P.J.: A Love Story

Blush

[Sky's set includes:
            Jolene -
            Amos Moses - Jerry Reed
            Ugly Things - Unknown Hinson
            Danger Zone - Archer Version
            Baby, Please Don't Go - Charlene from Archer
            If You're Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough - Roger Alan Wade]

[Songs playing in the bar while Sky and Johnny talk:
            Too Drunk to Fuck - Nouvelle Vague
            Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
            Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
            Six Blade Knife - Dire Straits
            Town Without Pity - Gene Pitney
            Dragging the Line - Tommy James]

    The set went ok, but Sky had butterflies the entire time... With only a few songs left to play, she got more and more nervous about Johnny arriving.
        And then, the one and only, Johnny Knoxville, walked in, smiling and greeting everyone at the very end of the bar.  Sky's voice caught in her throat for a moment as she sang "Baby Please Don't Go." My god is he hot, she thought.  One of Jeff's lackey's gave the nod to start playing "If you're gonna be dumb you gotta be tough" next. Her band finished playing the song from Archer and she looked out to see him clapping and paying complete attention. She started playing If You're Gonna be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough acoustic and alone. When she got to "I've had dudes with badges frisk me," she heard the distinct sound of Steve-O's voice yelling YEAH! And every one laughed.  Johnny moved to the center of the room and watched her intently. 
        He took his sunglasses off to get a better look at her; he couldn't believe she was there.  He looked over at Jeff with a huge grin and slapped him on the back and then nodded to her.
        At the end of the song Sky said, "Happy birthday Johnny." Everyone clapped and after a small bow, she announced she'd be back to play some more with her band after a quick break.  Feeling as though she might vomit she went to the green room and plopped down on the couch to catch her breath.
Mary came in soon after and handed her a drink.  "You probably want some deoderant, babe."
       Almost choking on her drink, Sky sputtered, "WHAT?!"
       "Just kidding. Quit freaking out! Go talk to him!"
       "I don't know what to say...What is this drink you just gave me?" It was good, but Sky still eyed it suspiciously.
       "It's the specialty drink of the night."  She airquoted, "the 'Johnny Knoxville.'"  Leave it to Los Angeles clubs to be so creative.      "Well, for a start, say happy birthday...?" Sky said nothing and just gave her most "really?" face.  "Hey, it's a great conversation starter, I mean it IS his birthday and we ARE at his birthday party."
       "I feel like I'm gonna vom.  It's so hot in here, right?!"
       Mary paused, "Stop being a drama queen."  She dragged Sky to her feet and turned her towards the back door.  "Look, go take a breath outside and then go talk to him."
       "Can't I just give him the birthday card?" Sky slightly dug her heels into the ground.
       "No."
       "Or I could just leave it with Jeff and we could go home?"
       Just then Mary's phone rang and she rolled her eyes, "fucking Tom, anything you want me to tell him?"  Sky thought, but her mind was completely blank. 
       "Hang on one sec, Tom," she said into the phone before pressing the phone into her shoulder.  "Ok then, go talk to him!"
       Sky cracked her neck and her gaze went towards the back door.  Fresh air wouldn't be a bad idea.  Outside there is a parking lot and an alley behind that.  There are a few street lights, and a few people milling about but it's mostly it's quiet.  She took a huge breath and felt the cool air go in her chest.
       "SKY!"
       She looked over and there is Ryan Dunn and Bam.  They were stomping out their cigarettes. While she walked over to them, she felt the Santa Ana winds coming in and shivered.
      "Hey guys."  Her arms instinctively crossed over her core to keep warm, as she was wearing a little black halter dress that landed just above the knee and some silver pumps.
       "So, is it true?" Bam asked conspiratorially.
       "What?"
       "Did you agree to do this for free?" His voice was hushed a little and he and Ryan both looked interested in the answer.
       "Did I play this party for free?  Yeah, why?"
       Ryan spoke, "Jeff told Johnny, but we thought he was lying."
       "Oh, well, it's the truth."  Pause.  "Believe it or not.  Why would he lie about that?"
       Ryan exchanged a glance with Bam and they both smiled. "Knoxville has it really bad for you," Bam said.
       Sky felt the blush rise to her face, "really?"
       "Uh oh," Ryan starts.  "You're gonna fuck Knoxville!"
       Her eyes widened and she shushed him.  "I haven't even met the guy yet, jeez."  The nausea returned as the notion he might have a crush on her was realized.
       "Yeah, okay," Ryan said.
       Sky shook my head and said, "sigh," as she walked back into the club.
       "Hey, where you goin?" Bam yelled after her.  She ignored him.