How Not To Be A Groupie

Chapter Twenty Eight: Stelle's Party

Stelle sat on the couch, her leg bouncing. There was a platter on the coffee table with drinks that she made herself from the ingredients on the bar. On the floor were cases of beer and whatever else she had bought. It had been a few days since she made the calls. During the wait we had been hanging out backstage with the Glamour Girls who found us before a show. 

"Hollywood says you're throwing a party?" Trouble asked me.

"I am," Stelle said. Hollywood knew her job was done and went off to look for the band. She found Bon right away and I couldn't see Angus anywhere. 

Oh, would you stop acting so paranoid? He's not even yours to be worried about! So quit your crying and focus!

Storm and Ice looked at each other then back at Trouble. "You didn't tell us about any party," one of them said. 

"I'm telling you now, aren't I?' she asked. Cherry, red lips and all, sighed.

"You forgot, didn't you?" she asked crossing her arms. Trouble glared at her. 

"We'd love to come," she said, still looking at Cherry who smirked. "Whether or not the band is there, doesn't matter. We'll be there."

"Great!" Stelle said, her face beaming. "It's on the twenty second of November at seven in the evening, is that okay?"

"Sure, that's fine," Trouble said. "We'll come by in our car and bring some stuff."

"I can handle the drinks," Stelle said. "If that's what you're thinking."

"Well," Cherry said. "We were sort of thinking of something else..." Stelle's eyes widened and we glanced at each other. Her expression paled in comparison to mine. 

"Perfect! Can't wait to see what it is!" she said without missing a beat. This was certainly not a little kid's birthday party.... "We'll see you there." And with that, the group of women went about their own ways talking to the roadies. Stelle turned to me. "Thanks for telling them," she said. "This is so great, it'll be so much fun!"

I found Angus. He was hooking a strap to his guitar and sliding it over himself. He was a good distance away from me and I figured he wouldn't look up and notice me staring at him. But he did.

I clutched my notebook to my chest. My notebook that was brimming with fun memories but now seemed like regrets. I made up my mind to take this opportunity to talk to him about it. I walked up to him and he didn't leave. "Hi," he said tuning his guitar a bit. 

"Hi," I said looking mostly at the floor. 

"Ya' gettin' a lot of writin' done?" he asked. His voice didn't sound accusatory. I hadn't the slightest idea what he would even be mad about. Maybe the fact that I lied to everyone about who I was....but could they blame me? 

"I guess so," I mumbled. That had become my new mantra. "Thanks for bringing it back to me. My notebook, I mean."

"Wasn't any problem," he said still looking at his guitar. "Bit heavy now, must have some good material in there."

It was bait for a trap. Not a trap as much as a confession. I didn't want to give away just yet all that I had written down. I wanted him to admit that he'd read it. But I don't think he wanted me to know that he had. "Did curiosity get the better of you?" I teased.

"No," he said too quickly. He finally looked at me. He was a little pink in the cheeks. "Course not." I dropped my smile and my teasing. May as well come out and ask.

"Did...did you...."

"Alright, let's get the band onstage, time to go!" a roadie yelled. Angus plucked out a few chords before turning to leave. I jogged to catch up to him but I was stopped by the same roadie. "Hold on, little lady, band only." Angus went out onstage with the rest of the band before I had the chance to ask the question. And Angus wasted no time in getting away from me as quick as possible. My heart cracked.