AN: I hate my school. They delayed me on writing this chapter! Oh well, at least its out now…
The sun came up & shined a light on Maria's face as she slept. She stirred a bit until she woke up, still feeling the bliss that she had with Elwood yesterday.
That man can kiss, and he has a way with words!
As she made her bed, she began to recap the night before & what he said to her before the kiss.
"You're perfect for the band and, I think you are too good for me; but unlike your band, I won't leave you."
Why does he think I'm too good for him?
After she took a quick shower she changed into a black & white striped shirt with black jeans & boots. It wasn't very blues-like, but she knew that no one in the band would mind because it was a style that suited her. She approached the downstairs lobby for the continental breakfast they'd always have & there already was her new boyfriend reading the morning paperin his casual white shirt & black tie.
She smiled & approached him "Hey"
He looked up at her & smiled shyly "Good Morning"
Maria kissed him before getting her usual Bagel & cream cheese breakfast. "I wanna…um…ask you something about yesterday."
"Ok"
She pulled up a chair, sat down next to him & asked him "When you told me yesterday that I'm too good for you, why exactly did you say that? I know I should've asked you that last night, but I was…caught up in the moment I guess." She added with a blush.
"You're not the average woman; you're just…amazing and you being with a guy like me its just…I don't know…odd."
"What do you mean 'a guy like you?" She asked him confused "and why is it odd?"
Elwood looked a little hesitant before admitting his honesty.
"We both turn heads but for different reasons. You're beautiful & guys always look at you; while people just look at me weird because of the way I dress & look. It's intriguing that you like a guy like me."
Maria's heart sank a little. She knew he was different, but that's why she liked him in the first place. It was kind of sad seeing him so insecure about himself when he shouldn't be.
"I know you can be humble Elwood, but don't put yourself down." She comforted. "You're a much better person than you think you are. You have a good soul, you're really talented & you're such a sweetheart. "
He looked up at her & saw that her brown eyes were serious.
"It shouldn't matter what strangers think of us. The only thing that matters is how we feel about each other & we obviously know about that."
Elwood smiled a bit, knowing she had a point.
"You're right" He said quietly.
Things were quiet for a bit until Maria held his cross-tattooed hand underneath the table, & rested her head on his shoulder. "You know, you comforting me yesterday in the cemetery & kissing me made me realize that It had been awhile since I've been with a great guy like you…"
"Really?" he asked a bit surprised.
"Well…let me rephrase that….It made me realize that I haven't been with a great guy like you…at all."
He raised his eyebrows; even more surprised "Why would you be with someone who didn't treat you right?"
Maria shrugged "I don't know…I was so stupid; but I have you now at least."
Elwood smiled a bit & she leaned to kiss him.
Meanwhile, Jake began descending downstairs from his room to get his breakfast. He walked in the kitchen & froze in his tracks at what he saw.
His shy little brother was finally kissing his favorite guitarist.
The shorter Blues Brother smiled a bit smugly that's my Brother! Go get 'er Elwood!
As tempted as he was, he didn't want to ruin their moment as he has done twice before. It would be cold-hearted. As a result, he tried tip toeing past them, trying to get his breakfast but as he stared at the new couple, he didn't notice the "wet Floor" warning sign on the floor. One little slip of the foot made him fall forward, making all of the breakfast table contents spill & land on the floor. The couple jolted in their seats & turned around to find Jake on the floor with butter & maple syrup in his hair & all over his suit.
"Smooth one Jake." Elwood commented sarcastically.
"How long have you been here?" Maria asked cautiously, a bit embarrassed that he saw them kiss.
"Long enough to figure out what must have happened last night" Jake replied as he grinned & wiggled his eyebrows a bit, trying to keep his cool after his fall. He sat down on the table, Maria rolled her eyes & quickly changed the subject "Alright so are we finally having that meeting today with…"
"Maury Sline…" Jake finished "yeah."
"I hope this next gig we get; we get the money up front." Elwood said in with worry in his voice "We can't be wasting our time & only getting 500 bucks each gig. It's do or die man."
"I know." Replied Jake equally stressed out. "I just hope we can convince Maury to give us something good."
"Does anyone else know why we really got the band together?" Maria asked cautiously. She didn't want to hear the rest of the band complaining about fundraising for an orphanage. They never grew up there, so they wouldn't understand the importance.
"No." Jake replied "and we intend it to keep it that way and speaking of secrets…"
Elwood & Maria scooted a bit closer to him, indicating they were listening.
"Are you two planning on telling the band about your…new romance?"
The new couple exchanged uneasy glances. Honestly, they only wanted Jake to know about them.
"I think it's easier if we keep this a secret also." Elwood replied. "I don't want any problems if they do have any problems with us…"
"I doubt it man." Jake disagreed "but if you two want to keep it a secret, then ok. My lips are sealed."
Maria smiled a bit, a bit surprised that Jake was being nice towards them.
"Thanks man."
"but if you want my advice," Jake continued "I think you two should keep things professional onstage whenever we do a gig, to keep things on the down-low."
Elwood shrugged a bit, realizing his brother had a good point
"I noticed the way you two were when we were at performing Rawhide, and if you keep that up, your cover will be blown. So don't make out or screw onstage…"
Maria rolled her eyes
Well, so much for sympathy towards us
"Maury, you owe us! We'll play anywhere!" Jake begged to the bands booking agent.
The whole band sat in one huge table at Maria's ex-workplace. She never officially quit, but because of the progress she's made as a band member, she didn't care whether or not the café needed her or even missed her.
But Hell, she still got free drinks for the band & herself…
"How many times have I told you; no one wants to hire you guys!" Maury Sline told them impatiently.
I know Christy wants a band, and she always liked the blues…
Aw hell, there's no way these people are good enough to be in that gig…
"People want disco & dance!"
"Damn, society blows." Maria complained as she sipped her coke. "No one appreciates good music anymore."
"Music changes every decade." Sline told her "so therefore peoples tastes in music changes."
"I know, but does this decade really have to start off with shitty music and stupid fans who like the shitty music?" she complained again "I think this band is the only band that plays real music, not music involving spandex pants & big hair bows…"
"So we need another gig!" Jake begged again finishing her sentence "We need five grand fast."
"Five grand? You guys aint the Beatles! You can't expect to be paid that much!"
"Look man," Maria yelled at him, getting really angry "I got fired from a group of assholes who used to be my friends. This band, however, kindly took me in & I will say now, that this is the most talented band I have ever been a part of & have the privilege of knowing! Yeah, we aren't the Beatles, but we can be successful and entertain a crowd almost like how John Paul George & Ringo did!"
She gave him a nasty look, cracked her knuckles & continued "So you better find us a good gig."
The band looked at her in utter bewilderment. They haven't seen this side of her before. She seemed so…calm most of the time. From then on, she had more of their utmost respect.
Wow, Elwood got himself a dangerous woman. Jake thought. But oh well. He's crazy for that hot-headed woman of his, so who am I to judge?
I've always admired strong-willed women. Elwood thought to himself with a small smile.
Maury however, seemed intimidated by her nastiness. He dealt with tough women like her before and it is not something he wanted to deal with. He squinted his eyes at her & sighed defeated. "Alright. I know where you guys can perform."
The band looked up at him, eager for his answer.
"I didn't want to say this, but now I gotta."
Job well done Maria thought smugly to herself.
"My little sister Christy is getting married in a month." He began "She wants to have a live band at her reception & she put me in charge of that since I'm of course an agent. The first band bailed on us & she's been looking desperately for a new band. She's marrying a rich guy, so I could hook you guys up & you can get your money then…"
"Thanks." Elwood told him, holding back his happiness over their new gig.
"However…"
Shit, I knew there was gonna be a catch Jake complained
"The wedding's in Las Vegas."
"Holy shit, Las Vegas?" Jake asked in awe. Damn, our first gig outside of Illinois!
"Sin City, man!" Maria said an exciting grin. She could barely contain her excitement.
I've always wanted to go there! This might be the biggest gig, I've ever had!
"I can book you guys a flight, and some hotel rooms at the place she's getting married at. I'll send you more of the imfo whenever I get it & if you guys do make moolah off of this, I want a percentage of it"
"Sounds good" Jake told him as he shook his hand "and thank you. Let's go boys…and Maria." He added as she cocked an eyebrow.
The Blues Brothers, and the band got up & walked out of the Jive n' Dine Café, in silent victory.
AN: Sorry if this chapter seemed short & uninteresting. I had a lot of testing to do at school & it got me angry that I coundt work on this properly. And I have a Deviant art account (and a Blues Brothers fan club on there) that will include this fanfic so you guys are actually reading this first than anyone else.
Be proud…
R&R please.