Two men.
One a 'retired self-employed' male prostitute. Never experiencing real love. Looking for something, but don't know what.
The other a want to be musician, running from a broken marriage. Not sure if he can trust love again. Looking for some...
"You nervous, Avi?" Austin asks as they walk into the crowded bar.
"A little but not too bad." Avi chuckles. "I think Tim is more nervous than I am."
"Who's nervous, I'm not nervous." Tim says as he takes a seat at the bar. "Can I have a beer, please?" He asks the bartender.
"If you say so." Avi laughs as he kisses Tim softly. "Gotta go."
"Good luck, Angel." Tim says as he watches Avi walk away carrying his guitar.
"He'll do fine, Tim." Adam says as he and Austin join Tim at the bar next to the stage.
"Oh, there's no doubt in my mind. But the manager told me that a lot of music producers come in here looking for new talent. I'm just praying that Avi catches the eye of one of them." Tim says as he eyes the crowd.
"Why do you think I never said anything about it in front of Avi? It would have made him a nervous wreck." Tim chuckles.
The first guy that performed tried to be another Rod Stewart but failed miserably. The crowd was NOT impressed by the guy at all.
A lady performed next. She was actually pretty good. She sang songs by Dolly Parton and Reba McIntire.
"Oh, sweet Jesus." Tim mumbles as he sees Avi back stage getting ready to come on stage next.
Each performer was singing four songs. Avi had decided on "Hey Ya", "Light In The Hallway", "Standing By" and was ending the set with "Sweet Adeline".
The manager introduces him and as he walks out on stage, the crowd cheers. Tim's eardrums were nearly busted by Austin whistling loudly. Avi smiles as Tim blows him a kiss.
Tim watches the crowd as Avi begins to sing his first song. They begin to smile, clap and sing along with the song. They loved him!
As he begins to sing "Light In The Hallway", the crowd pulls out their phones and turns on the lights. It was beautiful.
"Excuse me." A male voice speaks beside Tim. "Do you know him?"
"Actually, yeah. He's my boyfriend." Tim smiles proudly. "Avi Kaplan."
"My name is Darren Rust." The man says as he hands Tim a card.
"Holy sh*t." Tim whispers, his eyes widening as he reads the card. 'Darren Rust, Music Producer, Skyland Studio'.
"I'd be very interested in hearing more from Avi. He's fantastic. Does he write also?" Darren asks.
"Yes, he does. As a matter of fact, he wrote the next song 'Standing By'." Tim says as he continues to stare at the business card.
No sooner than the words were out of Tim's mouth, Avi introduced 'Standing By' explaining that he had written the song for his boyfriend Tim.
As he sang, Darren crosses his arms across his chest and listens carefully to the song. Tim turns quietly around and shows Austin and Adam the card.
Austin's jaw drops. Adam smiles and gives Tim a thumbs up.
"Wow! He is awesome. Where has he been hiding?" Darren says.
"He just hasn't had the right door open for him." Tim says as he watches Avi on stage as he sang his final song 'Sweet Adeline'. He was having the time of his life.
"I'm sorry but I never got your name." Darren says.
"Tim Foust." Tim replies.
"Well, Tim, I believe I can open the right door for Avi." Darren smiles.
Tim smiles as he looks back down at the card.
"Lakeville, Minnesota?" Tim asks as he looks back up at Darren.
It quickly dawns on Darren that getting to Minnesota might be a problem for them.
"I wanna hear more from Avi, Tim. If he's interested I will furnish the plane tickets to Minnesota." Darren says.
"So how do yall think I did?" Avi smiles as he comes out from back stage.
"Awesome as always." Tim says as he pulls Avi into a hug.
"Oh, you're just being biased." Avi laughs.
"No, he's absolutely correct." Darren says.
Avi gives him an 'And who the hell are you' look.
"Avi, Honey, I want to introduce you to someone." Tim smiles. "This is Darren Rust. Music Producer of Skyland Studio in Minnesota."
Avi numbly holds out his hand to greet the man. Music Producer!!?? HOLY MOLY!!
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Avi. You are a very, very talented man. And I would love to hear more from you." Darren says.
Avi's speech fails him and he could only nod. He had heard of both, Darren Rust and Skyland Studio. He was more or less star struck.
"Th .. Thank you, Mr. Rust. It .. It's an honor to meet you." Avi says as he shakes Darren's hand.
"I was just telling Tim that I would love to have you both or whoever wants to come..." Darren says as he looks at Adam and Austin. "Flown out to Minnesota. I would really love to work with you. I believe that we could easily get you signed."
"Holy Moly." Avi says softly as his eyes roll back and he faints.
Tim catches him in his arms.
"He's speechless." Tim laughs.
The bartender who had been standing near by listening grabs a glass of water and hands it to Austin.
"Baby?" Tim says as he gently slaps Avi's cheek to wake him up.
Avi's eyes flutter open and meet Tim's brown eyes smiling down at him.
"Honey, I had this most amazing dream. I had the chance of getting signed." Avi smiles at his boyfriend.
"Sweetheart, it wasn't a dream." Tim chuckles as he stands Avi up on his feet.
Austin hands Tim the water and he gives Avi a drink.
"It wasn't a dream?" Avi asks as he looks around at Darren. "You're not a figment of my imagination?"
"Nope." Darren smiles.
Avi reaches over and pinches Darren on the arm.
"Ouch!" Darren laughs as he rubs his arm. "Satisfied?"
"Sorry. Just wanted to make sure." Avi giggles.
********
** Home Free fans will probably know who Darren Rust is. But in case you don't, he is Home Free's Producer. (pictured below with Kirstie)
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