“I’ll have you know, Lydia and I are the best of friends. She thinks my costume is awesome,” the maniac falsely declared. “Don’t you, Lydia?”
“I’m allowed to look at you now?” I asked.
“Knock yourself out,” the man said, turning to Vaughan, his voice ecstatic. “This is my favorite part, when they get all excited about me.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The maniac gave me a broad grin.
Whoever he was, he certainly wasn’t afraid of loud colors or stating his musical preferences. He wore a fluorescent green T-shirt with a large picture of Malcolm Ericson from Stage Dive on the front, and a matching fluorescent pink hat. “Mal for President” had been embroidered on the hat. Guess he really loved the drummer from Stage Dive. A lot.
“Wow.” I gave Vaughan side-eyes.
He burst out laughing. “She doesn’t recognize you.”
“Duh. She’s not supposed to recognize me, I’m in disguise.” The maniac pouted and took a seat at the bar. “And give me that beer.”
“Bullshit.” Vaughan kept right on laughing, setting the beer on the bar as ordered. “You wanted her to know who you were, you fucking show pony.”
The man declined to answer, instead drinking the beer.
“Babe,” said Vaughan, smiling. “This is Mal Ericson.”
Mal raised a hand in salute.
“From Stage Dive?” I asked, just to be sure.
“Yep,” said Mal. “So … babe, huh? Don’t recall you having a babe before, V-man. How interesting.”
“Not interesting.” Vaughan started pouring another beer. “None of your business.”
“I’d like to buy, babe, a beer.” He patted the bar stool beside him. “Sit, Lydia. Let us become friends. Tell your Uncle Mal everything.”
“Don’t tell him anything,” countered Vaughan, brows drawn down. “Biggest fucking meddler I ever met. Always got to be sticking his nose into everyone else’s business. And she’s working.”
“I’d love a drink,” I told Mal, taking the proffered seat. “Dinner’s basically over, Masa’s just clearing the last couple of tables now. A soda and lime, please, bartender.”
“You go, babe.” Mal started clicking his fingers. “He’s not the boss of you.”
“Who the hell let him in here?” grumped a female voice.
For the second time tonight, I got accosted from behind. This time, however, it was welcome. Nell gave me quick hug before leaning against the bar. “Mal.”
“Nell.” The drummer removed his sunglasses, throwing them aside along with his hat. Golden blond hair flowed over his shoulders. Of course, with him revealed in all his glory, there could be no question about his identity. Stage Dive was only one of the biggest bands in the world.
I stared, starstruck.
“Nell, Nell, Nell. Still secretly longing for me, I see.” Mal sighed. “You poor pathetic sap.”
“Aw. I think it’s wonderful that you’re so removed from reality, Malcolm. Don’t let anybody tell you differently.”
He chuckled. “Lydia, did she tell you how when we were kids, she always used to chase after me when we played catch and kiss? Every single time. Not that I minded having an older girl hot on my trail. But shit, running after me every single day. It got a little old.”
“I wasn’t trying to kiss you, you idiot.” Nell turned to me. “One time on the bus, the little asswipe tried to set my ponytail on fire. I kept chasing him to try and punch him, but he was too fast.”
“Yeah, sure, Nelly. You keep telling yourself that,” stirred Mal.
I looked back and forth between the two, trying not to laugh. Poor Nell’s lips were puckered, a heavy scowl in place.
Vaughan slapped down a beer mat, placing my soda and lime on top. Staying out of the twenty-oddyear-old battle. Wise.
“Thank you,” I said.
A tip of the chin.
“I was sorry to hear about your mother,” said Nell in a softer voice. “She was a wonderful woman.”
Mal nodded. “Thanks. I was sorry to hear about you and Pat.”
“Yeah.” Nell shrugged. “Shit happens, right?”
“Sadly.”
“Where’s Anne?” asked Vaughan.
“My beloved wife is nose deep in a romance book and doesn’t want to be disturbed.” With a grin, Mal took another mouthful of beer. “I got a feeling this one’s going to be awesome.”
“What?”
“Dude.” Mal crooked his finger, motioning Vaughan closer. When he did so, Mal smacked him on the forehead. “Listen and learn, you fool. You’ve got a babe now. You need to know these things.”