Letting Go 🤎

One

Nick walks into the lounge, hearing the singer just starting to play the piano. He grabbed a seat in the front, next to the piano to watch the girl with long blonde hair and golden amber eyes. He saw her look up at him as he took his seat before looking back at her piano, singing.

🎵You booked the night train for a reason
So you could sit there in this hurt
Bustling crowds or silent sleepers
You're not sure which is worse
Because I dropped your hand while dancing
Left you out there standing
Crestfallen on the landing
Champagne problems
Your mom's ring in your pocket
My picture in your wallet
Your heart was glass, I dropped it
Champagne problems
You told your family for a reason
You couldn't keep it in
Your sister splashed out on the bottle
Now no one's celebrating
Dom Pérignon, you brought it
No crowd of friends applauded
Your hometown skeptics called it
Champagne problems
You had a speech, you're speechless
Love slipped beyond your reaches
And I couldn't give a reason
Champagne problems
Your Midas touch on the Chevy door
November flush and your flannel cure
"This dorm was once a madhouse"
I made a joke, "Well, it's made for me"
How evergreen, our group of friends
Don't think we'll say that word again
And soon they'll have the nerve to deck the halls
That we once walked through
One for the money, two for the show
I never was ready, so I watch you go
Sometimes you just don't know the answer
'Til someone's on their knees and asks you
"She would've made such a lovely bride
What a shame she's fucked in her head, " they said
But you'll find the real thing instead
She'll patch up your tapestry that I shred
And hold your hand while dancing
Never leave you standing
Crestfallen on the landing
With champagne problems
Your mom's ring in your pocket
Her picture in your wallet
You won't remember all my
Champagne problems
You won't remember all my
Champagne problems🎵

Isabelle smiled and nodded at the polite applause as she finished her set, "thank you." She climbed off the stage as she saw the man from the front stand up to follow. She went to the bar and grabbed a whiskey before turning to him, "something I can help you with?"

Nick smiled sheepishly at the beautiful woman in front of him, "hi." He held his hand out to her as she accepted it, "I'm Nick Vaughn. I wanted to audition for a place in your house band. I was told you were the woman to talk to."

She nodded, seeing the trumpet case on his back. She sighed, looking around, "okay. Go on then."

He blushed as he looked around to see the lounge was full of people, "right now? Here?"

She shrugged, "now or never Vaughn." She took a drink as she watched him pull the trumpet out of the case. She laughed, lowering the trumpet as he brought it to his lips. "You always so eager to do as women tell you?" She laughed as he blushed again. "I was kidding. Come back tomorrow. 10am."

Nick chuckled, putting his trumpet back in the case. "Yes ma'am... Ms...."

She sighed, "Ms. Pierce. Isabelle Pierce. I'll see you in the morning Vaughn."

He grinned, putting money on the counter, "for your drink. Have a good night Ms. Pierce."

✨

Isabelle sighed as she watched Nick enter the lounge the next morning at promptly 10am. "Morning Vaughn."

"Um, Nick. Please."

She nodded, not shaking his hand as he held it out to her again. "Let's go Nick, up on the stage. Show me what you got." She grinned as he chuckled and shook his head. She watched him remove his coat, wearing jeans with a button up and vest underneath it. He tried, but didn't try too hard. She wasn't sure if that was a conscious decision or if that was just who he was. His eyes were soft, a beautiful sky blue color as he took the stage. She noticed the prominent dimples that appeared as he began to play. His hair was like his clothes, tidy, yet disheveled. "Hmm." He was attractive enough, and played well. Perhaps too well to be playing at a house band in downtown Manhattan. She put her hand up for him to stop, startling him as she joined him on the stage. "You play beautifully Nick. Can you do anything else? Play piano? Sing?"

He blushed slightly, "um.. sing. A little."

She nodded, "go on then. I'll play the chorus, you sing." She began to play a song as she looked at him, "do you know this song?"

He nodded, "yeah."

She smiled, "go on then." She motioned her head in encouragement as she got to the chorus of the song. She heard him sigh as he turned to the microphone.

🎵So go ahead and break my heart again
Leave me wondering why the hell I ever let you in
Are you the definition of insanity?
Or am I?
Oh, it must be nice
To love someone who lets you break them twice🎵

She grinned as she stopped playing. "More than a little Vaughn." She shook her head, "sorry, I mean Nick. Come back tonight and sing the full song for a crowd?"

Nick groaned, "I don't really like to sing in front of everyone."

She sighed as she stood up from the piano. "I need a male presence. A male voice. I like your voice Nick. Sing with me. Think of it as a second audition."

He shook his head, looking at the ground. He knew he needed the job even if he was too timid to sing in front of people. "Fuck. Fine!"

She laughed, "that's the spirit Nicky!"

"Don't call me Nicky. Don't call me Vaughn. It's Nick. Just Nick."

She stifled a laugh, "sorry. You can call me Isabelle. Or Izzie. Or Belle. I'm not as picky as you." She smiled as he grinned, chuckling quietly.

"I'll keep that in mind. I guess I'll be back tonight, Isabelle."

She nodded, grabbing his hand before he could leave. "Wait. Work on your look." She grabbed him by the band of his jeans, "if you're going to wear jeans at least tuck in your shirt like an adult." She tucked his shirt in for him, smoothing the vest he wore over it before fixing the collar of his shirt. She smiled, "better. I'll see you tonight, Nick."

He laughed, "okay."