New Beginnings.

Chapter Five

"So, what's your deal?" I ask while shoveling a heap of drunken noodles into my mouth.

He laughs and says, "What's my deal? What do you wanna know?"

We are sitting cross-legged in his living room. The large picture windows providing an unencumbered view of the water.

"You have all this..." I say as I gesticulate towards the windows, still holding the box of noodles. "And you look like this..." I point the noodle box at him. "So...what's going on?" I ask and shovel more noodles into my mouth.

He chuckles slightly then says, "What the fuck are you asking me?"

"I'm wondering what's going on in 'perfect rockstar land' to make you so fuckin' mopey." I say and take a sip from the long-neck beer bottle. "Did you get kicked out of your favorite strip club and now you have to slum it at mine?"

He laughs.

"Did your attorney only negotiate 5 million for you instead of 10 and now you are poor?"

He laughs a little harder.

"Did your girl leave you for another guy in your band?" I ask with a laugh. 

He laughs deeply and motions to his crotch before saying, "They never leave."

I chuckle at him and shake my head in exasperation. 

After a moment I ask quietly, "Did your band break up?"

He looks down at his box of noodles and I realize that I found the issue. That night in the strip club's parking lot when he told me he knows what it is like to feel like life is in chaos, he was speaking from experience.

"What happened?" I ask after a moment.

He takes a deep breath and I can tell he is about to make a joke.

"Nope," I say, cutting him off before he can speak and shake my head. He looks at me puzzled.

"No jokes, I am asking you seriously," I say and set down my food.

He stares back at me, caught off guard.

"Uhh," he says and runs his hand through his long messy waves. "Well, we are a pretty fucked up group," he finally says with a laugh and shrugs his shoulders.

"I don't know your band; I don't know anyone in it. You can talk to me." I say quietly.

He shrugs his shoulders and says, "Stripper and therapist?"

I laugh because his tone is kind and teasing, not condescending.

"One and the same, baby," I reply with a wink.

"I think I would be more talkative if this conversation was happening with you topless on my lap," He teases and takes a swig of his beer while holding eye contact with me.

"Let's play strip-therapist..." I say.

"He laughs and replies, "Is that like playing doctor?"

"Like strip-poker but instead for every feeling you divulge to me, I take off a piece of clothing." I say.

"I'm an open book, baby, be prepared to be naked in 60 seconds," He says with a wide grin and takes another swig of his beer.

"Alright, Mr. Open-Book. First question, have you ever been in love?"

"Whoa, you've come out swinging," He laughs then says, "Detective, I plead the 5th."

"Ah, then no article of clothing for you," I reply.