CHAPTER ONE
STICK AROUND
-EDWARD-
My fingers danced across the surface of my piano, not actually pressing on any of the keys, but ghosting over them, the melody playing in my head. I shut my eyes, feeling the music wrap around me, and I smiled. It was song waiting to be written and I was getting lost in it.
"Edward? Honey?"
My eyes snapped open and I looked down at my phone that lay on top of my piano. My mom's voice was clear and loud on speaker and I pulled my hands away from the keys.
"Edward are you there? Can you hear me?" She asked. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
"Yeah mom sorry." I said grabbing a piece of paper and trying to write the melody that had just been playing in my head. Mom sighed.
"Honey are you at the piano again? I thought we talked about this. Don't sit there while I'm on the phone with you. You always zone out when you sit at that thing." She said, interrupting the flow of my thoughts. I groaned, throwing the pen down. It was no use. I'd have to play it to remember it. "Edward?"
"Yeah mom I'm here." I said aggravated. She sighed.
"How is unpacking coming? Have you settled in yet?" She asked, and I could just imagine her soft blue eyes full of concern. I looked around my apartment. Boxes covered every available surface. The only thing that had been "unpacked" was my piano. To be honest, it was really the only thing I cared about.
"I'm getting there." I grumbled.
"Well Honey, will you be moved in by the end of the month? I know you need time to adjust, but your father and I were thinking of coming to visit you. Wouldn't that be nice?" She encouraged. I stood from the piano and waded through the boxes and boxes of things I had yet to touch. I made my way to the kitchen and yanked a beer from the fridge.
"That's fine mom." I said ripping the cap off.
"Good. I'll email you some dates. You just let me know when you are free. Oh and your sister called. She doesn't even have your phone number. Didn't you give it to her when you changed it six months ago?" Her words flooded me with guilt. I had in fact not given it to my sister. I'd not given it to my brother either for that matter, but that's because I barely talked to my siblings anymore. Sure we were on good terms, but between blossoming careers and moves across the country, we hadn't really gotten to spend much time chatting lately.
"I'll call Rose." I promised.
"And Jasper. I know he's still busy in Texas, but I think it would be great if he could hear from you." She urged. I sighed.
"Of course mom." I said trying to placate her. It seemed to work because she let the subject drop.
"So how are you Honey? Have you made any friends yet?"
Her needless worrying was starting to irk me. I loved my mom, I really did, but her constant fretting about me was what had initially spurred this move across the country to Seattle. Somehow she'd made Chicago feel too small for me anymore. Of course as soon as I had formulated any semblance of a plan, it stop becoming about getting away from my mom and started becoming about chasing a future I desperately wanted.
Since I could remember, I wanted to be a musician. Music was my passion, and I found no greater joy than when I was sitting at my piano composing. My mom had tried to reason with me, saying Seattle was not a city to go to to pursue a career in music, but my dad had stepped in saying that any major city would probably offer the same amount of luck as any other. I was grateful for the back up, even if he wasn't exactly true.
But Seattle did have a rather healthy music scene. It wasn't massive and commercial like in LA and New York, and it wasn't country like Nashville, it was unique and I knew that the type of music I did would have the best chance of thriving in Seattle.
So I had picked up and moved, without knowing anyone or having a definite plan. It was the most terrifying and exhilarating decision of my life.
"Edward? Honey did you sit back down at your piano?" My mom's voice reminded me she was still on the phone and I blinked, realizing I had indeed sat back down at my piano. I shook my head with a small smirk and reached for my beer that was resting on a box nearby.
"Sorry mom." I mumbled. She sighed.
"I miss you Honey." She whispered. Another pang of guilt stabbed me and I was glad she couldn't see me. I'm sure the guilt was written all over my face.
"I miss you too mom." I whispered. Between my older brother Jasper teaching in Texas and my older sister Rose pursuing a rather impressive modeling career around the world, my mom had been desperate to keep her last child in arms reach. I knew it was hard on her, me leaving, but I couldn't let that hold back my life. "Hey mom, I've gotta go. I'll talk to you later." I said running a hand through my hair.
"Okay Honey. Take care. I love you!"
I smiled sadly. "I love you too mom. Say hi to dad for me."
She promised she would and I hung up sighing. I turned to my piano and shut my eyes as my fingers found the keys. The melody I'd worried I lost came right back to me as my hands danced, weaving a song I instantly loved but couldn't put words to. I sighed, letting the song play over and over and over, willing words to accompany it, but no such luck.
I gave up a half hour later and finished off my beer, frustrated. Turning to my living room of boxes I groaned and ran a hand through my hair again. Deciding I could put it off until tomorrow, I grabbed my coat and headed out the door.
Seattle was beautiful. Though it was a city, it was incredibly peaceful and welcomed me with open arms. Nothing like Chicago.
Plus, Seattle smelled amazing. The fresh salty air from Puget Sound mixed in with the clean rain air and the fresh evergreens that edged the city. I felt like I could actually breathe in this city.
My apartment was in an amazing area, smack dab in the middle of down town, which gave me amazing access to the city. I had a car that I'd driven out here, but so far I had found little use for it. I was perfectly content walking around.
I ventured down hill towards the water where tourists were still lingering after a day out. It was dusky twilight, no where near late enough for any good clubs to be playing music yet, so I wandered.
I walked down Pine Street until I hit 4th Avenue and turned right. Street performers were out dancing and singing, holding out hats or buckets for lose change. I smiled as I watched them. Some of them were quite good, while others left something to be desired.
Eventually I turned down toward the water again until I came upon a tiny street just above Pike Place. The cobbled street was small but filled with tons of shops that were starting to close down for the night and I made a mental note to come back in the daytime when everything was open.
I was about to continue on my way when I heard it; soft music coming from somewhere along the alley. Frowning, I turned and headed down the small street. I think I paced the length of the shops ten times, frustrated that I couldn't find the club the music was coming from, when a couple, dressed up and giggling with each other, ventured down the alley. I watched them curiously as they approached a pink, unmarked door and knocked twice. The door opened and the music I had heard sounded clearer. Desperate to know where it was coming from, I followed after them.
I stepped into the room and my eyes swept over the impressive interior. It was a double story room, and I had to take a set of stairs to get down to the main floor. The walls were a deep orange colour and covered completely in a random collection of artwork and mirrors. The tables were small and intimate and all faced a small stage that had a piano sitting on it. Currently there was a man playing his guitar while people watched on, entranced. I made my way to the back of the room where the bar was nestled into the décor seamlessly.
"Do you have a reservation?" The bar tender asked as soon as I approached. He was a huge guy, dark and intense with tattoos that covered is arms and part of his chest. He looked incredibly intimidating, until you looked at his eyes. His eyes contradicted everything else about him. His eyes were playful and young.
I shook my head at his question.
"No, I just came in, is that alright?" I asked glancing back up at the man on the stage. The bar tender nodded.
"So long as you don't plan on ordering food. The tables are all reserved." He explained. I nodded and settled in at the bar.
"Can I get a drink then?" I asked. He nodded. "Whiskey?"
"You new in town?" He asked. I nodded and he smirked pulling down a glass and pouring the drink in. "On the house, welcome to Seattle." He said sliding it over to me. I smiled.
"Thanks." I said gripping the glass.
"I'm Jake." He said nodding.
"Edward." I replied.
"What are you doing in Seattle Edward?" He asked as he started make drinks for a waitress who had stumbled by.
"New start." I said quietly. Jake nodded.
"I hear that." He said smirking. "What do you do?"
"I'm a musician." I said glancing back up at the stage where the man was finishing his song. The restaurant, or was it a club, erupted into applause and he grinned, tipping his hat to everyone.
"Yeah? You should play for us." Jake said nodding to the stage. I frowned at him and he continued to explain. "Thursday's are open mic night."
I turned back to the stage and saw the man standing, putting his guitar away. I turned back to Jake who was handing the waitress the drinks. She smiled at him then flitted away to serve them. He turned back to me.
"What do you play?" He asked.
"Piano mostly." I said shrugging. He smiled.
"You should really play for us then. Victoria, the owner, she loves the piano and there aren't enough people who play well. If you are any good she may even ask you to come back for gigs." He supplied. I stared at him in surprise.
"Really?"
Not ten minutes in this place and I was already getting job offers? I tried to quell the growing excitement in me. He nodded.
"Yeah, I mean you have to be good," He said smirking. "But give it a shot. What have you got to lose?"
I turned back to the stage where people were moving around on it, setting someone else up.
"How late do you guys accept musicians?" I asked turning to him. He smiled.
"Tonight we're full up, but come back next Thursday and I guarantee you've got a spot." He promised. I smiled at him.
"Thanks, that'd actually be really great." I said honestly. He nodded and looked up past me and grinned.
"Oh man, here comes the best part of my night." He whispered. I turned around and felt my breath catch in my throat. The woman that was weaving through the club was small with long brown hair that came nearly down to her waist. She was wearing black jeans and a delicate purple blouse that hinted at some glorious curves beneath. She stopped to say hi to people as she walked, but eventually continued toward the bar.
"Jake!" She said smiling at the bar tender. I felt myself become instantly jealous. What I wouldn't give for her to smile like that at me.
"Hey Bells. You look great." He said pouring her a drink and sliding it over to her. She came up to the bar and grinned.
"Thanks. Great crowd tonight." She said picking up the drink and looking back at the club. Jake nodded.
"You up next?" He asked. She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I should be getting ready." She said smirking. Jake nodded and turned to me.
"Stick around to hear Bella. She's the best performer we've ever had." He said earnestly. I hadn't taken my eyes off of her and she finally turned to look at me. Her eyes were a beautiful chocolate brown and she licked her full lips as she sized me up. My pants were suddenly uncomfortably tight and I shifted to try to relieve some of the pressure. God she was gorgeous. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
"I don't think I've seen you around here before." She said giving me a sexy smile. She slid onto the stool next to me and I smiled at her.
"This is my first time here." I admitted. She grinned.
"Well what do you think?" She asked leaning in to hear my answer.
"Well so far, I like what I'm seeing." I whispered back. She blushed and looked down at her drink. She was such a contradiction. Sexy and confident one moment, blushing the next. It was so fascinating.
"Edward here is a musician." Jake said leaning on the bar and nodding to me. She looked up at me and smiled the most radiant smile I'd ever seen. That smile could have knocked me on my ass.
"Really? What do you play?" She asked excitedly. I smiled.
"Piano is my instrument of choice, though I have been messing with the guitar for the past few years." I admitted. She beamed.
"You should come play one night!" She said excitedly.
"That's what I told him. I told him about Victoria." Jake said smirking. Bella smiled at me.
"Oh gosh yeah! If she likes your music you may have a pretty sweet gig here." She said nodding. "I've been playing here for the past seven, eight months now and I love it." She said grinning. I wanted to kiss her, more than I had ever wanted anything.
"So are you preforming tonight?" I asked.
"Yeah, in fact I'm about to go on." She said knocking back the rest of her drink. She stood and fixed her blouse before giving me a sexy smile again. "Stick around. I'll play you something special." She whispered. I felt like my body caught fire with her words and I nodded, unable to form coherent sentences. She was amazing. She grinned and sent Jake a thanks before disappearing toward the stage. I looked back at Jake who smirked at me.
"You lucky bastard." He said shaking his head and chuckling. "I've been trying to get her to look at me like that for months now. Girl is hella picky." His words made me prickle in instant jealousy. On one hand I was glad she'd never looked at him like she had just looked at me, but on the other I was pissed to know that he had tried to get her to. I'd known her five minutes and already I felt possessive of her. I was clearly going crazy.
Before I could respond, Bella's honey voice was speaking out into the sound system. I turned around and saw her coming on stage, holding a black guitar that seemed to dwarf her. She settled down on a stool and positioned the microphone in front of her so that it would capture her voice. She looked up at the crowd and her big brown eyes captivated me.
"Hey guys." She said smiling. A few people cheered and whistled and a beautiful blush spread over her cheeks. "I'm going to start off with an oldie. I'm sure some of you guys know it by now since I seem to play it every week." She joked and a people laughed, most of the club smiling up at her. I couldn't pry my eyes away from her. "Alright here it goes."
She pulled at the strings on her guitar before smiling. The song was up beat, despite the sadness on her face. She opened her mouth and started singing and I felt my heart stop. She was perfection, absolute perfection.
Every song she sang was better than the last and I felt myself falling for her before I could convince myself to slow the hell down.
She started to wind up her set and then looked at me, her brown eyes piercing right through me.
"This last song is for someone I just met. Here's to hoping for something more." She purred. I felt myself shift in my seat again. She had transformed into pure sex and her piercing gaze stayed on me as she sang.
"Baby, you've caught my eye,
I think I might need you to stay awhile
For I haven't seen a smile
Quite as lovely as yours for awhile
Stick around,
I'll be good to you
Baby, I think you know
When I get my arms around you,
boy, I won't let go
When you find a spark to awaken your precious heart
You stick around and you'll see it through
I've been in trouble before with my pressured ember
I'm willing to take that chance again
And if we get caught in some crazy wind
We can just get swept away, what do you say?
Baby, make up your mind,
'cause you know I don't wanna waste time
We don't have a lot to lose,
boy, decide to choose
Stick around,
I'll be good to you
Yeah, stick around,
I'll be good to you."
She wrapped up the song and people exploded into cheers. She blinked and looked away from me, smiling at everyone else in the room. She thanked them all and thanked Victoria before climbing off the stage. I kept my eyes on her as she walked across the club in my direction.
"You stayed." She said as soon as she was close enough. I smiled.
"I had some pretty good incentive." I said giving her a heated look back. She shifted under my gaze. "Can I get you a drink?" I asked. She slid into the seat next to me and her knees brushed mine.
"Yeah you can." She said giving me a small sexy smile. I smiled back at her and ordered a couple drinks from Jake. "You were incredible." I said turning back to her. Her big brown eyes stared at me a long moment before she blushed and smiled shyly.
"Thanks." She whispered. There she went again, confident to timid in a second flat.
"So Bella. Are you from Seattle?" I asked sipping my drink. She smiled softly.
"Not really. My mom and dad live about four hours from here in this middle of nowhere town. I lived there my whole life before I moved to Seattle for school. I've been here ever since." She said smiling. "What about you?"
"I just moved here from Chicago." I explained. Her eyes lit up.
"I've always wanted to go to Chicago. I've heard it's an amazing city." She enthused. I shrugged.
"I guess it is. I'm actually rather enjoying Seattle." I admitted giving her a pointed look. She smiled and looked down at her drink as a blush ran across her cheeks.
"So how long have you been playing Edward?" She asked looking back up at me.
"Since I was four." I told her quietly. Her chocolate eyes widened in surprise.
"Really?" She asked. I nodded.
"I was so rambunctious as a kid. The only thing that calmed me down was playing the piano. My mom thanks God for it every day. She says that I would have killed her from exhaustion if we hadn't found the outlet in music." I admitted. Bella giggled and it was the sexiest sound I'd ever heard. "What about you?" I asked.
"I started playing the guitar when I was 16 and the cello when I was 7." She said softly. "My mom wanted me to get into so many activities when I was young and music was the only thing that stuck." She said laughing. "I've been obsessed with it since I can remember." She said smiling to herself. I grinned.
"I'm the same way." I told her. She looked up at me and blushed. I was starting to really love that blush.
We sat at the bar and talked for hours, sometimes stopping to listen to the other performers, sometimes ignoring everyone around us. Bella was amazing. She was smart and funny and quick-witted and so sexy it was driving me nuts. I could already tell, after just one night that I would never be able to get enough of her.
"Hey," She whispered looking around the club. To my surprise, it was nearly empty, save for a few employees and us. "Come on." She said standing and taking my hand in hers. Her skin was soft and warm and when she touched me I felt like I had caught fire. It took all my self-control not to pull her to me and kiss her senseless.
She dragged me up on the small stage and sat me down at the piano grinning. "Play me something." She requested. I smiled.
"Like what?" I asked. She shrugged.
"Something you're working on." She suggested. I smiled. That was easy enough. My hands settled on the keys, and giving her a small smile, I started playing the melody I'd been thinking about all afternoon. Bella's eyes widened slightly as I played and she stood there, watching me for a moment before running and grabbing her guitar. Settling the stool next to the piano, she started plucking out chords, a frown etched on her forehead. She shook her head a few times before she found chords she liked and started playing them.
The sounds of our instruments wrapped together flawlessly. Adrenaline rushed through me, as we continued to mold the song perfectly. It may have been the best damn song I'd ever written.
When we finished, Bella's eyes were wide as she stared at me.
"Do you need to write it down?" I asked quietly. She shook her head.
"I have perfect recall when I'm playing the guitar. Can barely remember my own birthday, but when it comes to music…" She trailed of and smiled at me. I grinned. "You?" She asked. I shook my head.
"It's stuck up here." I whispered, tapping my head.
"Edward that was," She paused, her brown eyes wide.
"I know." I whispered. We stared at each other a long moment before a woman's voice called our attention. Bella and I looked beyond the stage toward the bar where a woman was sitting with flaming red hair and a huge grin.
"Bella, who've you got there?" She called. Bella grinned and stood from her stool, carefully putting her guitar down and grabbing my hand.
"Come on." She whispered excitedly. I shivered at the contact and let her lead me off the stage to where the woman sat. She looked to be in her late thirties, with a mess of red hair and bright blue eyes. "Victoria this is Edward. Edward, Victoria owns the Pink Door." Bella explained. I smiled at her and turned to Victoria, holding out my hand.
"It's nice to meet you." I said quietly. She nodded, shaking my hand.
"You're quite a skilled musician." She noted, nodding for us to sit with her.
"Thank you." I said settling down.
"How long have you guys known each other?" She asked Bella. Bella grinned.
"A few hours. Edward is new in town." Bella said grinning at me. I still couldn't get over the song we'd just made. I felt like I was high, the music shooting through my veins and making me happier than any narcotic could.
"A few hours?" Victoria asked surprised. We both nodded. "Jesus, listening to you two playing, I would have said years." She whispered quietly. Bella blushed but sent me a small smile. "Edward what do you do for a living?" Victoria asked looking at me.
"I'm not employed currently. I just got into town a few days ago." I admitted. Victoria nodded looking at Bella and frowning.
"How would you like a job?" She asked quietly. I stared at her in surprise.
"Really?"
"I need some steady entertainment. People come here to hear music and my act just quit. I'm looking for a new one and I think you two would be perfect." She said pointing to us. I looked at Bella who's grin widened if that was even possible. "It wouldn't be too much pay, but you get tips and you're free to sell any merch you want. It'd be 5 days a week, including weekends and you'd get a meal free during every shift." She offered.
It was a generous offer. Way more generous than I had ever expected an offer to be. I looked at Bella who was watching me with wide eyes.
"It sounds good to me." I said shrugging. Bella smiled.
"Yeah me too." She whispered.
"Great!" Victoria said clapping her hands. My gaze shifted from Bella back to Victoria who was leaning forward and smiling. "You guys can start next Monday. That should give you a few days to get some songs together." She said standing. I stood and held out my hand.
"Thanks so much for the opportunity." I said sincerely. She smiled and shook my head.
"Are you kidding me? I'm the lucky one. You guys have real chemistry and that song you just played?" She shook her head as if she were overwhelmed. "There are no words. You guys are going to be big, and when you are, you can credit me and the Pink Door for bringing you together." She said winking at us. I smirked.
"Sounds good to me."
AN:
Song is Stick Around by Rachael Yamagata. Link on my profile. :)