The FTB gang poured another round and resumed their lighthearted banter. Jon noticed the place was beginning to fill up; the waitresses were now hustling to bring drinks and food out to the tables.
About 20 minutes later the lights dimmed and a hoot of approval went up from the crowd. Jon looked questioningly at Cate. “Karaoke,” she said by way of explanation. “Alternates with dance music every hour until last call.”
Jon nodded approvingly. This should be fun… He always got a kick out of watching amateurs get up on stage and try their hand at performing. There was something so honest about it, especially for those who knew they had no talent. And every now and then someone was surprisingly decent.
Jon settled back in his seat, draping his arm casually across the back of Cate’s chair. Cate moved a little closer to him and slid her leg alongside his again. Jon was glad the lights were down. Now he didn’t have to worry so much about being recognized, or about someone seeing him share little touches and looks with Cate.
The first brave karaoke singer, a youngish man, took the stage. He started to sing the theme from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” raising a loud, rowdy whoop from the crowd. Jon laughed out loud; he now realized he was in for a long night of country music. And that was just fine with him. He wasn’t anxious to hear yet another butchering of “Wanted” or “Prayer.”
As the singer finished, Cate turned to look at Jon. She leaned toward him so he could hear her over the crowd’s applause. “Having fun?” she asked, her shoulder brushing against his chest.
“Absolutely,” Jon answered sincerely. He smiled at her, moving his arm from her chair back to her shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze. He quickly slipped his arm back to the chair, trying to be discrete even in the dim light.
“Good,” Cate said. “You worked hard this week – you deserve to unwind a little.”
“So do you, Teach,” Jon replied. “I think you need another beer.” He reached forward to refill Cate’s glass from the half-empty pitcher, then topped off his own glass.
“Hey there, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were trying to get me drunk!” Cate teased, picking up the glass and taking a sip. “It’s a long way to last call…plenty of time for that.”
Jon chuckled. “I can’t get too drunk – I have to be on a plane by seven. That’s…” he checked his watch. “Eleven hours from now. That means I should probably stop drinking at about five.”
Cate giggled. “Don’t worry, you lush. Bars close down here at 2 a.m. You have plenty of time to get snockered, and a little time to sober up before your flight.”
“Two o’clock, eh? That leaves me a couple hours to take advantage of you after you’re good and drunk, then,” Jon grinned suggestively, only half-teasing. He would never take advantage of an inebriated woman, but he wouldn’t mind if Cate took advantage of him, tipsy or not.
“Keep dreaming, Rock Star,” Cate responded with a sly smile. She turned her attention back to the stage as an older man stepped up to the microphone. “Hey, it’s Billy!” she exclaimed. “He hasn’t sung in awhile!”
Mandy turned around to look at Cate and nodded. She smiled at Jon. “This isn’t too painful for you to watch, is it? After all, you’re a professional.”
“Naw, it’s great! Nice to let somebody else do the singing for once,” Jon replied, leaning forward so Mandy could hear him. As he leaned, his hand moved to Cate’s back. He gently rubbed his palm up and down between her shoulder blades.
“So, no chance we’ll get you up there tonight?” Mandy asked hopefully.
Jon shook his head. “Sorry, Babe. Tonight I’m just a face in the crowd.” He flashed Mandy one of his sexy grins. “Promise I’ll sing something for you next week; just not here.”
“Deal!” Mandy agreed eagerly. She grinned at Cate then turned to resume the conversation she had been having with Brandon.
Jon returned his arm to Cate’s chair back and shifted a little closer to her. He felt Cate’s foot tapping in time to the music as Billy turned in a decent Randy Travis impersonation. Her leg was still resting against his, and the movement caused their calves to rub together. Jon sighed happily and looked at her.
She was mouthing the words to the song, her lips glistening in the low light. Jon felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her. Silently he cursed the crowd and their present company. He was beginning to think the only alone time he was going to get with her was in a mat room at the gym.
About 20 minutes later the lights dimmed and a hoot of approval went up from the crowd. Jon looked questioningly at Cate. “Karaoke,” she said by way of explanation. “Alternates with dance music every hour until last call.”
Jon nodded approvingly. This should be fun… He always got a kick out of watching amateurs get up on stage and try their hand at performing. There was something so honest about it, especially for those who knew they had no talent. And every now and then someone was surprisingly decent.
Jon settled back in his seat, draping his arm casually across the back of Cate’s chair. Cate moved a little closer to him and slid her leg alongside his again. Jon was glad the lights were down. Now he didn’t have to worry so much about being recognized, or about someone seeing him share little touches and looks with Cate.
The first brave karaoke singer, a youngish man, took the stage. He started to sing the theme from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” raising a loud, rowdy whoop from the crowd. Jon laughed out loud; he now realized he was in for a long night of country music. And that was just fine with him. He wasn’t anxious to hear yet another butchering of “Wanted” or “Prayer.”
As the singer finished, Cate turned to look at Jon. She leaned toward him so he could hear her over the crowd’s applause. “Having fun?” she asked, her shoulder brushing against his chest.
“Absolutely,” Jon answered sincerely. He smiled at her, moving his arm from her chair back to her shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze. He quickly slipped his arm back to the chair, trying to be discrete even in the dim light.
“Good,” Cate said. “You worked hard this week – you deserve to unwind a little.”
“So do you, Teach,” Jon replied. “I think you need another beer.” He reached forward to refill Cate’s glass from the half-empty pitcher, then topped off his own glass.
“Hey there, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were trying to get me drunk!” Cate teased, picking up the glass and taking a sip. “It’s a long way to last call…plenty of time for that.”
Jon chuckled. “I can’t get too drunk – I have to be on a plane by seven. That’s…” he checked his watch. “Eleven hours from now. That means I should probably stop drinking at about five.”
Cate giggled. “Don’t worry, you lush. Bars close down here at 2 a.m. You have plenty of time to get snockered, and a little time to sober up before your flight.”
“Two o’clock, eh? That leaves me a couple hours to take advantage of you after you’re good and drunk, then,” Jon grinned suggestively, only half-teasing. He would never take advantage of an inebriated woman, but he wouldn’t mind if Cate took advantage of him, tipsy or not.
“Keep dreaming, Rock Star,” Cate responded with a sly smile. She turned her attention back to the stage as an older man stepped up to the microphone. “Hey, it’s Billy!” she exclaimed. “He hasn’t sung in awhile!”
Mandy turned around to look at Cate and nodded. She smiled at Jon. “This isn’t too painful for you to watch, is it? After all, you’re a professional.”
“Naw, it’s great! Nice to let somebody else do the singing for once,” Jon replied, leaning forward so Mandy could hear him. As he leaned, his hand moved to Cate’s back. He gently rubbed his palm up and down between her shoulder blades.
“So, no chance we’ll get you up there tonight?” Mandy asked hopefully.
Jon shook his head. “Sorry, Babe. Tonight I’m just a face in the crowd.” He flashed Mandy one of his sexy grins. “Promise I’ll sing something for you next week; just not here.”
“Deal!” Mandy agreed eagerly. She grinned at Cate then turned to resume the conversation she had been having with Brandon.
Jon returned his arm to Cate’s chair back and shifted a little closer to her. He felt Cate’s foot tapping in time to the music as Billy turned in a decent Randy Travis impersonation. Her leg was still resting against his, and the movement caused their calves to rub together. Jon sighed happily and looked at her.
She was mouthing the words to the song, her lips glistening in the low light. Jon felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her. Silently he cursed the crowd and their present company. He was beginning to think the only alone time he was going to get with her was in a mat room at the gym.
Patience… he reminded himself. If all went according to plan, he would have Cate all to himself this time tomorrow.
Billy finished his song and Cate clapped and cheered along with the crowd. Jon laughed when she put her fingers in her mouth and let out a shrill, very un-ladylike whistle.
“Alright, where are my girls?” the deejay called out over the mic. “C’mon ladies – you know what time it is! Friday night, time to get on up here and let us hear it!”
Mandy jumped up from her chair and motioned to Cate. “C’mon, Girl – let’s go!”
Cate nodded and took a gulp of beer. She gave Jon a little grin, then stood. Jon watched her as she followed Mandy up to the stage. Cate and Mandy greeted three other women on the stage with high-fives and smiles, then gathered with them in front of the two microphone stands. Jon gave Danny a questioning look. “She sings?” he asked.
Danny shrugged and smiled at Jon’s surprise. “You be the judge.” He chuckled to himself, knowing what was about to happen.
A wide grin spread across Jon’s face at the first familiar notes of the music. He tapped his hand against his thigh and bobbed his head slightly with the beat. He knew this one…he had sung it himself, several years ago on a CMT special. He watched Cate and Mandy on the stage, dancing in place at the mic, waiting for the lyrics to begin. When they stepped up to sing, Jon’s mouth fell open.
Monday, hard to wake up
Fill my coffee cup, I’m out the door
Yeah, the freeway’s standin’ still today
It’s gonna make me late, that’s for sure
I’m runnin’ out of gas and out of time
Never gonna make it there by nine
Cate’s strong alto voice rang out over the other women’s, though she stood back from the mic. She had picked up a distinct southern twang, just like Jennifer Nettles’, and her voice slid easily over the little trills she added to some of the notes. She was in perfect pitch, and she grooved comfortably to the beat as she sang.
While the other women weren’t bad, Cate was clearly the star. At the chorus, Cate reached up and put one hand on the mic, closing her eyes and tipping her head back a little as she belted out the tune.
There’s gotta be somethin’ more
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I’m gonna take my chances,
Takin’ a chance I might
Find what I’m lookin’ for…
There’s gotta be somethin’ more.
Jon turned to Danny, an incredulous look on his face. “Holy shit! She’s good!” he exclaimed.
Danny laughed at Jon’s reaction. He took a swig of beer and nodded. “She did musical theater in high school and college. She loves to sing. It’s one thing that makes her really happy.” He grinned. “Of course, it makes for some mighty long car trips…” He watched as Jon turned his attention back to the stage, still wearing an awestruck expression.
Five years and there's no doubt
That I'm burnt out, I've had enough
So now Boss Man, here's my two weeks
I'll make it short and sweet, so listen up
I could work my life away, but why?
I got things to do before die
Cate shielded her eyes from the lights and looked out toward the FTB table. Seeing Jon’s pearly whites practically glowing in the dark, she grinned back at him. She knew he must be completely shocked by what he was witnessing. She continued to sing along with the other women, trying not to overpower them with her strong voice.
There’s gotta be somethin’ more
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I’m gonna take my chances,
Takin’ a chance I might
Find what I’m lookin’ for…
There’s gotta be somethin’ more.
The other women, recognizing Cate as their unofficial leader, stepped back and let her take the mic for the bridge. This wasn’t the first time they had all sung this song together, and they had the little routine down pat. Cate grabbed the mic and looked directly at Jon as she sang.
Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate
I believe that happiness is something we create
You best believe that I'm not gonna wait
'Cause there's gotta be something more
Cate tossed her ponytail and pointed out at the crowd. “For the Lay-dies!” she hollered, mimicking Jennifer’s drawl, then joined her karaoke-mates for the remaining verse.
I get home seven-thirty,
The house is dirty, but it can wait
Yeah, 'cause right now I need some down time
To drink some red wine and celebrate
Billy finished his song and Cate clapped and cheered along with the crowd. Jon laughed when she put her fingers in her mouth and let out a shrill, very un-ladylike whistle.
“Alright, where are my girls?” the deejay called out over the mic. “C’mon ladies – you know what time it is! Friday night, time to get on up here and let us hear it!”
Mandy jumped up from her chair and motioned to Cate. “C’mon, Girl – let’s go!”
Cate nodded and took a gulp of beer. She gave Jon a little grin, then stood. Jon watched her as she followed Mandy up to the stage. Cate and Mandy greeted three other women on the stage with high-fives and smiles, then gathered with them in front of the two microphone stands. Jon gave Danny a questioning look. “She sings?” he asked.
Danny shrugged and smiled at Jon’s surprise. “You be the judge.” He chuckled to himself, knowing what was about to happen.
A wide grin spread across Jon’s face at the first familiar notes of the music. He tapped his hand against his thigh and bobbed his head slightly with the beat. He knew this one…he had sung it himself, several years ago on a CMT special. He watched Cate and Mandy on the stage, dancing in place at the mic, waiting for the lyrics to begin. When they stepped up to sing, Jon’s mouth fell open.
Monday, hard to wake up
Fill my coffee cup, I’m out the door
Yeah, the freeway’s standin’ still today
It’s gonna make me late, that’s for sure
I’m runnin’ out of gas and out of time
Never gonna make it there by nine
Cate’s strong alto voice rang out over the other women’s, though she stood back from the mic. She had picked up a distinct southern twang, just like Jennifer Nettles’, and her voice slid easily over the little trills she added to some of the notes. She was in perfect pitch, and she grooved comfortably to the beat as she sang.
While the other women weren’t bad, Cate was clearly the star. At the chorus, Cate reached up and put one hand on the mic, closing her eyes and tipping her head back a little as she belted out the tune.
There’s gotta be somethin’ more
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I’m gonna take my chances,
Takin’ a chance I might
Find what I’m lookin’ for…
There’s gotta be somethin’ more.
Jon turned to Danny, an incredulous look on his face. “Holy shit! She’s good!” he exclaimed.
Danny laughed at Jon’s reaction. He took a swig of beer and nodded. “She did musical theater in high school and college. She loves to sing. It’s one thing that makes her really happy.” He grinned. “Of course, it makes for some mighty long car trips…” He watched as Jon turned his attention back to the stage, still wearing an awestruck expression.
Five years and there's no doubt
That I'm burnt out, I've had enough
So now Boss Man, here's my two weeks
I'll make it short and sweet, so listen up
I could work my life away, but why?
I got things to do before die
Cate shielded her eyes from the lights and looked out toward the FTB table. Seeing Jon’s pearly whites practically glowing in the dark, she grinned back at him. She knew he must be completely shocked by what he was witnessing. She continued to sing along with the other women, trying not to overpower them with her strong voice.
There’s gotta be somethin’ more
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I’m gonna take my chances,
Takin’ a chance I might
Find what I’m lookin’ for…
There’s gotta be somethin’ more.
The other women, recognizing Cate as their unofficial leader, stepped back and let her take the mic for the bridge. This wasn’t the first time they had all sung this song together, and they had the little routine down pat. Cate grabbed the mic and looked directly at Jon as she sang.
Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate
I believe that happiness is something we create
You best believe that I'm not gonna wait
'Cause there's gotta be something more
Cate tossed her ponytail and pointed out at the crowd. “For the Lay-dies!” she hollered, mimicking Jennifer’s drawl, then joined her karaoke-mates for the remaining verse.
I get home seven-thirty,
The house is dirty, but it can wait
Yeah, 'cause right now I need some down time
To drink some red wine and celebrate
Hey, Armageddon could be knockin’ at my door
but I ain't gonna answer that’s for sure.
There's gotta be somethin’
Gotta be somethin’ more!
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I’m gonna take my chances,
Takin’ a chance I might
Find what I’m lookin’ foooooor…
There’s gotta be somethin’ mooooore….
Got to be, got to be, got to be moooore…
Moooore….
The crowd started to cheer as Cate stretched and trilled the last lines of the chorus, doing her best imitation of the Sugarland singer as the rest of the girls continued the backing vocals. By the time the song ended, the applause was deafening. More than a few on-their-way-to-drunk men whooped and hollered as the gals made their way off the stage and headed back to their tables.
“How ‘bout THAT!” the deejay exclaimed. “Now that’s the way ya’ll do karaoke!”
Cate had a huge grin on her face as she climbed down from the stage. She saw Jon standing and clapping, along with the other men at their table. Jon whistled loudly and gave her a huge, admiring grin.
She heard Mandy’s voice in her ear. “Look at that… you blew him away, Sister!” She chuckled dirtily. “You can have him eating out of the palm of your hand… or elsewhere!”
Mandy slipped her arm around Cate’s waist and gave her a little hug. Cate laughed and hugged her back, as they made their way to their table at the back of the room.
but I ain't gonna answer that’s for sure.
There's gotta be somethin’
Gotta be somethin’ more!
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I’m gonna take my chances,
Takin’ a chance I might
Find what I’m lookin’ foooooor…
There’s gotta be somethin’ mooooore….
Got to be, got to be, got to be moooore…
Moooore….
The crowd started to cheer as Cate stretched and trilled the last lines of the chorus, doing her best imitation of the Sugarland singer as the rest of the girls continued the backing vocals. By the time the song ended, the applause was deafening. More than a few on-their-way-to-drunk men whooped and hollered as the gals made their way off the stage and headed back to their tables.
“How ‘bout THAT!” the deejay exclaimed. “Now that’s the way ya’ll do karaoke!”
Cate had a huge grin on her face as she climbed down from the stage. She saw Jon standing and clapping, along with the other men at their table. Jon whistled loudly and gave her a huge, admiring grin.
She heard Mandy’s voice in her ear. “Look at that… you blew him away, Sister!” She chuckled dirtily. “You can have him eating out of the palm of your hand… or elsewhere!”
Mandy slipped her arm around Cate’s waist and gave her a little hug. Cate laughed and hugged her back, as they made their way to their table at the back of the room.
Wooohooo!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Cate!!!!!
I keep looking for the 'more' button. I'm sure there's one here. I must just be overlooking it. A little help here? Anyone?
ReplyDelete~T
Well, as soon as I find it, I will let you know, T! LOL
ReplyDeleteT, I'm sure that button was here somewhere, something is obviously wrong!
ReplyDelete