The Sound

Part 8 - Eddie

I did not look at Jules one time the entire time I sang. I didn't even remember playing any music, I was so shot with nerves.

Heather was in the front like she always was, trying to play hard to get so she could get my attention. I rolled my eyes as she leaned forward, wanting to leave nothing to my imagination. That hook up was one of the dumbest decisions I had made in my life, and I was on my sixth year of high school.

I wanted to throw-up when I saw Heather corner Jules before the show – I could only imagine what she had told Jules. Probably something terrible about how I blew her off after we hooked up in my van, further cementing me as a villain to Jules.

I had no fucking clue as to why I invited Jules tonight – Mean Eddie wanted to kick Nice Eddie's ass. And I couldn't believe that she actually came – I thought she was just being nice last night, just normal Jules placating me.

We wrapped the set, thanking the crowd for listening to us. We were met with a spattering of applause, the Corroded Coffin groupies screeching and cheering us on. I rolled my eyes again as I pulled my guitar strap off my shoulder. I set it back into my case.

"You going to tell us who that new girl is?" My shoulders tensed at Jeff's question. I turned to them, wincing. Gareth's arms were crossed, an eyebrow raised.

"Why do you guys need to know?" I asked, trying to evade the questions. Jeff scoffed.

"Because she showed up with you. And you never bring girls," he replied.

"Yeah, you're more of a leave-with-a-girl kind of guy," Gareth piled on. I flushed, burying my hands in my pockets.

"I just work with her."

"Oh, it's that girl!" Jeff chirped. I shrugged.

"Yeah, no big deal." I was trying to maintain my cool façade. If they continued to push, I would soon lose it.

"So, I can go buy her a shot and chat her up?" Gareth asked, acting like he was going to go find Jules. My eyes widened and I shook my head before I could catch myself.

"I didn't say that!" I answered, way too quickly. Gareth and Jeff looked at each other, grinning.

"But it's no big deal, right, Eddie?" Jeff asked. I rolled my eyes, shoving past them.

"You two are idiots," I snapped, leaving them to giggle at one another. Morons.

"Great set tonight, Eddie." Heather stopped me in my tracks, placing a hand on my chest. I groaned, rolling my eyes as she tried to sidle close to me. "You're always great, though."

"Thanks, Heather," I said flatly. I didn't look down at her, not wanting to give her any ammo. Heather was cunning – she had made her way around the entire band and was on her second round. I glanced around, looking for Jules. I spotted her surrounded by a group of drunks, making each of them laugh with one of her stories. I smiled as she tossed her head back, laughing with a man who had bought her a shot.

"What are you doing after the show? Maybe you could show me your van again?" She tried to get close to my face. I pulled back, grimacing.

"Not today, Heather," I removed her hand from my chest and moved past her.

"But sometime soon?" she called after me. I rolled my eyes.

I walked up to the group that Jules was surrounded by – she was animated, gesticulating wildly as the men watched her. She suddenly noticed me, her face lighting up.

"Eddie! You were absolutely amazing! Corroded Coffin is so cool!" She hopped off of the barstool and scrambled over to me. I couldn't help but smile when she continued to compliment our music.