Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Fourteen

Jax is back at the bar. He's talking to Scutter. They finished playing and are taking a break. We've been drinking since the band started their second set. They're done now and I'm sitting here with Laney, both of us about to explode, but for different reasons.

She's horny as shit for Marcus and I'm nervous as hell that Michael's going to talk to me again. So what if he does! You're with Jax and no one but Laney knows you're into him. Probably they'll just forget they said they'd do shots with us. Maybe they'll go over to the bar and do shots with Jax and Scutter and leave us annoying girls alone. They only said they'd do shots with us to be polite anyway. They do seem to have a lot of fans, and Jax was right about Marcus having groupies. Damn.

"Star, do you think Marcus is going to come over here?" Laney asks, clearly excited.

God I hope so, because I think she'll be crushed if he doesn't.

We're sitting at a large circular booth in the corner. Plenty of room for the band if they decide to come do shots with us. Please only Marcus. I guess Toby would be fine. I see Marcus and Toby talking, laughing about something. They both hop down off the stage and walk over towards Jax and Scutter. Marcus gets stopped by three half naked girls who can't seem to control their hands, as they're making sure to touch him as much as possible. He's nice to them, taking time to talk, but still making his way over to the bar.

Michael is still on stage drinking water and talking with a girl. I wonder if that's his girlfriend. She's pretty.

I see Synna for the first time tonight. Looks like she just got here. She walks over to Scutter and pulls him away from Jax, laying a serious kiss, complete with tongue, on him. Jax finally gets the bartenders attention just as Marcus gets to the bar and starts talking to him. Toby's obviously been eaten by those three pair of boobs that were clawing at Marcus.

People watching in bars is so much fun, especially when you're buzzed or drunk.

Well, this looks good for me. The band's busy doing shots with the bartender, keeping Michael from being near me, which obviously I can't handle.

"Hey there, can I join you?" Toby says, appearing ninja style, out of nowhere.

No. No. No.

"Sure!" Laney says, happily.

"How you girls doing? What did you think of Lickit?" He sits down beside Laney with three beers, handing one to Laney and one to me.

"You guys sounded great." I say, taking my beer. Obviously Jax has forgotten he was getting me one.

"Yeah, really good." Laney says. She glances over at the bar.

"So, I know Star is with Jax, you got a guy, Laney?" Toby takes a drink of his beer.

I don't think he's flirting. Seems to just be making conversation.

"No, not really. I had one but we broke up."

Yesterday. You forgot to mention that was yesterday. Wait, my bad. It was Wednesday. So three days ago. Plenty of time to get over your boyfriend plus the guy you dropped him for.

"Ah, that's good." Toby says, looking over towards Marcus.

"Oh, why's that good?" Laney asks.

"Oh, no! Sorry, I wasn't asking for me. Marcus likes you. He's the..."

"Drummer." She says, smiling.

"Yeah, you remember? Guess that's good for him! So you guys good with them coming over and hanging out with you? We don't wanna intrude if you're waiting on friends." He says, smiling.

Such a cutie.

"No that's fine, right Star?"

No.

"Yeah, of course!" I say, because what else can I say.

Toby waves at Scutter and everyone, and they start walking this way. Awesome. Ok. Just be cool. Latch onto Jax for dear life and don't let go.

Laney grabs my leg suddenly, under the table when she sees Marcus walking over. I naturally scream out like an idiot, as anyone would being unexpectedly groped by a hand under a table. I quickly try to cover by making a choking sound and coughing a few times.

"You ok, Star?" Toby asks, looking at me with concern.

I turn my head and stare at Laney, clearing my throat. "Yes, sorry. Too big a drink I guess." I fake laugh.

Laney gives me a 'sorry' look then looks up as Jax slides in next to me. Synna sits down beside him.

"Hey, Star! What did you think of my boys tonight?" She says, smiling. She scoots up into Scutter's lap as he sits down, and immediately they lock lips again.

"Hey, how you guys doing? Star, you shoot pool?" Michael asks, standing opposite me, handing me another beer.

Um. Is he talking to me?

Everyone's looking at me, waiting for my response, except Scutter and Synna, who are clearly trying to eat each other.

"Yeah, I play, but not well." I say.

"Well, I'm amazing." He grins. "I can teach you....if it's ok with Jax of course." He says looking at Jax.

Oh, what's happening? Jax is gonna spaz. He's super jealous.

"Take her, she needs all the help she can get." Jax says, grinning at me.

Seriously? Nothing? I mean, damn, if you only knew where my thoughts have been this last week. You'd never just hand me over to Michael.

"Cool! Later, you and me Star, after I've had a few shots. Too hyped up right now from playing." He smiles.

"Awesome show!" Some girls yell, walking by.

I take another long drink of my beer, and try to pull my eyes off him. He really has a great smile. I like this side of him so much better then his asshole side. That could be a problem.

I look up at Marcus as he comes up to the table. Really delicious. I hope this thing with him and Laney goes farther then sex. He holds out two shots.

"I got you both a shot. Tell me what you think, there's more to come, just tell me what you want."

Of course he says this while looking directly at Laney. Her hand squeezes my leg but I was ready for it this time. I had my own reaction to Marcus just then.

Mine is purple, Laney's is red.

I take mine and smell it. Fruity. I tip it back. Ok that was seriously the best shot ever. Loopy's no more. I look at Laney as she drinks hers.

"Fuck, that was amazing! What was it?" She asks.

Marcus smiles. "Star, yours was a purple star fucker. Laney, I got you a red headed slut. Nothing meant by the names I promise." He's grinning.

Laney's smile is perfect. She is completely, 100% in love with this guy.

Both she and Marcus are just staring at each other.

"Ok! Marcus, you sit by Laney, I'll go get more beer. Anyone want anything?" Toby says, breaking the awkwardness the rest of us are feeling from Laney and Marcus.

"Yeah, Toby, get Star another couple of those purple fuckers." Jax says, handing Toby a twenty.

"Nah, man. I told you, drinks on me tonight." Marcus says, sliding in next to Laney and putting his arm around her.

"Thanks, Marcus." Jax says, leaning in and kissing me.

His mouth tastes like beer. I love that.

He brings his hand up under the back of my shirt, pulling me into him. Mmm, focus on Jax. Only Jax.

Ok, I need this, Jax....right now.