Winters Call

Badlands

I watched him from the bar.  The way his long brown wavy hair slung as he made his guitar make music unlike any other musician I had ever known.  And trust me, we knew a lot from his world.   He was a hard rock/heavy metal guitar player for the popular band, Badlands.  I was his number one fan, besides his mama.  And yes, this heavy metal god on stage rocking out in all black was a mamas boy.  He still text her and called her several times a week.  And he would drop anything to take his mamas call, she was the cutest little Japanese woman ever.  I loved her as my own.  She still lived in New York and we lived in LA.  I had text Jake earlier in the evening and told him I wasn't sure I'd make tonight's set, it had been a long day at the clinic. I worked on a pediatric unit as a nurse. But when I got in my car at the end of the evening I knew it would be better to end the day with good music and few drinks instead of going home watching true crime and stuffing my face with take out.  It didn't hurt that Jake was the best looking guy like ....ever.  Intelligent, smart, talented, gifted, hot.... I had known Jake forever it seemed. He dated a few of my friends in High School, but nothing ever came past a one night stand with them.  Somehow he and I stayed in close touch but I didn't with the girls.

He was my biggest supporter just as I was his biggest fan. When I was going through nursing school, he's the one who would bring us take out late at night and help me study all hours of the day. He spent just as much time in the books with me quizzing me. I did for him as much as I could too. But not much is needed when your a gifted guitar god. His band members were better at that sort of stuff anyway. I didn't have any family around they were all losers and deadbeats so I did my life on my own, except I had Jake. He on the other hand had a brother and a great mother. His dad had died when he was younger. So he tended to be a little bit of everything for me.
****
I was still drinking at the bar as the band played on. Jake hadn't noticed I was there yet. They would probably play three or four more songs then a few fans always wanted photos with the guys, some still wanted autographs. They had some loyal fans for sure. I on the other hand spent the day treating kids with the flu. So I wasn't really in the mood to fan girl at the stage tonight.

I was 35 years old, single. I owned a small house. I owned my car. Life had been good to me. I really wasn't the kind to dream of a fancy wedding, the family, all the things I should have accomplished this part of my life. I was happy. I had cats, two of them. I enjoyed my job taking care of children and teenagers. They were fun and always had the best comments to make your day.  I spent most of my time hanging out with Jake and his band a lot since I didn't have any family. I had a few friends at work but tended to stick to myself.
I listened to the guys finish their set and screams and fist bumps in the air meant another great show. They never failed to put it all in every weekend they played. I know Jake would find his way to the bar shortly after socializing at the stage for a while, so I pulled my phone out and checked my social media. Such a life I lived.
*****
"What's up groupie?" And there he was, with his seductive playful voice in my ear and a kiss to my cheek startling me.  I smiled and turned to greet him in return, a tight big hug from my best friend made all things perfect.  He had changed from his t shirt on stage to now a black button up half undone and untucked.  His long hair was so thick and had wave to it.   He had one gold hoop in his left ear.  He wore a thick black cuff on one arm.  And eyes to melt any girl.  Being half Japanese had been good to his features. 
"Hey rockstar," I nailed him back. We always had such a playful banter. 
"How was your day? I didn't think you were coming, I mean I didn't see you up there fan girling all over the stage," he joked as he motioned the bartender for a beer.  He brought a beer over and Jake nodded appreciation. 
"It sucked and honestly I wasn't planning on coming I was just going to go on home, but this was a better alternative," I smiled finishing my own drink. 
He was about to start another sentence when a few girls came up... "Can we have a picture with you?" They we're gushing. 
"Ladies you can have anything you want," he flirted back when he saw they were gorgeous fans.
"Oh my god you are such a whore," I laughed.   He stood from his stool and wrapped his arms around them for each photo.  He loved it. And he was genuine, he didn't mind being bothered by fans.