Chapter fourteen

"So, anyway, dude, of course she called me the next day whining how I didn't come to the party even though she told me not to go."

Eli laughs as he plucks his guitar. Cooper is packing up his stuff and Dave is lying on the couch, reading a magazine.

"I'm so psyched for the gig tonight. It's gonna f—king rock!" yells Cooper as he jumps up and down.

Grace walks in and laughs at Cooper.

"Be careful there, Coop. You may hit your head and lose your last remaining brain cells."

Cooper smirks and ruffles Grace's hair.

"Are you coming tonight? It's gonna be awesome!"

Grace looks Eli's pleading face and she breaks out into a smile.

"Have I ever missed a gig?" she asks as she goes and sits on Eli's lap.

"Would Grace ever let me down?" asks Eli as he kisses her on the nose.

Dave looks over from the couch and rolls his eyes.

"Can you two please get a room?"

Eli and Grace laugh and she then throws a pillow at Dave.

"You're so gonna get it, Manning!" Dave jumps up from the couch and throws back the pillow.

Grace squeals and hides behind Eli.

"Hey, hey, stop flirting with my girl!" jokes Eli and pretends to whack Dave.

Grace drops to floor and pretends to pass out.

"Hey, hey, maybe now I can ask out that hot chick from work," Eli smirks.

"Yeah, dude, she's been coming onto you for months, now's your chance," laughs Cooper.

Dave, Cooper and Eli each grab a pillow and on the count of three throw the pillows on top of Grace.

"YOU JERKS!" Grace screams and jumps up from the floor.

"That's it. I was going to bring along some hot groupies to the gig tonight, but now..." Grace smirks and starts to leave the room.

"Woah, dude, stop her!" Cooper punches Eli on the arm.

Eli runs up behind Grace, grabs her around the stomach and drags her to the couch. Grace kicks, screams and laughs uncontrollably.

"E, let me go!"

Eli drops Grace onto the couch, jumps on top of her and tickles her.

"Which girls, Manning?" Cooper stands over Grace and Eli and threatens them with a pillow.

"You'll just have to wait and see," gasps Grace.

"Get over it Coop, you already have a hot babe," remarks Dave.

"After the other night, I've probably been dumped." Cooper slumps onto the floor and hits the wall. Grace shoves Eli aside, walks over to Cooper, crouches down and gives him a hug.

"Everything will work out, Coop. Don't worry,"

Cooper sighs.

"Where are the violins when you need them?" jokes Dave and he picks up his bag. "I gotta go pick up my sister. See you guys at the bar."

Dave walks out of the room and Cooper gets up from the floor.

"I should go too. I've got stuff to do."

"Coop, don't worry, ok," smiles Grace.

"Thanks, Grace. See ya, Eli," Cooper waves and walks out of the room too.

Grace stretches out her arm and Eli picks her up from the floor.

"Want to hang out for a bit?"

"Can't, have to do some homework before your gig, sorry," apologizes Grace.

"When are we going to have some time alone? It's been ages. Roger's feeling a bit neglected," smiles Eli.

Grace crouches down, "sorry, Roger, maybe tonight after the gig, you and I can hang out a bit."

Eli laughs and pulls Grace back up. Grace throws her arms around Eli and kisses him passionately.

"Don't worry, E, I'll never neglect you."

"I just miss you, babe," sighs Eli and then he kisses Grace's nose and moves down to her neck.

Grace closes her eyes and tilts her head back.

"Ok, stop being sneaky, monkey," laughs Grace.

Grace kisses Eli quickly and turns towards the door.

B/W Eli: she rocks my world. (smiles)

Eli packs away his guitar.

- - -

People are scattered around the room, sitting on big red couches, standing at the bar and sitting on benches against the walls. Grace walks into the room with her friends Sarah and Julie. They walk over to one of the couches and settle in.

"So, Dave is cute, right?"

"How many times can I tell you, Sar? YES, he's cute!"

"Ok, ok, just making sure. I'm not really into being set up."

Julie and Grace shove each other and laugh at Sarah.

"Fine, I'll shut up," mutters Sarah.

Grace walks to the bar and orders some drinks. The lights go down and she hears a guitar start to play. Then, she can hear Eli's voice.

"I sing for you, and only you. Where ever I go I'll find you. You're in the sound of every hello And everything I do. You're the song I was destined to know. And I only sing for you."

Grace breaks out into a smile.

B/W Grace: Every time I hear this song I realise how lucky I am.

Grace carries the drinks over to the table and sits in between Sarah and Julie. Grace points out Dave to Sarah.

"See, he's totally cute."

"I guess...but look at his bad taste in clothes!"

"It's fine, Sar," says Grace and she rolls her eyes with Julie.

"I think Eli is sublime," murmurs Julie.

"Keep your hands off!" laughs Grace.

Julie and Sarah wolf whistle and Grace pretends to slap them both. The boys finish their act and walk over to the girls. Eli moves in next to Grace, Cooper looks Julie up and down and smiles. Dave stays standing and goes a little red when Sarah smiles at him.

"Hey, take a seat." Sarah moves over a little and Dave sits down on the edge of the couch. Eli and Grace nudge each other and share a look.

"You play really well," says Sarah.

"Uh, thanks," mutters Dave.

"Dave, can't you take a hint?" snaps Cooper from his corner of the couch. Julie laughs and looks at Cooper. Cooper smiles and winks at Julie.

"Um Coop, how's your girlfriend, Sam?" asks Grace. Cooper looks annoyed for a minute.

"She called me up and dumped me," replies Cooper.

Everyone murmurs in sympathy and Eli pats Cooper on the back.

"That sucks, man," sympathizes Eli.

Cooper turns to face Julie, whispers something in her ear and she giggles.

"I might go home, I have some stuff to do for tomorrow," states Cooper.

"I should go home too. Can I get a ride?" asks Julie as she picks up her bag and stands up.

"Sure," smiles Cooper and they wave goodbye and leave the bar.

Grace leans back and Eli wraps his arms around her shoulders.

"You guys were great tonight, E."

"Eli was on the ball tonight," remarks Dave.

Julie nods in agreement and sneaks a peak at Dave.

"When are you next playing?"

"Next Friday night at the After Dark lounge," replies Dave.

"I'll have to tag along then," flirts Julie.

Grace checks her watch.

"We should go home, it's getting late and you promised me some quiet time, Eli."

Eli gets up from the couch, picks up his guitar and offers his arm to Grace.

"Do you need a ride, Julie?" asks Eli.

Julie looks over at Dave and he goes a little red.

"I can take her home, if you want that is."

"That'll be great," smiles Julie.

"See you guys soon" Grace smiles.

Julie and Dave walk out of the bar and Grace turns to Eli and smiles.

"So, what are we gonna do now?"

"Well, I picked up some marshmallows and chocolate and a few other things," smirks Eli.

"You sure know the way to my heart," murmurs Grace and she kisses Eli's nose.

"mmmhmmm." Eli places his arm on Grace's back and pulls her in. "Let's get outta here, babe."

- - -

Eli slowly opens his door and Grace sees a carpet on the floor covered with chocolates, lollies, a flask of hot chocolate and a bunch of red roses.

Eli walks Grace over to the carpet, sits her down and he puts on some music. He takes off his shoes and Grace's as well and he starts to massage her feet.

"You keep spoiling me, E."

"Do you want me to stop?" smirks Eli innocently.

"No, no...but I don't deserve it."

Eli leans in and softly kisses Grace on the mouth.

"Of course you deserve it," he whispers.

They sit back in silence, take in the music and munch on the food. Eventually, Grace stands up and takes Eli's hand and takes him over to the bed. Eli takes off his shirt and Grace lightly traces his stomach. Eli unbuttons Grace's shirt, takes it off and moves down to her skirt.

"Eli, I want to do this, but we really should have an early night. I have school tomorrow and you have work. And mum has been bugging us lately because we spend too much time together."

Eli groans and falls to the bed.

"I guess I can wait until tomorrow night..."

"I can't tomorrow night, I have soccer practice."

"Well, when?" Eli shows signs of frustration and Grace bites her lip.

"It's really hard this week, E. I'm sorry..." Grace begins to apologize.

"It's not your fault, babe."

Grace lies down on the bed next to Eli and they both look up at the ceiling.

"It's going to be really hectic the next few months with soccer, play rehearsals and homework," Grace sighs.

Eli takes hold of Grace's hand.

"Hey, it's not the end of the world," Eli half-smiles, "and I'll be busy with work and my music. The cds have been selling really well."

Grace squeezes Eli's hand and turns her face to his.

"Since we got together I've wanted to make you proud of me," whispers Eli.

"I am proud of you, E. You're so talented and you work hard. You don't give up."

Grace kisses Eli on the nose and places her head on his shoulder.

"You and me, babe, we'll go places," whispers Eli.

"Yeah," murmurs Grace as she closes her eyes.

Eli pulls the blanket over them and he closes his eyes.

"You and me, always," whispers Eli as he falls asleep.