious. Things got difficult for us when the band broke through. I was also finding myself around that time and he figured out that I was also interested in women before I did. He's a very observant man and cares a lot, just doesn't know how to express it."
"Promise me that if things are not okay with him that you will let me know. He won't accept any support from me, but I can make sure he has all he needs. How were things last year, besides him not being sober at the press conferences?"
"Everyone knew he was using, but no one besides Lexy dared to say anything to him. You've seen how he reacts," Alec says. "He was fine on stage, but afterwards it was a train wreck. Then he went to this party where a girl overdosed and passed away. He had nothing to do with what happened, but he was there and the drugs were also there. Our previous manager knew about the party, and probably the drugs, and indulged him, because it was easier to let him do what he wanted than deal with his moods. Erica went through hell trying to put the press fires out. One of our instrument techs replaced Joel so we could finish the tour while he was sent to rehab. It was that or getting kicked out of the band by the label. He claims he's been clean from drugs since he came back."
Before I can comment, I see Daan and Ozzie coming in. They laugh at whatever they were talking about. Ozzie joins us at the bar while Daan walks towards his crew. I feel slightly disappointed that he isn't joining us instead. My hope is that as time goes by that things between us get better and we can work in a friendly environment.
The lights in the pub dim slightly and a spotlight shines on the small stage. I hope we will be treated to a comedy show, I could use some laughter.
"Hi everyone! How's everyone doing tonight?" The guy on the stage shouts and the pub crowd cheers back. "Welcome to our Saturday karaoke night at O'Malley's!"
"Did he say karaoke?" I ask Lexy who nods.
Everyone seems excited at the idea while my stomach churns momentarily. Then I remember that I didn't sign up for anything. I can enjoy the talent of the people who actually dare and I'll do my best to encourage them.
"Did everyone who wants to sing put their names in the beer jug?" He asks and people shout and whistle. "Okay... Who will be the first singer of the night... A very unfair pick because it is straight from Pinch of Postal. Give it up for OZZIE!"
Ozzie just got here a moment ago. How the hell did his name ended in that jug? Panic runs through my veins and I contemplate slipping out of the pub while Ozzie sings. Ozzie points at the screen of a laptop and the MC nods, then takes his place behind the microphone. The instrumental music starts and I recognize it being "Livin' on a Prayer" from Bon Jovi. Ozzie begins to sing and I stay glued to my spot because he's acing it while the crowd cheers and sings along. He bows as he finishes and in my enthusiasm clapping for him I forget that I'm not off the hook.
"And the next singer is... GABRIELLA CRUZ!"
"Fuck no! I didn't put my name in the jug! How the hell did my name made it there?"
"Gabriella, it's okay. This is only for fun," Alec says.
"Are you okay?" Lexy watches me with concern. "You look like you are about to pass out."
"I can't sing..." My voice comes out in a whisper.
"Come on, Gabriella!" Joel shouts. "Let's hear it for our manager!"
The crowd cheers and claps, and my knees shake as I make it to the stage. The MC hands me a microphone and I almost let it fall from how bad my hands are shaking.
"Which song do you want, love?"
I look at Joel who smiles at me in a mocking way. Daan's attention is now on me.
"You Can't Make Me Dance, " I try to sound confident.
"Oh, a Pinch of Postal song! That's daring when the whole band is here."
The music begins and Ozzie, Lexy and Alec look at each other and start shouting and clapping. Joel scowls because he actually wrote that song that I'm about to butcher and he sings it too during the show. His pissed look is all I need to fuel my confidence even if my voice sounds awful. Knowing my bands is part of my job and I've learned every single song from Pinch of Postal.
Daan smiles and everyone joins me at the chorus. When the song ends, I feel as if I'm about to pass out from leaving all my energy on the stage. The applause is deafening and I feel my cheeks burning as I walk towards Joel.
"How did I do? Bet you didn't know I know your songs."
His mouth opens and closes and that's enough vengeance for me at the moment. I head to the bar and put the fresh beer Alec hands me against my forehead.
"You can actually sing!" Ozzie says.
"Don't bullshit me. I embarrassed myself up there."
"No, Gabriella," Lexy looks so excited it is contagious. "You did an excellent job there. You sang it better than Joel does."
"You are just trying to flatter me," I laugh and feel relieved that I don't have to do it again.
As I drink from my frothy beer, I look around the pub. My eyes lock with Daan's who toasts me with his pint. Maybe I'll get a chance soon to straighten things.