A/N: IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, PLEASE GO READ IT FIRST.
And this is the end, with yet another time jump. This one, however, has been planned since roughly chapter seven. I hope you all have enjoyed this. What started as just a weird AU fic premise developed into a story that I didn't expect. Thank you for reading, and reviewing!
I love you all.
The crowd was deafening, even with his earplugs. "Thank you!" Alex yelled into the microphone. "Thank you all so much!" He waited a minute for them to quiet down a little, and glanced back at the band. Matt and Tim's faces were beet red, and Eddie had sweat dripping off of his nose.
Alex looked back at the crowd. "We're going to take a fifteen-minute break. Be back in a few!"
He went to the back of the stage where the light wasn't shining right in his face, and dropped into a chair.
"I'm sorry it's so warm in here. You guys look like you're melting." Mrs. Lane, the club owner's wife, handed them water bottles. They all drank as though they were in the Sahara. Alex wiped his mouth.
"It just means we're popular," he grinned. "Anyway, it'd be a lot worse without the air-conditioning."
"We do our best to pay the electric bill on time," she smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Can I get you boys anything else? More water?"
"Sure, thanks, Mrs. Lane." When she went to the bar to get more, he texted Chris.
Alex Carson to Chris Carson
Wish you were here in Austin with us. I'm keeping a lookout for cute girls.
CC to AC
Thx. Working night shift at Downton. Should've gone w/ u and E and the band.
AC to CC
Nah, you're where you're supposed to be. You'll be running it after you graduate, and after Branson retires.
CC to AC
True. Tired of traveling yet? You'll be back in Bloomington when the semester starts again. I bet E's not tired.
AC to CC
I'll be glad of a break. You know E, he's a born musician. Not as much into the girls as he used to be.
CC to AC
Is he still going on about that girl he met in San Antonio? Where's she from?
AC to CC
Yeah. The British girl. Yorkshire? The one who called him "sexy ginger"
AC to CC
He won't shut up about her
CC to AC
Sounds serious
AC to CC
I think he's in love. For real.
CC to AC
That's what I think too. He'd better b prepared when he's home. M&D smell something. Not to mention the aunts and Uncle Adam.
AC to CC
I'll warn him. M&D all right?
CC to AC
The same
AC to CC
Have they shocked the new hostess at TRF yet? If not, they're slipping…
CC to AC
Daisy told me new girl caught M after lunch Tues buttoning up her shirt after D left. Why can't they be like normal middle-aged people, and keep their hands to themselves? WHY!?
AC to CC
Because they're not normal. They HAVE. NO. SHAME. Ugh, why did you remind me?
CC to AC
You asked about them. B/c you're a good son.
AC to CC
Next time I won't. Tell them hello from us when you get a chance
CC to AC
When they have their clothes on, you mean
AC to CC
Yep. Thx. Ttyl
"Another bottle of water, coming right up," the older lady handed it to him, and Alex took it gratefully.
"Thanks." He guzzled half of it before setting it down. If Mam and Da were here, I'd throw it on them.
"May I ask you for something, Alex?"
He wiped his sweaty face on his t-shirt. "Absolutely. What can I do for you? You and Pete have done us the favor, having us play here two years in a row." It had been one of his and Eddie's proudest achievements – having their band play at a coveted live venue in the Sixth Street district in Austin. Such opportunities were hard to come by.
"It's been our pleasure. Y'all are talented musicians," she squinted into the multi-colored stage lights. "I just wanted to make a request during your next set."
"Sure, what would you like?"
"I wrote it down," she slipped him a piece of paper. "Do you know the song?"
He read the title. "Yeah, I know it. But you know it won't sound like the original, right?"
Mrs. Lane nodded. He quirked a sideways grin. "Why do you want this one? Does Ol' Pete have his eye on some pretty young thing?"
She laughed. "As if…no, actually, I was thinking about my first husband earlier today. He married again, had a family. The divorce was the right thing for him. And for me too."
He smiled. "You met your husband in Memphis, and then moved here."
"Exactly," she agreed. Her brown eyes were soft. He followed her view and they both smiled at Pete, who waved from the back of the room. "Alex…" she began, clasping her hands together. "I have to be honest with you. This will come as a shock, but I was married to your father once." She took a deep breath.
"I know," he said quietly. He had been thinking about saying something, but never could figure out how to start. Well, it's out in the open now.
He ran his hand through his hair, unconscious of the fact that he looked exactly like his father. Or when he bit his lip he looked like his mother. "I…recognized your graduation picture in Pete's office."
Alice Neale who became Alice Carson who became Alice Lane.
Who hired us to play at the club.
"Well," she seemed surprised, adjusting her glasses, fingering a nonexistent white hair, "so you know as well. I guess it wasn't such a shock after all."
"No," he replied, leaning back, "but I'm glad you think divorcing my father was the right decision." For you, because it was the best thing that happened to him.
And for our family.
"Yes, in the end, it was for the best. I couldn't be happier. Pete's my best friend." A warm smile spread across her face.
"I can tell," he sipped some more water. She's a nice lady. Pretty.
Not as pretty as Mam.
Da never stood a chance. The pictures from when we were little…
"How is he? Charlie?" she asked. "Is he happy?"
"Very," he cleared his throat. "They both are." He declined to mention that Da had retired the previous year. Or that the brothers were in the habit of calling the cabin half an hour before they arrived, just to give their parents warning of guests.
That would, he felt, be literally too much information.
"I'm glad to hear it," she said sincerely. "You and Eddie look like them, you know."
Alex nodded, scratched his neck. "Well…this is awkward." They both laughed.
"It doesn't have to be, if you don't want it to be," she said lightly. "Pete and I appreciate the band playing here, and would like to book you for next year too, if you want. I just wanted to come clean to you. It was bothering me, and Pete encouraged me to tell you."
"I'm glad you told me," he replied. "And thank you for the offer. We'll be happy to accept next year!"
Someone called for her, and she excused herself.
He felt a strange sort of peace knowing that they both knew.
The band began their next set, and played four songs before Alex stopped them.
"This next one is by request," he told the crowd. "We're doing a cover by The White Stripes, who covered this Dolly Parton classic. Hope you enjoy it." He bent over the guitar, and began the opening riff.
Jolene
Jolene
Jolene
Jolene
I'm beggin' you, please don't take my man
Alex thought about his father Charles, married to Alice, and in love with Elsie. Elsie, in love with a married man. Alice, caught in the middle. He was glad he didn't know what any of it felt like.
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothin' I can do to keep from cryin'
When he calls your name
Jolene
Eddie joined in on the drums. Alex squinted through the bright lights, and saw Alice by the bar. He nodded at her before looking out at the crowd.
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do
Jolene
They played for another hour-and-a-half, and had three encores. It was almost four in the morning before they left.
0000000000
The next day, when the club opened at noon, Pete handed Alice a note addressed to her.
Alice,
I'm glad we talked. It took a lot of courage to say something to me, but I'm glad you did. I'll see you tonight when the band comes to set up.
Thanks again,
Alex Carson