Exhausted&Lost

Chapter Four

"...and in '07 I saw you in Marlay park. 2012 in Belfast..."

Dave laughed and ashed his cigarette, "Fuck man, all that money you have spent on our shows and I'm here freeloading all your beer!"

Ava felt a blush creep in to her cheeks feeling that she may be coming across as a crazed fan, "Don't feel too special, I love your music, but before El came along pretty much all of my money was dedicated to catching as many different shows as I physically could." She finished her sentence with a wink, letting him know she was only teasing.

"I get it, there's nothing like the thrill of a live show," Dave said, taking a long draw of his cigarette.

"Yeah, it's like my whole life was centered around music for so long, then I became a mom and I lost that part of myself a little. I'm rediscovering my love for it though, its why I started to host these open mics," Ava explained, stubbing out her cigarette on the wall behind her.

Dave followed suit and they headed back inside. Ava's boot caught the step as they walked back inside and she felt a warm, calloused hand grip her arm. She could swear her heart skipped a beat at the contact.

"Careful! We cant have the host busting up her pretty face," he grinned. Ava felt that blush creeping back in and tipped her head forward so her hair draped over her face in an attempt to hide her flaming cheeks.

"Thanks, I'm so bloody clumsy," she managed through an awkward laugh.

Once they were back inside, Ava topped up her wine, feeling the need for some additional courage to get through this evening. She sat clutching the glass watching Dave and Chris laugh about something across the room in her peripheral vision. She didn't notice Izzy approach the mic holding Ava's guitar that stayed in her office at the back of the store.

"Alright, up next we have my good friend and our fearless leader coming up to play a song," she spoke in to the mic, "everyone give it up for Ava Ryan!"

Ava's heart stopped and her hands instantly became clammy. She normally had some nerves when getting up to perform, but getting up to perform in front of literal rock stars instilled the fear of God in her.

The small crowd began to applaud and she noticed a few cheers coming from the corner where Dave and Chris stood. She stiffly walked up to Izzy, downed her wine and took her guitar before situating herself on to her stool.

She cleared her throat before speaking in to the mic, "Izzy... you're fired," she said, only half joking, earning a laugh from the crowd. She quickly scanned her brain for songs and settled on a slower, softer rendition of her go to karaoke tune "Shake it Out" by Florence and the Machine.

"Regrets collect like old friends, here to relive your darkest moments..." she sang, alternating between closing her eyes and peering down at her guitar, knowing if she met eyes with Dave she would probably fall off the stool.

She finished to another round of applause and a standing ovation from the two men she was trying not to notice.

Chris approached first and told her that she sounded great. He then asked to borrow her guitar and got up to play a few of his own songs.

"A woman of many talents," Dave mused as he looked her up and down, "what else can you do Ava?" He asked with a cheeky smirk on his face.

"To find out..." she said, leaning in closely, "you're going to have to pour me another drink."

With that he plucked her glass out of her hand and bounded off to the table full of bottles. She shook her head, wondering what had gotten in to her, brazenly flirting with the musician who had crashed her open mic.