IMPORTANT – These opening notes contain some important story related info. Please read them before continuing.

It's time for a little more Envy Problems. I've decided to open a new poll, too This story has the potential for the most pairing options out of everything so far. There are so many Hunie ladies in this one that I couldn't even begin to decide on my own.

So, cast your votes. Which Hunie would you like to see our hopeless musician get with in this one? Or would you perhaps like to see branching endings? Rest assured whatever the outcome, there's a good chance a couple of these chapters will end up A03 exclusive, if you catch my drift.

Oh, and one last thing. The inspirational song for this chapter is the same as the title. Lusties B-Side track, composed by World of Wangdang. Go look it up before you read on. I've been looking for an excuse to drop it in one of the performance chapters for a while, minus a few lyrical tweaks, of course. You'll see what I mean!

Without further delay, let's get started.


Lusties Nightclub (B-Side)

How long had he waited? How many long days and nights brought him no closer to finding the answers he so desperately sought? No matter how many times his dreams returned to that fateful day, there was to be nothing in the way of solace. Indeed, that had been the harsh reality of it all so far, one he intended to change.

Everything was set – the perfect song for the show, one he'd mixed in the studio out of his own time. Mike Winters planned to win back the fans.

"Whoever did this to me… I'm going to get out there and show them I'm not done yet. I can't let everything I've built in Glenberry fall apart."

A quick check in the mirror brought everything home. Hair? Combed out and flowing past his shoulders. Shirt? Unbuttoned in showing of his toned, smooth chest. Casual pants and shoes? Pressed and perfectly polished. Nodding, content to leave his fate in the hands of the great musical overlords, he turned back, taking a deep breath to try and calm the stiffness of his lungs.

"Okay… Keep everything relaxed…. You can do this. You can do-"

Shoes clacked – loud and audible across the hardwood behind – snapping his senses to the forefront as he swung back out of nervous reflex.

There she stood, short but imposing, her pale complexion lit up under the soft glow of the backstage lights. Eyes of blue focused hard, hands upon hips as she closed in with sass, squeezed into a pair of skinny jeans and a black tank top – she gave a short smile.

"Good luck out there, Mike. This is like, totally your shot or whatever. Don't go screwing it up, kay?"

Empowered by her words, Mike couldn't deny the feeling of rising warmth filling his heart. Even at times like this, after all the squabbling and cross words they'd had, he couldn't deny how nice it felt to know that his cousin still supported him.

"Thanks Lillian."

For some reason, one he couldn't quite explain, things had changed since seeing her the other night. The way he viewed her – at one point as a bratty but ultimately good-hearted girl, was gone. Instead he couldn't shake those images from his mind of her delicate, pale skin, glistened with droplets of laboured sweat as she brought herself closer to a plateau of intimate ecstasy.

At first Mikey hadn't noticed – or maybe he didn't want to. Every moment spent in remembrance of the event, locked in part away within the confines of his mind, and yet equally unforgettable, brought a redness across his cheeks.

It wasn't helped as she came closer – each step seemingly slowed by the quagmire of his mental landscape. By the time Lili stopped, she was mere inches away, those deep, emotional sapphires of hers flooding into him as through a tidal wave.

"Hey," she spoke softly, her whitened cheeks flushing a hard red. "I just want you to know that... You know what? Fuck."

The musician snapped tight – his body tensing on involuntary reflex as arms coiled around his middle, squeezing with compassion. Heartbeat elevated, his mind staggered to keep track of it all.

Eventually relaxing – overtaken by a wave of something gentle and nostalgic, Mike could do little more than accept the compassionate advance – closing his eyes in quiet reflection as Lillian cuddled against his chest.

"Like, don't get used to this or anything. I mean, gag me with a spoon, you can be a complete prick sometimes… but I believe in you, cuz. Go knock 'em dead, alright? You got this."

What was with all this kindness? Why the sudden showing support after all the cold moments they'd had over the passing days and weeks? If anything, this affection, though part of him quietly enjoyed it, brought even more questions to be answered.

No – now wasn't the right time to question everything. Not with so much on the line. Instead, surrendering to his need for comfort, Mike wrapped his arms around Lillian's back, bringing her closer and tracing his fingers across her shoulders.

She shuddered under his return of affection – not moving for many a moment as their moment of bonding seemed to take on a life of its own – detached from the confines of the space backstage.

"You totally owe me for being this nice."

Lillian giggled – her voice halfway muffled within the fabric of his shirt. "In fact, you like… owe me and Nora. Didn't I tell you we had your back?"

There was no way to deny it – not now.

Swallowing his pride – mustering the strength to cast aside his grayed perceptions, Mikey responded by bringing his younger relation even closer, a move, she didn't reject in the slightest.

"Yeah, you did. I didn't think I'd have the strength to step foot in Lusties again after everything that went down… and yet here I am. Guess that means I should start thinking of how to repay you."

Tiptoeing back, halfway separating, Lillian brought her hand closer, resting it upon Mike's solar plexus. Slowly, inch by inch she trailed downward with her fingertips, stopping just above his stomach before she turned away completely.

"Oh-em-gee. Seriously… You're dense as always, Mike. Chyeah… You better start thinking... Speaking of that."

Swooping around – delivering a teasing smirk as she held her arms behind her back – ample chest bulging under the struggling confines of her terse garment, the gothic girl winked.

"Everything's right in front of you and you don't even see it, do you?"

What a strange thing to say. Pondering, his thoughts divided in a number of ways on this tense evening, the elder Winters paused hard in thought. What was right in front of him? If anything, this recent turn of events had shown him one thing. Most things at first glance weren't so simple.

Despite all of his efforts however, the brain strain proved enough to almost cause a headache. Nothing in the way of answers came along.

"I don't follow. Whatever you're getting at… I'm lost."

Lillian rolled her eyes – gagging in disdain before she erupted in a micro fit of chuckles. "Still the same guy I knew before you left town. That part of you? It's not any different."

The tattooed rebel showed her back, sauntering toward the side exit past the outlets and cables. "Hmmm… Here's hoping you figure it out before you hit thirty. I'll drop a hint, yeah? You and Nora should talk waaaay more."

Just like that, Miss Winters was gone, slipping out from between the curtains. Left alone with her clue, Mike took a second to ponder, squinting his eyes against the terse shield that was the stage curtain.

'How was that a hint?'

"Me and Nora should talk more? Sounds more like common sense than a clue to me. I know it's been a long time since we bonded, but still. Why'd she say something so confusing as t-"

The ambient noise, background music so familiar Mike almost knew it by heart, dropped low. It was the signal from the boss man.

There followed the loud howl of the speaker system – before slowly, the curtains inched away.

"You've seen him plenty of times! Well… he's back again tonight! Not down, not out, and singing solo. That's right! Grab a drink from the bar and get ready! It's Mike Winters!"


There was nothing to protect him now – and quite simply no going back. The first thing Mike took note of was the crowd, smaller than usual but still well over a hundred, huddled around the stage holding camera phones - some of them leaned up against the bar with beers and cocktails.

Good – the sight of people was another small comfort. This wasn't a bust. Though less than usual, the supporters and music lovers alike had come out tonight.

Reaching for a microphone from the stagehand, waiting patiently for management to depart the stage too, Winters stopped, giving a deep breath as he entered the lion's den. Dozens of pairs of eyes held fast – no doubt watching his every move.

'No sense in delaying the inevitable. It's about time we get this show started.'

In one final moment, Mikey took note of everyone here – a headcount of sorts. The usual, a handful of single mothers squeezed into revealing outfits, and students aplenty, but none of these people stood out.

No – he was looking for somebody in particular.

'There you are…. I knew you wouldn't let me down.'

Right at the back, apparently having cleared a corner of her own – the all too familiar sight of fiery flare and confidence needed no introduction. A rough and ready badass, rocking a pair of jeans and a tee shirt with a cracked, broken heart across the front - wavy dark-brown hair pouring down her back.

She did little more than give cool, assured thumbs up. "I'm watching you, Sparky."

Words spoken silently, mouthed over the cheering masses at the front. Though tiny in scale compared to everything else, those four words alone brought more strength and comfort than the rest of the club combined. They filled Winters to the brim, giving him the drive to kick things into fifth gear.

A cool smirk firmly set in place, the singer brought the mic against his lips. "Sup guys and girls? How's Lusties treating you tonight?"

Hoots of support rang out across the establishment.

'Yeah, these are the regulars. No doubt in my mind.'

"So… you guys know the deal. I've had a rough ride lately… but I'm here tonight to deliver a message to all of you amazing people that support me."

He paused, mustering every ounce of charm and suave he could. Set dead ahead, fixed upon the heart of his followers, Mikey gave a thumbs up, cool and collected.

"Doesn't matter what the world throws at me. As long as I've got you guys at my back… I'm not going anywhere! What happened before? It wasn't cool… but Charlotte… I'm sorry, girl. You're amazing... I don't know how that shit went down… but I'm gonna do everything I can to put this right."

"Because you guys." Mike continued onward, impassioned and speaking from the heart – allowing his feelings to overtake everything. "My fans… my friends, the people I see walking the streets of this colorful town… you gave me a shot… you gave my band a shot… and tonight? I'm giving back!"

Snapping his fingers, the playboy and showman craclking to life in a wave of invisible blue, Mikey eased into the rising beat of the backing track.

"Remember this one, guys? Yeah! Lusties opens every Saturday with this track! I say it's about time we give it some lyrics, don't you?"

Standing at the edge of the stage, close enough for his fans to reach out and touch, Mikey tore away his shirt, tossing it down. "LET'S GO!"

Bass thumping hard, acting as his calling, the musician threw himself into the thick of it.

"Yeah! Girl I wanna love you, both you and your friend too. Come with me I'll show you want. No I'm not a nice guy. You tried to tame me, nice try. You think I'm mister right but you're wrong…"

"I'M DANGEROUS."

Hopping down from his elevated position – the sea of people parted, allowing him to stroll right on through, mic in hand. They all looked so alive, so euphoric!

"Check it out! Hypnotized in your eyes and I wanna find a fruity prize. Seen those golden thighs… makes me wonder why I never even tried. That's right. Get up in my ride and lemme show you why a guy like me could make you wanna cry!"

Cutting through, leaning up against the bar, supercharged with energy and Talent, surrounded on all sides, Winters let everyone get close, real close, keeping them under control with his every word.

"Run away baby girl cuz I'm gonna slay you... then you gonna wish you ain't never met a guy like this. Look into my eyes… look on deep inside and you'll see that it ain't all lies."

The whole club – every person within, from patrons, to fans, to bar staff alike, seemed to have their attention fixated in one place.

Fantastic, this was exactly how everything was supposed to go.

Flashing an eye in Nora's direction, just for the slightest of moments, Mikey went back to it – determined to close out this first short song with so much power it'd bring the roof down.

"Yeah… that's right! Sing it with me! One more time!"

"Girl I wanna love you, both you and your friend too. Come with me I'll show you want. No I'm not a nice guy. You tried to tame me, nice try. You think I'm mister right but you're wrong… I'M DANGEROUS!"

Dropping the mic against the bar, handed a glass of golden goodness from the bartender, he basked in the amazing sensation of musical bliss, downing the beautiful burning liquor in one.

A chorus of voices screamed out for more, near enough everyone waiting with bright, adoring eyes. If anything, this moment right here, one that would remain preserved in memories from now onward, made things wonderfully clear.

'I'm not out just yet. Whoever the fuck set me up like this… they're gonna have to try a lot harder before I pack up my shit and get outta town.'


End of the show. Sprawled in the corner, watching through tired eyes as the post-musical adrenaline frittered away, Mike yawned, resting his head against the fabric of his booth seat.

"I didn't think that'd go down so well, but damn."

Thankful in every way possible, he folded back the sleeve of his shirt, pointing toward the silvery object clasped around his wrist, and then back to a cool, collected Nora. "So… about the watch I wasn't wearing the other night? Thought I'd change that."

"About time, Princess. I was about ready to ask for it back. Nice to see you rocking it again… suits you."

There was something different about Nora's tone here. Usually the bad girl through and through, tonight, or perhaps at this very moment, she sounded so kind and compassionate. Not only that, but her eyes, usually determined and steadfast, were foggy, almost dazed.

"Okay." Unable to carry on without getting to the bottom of it, Mike leaned across the table, reaching out to give the Hispanic babe a jab on the arm. "What's with you?"

"Ever since I got off stage you've been real quiet, spaced out. That's not like you. You're always so plugged in and switched on."

Silence – at first. Though slow on the uptake, Nora eventually nodded, sliding out of her seat.

"Scoot your ass over."

Nodding, Mikey moved to free up a little space, allowing for Nora to shuffle in beside him and sit down. Having her so close like this, so intoxicatingly near that he could breathe in her scent, brought pictures of the past rushing back.

The faint scent of body mist and nicotine – the same scent that was in her car. Heck, even in her bedroom when they both lived together all those years back. In fact, it went beyond comfort – somewhere deeper, within the ocean of memories long since passed.

"Be straight with me, ese."

Honing in again, he took note of her expression. The assurance was there, ablaze like a beacon – but there was something else, too. He couldn't quite place it but something felt a little out of place.

"What's changed in you these past four years? Shit… watching you on stage like that… you were good, man… real good. Where'd it all come from?"

He could've put the responsibility on Kyu's shoulders. Miss Sugardust had done so much to nudge him on the right track, to turn the scruffy, quiet, conflicted person he was into something smooth, passionate and respectable.

'No… that's not entirely right. There's a lot more to it than that… even if I don't want to admit it. Even if part of me feels gray about looking to the past too often.'

True, as much as the past tasted cold and sour, it also brought some good things, too. Such a realization, one he'd struggled to deal with for so long now, awoke something within – another feeling of warmth, of deep rooted familiarity.

It was enough to bring a smile.

"One of the reasons I'm so confident right now… well… she's sitting right next to me."

A laugh erupted – Nora banging her fist against the table to contain herself. "Oh fuck off, Mike," she continued, "There's no way you're that confident because of me."

Calming herself – reaching across the table to the massive tray of shot glasses they'd ordered, from reds to blues and even yellows, she whipped away another tipple.

"I saw those girls when you started singing."

Knocking back the booze, Nora flicked her wavy locks. "You had em whipped, boy. For real, snap your fingers and they would've been licking your fuckin' balls."

She didn't believe him – of course not.

"I'm serious," Mike spoke up – this time far more committal in his tone. "Like I said in the car last week…. I put a lot of faith in you, Nora Vasquez. Wanted to have at least a fraction of that attitude of yours."

Her expression told it all – surprise, genuine surprise.

"Well," Nora paused, taking back another shot for good measure.

"I'd say you've done pretty well for yourself there, Sparky. For real though. Me? You really cared that much?"

It was all too obvious where this was going. Despite all of that spirit, it'd been clear for a long time just how little pride his dearest friend had over some of her life choices. Their earlier argument was proof enough of that. She did things for survival – not for the sake of it.

That reason alone pushed Mikey harder to stop her before she even began.

"Don't even say it," he spoke stiffly. "I know you've never had it easy... I really meant what I said before, didn't stop me from admiring your personality."

If anything – it was something that even now, after all the time with Kyu, he still felt strongly about. "You wear all you are like a badge… you don't deny it… you don't hesitate… and you'll punch out any idiot with a problem. I see that now… and I didn't see it when we were teens…"

Nora smiled brightly – placing an arm around his waist. "You're the only fucker in the world that tried to change me… and I'm not all mad about it…. You're too soft for your own good, Winters…. Guess that makes us quite the fucking pair, don't it?"

They clanked their dinky glasses together.

"No kidding. We're reunited," Mike smirked, "And if anything…. I'm not letting petty problems get in the way of that again."

Climbing his mountainous past, hiking to the peak of his teenage years, the blonde found what he was looking for in the form of a single fleeting night so very long ago. Golden sands, a gift given, and the innermost shared.

"I've…"

Stopping himself – both desperate and fearful of his compassion in equal measure, Mikey broke eye contact, locked firmly upon the table.

"You've missed me, right? C'mere."

Just like the days of old, Nora swept through, steeling his gusto and his admission. Silenced, Mike surrendered, holding his hands up in defeat. He found himself pulled into a tight embrace, his steadfast companion placing a clumsy, boyish kiss against his cheek.

"Missed you too, asshole…. Now, how about we finish the last of these drinks and stop whining like bitches?"

That sounded like a plan, alright. Giving a honeyed chuckle, Mike brought his free arm across the table, scooting the wide silver platter of glasses closer. "Works for me… and here I thought ordering twenty-five was a bad idea."

"Fourteen left now, holmes."

A pair of hands – loud and sudden, slapped down against the table, snapping the pair from their musing. Looking up, Mikey encountered a ghostly white complexion and piercings. A haughty, pigtailed girl held a pair of hands against her hips with impatience.

She leaned across, looking to Nora with a smile and then back again. "Errrr… totally not sorry to interrupt, but I think you like, owe me something, Mike."

Prodding her fingertip against his chest Lillian gave a disjointed smirk, tugging Winters out of his embrace and onto his feet. She silenced him with a finger upon the lips, looking to Nora.

"Stealing this one for a dance. You can totally have him back when I'm done. Don't freak."

Unable to have a say in his own destiny, Mike did little more than look onward as Nora give a chillaxed thumbs up, swiping another glass of blue from the table. "It's alright, chica. Go for it!"

Reaching across – slapping the fiesty Chola's hand and tagging in – Lili cheered. "Bitchin! Be right back!"

Without even the luxury of a word in edgeways – the singer found himself snatched away, lead headfirst into the wild, untamed mass of people under the bright lights and swirling electronic beats.


Stuffed into a corner, his younger relation pressed up against him, Mikey couldn't help but place a hand upon her arm, using his free fingers to pop the top buttons on his shirt.

"You sure have a lot of energy tonight," he called out, moving with all he could muster alongside the EDM magic as it blurred from the sound system.

Lillian came in close, rubbing her back against his exposed chest, The suddenness of it certainly brought a powerful spark to his sleepy senses.

"No shit. I figure we celebrate. That and… look over there…."

Turning her cousin around, she gazed across the dancefloor with sharpened daggers.

Mikey froze – breathing hard if only for a microscopic moment, his focus brought upon the sight of violent red. Frills and ribbons acted as gift wrapping to conceal an all too deceiving gift. There she was, tapping the heel of her ribbon and lace shoe against a barstool – poison oozing as she took tiny, measured sips from a daiquiri glass.

"Audrey… of course she'd be in here."

Wanting to make damn sure nothing came of it, too, Mike swept up Lillian in his arms, meeting her with seriousness. "Ignore her. She's the last of our concerns right now. Let's just enjoy the music."

"Oh," the pasty hellion winked, "Don't worry… I'm like, totally enjoying myself. Besides… don't you see it?"

There wasn't much out of the ordinary – Audrey was dressed the same as always. "See what?"

"She looks soooo pissy over there. Wonder what crawled up her fucking cooch? Wasn't you now, was it cuz?"

Constant reminders of that oh so awkward past involvement weren't something to feel pleased about. Mike rolled his eyes with a groan.

His gaze snatched away before he could look too much longer, he was met with powerful eyes of deep blue. What was it with Lillian right now?

"She's looking this way…. Guess there's no time like the present. Eyes on me…"

"What do you m-"

Outstretched palms took him in hand, delicate fingertips crawling around the cheeks in a sensual vipers embrace. Widened to a stare, Mike took in those pools of blue, bubbling with a pink hued passion. Closer, and closer, so near now that breaths caressed his face, sweet with liquor cocktails and the subtle bite of cigarettes.

Slipping to the side, head resting against his shoulder, Lillian gave a low, sensual growl, a sharpness overtaking everything as she nipped against his neck. Flinching, body tensed under the shock, Mikey sank his fingernails into her shoulders upon reflex, a muffled sigh slipping free.

The purr twisted into a growl, the gothic beauty clamping down hard, teeth sinking deeper and her tongue licking faster as she held him in perfect submission.

Finally slipping back, her blackened lips stained with a little trail of red, Lili let out a sinister chuckle, lapping up the thin rouge streak, leaning in one last time to tease the sore spot at the left side of his neck.

"Dammit," wobbly and dazed, swirling in a mire of bizarre enjoyment and pain, the elder Winters gripped her harder for support.

"Love bites sting, don't they?"

Those words couldn't have been more tantalizing in their delivery. They were so heavy in fact, that there was no way to resist them. Lost in his own little world upon the dancefloor, Mike reached out, a rising heat within his veins almost too much to handle. Why'd Lillian have to tempt him? More importantly – why'd she have to look so hauntingly gorgeous under the rays of blue and green neon?

Freed by passions, able to roam the plains of desire, the playboy was loose, glowing a blue that matched the nightclub lighting. Empowered, having not felt the touch of another for so long, Winters scoffed – the lady killer through and through.

Kyu's greatest project yet – was all too aware of what he felt, buried beneath the surface, somewhere in the deepest core of his wayward heart.

Lillian was a young woman – rebellious, rowdy and damned irresistible in her own right.

Sliding his digits beneath the fabric of her top, scratching his nails across the expanse of her sweat-glistened back, Mike trailed downward in a straight line, watching with all too much glee at the sight of her eyes rolling back in approval.

"Ohhhh shiiiiit…. M-Mike…. Be gentle…."

There his fingers parked, staying put at the base of her spine. In mere moments, he'd turned this whole thing around. Tiny, quivering breaths escaped Lillian's lips, droplets of sweat slithering down her forehead as she shuddered under the music.

"You remember the song, right? Careful there, Lili…. I'm dangerous…."

Shivering under his every touch, she glared with pleading, thirsty eyes. "Uh-huh. Y- you're like, making my head spin..."

Those foggy, swirly eyes, trickles of sweat from every pore, shuddering breathes and shaky hands. So much time under Kyu's tutelage had made Mike all too accustomed to such sights. Lillian was frazzled, her thoughts long since departed for a far more intimate place.

Not that he was any better right now. Moving in for the kill, the playboy finally brought his hand downward; resting it upon the bratty babe's behind, settling in place with a sharp, sexual squeeze. She was so tight – so firm.

A howl of delight ripped free – muffled against his shoulder as Lillian slumped, panting desperately, and legs wobbling like jelly as she struggled to stay upright.

Her every movement was so sluggish, so painstaking. Yet Mike did nothing but smile, ablaze like a firework, radiant enough to illuminate the club all on his own.

"I'm throbbing…. My skin feels so fucking hot…."

Words of animalistic hunger – words of sheer desperation. They whistled in Mike's ears – a gift from his all too willing gothic rose. Yep, he'd set things straight now.

Placing a soft, loving kiss upon her cheek, the musician broke free, turning away, only looking back for a second to provide a truly wicked smile. Playing along was one thing, but going beyond and tearing through his boundaries, however flimsy they were, was another entirely.

"Then you better go to the bathroom and sort that out… You're looking awfully flustered..."

'Serves you right for teasing me…. That'll make you think twice.'

Blocking his escape, hands slumped across his shoulders in a desperate attempt to hold him in place, the teen heaved into his ear, cold drops of perspiration trickling against his skin as she sank her nails into his collarbone.

"You're a dick..."

Freed at last, Mike swung around, catching just the slightest glimpse of a black blur zipping in the direction of the restrooms.


Making his way through the sea of ravers, past the misty LED's, the gorgeous swaying babes and the handsome, well-toned guys, he arrived back at his table, presenting Nora with a brofist and climbing into the booth.

"How'd it go? I lost you guys in the crowd."

Nora was none the wiser – and that alone was enough to make him beam internally like a Cheshire cat.

"Went good. You wouldn't think it but shit… that girl can dance when she wants to. I miss anything?"

"Yeah, Sparky." Nora nodded – nudging his Huniebee across the table from its resting place beside the drinks. "That weird phone you got there? Started vibrating. What's the deal with that thing? I ain't ever seen a model like it before."

The best excuse here would perhaps be the simplest one. "Got it from a friend of mine that went overseas. It's… Swedish. Huniebee? It's a real popular model over there. You can get some great apps."

Flicking the magical display, the heart-shaped screensaver turning purple and cracking down the middle, Mike ran his eyes across the various different functions. There it was, easy to find.

'One new message – Sapphire.'

So she'd gotten back in touch after a week of silence? Good. More importantly, had she managed to deliver on the lofty promise she'd made at the carnival? It sounded seriously farfetched, to be able to backtrack someone's device through the band's website like that.

Regardless – it was the moment of truth. poking his index against the message screen, Winters began the epic read. Fuck, this girl sure knew how to ramble about tech. Perhaps it was best to filter out the techno babble and focus on the important parts.

'Hey Mike, hope you're well. Listen, I think I have something… but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Let's meet up and talk it over. Trust me; it'll be a lot easier to explain in person. I'd rather not have so many people suffocating me this time. I've got it. Let's meet at the Scenic Outlook near the edge of town. Tuesday at eleven in the pm. Same as before… come alone. I hope what I've found helps you out. Lady Sapphire x x x.'

A snap of the fingers pulled Mike back from the clouds of his headspace, greeted by a pair of deep brown eyes. "You got something there? Lookin a little more upbeat than you did earlier."

Mike nodded, clanking the last shot glass together with Nora's before craning it back – exhilarated by the burn. "Might have a lead. I'm checking it in the week. I'll let you know if anything comes up."

"Sounds good."

Looking the slightest bit confused, the resident badass pondering something, tapping a finger against her temple. "Hold up… What happened to Lillian? She didn't come back with you…. I don't see her on the dancefloor."

"Bathroom I bet," Mikey chuckled coolly, all too content with his earlier moment of roguish charm.

"Haha…" Nora adjusted her hat. "Guess she doesn't take after you, does she? Girl can't handle her drinks…."

If only she knew the truth. Not fading in his intensity for a moment, Mike could do nothing but chuckle, suave and unrestrained. "Something like that, Nora…. Something like that…."

Turning his attention toward the bar, he focused on finding the third player in tonight's game of rebuilding. Audrey – he'd only seen her for a minute, but it was definatley her, no doubt about it. It wasn't a surprise seeing her here, but was she watching him perform, too?

From a chubby brunette in tight fishnets, to a swollen out jock wearing a sleeveless vest and cargo pants, Mike gave a double take of the bar, finally giving up when the arrangement of red, frills and laces didn't strike his sight.

Oh well – it didn't matter. If anything, tonight had shown a handful of very important things, each one far more meaningful than the presence of Miss Belrose.

'I'm not outta the music game just yet. Nora and I have set shit right… and, Lillian…. I called it wrong... It's not a short-term thing. All those years apart - the two of us going in our own directions…. It's changed everything between us. Distancing myself from my past… it's blurred shit. The life I had back in Greenville's starting to feel more like it's a world away.'

Shaking the thought away, Mike leaned back, resting his head against the comfy padding of the seat. Another fist bump from Nora, and he was good to go.

"Feels like I finally have a direction again. It's been too long… way too long."

To be continued….


Thank you for reading this chapter through until the end. Did you like it? Is there anything else you'd like to see as the story continues? Perhaps there's something you'd like to see changed or improved? If you'd like to leave me some feedback then you're more than welcome to do so.

As always, keep on supporting Huniepop and Huniecam Studio. I'm thankful for all of the support from my readers, and I'll see you in the next part!