She Rocks My World:
80's Rocker, Edward Cullen, is the frontman for the enormously popular band, Cullen. He's every woman's dream; handsome, wealthy, and talented, but the elusive rocker has something to hide until an overwhelmingly gifted, doe-eyed beauty steals his heart at first sight and sound.
Still Beta'd by the wonderful and lovely … (drum roll by Garrett) Fran.
Chapter Two: The Club
Once Emmett hits Route 101, he puts the pedal to the metal, and we make it to East Railroad Ave. in record timing. Port Angeles is over an hour away, but my brother breezes down the highway knowing when to speed and when not to.
The bright blue and white, hourglass sign stands tall greeting us as a beacon of a light calling us home. Rosalie's welcomes us with open arms. The dark, hardwood, A-frame has a rustic beach design with its multi-sized stone facing lining the bottom half of the building. There are large, plate glass windows overlooking both the water and the ferry line to Victoria across the way.
Emmett smoothly turns Silver, his bullet-shaped, Toyota van into the crowded parking lot and we file out, one by one. I see Garrett's apple-red Porsche, walk over, and lay my hand over the hood. "It's cool. He's been here a while."
"We'll find him. Besides, I called ahead and spoke with the owner. So, we don't cause a ruckus, she'll have a bouncer by the back door to let us in," Ali explains.
I ask, "No one will see us?"
"Exactly, my genius brother."
On the other side, we find the back door illuminated by a dim light. A muscle-bound bouncer by the name of Laurent opens the door and ushers us in through a hallway that leads to two front tables on the left near the small stage.
At one table, Garrett sits with his arm around the back of Kate's chair. Their demeanor is quite cozy. He looks up and nods. "I was wondering when you were gonna get here."
He stands out like a sore thumb with his shaggy brown mop over his shoulders and tight, electric blue pants, torn white T-shirt, and army boots.
I lean into him. "I see you dressed for the occasion, man." I smile at Kate. "Hi, Kate."
He chuckles, "No one ever recognizes me, only you front guys."
Kate giggles and nods at me.
Emmett adds and points, "People love my dimples."
Alice smacks him. "Keep them and your voice down, Em, we don't want to ruin this for my friend."
I smirk. "Yes, yes, your friend …"
She gives me the death stare through squinty eyes. "Bella."
Jasper moves between Ali and me. "I'll just sit here." Jazz is the mediator of the group, always in the middle keeping the peace.
He and I try to disguise ourselves, but it never works. He has his long blonde hair under a knitted beanie, and I have mine under a baseball cap. In slim-fit jeans and large T-shirts, we still look like us.
Emmett doesn't bother. He likes the attention with his tight Ts and fitted jeans showing off his muscular attributes as well as his full head of dark curls.
Ali orders a round of beers, while Emmett scans the menu, as we sit back and await the show.
I carefully turn my head to look around the place. It's not a big venue. There's a bar behind us that seats ten to fifteen, and possibly thirty, maybe thirty-five tables in the round. So, our presence can't cause too much trouble in this bar.
A stately blonde saunters over to Ali in a form-fitted red dress and spiky heels. They have their heads together. Emmett slowly lifts his eyes with his mouth wide open, scanning her curves. I reach over and shut it. "You're catching flies, Bro."
"Wow," he sizzles. "She's …"
Ali interrupts his revelation, "Guys, this is Rosalie, the owner."
We all stand to greet her. Emmett grabs her hand in his, and I swear he's drooling.
"It's nice to meet you, Rosalie," he quietly says as kisses her knuckles.
She smiles and shakes his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, all of you." She blushes.
"I didn't know you were going to be here. Ali only mentioned Jasper."
Emmett answers, "She only told us last night."
"Well, I'm excited to have you here."
Jazz adds, "We won't cause any trouble."
Emmett stares at her. "Well, I don't know about all of us."
Rosalie laughs. "I've heard you were bad boys."
"That's only Edward. I'm a lamb," Emmett baas.
Rosalie ignores him taking away her hand. "Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy Bella. She's like a little sister to me."
"Which is so funny that you two know one another," Ali adds. "I've known Bella since senior year in high school. We both went to Boston College together."
"She told me a lot about you, too, Ali, I just didn't put two and two together that you were a Cullen." She gestures toward Jasper. "Ah, Whitlock."
"I don't make an issue of being related to them," she groans. "And Bella is my friend, so the brothers are never discussed. She has no idea that they're here."
Rosalie gasps, "She's going to flip. I had to beg her to come and sing tonight. My usual act canceled out and I was in a bind. That's why she agreed to perform."
I ask, "Has she done this before?"
"Edward, this is her second time on stage, but believe me, she will floor you," Rosalie says with pride.
I quip, "I'm looking forward to it."
Another death stare from Ali. "Please?"
I raise my hands in surrender. "I really do want to hear her."
"Let me go check on your drinks." As she winks at Emmett and walks away, he groans, taking in every sway of her hips.
It's a great feeling to end the tour and be at home. I sit back enjoying the surroundings; feeling relaxed and rested.
The waitress brings our beers and Emmett orders a bunch of finger foods. "What? We can munch," he defends.
The girl gawks at us with utter surprise. Rosalie appears from out of nowhere and instructs her to 'hop to it.' and we watch her run off.
"I'm sorry about that. I hadn't told her you guys were here. She was a bit shocked," she expresses. "I'll bring everything to you. Sorry." She heads toward the bar.
"I'd like her to bring everything to me," Emmett mumbles.
Garrett jokes, "Emmett, she really wants you, man."
He frowns, "You think?"
"Oh, yeah, just watch her when she brings your food." Garrett pokes me in the side and rolls his eyes.
Word spreads fast of our whereabouts, and a few people come by the tables to get an autograph and a few pictures. Ali orchestrates a quick 'hoop-de-do' until the food arrives.
Garrett continues to razz Emmett about Rosalie as he watches her with eagle eyes. I can see Garrett's humor go over Em's head until Emmett invites Rosalie to sit with us for Bella's performance. She hems and haws, but Emmett throws on his special charm, and he gets her to join us. With an extra chair between Em and me, Rosalie seems to blend right in.
It's a few minutes before ten, and Rosalie excuses herself when a wisp of a girl carrying a guitar case passes the stage on her way to the back hallway. "I'll be right back."
Emmett scoots closer to me.
I watch on as Rosalie approaches I assume is Bella with a tight hug.
Ali excitedly jumps up and joins them. I take this in with great interest as my sister grabs Bella into a death grip.
Sitting her case on the floor, Bella pulls off her knitted stocking cap and her dark, coffee-colored hair cascades down her back in soft waves. She runs her fingers through from top to bottom, and I follow her movements. No frou-frou hair thingies. It's all natural with no poof to it.
Ali takes a brush from her bag and runs it through Bella's long hair talking her ear off. She grabs a lipstick and paints Bella's mouth as she smacks them together. Then, she pinches both of her cheeks. Bella sticks her tongue out at Ali.
She removes her coat, showing an oversized, black T-shirt and jeans with black and white Converse sneakers adorning her feet. I laugh to myself because we match. She's only a few inches taller than Ali and could easily fit under my arm.
Ali returns to her seat, yacking about how great Bella looks tonight, as Rosalie grabs the top mic on the stand. One of the waiters carries a stool and places it on the right side of her. "Thanks, Mikey." He nods and runs off the stage.
"Hey, good evening, everyone."
People cheer.
"You're in for a real treat tonight."
Someone from the crowd heckles, "Are you entertaining us, Rosie?"
Emmett frowns.
Rosalie hacks back, "Oh, no, no. You don't want me to sing, darlin'."
Two waitresses shout, "Don't encourage her."
Rosalie points. "They're right." She laughs. "They're right."
Emmett shouts into my ear, "I like that she can make fun of herself."
"You would," I mumble.
She continues, "My friend, Bella, is here."
Another person from the crowd shouts, "Where's Randy?"
"He called out with the flu, so I hope you give Bella a chance, people. She's doing us a big favor."
"So, bring her out, Rosie."
Rosalie looks to the back hallway as Bella makes her way out clutching her guitar.
The crowd whistles, shouts, and claps.
Jasper hums, "Man, that's a Gibson, Hummingbird Vintage Cherry Sunburst." He exhales a low whistle.
I shake my head, "It's a beauty."
Emmett pokes me from the back. "So's the girl."
Bella sits on the stool adjusting her guitar strap around her shoulder flipping back her hair.
"I'm gonna leave all of you in Bella's capable hands," Rosalie announces, gives the mic over to her, as she walks off the stage sitting next to Emmett and Garrett.
Bella shyly clears her throat and looks around the room. She adjusts the top mic near her mouth, as the bottom one will amplify the guitar.
After a few strums of her strings, as she fine-tuning the sound, she begins to play and speak into the mic, "I'm really nervous." She bites her bottom lip. "So, try to be kind."
The crowd, 'Aws.'
Bella notices Ali, and her eyes widen when she sees the rest of us. She frowns as Rosalie mouths, "You can do this."
Bella takes a deep breath.
I sit forward in my chair watching her closely. She has a light touch to her strokes.
"I'm going to cover a few artists' songs from other artists. Hopefully, I'll get brave enough and play a few of my own." She softly laughs.
I can't lean close enough, now. I anticipated this soft, sweet voice coming from her pouty alluring mouth but I'm finding just the opposite.
She plays the intro to 'What about Love' by Heart. Her voice is soft and sultry with the first few lines. With her eyes closed, she hits the high notes with ease. Jasper gasps and grabs my arm. I know what he feels. Rosalie nudges my side, over Emmett, and shouts, 'Go, Bella.'
I hear Emmett telling Rose that she's amazing, while Garrett taps out the beat on the table.
She plays the instrumental lead with pick in hand not missing a note. Jasper now leans forward watching her with eagle eyes. She continues the chorus.
Bella opens her eyes and looks in my direction, seemingly singing to me. Her focus doesn't leave mine, and I draw into her. I can't look away … and like a moth to a flame, she pulls me in.
The song ends, and everyone jumps to their feet.
Bella looks around with a shy smile, covering her mouth with her hands. "You sure know how to make a girl feel good." She laughs. "Thank you."
The crowd still shouts.
"C'mon, this is embarrassing. Stop." She hides her head on her guitar. "You keep this up, and I won't be able to sing."
The shouting dies down.
"Yeah, that's better." She clears her throat. "And thank you for that , well, the only other time I played for a crowd was last week at my uncle's funeral. The whole town of Forks came out. Um, this was his guitar. It's a beauty; a Gibson Hummingbird Cherry Sunburst. He actually bought it with me in mind. He and my dad used to play on the back porch. My parents divorced when I was five, but I would go to visit every summer. They would play while I'd watched the hummingbirds around the feeders. The house was across the road from the woods, and there would be twenty to thirty hummingbirds at a time."
She clears her throat. "How about something silly? Yeah?"
Everyone answers, 'yeah.'
"Okay, cool."
Once again, she strums a tune and begins to sing in a yodeling voice,
"I rode my bicycle past your window last night.
I roller skated to your door at daylight.
It almost seems like you're avoiding me.
I'm okay alone, but you got something I need.
She giggles, "Sing with me."
"Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates.
You got a brand new key.
I think we should get together and try them out you see.
I've been looking around a while.
You got something for me.
Oh! I got a brand new pair of roller skates.
You got a brand new key."
She belts out the song, and she has the crowd singing with her on each chorus. People roar with laughter having a great time, clapping their hands and stomping their feet.
It's another ending with the crowd giving Bella a standing ovation.
I'm on my feet with my family, begging for her to continue.
Ali gives me an all-knowing smile, and I wink back at her nodding my head.
But it's the look of shock in Bella's eyes that speaks volumes to me. None of this goes to her head. She keeps her cool shaking hers in disbelief. There is no arrogance. She's humble, sweet and appreciative.
"How about I bring it down a bit, and get a little serious," she begs.
The crowd quiets to a hum.
She segues the intro to the Beatles' 'Blackbird.' She plays with such ease.
"I have a thing for the Beatles. This is one of my favorites."
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for the moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life,
You were only waiting for the moment to be free
Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life,
You were only waiting for the moment to be free.
You were only waiting for the moment to be free.
You were only waiting for the moment to be free.
Someone from the crowd yells, "Just keep singing!"
I scrutinize as she plays the introduction to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith. She picks the very intricate note moving up each fret. Jasper and I sit with our mouths open.
She tones it down, and she softly sings"
"Every time when I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way
Everybody's got the dues in life to pay."
She sings the song in perfect pitch and mesmerizes me by hitting the high notes and playing the lead melody.
"Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream until your dreams come true
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on."
The song ends, Bella lowers her head, and the crowd goes numb. You can hear a pin drop.
Bella looks up with a smile and the house roars.
"Play a Cullen song."
"Yeah," they shout.
Fear covers her beautiful face. "Oh, I couldn't do that with them sitting here."
"Why not?" Emmett boldly asks. "You've knocked Edward on his ass."
Everyone laughs.
It's Jasper who sings her praises. "We've sat here in absolute amazement. Ali tried to tell us. You can do it, Bella. Pick one of our songs. You'll do it justice."
She looks at Jasper, then at me for some kind of help. I don't want to let her down. I offer, "Would you do it if we sang with you?"
The place becomes silent, again.
I look around, and there's standing room only with wall-to-wall people up against the windows.
Rosalie grabs my arm. "I have a few guitars in the back." She leans over Emmett to my ear. "You have no idea how you'll boost her confidence."
Emmett groans, "Well, you're boosting mine."
I turn to Jasper. "Jazz, what do you say?"
He shrugs. "I'm game."
Rosalie shouts to Mikey, and he comes out with two stools and places them on each side of Bella.
Jasper goes into the back with Rosalie and retrieves two guitars.
We sit next to Bella, tuning them.
The crowd remains silent. I can feel all eyes on us and I try to reassure Bella. "Is there anything specific you'd like to sing?"
"Well, I do have one of your songs I played around with for tonight."
I stare at her. "Really?"
Jaspers asks, "Which one?"
She answers, "I'll Be Your One." She bites her lip. "I changed the first two lines, but if you sing, I can follow with a line."
The three of us play the melody, and I sing the first line,
"I'm not the man you think I am."
Bella follows, "I'm not the girl who's in your world."
"I'm not the guy to say goodbye.'
"I'm not the miss you long to kiss."
We sing together with Jasper, " I'm not the one to stop the fun.
I'm not too sure I closed that door.
You gotta know I want you near
You saying no is my great fear.
Only your voice I long to hear.
To touch your skin brings me to tears.
I'm on my knees
And hear my pleas.
Give me the chance
Of one last glance.
I'm begging you.
That's all I'll do.
I'll be the one.
I'll be your one.
We repeat the chorus a few times with Jasper and Bella switching lead guitars as I sing.
"I'll be your one."
Silence, then the crowd roars, hoots, and hollers.
She knows how to excite a crowd.
I look at her and realize …
She excites me.
A/N: It appears Edward has been taken in; hook, line, and sinker.
A/N: I usually thank everyone for alerts and favorites. There were so many, I concentrated on reviews. So, please know, I appreciate everyone's love and support.
A/N: About reviews. You have no idea how they inspire me to write. Yeah, it's a thrill to have the numbers up, but it's exciting to read your ideas and thoughts. I read and always respond. Tell me what you like or want to see. I love the camaraderie.
A/N: Pay It Forward will be featuring fics in four different categories on their new blog. Number one will be our Rookie ... A new, first-time writer showcasing their first fic on our blog. Number two will be our Encore ... A new fic from a seasoned author giving us a sneak peek. Number three will be our Classix ... one from the vault, a time-tested oldie. And four is an Overlooked fic that needs some love.
If you are a Rookie and need help, contact Fran on the PIF page. And if you have an Encore, contact her to get your new fic showcased. Also, anyone interested in writing a summary on one of their favs, please feel free to send it in for our Classix section.