Beca got up from her seat at the table and slowly walked up to the stage to speak with the other pianist. She shook her hands out to try to rid herself of the growing nerves. It had been a while since she had played a piano and even longer since performing live. Before her mom had passed, the brunette had played with the high school concert band and jazz band. She had also been a member of the school choir. However, Beca had never played an instrument and sang simultaneously for a live audience. This was completely foreign territory for the tiny brunette and she was feeling the anxiety creep through her body as she looked around at the packed bar.
"Alright kid, you ready to do this?"
"I guess. Tell me how this works?"
"Sure thing. The show is about two hours long. So basically, you and I play off of each other. One of us will take the melody and the other takes the bass line and the same goes for singing. You said you sing right?"
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"I can take the lead on that if you prefer?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I can harmonize."
"Perfect. So here's a list of songs that we play most frequently. Take a look and let me know if there are any that you don't know. Beyond those, customers will write down song requests and place them on the piano. If they put down a dollar, it's not a priority. If you get a fiver, then we should play it soon but not immediately. Tens or anything higher, we play right away. To let me know we need to play a song, you throw the piece of paper across the piano to me or start it on your own if you're comfortable and I'll follow. With me still?"
"Yeah, all of these songs are fine," Beca, replied after skimming through the list.
"Oh, one more thing. This is an audience participatory kind of show. There's a lot of joking around etc. We have a couple bachelorette parties here tonight. They can get crazy rowdy. We typically invite the bride up on stage to sit on the piano while we sing a song to her. Since there are two tonight, we'll have them at the same time."
"Okay, I'll follow your lead. And just a heads up, it's been a while since I've played so I'm definitely rusty. I'll probably screw up," Beca answered while glancing around the busy bar again.
"Honestly, don't worry about it. I mess up at least once a week. Most of these people are too drunk to notice and none of them are likely to be professional musicians. You'll never see them again. Just have fun! Oh, and I'm Billy by the way," he stated as he stuck his hand out towards the petite woman.
"Beca."
"Alright, kiddo, let's get this show on the road."
As Beca settled at her piano, she noticed there was a drum set, guitar, and bass all setup behind the pianos. She looked quizzically at Billy and pointed to the setup. He explained that in addition to the piano show, they have a house band that also plays. Beca nodded and flexed her fingers as she looked down at the keys. She ran herself through a few chord progressions to ease the nerves running rampant through her body. Meanwhile, Chloe and Aubrey watched the brunette with anticipation.
"I can't believe you did that, Chlo."
"What? I'm helping her get some money and exposure."
"Uh-uh, don't try that excuse with me. She said it herself; she doesn't even want to be a performer. You wanted to hear her sing again. This is about you. You totally put her on the spot too. If this doesn't go well for her, you might not hear from her again, let alone hear her sing."
The redhead frowned. She knew she had completely blindsided Beca by speaking for her to the manager. Aubrey was right; it was mostly selfish on her part. She wanted, no, needed to hear the girl's beautiful voice again. But she also had total confidence in the brunette's talents and felt she could handle this situation. At least, she hoped so. Chloe bit her lip and worriedly spun the ice in her drink while watching the brunette get ready on stage. Damn. The redhead wasn't blind but she was only now really starting to notice how sexy Beca was looking tonight. That scoop neck t-shirt was really showcasing the brunette's assets under the bright stage lights. Of course, the tiny woman was completely oblivious to this. She was entirely focused on not making a fool of herself.
"Ladies and Gentleman, how y'all doing on this fine night?" Billy spoke into the microphone, getting the show started and revving up the crowd. The hoots and hollers in response let him know that this was going to be a fun night.
"Alright, well my name is Billy and this pint-size pianist across from me is Beca!"
The brunette rolled her eyes at the unoriginal height joke before sardonically waving her hand at the applauding audience. Billy continued to explain to the crowd how the show worked and then asked for a song to start them off. Piano Man by Billy Joel was yelled emphatically by a group of guys near the stage. Yet again, Beca rolled her eyes at the unoriginal and totally predictable suggestion. She wondered if it was picked because of her partner's name or because he was literally a piano man. Perhaps both. But it was an easier song and she was thankful to start with it. She let Billy sing the whole thing on his own and supported him by playing the bass line. He was right about the audience participation – everyone joined in on the chorus. After getting successfully through one song, Beca felt herself loosen up. It was sort of fun to get back to playing the piano. During the song, a patron had set down a ten-dollar bill along with their song choice on the piano top in front of Beca. After glancing at the song, Beca flashed an amused smile. As soon as Piano Man finished and while the crowd clapped, Beca nodded to Billy and threw the paper at him. He smiled after reading and looked at her. The brunette tapped her chest to say that she was taking the lead on this one. She began playing the intro beat as Billy began speaking into the microphone with a valley girl voice.
"Oh my god, Beca. Look at her butt. It is so big. She looks like one of those rap guys girlfriends. Who understands those rap guys? They only talk to her because she looks like a total prostitute. Okay? I mean, her butt, it's just so big. I can't believe it's just so round. It's just like out there. I mean, gross, look. She's just so… Black!"
Beca smirked while Billy talked, alerting everyone to the song they were playing. The crowd started to laugh recognizing the song immediately. As soon as Billy finished, Beca jumped in.
Beca:
I like big butts and I cannot lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung, want to pull up tough
'Cause you notice that butt was stuffed
Deep in the jeans she's wearing
I'm hooked and I can't stop staring
Oh baby, I want to get wit'cha
And take your picture
My homeboys tried to warn me
But with that butt you got makes me
Billy: (Me so horny)
Beca:
Ooh, Rump-o'-smooth-skin
You say you want to get in my Benz?
Well, use me, use me
'Cause you ain't that average groupie
I've seen her dancin'
To hell with romancin'
She's sweat, wet,
Got it goin' like a turbo 'Vette
I'm tired of magazines
Sayin' flat butts are the thing
Beca continued the song all the way through and the crowd loved it. Initially, the brunette had been a bit wary of the possible audience participation but she could see now how fun it was. When she yelled out "Fellas" in the song, the guys at the bar all yelled back "Yeah." It was perfect call and response. When it came time for the "Ladies" they too responded and a few even got up to shake their asses at the stage. It was definitely a crowd-pleasing song. Back at their table, Aubrey and Chloe had their jaws hanging open and their eyebrows raised. They never expected the sarcastic brunette to have it in her to perform a song like that. To be honest, the surprise skill of rapping had the redhead a little hot and bothered. Billy moved on to play the next song, which was Tiny Dancer by Elton John. Beca harmonized with him on the chorus and felt even more confident as they continued. They played a few more songs, most of them with Billy leading and the brunette filling in the harmonies. The male pianist then indicated to Beca that they would play the first song on the list. Beca had a feeling it was going to be a bigger hit than Baby Got Back. This one would require equal singing and playing from both pianists. They began the instrumental intro and immediately the bar patrons began to express their excitement. This was definitely going to be a sing-along.
Beca:
Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Billy:
Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
Beca:
A singer in a smoky room
The smell of wine and cheap perfume
Billy:
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on, and on, and on, and on
Both:
Strangers, waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights people, living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
During the second verse, Beca and Billy switched every other line. They were really jiving well together and their harmonies were pretty good for having just met. Billy was impressed with how quickly this young woman was finding her flow. Most people totally clammed up during their first show but the brunette seemed to get better as they continued. Plus, he had not expected her to have such a strong and clear singing voice. She definitely had downplayed her talents in his opinion. By the time they hit the outro, the entire bar was singing/yelling the words.
Don't stop believing
Hold on to the feeling
Streetlights people
Don't stop believing
Hold on
Streetlight people
Don't stop believing
Hold on to the feeling
Streetlights people
Don't stop
Beca grinned as she took in all of the smiling and laughing faces after the song finished. Having never performed like this before, she had no idea what a rush it was until now. She kind of felt like a rockstar.
"Alright, nice work audience. Now, is anyone here from Beantown? Boston, for those unfamiliar."
Some whistles and hollers came from a few patrons.
"Okay, and I presume you Bostonians are Red Sox fans?"
Even more positive shouts were heard in response.
"Okay, do we have anybody from New York here tonight?"
A small table of five customers roared.
"Typical New Yorkers," Billy snarked. "Fuck the Yankees!"
Most of the bar erupted into laughter at this. Even the folks from New York had a laugh.
"Alright, Sox fans, this one is for you."
Beca, not being familiar with sports, had no idea where Billy was going with this. The most she could do was recognize both those names as being baseball teams. She had no clue that before the eighth inning of every Red Sox home game, Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond is played in the stadium. It is a sacred tradition. Luckily, the brunette was familiar with the song, as most people are, and recognized it right from the beginning. She opted to let Billy sing this one alone and played the accompaniment. Again, the audience enjoyed the opportunity to sing along. Beca was relieved that when the song finished, Billy told the crowd it was time for a fifteen-minute break before they began the second half. Her hands were starting to cramp a little and she was really thirsty. As if he read her mind, Billy got up from his seat opposite her and asked if she wanted something to drink.
"Water would be great. Thanks."
"No problem. You're doing fantastic. You sure you haven't done this before?" Billy asked as he signaled a server to get them waters.
"Nope," Beca replied as she rubbed her hands.
Billy noticed the woman's actions. "May I?" He gestured to Beca's hands.
"Uh, may you what?" the brunette responded as she eyed him suspiciously.
Billy laughed. "Can I massage your hands? I'm used to cramping from playing and I know a good way to relax the tension your fingers."
"Uh, sure. I guess."
Twenty feet away, Chloe knit her brow as she watched the other pianist hold the brunette's hands and begin to rub them as they chatted. Aubrey observed her best friend and could tell she was feeling a bit jealous. Again, it was strange to see Chloe acting this way. She decided not to acknowledge it and went to get them another round of drinks. The redhead opted to go to the bathroom. She didn't want to watch this guy holding Beca's hands any longer.
"So did that help at all?"
Beca shook her hands out and flexed her fingers. She had to admit that they felt looser and relaxed. She did not really like anybody to touch her, let alone a perfect stranger, but she needed the relief if she was going to finish this show.
"Yeah, actually. That was great. Thanks," she replied sincerely.
"Good. So, we have the bachelorette parties to take care of still. They look fairly wasted but not so far gone that they might be destructive."
Beca looked around the bar and located a bachelorette party on each side of the stage. They weren't exactly hard to spot. Each group had about eight ladies and they were all decked out in pink with some sort of phallus item on their bodies. Some were sporting penis necklaces while others had penis hats on their heads. The brides-to-be were fairly easy to identify as well. Each was wearing a sash designating her as the "Bride. " Bride number one, on the left, looked to be about twenty-five. She had long jet-black hair, olive skin, and chocolate colored eyes. She was wearing a tight and very short, red, strapless, bodycon dress. It drew direct attention her model length legs and ample chest. Bride number two, on the right, appeared to be slightly younger, maybe twenty-two years old. She had shoulder length, wavy, dirty-blonde hair, tan skin, and hazel eyes. She was sporting skin-tight black leather pants and a sheer black crop top allowing everyone to see her black lace bra underneath. Both women were gorgeous in totally different ways.
"Beca," Billy tapped the brunette's shoulder to get her attention. "I lost you there for a minute. You good?"
Beca blushed. She had been caught zoning out or rather, checking out the brides.
"Yeah, sorry, I'm fine."
Billy flashed a knowing smile before continuing with the game plan.
"Okay, so these are the songs were going to play for the brides. You good with them?"
"Yeah, no problem. Did you want me to let you just take the first one?"
"No, no. I'm all for equality as long as your comfortable. How about I take the first half of the first verse, you take second half, I'll take the second verse and you take the last? We can both sing the chorus. Sound okay?"
"Yeah, I'm down."
"Okay, five more minutes and we'll start."
Billy sat back down on his bench and organized the song requests that had been left on his piano. Beca looked over to check how Chloe and Aubrey were doing but neither girl was at the table. The brunette frowned a little but then the blonde returned with drinks in her hands. Beca watched as muscular dude with long blonde hair came up and attempted to flirt with Aubrey. She quickly shut him down with a condescending glare. Whatever pickup line he used, it was not working. Beca had a feeling that surfer types were not Aubrey's type. Just then the perky redhead bounced back to the table and looked up. Aquamarine orbs connected with deep sapphire pools. The girls shared a brief smile. Chloe gave Beca two thumbs up in approval and she felt her cheeks grow hot. Aubrey observed the interaction and shook her head. She also gave the brunette a thumb up because Beca was certainly proving to be very talented. Most people could not do a show like this without any preparation. Aubrey was again impressed with the tiny spitfire.
"Okay everyone, it's time for round two and I heard we have a couple of bachelorette parties in the house tonight. I'm going to need both bride-to-be's up here for this next song."
The typical "Whoooos" that women tend to do in large groups, echoed through the bar as the parties pushed their brides towards the stage. The ladies wobbled a bit as they climbed onto the stage but Beca couldn't tell if that was due to the heels they were wearing or if it was indicative of their level of drunkenness. Maybe both? Billy asked the ladies where they were from, when they were getting married, and of course to show off their rings before assisting each woman to sit on top of a piano. Bride number two sat on Beca's and grinned at her. Billy then sat down and nodded at Beca to start playing the song. Again, the audience recognized the song quickly and the women started squealing in delight.
Billy:
I'm just a bachelor
I'm looking for a partner
Someone who knows how to ride
Without even falling off
Everyone was focused on Billy as he finished his half of the verse and was subsequently surprised to hear the brunette coming in with the second half. The brides both whipped their heads towards the young woman grooving on her piano, singing with a smirk on her face.
Beca:
Gotta be compatible
Takes me to my limits
Girl when I break you off
I promise that you won't want to get off
Both:
If you're horny, let's do it
Ride it, my pony
My saddle's waiting
Come and jump on it
If you're horny, let's do it
Ride it, my pony
My saddle's waiting
Come and jump on it
The redhead could not be more transparent in her arousal while watching this. Her eyes were wide and fixated on the brunette while she continuously licked her lips. Beca was being incredibly sexy up there with that devilish smile and smooth voice. Chloe couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed she was attracted to the girl before today and that it took Aubrey to point it out. Billy sang the next verse and bride number one decided to get off the piano to sit next to him on the bench, leaning into him and running her hands over him in a seductive manner. Her friends cheered her on as the pianists moved back into the chorus and the crowd joined in. The final verse came up and Beca started into it with a sultry growl.
If we're gonna get nasty, baby
First we'll show and tell
Bride number two was not about to be outdone by bride number one at her own bachelorette party. As Beca sang, the bride crawled off the piano and slid her way into the brunette's lap. The crowd (well most of it) went wild. Beca couldn't exactly play with the bride sitting in her lap and obstructing her view. She was able to keep one hand on the keys pounding out the bass line and she gave a panicked look at Billy as she continued the verse.
Till I reach your ponytail
Lurk all over and through you baby
Billy just laughed and motioned for her to keep singing. Bride number two seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the attention she was getting and also the brunette's performance. She began writhing in the pianist's lap and whipping her head around. Beca would be lying if she said she wasn't sort of enjoying having this beautiful woman sitting on her – it didn't hurt that the see-through top made it so that her lace covered breasts were directly in her line of sight. She had no other choice than to look right? The brunette finished her verse as best she could with the lap dance she was receiving and headed into the final chorus with Billy.
If you're horny, let's do it
Ride it, my pony
My saddle's waiting
Come and jump on it
As the song ended, bride number two reached out and pulled Beca in for a searing kiss. The brunette was dumbfounded and froze, her arms stiff at her side. The crowd went mad and wolf whistles could be heard throughout the bar. The bride pulled back and giggled before hopping off of the brunette's lap, taking a bow, and rejoining her friends at the table. Beca just sat at the bench stunned. Meanwhile, a certain redhead was fuming so much, Aubrey could swear she saw steam coming out of Chloe's ears. Billy could not help but laugh as he stared at the stunned brunette's expression. He quickly started playing a song to match the mood.
"I kissed a girl and I liked it…"
The audience laughed and Beca shot Billy a venomous glare before breaking into a chuckle of her own. She could see the humor in the situation though kissing a girl was not a new experience for her. She had just been totally taken by surprise in the situation. While she continued to laugh, Beca glanced over at her new friends' table and noticed neither girl seemed to find the incident to be amusing. Chloe looked downright angry and Aubrey looked mildly uncomfortable. The brunette really hoped the girls didn't turn out to be bigots or small minded. The redhead noticed Beca staring at them in confusion and immediately felt bad about her reaction. She had no right to be mad about the kiss and truthfully, she was mostly upset that she hadn't been the one to do it. She gave a weak smile to Beca in the hopes to alleviate the concern she was showing. It seemed to do the trick as the brunette grinned at her in return before facing the other pianist to continue the performance.
"Okay, now that we have taken care of the brides-to-be, I want to know where my single ladies at?"
A raucous cheer was heard throughout the space as women threw their hands in the air. Billy immediately moved into Beyoncé's Single Ladies. At one point he pointed to Beca to have her take the lead while he got up and did the signature dance. The audience loved his sassy dance moves and Beca laughed along with them. After finishing a few more songs, Beca got a very interesting paper placed on her piano. A guy had requested a love song for his girlfriend and placed a fifty-dollar bill on top of it. Beca raised her eyebrows when she watched him drop it off and immediately grabbed the request to take a look. The brunette happened to be a huge fan of the song and was more than happy to play it. She also had an idea of how to make it even better. She threw the paper across the pianos to her partner.
"Alright, we have a special request tonight. Charlotte, your loving boyfriend, James, has dedicated this song to you."
Billy: Beca:
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday
Uh, uh I was thinkin' 'bout her
Yeah, I know, I know Thinkin' bout me
When I compliment her she won't believe me Thinkin' bout us, where we gon' be
And it's so, it's so Open my eyes and it's only just a dream
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me "Do I look okay?" It was only just a dream
I say
When I see your face So I traveled back, down that road
There's not a thing that I would change Will she come back, no one knows
'cause you're amazing I realize, it was only just a dream
Just the way you are It was only just a dream
And when you smile So I traveled back, down that road
The whole world stops and stares for a while Will she come back, no one knows
'Cause girl you're amazing I realize, it was only just a dream
Just the way you are It was only just a dream
The pianists finished out the mashup and the audience went nuts. Billy stared over the pianos at Beca in awe. True, he was a little startled when she started adding in Nelly's Just a Dream to Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are, but he was particularly adept at adjusting to changes due to the format of his performances at the bar. In a million years, it would never have occurred to him to mix those two songs together and layering songs live like that was something he had not experienced before. He was totally blown away by this girl's musical prowess and he was definitely not the only one. Chloe was practically in tears at the performance. Aubrey just sat in her chair stunned. Her best friend was right; this woman was special. Suddenly, there was a commotion in front of the stage. A man was getting down on one knee in front of a woman, holding out a small box. The song requester proposed to his girlfriend and she said yes. The ginger openly started to bawl and her blonde best friend even got a little choked up. Beca and Billy congratulated the couple as the crowd cheered loudly. The brunette was floored to have been a participant in this random stranger's marriage proposal. This night was certainly going to be one she remembered forever.
"Well ladies and gentleman, what a way to end the night. We appreciate you all for coming out and hope you enjoyed the show!"
Boos and grumbling could be heard from the bar patrons. "One more song" and "Do another" were shouted from around the room.
"Hmm, what do you think, Beca? Should we do another?"
Beca got up from her piano bench and walked around the stage to Billy while the crowd chanted for an encore. She had an idea and it might be a little too much but she was riding high on adrenaline. Her confidence was at an ultimate peak so now would be the time to try this. She whispered in Billy's ear and the musician's eyebrows shot up into his hairline.
"I don't know, kiddo. That song is pretty difficult."
"Come on, dude. Live a little. It's pretty much the one song that everybody loves. Is the guitar plugged in?"
"Yeah, just need to turn on the amp. Why?"
"Just trust me on this? We can do this."
Beca ducked behind the pianos and crouched with the guitar checking that the strings were in tune before turning up the amp. Billy thought about it for a second and nodded his head. The woman had proven herself tonight and he had to admit, he'd love to try this song. Beca smiled and adjusted a mic stand near the guitar before turning it on as well. She then sat back down at the piano waiting for her partner to address the audience.
"Okay, you're in luck folks. We've got one more song for you and it's pretty special. We're definitely going to need everyone's participation on this one."
Beca and Billy caught each other's eyes and they were laser focused as they began the song.
Is this the real life, is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide no escape from reality
Open your eyes look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go
A little high, little low
Anyway the wind blows
Doesn't really matter to me, to me
Billy:
Mama, just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled the trigger, now he's dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
Mama, oooooo
Didn't mean to make you cry
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on
As if nothing really matters
Beca:
Too late
My time has come
Sends shivers down my spine
Body's aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody
I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooooo
I don't wanna die
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all
The brunette got up midway through her verse and put the guitar strap around her body preparing for the sick axe solo at the end of her stanza. Billy kept the piano going and Beca tore it up. The cheering of the audience was almost deafening. Everyone loves a good guitar solo. They continued on through the next part of the song, Beca pointing to the crowd to fill in lines like "Scaramouch" and the "Galileo" "Let him go" call-response sections. She was having a blast and clearly in her element. She looked over at Billy and he was grinning like a fool while singing his heart out. Beca moved herself closer to the drum set and placed her foot on the bass pedal adding in the backbeat.
Beelzebub
Has a devil put aside for me
For me
For me!
Billy hit that falsetto note surprising Beca as she jumped into shredding the next guitar section. She was killing it as she continued to hit the bass pedal.
Beca:
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Oh, baby
Can't do this to me baby
Just gotta get out
Just gotta get right out of here
The brunette stepped out from behind the pianos to finish crushing the guitar part, letting Billy take the vocal lead. The crowd stopped singing along and became quiet to listen as the performers gently sang the ending together. Standing ovations aren't common during a performance like this and there had never been one for the dueling piano show before, but Beca and Billy earned it. The audience clapped and shouted their praises for five minutes straight. Beca blushed a bit nodding her thanks in return, before setting the guitar back into its stand. Suddenly she felt someone crash into her from behind, hugging her around her waist. The brunette stumbled before catching her balance on the piano bench. She turned around to find the redhead beaming at her.
"OH MY GOD, BECS! THAT WAS ACA-AMAZING!"
The humble-to-a-fault brunette shrugged her shoulders and gave out a short, "Thanks."
"She's right, hobbit. You are far more talented than you let on. I'm really impressed."
Beca hadn't noticed that the blonde woman had sidled up to them.
"Thanks, Aubrey."
"Beca, that was fantastic! Here's the other two hundred and fifty that I owe you."
"Thanks, umm, …"
"John. Call me, John. Say, would you be interested in working here? We could definitely use more talent like you."
"Wow, John, I really appreciate your offer but I don't live here. I'm moving to L.A."
"Well, Beca, if you ever change your mind, you give me a call okay?"
"Uh, yeah sure. Thanks," the brunette replied as she took the business card from John's hand before he walked away.
Beca asked the girls to give her a minute to talk to Billy before they left for the evening. The brunette had a tough time making it over to the other pianist. Patrons wanting to pay her compliments repeatedly stopped her along the way. She was gracious and modest with them all. Eventually, the small musician made it over to her partner for the night. Billy reiterated how impressed he was with Beca's musical abilities and also asked that she reconsider John's offer because he would love to play with her again. The brunette thanked him and expressed her mutual admiration for his performance that evening. As she turned to leave, Billy called out to her and handed her a wad of cash.
"Beca, don't forget your half of the tips."
"Holy shit! If you're giving me three hundred that means we made six hundred? That's insane!"
"Yeah, we don't usually make that much. It was definitely due to you."
Beca blushed and thanked the man again before walking towards the girls. Aubrey had been watching the interaction and noticed something very interesting. Billy had given Beca all of their tips – not just her half of the pot. The pianist caught the blonde staring at him and shrugged his shoulders with a sheepish smile on his face. He had read Beca correctly and knew she never would have allowed him to give her all of the tips had she known. She was too proud. Aubrey could relate and she figured Billy could too. The blonde shared a discrete smile with the male pianist and didn't say a word. The three young women walked out to the SUV and hopped in to head back to the beach house. All the way back, the blonde and redhead sang Beca's praises and told her which parts of the performance they enjoyed the most. The brunette did not fail to notice that neither of them brought up the brides and she was not about to make it awkward by bringing it up herself. She'd save that story for Stacey and Fat Amy. The trio made it home safely and quickly got ready for bed. Beca was exhausted and her hands were already aching as she laid down on the couch in the living room. She could suddenly hear bare feet padding into the room and looked over to see the redhead coming towards her.
"Hey there, rockstar. Thought you might like to take some pain relievers. I know I'm always sore after I dance for the first time in a while. Figure playing an instrument might be similar?"
Beca reached out for the pills and water, gulping it all down quickly.
"Yeah, thanks. My hands are killing me already. Tomorrow is going to be rough."
"You truly were fantastic tonight. Goodnight, Becs," Chloe stated as she walked back to her bedroom.
"Night," the brunette replied.
With a genuine smile on her face, Beca drifted off to sleep.