Beat to Their Heart (3 page)

*****

When the band pulled up to the club, Joey was shocked. It was a lot bigger than he thought, and if Marty was right, this would be just what they needed to take off. They had been in the studio before to lay down tracks, but something was different. Things had just started to get real. Pulling out his drums, he took care with making sure the rims weren't scratched or dinged while he unloaded them. No one was at the club yet except the owners and the bartenders. Booker was already unloaded and connecting his amp while a cute little thing brought him a beer. God, he could use that right now. Maybe before he went on he would do a shot to calm his nervousness. This was their shot and he didn’t want to screw it up.

“Hey, man, you doing okay?” Mickey asked. They should name him Big Daddy or something because he’s always acted like a mother hen. He and the others knew about his past, but it’s not something they ever brought up, and when shit hit the fan, he knew they had his back. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t act like an ass from time to time.

Marty came over and gave them a onceover, making sure they looked okay. He made Hunter put on sunglasses and change his shirt, Mickey pulled his hair into a braid, while Booker left his down, and me, he gave me a weird look. Then the little shit told me to take my shirt off.

“You want me to do what?” There was no way he wanted him to take his shirt off.

“Listen, man, sex sells and since they can’t see you sitting behind the drums, they need to see something, so take off the shirt. The ladies will love it.” Joey glared at him, but it was Mickey who pulled him aside.

“Listen, bro, just do it. No one can really see too much, and no one close enough can see the marks. All they will see are the tattoos. Come on, Joey.” Mickey was practically pleading with him.

“Fine. But you fucking owe me,” he grumbled as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. His back was covered in tattoos, and his chest had several ones that had a special meaning to him. Walking over to the bar, he got a drink after everything was set up to his preference.

Time seemed to fly as they were given an introduction from the owner of the club. The club was located in a high trafficked area of LA that seemed to attract a lot of big names in music. Not thinking about that, Joey looked to his left that had the lineup of songs for the set, so he knew what was coming next. Looking out in the crowd he was surprised at how packed the club had become. Nothing like the small dives they had played in the past, this was the real deal. Giving everything he had to the music, he let Mickey take lead and when it came time for the drum fill, he let his sticks fly showing everyone what he could do.

When the song finished he was shocked at the cheers and screams coming from the crowd, but it was time for a break. He sure needed it. Not used to actual lights, he found himself thirsty. He could use another shot, but drank some water first, making sure he didn’t get sick and screw up his kit. He took a breather and actually found a seat at the bar to rest for a minute.

A young girl, who wore a, “I’m Twenty-one Today,” sash and crown walked over to him.

“Hey, you guys are awesome. Do you guys take requests?”

“Thanks for the compliment, but we don’t do covers, we are all original,” he said as he went about drinking his water. He wasn’t going to touch her. He needed to keep a clear head if he wanted to finish this set and see what would happen next. He spotted Marty talking with Mickey and some guys in expensive suits. Looking around the club, he noticed a larger younger crowd. Typical for this part. He was about to leave when he looked by the door to a woman who was definitely not twenty-one. Starting with her shoes, working his way up, she wore some type of boots with skintight jeans that showed off all her natural curves. Such a contrast to the skinny women who looked like toothpicks. Continuing his journey up her body, she wore a black tank top with no crazy designs or colors. It was a very simple outfit, but given her shape, it made his cock pay attention to her. A cute face that wasn’t covered in make-up, at least that he could see, and brown hair that was clipped in the front to keep it out of her face. She was definitely someone he wanted to talk to. Watching as she and her friend, whom he glanced at but didn’t give much thought, followed alongside.

Watching under hooded eye the two women asked for rum and cokes before turning and talking to each other. He had to get on stage soon, so he figured why not talk to her. The worst that could happen is she ignored him.

“Hi, ladies,” trying to remember what manners he did have.

“Umm, hi,” said the friend, while the beauty who captured his interest looked down at her drink trying to avoid eye contact.

“I’m Joey, and you ladies are?”

“Hi, Joey, I’m Casey, and this is Skylar.”

“Skylar, that’s a unique name,” he thought that sounded good. It'd been a while since he spoke normal to a woman instead of his usual line of "Let's fuck."

“You ladies having fun?” he asked, trying to make small talk, seeing if she would respond to him.

“We just got here. Heard the band is pretty hot. Do you know them?” Oh so they came to see the band.

“Yup, they are pretty good.” He smiled knowingly. “They go on in a few minutes. Do you like rock music, Skylar?” He was trying to get her attention, and when she did look up, warm brown eyes looked directly at him. Damn she was beautiful. The women he had before didn’t even come close in comparison to her.

“Yes, I like rock music, though I admit I don’t get to listen to a live band very often.”

“Well then you’re in for a treat. Look, I got to run, but can I talk to you later?” Hoping she would say yes, she just smiled at him sweetly before nodding. He turned and ran to the stage getting ready to start. He caught her in the audience and he kept his eyes on her while the others welcomed them back. He pointed his stick at her giving her a wink before counting out the song. Then he was in the zone.

Chapter Three

Sky felt her skin flush all over as Joey watched her while he played. She felt self-conscious already with her outfit, but Casey told her she looked great and not to worry about it. Simple jeans and a tank top, but she did have some boots she kept for special occasions. When Joey came over and talked to her, she didn’t know what to say or do. The man was built like a damn sexy god with his shirt off. Never had she thought a man like him would talk directly to her, but when he climbed on stage and started playing, desire bloomed inside. There was a pull to him she didn’t understand, even though she had only said a little more than two sentences to the man. Her eyes must have been huge because Casey was laughing at her while swaying to the music. The band was amazing, and she loved their name. Chasing Tail seemed to be a hit with this crowd. She wouldn’t be surprised if they weren't picked up soon, if not tonight. Joey broke eye contact from time to time as the beat picked up. The singer and lead guitarist were amazing, hell, the whole band was better than she had heard in a while. Then again, she had been playing Disney radio when she was in the car with Milo.

Taking another drink of her coke and rum, she allowed the music to move her. A couple guys had come over and offered to buy her another drink, which Casey had no problem accepting. When one returned with drinks, they all took turns dancing. The tall, darker skin male who seemed to take interest in her held on to her hips as she rocked to the rhythm. She wasn’t much of a dancer, but it didn’t seem like she had much choice.

After sitting down for a while, when she got back up to dance a few more times, she looked at Joey, who seemed annoyed, she didn’t know if it was her, or the guy who was getting a little to handsy for her taste. The band finished with loud applause and the DJ started to play while another band set up. Sky looked around trying to find Casey, but she was cuddling close to the man whom she was dancing with earlier.

“Come on, baby, let’s go somewhere and get to know each other better,” said Mr. Handsy as he ran his hands down to her ass making her gasp. He didn’t seem to get it.

“I don’t think so. Thanks anyway. I think I should find my friend.”

“She left with my friend, they won’t be back for a while. I can take care of you.” He started to rub himself against her and Sky wasn’t having any of it.

“Look, you need to let go. Thanks for the dance, but I’m leaving.”

“Come on, baby, you know you wanna come play.” He didn’t seem to take no for an answer. She pushed at him one more time, but this time he seemed too lost as he looked behind her. She could feel his presence before she could see him.

“Skylar, you okay? I’m sorry I took so long, I had to find a shirt.”

“I’m fine, Joey, really. He was just leaving, right?” She glared at the idiot as he finally released his hold on her.

“You’re the drummer right? You guys rock.”

“Thanks, but I think you should leave now,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Umm, you coming, babe?” The idiot didn’t seem to give up. However, Joey made himself known by standing next to her wrapping his arm around her.

“I think she is going to be fine. Now leave.” Sky felt like such an idiot that a guy like Joey had to come to her rescue. She really should not have left the house. When the idiot finally left, she could feel the tension radiating through Joey. Unable to resist, she placed her hand on his now covered chest trying to soothe him.

“Calm down now, big guy. It’s okay. He’s gone, thank you. There you go, nice and calm.” She smiled at him when he looked down at her with wide eyes.

Joey had never had someone try to soothe him before, normally no one gave a rat's ass, except his band mates. They cared, but most of the time they let him beat the shit out of something until his aggression passed, or he got shit faced drunk. But Skylar seemed to calm him deep down with her touch. Almost like a mother’s touch. Taking some deep breaths, he let everything go. He could still see the fucker grabbing her ass and rubbing himself suggestively against her. He could have screwed about half the women in the club, but he was drawn to her. He wasn't built for a relationship right now, maybe ever, but she seemed different from others he had met. Sky wasn’t a groupie, but a real woman, a caring woman.

“Are you really okay?” He turned her so he could look at her face to face. Damn, she was so small compared to him. With her heels she couldn’t have been more than five four to his six two frame.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you, now are you okay?” The concern in her eyes was almost overwhelming. She was so different from what he had experienced. The strange pull to her was like nothing he ever felt before, even in his past. Though not looking for a commitment, put aside the fact he wasn't in a place in his life to where he could offer one, if he could, she would be the one. It was crazy to have this feeling with someone you had just met.

“I’m fine, Sky, thanks to you. Do you want to sit down and talk for a bit? It’s kinda loud here, but we can go sit in the back. You can even have your friend come if you want." He saw the apprehension in her eyes. “Just talking Skylar, nothing else.” She seemed to think about it before looking around.

“I don’t see Casey anywhere, and since she didn’t tell me if she left, I can stay and talk for a couple minutes before I need to go.” Joey couldn’t help but smile as he reached down and took her hand in his. They were so soft compared to his callused ones. Joey pulled her in different directions, as people told him how good the set was until they finally made it to the back. A large man, who he knew as one of the club’s bouncers, let him pass. Walking to one of the backrooms he sat down in an overly large couch pulling Sky to sit down next to him.

“I have to say you took me by surprise when you told me you knew the band and then started to play. I didn’t see that coming, or maybe I should have. You didn’t have a shirt on.” She laughed at her little joke. Her laugh was deep, throaty, and sexy as hell. His cock grew with every sound.

“Yeah, not something I go around announcing, you know. Too many weird groupies.”

“Well, everyone wants the hot drummer, or the sexy lead singer. It’s like a weird girl thing.” He ran his hand along the back of her arm.

“The hot drummer, huh. So you think I’m hot?” He raised an eyebrow at her, which made her burst out laughing.

“You know you are, or you wouldn’t have had your shirt off.”

“It was a publicity ploy, not my idea. And I think you are beautiful.” He couldn’t help but say it out loud because she was.

“I bet you say that to every girl you bring back here.”

“Nope, never had a girl back here. And to be honest with you, normally if I wanted a girl, not much talking would be going on. But there is something interesting about you.”

“Me, really I’m not special.”

“There is something to you, Skylar. Tell me what you do, tell me about yourself.”

“Please call me Sky, my mother use to call me Skylar when I was in trouble. And I’m pretty boring. I’m an ER nurse, and a single mother to a six-year-old boy. Other than that, I don’t go out, ever. Well except for tonight, that’s because Casey bribed my normal babysitter and begged to the point I felt bad. So yeah. You can leave when you want.” She smiled but then looked down at her hands. Joey didn’t understand why she was now shutting him out. Lifting her chin, he looked her in the eyes.

“Why would I leave? I thought we were talking and having a good time.”

“The whole single mother thing normally scares people away.” A sad smile flashed across her face.

“Not me, I think it’s amazing that you are doing something as hard as raising a child by yourself. Most people aren’t strong enough to do that.” He shifted in his seat until he had one leg turned allowing him to look directly at her.

“You know, you’re nothing like I thought you would be. I heard that drummers are…”

“Asses, bastards, something like that? I normally am, trust me, baby. I’m a huge jackass, but something about you calms me. You sure you aren’t some weird witch, or did you put something in my water. I’m never this calm.” He was starting to get worried that something was wrong with him. He was a good time man. He played, got drunk, and screwed anything that he could get into when he needed some relief. But he was content just sitting on a damn couch talking with Sky. That didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about stripping her down and burying his dick into her sweet honey, but there was something so much more to her. It made him want to be a better person. Now he was thinking there really could be something seriously wrong with him.