The alcohol definitely helped calm my nerves. I stood with Kara by the stage door waiting. I heard Jay's voice replaying in my head.
“Wait for me”
*oh oh oh oh oh oh*
Kara's phone ringing made me jump and then I started to laugh. She looked at the caller ID and frowned. That made me stop laughing right away.
“Work.” she said as she picked up the phone. She walked a few feet away from me to talk and I watched her closely. Reading her body langage. It wasnt good. She was frustrated and I could tell this was not a plesent phone call. She hung up and walked over to me. She looked like she was about to burst into tears.
“I have to go.” SHE WHAT?! No no no. I could not do this alone.
“Kar, no! I cant do this without you! What happened?”
“They need me at work. I tried to say no. But it was either come in now. Or lose my job.. and Nic, I just cant afford to lose this job”
As upset as I was, I tried not to show it. Kara had been providing for her family for the past year and a half.. Her dad had died in a car accident a few years back, and her mom just stopped everything. She sits in her rocking chair all day. Not saying or doing anything but looking straight ahead and slowly rocking back and forth. Barely hanging on. And last year, all of the money from the insurance had dried up, so it was up to Kara to support herself, her mother, and her 16 year old sister, Isabelle.
“I wish I could be here for you sweetheart. But I really have to go.” she started to sniffle.
“ No. hun, its okay. I understand. Go. Ill tell you all about it later” I gave her a huge hun, and she ran off to her car. Oh shit. Now I had to find a ride home later. Maybe I could see if the boys would be able to help me figure something out. Gah it was getting a bit chilly out. Thats New England weather for you. It was only September and there was already a chill in the air.. I sat down on the sidewalk and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
I looked at my cell phone to check the time. 10:35. I rubbed my hands together and then on my arms to try and warm me up.
10:45.
11:00.
Right about now I wished I had brought a jacket with me. It was warm when I left the house this morning, but the night chill was really starting to get to me. The crowd of girls had all left.. Making me the only person around. I walked over to the building and leaned against it. I sank to the ground and my heartbeat started to quicken, as tears started to stream down my face. Did he forget me? How could he? He's the one who told me to wait for him..
11:15.
Just as I started to lose all hope I heard the stage door open slowly. I quickly wiped away my tears as best I could and stood up.
- - - - - - - -
Jay's POV
All I wanted to do was to go outside.. But Martin insisted on a meeting so we could al talk about the plan for the next few days. I hardly paid attention to anything that was being said. I just wanted to see her again. The “meeting” was finally over and I looked at my phone. 11:10. Fuck. There was no way she had waited that long. The gig had been over for an hour and a half.
I ran across the venue, trying not to trip over everything in sight.. I made it to the stage door and looked at my phone again. 11:15. I caught my breath. Even though I know it wouldnt do any good if she was still waiting.. She would just take my breath away again.. I opened the door slowly, afraid that I would find an empty alleyway. I propped open the door and walked out. At first I heard what sounded like crying but it came to almost an immediate stop.
She was there. I couldnt believe it.. She stood up and I walked towards her.
She looked up at me and confirmed what I had thought when walking out of the door.. She still had tears in her eyes.
I spoke softly, almost a whisper.
“You waited.”
Her tears spilled over and I wiped them away with the back of my hand.
“Hey. Hey. Dont cry. What's wrong?” I cradled her face in my hands.
“I thought.. I thought you had forgotten about me.” she spoke and her voice was shakey. I smiled and looked her in the eyes.
“Nicolette. I dont think I will ever be able to forget you.”I pulled her tightly into my chest and I felt her breathing even out.
“Would you like to go inside?” I felt her head nod and she let go of my waist. I put my arm around her shoulder and we walked back into the building.
