Chemical Attraction Read Online Free Page B

rolled her eyes. Eva watched Joe laugh with David and the band.
    It had surprised Eva when Joe called last week about coming for a visit. He had a few weeks off and needed some down time. Of course, she agreed, telling him the guest room was his. He said he liked staying at Sylvia’s house. She hoped he could have some fun while here. He seemed to be off to a good start.

    As the crowd applauded, Joe laughed. “See, this is fun, right? Those chicks are definitely into you guys.”
    Wanting to keep an up-tempo, they continued with the Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman.” Looking over the crowd, he spotted Mrs. Folkert with her friends. She kept the beat with her foot and waved. Young women danced in the designated area in front of the band. With an arm around Eva, Matt tapped his other hand on the table. Even though he and Matt got along, Joe suspected that Matt might not be too happy by the end of his stay. As the band continued with their set, he watched Madeline continue her circuit around the room, chatting briefly with various groups.

    After a few more songs, while Eva was filling two cups at the punch bowl, she heard a commotion in the kitchen. Two rednecks in jackets were shoving around a shorter guy. She recognized the bullied man as Matt’s former classmate. Simon Baker lived with his mom, picking up odd jobs around town. Tonight, he was helping with the clean up.
    “What’s going on in here?” Eva demanded.
    “None of your business,” the guy in a worn brown suit with a paisley dress shirt replied.
    “Simon, are you okay?”
    “I said it’s none of your business,” the man repeated, stepping toward her.
    She stood her ground. “And I asked Simon if he’s okay.”
    As the guy reached for her arm, Simon stammered. “Don’t touch her.” The men turned and Simon backed away.
    “I want you both to leave this building now,” she said, folding her arms.
    “I wouldn’t make my wife mad if I were you,” Matt said from the doorway. “Corey, you and your friend had better leave now or you’ll enjoy a nice stay in my jail.”
    “No problem, Chief Connor,” Corey said as they headed for the kitchen exit.
    “Simon, what’s going on?” Matt asked, standing next to her.
    “Hi Matt, I liked your speech. It make me sad. I give my ten dollar.”
    “Did those guys hurt you?”Eva asked, moving closer to check on him. “Thank you for standing up for me. That was very brave.”
    “I like you and Matt. You are nice to me and my mama.”
    “Simon, if those guys bother you again, you tell me and I’ll take care of it,” Matt said, escorting her out of the kitchen.
    “Okay, Matt. Bye, Mrs. Matt, you look pretty tonight.”
    “Thank you, Simon,” she replied over her shoulder.
    “You need to be careful,” Matt said.
    “All I had to do was raise my voice and there you were. I won’t be bullied by those ruffians,” she said, looking around for Madeline, who was chatting with coworkers at the dessert table. Nearby, Dr. Russell was staring at her backside, talking to Bill Bennett whose thin ear-to-ear comb-over had started to slip, giving his bald head a sweaty shine.
    “Evie, are you causing trouble?” Joe asked, slipping on his tuxedo jacket. He stuffed his bow tie in his pocket and left the top two buttons on his shirt undone.
    “Never, thanks for helping David out,” she replied.
    “Those guys were so nervous. I think they’ll enjoy the next two sets.”
    As they talked, a young woman approached Joe. While talking to him, she tugged on his finger with one hand and flipped her hair from her face with the other. Matt grabbed Eva’s hand to lead her back to their seats. “Is he teaching our son how to pick up women?” He gestured to the stage. Two teenage girls chatted with David as he sipped his bottle of water.
    “Women love musicians,” Eva replied.
    “Should I dig my guitar out of the garage?”
    “Ooh, would you?” Eva squeezed Matt’s hand. “I’ll be your groupie.”
    “Hey, you