AN: This chapter is slightly shorter than most of the other ones, but trust me, this one is good. In my opinion. Ok onwards!
A little while later, Elwood & Maria were sitting in a booth at the nearest Village Inn ordering some decaf coffee. The waiter took down their order flirting conspicuously at Maria, while inconspicuously giving Elwood a funny look for wearing sunglasses at night. Maria noticed his look & gave him a nastier look in return. Elwood noticed & chuckled a bit at her defensive actions.
"So did I do well tonight?" She asked him curiously after the rude waiter left. "I hope I didn't embarrass you when I filled in for you when you couldn't remember the rest of Rawhide"
"No it's alright. I'm actually quite grateful you did that, or else the gig would've gone down & been a disaster." He replied kindly. "So thanks for saving the gig."
"No problem" she replied humbly "It's the least I could do."
"How did it feel being in a blues band?" he asked her "You know, since you're used to Rock N Roll and everything."
"I was quick to adjust to playing Blues music, even though we actually performed Country tonight." She adds with a chuckle. "But with all seriousness, when I decided to join you guys I wasn't angry or disappointed for switching to Blues music, because Rock N' Roll was influenced by the blues, so I would be a hypocrite if I said 'oh I hate Blues music' when in reality, Blues music made the music I love. I know Blues music doesn't have elaborate guitar solos like how Chuck Berry has, but the Blues is all about letting out your deepest emotions, so the guitar solos aren't really needed, which I also don't mind. So being in a Blues band didn't feel much different than playing in a Rock band."
Elwood raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised by her detailed answer. "Well at least you aren't a hypocrite like many people today. You embrace your influences'…well, influences"
"Yeah you're right." She replied "A true musician embraces their influences, but also makes their music their own. For example, I hate it when people enjoy bands like The Who & the Rolling Stones, but hate listening to James Brown or Elmore James when in reality those people inspired The Stones or The Who to become a band. Those two bands don't go around denying their influences, so a person has to respect their bands' influences instead of putting them down."
"See, you get it. I don't know why other people don't." Elwood told her kind of disappointed by the reality of her words. "The Blues is a dying music genre."
"Not exactly." She replied sympathetically "You & Jake are keeping it alive."
He smiled his half smile. "Hey, don't forget, you're helping us too."
"I just play lead guitar but you empower the people with yours & Jake's voices, which I happen to like by the way. I think you guys are really good at singing."
"Please be honest" he told her. "Whose voice do you like better? Mine or my Brothers?"
"Yours."
"Are you just saying that?" he asked shyly
"No" Maria replied honestly with a shrug "I really do like your voice Elwood. I've always liked deep voices, and I really liked your singing for both 'Rawhide' & 'Get Rhythm' & your little 'improvisation' in 'Stand by Your Man.'
"You mean when I sang the 'baby' part?" he asked
"Yeah; it was cute."
"I uh…liked the way you sang that Patsy Cline song. It was really pretty."
"Aw thank you." She replied as she smiled.
I really like this guy. He's not your typical male musician. He's actually has brains, a beautiful voice & a kind personality to go along with his musical talent.
Elwood began to say something, but the rude waiter interrupted him by shoving the coffee bill right in front of him.
"We're closing soon so pay up."
Elwood gave him a look & lazily dropped the amount of money on the little tray the bill was on.
"C'mon let's go." Maria told Elwood while giving the waiter another look "He doesn't need our tip."
"That sucks that guy had to ruin the end of our date." Elwood commented as he walked Maria to her room.
She blushed a bit at his words "Wow…you said date."
Oh shit she's right
"Uh…" he began saying obviously embarrassed "I'm sorry if you…um...didn't think it was…"
"No, no" she told him kindly "I meant that I liked the fact that you called it a date. I called it a date too, that's why I agreed when you asked me for coffee. Yeah it was just coffee, but it's the little things in life that counts."
"Yeah" replied Elwood with a relieved smile "You're right. I think we should do this again."
"Yeah, I had a good time with you. You're very sweet"
They approached her door & she took out her keys.
"Well, thank you for a good time tonight"
"No problem" he said kindly "Goodnight"
"'Night Elwood"
As Maria began unlocking her door, she began feeling like she wanted to do & say something to him. To let him know that she did like him & appreciate what he & Jake had done for her.
"Elwood?"
He turned around & walked towards her "Yes?"
"I just wanted to say…" she began shyly "Thank you for letting me in the band. I know that I can't fully replace Steve Cropper, but it means a lot to me that you guys still invited me to be in the band. You made me so happy that I can play in a decent band without feeling criticized."
"It's no problem at all." Elwood replied humbly "You're a kind & talented person so you deserve the proper respect Jake & I are more than willing to give you."
Go ahead Maria, do it! Show him you're thankful!
She was determined to show him her honest feelings towards him. Nothing that's too much to handle, but enough to let him know the truth.
So she leaned towards him,
And kissed softly him on the cheek.
Elwood's & Maria's cheeks were tomato red by the time she stopped kissing him. They stood in front of each other in silence until she broke it.
"Well um…Goodnight. See you tomorrow."
"'Night" was all he could manage to say
She looked down shyly & went into her room, still stunned by what she had done.
Wow, I can't believe I just did that! Ha!
Meanwhile, Elwood was walking to his room feeling a little bit tired but also like he was on cloud nine.
Wow, she likes me! She really likes me!
He opened the door to his room were he found Jake reading a newspaper.
He looks up at his taller brother & set the paper down. "Hey Man, how did it go?"
"Good. We just had coffee & talked." Elwood replied as he took off his hat & black suit. Jake then noticed something peculiar
"You're blushing."
Elwood freezes for a bit, slightly embarrassed that the blush was still on his cheeks but he pretended to shrug it off. "No I'm not"
"You got laid didn't you?"
"No!" Elwood replied annoyed by his accusation. Is that all he ever thinks about?
"So what did she do to make you blush, Loverboy?"
"She just…bade me goodnight & kissed me on the cheek that's all."
Jake laughed with joy & patted Elwood on the back "Finally, my own brother finally gets a girlfriend! Don't worry man; it won't be long before you reach third base."
"But I'm not looking for that" Elwood replied "I really do like her and I'm looking for more than just intimacy."
"Well I guess I can see that coming from you." Jake replied with a shrug "but let me tell you something about your first kiss. When the time comes, lean in towards her, not completely kissing her yet & let her make the decision on whether she would kiss you back or not."
"Oh sweet mercy" replied Elwood as he ran his hand through his hair nervously.
Him Kiss her? And her kissing him back?
The very thought of a full kiss from her made him even more nervous.
"Don't be nervous about it man." Jake comforted as he yawned & stretched his arms "I think she'll be happy about it when that time comes"
He then rolled over in his bed & fell asleep "'Night man"
"Night" Elwood responded with a yawn. He laid back on his bed, staring at the ceiling feeling sleepy & doubtful about what Jake said
"I think she'll be happy about it when that time comes"
Yeah right Elwood thought reluctantly. She probably only kissed me out of pity. Let's face it; who would be with an ex-cheese whiz factory worker?
AN: Aw…Poor Elwood. He just can't believe Marias true feelings towards him because of his own insecurities.
Well, next chapters gonna 'bee' pretty good…
R&R please