Salvation is playing at an underground nightclub in Houma, Louisiana known as The Dive. Ryan and Abby have brought back some food from a nearby Cajun restaurant, so the band can eat before they go on. So far, so good, see what's happening in this week's chapter of In Pieces. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale!
The Dive was already starting to fill with people by the
time they returned with the food. A bouncer was on duty at the front door,
collecting the cover charge. He eyed
them as they approached.
“We’re part of the band,” Abby explained. He gave her nun’s
outfit a quick onceover and waved them in.
Adjusting his eyes to
the dimly lit interior, Ryan scanned his surroundings for Ben and the others. He
wondered if they’d be able to find a place where they could eat without the
band being mobbed by admirers. Dayglo purple lights highlighted the bar,
casting a garish glow on the bartenders. The floor was filled with a lot of small
tables, set close together, many already occupied. On the opposite side of the
long narrow room, Ryan spotted the stage. The equipment was already set up.
Aiden and Keanu were playing riffs, while Deacon was fiddling with his
keyboard. And there was Ben, just in
front of the stage, talking to a large man who stood at least a head taller
than him.
“There they are,” Ryan said to Abby, but she’d seen them
first and was already halfway to the stage. Ryan headed straight to Ben and the
unknown man. As he drew nearer, he noticed the man wore a black kimono, and his
dark hair was gathered into a small bun at the nape of his neck. He smiled at
Ryan as he approached.
“You must be Ryan,” the man said. “My name’s Leo. Welcome to
The Dive.”
Ryan had to juggle the plastic carryout bags that hung from his arms so he could extend one
hand. “Nice to meet you.” He found great pleasure in knowing Ben had mentioned
him.
“Is there a place we can grab a quick bite before the show?”
Ben asked. “Maybe someplace a little private?”
“Absolutely,” Leo replied. “Right outside the back door.” He
gestured toward the rear of the club. “No one ever goes out there. There’s a
place to sit and everything.”
“Awesome,” Ben said. “Thanks.”
Ben turned toward the stage, waving one hand to gain
everyone’s attention. “Eats are here.” He pointed toward Ryan. “We’re going out
the back door so we can eat. C’mon.” Not waiting for a reply, he took half of
Ryan’s load, saying, “Here, let me help.” They maneuvered their way through the
crowd, naturally drawing attention by the way Ben was dressed, and out the back
door. Ryan assumed this was where the staff came on their breaks. There was a metallic picnic table that looked
as though it had once been the property of some state park—garishly green and
very heavy duty. A metal trash can stood
nearby that also looked like it had come from the same place.
Ryan and Ben set out the food
containers on the table and distributed plates, silverware, and napkins for the other band members before they took
seats one bench . They sat so close together they were almost in each other’s
laps. The others had followed them out.
Deacon and Keanu sat together opposite them, as did Abby, while Aiden took a
seat beside Ben.
Afraid to have Ben get his
priest’s robes dirty before their first set even began, Ryan insisted on
hand-feeding Ben the delicious appetizers. He handed them to him, one by one,
so intent on what he was doing, he became oblivious to the presence of everyone
else. After swallowing each appetizer, Ben licked Ryan’s fingers clean.
“Isn’t that so sweet?” Keanu
teased, drawing Ryan’s attention back to the others with a start and a blush.
“Maybe you should pre-chew his food too?”
“Shush and open your mouth,”
Deacon admonished before Ryan even had a chance to reply. Ryan glanced across
the table to find Deacon teasing one of the oysters over Keanu’s lips, brushing
across them lightly until they parted then popping the oyster inside. Keanu’s
loud moans of satisfaction brought laughter from the others. Deacon winked at
Ryan, as if to say we know how to please our men, don’t we?
Ryan glanced at Abby, who gave
him a thumbs up. Her look of approval warmed his heart. He turned his attention
back to Ben, interspersing bites of food with kisses. Ryan couldn’t remember
the last time he’d been so happy.
to be continued
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