I'd like to be like you,

With a rep like yours my little hunny,

I'm not sure what I can do,

Just know that I ain't no false money.

What does it all mean?

To try so hard to get the right words out,

Oh I wish I could come clean,

I've given my all, but I have my doubts

That one day when he is gone,

I'll get my chance to ask you out,

And then I'll show my colorful life

© Shane West

Ray smiled at Neela as he sang. Abby laughed as Ray played his solo, his pout was ever present. She leaned over at Neela. Because the music was loud, she raised her voice. "Even when he's playing, he pouts!"

Neela smiled. "I think it's so ingrained in him to pout. But, it's nice to know that the cut didn't hurt his hand so he couldn't play."

"How does he explain the nose?"

Neela laughed. "Bar room fight."

Abby sipped her Root Beer. "He uses that a lot, doesn't he?"

"Can't lose face with the guys." Neela laughed harder. "If they knew it was because of a light pole, they'd NEVER let him live it down."

"I didn't realise Ray could really sing." Abby yelled.

"I know! I've heard them practice, but it's never been like this." Neela smiled. She lost her smile when Michael walked in and sat next to her. "Michael!"

He hugged her. "Glad to see you, Neela."

"What are you doing here?" Neela tried to hide the disappointment and surprise in her voice.

"You didn't get the call we were home?" Michael looked at the bartender. "I'll have a beer."

Neela looked at Abby, unsure of what to do or what to say. She looked up to see Ray putting his guitar down and announce a break. He made his way to Abby and Neela. He saw in Neela's eyes a fear and trepidation he'd never seen before. He held his hand out. "Welcome home, Gallant."

"Thanks, Barnett. What happened to your nose?"

Ray glanced around nervously. "A bar fight. Some guy hitting on Abby and I had to protect her, you know." He looked at Abby with that pout that begged her to just agree.

Abby sipped her Root Beer. "It wasn't a pretty sight. Unfortunately, Ray got the worse of it, but the guy did leave me alone." She tilted her head and saucily smiled at Ray.

"Well, I didn't know you had it in you." Gallant smiled. "Good job tonight, though."

"Thanks, man." Ray looked deeply at Neela and he knew that the plans for tonight would change. Michael was home and he knew she'd want to leave with him. He turned to Abby. "So, we still on for after the gig?"

Abby looked at him, shocked. She looked at Neela, who was varying her looks between Ray and Michael. "Um, yeah. Yeah, of course we are, Ray." Abby played along.

Ray slammed the door. He hated Michael. He sat on the couch, oblivious to everything around him. He was listening to rock music when Neela walked in. He looked up at her. "I'm glad Gallant's home."

"Stop pouting." She wiped her eyes.

"I'm not pouting, Neela." He defended.

"You are!" She sat next to him on the couch and buried her face in his chest. Ray, though a little surprised at her action, placed his arm around her. "It was a horrid night, Ray!" She began to sob.

"Was I that bad?" He asked, trying to bring some semblance of humor into the conversation.

She looked up at him. "No. Michael was."

"What's wrong?" His voice became soft and caring.

Neela looked deep into Ray's eyes and got lost in the seas of green. Suddenly, what Michael said didn't matter. All that mattered was that Ray was there, holding her, softly stroking her hair. She softly traced the hard lines of Ray's jaw.

"Neela?" Ray's voice was raspy. "What did Gallant do?"

"Pardon?"

"Gallant. Your boyfriend. You said he did something bad." Ray tried to ignore the want that was welling up in him.

"Oh." Suddenly Neela was nonchalant. "He broke up with me."