Overjoyed

Chapter 7 - Listen to your friends

I was sitting in the passenger seat of Dan’s rental SUV. “What, no limo?” I asked. Dan looked at me quizzically, “Is that what you were expecting?” he asked, seeming apprehensive. “No, I don’t know” I mumbled. He looked away from me and turned on the ignition. Fuck, he looked disappointed, mad even and my heart fell. I barely knew this man and he affected me so. Shit. “Don’t be mad” I whispered, something about him just demanded honesty. He sighed, “I’m not angry at you Eliza. You just didn’t strike me as one who cared about all that.” I looked down at my feet and mumbled, “I don’t, and I just wondered…”my voice trailing off. “I’m not royalty Eliza, I sing in a band” he said with slight disdain as he parked the car, “Come on, let’s get on then.” I stepped out nervously, hoping I hadn’t spoiled the mood for the entire evening.

“Dan, dude you’re late” Kyle said, coming over to us as we entered through the stage door. When he saw me he stopped dead in his tracks and yelled, “Woody, Will! Get over here, Dan has a lady with him!” I looked up at Dan and he shrugged as a smile crossed lips. Will and Woody came comically bounding over to us and stopped next to Kyle. Will regarded us seriously and then turned to me, “you were backstage with the young lady who uh, was ill last night, weren’t you?” he asked, arching an eyebrow. I stifled a giggle and said, “Yeah, I was. She’s my roommate, and I’m sorry about that.” Will looked down awkwardly for a second before Woody broke the ice, “This your girl now Dan?” he asked, humour and disbelief lacing his voice. “Yes Woody” Dan said and jokingly draped his arm around my shoulders. It was the first time he had touched me, and my hairs stood on end. All my fears that the mood had been dampened instantly dissipated, as I revelled in the warmth of his skin against mine. “Finally,” said Kyle, “It’s about time Dan got himself a lady.” Woody chimed in, “Yeah, we all have girlfriends you know?” Dan yawned dramatically, letting me out of his grip, “Okay guys, leave Eliza alone, get started onstage, and tell Barry I’ll be with you all in a minute.” “Bye Eliza” they all said in such unison it seemed planned. “Sorry” Dan said with a laugh, “I don’t bring girls along very often.” I arched an eyebrow, “You don’t say” I replied sarcastically. His mouth curved slightly at the corners and he looked down at me and said, “I promised I would feed you, didn’t I? Let’s eat.”

I watched Dan as he finished off his bagel with cream cheese, fixated on his features. He wasn’t conventionally handsome but he was striking. Lovely blue eyes with pale skin and a freckled nose and cheeks. “What?” he asked, perplexed, “Is there something on my face?” I glanced down and laughed, I simply looked at him and he thought something was wrong with him. “Dan!” boomed a deep male voice, “we need you on stage now!” as a chubby, salt and pepper haired man stepped from behind the curtain. “I was eating, Barry, a man has got to eat” Dan said, getting up from his seat and turning to me, “Come sit out front” he said with a smile and took my hand to help me up. “Who is this?” Barry asked, eyeing me.  “This, is Eliza” said Dan said coldly and then leading me through the curtain, never leaving my hand.