As long as you like

1

"Oh, come on! You gotta sing with me!" He exclaims with his hands in the air. I just met this guy like, 5 mins ago! What does he mean? Just cause he stopped some other guy from touching me while I was waiting for the rest room?
"I don't have to do anything!" I chuckled at his persistence. It's kinda cute. He's tall, shaggy hair, tattoos up to the neck and this crooked, goofy smile. "I could've handled him myself."

" Yeah, but then you might've gotten kicked out. Then you couldn't sing with me!" He proudly holds his head up at his own logic. "Come on! Any song you like! I won't even argue if I don't know the words."
I looked him up and down with my hands on my hips. Our eyes met and something in me shifts. "Hotel California." I said in a monotone. He smiles and rushes to the karaoke DJ. I turned and took my chance to use the restroom. Although I did come to a karaoke bar, in had no intentions of actually singing tonight. I just wanted to have a few drinks while my friends took turns singing and enjoy being out of the house.

When I got out of the restroom, he was waiting at the bar. I didn't know if he was waiting for me, a drink, or our names to be called to sing. But, he was waiting for something. I stood next to his seat and held my hand out in front of his arm that was resting in the counter. "I'm Arabella. Thank you for helping me back there." I offered him a smile and he returned it, placing his hand in mine, but not shaking it.
"Dean. And you're welcome. That guys an asshole, I went to high school with him. He was always a dick to girls." He says as he slid out the seat next to him for me. "Can I get you a drink?"

I sat down and held out my hands in a 'dont shoot' fashion. "If I gotta sing, I'm gonna stay sober. No need to embarrass myself further." Dean chuckled at my half joke and shook his head. When the DJ called our names to come up to the stage, Dean took my hand and trailed me behind him. Somehow, this seemed more protective than flirtatious. One of my friends caught my attention and gestured to Dean then fanned herself. I gave her an 'okay' gesture with my hand and approvingly nodded my head to let her know I agree!

Dean took his spot on stage, nearest the DJ and I stood beside Dean. As the music started, Dean leaned in to whisper "Don't worry, baby. I'll take the first line." He winked and for some reason, I blushed! What the heck was this guy doing to me? As the intro to the song ended, I heard him sing and the voice I heard shocked me.

"On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air"
His voice was deep and raspy. Kinda sexy. I stared in amazement for a moment before I realized it was my turn.
"Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night"
I wasn't the best damn singer around, but I could hold a tune. We sang the whole song together, sometimes making eye contact and exchanging smiles. His voice was very calming to me. Even when he spoke he was a tenor that was smooth and warm. When the song was over, Dean took my hand and bowed, bringing me with him. When we stepped off stage, he gently placed one hand on the small of my back, and the other on my shoulder. "Is that okay, Arabella?" He whispered in my ear. "Is it okay that I'm touching you?"

I got butterflies in my stomach. All I could think was 'Great, I talked to myself in my head a little too loud and he heard me think he's sexy.' But I simply nodded my head and looked forward. I already had ideas swarming in my mind of ways I'd be okay with him touching me. For a moment, I thought I was being crazy. Again, I had just met the guy. But something else in me didn't really care. I had seen him here before but he never sang, never spoke to any girls or anyone but the DJ and his friends.

While we were sitting at the bar, neither of us drinking, I asked my favorite question "So, are you more of a drinker or a smoker?" I asked everyone this question because a majority of people do one or the other and it breaks the ice a bit.
"Bit of a drinker. Hate being drunk but I like a nice beer after I've eaten." He responds without missing a beat. "Smoking is fun but I don't do it nearly as much as I drink. Which still isn't a lot." He looked at me for a moment. "How old are you, Arabella?" The way he said my name gave me goosebumps.
"I'm 24." I responded. I never noticed until he asked me the question, but I took another look at him and decided the reason he asked is because he's older. How much older? I had to ask, I couldn't help myself. "How old are you, Dean?" I tilted my head. Was I trying to be flirtatious or trying to hide the nervousness I had about him not being interested because I'm younger?

"I am 38." His tone was kind of timorous. I saw his hands fidgeting on the table. That was also the first time I noticed his hands. I had already felt them. They were callous and warm. I assumed he played an instrument. I decided to break the silence after about thirty seconds.
"Well, a little adversity in a friendship is sure to bring excitement." He looked at his face and he grinned. He rubbed his hands on his thigh and turned his chair to face me.