Anything Goes

People Living in Competition

“You still haven't told him?” Chris said incredulously. 

“I'm working on it.” I protested weakly. “I just...need more time…” I took a huge gulp of beer. He stared. 

“Izzy, it's been three weeks. How long do you plan on waiting? Either shit or get off the pot. You're gonna miss your chance.” said Chris, drawing on his cigarette. i stared at him blankly.

“Miss my chance? What’s that supposed to mean?” I said, staring into the warm L.A. darkness. The bed of his pickup truck felt cold, even though the night was warm. The streetlight above us kept flickering. A cat crossed the dark alley in the distance. Chris knocked back his beer, settling back against the cab.

“Well, yeah. A guy like Axl isn’t going to stay single for long. You’ve seen him around girls, right? You’ve known him longer than I have. He’s good looking. Girls would fight each other just to suck him off.” He remarked, offering me his cigarette. I raised my eyebrows. “Oh no, no, no, get your mind out of the gutter. I don’t swing that way.” 

“So, who’s this Tracii we’re supposed to meet? Some friend of yours?” I asked quickly, trying desperately to get off this conversation. 

“Yes, he’s a friend of mine. He’s the one that told me how to contact you, remember?” I shook my head. I actually didn’t remember Chris telling me that, nor had I ever met Tracii. I must be famous, because somehow everyone knows me. I know maybe five people, and I’m talking to one of them. “And don’t change the subject. You need to man up and be honest with your best friend. You owe him that.”

“I am honest with him!” I argued. 

“Ok then. Like, you were honest with him about Spike, or how honest you are with your feelings for him? That kind of honesty?”

“Oh, shut up.” I snapped. Who was he to lecture me about honesty when he lies about his age to get beer? I stared out across the parking lot and saw someone approaching. Under the dim streetlight, I saw inky black hair and a long grey cardigan that my mom might have worn. He had a few shiny necklaces on, a handful of bracelets, and...was that lipstick? Chris stood up and hopped down from his truck. 

“Ah, perfect timing.” Chris said, giving the guy a one-armed hug. The guy looked barely out of high school, if not still in it. He definitely wasn’t old enough to buy his own liquor. How come all the underage kids in Hollywood flock to me of all people? “Izzy, this is Tracii. This is the one I was telling you about. He told me where to find you.” 

“Nice to finally meet you. I’ve seen you in playing in clubs and shit, but we’ve never talked.” Tracii extended his hand. I took it. Calloused fingers.

“I’m guessing you play guitar.” I said, putting up my usual cool when meeting other people. Can’t trust anyone here, even friends of friends. I learned that my first week in L.A. 

“Yeah, I do. Very observant.” He brushed his hair out of his eyes. Eyeshadow too. “I don’t need to ask if you do, I’ve seen you play. You were about the only one worth watching in that band. What was the name of it? Something hard to pronounce.”

“Yeah, I’m not in that band anymore.” I said. This kid seemed a little too smart for his own good. Bet he got into a lot of trouble. 

“Oh, I knew that. I caught you guys’ show a few weeks ago. At Madam Wong’s?” My stomach sank. I didn’t want to be reminded of that again. Can’t everyone just let it die? He lit a cigarette. “What happened there, anyway?”

“It was an accident.” I murmured, flushing. Chris looked unruffled. Thanks, buddy. You’re the best. Tracii shrugged.

“Well, accidents happen. God knows that.” Tracii said coolly. “We ‘accidentally’ fired our singer last week.” Chris laughed.

“You fired Mike? Damn, man, what the hell took you so long?” Tracii laughed too.

“I dunno myself. Guess I felt bad for the guy. Then he got drunk at a show and smashed some of my shit and suddenly I didn't feel so bad anymore.” 

“So what’s gonna happen to you guys now?” Chris asked, polishing off his beer. Tracii shrugged.

“Beats me. Not too much going on right now.”

“Well, I heard Tidus might be looking for a second guitarist.” Tracii snorted.

“And go play with Saul Hudson? I’ll pass.” I felt like the third wheel. And just as this realization hit me, Tracii turned to me. “What’s the name of your singer? Alex? The red-head?”

“Oh, you mean Axl?” Even his name was hard to say at the moment. I wondered if he was ok, if he was still safe at Spike’s, if he was taking care of himself…

“Yeah, that's the one. ‘Axl’...why the fuck did I think his name was Alex? Maybe I was drunk when I heard him say his name over the piece of shit PA.” He closed his lips around his cigarette. “He has a hell of a voice. Probably the best damn singer in all of L.A. Bet he's good in bed, too. Don't suppose he's available?”

“Axl's spoken for.” Chris said, snickering. But that glint in his eyes meant business. Damn. “Besides, we saw him first.”

“Better guard him then. He's got other bands interested in him too. Saul wants him, Kevin Lawrence wants him...wonder if he knows how good he is.” Traci said distantly. I could see the cool exterior of his coming down slowly as he got more comfortable. He seemed a lot like me. “He's really going to go places. That's why everyone has their eyes on him.” 

Whoa.

“Anyway, guys, I gotta run. I have to get up for school tomorrow.” Tracii said, extending his hand. “Nice to finally meet you, Izzy. Maybe we'll hang out sometime, jam a little bit. Later Chris.” He walked away. Chris made sure he was well out of earshot before he turned to me.

“See what I mean? You're not the only one with him in their sights.”

“He's not gonna go join another band.” I said, more for my benefit than for his. “Trust me. He isn't gonna jump ship without me.”

“Yeah, you say that,” Chris remarked. “But I'm not talking about joining another band here.” I stared.

“Tracii didn't mean it like--”

“Oh no? Tracii bats for both teams, dude. And Tracii doesn't give a flying fuck what's between their legs. He wants it, he'll take it. Good guy though.” Chris added. “Don't let his attitude fool you, he's a big softie. A slightly arrogant one, but a softie nonetheless. Still, you're running out of time. Better get your shit together quick.” We climbed back in his truck and he cranked up the sputtering ignition, the only thing louder than my thumping heart. 

Oh fuck.