Chapter Nine: Flirtations
Jesse looked around the club hoping everything was in place for tonight. Band – check, Waitresses (Gia and Kimmy) – check, food – check, customers enjoying themselves (he looked around) – check. He was feeling especially tired tonight, the emotional strain of the last few weeks catching up with him. His mom had commented on his physical state when he had dropped the boys off earlier, her motherly concern evident. He had brushed her questions aside stating that everything was fine, and to stop worrying, but she hadn't looked convinced. Part of him had been tempted to just blurt out the entire story, 'Mom I've been having these romantic feelings lately regarding Kimmy Gibbler, you know DJ's best friend, a girl I've known since she was ten years-old.' On top of keeping an eye on everything club wise, Pete was due any moment, and Carmen said she would drop by once her dance class was over. Carmen, his date – also in the too hard basket!
Unable to stop himself Jesse's eyes strayed to where DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmy were talking, watching as Kimmy prepared several cappuccinos for the thirsty customers. Jesse saw her face light up as she smiled at something one of his nieces said, and his heart began to thud wildly against his chest. He wondered how much longer it would be before someone noticed that he was spending a lot of time staring in Kimmy's direction, like a love-struck school boy. Not much longer he decided, as it was getting harder everyday to control his emotions when he was around her. Thankfully his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Pete who was looking around the club assessing it with a keen smile.
Spotting him, Pete walked over and clapped Jesse on the back. "Pretty cool club man. I still can't believe you own the Smash Club – ah the memories."
"Thanks man." Jesse was pleased by Pete's approval. "Yeah I'm happy with the results, but it's not exactly the same club that it once was," he admitted.
Stephanie and DJ hurried over. "Hi again, Pete," DJ greeted. "Your remember my sister Stephanie right?"
"Hi Pete," Stephanie gave him a small wave.
Pete's eyes almost bugged out of his head, "Wow is that little Stephanie! You look fantastic. How old are you now?"
Stephanie smiled, "I'm sixteen."
"Congratulations Jess, all your nieces are so beautiful." He had meet Michelle briefly when she returned from the ice rink.
Jesse ignored the compliment, and clearing his throat in disapproval said, "Steph I think Gia was looking for you earlier. Last time I saw her she was backstage checking everything was set up for the band."
"Okay thanks Uncle Jesse. See you later guys." Stephanie walked over to the stage.
"Shall we find a table?" DJ suggested. "How about this booth right here?"
"Sounds perfect," Pete said sliding in on one side, while DJ slid in on the other, sitting directly across from him. Jesse sat down on the same side as Pete."
"So what's the band tonight?" Pete asked.
"It's a high school band called 'Sons of Thunder', playing their yet to be released single, 'Lightning Strike'," Jesse confirmed with a grin.
"Sounds loud!" Pete laughed.
"Hey Jesse, I need your help over here!" Kimmy called out impatiently.
"Okay, coming!" he grumbled. Jesse reluctantly left the table leaving DJ and Pete alone.
"So DJ," Pete grinned, leaning across the table, "Can I buy you a drink?"
"Sure, but you know, the club doesn't serve alcohol right?"
"What!" Pete looked astonished. "No alcohol license for the Smash Club? What was Jesse thinking?"
"Well, he reopened the club with the intention of it being a place where under 21 year-olds could hang out, and enjoy new bands, which meant no alcohol." DJ explained. "I've always thought it was a cool idea."
"I guess it sounds like the type of admirable thing that Jess would be involved in. "In that case how about you and I find a club that serves a real drink?" Pete winked suggestively.
Jesse picked that moment to return to the table overhearing Pete's last line. "Pete, you wouldn't happen to be … by any chance – say – hitting on my niece would you? Because if you are, you need to know that I will break both your legs." His tone was light, but his tight smile, and cool eyes, screamed disapproval.
Pete grinned, "Jess man I can't help myself, your niece is very sexy." Jesse was wearing a 'if looks could kill then Pete would be dead on the spot' expression, so he added hastily, "But I will try and control myself as I'm fond of both my legs."
"While I was over there I took the liberty of ordering us some soda's. I ordered a root beer for you Deej as I know it's your favorite, and I hope you still like coke, Pete?"
"Sure, thanks Jess."
Right on cue they were interrupted by the arrival of their waitress for the night, Gia with their drinks. "Here you go guys – two cokes and a root beer."
"I had the root beer – thanks Gia," DJ said.
Pete smiled in her direction, looking her up and down. "Well hello – Gia! What an adorable name, for an adorable woman. I'm Pete Bianco by the way."
Gia blushed, "Thanks! Nice to meet you." She placed a coke on the table in front of him.
Jesse still recovering from his attention towards DJ gave him a disgusted glare. "She's not a woman. She's a 17 year-old girl, pal."
"I'll be eighteen in a few months," Gia suggested hopefully.
"Thank you Gia," Jesse said firmly. "Now run along – back to work."
Gia handed the second coke to Jesse, looking disappointed. "Okay Jesse." She gave Pete a huge smile, "See you Pete."
"Bye Gia," Pete waved, watching her leave. Turning to Jesse, he punched him lightly on the arm, "Whoa Jesse I can see why you opened this club. Smart move man, smart move."
"Pete, would you give it a rest!" Jesse just looked irritated.
Pete slapped Jesse on the back, "I'm just jesting with you Jess. My apologies DJ," he said grinning at her. "What a way to act in front of a lady. Oops – looks like I haven't been given a straw; be right back," he said exiting the booth.
"Pete, there are straws in the middle of the table!" Jesse called after him, but he had already disappeared amongst the crowd.
DJ stirred her drink with her straw giving Jesse a genuine smile. "Uncle Jesse, Pete sure is something else."
Jesse sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I was exactly the same ten years ago Deej. Pete has never really moved on from that, but he's basically a decent guy, he just likes to flirt, apparently with anyone."
DJ nodded, "I like him. And he's pretty cute."
But Jesse was no longer listening to her. His expression froze as he noticed Pete leaning against the bar, chatting to Kimmy. "Man I can't leave Pete alone for a minute," Jesse said in exasperation sliding out of the booth. "Now he's hitting on Kimmy! Excuse me Deej."
Jesse stalked over to the bar just in time to hear Kimmy laugh in response to whatever line Pete had just used on her. "Kimmy!" Jesse seethed gritting his teeth. "I am paying you by the hour you know!"
Kimmy looked startled by his tone, but quickly recovered and glared up at him. "Alright, alright! Take a chill pill Mr. Cranky Hair!" Picking up a tray of drinks, she shot a final smile Pete's way, "Hope to see you again Pete." Pete gave her a wink in response. Shooting a further look of contempt in Jesse's direction Kimmy left them alone.
It was Jesse's turn to glare at Pete. "Pete, must you hit on all my staff members?" His annoyance was obvious.
"Relax Jess! I'm just having a bit of fun. She's DJ's friend right, the next-door neighbor? Okay so she may be a little on the skinny side, but she has a sweet face."
"Sweet isn't an adjective I would use to describe Kimmy!" Jesse snorted.
"What's your problem Jess? She's not one of your nieces, nor is she under age."
"I've watched her grow up, that's all. And she's my employee," he finished lamely, using the same tired old excuse.
"Well neither of those scenarios applies to me. They sound more like reasons why you shouldn't go out with her." Pete regarded him slyly, "Is that why you're so upset Jesse, because you're interested in Kimmy? Because if that's the case, I'll back off no problem – you dirty dog, and here I was thinking you were Mr. Moral Man!"
"Pete, you have it totally – wrong as usual!" Jesse lied slightly disturbed, at the way Pete put it; his feelings for Kimmy did sound sleazy. "Luckily not everyone thinks like you."
"Whatever Jess, I guess she's fair game then," Pete replied distractedly. Now if you excuse me I see a blonde on the dance floor who looks like she could use my dance instruction. See you back at the table," and he walked away.
Jesse was relieved that Pete appeared to have forgotten about Kimmy, at least for the moment. What was he worried about anyway? As long as he had known him, Pete had always come on to everyone, and nine times out of ten he never took it any further, so it probably wasn't likely that he was intending to pursue anything with Kimmy.
"Excuse me Jesse?" Gia called from the edge of the dance floor, interrupting his thoughts. "You're needed backstage!"
Sighing Jesse hurried backstage thinking that between Pete, and Kimmy, and the club, that this was going to be a very long night indeed!
Carmen Sutherland hurried into the Smash Club slightly flustered. Her dance class had run a lot longer than she intended; she was supposed to meet Jesse here at 7.30pm, and her watch now read 8.16pm. Straining her neck, she attempted to locate Jesse, but couldn't see him anywhere. The Club was packed, which she guessed would be the case for a teen club, on a Saturday night at 8.15pm. Spotting Kimmy first she walked over to where she was wiping down a table.
"Hi Kimmy! Carmen greeted in a friendly tone. "Have you seen Jesse?"
Kimmy looked up, towel in hand. "I don't know any Jesse!"
Carmen looked puzzled, but not especially so, as on the few occasions they had met she had found Kimmy decidedly odd. "O-kay, thanks anyway!"
"Thank you Kimberley!" Jesse overheard walking towards them. "I'm the one who signs your paychecks." He turned to Carmen, "Hi," he said warmly, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
Carmen smiled, "Sorry I'm so late. Dance class went over."
Kimmy interrupted them, giving Jesse a fierce look. "I know my rights. You can't fire me. I'm doing my job. No where in my contract does it state that I have to like the boss – boss!'
Jesse waved her away, "If you're so great at your job, shouldn't you be working now, as opposed to talking?"
Kimmy huffed at him stomping away like a little kid.
"Is everything alright?" Carmen inquired.
Jesse put an arm around her shoulders, "Sure everything's just peachy. Kimmy is just being Kimmy, her usual irritating self." Changing the subject he steered her over to the booth Pete, Stephanie, and DJ still occupied. "Come on … I want to introduce you to an old friend of mine who is visiting from out of town. But a word of warning he hits on everyone, so watch out. I will try and keep him under control, but once he sees you it may be kind of difficult. I already threatened to break both his legs after he hit on DJ."
Carmen giggled as they neared the table, "He sounds like a riot."
"Pete, now behave, I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Carmen Sutherland. Carmen this is Pete Bianco."
Pete stood up smiling and shook her hand. "Hi Carmen. So you're the girl Jess has been so secretive about, and I can see why. Jess is a lucky man."
Carmen smiled, "Why thank you Pete, it's lovely to meet you as well. Hi DJ, hi Steph," she greeted as she slid into the booth beside Pete so that Jesse could sit on the other side of her.
"Hi Carmen!" Stephanie acknowledged, while DJ gave her a soft smile. "Would you like a soda, or a coffee, I'm just heading over to get a drink?"
"Sure, a cappuccino would be great, thanks!"
"Anyone else?" Stephanie asked, leaving the table with their various orders.
"So DJ?" Pete asked, "Do you have an issue with me hitting on your little friend over there?" He indicated in Kimmy's direction.
DJ looked taken aback. "You want to ask Kimmy out?"
"Well …" Pete continued, "I just thought I might get a bunch of us together to visit a real club, with actual alcohol, after this teen tot dance club closes. When's closing time Jess, 10pm?"
"It's 11pm on Saturdays," Jesse gritted his teeth.
"Whoa, 11pm, what a party spot!" Pete's mocking tone was evident. "So how about it DJ, would you and Kimmy be interested? I already have a yes from Angela." He indicated to the blonde two tables over whom he had been dancing with earlier.
DJ hesitated ignoring her Uncle's disapproving expression. "Why not, I can't answer for Kimmy, but it sounds like fun to me."
Pete smiled smugly, "Excellent!" Turning to Jesse he shot a wicked smile in his direction, "Jesus Jess, it's my first night in town, come with us, live a little - bring the lovely Carmen." Pete smiled broadly in her direction. "It'll be fun."
Jesse was adamant in his refusal, "I'm sorry Pete, but no thanks, it's been a long week, and I'm exhausted."
"Come on Uncle Jesse," DJ encouraged. "Nicky and Alex are spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa's."
Jesse was saved from replying due to the interruption of Joey arriving at their table. "Evening everyone!" Joey smiled.
Following a chorus of greetings, Joey pulled over a vacant chair from a nearby table, and parking it at the end of the booth, sat down. Stephanie returned to the table carrying a tray of drinks. Gia trailed behind her with an assortment of snacks.
"Hey Gia, are you alright to give Steph a ride home after your shift?" DJ asked helping herself to a french fry. "Pete and I, and a few others are planning on hitting a club."
Gia and Stephanie both looked envious. "No … problem DJ," Gia managed to stammer.
Pete waved his finger, smiling in her direction. "Hey chin up kid. I'll be back to take you out clubbing when you're older."
Gia's face lit up, "Really? I'll hold you to that." And with that she flounced away happily, weaving her way through the dancers.
An uncomfortable silence followed. Joey helped himself to a chicken wing. "So Carmen how was dance class tonight?" he asked attempting to break the silence.
Carmen gave him a warm smile, "It was so cute. It was the four year-old class, and those pre-school ballerinas are so sweet."
Joey nodded, "I remember when Stephanie and Michelle were that age, they were both so adorable."
"I think it's amazing how you moved in to help your best friend raise his three daughters when their mother died. I don't know many friends who would have done the same thing in your position." Carmen complimented.
Joey looked pleased by her approval. "Thanks Carmen, but it was nothing really. They are fantastic kids, and adult!" he corrected noticing the look DJ gave him.
"Joey is wonderful!" Stephanie grinned, stretching out of the booth to put an arm around his shoulders.
"He's basically a big kid himself, " Jesse added.
Pete looked first at Jesse, then at Joey, and then at Carmen. What was wrong with this picture, it was quite obvious that Carmen had her eye on Joey, and that Joey felt the same way, and what's more Jesse didn't even seem to notice, or care. Pete looked past the table, to where Kimmy was taking an order at a nearby table. He thought back to his earlier conversation with Jesse, and his uncharacteristically jealous reaction at Pete's attempts to chat up Kimmy, and it got him thinking. Hmm, so that was the way the cookie crumbled – interesting!