Chapter Two: Potential:
"So, you're the one with the voice?" Joe asked when Richie brought Tilly to him.
"This is the one." Richie answered him. "Joe Dawson may I present the lovely Tilly Brynes."
"Flattery will get you know where with me Ryan. You should know that by now." Tilly reminded him. She and Joe shook hands.
"Well, let me hear you." Joe said.
"All right, but if I hear any laughing what so ever, espically from you," she glared at Richie when she said that. "You're dead."
"She loves me." Richie said but he stepped back just in case.
"I can see that." Teased Joe.
Angie laughed. She'd come along just to get a full out performance from their friend. They all watched as Tilly got up on the stage.
Tilly took a breath and let it out.
"So, what do you think?" Richie asked Joe half way through her song.
Joe studied her some. She did have a good voice but she wasn't there yet. This girl had tons of potential, which he told Richie.
"Then you're not going to get the big wigs in here?" Richie asked.
"Not just yet." Answered Joe. "She needs a lot of work. You can tell she's nervous and some of her pitching needs work."
Tilly looked out at her friends. They were talking about her, she knew it. She hoped she was doing okay because she was really nervous. After she was done, her friends parted from their chatter and she took a bow. They applauded her musical efforts and Tilly got off the stage to rejoin them.
"How awful was I?" she asked.
"You did good." Complimented Joe.
"Seriously?" asked Tilly.
"Yeah, he says you have loads potentional." Angie told her.
"See, told ya." Richie smirked at his triumph.
Tilly punched him. He would never let her live this one down. She hated it when Richie was right. It was a rare occasion.
"What happens now?" Tilly asked.
"You need a teacher." Richie began. "And Joe said he would help you out if you want to."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah," Joe answered her with a smile.
"Aren't you busy running the place?" she asked him.
"Trust me, this isn't my whole life." He told her. "I do have free time."
"All right. When should we start?" asked Tilly.
"Come by tomorrow around three. We're slow during that time." Joe informs her. The place is pretty much empty."
"Not unless you count Mac and Adam but they're always in here." Noted Richie.
"Okay." Agreed Tilly.
"And why don't you guys come by tonight. I'm playing." Joe threw them an invitation.
"You know I'm there." Richie said. "Girls?"
"Sure," answered Angie.
"Yeah, I'll come too. See what its like and all." Tilly said to him.
"Great." Joe said.
"Hey Mac!" Richie called out to the Highlander at the bar a few hours later. Tilly and Angie were at his side.
"Hey you guys." Mac greeted Richie's friends.
"No Adam?" Richie was surprised that Adam wasn't with him.
"Nope he's in Pairs with Ash." Mac answered with a smirk.
"Ooh, go Adam." Sang Richie.
Ash was Adam's current love interest. They've been going out for some time now. Richie and Mac even placed bets that the Old Man would ten to one make Ash his 68th wife.
"When will he be back?" Richie asked.
"A couple of months." Answered Mac. "Well, why don't you guys grab us a table and I'll get us some drinks." The Highlander went to the bar while the trio went to a table up front.
"Where's Joe?" Tilly asked.
"Probably getting some stuff in the back or something." Richie answered. Then he spotted him. "There he is." Richie pointed in Joe's direction.
Joe spotted Richie with his two girlfriends. He walked up to them. "You guys got a good seat."
"Is it normally this crowded?" Tilly asked him.
"Sometimes. It just depends on the night." He answered her.
"Great…"
"She's not too found of crowds." Angie informed Joe.
"Don't worry. We'll work on it." Joe promised her.
Mac came back with some drinks and joined them. "Good crowd tonight Joe." Mac said.
"Better get up there." Joe smiled at them before grabbing his guitar and getting on stage.
Tilly watched as he played and sung. He sung the blues mostly. Tilly wasn't sure what kind of music she wanted to sing yet. She hoped Joe would help her figure that out. She could see herself where Joe was.
TBC…
Author's Notes: Probably not my best so far but meh what can you do uh?