3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

~ Tiffany ~

I groaned as I walked back out to my car, glancing up as a crack of thunder filled the cool evening air. I shouldn't be surprised that a storm is rolling in. Why not? It would fit right along with the mood. Not that it was a bad practice. However, it was insanely tense.

Which is very much unlike Heath. He was often dickish, but not usually this intense.

This wasn't even stemming from the last one. Something was bothering him that no one could figure out, the band included.Every time he barked out an order, we'd glance around before commencing. And let me tell you, there were a lot more issues beyond just that.Even his vibe was wrong. But we didn't dare call him out on his bullshit.

"Good one, Tiffany," I muttered, unlocking my car. It was my nature to always try and figure out what was going on and then try to fix it. There were more times than I care to count when I wanted to pull him aside and ask what the fuck was going on. But I would have been fired on the spot probably; not something I wanted.

With a groan, I started up the car, just as a big raindrop hit my windshield. I slammed my head on the steering wheel, almost wanting to cry. The last thing I wanted to do was drive home in this. The drive was already horribly long, adding in the rain and how New Yorkers couldn't drive in it was going to make this a trip from hell. I frowned as my phone lit up and shook my head.

"What?" I answered, not even bothering to check the caller ID.

"Is that the way to greet your friend?" I pushed myself off the steering wheel and leaned my head back on my seat.

"Hi, Ricky.And no, it's not, sorry. Long day. And now I get to drive home in the rain. What did you need?"

"It's a Friday night, Tiffany. You work too hard, you have no life anymore, and I'm cashing in on your promise."

"Ricky," I moaned, watching the rain come down even faster. "It's storming outside. It's going to take me forever to get home and you still want me to go out in this?"

"Yes, I do.Because your friends miss you and you need a true break. I'm not asking for a vacation from you, just some quality time. So, get your ass home, take a quick shower, get an Uber out, and meet us at BeeAnns." I closed my eyes as I pinched the bridge of my nose. That was not a location I was overly fond of, no matter how much the gang liked it.

"Fine, fine.Whatever. I'll uphold my promise. I'll let you know when I'm headed out."

"You won't regret it, trust me! And please be careful going home, we all know the folks around here think that rain on the road is nothing."

"Truth.See you soon." With that, I hung up, putting my phone away.

The rain didn't look like it was letting up, so I couldn't wait out the storm. Not that Ricky would let me. He would have a rough guess about the time it took me to get home and ready, so I have no doubt I would be hearing from him if I didn't get my ass in gear.

I sat down on my couch as I grabbed my Chucks and slipped them on, then pulled my hair up in a ponytail. My everyday wear was as different from practice and shows as gold was from silver.Where there was constant make-up and looking put together for my company, that wasn't the case off the clock.Not that I looked bad.

But currently, there was not a lick of make-upon my face. Tennis shoes adorned my feet. My legs were encased in skinny jeans. My shirt was an old band shirt from an 80s rock group. And my hair was pulled up and out of my face. I was the epic definition of a tomboy, and I loved every minute of it.

If I didn't have to wear skirts or heels, I wasn't going to. Jeans and shorts were the ultimate go-to. Along with comfortable T-shirts and tank tops. I didn't even swipe mascara or liner or contour or throw on fake lashes that changed my face completely. I was as low-key as I could possibly be. Tiffany Lee, the normal lady, was as low maintenance as she could make herself.

While The Tiffany Lee, the dancer, knew she always had to look put together and done up, that was just too much work for me! Having to do it there just left me wanting to have a freshly clean face and nothing riding up or showing skin all the other times.

With a quick glance in the mirror, I ordered my Uber and walked out of my apartment, figuring I'd go wait out front, seeing as one wasn't far away. By the time I made it down, it was already there, and with a grin I climbed in.

"Good night so far?" the driver asked as soon as I closed the door.

"Yup. You?"

"Always a great night when it rains."

I figured that was a given. Who would want to drive in this crap when you could call someone to pick you up?

"Hopefully you stay safe out there," I told him, and he threw me a smile, as he pulled up to BeeAnn's a few minutes later. "Thanks!" I said as I climbed out, seeing Ricky standing outside the door, waiting for me. I had to give it to my friends, they certainly cared about me and my safety.

"Do you know it's been like a decade since I've seen you?" I rolled my eyes as he pulled me into a hug.

"You're so fucking dramatic," I teased him. "You saw me two weeks ago when you made me leave my house and go see people at the damn bistro."

"And minus having to interact with people, it was a fun time with good food, so shut your hole." I wanted to deny everything he said, but I couldn't. Hanging out with Ricky was always a good time, no matter what we were doing. And I did miss him, along with everyone else. I really needed to allocate more time for them, no matter what shit storm I was having at work or with Heath.

"You're right, but no one likes a know-it- all, sir." I shoved him with my hip as we walked in and went to the back table. I gave a round of hugs before taking a seat and ordering a beer. "So, what's new?"

"Don't give us that crap, Tiff," Ricky said, taking a sip of his Whiskey. "How are things going with you? Enlighten the group about working for the man."

"Oh yes, do tell me how Jameson is doing these days," Troy begged, leaning forward. I laughed as I pushed his face away. Troy was a late addition to this rag-tag group of friends. He had hit on Ricky, declaring that Ricky was just the type of man he needed to fuck. Though Ricky turned him down, Troy ended up sticking around and none of us ever turned him away.

"Being a royal pain in the ass, however, that's nothing new." I smiled my thanks as the waitress dropped off the bottle and I took a deep pull. "Since his breakup, he's just been more demanding."

"Think he'll go for my dick? I can cock his world! Get it?" I made a face as I pretended to think and then slowly shook my head at Troy's question…or suggestion.

"Nah, sorry. Pretty sure he only swings one way, Troy." I took another sip before I sat the bottle down and jumped out of my chair."I'm going to go pick some songs to dance to." I dug for some change, too busy counting the few quarters I had that I didn't see the man step in my path until I crashed into him. The apology was on my lips but as I looked up to see Heath, the words died on my lips.