I nodded in agreement. My mind flashed back to Frank putting Pete in a head-lock one night for that comment.
“I can’t say that I disagree with you. Yes, he does look just like him.” I laughed. “But whatever you do, don’t make that comment to him!”
I was wiping the tear of laughter away from my eye when I noticed Ryan sit down three bar stools away from my new admirer. Standing dutifully behind him was one of his bodyguards.
“So Taryn, I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime. Go have some fun. What do you think?” Mr. Baseball Hat choked out.
Something about the nervous look on his face was funny to me. A small chuckle accidentally escaped my throat. The poor guy looked slightly petrified but yet he found a moment of bravery, and here I was being rude.
I quickly flashed my eyes over to Ryan. Ryan’s body stiffened in his seat and I noticed his grip got tighter on his glass. It looked like he was holding his breath.
“I’m very flattered, Jesse. But I’m going to have to say no. Sorry.” I was actually watching Ryan’s reaction out of the corner of my eye.
Ryan let out a big sigh as his lips twitched into a smirk. I think he actually wanted to smile but fought the emotion. I didn’t hide mine – I let the smile come out on my face.
“I figured you had a boyfriend anyway but it couldn’t hurt to ask.” Jesse shrugged.
Ryan finished his beer and slid his empty glass forward on the bar. “Excuse me, miss, can I get another beer please?” he said with a confident smile.
I grabbed his empty glass and tapped him a fresh beer in a clean, frosted mug.
I set the glass down and turned the handle of the mug so he’d be able to pick it right up in his hand. He slipped a ten-dollar bill on the bar and winked at me.
I left his money lay next to his glass and walked away; I had to wait on another customer and I had no intentions of accepting his money. I was wondering where Marie disappeared to when I noticed that she was over by the stage talking to Frank.
I watched as Ryan and his bodyguard walked back to the table to join his friends; a flock of women trailed behind him. I had to suppress my anger.
When the band finished their song, Frank started talking in the microphone. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a very talented lady here with us tonight, and if you give her some encouragement, maybe we can convince her to come up here and play for you.”
I looked up and scanned the crowd for the person he was talking about. I started to clap with everyone else.
“Taryn,” Frank called out as he looked at me. “Why don’t you come up here and play for these nice folks?”
My clapping hands stopped clapping. It felt like my hands were glued together.
“Oh, no.” My head spun as the shock set in. “No!”
“Come on, Taryn! One song!” Frank jeered. “Come on everyone, let’s give her a warm welcome!”
“No.” I was shaking my head so hard I was making myself dizzy. “No, I can’t.”
Marie grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me out from behind the bar. “Go show ‘em how special you are,” she whispered in my ear then gave me a shove towards the stage.
My heart was beating so hard in my chest I felt like I could pass out. “Remind me to fire you after this,” I griped at her.
The crowd clapped as I made my way to my piano. I was so embarrassed.
“What am I supposed to play?” I asked Frank.
“Whatever you want,” he answered. “We’ll try to back you.”
I took a deep breath and adjusted my piano bench. It had been quite a while since I played in front of people and now was not the best time for a panic attack.
I ran through the songs that I knew by heart. My eyes glanced across the crowded pub and I saw Ryan standing and watching me. As I thought of him, one particular song came to mind.
“Mmm, thank you.” I adjusted the microphone to my lips and blew out a heavy sigh to get my nerves in check.
“This song is one of my all time favorites and I hope you like it. Ahm, it’s called ‘You’ve got a friend.’ ”
I placed my fingers on the keys, took a deep breath, and started to play.
The music flowed and I miraculously remembered the lyrics and notes. I felt the strength and courage surge into me as my fingers danced over the keys.
As I played, I felt that every word, every note was meant for Ryan and Ryan alone. I hoped that when he closed his eyes he did think of me, and if he needed me all he had to do was call out my name. There was no explanation for my overwhelming feelings - I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.