A/N: As it's looking as though yourfanfiction . com might be have to close due to lack of donations I'm currently looking for somewhere else to upload my fics so as they won't be lost in the event of deletion. I'll keep you posted.
As it turned out, Erik wasn't terrible at all. Quite the opposite in fact. His timing was impeccable, his pitch was flawless, his interpretation of the music was spot on and he played from his heart. Raven was delighted, not least of all because their voices complimented one another's perfectly and she really wanted that duet.
Even Charles had to admit, albeit somewhat grudgingly, that he was actually really rather good. There was no denying it. Erik would be a splendid addition to the band and everyone already seemed to like him. He deserved the chance to audition more fully, tonight at the club, live, in front of an audience. Maybe, Charles thought, if he was very lucky Erik might get a serious case of stage fright and clam up, that way he'd have an excuse to send him on his way.
Somehow though, as much as Charles wanted it, he doubted that would actually be the case. Erik was clearly an experienced performer, as relaxed and confident as he was skilled. Playing to a packed club was unlikely to phase the man in the least. Really, Charles' only chance of getting rid of the man, lay with Mr Shaw. Of course Charles' opinions counted for something with his boss, Mr Shaw would always listen to his recommendations for or against but ultimately, as the club owner and the man who wrote the pay checks, the final decision was his and they'd disagreed before on occasion. Charles could only hope that this would be another of those occasions and that Mr Shaw would take a dislike to Erik for some reason.
"Well." He said at last, folding his arms across his chest and giving Erik his most aloof half-smile. "You're good, I'll give you that much."
"Thanks." Erik said, returning a much easier smile. One that made the hairs on Charles' arms stand up on end.
Raven was a picture of excitement, eyes wide and sparkling, hands clasped together in front of her, bouncing very gently on the balls of her feet.
"Does that mean he's got the job?" She asked, hopefully.
Charles shook his head.
"It means I'll let him play tonight, see how he does with an audience and if he handles that okay… well, it's up to Mr Shaw after that, not me."Erik nodded slowly and stepped forward, extending a hand in gratitude.
"Hey look I've worked enough of these joints in the past to know how things work. I know you can't say yes or no without the boss' approval, but I really appreciate you giving me a chance to show him what I can do."
Charles pushed back his stool and stood up, groaning inwardly at the confirmation of Erik's previous experience and therefore also the unlikely-ness of him suffering even a minor attack of stage fright. He stared at the proffered hand for a moment. Relax fella. The voice in his head told him. It's just a handshake. It didn't help, so he ignored it and shoved his own hands in his pockets, muttering as he pushed past rather more rudely than he'd actually intended, cringing at his own behaviour.
"You're welcome I guess. We open at eight so be here for seven. Don't be late."
"Seven, got it." Erik replied, a small frown forming on his brow as he watched the other man make his way over to the bar again.
"Don't mind Charles." Raven said softly, taking Erik by the arm. She glared after her brother, so hard he could almost feel it, and raised her voice a little, just enough to be sure that he could hear her. "He's just being a big ole grump today. He's really a sweetheart when you get to know him."
"I am not." He grumbled loudly, swallowing any further retort lest his sister find any kind of ammunition in it she could later use against him.
"Yes he is." He heard her say and he sighed heavily as he took a seat at the bar.
"The usual?" Hank asked, setting down his cloth and reaching for a glass.
Charles shook his head. Club soda wasn't going to do it this time.
"No. Something stronger please Hank."
"You sure about that?" Hank raised an eyebrow, Charles wasn't usually a drinker, but Charles just raised an eyebrow of his own and gave him a withering look. "Okay then." And he did as he was told, silently pouring one of the milder scotches.
Charles glanced back over his shoulder at his sister and the doubtless soon to be new sax player and made a small, pained whimpering noise in the back of his throat. His headache was returning and the slowly growing sense of unease that was beginning to settle in the pit of his stomach made him feel slightly sick. He turned back to the bar and stared down at his glass of scotch for a moment before picking it up. As he brought the glass to his lips he heard Raven's voice once again.
"And don't worry about Mr Shaw either." She was telling Erik. "He knows a good thing when he sees one. He's sure to think you're just swell."
The sick feeling got worse. He had a terrible hunch that she was right, but still…
"I hope you're wrong about that little sister." He whispered as he took a sip of his drink, grimaced and shuddered. "I really hope you're wrong."
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