Make Me Feel Alive

I held Ashleys hand as we walked across the gravel parking lot to the bar nestled just off the highway, it's lights sprawling out the windows across the packed lot.
A lot of nicer cars were parked here, sort of like Ashley's, which was making me wonder what kind of place this was.
He said it was somewhere where a lot of undiscovered bands played, but if it also sold his clothing line, the people visiting had to have some dough.
I had looked it up, I knew the cost of these jeans he'd just so casually given me, and the shoes, and the shirts, and the tanks, and the one dress I would never wear out in public it was so revealing.
Ashley stepped up onto the built on porch, and nodded at the guy leaning casually against the door. "Hey, Jerry."
"Mr. Purdy," he greeted, and opened the door for us, shooting me a curious glance.
I didn't feel quite so confident about coming here now.
We stepped inside.
The bar had a wooden interior, with a large stage against the wall where a band was currently setting up. There was a long bar with several bartenders waiting it, and a small clothing set up far into one of the corners with a bored looking girl. The tables were all what you would expect in a bar, with scars and stains, and so was the floor.
I tightened my grip on his hand as he lead us toward a table in the back, where we could see but couldn't be seen.
"What type of bar is this, Ash?" I frowned. "It's like ahigh class but not at the same time."
Ashley grinned. "I know! It's got the best of both worlds. And the best pizza ever."
"We drove two hours for good pizza?" I chuckled as I sat down.
"Basically. Gimme a minute and I'll be right back," he told me, pressing a kiss to my hand and then darting towards the bar.
The guy there, who I assumed was a manager from his tie, greeted Ashley familiarly, shaking his hand and laughing at whatever stupid joke he made.
I watched curiously, then turned my attention to the front of the room where the bandwas finally done setting up and was about to play.
The Roots, they called themselves.
They weren't bad.
I propped my chin in hand, letting my eyes scour the bar for its patrons.
There was a group of bikers huddled in one corner with beers and a pizza so large it took up most of the table, and then there looked like some businessmen on the opposite side, doing the exact same.
Like what?
Bikers and businessman in the same room together? My boss would probably have another heart attack.
I held Ashleys hand as we walked across the gravel parking lot to the bar nestled just off the highway, it's lights sprawling out the windows across the packed lot. A lot of nicer cars were parked here, sort of like Ashley's, which was making me wonder what kind of place this was.
He said it was somewhere where a lot of undiscovered bands played, but if it also sold his clothing line, the people visiting had to have some dough.
I had looked it up, I knew the cost of these jeans he'd just so casually given me, and the shoes, and the shirts, and the tanks, and the one dress I would never wear out in public it was so revealing.
Ashley stepped up onto the built on porch, and nodded at the guy leaning casually against the door. "Hey, Jerry."
"Mr. Purdy," he greeted, and opened the door for us, shooting me a curious glance.
I didn't feel quite so confident about coming here now.
We stepped inside.
The bar had a wooden interior, with a large stage against the wall where a band was currently setting up. There was a long bar with several bartenders waiting it, and a small clothing set up far into one of the corners with a bored looking girl. The tables were all what you would expect in a bar, with scars and stains, and so was the floor.
I tightened my grip on his hand as he lead us toward a table in the back, where we could see but couldn't be seen.
"What type of bar is this, Ash?" I frowned. "It's like ahigh class but not at the same time."
Ashley grinned. "I know! It's got the best of both worlds. And the best pizza ever."
"We drove two hours for good pizza?" I chuckled as I sat down.
"Basically. Gimme a minute and I'll be right back," he told me, pressing a kiss to my hand and then darting towards the bar.
The guy there, who I assumed was a manager from his tie, greeted Ashley familiarly, shaking his hand and laughing at whatever stupid joke he made.
I watched curiously, then turned my attention to the front of the room where the bandwas finally done setting up and was about to play.
The Roots, they called themselves.
They weren't bad.
I propped my chin in hand, letting my eyes scour the bar for its patrons.
There was a group of bikers huddled in one corner with beers and a pizza so large it took up most of the table, and then there looked like some businessmen on the opposite side, doing the exact same.
Like what?
Bikers and businessman in the same room together? My boss would probably have another heart attack.
Ashley popped back up, holding a beer and a soda.
I took the soda gratefully; I hated beer.
"So, what's the game plan tonight, huh? Scoping out new talent or something?" I asked, and Ashley shook his head, leaning back in his chair where he had it pulled beside me.
"Nope, just listen to the music, watch the show. There's a pretty good band called Moontide that's up after these kids, and they're not official yet, but I hooked them up with our label and I'm hoping they'll get signed." he shrugged.
"Well that was nice of you," I smiled at him. "I bet they're excited."
He shrugged again, lacing his fingers through mine.
I chuckled, and when the first band hopped off the stage, Ashley straightened.
"THere they are," he said, and I watched as a group of young boys probably in their late teens crowded the stage. "The singer is Jaime, and he can scream pretty decent too. The drummers name is like Freddy, or Eddy, or something like that," he frowned. "And the other two are Kaleb and Tony. Kids have got some skill."
I gazed at him as he spoke, seeing how interested he was in them, and it seemed like he really did want to get them signed. I squeezed his hand; those kids had no idea how lucky they were to have him on their side.
"Here you go, Mr. Purdy." the manager suddenly appeared, carrying one of those huge pizzas.
"Ah, thanks, Louis!" Ashley grinned at him. "Is it the special?"
"Of course, sir!" Louis the manager grinned back. "Just as you always order! Though usually there is more people to eat it."
"We won't waste it," Ashley assured him as pizza and plates met table.
The manager sent me a curious smile.
"Oh, Louis, this is my friend Morgan," Ashley told him, noticing his look. "I'm trying to expand her tastes."
I rolled my eyes.
"It's very nice to meet you, Morgan. Mr. Purdy usually only brings his band members here, it's nice to see a pretty face."
I smiled at him. "it's nice to meet you too."
He gave us another smile before disappearing back to the bar.
Still a friend, huh?
"Try the pizza," Ashley told me. "It's to die for."
I pulled a piece from the box, the cheese so melted it strung for about four feet before it finally broke off.
"This piece is bigger then my head!"
"And it tastes good!" he added, and I smiled.
Ashley thought all food tasted good.
And I could only eat the one piece before I was full. It really was that big of a pizza, because usually I could get away with about two at least.
"Mhm, you're boys are going off stage," I told Ashley quickly as they finished their set. "You might wanna talk to them now if you want a chance. One of them looks pissy."
He followed my gaze, then nodded, and stood. "I'll be right back," he told me over his shoulder as he strode toward them.
I shook my head, leaning back in my chair.
He really was dedicated. He even stopped briefly to talk to the bikers, who all talked to him as if they knew him too.
Wasn't he a ball of surprises tonight?
Of course, while he chatted the bikers, his littl e band was slowly starting toward the door, looking like they were arguing amongst themselves.
I hesitated, then stood, scooting over in their direction.
"Hi," I said brightly, stepping in front of them as they tried to leave.
"Uh, hi," the singer blinked at me, his lip and eyebrow piercings glinting in the low light.
"You guys were really good up there," I told them. "One of the best of the night, I think."
"Really?" one of the others stared at me. "Because the guys before us kicked ass."
"So did you! Your solo was a nice touch, and I liked your lyrics," I told them; I had actually been listening to them.
"Hey, thanks," they beamed at me, feeling proud.
I smiled at them, putting my hands on my hips.
"How long you guys been a band?" I asked.
"About a year now. We moved her after high school hoping to catch a break," the singer told me, leaning back on his heels, wearing boots a lot similar to the ones I'd seen so many bands wear as they tromped through the studio.
At least they had the style down.
"So, uh, are you here for the music tonight?" I think the drummer asked, rubbing the back of his head, his bandanna skewed sideways with the motion.
"Something like that," I glanced over, seeing Ashley heading in our direction as he realized he'd missed them off the stage.
I sent the boys another smile. "I think you guys are gonna do real well in the music world," I told them. "You just don't need to give up hope. It's a hard place to fit in, but once you find your knook, you should be okay."
"THanks, it really means a lot you think that." the singer sent me a cheeky grin. "Pretty girls like you usually don't seem too into our music."
"Heh." Now they were getting the wrong idea.
"So what are your names?" I asked, hoping to distract them. "I'm Morgan."
"Oh, I'm Jaime," the singer introduced himself. "That's Tony and Kaleb, and that's Teddy."
Not Freddy or Eddy.
Why did Ashley have to be so bad with names?
"Sooo, do you come here a lot then? To check out the music?" Tony asked me, and I shook my head.
"No, not really."
I looked at Ashley almost gratefully as he stepped up to me, slipping his hand around my waist.
"I see you guys have met my woman," he said, and I blinked, glancing up at him.
First I'm just his friend, now I'm his woman?
"Oh," the singers face fell slightly. "Yeah, hey, Mr. Purdy. We didn't realize she was with you."
"She is. I'm glad she managed to stop you guys, though. I was wanting to talk to you about the label."
Jaimes face dropped. "We had a meeting with a Mr. Drywell, but he didn't seem real impressed with us."
"He's a real stick in the ass," Ashley scowled. "I was hoping you would Carter or something."
This was quickly becoming business.
"I'll be at the table," i murmured, deciding to make my exit.
Ash nodded, and pressed a kiss to my cheek, as if he had to further lay his claim in front of the kids. I rolled my eyes as I made my way back to the table, plopping down and propping my feet in the opposite chair.
Had tonight been about fun or business? iI wondered, watching as he spoke to the kids. They seemed to really listen to him, though, so at least tonight was going well for someone.
II pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling through some of my emails absently as I waited.
After a few minutes, Ashley and the kids headed over to the table, and I dropped my feet so one of them could sit down.
I sent Ashley a questioning look, and he gave me an apologetic shrug.
"I hope we're not interrupting your night," Jaime apologized, looking hesitant as he sat.
"Not at all," i forced a smile.
"So he didn't take you guys well?" Ashley was frowning. "Maybe I can get you another appointment then? I can try for Carter."
"I don't think it'll make much of a difference," one of the blonde ones sighed. I wasn't sure which one was Tony or Kaleb. "We blew it."
"Maybe it wasn't that bad. Mr. Drywell just looks grouchy all the time," I tried to cofmort him. I'd met him before and he was a real grouch.
"Yeah. I'll call you guys later when I have another appointment." Ashley assured them, though he didn't look entirely convinced he could get another one.
Well. Maybe i could get them one at my label. I knew there was a lot of blank spaces in Mr. Burrows schedule, and he wouldn't even know the difference, honest. He beliebed whatever was on the schedule had been set up months prior and would go with it, pretending he had just forgot or he was really busy.
I'd worked there long enough to figure that out.
I would mention it to Ashley later if his interview fell through.
"Hey, it was nice meeting you, Morgan," Jaime said as he and the rest ohis guys rose to their feet after an hour. "I hope we didnt fuck up --- I mean, mess up your evening."
"Dont' worry about it," Ashley shook his head as he stood, shaking their hands.
"Csn we get a picture before we leave?" the drummer asked, looking hesitant. "I know being seen you would really help boost us some."
"Sure," Ashley was always ready for a picture.
He stepped over to them, posing as they snapped one of all of them, and then Jaime motioned at me.
"Hey, you too, Morgan! We can't leave you out!"
"I don't think that's necessary," I said quickly, but he pulled me out of my seat, not giving me much of a choice.
Ashley chuckled, slipping his arm around my waist as I leaned in for the picture the manager was so nice to snap for all of us.
"See you guys!" Jaime waved as they left.
I glanced at my phone, seeing it was really late.
"Shouldn't we be heading back?" I asked, and Ashley nodded, hopping to his feet.
I glanced at the table where more then just three beer bottles say.
Business required beer, but driving didn't.
"Are you sure you should drive?" I asked after a moment, pausing by a table.
"I'm fine, and my cars a stick shift, babe."
What was his point?
"Ashley, I can drive a stickshift."
He looked at me dubiously, but he was kind of giving me that drunken dubious look I'd seen enough to know, and I held my hand out in front of me.
"Keys." I ordered.
"Morgan, I'm ---."
"Now, Ashley! I'm not going to ride with you when you've been drinking, and I'm not going to let your drive either. Hand me the keys and I'll get us home," I told him, and he frowned at me, before fishing through his pocket and dropping the keys in my hand.
"Fine. But if the clutch is messed up in the morning ---."
"It'll be your own fault for drinking too much," I chided him, herding him toward the door and outside to the car. "Now stop grouching and get in."


"Stay," Ashley whined, pressing kisses to my shoulder as i helped him to his bedroom.
"Ash, I can't. You're wasted."
"Not that much!"
"I have a lot to do tomorrow," I told him, setting him down on the edge of his bed. "And you need to get some sleep.
"No, I don't, and neither do you!"
"Ashley," I huffed, "I actually do have plans for tomorrow. You're not the center of my world, believe it or not."
"Why not?" he looked at me blearily.
I sent him a frown as i pulled hi boots off, then gave him a gentle push so he fell back against his bed.
"Go to sleep and I'll see you later." I told him. "I'll call you tomorrow to check on you."
This night hadn't quite gone as I would have liked it too.

Notes

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