Pieces of You Read Online Free Page B

up.
    Riley leans on the hard bar top and watches as Tim sits at his kit. "Old friend of yours, I assume?" She smirks in my direction.
    "Him?" I set my bottle on the bar and lean back on both elbows. "Never met him before in my life." I shake my head from side to side. Lying and by her grin, I can tell that she knows.
    Tim pounds on the drums a few times as Corey tunes his bass. "That's Tim. I've known him since kindergarten. As a matter of fact, he was my garden raiding accomplice." I admit to her and warm at the memory.
    "I see." She contemplates my reply. "Her eyes watch the horde of women rush the stage and start vying for attention from the band. Each one of the guys is in some sort of relationship, except Tim. Tim is The Band's whore, and women are constantly trying to land him. It's absolutely laughable.
    "Who's ready to shake The Shake tonight?" Tim screams into the mic as the rest of the band begin taking their place on stage. The women in the audience start screaming, and the men watch from the side of the dance floor.
    "He's kind of a ladies' man." I follow her gaze and see Tim raise his beer and tip his hat in her direction. Rolling my eyes, I look at her. "Do me a favor and don't fall for his shit. He's more of a fuck 'n chuck kinda guy, and you're..." I size her up. Her long legs look amazing in those jeans, and her pillow lips look soft and inviting. I'm mesmerized briefly as the music starts, and I can no longer hear her voice. I can only watch her lips as they form words, hypnotizing me.
    Leaning in, she calls out, "I'm sorry. I can't hear you." I smell her light scent and close my eyes. I'm taken back to the first night I met Mel, and my smile drops. Riley notices my walls going up, and her hand finds my shoulder. The band is playing loudly in my ear, and the memory is still so fresh - it's painful.
    "Ty, are you okay?" She leans in again and asks loud enough for me to hear her question. Deciding to play it off, I act like I was momentarily distracted by something over her shoulder.
    "Fine. I just thought I saw something." I smile tightly and watch her as she accepts my answer and returns to watching the band. Slowly, I join her and I scan the crowd, pushing the memory aside for the time being. Sasha is at the stage - front and center - screaming for the band. That woman won't stop until she takes her next victim home.
    The first song ends and the bar goes crazy. The Band is really good, and they deserve every cheer they receive.
    "So what's the name of the band?" Riley questions as she places her empty bottle on the bar top. "I never got the chance to ask your friend." Glancing back, she calls to the bartender. "Water please," when he appears to replace her bottle with a fresh drink.
    "Make that two waters, Mark." I order and he nods, returning with two fresh glasses of ice water.
    I chuckle. "The name of the band is just that." Turning again, I lean my hip against the bar, taking both waters in my hands and passing one to her.
    "Just that? That's a strange name for a band." She offers.
    "No, it's The Band." I remove the straw and drink directly from the glass. "They could never decide on a name, so they just went with The Band. It works for them."
    She brings the straw to her lips, and I clear my throat.
    As the band plays on we watch them and sing along to the covers we know. Before long, the set is done and the bar DJ begins playing the standard Wednesday night country music.
    As the dance floor fills, I catch her glance in my direction, and she smiles when she gets caught. "So, Riley. It's been great hanging out with you tonight, but I have to head home. I start a new job tomorrow, and I heard the new boss is a tight ass. I'm afraid of what the repercussions would be if I was late."
    She shakes her head. "I know how you feel." She sighs. "I have a new employee tomorrow, and if he shows up late, or hung over, I'm gonna have to turf his ass." She winks at me.
    Tim returns just as we finish the exchange,