Chapter One
Evan stood in front of the mirror, feathering her eyeliner near the outer corner of her eye. With each stroke of the pencil, she was more pleased with the outcome. Not too bad for a Saturday Night, she thought to herself. Everything needed to be perfect. Tonight had to be perfect. Too much was going on in her life right now that wasn't. She was determined to make tonight one she'd never forget.
Carrie would be there any minute. Evan looked at the clock. Six-thirty. Damn, she's late. She placed her lipstick in her purse, double-checking for her concert tickets and extra cash. "A girl always has to be prepared for anything", her mom had always told her. Tonight she'd be prepared for anything. She took one last glance in the mirror, straightening her choker around her throat and smoothing her skin-tight tank top just over her hips. Not too bad at all.
A knock on the door startled her back to reality. She quickly opened it to find Carrie on the other side, camera and shoulder bag in hand. She took one look at Evan and said, "God girl, are you getting laid tonight or something?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Carrie looked her up and down and whistled. "I don't think I've ever seen you look this good, girl. Whatever you did, you need to hurry up and do to me before we leave."
"Very funny. I just wanted to look my best just in case..."
"Just in case what? You get to screw the lead singer?"
"Maybe."
"Dream on, honey. What are the chances of either of us even getting close to the band tonight? Besides, if those pants get any tighter, you'll be passed out by seven."
Dream on. Sometimes all you have are your dreams.
"Well, I'm ready to roll. You got the tickets?"
Evan grabbed her bag. "Right here. Shall we?"
"Let's."
The crisp autumn air gave Evan goose bumps as she climbed into Carrie's Jeep. Carrie lit a cigarette, handed it to Evan, then lit one for herself.
"You read my mind. Thanks."
"Are you alright? Did Tommy call you again and upset you?"
She had to mention him. "No, and I hope I never hear from him again—asshole."
"Well, let's not think about him or anything else but Bon freakin' Jovi—I still can't believe you scored these tickets. Talk about luck!" Carrie took her "New Jersey" cd from the jewel case and slid it into the player. The opening drum beats of "Lay Your Hands On Me" were loud and pounded in her chest. Jon's sultry voice made her close her eyes and lean her head back to touch the headrest. They say that to really free your body, you gotta free your mind... She took a long, hot draw off of her cigarette and eased the smoke from her lips. ...so come on, check this out... She still had goose bumps, even though the Jeep was toasty and warm.
"You're right. I can't believe it either."
As the signs, buildings, and cars passed outside her window and the music bellowed inside, her thoughts were on Tommy and the way he looked at her when she saw them together. The way he was touching her. The way he was kissing her. She still couldn't believe it. She refused to return his calls, even after three weeks. She was determined to put it behind her, starting tonight. Not too bad for a Saturday night. They pulled into the Coliseum parking lot, exchanging grins as their excitement rose. Evan checked her bag one last time for the tickets, then reapplied her lipstick. Perfect. Screw Tommy.