Broken Arrow

Today, it was Brian that slept in until the evening. He'd passed out soon after last nights events, still holding me. I hadn't left the bed, either; the last few days had taken a real physical toll on my body, which was still recovering from months of inactiveness since my breakup with Jack. From where I lay, my head upon Brian's chest as it slowly rose and fell with his breathing, I looked up. The clock radio read 8pm, and I figured it was probably about time I ate something.

I slowly eased myself out of Brian's arms, careful not to wake him, and padded my way out to the kitchen. There wasn't much in the way of food, save for some leftover Pizza from the post video-shoot party. I wasn't entirely sure if I could trust it not to give me food poisoning, but as my stomach let out a loud growl, I couldn't bring myself to really care.

I put it in the microwave and set the timer, singing quietly to myself; "I'm standing here on the ground, the sky above won't fall down, see no evil... in all directions. Resolution of happiness, things have been dark for too long. Don't change for you... Don't change a thing... for me."

It was extremely rare that I sang anymore. It'd been something I had shared with Jack, he'd been a Vocalist, also. We used to sing together all the time, and once he left me, I could barely sing a word without the flashbacks causing me to break down. But every so often, when my soul felt at ease, I could utter a soft melody and feel somewhat okay - Now was one of those moments.

The timer went off and I took the pizza out of the microwave. As I turned around, I found Brian sitting at the bar, his ever-so-annoyingly common smirk playing across his lips.

"You sounded good." he commented.
"How long have you been sitting there?" I asked.
"Long enough." the smirk grew into a genuine smile. "I don't think I've heard you sing since before you left for Chicago."
"And for good reason." I frowned, sitting down beside him and taking a bite out of my pizza. "I fucking suck."
"You're a little flat, maybe, but not entirely terrible." he criticized.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "You're just saying that to be nice."
"No, if I thought you fucking sucked ass, I would tell you to your face." he insisted.
"Have a good sleep?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Best I've had in awhile, actually." he chuckled. "Thanks to last night." he winked.
"You're welcome." I smirked

We heard the door to the extra bedroom open, and Johnny emerged. He had his leather jacket on, his black mohawk caked in wax and standing up perfectly. His sunglasses were on, even though we were inside and it was nighttime.

"I'm off." he announced, heading for the door.
"And just where are you going?" I asked.
"The bar, Mom." he laughed.
Brian hopped off his stool. "Not without us, you're not."
"Why?" Johnny asked.
"Someone's gotta keep an eye on my sister's boyfriend." he teased.
"Aw, don'tcha trust me?" Johnny grinned.
"To be fair, you're awfully dressed up and you look nice." I stated.
Brian scowled at me.
"What?" I laughed. "I liked punk guys when I was younger."
Brian shook his head. "Where are you going, anyway?"
"Feelgood's" said Johnny.
Brian and I exchanged looks, and he cleared his throat. "What's on?"
"Open Mic, thought I'd check out the local talent, goin' stir crazy in that bedroom."
"Well, I wouldn't mind sinking a few beers and watching." Brian said. "I'll grab my guitar, maybe get up myself."
"Brian!" I laughed.
"What?"
"You're already in a band, a fairly successful band, I might add."
"And?"
"Don't be an attention whore." I teased.
"You sing then." he challenged.
My face fell.
"Hey!" Johnny piped up. "That'd be awesome!"
"You're joking." I said.
"I'm not." Brian's tone was matter-of-factly. "Why? You scared?"
"No." I defended. "I'm just not at the same level as you guys, it's intimidating."
"How?" Johnny asked.
"I'm just kinda there, no-one special."
"You're special." Brian blurted out, mine and Johnny's attention shot to him. "I mean, you're special to us."
"That's sweet." I smiled weakly.
"C'mon Ruby." Johnny urged. "I don't think I've ever heard you sing."
"Johnny wants you to?" Brian encouraged.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh fine." I sighed, shaking my head. "Let me go get ready."

Brian hi-fived Johnny as I headed into the bedroom...

***

We got to Feelgood's and followed Johnny through to what would normally be the VIP section on any other night. It was a small room, big enough to fit maybe fifty people. A golden chandeleir dimly lit the red and black damask wallpaper, and red velvet couches lined the walls. Half a dozen black wooden tables were spaced out around the room, and a small raised platform below a TV screen stood at the very back of the room.

Next To Me (It's You) - Louna Maroun



A familiar-looking redhead sat atop a bar stool with her guitar, singing; "All that I have is your photograph, wish I could wake up where you are. I'm inclined to dream that I could be beneath your sun, but I'm seeing stars..."

It was the same girl who'd fronted that Crimson Coyote band the first night we'd arrived in Vegas. Her voice sounded different tonight, softer, more emotionally driven. Her expression was solemn, her eyes cast down as she played and sang. We'd taken our seats, and Brian was watching her intently, an expression I couldn't quite read playing upon his face.

"And I won't rest til you're next to me, all but breath is what's left of me. Til I can look to my right, have you lay by my side, and bring the best in me..."

Johnny got up to get drinks and Brian's eyes flitted to me for a moment, glittering in the low light. His hand laid upon the table, resting next to the ashtray someone had used to previously, clad in his black fingerless gloves. A warm shiver spread throughout my body, and my heart fluttered.

"I'm becoming tired of just words that you write, I wanna hear them from your lips. I lay here ignited alone in the night, I wanna feel your fingertips..."

The singer's words felt like a push, and I ran my fingertips across Brian's arm. His attention stayed focused on the redhead on the stage, not giving any to the redhead by his side. He didn't flinch as I curled my fingers around his, holding his hand. I suddenly breathed in more air than I probably needed, exhaling deeply as sparks spread up my arm, warming my chest.

"And I won't rest til you're next to me, all but breath is what's left of me. Til I can look to my right, have you lay by my side, and bring the best in me..."

Brian's head turned and our eyes locked. He licked over his lips and I bit mine. Another deep inhale; his gaze was intoxicating and I couldn't look away. He edged closer to me.

"No I won't rest til you're next to me. Til all but breath is what's left of, left of me. Til I can look to my right, have you lay by my side, and bring the best in, best in, best in... best in me"

He let go of my hand and looked away as he joined the crowd in applause. I sighed, joining in on the applause as the singer left the stage.

The host walked to the microphone and spoke; "That was the lovely Louna Maroun, all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Who would like to step up, next?"

Johnny had just returned to the table, and Brian picked up the guitar case at his feet, nudging me. I followed him over to the stage.

"Looks like we have some takers." The host said. "What are your names?"
"Brian." he muttered, keeping his head down as he got his guitar out and plugged in.
"And you, young lady?" he asked, holding the microphone out to me.
"Ruby."
"The stage is yours." he smiled, and left us alone.

As Brian began to play, I recognized the song instantly, I closed my eyes and began to sing; "We both lie silently still in the dead of the night. Although we both lie close together we feel miles apart inside. Was it something I said or something I did? Did my words not come out right? Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried. But I guess that's why they say every rose has its thorn-"

"YEAH!" The redhead who was named Louna yelled from the crowd, clapping enthusiastically.

I smiled, and kept on; "Just like every night has its dawn. Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song, every rose has its thorn..."

My voice was lower than usual, a little rock n roll rasp around the edges. A style I hadn't known I was capable of singing until now.

"I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio, hear the DJ say love's a game of easy come and easy go. But I wonder does he know? Has he ever felt like this? And I know that you'd be here right now. If I could have let you know somehow. I guess..."

I watched as Johnny got his lighter out, swaying it in the air as we continued.

"Every rose has its thorn, just like every night has its dawn. Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song, every rose has its thorn..."

I put a whole lot more power behind my voice as I sang the bridge, as it held the most meaning to me right now; "Though it's been a while now, I can still feel so much pain. Like a knife that cuts you the wound heals, but the scar, that scar remains..."

Brian played a very beautifully executed, acoustic version of the guitar solo.

"I know I could have saved a love that night if I'd known what to say. Instead of makin' love we both made our separate ways... And now I hear you found somebody new and that I never meant that much to you. To hear that tears me up inside, and to see you cuts me like a knife I guess-"

The entire crowd had started singing along, and I threw my voice in very much the same way that Matt would throw his when he was trying to convey extreme emotion; "Every rose has its thorn, just like every night has its dawn. Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song, every rose has its thorn..."

As Brian finished playing, the crowd erupted with applause. I looked over at Brian, his eyebrows were raised and his lips pouting in such a way that showed he was incredibly impressed. I smiled back at him, and got down from my stool. Brian packed up and we both went back to our table.

"Hey." he said, sitting back down beside me. "You were actually pretty fuckin' great up there."
"Yeah." Johnny agreed. "Nice job."
"Thanks." I felt shy, not used to compliments on my voice.
"I never knew you could throw your voice like that." Brian noted.
"I don't even know where that came from, to be honest." I admitted. "I just kinda went for it, heat of the moment kinda thing."
"Well, it worked." he said.

"Excuse me?" Came a female's voice, her accent was Australian. "Ruby, is it?"
"Hi." I smiled.
"I'm Louna." she held her hand to shake mine.
"Nice to meet you."
"That was a really beautiful performance you just gave, and well, I just thought I'd come and tell you that." she rambled. "I hope that's not weird."
"Not at all." I grinned. "Sit with us?"
"Oh, I was just about to leave, actually, I have to get up early to catch a plane back home." She frowned. "But you guys have fun, okay?"
"Okay, and thank you." I nodded. "It really does mean a lot."
"That's alright." she smiled. "Take care!"
"Ohh, she fine." Johnny commented, staring at her ass as she walked away.
Brian punched his arm.
"Hey!" he protested.
"Don't forget whose little sister is waiting at home for you, pal." Brian threatened.
"Easy." I laughed, putting a hand on Brian's shoulder. "He won't do anything, will you, Johnny?"
"Of course not!"
"Not on my fuckin' watch, he won't." Brian growled.
"Alright, Shithead." I laughed. "Have a fucking drink, and chill out."

He scowled at me as he drank deeply from his glass...

Notes

There was gonna be another section to this chapter, but it's already long enough.
Shouldn't be too long before I write and post another chapter, which I'm sure you're all going to enjoy :P

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