This Boy | j.l. [complete]

Chapter 15

      I woke up in John's arms. Slowly, I rubbed my eyes and turned to face him, he had his eyes closed but I could tell he was awake. I stroked his cheek softly until he opened one of his eyes looking at me with a small smile, then kissed my forehead.

"Sleep well?" He asked

"Fine,"

"Reckon we go down to the cavern tonight? maybe slip over to one of the bars or something?" He suggested

"Sure," I snuggled into his chest and he wrapped his arms back around me

"My mother is gonna kill me," I sighed

"Why?"

"Because I never came home,"

"Just tell her you lost track of time and ended up at a friends house," He laughed

"I guess so."

— That Evening —

     John, Paul and myself all walked down to the cavern. John asked Paul if he wanted to tag along, so he did. We all waited in line, then soon found ourselves inside. The club was busy as usual, loud music and a crowd of people our age filled the room. I looked up at the band singing but I was torn away by John tugging my hand. 

"This is odd," Paul spoke

"What is?" John asked, gripping tighter onto my hand

"We're usually the ones on stage, not looking at the stage," Paul chuckled

"I love this place," I spoke

"It's nice," John replied

"I hear this band always lets people up on stage to sing, maybe you should go up?" Paul suggested to me

"Maybe, I haven't sung on stage since Hamburg," I laughed

"If you do go up, don't fall off," John kissed my cheek and I rolled my eyes playfully

"Hey John, is that Brian?" Paul directed John's gaze over to where Paul was pointing, over near the back was Brian Epstein.

"He said he was scoping out new talent again, he's been coming down to the cavern looking for new female singers," John explained nudging me nonchalantly

"I've never really met Brian," I spoke looking up at John

"Well, let's go talk to him," Paul said leading the way towards Brian.

"Hey Eppy," Paul smiled

"Paul, John" Brian said nodding towards them both "And I'm assuming that you're Ruth?" He asked me

"Nice to me you Mr. Epstein," I spoke as he shook my hand

"Are you scouting out talent still?" Paul asked

"Yes I'm still looking for one more female artist, after I found Cilla I decided that one more couldn't hurt." He answered

"Ruth is pretty good," John blurted 

"Yeah, she was with us in Hamburg, can't say she's better then us though," Paul teased

"I'd love to take your word for it but, Ruth, I'd have to hear you to be able to sign you," Brian explained

"If she sings up on stage now, will you sign her if she's good?" John asked

"There's a possibility."

"John" I hissed, shoving him softly

"This is a good shot, don't be nervous," John mumbled in my ear

"Well you kinda put me on the spot," I sighed

"Well nows you're chance," Paul spoke looking up at the stage

I looked to John who kissed my cheek and Paul took me to the stage. With the most nerves possible, knowing my chance at a good manager and a good career were just placed in front of me, I got up and sang with my body shaking tremendously. Usually I sang with clear confidence, I interacted with the audience well, I had no issue. Now that my career's future was on the line, that all seemed to disappear when I needed it most.