Chapter 7: Day Two

           Mallory awoke somewhat disoriented. She wasn’t in her bed. She was in the hotel in Smithberg. She glanced over to the other queen bed. Stevie was there. Good.

She began to remember the events of the evening, although they got muddier toward the end. There was a little knife in the back of her head when she sat up, but some black coffee would fix that. She had found that quality tequila was the only hard liquor that didn’t give her a hangover.

Normally the girls would head immediately downstairs for their free continental breakfast, regardless of their morning appearance. But this time they risked bumping into one of the members of Mad Ben Stan. That is, the band they hung out with last night. It was unreal. So instead they quickly showered and made themselves presentable before visiting the now picked-over mini buffet.

Their precautions turned out to be in vain however, as they didn’t run into anyone they knew. It quickly became clear why. The lobby of the hotel was crawling with people, mostly women, who the girls assumed probably weren’t guests of the hotel. There were a few nerds, a few geeks, but mostly plasticated women of varying ages all done up and looking for the band. And there was a good chance that none of those women had tickets to the show or even the slightest interest in Mad Ben Stan. Celebrities were in town and they clearly had their minds set on getting whatever they could.

Not wanting to eat with the crowd Mallory and Stevie stepped back onto the elevator, balancing tiny Styrofoam plates of food and cups of coffee. At the second floor they were joined by a short, old man with a maintenance cart.

“Goin’ to the concert?” He spoke with a smile and stared straight at the elevator doors as they closed.

“Yes,” Stevie replied. She shot a wide-eyed glance at Mallory who was trying not to laugh out loud.

“He’s in room A12.” It was obvious he meant Ben Stanovich. The man gave up this top-secret information without a bit of coaxing. Stevie slapped her hands over her ears. They didn’t want to know what room he was in. They weren’t stalkers. Why did he tell them that?

Finally they were at their floor. The old man stayed on the elevator as they exited.

“Have fun,” he shouted between the closing doors.

“Holy crap,” cried Stevie. “Why would he tell us that? Does he tell everybody that? Wouldn’t he get fired?”

“They wouldn’t fire a guy who’s a hundred years old. We just know now what floor to avoid.”

After a carb-heavy breakfast Stevie wanted to find the gym. Fitness was her new obsession. Mallory wasn’t as enthusiastic.

“Come down if you want to, then,” Stevie told her.

Mallory decided instead to explore the hotel. She loved hotels, loved the sounds and the pool smell that lingered in every hotel lobby. But with the celebrity-seekers lingering she couldn’t sit and relax like she wanted to. She couldn’t even wander without looking like a stalker. Her only other option was to watch Stevie work out at the gym. Maybe she’d even step on the treadmill for a few minutes.

The desk clerk gave Mallory a series of confusing directions to the gym, beginning at a locked door. She used her room key to enter and tried to remember the maze that had been described. She passed the pool. Okay, she’d said it was after the pool. But then it wasn’t. Suddenly she found herself at a dead end, a hallway with rooms and a fire exit. When she turned to her left and saw the room number she panicked. A12- Ben Stanovich’s room. Crap.

She didn’t mean to come down this way. She had to get out fast. If anyone caught her there they’d definitely think she was stalking him. She looked around frantically. Screw the gym. She was just going to go back to her room and wait for Stevie.

But when she had retreated only a few feet she heard the familiar click of a door handle. And then the door opened. Ben’s door. He stepped out in a fluffy, white robe and caught her there. She was looking back over her shoulder at him with wide eyes.

“Hi,” Mallory squeaked. He just smiled. Crap. Oh, crap. “I was just looking for the gym.”

“It’s right down here.” Ben pointed past her. He had an amused grin on his face as he led her only a few doors down to a glass door marked GYM in big, bold letters. Inside she could see Stevie peddling away, her back to them.

It mortified her to think that Ben didn’t buy her story. Her intentions were pure, but how could she tell him that? She wasn’t even dressed for a workout. And over-explaining would just make her sound guilty. So she muttered a “thank you” and reached for the door.

“It’s Mallory, right?” He was no longer smirking. The subject was changed. Everything was fine.

Mallory nodded. She was impressed that he remembered her name. Maybe he was just good at remembering names. Probably.

“This is your second show, huh?” How did he know? “I guess you’re a fan now.”

She began to protest, to tell him she’d always liked his music. But he grinned from ear to ear. He could see right through her. So she closed her mouth tightly and smiled sheepishly.

“I guess I’m a fan. But I’m not a stalker. I really was looking for the gym. See,” she pointed through the door, “there’s my friend.”

He threw his head back and laughed heartily. He was so tall and Mallory noticed how good he smelled. As a man, not a rock star, standing here in a borrowed robe, having a casual conversation, he was quite handsome and quite charming. Mallory scolded herself again for thinking that way about Stevie’s life-long crush.

“So I’ll see you later.” He said it almost as a question, but also as a fact. But what did he mean by it? He would see her in the crowd at his concert? She doubted it. He would see her after the show? Where? When? Why was he so damned vague?

“Right. Enjoy your swim.” She looked down at his robe and then quickly back up to his eyes. “Or whatever.”

Ben winked and pulled the gym door open for her. Inside Stevie had her ear buds in and was totally oblivious to the scene. Mallory tapped her vigorously on the shoulder and, speaking a thousand miles a minute, related the whole story to her in fine detail.

Chapter 6: Smithberg

          Although the concert was on a Saturday night, Mallory and Stevie drove to Smithberg after work on Friday. They both loved road trips and decided to consider this one a mini vacation. Not only had Jake promised to comp their show tickets, but he reserved a room for them for two nights and insisted they wouldn’t have to pay a cent.

            Mallory wondered what kind of conversation Stevie and Jake had had in the bar that night. And she wondered what kind of conversations they’d had on the phone since then. But Stevie didn’t offer up that information and Mallory wasn’t going to pry it out of her. If there was anything going on she’d tell her best friend, wouldn’t she?

            They got to the hotel after eight-thirty that night. It had been a long work day for both of them and they were anxious to go straight to bed. But while Stevie was checking them in, Mallory caught a glimpse of a familiar face getting onto the elevator. It was Mike, the bass player who had taken their picture at the last show. He spotted her as well and jumped off of the elevator before the doors could close.

            “Hi,” he said warmly as he bounded over to them. He was a big guy, but his voice and demeanor were as gentle as a lamb. He was all smiles. “I remember you two from a month ago. How have you been?”

            “Great,” Mallory shook his enormous hand. Apparently Jake hadn’t shared the news with Mike that he had invited the ladies to the show. Or maybe there was some secret Mallory wasn’t in on. But she didn’t get a chance to start an inquisition.

            “Hi,” Stevie interrupted. “It’s so good to see you. We can’t wait for the show tomorrow.”

            “Everybody’s in the bar.” Mike motioned to his left. Beyond the cushy lobby was a large doorway clearly marked “Spanky’s” in large neon letters. They could hear the soft thump of dance music coming from inside. “I have to go upstairs, but I’ll be back down in a bit.” With that he turned and hopped back onto the elevator.

            “Everybody” obviously meant the band. And he had apparently just extended an invitation for Mallory and Stevie to join the band in the bar. Even Mallory had butterflies in her stomach. It hit her then; these guys were famous musicians, they were rock stars, and they wanted to hang out with them. Well, two or three of them did. It was a difficult concept to get her head around.

            Quickly the two girls found their room and threw their suitcases inside. They hadn’t expected to be social tonight and now they had to do some last minute primping. They both threw off their tank tops and squeezed into shirts that were more revealing. Mallory traded her flip-flops for the heels she’d be wearing to the concert. Luckily she’d worn her sexy-but-not-uncomfortable jeans.

            Within ten minutes they were back downstairs and stood nervously by the entrance to Spanky’s. They weren’t sure how to act. Should they look for the guys and join them? Should they go in and sit alone, hoping the guys would approach them? What was the protocol when being not-exactly invited to a bar by a world-famous band? If only they made handbooks for this kind of thing.

            Clearly Stevie was too nervous to lead the way. She was chattering on about how nervous she was and how she was afraid if she saw Ben Stanovich she’d freeze up again. Mallory assured her she’d help her every step of the way. Then, mustering some kind of fake courage, Mallory whipped her hair over her shoulder and strutted into the dance club.

            The place was dark, but not too dark to see. There were flashing lights and a little bit of smoke from a smoke machine. The dance floor was practically empty and only a handful of tables were occupied. Mallory rounded the bar, trying to look like she knew exactly where she was going. But out of the side of her eye she was searching for any of the guys in the band.

            Suddenly Stevie was snatched from right beside Mallory. It was Jake, although Mallory barely recognized him. He was wearing glasses and his hair was tousled instead of slicked back like he wore it on stage. Of course he would look different than he did on stage.

            Jake pulled them over to a table in the corner that was hidden but still had a view of the dance floor. Barry was there and jumped up to greet them. He pulled a chair out for Mallory and she sat down. She’d never had her chair pulled out for her before. Then he ordered a round of beers for the table.

            Soon Mike was there too and ordered another round. Mallory hadn’t finished her first beer and Barry noted that she’d better catch up. Across the tiny, round table Stevie shot her a look as if to say, “Look where we are!” It was again a surreal situation.

            Barry leaned over and shouted in Mallory’s ear, just enough to be heard over the loud music. “So, are you coming to the show tomorrow night?”

            She shot him a strange look. He really was clueless after all. “Of course we are.”

            “Well, okay. I wasn’t sure.”

            “We didn’t drive three hours to not go to the show.”

            “I thought you lived close.”

            “No.” She started to explain, but Mike was suddenly hovering over her with his hand outstretched, asking her to dance. She looked past him at the empty dance floor and started to object. But by now she was halfway through her second beer and her liquid courage was beginning to take its effect.

            The music was fun and lively and Mike was an okay dancer. What he lacked in formal training he made up for with enthusiasm. The two of them gyrated all over the floor and were soon joined by Barry and Stevie. By the end of the first song other people drifted onto the floor to dance.

            “See,” Mike shouted over the music. “We got the party started.”

            When they were back at the table, Jake had another round of beers waiting. Their table was beginning to look like a sea of brown bottles. The conversation flowed easily now as everyone got used to each other. Mallory barely noticed when a tall man in a baseball cap sat down next to her. She continued her lively and somewhat ridiculous speech about why it’s perfectly rational to be afraid of spiders. The stranger sat there without saying a word.

            Stevie didn’t notice the man, either. She and Jake were deep in their own conversation, their knees touching. He seemed greatly interested in what she was saying and she laughed loudly at every amusing thing he said.

            “How about some shots?” Barry motioned to the server who came to take their drink order. Then he looked to Mallory like it was some kind of test.

            “Jose Cuervo,” she said without breaking his stare. “No lime. No salt.” Barry raised his eyebrows and ordered the same. Everyone followed suit except for Stevie.

            “I can’t handle straight tequila,” she said. She thought for a moment. “I’ll have a Slippery Nipple.”

            “Good choice,” Jake said with a smile. They stared at each other for a minute too long and Mallory had no doubt now that something was going on.

            When the shots came they all raised their glasses. But no one could think of a toast.

            “To new friends,” Mike said finally. Everyone agreed and threw back their shots. Mallory loved the burn of the tequila as it went down. After the three beers it wasn’t much of a burn at all.

            Barry slammed his shot glass down on the table, sending a wave clinking through the sea of beer bottles. “What do you say, Ben?” he shouted to the man in the hat sitting next to Mallory.

            Ben? Stevie’s eyes went wide. Mallory turned and looked finally at this stranger. It was Ben Stanovich alright. His hair was tucked up under the hat and stubble covered his chin. Of course he would be incognito. Rock stars can’t hang out in dance clubs without being bothered.

            “I say that’s some fine tequila,” Ben replied. He glanced at Mallory who was trying now to act casual, but was suddenly rigid and awkward. He smirked, not in a cocky way, but as if he realized he’d unintentionally pulled a fast one on her.

            Lucky for Mallory the tequila kicked in right away. It wasn’t long before she and Stevie and Mike were back on the dance floor. Suddenly she felt like she could dance like a superstar. She either forgot that Ben was watching or she didn’t care. Either way, she felt fabulous even when Barry decided to try some of his dirty dancing moves on her.

            By now Mallory’s vision was suffering the effects of alcohol. She felt like she was in a warm tunnel where the air was cloudy and thick. Everything around her looked better, everything suggested to her seemed like a good idea. Looking at Barry dancing awkwardly in front of her she even thought, “He’s a great guy. We should be friends forever.” Clearly the thoughts of a tequila-soaked mind.

            Somehow she and Stevie made it back to their room. She remembered being ushered down the hallway by Jake and Mike. She couldn’t tell if anyone else was as drunk as she was. She hoped they were because she’d hate for them to remember her acting stupid. At least if they were drunk they’d be stupid, too.

            Mallory stood in the dark hotel room alone for a few minutes. Her reasoning skills weren’t present to tell her to turn the light on. Stevie was out in the hallway with Jake. Mallory could hear their mumbling voices. Tired of waiting, she attempted to sit on one of the queen beds, but she missed. Instead she crumpled slowly onto the floor between them.

            Finally Stevie came into the room, turned on a light, and fell onto the floor next to her. The two lay there cuddling and laughing, recalling the events of the evening until they couldn’t stay awake any longer.

Chapter 5: The Call

           Two days after their first night together Ian called Mallory. She was shocked. She knew it wasn’t his style. He wanted to see her again. He proclaimed that he couldn’t get enough of her.

            Mallory wouldn’t admit that she felt the same. He was like a drug. The way he touched her, the way he seemed to worship her with his whole body, these things intoxicated her. She couldn’t stay away. But in public he annoyed her. He could be painfully obnoxious. He loved to pick fights with strangers. His eyes roamed to just about every woman that passed him by.

            But he was also wildly sexy. His body was ripped from working out. He took great pride in the way he looked.

            And his smile. Oh, that smile. His entire face lit up and his eyes sparkled. He had a way of looking at Mallory that made her want to tackle him to the ground and make sweet love.

            And so they kept seeing each other as friends, friends with benefits. They would go to bars together. Sometimes they’d stay in and watch a movie. They never went on real dates. That would be too much like a relationship. But in the end they would always end up in bed.

            Now here they were a few months later at Story’s Bar. Ian knew the owners and was sitting at the bar chatting one of them up. Mallory sat on a stool next to him watching the door. Stevie had texted her to find out where she was because her work friends had flaked on her and she didn’t want to go home. Mallory wasn’t keen on Stevie hanging out at Story’s. She hadn’t exactly told her about her arrangement with Ian. She was sure her friend would think less of her for carrying on such a shallow excuse for a relationship. But she also couldn’t turn down her friend when she was in need.

            When Stevie arrived at the bar she immediately sat down next to Mallory and talked her ear off. She briefly acknowledged Ian and went back to complaining about her flighty work friends. It wasn’t until Ian came over to Mallory and put his arm around her waist that Stevie realized the two of them had come together. But she only paused for a minute to say “hi” and then kept on talking.

            While Stevie rambled on Ian stood behind Mallory and slipped both arms around her waist. He began nuzzling into the back of her neck; a place he knew would get her motor running.

            “You smell so good,” he said, causing Stevie to stop mid-sentence. Mallory grinned uncomfortably as her friend gave her a confounded stare. But she began talking again regardless of the perplexing sight before her.

            “But oh,” said Stevie with an exaggerated hand gesture, “I forgot to tell you who called me yesterday.” She stopped again when Ian began kissing and licking the top of Mallory’s collar bone.

            “You taste good, too,” he mumbled. Mallory patted his hands and shooed him away. He knew he could make her crazy that way and he was right. What she wanted most right now was to usher him sternly to the car and give him a good shagging. Instead she focused her attention on her friend.

            “Are you dating him?” Stevie knew Mallory didn’t like him. At least, that’s what she’d been told. In her mind there was no way Mallory would take up with a guy like Ian.

            “No,” Mallory answered truthfully. “We’re friends.” Friends who sleep together.

            “My friends don’t lick my neck like it’s made of ice cream.”

            “You never ask me to.” She knew Stevie could be distracted by a good laugh. “Who called you?”

            “Who called me?”

            “You just said, ‘Guess who called me.’”

            “Oh!” Stevie nearly jumped out of her seat. “Jake.” Mallory looked at her blankly. “The guitar player from Mad Ben Stein.”

            “Shut up! How did he get your number?”

            Stevie blushed. “I gave it to him when we were talking at the bar. He said he’d call me if they were ever in town. I figured I’d never hear from him.”

            “And?” She felt a little pang of jealousy. Barry the Drummer had gotten her number but had never called. Not that she wanted him to. Of course she didn’t. But what the hell? Maybe after she put up a fight he’d realized the futility in calling. But still.

“He wanted to know if we’re going to see them in Smithberg next week.”

            “I didn’t know they were playing in Smithberg. That’s a three-hour drive. Are you going?”

            “I told him we can’t afford the tickets. They’re way high. But he told me if we’d drive down there he’d get us comp tickets.”

            “Why do you keep saying we? Who’s ‘we’?”

            “You and me.” Stevie hopped off of her stool and took both of Mallory’s hands. “Please, Mal. Drive with me to Smithberg. It’ll be fun. And we’ll get to hang out with the band.”

            “I don’t know.” She pried her hands free so she could order two more beers. “Doesn’t that make us groupies?”

            “No. Groupies have sex with the band. We’re just going to hang out with them.”

            Mallory cocked one eyebrow. “You don’t think ‘comp tickets’ is code for ‘I’m going to want to do you later’?”

            “Shut up,” Stevie was laughing now. They both were. And when the two of them got to laughing it would be a long time before they could stop.

            “Stevie, that snakey Jake wants to jump your bones.”

            Stevie spit a little bit of beer from her lips before she threw a hand over her mouth and swallowed. “Stop!”

            “He wants to ride you on the non-stop train to Smithberg, you dirty whore.”

            “Shut up!” Stevie was practically snorting now. “I’m not screwing any skanky musicians.”

            “Unless it’s Ben,” Mallory suggested with a sly smile.

            “Ben is not skanky,” Stevie defending in a mock-pretentious voice. “He’s an angel from Heaven. And he’s my future husband.”

Chapter 4: The Beginning

           Weeks had passed since the night at the club with Ian. Marsha and Luke had started dating exclusively. Mallory managed to get Ian out of her mind by remembering her first impression of him. He was exactly the kind of guy she should stay away from. And so she did. Until one night.

            She had agreed to meet Stevie at Fat Cat’s bar, a small place with a juke box and a cozy atmosphere. Neither of them were in the mood for dancing. They wanted to go somewhere to drink and talk. Fat Cat’s was perfect for that.

            When Mallory arrived Stevie wasn’t there yet. She bought a beer at the bar and settled at a table in a dark corner. Stevie was running late. No big deal. From the corner Mallory could see the door, but she was barely visible when it was closed. This suited her fine.

            Well into her second beer the door opened and three guys walked in. The first was tall and handsome. The second was short and average. The third was- oh crap- Ian. He hadn’t seen her. She could slip out when he wasn’t looking.

            The three of them sat at the bar, schmoozing with the lady bartender. Mallory watched them talk about whatever guy stuff, drink their beers, be generally loud. She shrunk into the shadows, thinking she was well hidden.

            Not long after he had arrived Ian got up to “use the can”, as he announced loudly to his friends. He walked toward Mallory, not noticing her at first. But then a couple left and when the door opened he saw her. She was looking right at him, stunned at being caught.

            “Mallory?” She was surprised that he remembered her name. She stood up, trying to act like she wasn’t avoiding him. They hugged and Ian helped himself to a chair at her little table. She explained that she was waiting for Stevie, but it had been a half hour and she didn’t know what had happened to her friend.

            “I’ve thought about you,” Ian admitted. Mallory was stunned. Why would a guy like him think about a girl like her? “I should have gotten your phone number. It would be great to hang out.”

            They talked. Ian forgot about his friends. He asked her a million questions about herself and her job. He told her about himself. They talked for hours. Eventually his friends left with just a look over their shoulders. But he didn’t care. He hung on Mallory’s every word.

            She liked talking to him. He smiled when he talked. He smiled all the time. Her first impression had been wrong. Well, mostly wrong.

            It was last call before Mallory realized how long they’d been there. She had even forgotten to worry about Stevie. Her phone had been on vibrate and she hadn’t even noticed that Stevie had sent her five texts. She had locked her keys in her car and had to call her dad for the spare. Then he had talked her ear off and she couldn’t get away.

            “I hate to ask you this,” Ian said. “My friends left me. Can you give me a ride home?”

            “Why would they leave you if they’re your ride?”

            “I guess they figured I would work it out.” Ha! They figured he was going home with Mallory. She was offended. But he assured her it wasn’t his intention.

“They’re just stupid,” he said. “But I am stuck here. I don’t mind calling a cab.”

Within minutes they were in Mallory’s car. She swore to herself that she would only take him home. Nothing more. But when they pulled into his driveway they once again had their hands all over each other.

Their kisses were just as passionate as the first time. It was almost as if they could fuse together under the heat. Mallory felt a deep ache, a yearning to be with him, to feel him inside of her. Her resolve melted.

“Do you want to come in?” His voice was husky and dark. He held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. She couldn’t resist this time. She couldn’t say no.

They stumbled into the house, up the stairs, and to his bedroom. Mallory noted that it was the cleanest room in the house. Within minutes their clothes were off and he was caressing her breasts, licking her nipples. They pawed at each other’s parts like virgins discovering sex for the first time. Nobody had ever made her feel this way. When he raised himself over her she held her hand up to him.

“Wait,” she said breathlessly. “Condom?”

He stared down at her, first with a hint of irritation. Then he laughed. He rolled onto his side and reached into a drawer by the bed. Once the device was in place he positioned above her again, looked into her shining blue eyes, and buried himself deep inside of her.