Chapter 3: Score
Roger's POV
Knock Knock. My head felt heavy as I turned over to rest on my other side. Knock Knock. I groaned and put my pillow over my head. The knocking stopped but then I heard the door squeak slowly as it opened.
"Roger?" The sound Mark's voice, no matter how meek, only augmented the throbbing in my head.
"What?" I mumbled, not really in the mood for such an early morning conversation: it was still only 11.
"Someone's here to see you." I heard a shuffling of feet and another voice said amicably, "Long time no see Davis."
The man sounded familiar, like someone I had known once but I couldn't place it. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, very surprised at who I saw, "Pete?"
His blond hair had darkened, almost making him a borderline brunette now. His brown eyes twinkled with nostalgia. "Yep its me. Man you look like death warmed over…" He chuckled.
"Thanks for reminding me." I grumbled with a frown, slowly getting out of bed.
He gave me his usual bear hug, nearly suffocating me. Finally letting go, he kept his hands on my shoulders and took a look at me. "It has been much too long."
I nodded, as always wishing I hadn't drank so heavily last night. "How've you been? It's been what 3, 4 years?" Peter mused.
"It's probably been that long. Life's been better, what about you?" I asked, not really in the mood to get into my sad story.
Although I could sense he knew I was holding back, he didn't persist. "I'm pretty good." He patted his stomach affectionately, "Gained a couple pounds and I got married a year ago."
"That's good. I'm assuming you're no longer the manager of The Pyramid Club then." I asked, with raised eyebrows. I hadn't pegged him for a family guy, but it suited him. He had always been an altruistic guy, if anything being a dad seemed to make him more optimistic about life's gifts I guess.
He shook his head, "Nah, I run a music shop not too far from here actually. It's part of why I'm here. Lots of the new bands come through to find gigs off the bulletin board or for instruments, whatever. Some guys came in yesterday they've just arrived to Alphabet City and are looking for a guitarist. I just thought you'd want to know. "
I sighed and looked down. "I'll have to see." I replied tepidly.
"They're nice guys, if that helps, and the same age as you. It might be nice for them to have the legend Roger Davis playing with them." Pete added
I laughed, Pete always knew how to make a deal. "I'm not much of a legend but thanks for the ego boost."
Pete's smile grew bigger, "They're down at the club right now, talking to the new owner, Freddy."
"I didn't know they hadn't gotten a new owner in there, probably a good thing. Lance, I think that's his name, the owner when we played there, he was a total dick." I said, my brain still a little fuzzy as we walked into the kitchen.
Rachael was in her normal jovial mood and was making breakfast. Mark was setting Evie in her high chair, which see despised. She squirmed and yelled, pounding her tiny fists on his head. Mark just smiled and went to finish helping Rachael with the breakfast. They were all in their pajamas still, Rachael and Evie even in their matching pj's. Mark thought it was so cute. He's such a dork I though with a smirk.
"You up for it Davis?" Pete reiterated as he opened the door. Rachael and Mark looked up at me hopefully, not saying a word.
I looked out the window, the sun was shining brightly on the streets, there was another one of the strange breezes again today.
"Roger?" I turned back to him, "Yeah, sure."
Last night I had forgotten to change into pajamas, so I just grabbed my leather jacket and plodded behind him.
I was surprised when he opened the door to the Pyramid Club. This new Fred guy had totally changed the place up. In general it looked the same, but small things like a new bar, chairs and equipment gave it new feel. It still felt like a club for sure, it had just been updated. Or upgraded, it all depended on your view of it all.
"Yes yes, I know that you don't want to, but I need you make sure that everything gets to the right place!" I heard a loud voice say with inclement. A red headed man came into view, he was wearing a collared shirt with jeans and didn't seem that much older than me. I assumed that was his assistant behind him. Pete nudged me and bit back a laugh as the assistant almost tripped on all the cords. Poor guy.
"Oh hello Pete. Now you must be Roger, well they are waiting for you in the backstage." Fred said, as he continued to walk past us to the bar.
"He's...interesting." I said as I scratched my head, not really sure what to make of him yet.
"Tell me about it." Pete joked.
Stella's POV
"You think Fred will let you guys play here?" I asked Daniel, my normally placid attitude no longer present.
"Sis you worry way to much, its totally gonna be fine. That Pete guy said he had someone for us to play with, so we're all set." He said, his hazel eyes sparkling as usual.
I sat down on the dirty old couch next to his band mates Alex, Zander, Ethan, and Wes.
I heard some footsteps and the sound of approaching voices that made my stomach clench. We really needed the work, I really hope they'll let them play here. But it wasn't Fred who opened the door, it was Pete and with him was the guy from the street yesterday who was still in the same clothes.
My heart stopped for a second before speeding up. I found myself lost in his eyes, again.
"This is Roger Davis." Pete introduced as Roger stepped forward tentatively. He didn't seem shy, just cautious. Wait, did he just say Roger Davis?
We all seemed to look at each other in awe. We had listened to Well Hungarians, even gone to a concert or two.
"Dude, an honor to meet you." Daniel said
Roger laughed out of what looked like surprise, "Thanks." His laugh was sonorous, which added to the list of things I liked about him.
"You're might play with us?" Wes asked excitedly. Roger bit his lip before he nodded.
"Score!!" Ethan said, bobbing his head. I giggled and Pete turned to me, "Fred said you could bartend."
I smiled happily, everything was working out. Roger surprised me by looking at me and saying, "Watch out for the fridge door, sometimes it gets stuck. Unless this Fred person got a new one, then it won't be a problem."
"Thanks" I said confidently, trying not to make my crush evident. I hated coming off as one of those overly obsessed girl's he used to dealing with.
His somber eyes lit up a little as he smiled. "You guys want to play for him?" Pete suggested.
They scrambled around, grabbing their instruments and heading on to the stage. I followed behind Pete to watch. I loved to see Danny perform, he was so alive on stage and they were really good. But I had to admit having an extra person would help them out though.
Roger watched them carefully, looking more saddened. Halfway through their song, he turned to me and whispered, "Why aren't you up there?"
"My brother doesn't really know yet." I said softly. He tilted his head, looking into my eyes.
"You should think about telling him, you have a beautiful voice." He whispered back before looking back up at the band.
"Thanks." I whispered. It was nice to have him say assure me, he really knew what he was talking about.
The last chord was played and they all stared at him in anticipation. "You guys are really good. When do you practice?" Roger said, his muscles showed as he crossed his arms. It took some will power not to drool at this lost hot rocker.
Pete gave him a high five, "I told you."
Roger rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah."
They worked out their schedules and did customary introductions. Daniel took the lead, "I'm Daniel, I play guitar and sing. This is Wes our organizer guy, Alex our other percussion guy, Zander our guitar guy, Ethan our drummer guy, and that is my sis Stella."
Roger looked at me, disappointment on his face as he spoke curtly "Nice to meet you."
"You too." I replied. Why was he acting like this? He had been perfectly fine before.
"I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!" Pete followed him out the door. Once they were out of site, the guys all yelped. "Man this is amazing!" "Its Roger Davis!" "Woahhh!"
I just smiled, at least I would get to watch his every night on that stage. He would warm up to me eventually, or maybe that's what he was so worried about.
When we finally got back to the apartment I went out to the fire escape, my new favorite thinking spot. I sat down on the stairs and looked out at the city. Looking back at me from across the street was Roger Davis.
We both just looked at each other, and before I realized it was getting dark: we still hadn't moved.
He confused me, but I liked mysteries.
Author's Note: Not my fav chapter but oh well. I decided to use my vocab book for this chapter, if you liked what I did I will use it again next time. Please Review!
