Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

“That’s my wife, and I’m sure she would be less than thrilled to see me leave with you two.”

Ronnie glanced back at Annie.  “Then bring her along if you like,” she shrugged.

Michael smiled and shook his head.  “Thanks, but no thanks, ladies.”

“Suit yourself, but you’ll be missing one hell of a party,” Ronnie said, licking her lips as she stood to leave.

He nodded his head and grinned knowingly.  As if he hadn’t heard that line before, he thought, his eyes drifting back to Annie - beautiful Annie.  Her voice was as smooth and silky as her suntanned skin.  He started at her toes and scanned the length of her tapered legs, over her narrow hips, past her perfect breasts, inched up her throat and settled on her mouth.  He studied the movement of her lips intently as she sang.

The music ebbed from her instrument like the waves of the incoming tide.  Several couples swayed together on the dance floor in tight embraces.  Listening to her sing felt almost as good as making love to her, the thought of which made his groin tighten.  He smiled to himself.

“Great job, babe,” he congratulated, kissing her on the mouth when she exited the stage.

Annie smiled weakly and began collecting her things from around the stage area.  The image of Michael sitting at the table with the two girls remained in her brain.  The vision of the blonde’s hand creeping up Michael’s leg made her stomach churn.  She had witnessed the entire scene and it had sickened her.

“Do you want to hang around town for a while or head home?” he asked, taking her guitar case in his hand.

“Do you mind if we go home?  I’m kind of tired.”

Michael loaded gear into the back of the jeep.  The melody of Annie’s last song still echoed in his head as he turned the key in the ignition.

“What’s the name of that last song you sang tonight?” he asked.

“Music Man,” she replied, staring blankly at her hands.

“Real nice.  I’ve heard you playing the chords to that one at home but never heard you sing the lyrics.  Dare I ask who your music man is?” he grinned, already knowing the answer but still wanting to hear her say it.

Annie rolled her eyes, not wanting to smile, but the urge outweighed her resistance to stop it.  “You.”

His smile grew wider.  “That will be your first single,” he stated, matter-of-factly.

She turned to face him.  “What do you mean?”

“When you go solo, that will be your first hit,” he explained, pulling out onto New York Avenue and heading toward Vineyard Haven.

“When I go solo?”

“Yeah, after you tour with Lace.”

“I never said I was going solo.”

Sensing her agitation, he slowed the jeep and glanced at her face.  “What’s the matter, babe?” he asked, placing his hand against the warmth of her inner thigh.

She turned away and looked out her window.  “What did those girls want from you tonight?”

“I signed a couple of autographs for them,” he replied with a shrug.

“They sat with you for quite a while, Michael.  And the blonde had her hand on your balls.  I’m not blind.  I saw the whole thing.”

“Her hand was no where near my balls, babe,” he replied in protest.

“Oh please!”

The smile melted from his face.  Downshifting quickly, he pulled the jeep over to the side of the road.  “You really want to go there, Annie?  Do you really want to know what they wanted?”

“That’s why I asked the question!”

“Fine.  They wanted to fuck my brains out,” he said crudely, resenting the fact he had to explain it.  “Hell, they even said I could bring you along to the party.  Is that what you want to hear?”

Annie’s breath caught sharply in her dry throat.  Tears immediately began to pool in her eyes.  Silence filled the cab of the jeep.

“So, now you’re not going to say anything?” he asked, rage beginning to creep into his body.

She sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

“Annie, shit like that happens all the time with me,” he replied, trying to keep his anger in control.  “Unfortunately, it’s unavoidable.  I don’t entice it and I’m not tempted to accept the favors that come with it either.  I’ve already been there and then some.  Any thrill that may have been associated with it no longer exists for me.”

He gazed out his window and shook his head.  “We discussed all of this before and I thought you understood.  I can’t prevent it from happening and I won’t always be able to conceal it from you when it does.  But it will happen again: that much I can assure you of.  So, I guess the real question is, can you handle it when it does happen the next time?  Do you trust me enough to know I will never act on the offers these fans make?”

Annie sighed heavily.  “It’s disrespectful,” she said quietly.  “They don’t know their boundaries.”

“I know.  I would agree with that.  But what can I do, walk around wearing a suit of armor?”