10. Mike

ten

Mike

" D ude, you really need to get over that chick. It's been almost two years since you last saw her. Your dick has got to be ready to fall off from lack of use."

"Shut up, Chad. You weren't there." Even after all this time, I can't stop thinking about Erica.

I finally found someone I could connect with, but I lost her. How could someone disappear into thin air?

"Chill out, man—I'm just yanking your chain. But seriously, you've got to get her out of your system. You're a hot commodity—young, single, moderately attractive owner of a thriving piano bar. It's about time you cashed in and start taking up all the horny women who drool all over you when it's your night to play the piano."

"Give it a rest." I push past Chad and make my way to my office, needing to escape his words.

As true as his words are, I'm not ready to move on from Erica. It might have been only one night, but it changed my life forever. I never would have quit my day job and followed my dream of opening a piano bar—all thanks to the love of my life.

I sit at my desk, going through my Rolodex, until I find the name of the person I'm looking for. Before I change my mind, I pick up the phone and dial the number. After four rings, I'm ready to hang up, but as luck would have it, she finally answers the phone.

"Hello." The soft voice on the other end of the line doesn't do anything for me. I'm not even sure it ever did. Carla and I dated a few times before I met Erica.

I might have considered a more serious relationship with Carla, but after that night with Erica, no one else would do. It's time to get back on that horse and move on with my life since Erica is like a ghost. I'm not sure I ever will if I haven't found her by now.

"Hi, Carla. It's me, Mike. I was wondering if you were free Friday night." My stomach lurches, and I think I'm going to be sick—this doesn't feel right.

"Mike, it's been a while, but you're about two years too late. I'm getting married on Saturday. I'm not sure my groom would be okay with me only out on a date the night before our wedding."

Relief floods through me. "You're right. I'm sure I would end up with a black eye or worse if I took you out on a date." Carla's a nice girl. I'm happy for her. "Congratulations, Carla. I wish you all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks, Mike. For what it's worth, I hope you find what you're looking for because we both know it isn't me."

"You're right." I'm just not sure how to find her. "I'd better let you go—good luck."

"Bye, Mike.

"Goodbye, Carla."

I set the receiver on the phone and ended the call. A knock on my office door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I call.

"Ten minutes before you're on." Tim, the bar manager, pops his head into my office.

"I'll be right out."

He nods and closes the door behind him. Now, if I can psych myself up to go through this performance, I could play my set with my eyes closed any other night, but tonight, it's about an old memory that I don't want to shake.

***

T he bar is packed tonight, so I need to stay focused and concentrate on the songs. The set I had planned for tonight was a mixture of songs from the '80s. Instead of playing them, I find myself playing all of Billy Joel's songs.

The crowd doesn't seem to mind as they sing along—some voices on key—most not. It doesn't matter. I'm still transported back to the night I first met Erica, and I close my eyes, remembering every detail of her face.

Something inside me wills me to open my eyes, and I come face to face with the woman I love, "Erica?" the music stops, and I realize I've taken my hands off the keys and am now standing in front of Erica. "What are you doing here?"

"Me, what are you doing here, you big jerk!" The tears stream down her face as she turns and runs toward the front door.

I chase after her, knowing I'm not going to let her escape me this time. "You're not going anywhere until we talk." I catch her around the waste and throw her over my shoulder before she reaches the exit.

"Put me down!" She slaps my back, and the whole bar is watching our exchange. But I don't care—I finally have Erica back in my arms.

Once inside my office, I slam the door shut and set her on the couch, taking the seat next to her just like I did that night at her apartment.

"Do you know how long I've been searching for you? It wasn't easy without your last name or a telephone number."

She crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head to the side, "I waited until the absolute last minute for you to return, and you never did. I almost lost my new job because I told them I couldn't start immediately because I was waiting for you."

"I'm sorry about that, but the family emergency I had to leave so suddenly for was my dad had a heart attack and almost didn't survive. He was in intensive care for a month." She uncrosses her arms and looks at me with concern.

"Is he okay now?"

"Yes, he's doing fine—as feisty as ever."

She sighs in relief, "I'm glad he's okay now. I didn't know it was that bad." She reaches for my face and caresses my cheek.

"I came for you as soon as I could, but living four hours away from Pine Grove, I couldn't risk leaving him for that long in case something happened."

"Oh, Mike, I'm sorry I thought the worst of you. Will you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive. We have each now, and we have a lot of time to make up for." I pull her into my arms, loving how perfect she feels in them.

"Then I guess we'd better get started."

Our lips touch, and I feel like I'm finally home.