The Best Of Me

Chapter 10

Harmony

Moving without a plan wasn't always the smartest thing but it was what I needed at the time now as I looked for both an apartment and I job I was starting to second guess myself. What was I doing here in this big city? I had one more bar to check out before heading back to my small dirty motel room. If I didn't find a job in 3 days I would be out of money and I'd have to either sleep in the streets or crawl back home to my parents. Neither was an option at this point. I was determined. I didn't let the fact that I had zero experience waitressing or bartending stop me.

"Hey can I speak to the manager?" "I am the manager what can I do for you?" I looked up at the meanest looking guy I'd seen since I got here. This was the manager? Maybe I should just turn around and be done for the night. "Yeah I'm looking for a job. I was hoping you were hiring" "What for?" "Bartender, waitress, dishwasher, I don't care a job is a job." "Do you have experience?" "No. I was a daycare teacher but I do learn real fast" "Do you sing?" "No" "Play guitar? "No." "Write songs?" "I have children's books published but I don't write songs." "When can you start?" "Seriously? Right now if you want." "How about tomorrow? I'm gonna see how you do behind the bar. You're too pretty to stick in the kitchen washing dishes." "Thank you, Thank you so much. You're a life saver." "Yeah I just hope you pull your weight and don't drink more than you serve. What's your name anyway?" "Harmony" "Harmony I'm Mike. I'll see you tomorrow. 9 p.m. don't be late" "I won't. Thank you so much. You wont regret this." "I hope not"

I went back to my motel room with a renewed determination and a smile on my face. Maybe I could make it work. Maybe I could actually have a life here. I ate a small dinner and went to bed. I was so nervous about my first day tomorrow. I wasn't sure what to expect at all. I woke up a couple hours later in the grip of a panic attack. How was I going to be a bartender when I barely even drank? I knew nothing about the different types of drinks. I pulled out my laptop and started to research. I didn't want to look completely clueless tomorrow night.

"Well Harmony you actually did better than expected. Are you sure you have no experience?" "I'm sure. I barely even have experience drinking in bars let alone working in one" "Good most of the girls here drink like fish. so is Harmony, like, your real name?" "Yes. My sister's name is Melody. My parents were pretty big music fans." "As long as you aren't an aspiring musician. I lose too many employees that way and I really think you're going to be a good one." "Thanks that means a lot and I promise you aren't going to lose me. Not to music." I walked away with the biggest smile on my face and enough money in my pocket to stay in the room for a couple more nights and if I did this well tomorrow night I'd even have enough money to eat for awhile."

"Hey new girl." "I looked over at the other bartender Ashley "I'm not new anymore I've nearly been here a month." "No offense but you'll always be the new girl until either we know you're here for the long haul or until theres a new new girl." "Okay. I guess. What's up?" "We have a pretty big show here tomorrow night. Do you think you're ready? We're going to be packed. You haven't seen it that busy yet." "Yeah I can handle it. I'm ready." "Alright well one thing you need to know. The artist is an alcoholic. He's allowed one drink before the show and one every break. If he drinks too much he wont play as good and people will get pissed. Plus his manager is paying us extra to amke sure he doesn't drink too much." "Alright, got it. Anything else I need to know?" "Yeah, He's really hot but you're too much of a good girl for him so be careful if he tries to flirt. He's really good at it." Why is it that no matter what I do or wher I go everyone always thinks of me as the good girl? It didn't matter what Ashley said though I wasn't interested in anyone or anything except getting my life together so there were no worries about me falling for some drunk bad boy. Or so I thought.

Brantley

I stuck the pint of Jack in my boot. I knew my manager would have the bar staff restrict my drinks thinking I'd get too drunk to play. I was really getting sick of playing all these small time bars. I recently opened for Eric Fucking Church and now I was back to playing bars and clubs like some brand new artist earning his dues. Yeah I was mad. But I guess at least I was playing. I put my wallet in my back pocket and took one more swig from the bottle before walking out the door.

The bar was packed and I knew if I was playing somewhere big like an arena or something it would be just as packed but my manager "didn't think I could handle that" Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean. I helped the band set up the stage and every chance I got I snuck a sip of whiskey. I tried to convince one of the waitresses to bring me a drink but she told me no. Damn. My phone alerted me to a text from Kolby. He was just checking on me. Again. I told him I was getting ready to go on stage and I'd talk to him later. I took the last swing from my bottle and threw it into the trash before taking the stage.

The crowd was loud and they sang along with every song. This was what I lived for. I wanted to play for bigger crowds but there was something intimate about a bar setting. I was in the zone. The only time I didn't feel like I needed a drink was when I was up here singing and playing my guitar. These were the nights I truly felt alive.

I saw her from across the room standing behind the bar. Over the heads of all the people and through the lights of the stage. I couldn't figure out what she was doing working in a bar 6 hours from home but there was no doubt in my mind it was her. One more song until we took our first break and I'd go talk to her.

Harmony

I'd been too busy all night to even notice if the band was any good let alone if the singer was as hot as Ashley claimed. Chances are she was exaggerating anyway. I had customers screaming orders at me left and right and for the most part I was keeping up with it all. I loved keeping busy because it kept my mind off everything. The band was taking a break and I knew that in a few someone would be by to get the singer his drink. It was starting to slow down a bit as it got later and soon I'd be able to take my own break. I really needed it. I was surprised when I heard someone say my name. Almost like a question. I turned and there was Brantley Gilbert. And he knew my name? "Hey can you take a break and step outside with me for a second?" "umm.... Let me ask." Before I could even say a word Ashley said "You know Brantley. How? Why didn't you tell me? Go outside with him. I'll cover you as long as you tell me everything later." "There isn't really anything to tell I don't know how he knows my name but okay". I walked outside with Brantley. After all this time and I couldn't believe I was finally meeting him.

Brantley

I was so caught off guard I forgot to grab my drink. I held the back door open while Harmony walked through it. It felt so good to be out in the open air. I only had 5 minutes until I had to be back on stage. I had to make those 5 minutes count. "What are you doing here?" "I needed to get away and Nashville seemed a good place to go" "So you're living here?" "Yup. For about 6 weeks or so now" "Will you go out with me tomorrow?" "Will you be sober?" "If that's what it takes to see you again" "Then yes." She gave me her number and I wanted so bad to spend more time with her but I had to get back on stage and by the time the show was over I couldn't get a second with her because she was so busy. I would see her again tomorrow though as long as I didn't mess it up like I did everything else these days. I grabbed my guitar and that's when IO realized I hadn't had a drink in hours.