Carry Us Away

Garrett:

My fingers fumbled on my fret board. This could not be happening. I had never been a flawless bass player, but I was pretty good. However, tonight I was just… off.

The song ended and I stared blankly out at the cheering crowd. It didn’t seem like they noticed a thing. I looked over at John whose eyebrows were furrowed in frustration. He leaned over to me, “Dude, get your fucking act together. We still have three more songs!”

Pat counted us in to the next song with the tap of his drumsticks. I bit my lip and looked down trying to drown everything out, trying to drown any thoughts of her that is. Soon I felt myself starting to feel normal. I looked down at the fans directly in front of me and made a face, making them cheer. I felt a rush of adrenaline course through me.

I started to sway to the beat of our music, finally relaxing into my normal bass playing rhythm. I hadn’t seen her yet and for that I was grateful. I knew that one glance at her would send me back into my disastrous bass playing. Luckily, the lights shinning down on us were so bright that I could see further than the first few rows of people. I knew I didn’t really know Gabrielle that much, but I had a feeling she wasn’t one to get lost in a crowd.

The song ended and I grinned. I felt the rush course through my veins as the fans erupted into screams. This is what I lived for. Another song done, two more to go.

After we finished playing, I made my way to the merch table to meet some fans. I couldn’t but help but let my eyes scan the venue for her, but she was no where to be found. I let the squeals of fans asking me to sign something or take a picture. I left the venue feeling light headed. My sensitive eyes could only take so much of the flashing camera lights. I didn’t know how the other guys did it. I always felt bad that I couldn’t take many pictures, but as hard as I tried I just couldn’t.

I made my way to my car outside. Luckily, it was a home show. I didn’t know what I would have done if I had to go back to a tour bus at least not tonight, when my head was full of thoughts of her. My eyes scanned the parking lot for my yellow car. Everyone always made fun of me for the bright color, but on nights like this I was glad to spot it easily. As I got closer to it, there she was leaning against it.

I froze.

She smiled.

My mouth went dry at the sight of her, but I tried to play it cool. “Have y-you been, uh out here the entire time? O-or did you get to, to see us play?”

She smirked. “I saw you. You guys were pretty good.” She said with a shrug.

“So..” I began.

Her eyes flashed, “You’re wondering why I’m here, am I right?” She walked over and ran her finger down my neck and along my shoulder before letting her hand rest on my bicep. “Well, for one, I need my heels back; I borrowed them from a friend. Second, as your apostle I want to take you somewhere.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “What is with all this apostle talk?” She let her hand slide down to her hand where she tugged on it gently.

“You’ll just have to wait and see.”

I let her hold my hand, but my arm was outstretched awkwardly. With sigh she let go.

“Do you want to come or not?” She demanded.

I looked down at what she was wearing. It was a simple strapless black dress that hugged her body, but didn’t reveal much at all. It left something for the imagination. I licked my lips really wanting to go wherever she wanted to take me, but, “It’s tradition for me and the guys to go to Denny’s after a show.” I told her.

She leaned forward and pressed her body lightly against mine. Her warm breath was on my neck when she whispered, “I’m sure they won’t mind.”



Gabrielle:

His fingers drummed along the edge of his steering wheel. I couldn’t help but watch him drive it was something I always did and I liked the way he drove… a lot.

His eyes shifted towards me but then looked ahead when he saw me staring at him. I smirked. Garrett’s hands clenched the steering wheel for a few seconds and then relaxed. He sighed, “Why do you always watch me like that?”

“Like what?” I asked innocently.

“Like you’re dissecting me.” He said in discomfort.

“I just like watching you drive is all.” I told him honestly.

“O-okay.”

“What are we listening to?” I asked changing the subject.

“Ryan Adams. I swear I have like a man-crush on…” His cheeks grew warm at the words that came out of his mouth.

I couldn’t help, but laugh. He really was adorable when he wasn’t so fucking nervous. I needed to break this kid out his shell I thought. Maybe that was what my mission was. I had to admit when I told Garrett I was an apostle I was just being clever. I really didn’t believe that I had some kind of mission that involved him, but now I couldn’t help but shake this feeling that maybe I did.

“Do you um, want to li-listen to something else?” He asked. “We can listen to Austin Gibbs?” I shook my head not knowing who he was. “There’s this awesome band, Wilco?” Again I shook my head. “Radio?” He offered, but I never really liked listening to the radio either.

“We can listen to my band?” He said quietly.

“Okay.” I agreed.

He reached across me and pulled out a CD from the glove box. “This album came out a couple of years ago now.” He tried to hide it, but I could tell that he was really proud of his band. I made a mental note to never insult his band. That would be a low blow for him.

The first song on the CD started to play and I didn’t tell Garret, but I liked their sound a lot. The first song was called “Everything I Ask For” Garrett informed me. “I really like the lead singer’s voice,” I told him.

Garrett nodded. “A lot of people do. That’s John. When he first met me he hated me because he thought I was a douche bag,” he said with a laugh.

“Why? Are you a douche bag?” I teased, but I found myself hoping he wasn’t.

He laughed, “You tell me. I uh- I used to have a nose ring, but I took it out because I thought it made me look tougher than I actually am… I’m kind of a wimp. It’s probably better I don’t have it anymore. I’m more of a nerd.”

He was embarrassed, but I found it cute. He cleared his throat. “So, where are you leading me to anyways?” He asked.

I sat up straighter, “Well, speaking of douche bags, one invited me to a frat party and I didn’t want to go by myself.”

“If this guy’s a douche bag why the hell would you want to go?” He asked with a laugh and then quietly he added, “And why would you want to take me?”

I smiled to myself, “Rule number four when dealing with douche bag guys: Never let them ruin your fun.”

He looked over at me questioningly. “What?”

I took off my seat belt and sat with my back against passenger car door and crossed my legs. I stared at Garrett. He turned his head slowly to glance at me. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret, Garrett, because I like you… I have guys all figured out.”

He focused his eyes on the road. “Do you?” He challenged.

“Oh, yeah—especially douche bag guys. That’s why I have rules. I also have a system of categorizing guys; I’ll show you tonight if you want. I also have a way of knowing exactly what a guy is thinking. I’ve got you all down to a science.” I was proud of what I had accomplished over the years.

Garrett bit his lip and looked at me somewhat nervously, “If you say so, Gabrielle.”

He didn’t seem that interested in what I had to say, but for some strange reason I wanted him to be. “It’s really quite ingenious.” I told him. “Over the years, I’ve learned to observe guys and figure them out.”

We came to a red light and Garrett looked at me, “And why do you have this whole ‘system’ thing anyways?”

I frowned, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

The green light illuminated his face. He turned back to face ahead of him. He let out a small chuckle, “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you not want to talk.”

I grimaced not liking that he was getting under my skin, “There’s a first for everything, I guess.” I said bitterly.

So Garrett definitely wasn’t a douche bag, but that didn’t mean I wanted him messing with my head the way he was. For some reason, I had this desperate need to get to know Garrett. I needed to figure Garrett out. This party tonight would be the perfect place. I pulled out my lips gloss and put it on before rubbing my lips together.

Tonight would be fun.