Puppy Love

Part 11.5

I left her house, giddy from this morning's events but dreading what was to come. As much as I was looking forward to finally having a good gig again, I really couldn't shake Melissa off. She was nice at first, good-looking even, but she was nothing like her.

The hot water pounded my back as I washed the scent of my girlfriend off me, chuckling to myself at the thought of why I smelled like her. I made a mental note to have flowers sent to her house tomorrow, praying she was a fan of white tulips. Roses were too cliché, and daffodils reminded me of funerals. I figured tulips were safe, and maybe even symbolic—I always thought it would be nice to take her to Amsterdam someday.

The high-pitched whine chilled my bones as I entered the bar, guitar case in hand and a fake smile plastered on my face.

"Shawnnn," she smiled, running up to me and wrapping her arms around my waist. What the hell?

I pushed her back a bit, attempting to peel her off of me as I gave a fake smile, shuffling over to the stage and setting my guitar case down.

"You almost done in here? I gotta be out by quarter to four," I said flatly, brows furrowed as a look of harshness crossed my features. Melissa pouted, bony hands finding her tiny hips as she jutted one out, exaggerating her stupid fucking body language.

"I was hoping to be with you longer," she squeaked, earning a shake of my head as I thanked my lucky stars she wasn't my girlfriend.

"I've actually gotta meet my girlfriend," I smiled, eyes crinkling as my stomach dipped, remembering that I had to order her some flowers. I slipped my phone from my pocket and Googled the nearest florist and ordered two dozen white tulips to my girl's house, set to arrive the next day. I quickly entered my credit card information that I had memorized, not bothering to overthink the price because I was pretty sure I was in love with her. Did the cost really matter, anyway? She's the reason I even had this gig.

Melissa shuffled over to one of the tables, taking a seat as I plugged into the amp and started warming up. So far, I'd incorporated mostly originals into my setlist, starting with one called "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" to get the crowd pumped up. Then, I planned on slowing it down and going into "Don't Be A Fool," and I was still playing around with where I wanted to put "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon and "Black" by Pearl Jam. I had spent a while unsuccessfully deciding on one last song, something to make my girl happy because this was the first time she'd see me performing live. A love song, for sure, but I wasn't quite sure if I should cover something like "Thinking Out Loud" or perform another one of my songs—one that was actually about her.

I began singing as I strummed along, testing the waters by choosing "Don't" by Ed Sheeran to start with. Hopefully, I'd send the message to leave me the hell alone, and if not, it was a great song to get my vocals warmed up.

I soon went into my actual setlist, moving the tracks around because the rest of the band wasn't here with me. Melissa clapped like an idiot after each one, and I'm pretty sure she even recorded certain parts. The thought of her having footage of me in her camera roll boiled my blood, but it's not like I could afford to freak out. Gotta keep the peace and just get it the fuck over with.

"Hey, good job," she squeaked, sauntering over to me and continuing to walk in my direction as I took a step backwards.

"Thanks," I responded as I looked away, quickly packing up and waving goodbye as I exited the venue.

My veins flooded with excitement as I finally got out of there, hanging onto the hope of seeing my beautiful girlfriend soon. She'd be bringing Geoff back to my house, and I planned on fitting in some snuggles and potentially even romancing the fuck out of her. I took a little detour, killing time as I weaved through the streets of Downtown Toronto. It was busy, as usual, but peaceful in its own way. The sidewalks were buzzing with businesspersons, each escaping the office early because it was Friday. All headed to Union Station, I had bet. Would hate to be on the GO train at this hour.