Sandman (8 page)

“Oh, my, God! You guys are fantastic!” Meagan beamed inside and out.

Once inside they were directed to the center table, only four chairs from the stage. Meagan and Theresa sat across from Sarah and Katy. The main floor of the venue was made up of several long tables where everyone sat together. Private tables ran around the back of the club, but if you wanted a seat close to the stage, you shared a table with others.

They drank cocktails and chatted while they waited for their food.

“So, who’s the opening act tonight?” Meagan asked.

Katy looked at the program, “The Ravens.”

“Never heard of them,” Meagan replied.

Once their food arrived, their mouths were busy, and silence ensued. Just as they finished eating, the lights dimmed.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, The Coach House is proud to present… The Ravens!”

The band descended the stairs to the right of the stage and the crowd gave halfhearted applause.

As if on cue, the girls turned their seats toward the stage. The band started with a slow song. The lead singer, who also played an acoustic steel string guitar, was standing front and center.

He was easy on the eyes with his well-trimmed dark beard, eyes that were framed by long black lashes, and height that towered over his band mates. His voice was low and sexy, and Meagan found her eyes riveted to his.

After they finished their first song, Sarah leaned across the table, and yelled to be heard over the applause.

“Meagan, he’s singing to
you
.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The guy’s probably blinded by the stage lights. He’s just staring in the direction of the crowd.”

But by the end of the set, Meagan noticed that the guy did appear to be singing every song to her.

After the band left the stage, the lights came up. All at once the girls converged on Meagan, talking over one another.

“Did you see that?” Theresa asked.

“I swear he was staring at you the whole time,” Sarah added.

 “Meagan, he is
so
hot, I bet he asks you out,” Katy chimed in.

“Come on you guys,” Meagan said, embarrassed. “His girlfriend is probably sitting in the audience somewhere around us.”

They fell into easy chatter while they waited for the stage to be set for the main act. Meagan scanned the room. Everyone was talking, drinking, and laughing. A woman walked by with a basket of roses.

“Does anyone ever buy flowers from those women?” Theresa asked.

“I had a guy buy me one on our first date once,” Meagan replied. “It lasted a day, which was about as long as the relationship did. It was probably a sign.” She laughed.

The lights came down once again, and Chris Isaak took the stage to loud applause. An hour and a half later, the girls were standing to leave.

“That was wonderful, you guys. Thank you so much for the best birthday ever.” Meagan hugged her friends.

Just then the flower girl approached Meagan and extended a red rose with a note attached. Meagan accepted the rose with bewilderment. As she read the card, she laughed.

“Very funny, you guys. Who thought this one up?” Meagan stared directly at her friend, “Katy?”

“Not me, I swear.” Katy said. “What does it say?”

The girls huddled around Meagan as she read the note.

“Meet me for a drink, I won’t take no for an answer.

It’s signed
Drew
. Who do you think this Drew is?” Meagan looked around the room.

“I bet it’s the lead singer of The Ravens,” Theresa answered.

“Oh, it’s just like a Danielle Steel novel. He’ll get rich and famous, and you’ll get married and live happily ever after.” Sarah said.

“Then he’ll become an alcoholic and get killed one night driving home, taking an innocent child with him. And I’ll live the rest of my life in shame. I think I’ve read that one.” “Cynical,” Katy said.

They made their way toward the exit. Meagan couldn’t help herself from looking around to see if anyone was watching her. They walked out with the crowd to Sarah’s SUV.

Meagan was just reaching out her hand to open the car’s door, when someone suddenly touched her other arm. Startled, she spun around and came face to face with the lead singer of The Ravens.

“Are you Drew?” At the sound of Meagan’s voice, the other women turned to look in her direction.

“You can’t just walk out of my life. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” His voice was soft and low.

The timbre made Meagan quiver, but she ignored it.

“Does that line work for you often?” Meagan didn’t try to hide the disdain from her voice. “I’m sorry, but I’m not the groupie type. You might want to try that line on one of the younger girls. I’m sure you can find someone that would be more than willing to go home with you tonight.”

Meagan turned her back on him.

“Wait.” He gripped her arm. “You don’t understand.” Desperation tinged his voice. “That wasn’t a line. Obviously you have no idea how incredible you are.”

“Jeez, corny much? Can I have my arm back, please?” Meagan pulled away, and he released her.

Theresa spoke up. “Meagan, one drink won’t hurt. We’ll all go with you.” She turned on Theresa with steely eyes.

“Yes, everyone come, I just want to get to know you,” Drew pleaded.

Katy chimed in. “Come on, Meagan, it’ll be fun. We’ll go down to The Wind and Sea and have cocktails on the water.”

“Yeah, we were planning on going there anyway. He can tag along,” Sarah added.

Meagan felt cornered.

“Well, it looks like I’m outnumbered. Fine, you can follow us,” she told Drew, making clear the resigned note in her voice.

“Great, I’ll just get my car. It’s parked around back.” Turning to Sarah. “You’ll wait for me?”

“Of course,” Sarah answered reassuringly.

“Don’t take too long,” Meagan yelled.

The girls climbed into the SUV. As soon as the doors were closed, Theresa turned to Meagan. “Jesus, did you have to be so rough on the poor guy?”

“Believe me, he’s not just some poor defenseless guy. He probably pulls this routine on a different woman after every show. Your problem is you trust too easily.” Meagan pursed her lips.

“And your problem is you don’t trust at all,” said Theresa.

“I’ve met plenty of guys like him and they all have the same goal in mind. You wouldn’t know, you’ve been dating women your whole life,” Meagan said.

“Not my
whole
life, I was married once
too
, you know.” Theresa said.

Katy turned around. “It’s just one drink, then we’ll go home.”

The car was silent a moment, then Meagan said softly, “I’m sorry, I promise I’ll behave. This night’s been so great, I don’t want it spoiled now.”

“That’s the spirit”, Sarah said. ”Now, here he comes.”

He followed them in a white panel van to the Dana Point Harbor. Drew got out and crossed the parking lot. Theresa held back and struck up a conversation with him.

They walked through the bar and out onto the patio to sit by the water. They ordered drinks, and he lit a cigarette.

Katy was the first to speak. “We really enjoyed your band. How long have you been together?”

“Well, the band’s been together for ten years, but I’ve only been with them for three,” Drew replied.

“Have you recorded any CDs?” Theresa asked.

“We recorded one on our own, but we haven’t been picked up by a label yet. That’s what this tour is all about. Before this, we played Los Angeles and next we hit San Diego.”

“You’re really good, I’m sure you’ll have a contract soon. How old are you?” Sarah asked.

Meagan cringed at the obvious interrogation by her friends.

“I’m thirty-two, but I’ve been playing in bands about fifteen years. There were some record execs in the audience in L.A., but we haven’t heard anything yet.”

“How long have you been touring?” Meagan finally asked. Drew looked at her and smiled.

“On and off for about three years now. They were already booked to tour when their lead singer got sick. I was a friend of his and was only supposed to fill in until he got better. Unfortunately for him, the band decided to keep me. I was uncomfortable about it at first, but then I reasoned, that’s showbiz.”

“Where do you live?” Theresa chimed in.

“Right now hotels and motels, but my home is in Northern California.”

Meagan was quiet as she listened to the conversation. The alarm bells that had first chimed through her head had quieted down substantially. Drew didn’t appear to be the egomaniac she’d thought; in fact, his personality was more shy and unassuming.

He wore faded jeans and a plaid flannel shirt. The casual look suited him. Now that he was so close, she could tell that the color of his eyes were hazel.

The one drink turned into many, and they ended up closing the bar. As they walked across the parking lot, Drew turned to Meagan, “Can I see you again?”

“I don’t see the point, you’re leaving.”

“We’re going to be here ’til Sunday. We’re staying just down the street. Next we’ll be in San Diego, that’s not such a long drive. Please say you’ll see me tomorrow. At least let me call you.” His brows rose.

“That won’t be necessary.” Meagan answered and watched as disappointment crossed his face. “I’ll meet you here tomorrow night at seven.”

He smiled. “Great. You won’t be sorry.”

TWELVE

Meagan let herself in through her back door. Instantly Godzilla was all over her, and she scratched behind his ears. “I missed you too, boy.” In the bedroom, she disrobed and wrapped her naked body up with her red silk kimono. After she washed her face and brushed her teeth, she closed the back door and returned to her room.

Expecting to see the dog waiting for her on the bed, she was surprised to find it empty. “Godzilla?” Meagan walked back out of the bedroom and checked the living room, then stuck her head out the back door.

“Godzilla!” she said in a whispered shout. “It’s three o’clock in the morning!”

She spotted him as she rounded the corner of the house. He was at point, growling at the hedge dividing the property. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she circled herself with her arms.

Meagan inched her way toward him. “Godzilla?” A twig snapped somewhere in the dark ahead. She snatched his collar with her right hand. “Come on, boy, there’s probably a skunk in there ready to spray you this very minute.” She tried to remain calm, but her voice was shaky.

The dog ignored her. A low growl continued at the back of his throat. Whatever Godzilla had cornered wasn’t moving now. Meagan tugged on the collar, but he wouldn’t budge. A loud bark made her jump, and she pulled at him harder. “Come on, you’re going to wake the entire neighborhood.”

She grabbed onto his collar with both hands. It took a few good tugs before she was able to get him to move. She kept a hand on him all the way into the house. He fought her the entire time as he tried to whip his head in the direction of the hedge.

Meagan yanked the dog into the house, slammed the door and locked it. She sank to her knees and hugged him close. She didn’t know why she was letting herself get all worked up. It was probably just a possum.

***

The man remained hunched in the bushes, his knife tucked in close. Sweat trickled down his face and back, even though the night air was cool. He’d just reached out to grab the fucking dog when
she
rounded the corner. The stupid animal had no idea how close it was to becoming fish food.

She spoke to the beast as if it were fucking human. He hated animals, had no use for them. When she advanced toward him, he jerked back into the shadows and heard that damn snap. She heard it too. He saw the fear in her eyes. It made him hard. She was so close he could smell her pussy.

That robe she wore barely covered her rust-colored mound, and when she moved he caught a glimpse. The cold air made her nipples hard, and they strained against the silky fabric. Fuck. The pain in his groin grew unbearable. He wanted her so bad, he could taste it. Taste her. That motherfucking dog had to go.

He’d been ready to pounce when she pulled the dog away. Two more seconds. Just two more fucking seconds, and the dog would’ve been dead, and he’d have her all to himself.

He wanted to savor every minute with her. She was special, a thoroughbred. He would make her his own.

He would be back.

THIRTEEN

The next night Thomas arrived at Malone’s house around five. The invitations for dinner came often, but he usually declined. Malone’s wife, Gail, had a tendency to try and fix him up with all her friends. Either she’d run out of friends, or she’d finally given up, because tonight she promised he would be the only guest. He was more than happy, to say the least. Gail was an excellent cook, and it had been too long since he’d had one of her meals.

Malone had two kids, five-year-old Mandy and Danny, who turned eight today.

Before he knew it the door burst open and Danny rushed out. “Uncle J.J., I missed you!”

Thomas set his package down and squatted to give the boy a hug. “It’s great to see you too, Sport.” He handed Danny his gift.

Danny ripped off the wrapping paper and squealed. “Thanks, Uncle J.J., you’re the best!” He disappeared into the house with his prize.

“Happy Birthday!” Thomas called after him.

Gail walked out from the kitchen drying her hands on a dishtowel. “What did you do, J.J., get him another video game? We can’t drag him away from that damn machine as it is. You do know that’s considered contributing to the delinquency of a minor. I’m going to have to have my husband arrest you.”

She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Glad you could make it, come on in. I’ll have John fix you a drink. I’m just finishing up with the salad.”

“Smells great,” Thomas had just stepped into the house when Malone appeared from the back.

“Hey, get your ass in here and close the door, you’re letting all the flies in.” He slapped Thomas on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you. You want a scotch or beer?”