Chapter Eleven

I walk out of third period and straight into my boyfriend. It has been a month since we became official. Although we haven't had a lot of time together. Much to his attitude.

In an attempt to keep me away from him my dad has started complaining about not seeing his daughters more. So he drags us on every cliche daddy-daughter outing imaginable.

" Hey. " I say giving him a smile.

He puts an arm around me. " Seems I have to snatch you up in order to spend any time with you. "

" Awww did you miss me, baby? " I say pinching his cheek.

Giving me a mock glare he grabs me up and kisses me passionately. Every nerve ending fills with heat and I moan into his mouth. When he puts me down I notice that everyone in the hall is looking at us like we're committing some heinous act.

" Did that answer your question? " He asks smiling.

I nod not sure I can speak at the moment. " Sure did. "

" Alright, alright let's break it up. " Mr. Daniels says making his way through the hallway that his classroom is in.

Sighing I give him one last peck. " See you at lunch. "

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My phone rings just as I'm about to head to lunch. " Hello? "

Hey, honey, I'm heading to the airport. I got a lead on that bail jumper.

" You gonna put the screws to em'? " I ask as my heart speeds up.

My prayers have been answered!

I'm gonna try. Listen, it looks like he's heading to Canada so I might not be back until Tuesday at the latest. Tell your sister.

" Okay, you go get your man. We'll be fine here. " I tell him feeling excitement bubble up more.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do. I check in later. I love you.

" I love you too dad, bye. " I say before hanging up.

Yes! I'm so resisting the urge to do a happy dance. It's two days until the open mic night that Slash invited me to. I had written it off because my dad is a super detective but he's going to be hundreds of miles away by Friday! Pulling out my phone I shoot my sister a text.

Hey Ronnie, dad is leaving to catch some bail jumper and won't be back until Tuesday... I need your help. Talk at lunch. -Tori

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I literally run to lunch, get my tray, and head out to the quad. Eli waves me over as soon as he sees me but I put my index finger up and head for Ronnie.

" What's this help you need me for? " She asks as soon as I sit down.

Smiling big I tell her, " want to go to L.A. for a night of rock and roll? "

" What? " She asks looking at me like I grew another head.

Laughing I say, " remember my birthday? When I met Slash? "

" Yeah and couldn't stop talking about it for a week. " She says rolling her eyes.

This girl is sp annoying sometimes. " Well, what I didn't tell you is that he invited me to The Whiskey A Go Go for an open mic night on Friday. He said some executives from his label will be there. "

She thinks it over for a few seconds. " Fine, but if dad somehow catches us I was kidnapped. "

" Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! " I say hugging her.

She looks at me seriously. " You owe me big. Bigger than you covering for me at the Moon Calf Collective. "

" I'm going to owe you bigger than that... I'm going to ask Eli to come and I was thinking... " I trail off.

Shaking her head she says, " thinking what? "

" That maybe... I could get a hotel room and we can have some... Alone time. " I say wiggling my eyebrows.

Her eyes pop out. " You mean? "

" Yeah. I think I'm ready. " I say in certainty.

" Wow. " She says in shock. " Weevsie must be making you very happy. "

Nodding I say, " he is. Even if it doesn't happen, I just want to be alone with him. No dad or his family and boys. "

" Okay then. L.A. it is then. " She says waving her hand.

Grinning I say, " thanks, Ronnie. I'm going to go make sure he's free. "

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I head over to Angel's after school because Eli wasn't at his lunch table when I went looking for him. Pulling up I see him and his boys sitting around laughing.

" Yo Weevil, it's your girlfriend. " Cervando says as I get out of my car.

Smiling I say, " that's me ".

Eli gets up and I get a hug in front of them. Catcalls are made and he chuckles.

" I looked for you after I talked to Veronica but you were gone. " I say before pecking his lips.

Cryptically he says, " yeah, I had some things to deal with. "

" Can we talk? Privately? " I ask looking around at his boys.

He looks back at them before nodding to my car. We get in and I tap the steering wheel.

" To what do I owe this meeting? " He asks looking uncomfortably boxed in like this.

I decide on how to approach it for a moment. " Well... What are you doing Friday? "

" I don't know yet. Why? " He asks still looking uncomfortable.

" I'm going to L.A. for this open mic thing at the Whiskey A Go Go... " I tell him excitedly. " I was thinking... We're always talking about not having any alone time... "

Looking confused he says, " so you want me to come with? "

" Ronnie's coming too... But I'm thinking of separate hotel rooms. " I tell him as heat fills my face.

The look on his face is almost comical. " Wait, wait. How are you doing that with your dad on the loose? "

" He left town today for Canada. " I say with a sly smile. " Some bail jumper thing. He won't be back until next week. "

He smacks his lips. " So what, you planning on seducing me? "

I feel my cheeks heat up even more.

He deadpans. " Oh! I see. Are you sure? "

" Yeah... I want this. " I promise him.

The next thing I know he's pulling my face to his. The kiss is so heated I swear we almost did it right then and there. That is until his boys start whooping again.

He pulls away laughing at my still red cheeks. " It's a date querida. I got to get back to work... I'll see you tomorrow. "

" Yeah, okay. I need to head over to work too. " I say trying to catch my breath.

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It's finally here! We're on our way and will be on the Sunset strip in an hour. Veronica is driving and Eli and I are in the back seat of her car, much to his chagrin. I have my legs propped on his lap. I'm wearing shorts so his hands are rubbing my freshly shaved legs. Lucky boy.

" When we get to the hotel we'll only have enough time for you to hurry and get ready. I do not want to be waiting all night to get into that death trap they call a club. "

Rolling my eyes I say, " every huge band that came from the Sunset Strip and made it big played at the Whiskey... Plus my name is on the list. "

" Riigghhtt. " She says sarcastically.

This girl. " Whateverrrr! " I say doing the finger gesture to go along with it.

Eli laughs beside me and I smirk at him. " It's one of my favorite movies. "

" I know, you've forced me to watch at least ten times, remember? " He grumbles mockingly.

I know he's lying, it's more like fifteen times. " Oh, you love it just as much as I do. "

" Sure I do, not. " He jokes.

Veronica turns her head and mock glares at us. " Don't make me come back there. "

️ ️

" Come on querida, we're gonna be late! "

Exiting the bathroom in our shared hotel room I say, " I'm ready ".

" You look... " He tries and I know what he's thinking.

Sighing I say, " like a poser? "

" No- No not a poser... " He tries and fails.

Yeah right. I fully know that my kind of music isn't exactly rock and roll. It's more alternative and folksy than anything. I'm not here to rock though, I just need to impress the executives in the audience.

Putting my shoes on I grab my guitar and we meet Ronnie in the hallway. From there we head over to the Sunset strip. Let me tell you, this place looks completely different at night. The closer we get to the Whiskey, the more butterflies form in my stomach.

" Calm down babe, you're going to be fine. " Eli says from beside me.

I grab his hand and give it a squeeze.

We get to the Whiskey with half an hour to spare. We head around the long line and I give my name to the bouncer. He checks the list and nods before opening the rope for us to pass.

When we're inside I can't believe it. This is the place where the best rock bands in the state have played in for the first time. The history of it all is almost overwhelming. It's kind of like fate is pushing me.

" You made it. " I hear from behind us.

Turning around I see that man of the hour. " Yeah! Thanks for inviting me. This is my sister Veronica, and my boyfriend Eli. "

" Hi. " Veronica says sheepishly.

Smooth Ronnie, smooth.

" Nice to meet you all. " He says giving Eli a fist bump. " I have to head back but I'll be waiting for your performance.

I wave after him. " Okay, thanks again! "

I'm called up towards the end since they go alphabetically for some reason. Some of the bands are good, others not so much. Three girls literally made fools of themselves up there for three minutes straight. No harmonies, or melodies, and they couldn't play their instruments. Seriously, who let them in?

" Next up is a newbie at the Whiskey. Slash said just before the last act that he met her in a guitar shop and couldn't help but invite her here to play. " The presenter says into the mic and the crowd responds better than I imagined. " Please welcome, Victoria Mars. "

Stepping up to the mic the crowd looks up at me trying to decide on how they want to react before I even play a note.

I don't wanna be the last man standing. I don't wanna be the lonely one. Picking petals when the party's over. No, it's not any fun.

'Cause I'm fragile and you know this. So hold me! Wrap me in love, fill up my cup! Empty! And only your love can fill up my cup!

'Cause I'm hollow! Yeah, I'm hollow, oh oh oh!
'Cause I'm hollow! Yeah, I'm hollow, oh oh oh!

I don't wanna be the first one folding. I don't wanna be the joker heart. Tell me, darling, will you understand me and not show me your cards?

'Cause I'm paper-thin, and you, you make me whole again!

So hold me! Wrap me in love, fill up my cup! Empty! And only your love can fill up my cup!

'Cause I'm hollow! Yeah, I'm hollow, oh oh oh! 'Cause I'm hollow! Yeah, I'm hollow, oh oh oh!

I confess (yeah), my weakness til you pick up the parts that are broken. Pour out your perfection on me now.

And hold me. Wrap me in love, fill up my cup. Empty. 'Cause only your love can fill up my cup.

So hold me! Wrap me in love, fill up my cup! Empty! And only your love can fill up my cup! 'Cause I'm hollow!

Yeah, I'm hollow, oh oh oh!

By the time I play the last note the people in the club are clapping and whistling loudly. Wow! I can only stand here and bask in what I'm sure Slash feels every time he gets on stage.

" Ladies and gentlemen, Victoria Mars! " The Emcee says and I get another round of applause as I exit the stage.

When I get back and throw myself into Eli's eyes. " That was so cool! "

" You were great querida. I had no idea you could sing like that. " He says smiling down at me.

He and I both. " I didn't either! That was the best I've ever played or sung. "

" Where's Ronnie? " I ask looking around for her.

He shrugs. " She's out in the crowd somewhere. Let's go find her. "