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.