Sounded like a Saturday night at home, so long as there was a pig roast.
“He’s the most talented dancer I have ever seen, you know.” The sweet little dark-haired lead dancer was suddenly standing next to him. “Your boyfriend.”
“I do. He’s magic.” He had never doubted that, not once.
“I’m Allison… Ali, remember? And yeah, he is.” She put a hand on his. “You look bored to tears, and who could blame you, really? This group.” She rolled her eyes. “You want another beer? I was just heading to the bar.”
“Do I? I ain’t bored. Just listening. I’ll come with and help fetch and carry.” Dammit. He didn’t want to hurt Kyle’s feelings. He loved watching and listening; he just wished he could do it with a guitar in his hands.
“All right. Come on, then.” Allison led him away from the group and over to the bar where she ordered a round and put it on Kyle’s tab. “How’d you two meet? I’ve only ever seen Kyle with… I mean, it’s hard to meet people who aren’t also dancers.”
“We got us a friend in common. My roommate. He brought us together.” He knew mostly musicians, bartenders, and cooks. He reckoned that was normal.
“Oh, that’s cool. I keep thinking I need to fish in another pond too.” She winked at him. “So, you live up here, then?”
“I do. I have a lot of work, and the hotel was expensive, and there wasn’t a kitchen. My roommate works at the studio. It’s all good.”
“Nice. Too bad you don’t have your guitar. I’d love to hear you play. I have to tell you, I never would have put Kyle with a blues musician.”
“It would have been awkward as all get-out in the theater.” Why would a blues man be weird? He was common as salt.
“Yeah, too bad.”
Kyle laughed loudly and bumped shoulders with one of the dancers sitting next to him.
“He’s quite a showman, Colt. I’m impressed how you’ve got him hooked.” She smiled. “Actually, it’s impressive that Iknowyou’ve got him hooked.”
“I just care about him, simple as that.” Hooked, like Kyle was a gator on a line. Lord. He looked back at Kyle, smiling. His cher was way finer than anything on the end of a line.
“It’s not as simple as that for most people. The rumors make him sound hard to love, but they’re just rumors, and with this crew it’s usually the whole pot-and-kettle story. I’m happy for you both.”
A bunch of beers and a couple of mixed drinks landed on the bar. “You need help with these?”
Allison shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ve got a buddy.” She scooped up what she could carry. “Can you get those? I’m sure you know who the martini is for.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rumors? Lord have mercy. He sort of wanted to grab Kyle up and hug him and tell him he was a good guy.
“Thank you.” Allison passed out her drinks and then took all but the martini from him.
“Colt! Kyle says you’re going to do music for his exhibition?” Jake took his beer from Allison and set it on the table. “Thanks, Ali.”
“Yessir.” He handed Kyle his drink. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“It’s going to be amazing.” Kyle tucked an arm around him. “Colt is so talented, you guys. I can’t wait for you to hear him play.”
Jake grinned. “Are we going to get our usual sneak peek sometime?”
“Oh, uh. I don’t know. We’ll have to see.” He looked at Colt, explaining. “Usually I do a sort of mini performance for the company to get some feedback on a couple of pieces, but what we’re doing might not really require feedback, you think?”
What did he care? He got to play, one way or the other. “It’ll change every time, huh? What we do?”
“Every time,” Kyle agreed.
“Change every time?” Jake looked at him. “What are you doing? Like a different ending every time?”
“Improv,” Kyle answered for him.
“Whaaaat?” Mora shook her head. “That’s crazy.”