No Longer Alone

Chapter Eight

*Nicole's POV*

    After my song, I stayed on the floor choosing to loose myself in the music for a moment, needing a moment to calm myself before dealing with pretty boy and his friend again.   I had felt them watching me while I was singing and did my best to ignore it.  I wasn't a great singer, but Jen and Adam had been so supportive that I was able to start doing this for fun, and was rarely having anxiety attacks anymore at doing this, I'd still feel the nerves, and a bit of the shakes, but no where near what it was before.

    Hearing the end of the song I started clapping for Jen as was the rest of the bar, she really did have an amazing voice and was a pleasure to listen to.  She was smiling at me as we headed off the floor, and I watched Damian stride forward complimenting her and taking the mic from her, without a glance my way.  I flushed slightly, feeling a touch of agitation at the perceived slight.  

    "Thank you..." Jen said with a touch of confusion looking at me as he walked past without saying anything else.  "Well okay then...he's an odd one."

    I hear the familiar song beats starting and stop in my tracks, turning to look at him as the music for Bad Liar comes on, a song that I myself have been known to sing occasionally.  He starts singing the familiar words, and I can hear a difference in the way he and I sing the song.  When I sing it, I loose myself in the memories of those who were bad liars, the pain of the song, the feeling of being lost.  As I listen to his voice, there seems to be a challenge to the words. As he moves into the chorus of the the song I can't help but seek out his eyes, and am started by the green fire that seems to stare right back at me for a moment, before turning to look away.  I had to be imagining this, just the overactive imagination of the crazy one.  

    Jen gives my arm a tug and we head up to select our next song so we don't mess up the rotation, a few other singers have joined tonight, some good, some not so great, but Jen and I do better when we do our songs near each other, its almost a given that we do this.  Thinking carefully I pick my next song, "Rescue Me" by One Republic.  It took me a long time to get the breathing just right, but I am the only one that comes here that can sing it, and it always impresses people.  Jen makes her choice and we head back to our corner. 

    Adam reaches out and hugs Jen like he hasn't seen her in a year, making me laugh, while Alex looks towards where Damian is singing before moving to my side where he gives a flirty smile.

    "Are you sure I can't convince you to play partners with me against your brother here and a partner for him?  I'd love to share my stick with you and let you play with my balls..." he says this while wiggling his eyebrows, Damian coming up behind at the end of it, with a flash of something in his eyes.

    "Keep your stick and your balls to yourself, Alex.  If you need a partner for the next game that bad, I'll play."  Damian's tone is dry but light, as if he is used to seeing this from his friend.  

    "So, sorry if I missed this earlier, but I think this is the first time we have seen you here, you guys local or no?"  Jen pipes up with a smile while I just take a sip of my beer.

    "Well, I was born here and moved away for work for a long time.  Currently I'm just on vacation though with this guy, finally managed to convince him to take some time away from the big city to come visit.  Thought you guys would never ask, what about you?"  Alex leans a little holding his pool stick waiting for the answer with a smile, while Damian seems to be focused on everything else in the room.

    "Well, Adam and I have lived here for about 10 years now, but we were both originally from different areas.  I'm sure you have heard all about his welding shop by now." Jen smiles up at her husband as Alex nods listening to her. "I'm working over at Janelle's Jewelers, which I keep trying to get Nicole in to come and see me."

    "Woman I am just fine with the jewelry I have.  How many times do I have to tell you I don't need anything that expensive.  It is you and my mom that love that shiny stuff, not me." I respond with a grin, this is an old game with Jen and I.  She has amazing tastes, and she knows well what would suit me, but with taking care of my kids, my mom, and trying to work on the house, I just can't bring myself to justify spending money on higher dollar jewelry.

    "I know you don't like regular diamonds, but there is a set there with black diamonds that I think you would just love..."  Jen starts again, and I notice Damian has stopped scanning the room and seems to be staring at something in particular.

    "Jen, you know I would love to see what you picked out, but there are other things that need to be taken care of, I don't want to waste your time at work when I couldn't get it right now anyways."  I shake my head and laugh at her a little then go and give her a hug for thinking of me.

    "This isn't over yet chicka, I will find a way to make sure you get that set, it was practically made for you."  Jen and I chuckle a little as our normal battle comes to an end for the night, with me heading up to sing my next song, all I can focus on is making sure that I get my breathing right.