CHAPTER 37: MUSIC MAKES TWO PEOPLE COME TOGETHER
-Frank, where is Horatio? Surely he wouldn't miss this for the world. -, Natalia wondered, pressing her head closer to the Texan's. Frank tried not to blush and to answer in a somewhat coherent manner.
-He should be here any minute. It's not like something important came up after the process and the funeral. -, the big Detective replied, shrugging. Natalia turned towards the stage, where Ronnie Mitchell was preparing for the upcoming show along with her friends.
-Poor girl. The process really hasn't been a kind experience on her…-, she mumbled, remembering the past Wednesday. The process against Mrs. Escalante had been one of the most classified in the history of Miami, due to the less than conventional accuses mover towards the woman. For the occasion, the members of the jury had been chosen among representatives of the Hispanic culture, men of science and necromancers; apparently, the government were aware of their existence. Ronnie was cleverly asked by the accuse attorney to give a demonstration of her skills, a fact which conveniently enraged Mrs. Escalante. All in all, demonstrating her guilt had not been difficult, especially after her fanatical confession. The following day, Horatio's entire team, minus Eric, paid their ultimate respects to the Mitchells alongside Ronnie.
-Are we sure this is what she needs?-, Natalia suddenly piped up, snapping out of her reverie. Alexx Woods was quick to reassure her.
-After such traumatic experiences it will be good for her to express herself, and what better way to do it than music?-, she sagely observed. Natalia nodded, only half convinced.
-Where's Calleigh, anyway? Is she coming with Horatio?-, the African American doctor wondered then, a mischievous glint in her eye. Natalia ignored it, she knew better.
-She's in backstage, I think she'll be singing some with Ronnie. -, she replied. Alexx seemed disappointed by that, after all her friend had confessed about her growing affection towards Horatio she had hoped one of them would have had the courage to do something about it at that point.
Just then Calleigh made her appearance on the stage, approaching Ronnie with a beam; the two women, both with their guitars attached to their neck and shoulders, had a bit of a confab before taking their respective places. Ronnie, then, began introducing herself, her drummer, the bass player, the keyboard player and at last, like a guest star, Calleigh at the acoustic guitar.
She was on the point of announcing their first song when her attention suddenly focused on the entrance. Curiosity getting the best of them, Alexx, Natalia and Ryan turned towards it as well. There stood Horatio and his son Kyle, both surveying the room in search of their friends.
-Wow! Is that really H?-, Ryan wondered in a whisper. Natalia and Alexx could not agree more: dressed in a pair of white suit pants and a black shirt, he looked like a male celebrity coming directly from Hollywood. He was hot!
Horatio scanned the room in search of Frank's bald head; he figured he'd be the easiest one to spot, being the tallest and all.
It seemed as if they'd arrived just in time, and he was ashamed to admit that he himself was the reason for their almost tardiness, because at first he hadn't felt comfortable leaving his house in All Star. Oh, well, they were comfortable enough to spend a night in them.
His son seemed to have caught a glimpse of his friends, so while he was being led over there by him, he let his eyes wander on the stage. Catching him staring at her, Calleigh gave him a once over and licked her lips appreciatively, a playful action to which the Lieutenant replied by winking.
-Ladies and gentleman, there'll be a slight change of programs. See that great male specimen over there? Nope, not the redhead, I mean his son. Well, I'm dying to dedicate this song to him, so here goes: Girlfriend, by Avril Lavigne!-, Ronnie shouted from the stage, and her words were met by cheers and whistles, a good number of which directed at Horatio and Kyle. Blushing furiously, the two of them ducked the unwanted attention by means of sitting among their smirking friends.
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
No way! No way!
I think you need a new one…
Ronnie sang with a vengeance, pointing directly to Kyle, then to herself.
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend!
-What a declaration…-, Ryan whispered in Alexx's ear. –Really loud and clear. -, he added sarcastically.
Kyle, on his part, was blushing scarlet, while his father was grinning from ear to ear. Way to go, girl!
You're so fine
I want you mine
You're so delicious
Calleigh took over, attacking the microphone. There was no place for her acoustic guitar, and Ronnie seemed to welcome her initiative, for she took a step back to better concentrate on her electronic guitar, leaving the front of the stage to the blonde. She smirked, a feral grin on her lips.
I think about you all the time
You're so addictive
Don't you know what I can do to make you feel alright?
Uh oh, she was looking straight at Horatio, who suddenly felt very hot under her hungry gaze. Why was she putting him though that? Didn't she know, had she no idea of what her provocative words were doing to him? The effect of her stance on his body?
Don't pretend I think you know I'm damn precious
And hell yeah
I'm the motherfucking princess
I can tell you like me too and you know I'm right…
Oh shit, was he busted? Had she guessed? Did she know that she was the center of his thoughts, the queen of his reflections? She knew he liked her? Fine, she was right anyway! But then, the song said… you like me too. Did she like him too, then?
Calleigh lost all interests in the microphone and with a studiously despondent move left it to Ronnie, her long blonde hair rolling over her shoulders as she stepped back.
She was magnificent. The dark jeans hugged her curvy legs marvelously, showing off her hips and nicely rounded ass; the top, then, oh, the top!, green and fitting and hanging obliquely over her hips, so that it showed off part of her milky midsection, and the whole of her back, which was covered from time to time only by her golden waterfall, held away from her face by a black hair bend and gathered on the back of her head.
I can see the way, I see the way you look at me
And even when you look away I know you think of me
I know you talk about me all the time again and again.
So come over here and tell me what I want to hear
Better yet make the girlfriend disappear
I don't want to hear you say her name ever again
(And again and again and again)
The two girls chorused, putting a passion behind the words that left the audience mesmerized. Not only were they both stunning, but possessed wonderful voices which mixed surprisingly well; while Ronnie's was low and sensual and soft, Calleigh's was more acute and definitely sweeter.
Dear Calleigh, of course I look at you. How could I not? And of course I talk about you, you're always on my mind… what do you want me to say, hum? Tell me, and I'll say it. There has never been someone quite like you, never, not even Marisol, even if she came damn close to that…
After another couple of songs, Ronnie called a pause. The audience seemed disappointed, but clapped enthusiastically and cheered politely. The girl smiled, got rid of her guitar, jumped off the stage and ran towards Kyle.
To her, he was a vision. When he had first entered the bar, she had gasped, her heart skipping a beat. Tight fitting jeans, a somewhat long white T-shirt with a tie printed on it and a denim waistcoat, he resembled Adam Levine, the lead singer of the Maroon 5.
She fitted her slim body between Kyle and his father's chair, grinning at the two. –Did I make my point clear?-, she purred, placing a quick kiss to the boy's inviting lips. Dismayed, he could only nod and gulp.
-Good. Now, how would you like to be my boyfriend? Wait, scratch that, you already are my boyfriend. Just wanted to make sure you realized it. -, she grinned, coming to sit on his lap.
-Ah, yes, Ma'am…-, he stuttered. Ryan burst out laughing, he so sounded like his father! Horatio himself chuckled, then frowned when Ronnie gulped down his drink.
-Couldn't you take one of your own?-, he growled. Ronnie smirked at him, then proceeded to undo the first two buttons of his shirt.
-Nope, I have a busy schedule. Besides, it's much more fun stealing from the police. -, the girl replied, putting down the now empty glass on the table in front of Horatio. –Now relax, have a good time and don't forget to cheer. You look edible, I mean sexy, by the way. -, she sassed, and while the redhead blushed, Kyle swatted his girlfriend's butt.
-Hey, don't get all jealous on me. I have a show to finish and then I'll tell you exactly what I think about your attire. -, she winked at the boy, then approached Tripp, who had discretely called for her attention. The two of them talked for a bit; the Texan seemed tense, but Ronnie beamed at him, kissed his bald head and winked at Natalia before disappearing through the crowd of tables.
Alexx marveled at the easy going attitude Ronnie sported around Horatio, his son, and apparently, Frank. She was pleased to see Kyle so taken with the girl, she would have never thought it possible; they were an odd pair, almost complete opposites, and it was almost startling to see them together, especially while being affectionate towards each other… her skin looked so dark compared to his, or maybe it was the fairness of his that was exalted by hers, she couldn't tell exactly… oh well…
What really surprised the former ME was the way the girl acted around Horatio. It was rare, if not unheard of, for the redhead to let others get so attached to him, especially on the physical side. With her, though, he seemed at ease. Well, good for him, she was having a good influence on him, just like on his son. Maybe, Alexx reflected, Ronnie reminded Horatio of the early Calleigh Duquesne; she remembered only too well the flirty way she used to act around her boss and their behavior was somewhat similar, even if Calleigh had never dared to get that close or that physical with him. If only…
Ryan was having similar thoughts, only his were centered on Tripp. He seemed to be in friendly terms with the girl, and he were honest with himself, with Natalia, too. He had noticed the little exchange between Ronnie and his female colleague, and now curiosity was killing him. What was that all about?