the Presleys

chapter 25 - 1955

CECE MARTIN

"— that was when I told her. Honey, this can't go on like this. And then I broke up with her.", Bill went on telling about his most recent breakup. His hand found the neck of the beer bottle and brought the drink to his lips. I made eye contact with Scotty across the table, who joined in mimicking me rolling my eyes.

"How'd she react?", Scotty faked interest in the story. I bit back a smile at his words. Bill continued his never ending story, making me sigh and cross my arms on the table. My eyes wandered around and still caught no glimpse of Elvis. I hadn't seen him since lunch, and considering he always had an appetite, it was strange of him to not show up.

"Aw Cece, you ain't paying attention to my story.", despite being deep in my thoughts, I managed to hear Bill complain.

I raised an eyebrow at him and then looked at the multiple bottles scattered on the table. "If you ain't paying attention to what's going down your throat, you'll be able to tell a real great story real soon.", Bill's lips parted a he turned to face Scotty, who simply shook his head.

"She ain't wrong, Bill.", Scotty shrugged, making his friend groan.

"How- How many goddamn times do I have to tell you—", he slurred, raising a finger at him. "Dating in the band... Ain't— Ain't what the fans are in need of."

Scotty stood up and patted his back. "Alright, man. Time for you to hit the sack.", but Bill didn't wanna hear it. He shrugged Scotty's hands off him. I shook my head and looked away, though immediately noticing curious eyes on us.

"Get him outta here.", I said lowly, nodding to my left. Scotty found where my gaze had wandered off to and groaned.

"C'mon, man, we're making a scene.", he tried to reason with him. Bill shook his hands away once more.

"At least somebody will listen to my lousy story.", I decided to stand up and move beside Scotty, grasping one of Bill's arms.

I nodded at his right arm. "Grab the other one.", Scotty pulled at his arm, but with one final shove, Bill slapped his hands on the table. I flinched at the noise — the little stunt made us gain even more attention.

"Goddamn it! Did your new manager set you up for this?", he stood up on wobbly legs. I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"What the hell are you talking about? Scotty, please, escort him out.", I massaged my temple in distress as Scotty wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Bill let out a chuckle.

"EP didn't tell ya, doll?"

"Tell me what?", I crossed my arms on my chest and nodded at Scotty, who desperately tried to get him to leave. The last thing this band needed was this little stunt displayed on every paper in town.

Bill wordlessly opened up his jacket - enough to pull out a folded newspaper. He slammed it on the table and shoved it in my direction.

"Colonel Tom Parker to be the Presleys newest manager?"

"Since you allowed his name to represent you both—", my lips parted at the thick words on the front page. "— Vernon and EP went on and signed off with the Colonel.", he said in a light tone and sat back down.

"Alright, Bill, that's enough for today—", another desperate shove from Scotty miserably failed.

He didn't listen to me.

How could he have done something like this? Was there sober truth behind Bill's drunken words?

"You think I'm gonna trust the words from a newspaper over Elvis'?", I dropped the paper on the table. "He promised.", I said firmly, my eyes shut. "He promised he wasn't gonna do nothing without consulting me first. Nothing."