THE SIMPLE NEED
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AN: Better late than never... right?
xxx
NINE
"Excuse me! I'm so sorry, I'm so late! Excuse me!"
It was Friday night and Gabriella was rushing through the streets high tailing her way from her office at NYU to Sullivan Street. The show had pretty much been the sole reason for her making it through her most hectic work week to date alive, and she was running ridiculously late, to the point of darting through the streets, weaving through people who were in her way. Initially, she'd have plans to meet Taylor and the others about an hour before the gig to grab some food, but she'd wound up texting them that she couldn't make dinner but would be there for the show. She was pushing it to make it on time even for the start of the show, and found her brisk walk becoming a half jog.
She burst into the Lion's Den bar, the room already filled with patrons. She was grateful to see that the band hadn't come on yet, and with a glance at her watch she had less than ten minutes to spare.
"Yo, Gabriella!"
Gabriella looked up, spotting Chad waving and her friends standing around one of the tall tables in their usual area. She grinned and made her way over.
"I was so worried I wouldn't make it!" she exclaimed, and promptly dropped her shoulder bag onto the floor with a thud.
"What's in that thing, bricks?" Chad asked.
Gabriella exchanged hugs and kisses on the cheek with Taylor, Sharpay, Zeke and Chad before responding to the question.
"Papers. I'm only new to this teaching thing, but I can already tell you that this is the worst time of year," she groaned. "I was all set to leave with plenty of time to get here and I had one of the other professors pull me in for a consultation, they needed a second opinion about a paper they were marking."
"We got you a drink," Taylor said, pushing across a glass of vodka and soda with lemon, as per the text from Gabriella.
"Thank you," Gabriella said gratefully.
"Don't worry, Troy hasn't even arrived yet, they can't exactly go on without him!" Zeke pointed out.
"Andy just came out and told us that Troy was running late," Sharpay explained.
"He was working today, he would've only just finished," Gabriella said. "One of the casuals called in sick so he picked up overtime."
"How do you know that?" Sharpay asked, cocking her head.
"Yeah," Taylor chimed in. "Did you guys finally talk?! If so, why didn't you tell me?"
Gabriella was a little surprised – she'd had such a hectic week that she genuinely hadn't had the opportunity to hang out with Taylor. They'd made plans earlier in the week to catch up on Friday night in a brief text message conversation, and that was the extent of their interactions for the whole week, not even bumping into one another in the building. The last that any of the foursome had spoken to her in detail, she had been running out of that very same bar two weeks ago, resisting Troy's advances. They knew from Troy that he had caught up to her in the street, and that as of last Friday, he'd been agonising about why she hadn't returned his phone call.
Sometimes, a week can change everything.
Gabriella glanced at Chad – whose mouth twitched slightly. She knew in that moment that Troy had spoken to Chad. The glance between them was not unnoticed, and Taylor gasped.
"You knew something, and you didn't tell me?" Taylor asked, thwacking her husband on the arm.
"No wonder you were so eager to come tonight. When Taylor told me that you were the one who said you'd see us all here, I was so surprised, I thought we'd have to drag you kicking and screaming!" Sharpay observed. "I wouldn't blame you for giving up on Troy, with him pulling that stunt and not calling you in a week."
Before Gabriella could even contemplate what she could say in response, how she could begin to explain, she felt a pair of hands grabbing her sides from behind, and she squealed slightly before realising Troy was present.
"Hey guys!" he exclaimed brightly, greeting all of them but only really interested in talking to Gabriella. "I'm sooooo late but wanted to say hi. Do I look rock enough?"
Gabriella gave him a once over. He'd come straight from work so his look was a little tidier than his usual Friday night apparel. He was wearing a blue plaid button up shirt, a nicer pair of jeans and clean white Converse shoes.
"It'll do," Gabriella responded.
Troy gasped, and mimed a heart being stabbed in his heart. "It'll do? You instill me with such confidence, babe."
"You didn't ask me if you looked hot, you asked if you looked 'rock'," she said flirtatiously.
"Oh, so I look hot?"
"I like when you wear blue," she replied with a blush.
He grinned. "You're adorable. Hey, you're not running away tonight? Are you actually giving yourself a whole night off?"
"I'll be here," she confirmed.
He smiled, genuinely pleased. "Awesome. Gotta go, I'll see you later." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before tearing away toward the backstage door.
Gabriella had a smile from ear to ear and turned back to her friends – to see all four of them staring at her. Chad had a knowing smile, Zeke had raised eyebrows, Sharpay and Taylor looked somewhat shocked.
"What the hell was that?" Sharpay exclaimed.
"You need to start talking," Taylor insisted.
Gabriella calmly picked up her drink and took a long sip, before responding coyly, "There's nothing to talk about."
"That was not nothing. You told me you were busy all week!" Taylor said.
"Busy doing Troy," Sharpay quipped.
Gabriella shook her head. "I have been busy with work, I wasn't lying. I've only seen him once since last weekend. I've had consultations and marking and..."
Taylor held up her hand, silencing Gabriella. "You just implied that firstly, you saw him last weekend; and secondly that in the midst of a busy week when you didn't have time for a coffee with someone who lives just up the stairs from you, you managed to have time to see him."
"We're friends."
Gabriella glanced sideways at Chad and Zeke. She was feeling a sudden compulsion to gush and reveal all, but felt a little uncomfortable gossiping in front of the guys. Chad took the hint.
"Zeke, let's get another round before the gig starts," Chad said, elbowing Zeke.
"But I want to know what's going on too!"
"I'll tell you, come on," Chad said, rolling his eyes.
Taylor gasped. "I knew you knew something!" she called after Chad.
"Look at her! She can't stop smiling!" Sharpay said, pointing at Gabriella.
"Spill," Taylor urged.
Gabriella sighed, a little reluctant but feeling that girly need to gush and gossip overtaking her.
"Okay... he came over to my place last Friday night. He'd tried to call me on Thursday and left me this really awkward message. But his number is unlisted and he forgot to leave his number. I was planning to it from you so I could get back to him but I'd been so swamped and just hadn't done it yet. He turned up at my place kind of in this... really adorable fluster about it," she grinned, thinking back to the bra he'd been clutching and the way he'd stumbled over his words.
"We told him to call you again, not to turn up at your apartment!" Sharpay exclaimed, rolling her eyes.
Gabriella smiled and continued. "Well, this is Troy. He didn't listen. Anyway, we talked a bit, and we agreed that we would spend some time getting to know each other. We hung out on Saturday morning and had lunch, then he had to go to work and I visited him at work later that night since I hadn't been there before. I got to hear all about his job – did you guys know he practically manages the place? Seriously, the so called owner-manager should just promote him and pay him properly!"
"We've been saying that for ages," Taylor agreed.
"Anyway, we've just kept in touch throughout the week, texting a lot, and he met me at Saigon Market right near NYU for lunch one day. I was slammed with work and had to dash away after but he insisted on coming even though we only had like, 45 minutes."
"No sex?" Sharpay asked. "No late night booty calls?"
"No."
"Kissing?"
Gabriella blushed. "A little."
"I cannot believe it! You've actually succeeded in taming Troy Bolton," Taylor said, somewhat in awe.
"Taming?"
"Honey, you just said that Troy came to meet you somewhere that was convenient for you for lunch. For a quick lunch that would have no possibility of ending in sex."
"We're doing our best to take it slow and get to know each other."
"Trying your best to take it slow?" Sharpay asked, raising her eyebrows.
Gabriella nodded and exhaled. "That's possibly the hardest part."
"Is he putting on the moves?" Taylor asked with furrowed eyebrows. "Because... that isn't exactly the kind of thing that goes with getting to know each other."
"The opposite. If it was up to me and my willpower alone, it would've happened again. But twice this week, that moment was there when it could've gone further, and he's the one that stopped it."
"He stopped it?!" Taylor and Sharpay asked simultaneously.
"I know right. Crazy."
"Sharpay, I think Troy is growing up," Taylor said with a sigh, like a mother simultaneously proud and sad about a son growing up.
"I think so," Sharpay agreed.
"I'm honestly trying to not think about it, I just want to take it each day as it comes. We're in an good place, he actually talks to me, we have amazing chemistry. I need to take it slow and not get too involved too quickly, and he needs to take it slow to not get scared away. I'm just... I believe him when he says he has feelings for me. And I think he's very genuine in wanting to try to work through his issues. I think. I hope."
"He is."
Gabriella whirled around, and saw that Chad and Zeke had returned with another round of drinks for their group. It was Chad who had spoken, overhearing the tail end of the conversation.
"Yeah?" she repeated, raising her eyebrows.
He nodded, and gave Gabriella a half hug. "You won't get anything more out of me."
"That's all I need."
Two words from Chad meant the world to Gabriella – she couldn't deny that there was a tiny part of her that questioned if Troy could truly have done such a turn. She didn't know Chad all that well - she'd only known him for a few months. But she did trust him, and she knew that Chad was possibly the only person in the world who truly knew Troy, the real Troy. Chad vouching for Troy's sincerity was worth gold.
"Speaking of Troy, why the hell hasn't the band come on?" Zeke questioned, glancing around. People were getting impatient, with the guys now about ten minutes overdue to start their performance. "I know Bolton was late, but they've had time, surely? All the equipment is set up, they already did the sound check without him."
Gabriella glanced toward the stage, with no sign of any of the four guys appearing. She pulled her Blackberry out from her pocket, and quickly sent a text to Troy.
Get your cute butt on stage or there will be a riot out here! ;-)
1 min. Shit has hit the fan.
Gabriella stared at the text she'd received back with confusion, and was about to read it out to her friends, when Steve appeared on stage, sliding into his spot behind the drums. Some shrieks sounded from the fans at the front and he waved. Troy and Andy appeared next. There was no doubt that Troy was appearing somewhat morose. He picked up the guitar that had already been hooked up, ignoring the shrieks and calls from the crowd as he proceeded to play a few notes, checking the sound and tuning of the instrument. Andy did the same with both his bass and the keyboard. Finally Drew appeared, grinning and waving to the crowd.
He spoke into the microphone, "Sorry for the delay guys, we uh... had some... technical difficulties," he spoke into the microphone.
He glanced around, getting the okay nod from the boys, and the band launched into the first track of the night, Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon. It was a solid performance, but Gabriella couldn't help but notice a certain lack of spark in Troy's eyes compared to the times she'd seen him perform before.
When the track finished, instead of launching straight into their second song for the night, Drew began to speak into the microphone again.
"Welcome to the Lion's Den, everyone!" His greeting was met with cheers. "I uh... before we continue, I just wanted to take a minute to make a quick announcement. The reason for our delayed start tonight was because about fifteen minutes ago I told the boys some news. My beautiful partner Kara and I are expecting our first baby."
A smatter of cheers and applause sounded. Drew grinned, waving his hand in thanks. "Thank you, thank you. We've just passed the 13 week mark and all the tests are coming back beautifully. Obviously we've known for a little while, and in this time we've had some discussions. I've had a job opportunity arise back in my home town of New Orleans, where both Kara and I are from, and we are moving back there."
He added one last line, a little redundant, but making the point clear.
"Tonight will be my last night performing with the boys."
Gasps and cries sounded from the fans. Gabriella's jaw dropped, she wanted to look at her friends but she couldn't tear her eyes away from Troy. His text and his expression now made sense.
"So tonight I want to have the best gig ever! You guys have been the best fans and supporters ever, and I wanna go out with a bang."
With that, the band continued with the rest of the first half of the set, launching into tracks from a series of bands, including The Killers, Theory of a Deadman, Puddle of Mudd and Hinder. Drew was rocking out, at the height of energy, channeling his inner rockstar. Troy loosened up after a few tracks, and there was no doubt that Drew was doing his best to bring Troy out of his shell, taking the microphone and going over to play off of Troy, doing air guitar beside him, cracking a smile from the brooding guitarist.
When the intermission came, there was an intensity in the air, people around them exclaiming about how the band had better not completely break up.
"Wow!" Zeke was the first one to exclaim. "Unbelievable. I'm happy for him and Kara though, he seemed pretty stoked."
"Total 'oops' baby though. Like how Kara has been promoted from 'girlfriend' to 'partner'," Chad observed.
"Don't say that," Taylor chided.
"It all makes sense now," Gabriella sighed. She showed them the text she'd received from Troy just a minute before the show had begun.
"Why is it such a bad thing?" Sharpay asked. "Troy's the one who has wanted to take their music more seriously for a while, Andy too. Drew's the one who has been holding them back."
"Fair point," Chad said with a shrug.
"I thought Steve was also a bit wary about it becoming anything serious?" Gabriella asked.
"I think so, from what Troy says anyway," Taylor said.
"Okay well, Troy and Andy do their own thing," Sharpay shrugged. "What's the point in him dedicating all this time into this dumb covers band."
"Don't call them dumb, sweetie!" Zeke immediately said.
"You all think it, I know you do. The band is great, they're talented. But they're not going anywhere. They don't record. I think I've heard like, three original songs in the last year, which they hardly ever play. They don't even put tracks on YouTube."
"Sharpay, that's a bit harsh," Chad said.
"Seriously, you don't agree with me?"
Gabriella shifted uncomfortably. "I do," she admitted. "I mean... I think it's a waste of talent. But, I also think that Troy needed to be able to make the decision for himself, not for it to be some default that he gets forced into."
"Maybe he just needs a push in the right direction," Taylor mused, seeing both Sharpay and Gabriella's points.
xxx
Backstage, the guys had spent most of their 20 minute break behind the scenes. The club manager, Larry, had come out the back for a quick chat, with Andy quickly piping up and assuring him that they'd go on next week without Drew, and that they would discuss internally beyond that what their plans were. Drew had then headed to check in on Kara and grab them some more water bottles. Troy retreated to a corner, sitting on the floor with his knees drawn up and his head back against the wall. He was toying with his water bottle and had his earbuds in. Gabriella had texted him, and he felt bad but he ignored her. He wasn't in the space to be dealing with anyone. Steve and Andy sitting on the lounge talking, with Andy giving a glance in his direction. He had no doubt that Andy was already working his magic.
Drew's announcement in some ways had been a bombshell revelation; in others it wasn't at all surprising. The truth was that it had only been a matter of time before either Steve or Drew were doing to have a reason to want to leave the band. He and Andy had talked in the abstract about the idea of doing their own thing, focusing on originals and acoustics, but Troy wasn't quite ready to transfer an abstract concept that more often than not came after a few too many drunks or while puffing on a smoke, and not the kind you could buy in a pretty box.
Troy was doing his best to get through the show. The guys had all agreed that they'd focus on the gig and discuss among themselves how they would deal with it later, but it was just like Andy to be thinking a million miles ahead. Troy was happy to remain stagnant – all that mattered was that they had another half a set list to get through, and Troy wanted to get through that, no distractions.
Drew returned and they reconvened, confirming the plans for the last group of songs for the night.
They continued with the second half of the set list, Troy's expression remaining reasonably neutral. He could feel that he wasn't playing up to his usual self quite as much, he wasn't interacting with the crowd. He was focused fairly solely on the music. It was almost as though he felt a disconnect – the audience wasn't there, it was just the four of them in Andy's garage. They performed tracks from Daughtry, Creed, Default and 3 Doors Down.
They had just one song remaining for the night, and Troy remained back as Drew seized the microphone for one final farewell speech.
"Thanks guys for being so fucking amazing tonight," he declared into the microphone. "Thank you for all of your support over the last couple of years. These boys behind me are so talented, Andy has more talent in his fucking pinky finger than I have in my whole body, and I know you're all a fan of Mr. Brooding Guitarist Troy himself."
Troy could've killed Drew in that moment. He was aware of his popularity, it was a popularity he'd used to his advantage many a time in the past, but he wasn't used to being on stage in the spotlight and having it pointed out so bluntly. There were shrieks and cheers, mostly from the women of the crowd, and Troy couldn't help but smile, and gave a quick wave in acknowledgement of their support.
"I want everyone to make sure that you've hit 'like' on our Facebook page – you'll find us under The Band Formerly Known As Little Black Book, and you can find links to us from The Lion's Den page as well. Make sure you go on and show your support for the boys as they figure out their new direction. I know you all wanna hear one of these guys step up to lead vocals," he added, his head cocking back in Troy's direction. "Which will be happening here next Friday night, so make sure you come back here, same time same place next week."
Troy resisted the urge to roll his eyes or throw his pick immaturely at Drew for placing the pressure on him. It wasn't the time, not in front of the crowd, but he knew they'd have words later on.
"Leave your comments, show your support, and continue to love music. For our last track, and my last track with these boys, I bring you the first song that we ever performed together, way back two years ago, where all this madness began."
They launched into one of their most frequently played songs, a song that never failed to be a crowd favourite – Figured You Out by Nickelback. It was a song with a lot of memories for Troy, both good and bad, and he found himself being transported by the lyric and the music, not caring about the ramifications of Drew's decision or what was going to happen, and instead focusing on having fun and rocking out to what was a band and a crowd favourite.
When the song concluded, the crowd cheered louder than before, a chant of "Drew, Drew, Drew" being started by a couple of the college guys. Troy was pretty sure he was a glisten of a tear in his friend and bandmate's eye as he ran along the front of the stage, touching hands with the crowd.
"Thanks guys," he spoke into the microphone.
While the crowd was still cheering, Andy pulled the microphone in front of him out of the socket, and stepped out from behind his keyboard.
"How would you guys like to hear one last track?" Andy asked, his question being met with cheers from the audience. "Could I get a chair down front and centre for Drew? And I also need a stool on stage."
Troy watched on, somewhat flummoxed. He glanced wildly back at Steve, who merely gave him a grin and darted off side stage, leading Troy to believe that Steve knew what was going on. He then looked at Drew, who appeared as confused as he did. Quickly, audience members assisted, the chair in place and a stool being placed upon stage. Andy moved the stool to the centre of the stage, and moved a microphone stand.
"Andy must be planning a solo cover of the new Lady Gaga track," Troy spoke into the microphone, a panic in his eyes as he had a sinking feeling in his stomach, but trying to go with the moment and not look like a complete fool.
The audience laughed and whistled. "Not exactly. T-Dawg, your throne." Andy gestured to the stool, where Troy perched warily. A moment later, Steve returned, handing him the acoustic. "Get that baby ready to go while I vamp."
Andy's tone was somewhat gleeful – he derived a pleasure from forcing Troy out from behind his back-up singer guise and out into the spotlight. Troy trusted Andy, but at the same time, he knew that it was just like Andy to push him when he wasn't ready to be pushed. He could remember a time about six months ago when they'd been messing around with Use Somebody in rehearsal with him doing lead vocals, a la Ryan Peake from Nickelback. Andy had made the suggestion that they do the rendition – when they were on stage in the middle of a set. The crowd had been cheering, Troy couldn't exactly refuse. He was in that exact position again. He felt on edge and vulnerable and he had no idea what Andy was doing. All he had within his control was to follow instruction and make sure the instrument was ready to go, and so as Andy continued to speak into the microphone, Troy plucked and strummed the acoustic guitar.
"Drew, we've been playing together for a while now, we've jammed, we've rehearsed, we've yelled, we've partied. Troy and I have been jamming a bit lately, and this is one of the covers we've been working on for the last few months on and off. It's a bit different to what you guys usually hear from us up here, but it seems right for right now. Drew, my friend, this is for you. We wish you and Kara all the love in the world, and we hope that you've had the time of your life."
With one pointed look at Troy, he knew what track they were going to perform. He had to concede it was an apt choice for the circumstances. He was confident that they could perform it without looking like fools, but it wasn't something that Troy was accustomed to, not at The Lion's Den. He didn't sit at the front with everyone staring at him. He liked blending into the background, being that mysterious guy. He'd spent his high school years in the spotlight, and the pressure that came with it had been intense.
What also occurred to him in blinding clarity was that the reason they'd been working on the song was because he'd felt inspired after seeing Gabriella, wrapped up in his bed sheet back in February. Troy looked out into the audience, seeking her out. He felt in that moment a series of confrontation, but he knew he had no choice. He could run away and look like a fool, or he could suck it up, take a breath, and perform.
And so he did.
The song had been stuck with him since the day he'd heard Gabriella singing to it in his apartment, wrapped up in his sheet and strumming his guitar. He'd been strumming the chords on his guitar one day in Andy's garage and suddenly they found themselves working on perfecting the track. It was the kind of track they could do perfectly with the two of them – Troy doing vocals and guitar, and Andy on keyboard. Troy pushed aside insecurities about what Gabriella would think, and instead focused on the melody, the lyric and the moment – thanking a friend for all that they'd been through.
It's like a turning point, a fork stuck in the road...
The Green Day song was one of those universally loved songs, the kind of track which if you covered and destroyed you could have things thrown at you on stage. However to Troy's surprise, no flying objects came, instead as he looked out in front of him, he saw people standing arm in arm, swaying from side to side. Kara had come up to the front with Drew and he'd pulled her down into his lap, the two in an embrace as Troy song and strummed, and Andy skilfully accompanied with the keys. It was one of those surreal moments where Troy felt a connection to the song, to the lyric, to the moment, and to his audience.
When the final notes of the song had been played, he was in utter disbelief at the cheers and whistles from the crowd. It was a feeling that he could get used to.
xxx
After the guys had left the stage area, they proceeded with the long time ritual of storing their equipment in Andy's van. Steve insisted that Drew should go out and see Kara, and look at trying to get them a booth so they could all have drinks, one last time as a group, which left the three of them.
"Listen... we're gonna go out there, have a drink with Drew and celebrate the good times," Steve said. "Then you two need to do some serious talking."
Troy exhaled, but didn't say anything.
"You know I love music and I love playing with you guys. I'm happy to keep doing it as long as you want to. But... you guys should talk seriously. This could be your chance to do something really cool with your music. You know I'm not into being serious, but if you guys are, then I'll support that, and I won't have any hard feelings about going our separate ways. If you want to work your way into being serious, then I'm happy to support you, change up our set list. Whatever works."
Andy held out his hand, shaking Steve's heartily. "We will talk... well, I'll talk, and try to make T listen," he added wryly.
"I'm right here," Troy said with a roll of the eyes.
"Let me know how you want to arrange rehearsals for next week, I'm owed some time off from doing overtime this last month so I can probably get off work early if we need extra rehearsal time."
Steve clapped Troy on the back, before heading back inside, which left Troy and Andy standing by the back of the van.
"He's right you know, we are gonna have to think this through," Andy said quietly.
Troy sighed. "I knew you'd do this."
"Proves how well we get along."
"Proves how fucking annoying you are."
Andy sighed. "I don't want you or I to be one of those guys who gets to the age of 35 and is still 'trying to make it' and is auditioning for the X-Factor and America's Got Talent."
Troy snorted. "Agreed."
"We need to do this now. You can't have it both ways. If we want to take this seriously, this is the only way it is going to work. I think we owe it to ourselves to at least try, see if its something that has potential."
Troy was silent. The argument that resonated most with him was at least giving it a try – he believed wholeheartedly in the notion of not wanting to live with regrets. Ultimately it was what had driven him to get his head out of his ass and give into his feelings for Gabriella. It was what had led him to New York City and music in the first place.
"Do you want to get paid to make music?" Andy pressed on.
"Yes."
"Do you want to create art?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to play your music for thousands of screaming fans?"
"Yes."
"Do you wanna hear our music on the radio?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to earn enough money to support a family?"
"Eeeyyy, way too fast," Troy warned.
Andy smirked. "I'll ask you again in six months."
Troy sighed. "Can we focus on next week's gig and go from there?" he asked. "Maybe... maybe throw in some more acoustic tracks, make it more, you know, us? We're gonna have to, anyway, if I'm supposed to front."
"You're not protesting that me and Steve decided for you that you'll be fronting?"
"We don't really have much choice. I mean, you could do it..."
Andy snorted. He had solid vocals, he was fine for back-up and harmonising, but of the two of them, there was absolutely not a sliver of doubt that it was Troy who belonged out in centre stage.
"How about you come to mine and crash tonight? We can talk about it some more, get up early, jam, work on a set list and bring Steve in on Sunday?"
Troy agreed, and Andy slammed the door on the back of the van, locked up and the guys headed back in. Troy was accustomed to receiving a reception when heading back into the bar after a gig, but the response was just that little more intense than usual, more people coming up to him, complimenting, and in particular receiving a lot of positive response to the acoustic track he and Andy had performed with at the end.
"Look at that, people like us," Andy said lowly under his breath.
Troy rolled his eyes. "Let it go, dude, at least til we leave here."
Troy and Andy headed over to meet up with Troy's friends quickly.
"What's up guys?" Troy said, quickly greeting the group. He slid in easily beside Gabriella, flashing her a special smile.
"Dude! Big shit went down, huh?" Chad said, shaking his head.
"Yeah. Blindsided," Troy said, shaking his head.
"Who is this ravishing beauty that you have your arm around, Troy?" Andy asked, playing dumb.
Gabriella felt herself go a little flush, ducking her head.
Troy rolled his eyes, but then it occurred to him that he'd never actually had the opportunity to introduce Andy and Gabriella to one another. "Oh... you haven't met, have you? Gabriella, Andy, Andy, Gabriella."
"It's so lovely to meet you properly," Gabriella said, shaking his hand. "You're so talented, one minute on the keyboard then on the bass and goodness knows what else you can do."
Andy laughed. "I'm a man of many talents. It's fantastic to meet you too. I've heard so much about you. Put a face to the name," he said with a wink.
Gabriella couldn't help but feel even more embarrassed at the notion that Troy had spoken to Andy about her. However she was aware that when it came to Troy, it was a good sign – she rated being someone worthy of discussion with the people Troy trusted most. "All positive feedback, I hope?"
"We'll gossip one day," Andy responded with a grin.
"I'm so glad you guys came and I feel really bad that I didn't get to chat to you at all, and I'm actually gonna have to bail in a second. We're gonna go have a couple of drinks with Drew and Steve, sort of like a final farewell," Troy explained.
"Oh of course, you should," Taylor said, nodding with understanding.
"Maybe we can all try to get together during the week some time?" Chad suggested. "I know everything is hectic, but even a quick dinner, could be nice?"
"We'll check schedules and talk about it early next week," Sharpay responded. "But it sounds good. Apparently certain people here are being somewhat secretive." She gave a pointed look to Gabriella and Troy.
"I don't kiss and tell," Troy retorted, and then leaned down to murmur in Gabriella's ear. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" She nodded.
"I'll grab beers, meet us over by the booths," Andy said to Troy, before turning around to his friends. "Nice seeing you guys again, and lovely to meet you Gabriella."
"Likewise."
Troy led Gabriella away from the group, and she realised that he was leading her to the backstage area to escape the noise. She glanced around, immediately noticing that a couple of girls were watching somewhat enviously, but blocked them out and focused on Troy. He pulled out the key, unlocking the backstage door. The last time she'd been back there was one chilly February evening when he was pulling her through, both in a desperate frenzy to remove clothes as soon as possible. He pulled her over to the couch so they could both sit down.
"I um... I just wanted to talk to you quickly. I feel really bad, we kinda spent all week talking about how we'd hang out after the show. I don't want you to think I'm blowing you off."
"You also spent all week thinking it would be just like any other show, not a night where Drew would announce he's quitting the band," Gabriella pointed out.
Troy sighed. "Yeah. I really did."
"Are you okay about it? Really?" she asked softly, her hand squeezing his knee.
"I haven't processed yet," he admitted. "I uh... after we have a couple of drinks, I'm gonna go back with Andy and crash at his so we can get up early and start figuring out our set list for next week. He also wants to talk." Troy rolled his eyes.
"Well that's good... you should talk," Gabriella said carefully.
"Mmm," Troy didn't really want to continue the line of discussion. "Anyway... so you're cool? You're not gonna go and huff off and tell Taylor that this is over, when it hasn't even begun?"
Gabriella laughed. "No! I promise."
"Good, coz I'm gonna fuck up on my own without shit like this interfering with us."
"No interference."
"Excellent. Uh... so... what are you doing tomorrow night?"
Gabriella paused to contemplate, tapping her chin in a faux thinking position. "Let me see... oh, um, nothing."
"Come out with me tomorrow night." It was less of a question, and more of a demand.
"Where?"
Troy shrugged. "Not sure. A cozy restaurant with average food where the students and starving artists go," he said frankly.
Gabriella laughed. "Sounds perfect."
"Is that a yes?"
"A meal in a restaurant on a Saturday night? Sounds awfully like a real date to me, Rockstar."
"Do you want it to be a date?" he countered.
"Do you?" she shot back immediately.
"I asked first."
"You asked the question, I have the right to seek clarification on what you're actually asking me."
Troy paused, lips curving into a smile. He learned in to her, and murmured softly. "Yes. It's a date."
"Then the answer is yes."
xxx
When you ask the question, it's always yes.