Freddie

FREDDIE

When I walked into the bar last weekend, she caught my attention. She didn't even notice I was there as I made my way to the back office and had a quick meeting with Butch, the owner of the legendary rock ‘n roll bar.

Growing up, I heard ghost stories about Foggy Goggles. If you could score a weekend gig here, and get the owner to acknowledge you on stage, word had it, you were going to make it big.

I want that more than anything.

Growing up, my parents were die hard rock ‘n rollers. There was always music playing, my dad would jam on his guitar as mom sang while she cooked dinner. We were a loving house filled with music and they passed it onto me. I mean, my name is for Christ sakes. Music from the band Queen filled our home every night of the week.

I began writing as a kid and it followed me throughout high school. I took part in every winter concert and musical play the school put on, but I found my love was really behind the scenes. I wanted to write songs. I wanted to write lyrics that would move a crowd of millions.

My friends started a band during high school but it didn't pick up until we graduated. None of us went to college, instead choosing to stay home, playing gigs here and there, hoping to make it big and escape our small town.

Moving to the city was the best thing for us.

We're a Queen cover band, but I also write original songs for them. We mix those in throughout the night, introducing the crowd to our sound. It's hard work grinding to get noticed, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

The only thing missing? A good woman. I'd love to find someone to share the music with. That's the hardest part. The groupies are plentiful but the good girls are few and far in between. And for me? I need a down to earth, take no shit, take home kind of girl.

When I walked into the bar and saw that waitress, I did a double take. She's beautiful in that girl next door kinda way that I'm looking for. Simple but stunning with long blond hair up in a ponytail, sweet emerald green eyes and a body to die for. But with an attitude that says, "I'm no cheerleader."

"Name?"

The owner's gruff tone pulled me from my daydream.

" Menotti."

"Ya the manager?"

"Not really."

He looks up from the pad he's writing on. "What are you? Don't waste my time."

"Sir! Never. I guess you can call me the manager. I make their schedule. But I'm a songwriter. That's my main focus with the band."

He lays his pen down and leans back in his chair. "Ya write?"

"I do. Since I was a kid."

He narrows his eyes. "What did your parents raise you on?"

I smile. I know what he's asking. "With a name like , do ya need to ask?"

He cracks a smile, and as fast as I notice it, it's gone. But it was there. For a fraction of a second. And my heart pounds crazily in my chest.

"Get here by seven next Friday. Not a minute past. Ya go on at eight. Ya can do two forty-five minute sets with a twenty minute break in between. This bar loves music to sing to. And they want to hear a good sound. If they don't like it, you'll know about it. And you'll never come back. Deal?"

I ran from his office and straight to my guys, over the moon with news to share. And now we're here. It's Friday night and we go on in seven minutes. This gig is beyond anything we could have hoped for.

And not only do I get to hear my songs tonight, I get to flirt with the hot waitress.

Watching her walk away after taking our order was the hottest goddamn thing I‘ve seen. I watched her move around the bar all night while I was setting up. I should have had my whole attention on prepping my guys, but I couldn't help but notice her.

There's something so gripping about her.

And when she came over to the stage, I knew she felt it. She watched me as if there was some type of magnetic pull between us.

But before I could get my foot through the tiny opening, she slammed the door shut between us quickly. I‘ll admit to liking her fire. I love it when a girl makes me work for her attention. In the music business, even as a no-name group, it's far too easy to find someone who just wants to be seen with the band. But when I cracked my jokes and used my charm, she fought her smile. So she's definitely interested, I just need to keep my focus on her.