Chapter 4

I drove around the parking lot for the third time trying to find a parking spot already feeling dejected about the night. Here I was nearly 30 minutes late all because I couldn't find the right shoes and now I can't seem to find a parking spot. My phone began to ring beside me and I blindly reached for it hoping a car would leave soon.

"Hello?"

"Manny, we have a spot for you near the front. Drive back around." Megan spoke into the phone. "Keep it moving! This spot is taken!" I heard her yelling soon after.

"Manuela, I suggest you hurry before Megan shanks someone over this spot." Lenny laughed into the phone. I turned down another aisle making my way to the front door.

"Okay, I see you guys." I laughed as I watched Megan stand at the end of a parking spot waving off anyone that tried to think about parking there. Megan began waving her arms frantically in the air once she saw me. I pulled into the spot-checking my makeup once more before climbing out of the car.

"Holy shit! She's hot!" Lenny said to Megan as they both stared at me with open mouths.

"What are you talking about?" I turned to wonder if they had seen someone behind me but there was no one.

"You!" Megan gushed. "And those gorgeous legs! Honey, let's trade."

I simply smiled and waved off her compliment. They were my friends, they're supposed to say stuff like this.

"Manny, where have you been hiding this bombshell?" Lenny asked, throwing his arms around Megan and me.

"I still don't know why you two are making a fuss over me in a dress." I laughed nervously. I suddenly felt exposed as the cool breeze blew against my bare legs.

"You never wear dresses to work. Not like this anyway. You always look so serious in your work clothes." Megan pointed out.

I just waved off their words, I felt like I looked fine in my work clothes. It was work after all not a fashion show. I had to be professional.

Lenny gave the guy at the door a few dollars paying our entry fee. "I could've paid for myself you know?" I said once we were inside.

"No need in arguing with him, it's what he does all the time." Megan spoke up. I just shrugged deciding to drop the matter at hand. We managed to find a good table in the middle of the packed room.

"You ladies want anything to drink?" Lenny asked once we were seated.

"Usual." Megan answered first.

"Um." I sat and tried to think of the drinks Joelle would talk about ordering, but came up with nothing. Alcohol was never my go-to thing in the few times I did go out with her. I preferred to be in the moment sober. I could still have a good time without alcohol.

"I'll get you a Blue Motorcycle. It's fruity and not too strong." Lenny spoke up before I could embarrass myself further. I gave him a grateful smile turning my attention to the crowd in the room. Many people were here in large groups, some in smaller ones like us.

"Alright everyone. Thank you again for coming out and joining us tonight. We still have a long list of amazing talents ready to wow you tonight. Up next we have The Renegades followed by our favorite singer VinnyB." The emcee announced as he made his way onto the stage. I looked and watched as a group of guys and one girl walked onto the stage preparing for their set.

The group had a gothic yet elegant look to them. It made you wonder what kind of music they were going to play.

"How did you guys find this place?" I yelled over the loud beating of the drums.

"I wanted to go to the club but Lenny figured you wouldn't like the scene so we came here instead. His cousin Mike owns the place and has been talking about it nonstop." Megan yelled back. I nodded as the girl began to sing. The song had a nice melody and her voice was so soft. They truly surprised me with their first song.

"Here you are ladies." Lenny said as he placed our drinks in front of us. "I heard these guys are really good. They have a rugged yet smooth sound. They listen to rock, but the music they play you wouldn't guess it."

I had to give it to them. I was a bit skeptical about coming out tonight, but so far it has been pleasant. The group played another song, this one more upbeat and louder than the first one they played. This time the guy on lead guitar was singing. They had such nice voices that fit well with one another. Blended in perfect harmony.

I took a few sips of my drink, Lenny was right. It tasted good. "You might want to slow down on the drink." Lenny laughed in my ear. I looked at him confused until I realized my drink was nearly gone. It tasted so fruity I barely knew there was alcohol in it.

"But it tastes like juice." I laughed.

"Just hold off for like ten minutes and you'll feel the alcohol kick in. I'll get you some water." He laughed at my predicament before leaving the table once more. The Renegades finally finished their song and the emcee was back on stage.

"Let's hear it for The Renegades!" The crowd cheered loudly as they all made their way off the stage. "Alright we're going to take a quick break and next we'll hear the great VinnyB."

"Oh my god!" Megan stared at me with wide eyes as a devilish smirk crossed her face.

"Why are you being weird? Why is she being weird?" I asked Lenny as he came back to the table.

"Meg what's up?" He asked and turned to look at me as well. Finally, a smile crossed his face and he burst into laughter. That's when I realized they weren't looking at me, they were looking behind me. I went to turn and see what the commotion was but Lenny was quick to block my view.

"Nothing to see here. Just drink your water before you end up drunk." He said quickly, shoving the bottle in my hand. I narrowed my eyes unscrewing the top chugging it halfway.

"So Manny, what's your story?" Megan asked suddenly, now being serious.

I gave her a questioning look wondering what she meant. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, you breeze on into town and you keep to yourself, a lot. Something has to be up." I had to quickly guard my mind against the hurtful visions that came with her question.

"Why can't a girl just show up in a wonderful town and enjoy life? Everything doesn't have to be put on display you know." I laughed playfully.

She was about to say something else until the next act walked on stage. She seemed to have completely forgotten her line of questioning as she stared at the stage.

"Good evening everyone. I'm VinnyB and I'll be doing a few cover songs tonight."

Wait that voice. It couldn't be. I turned to the stage as my jaw hit the table. What are the odds we would run into Vincent here, tonight? So this is what they were hiding from me. They saw him before I could. He looked so calm and relaxed on stage like that was his safe place.

The crowd seemed to love him as they cheered loudly for him. He sat on a stool and positioned the guitar he had strapped to his back.

"I hope you don't mind if I slow it down for a second." He laughed lightly repositioning the mic. The girls seemed to really love him as they screamed his name.

"This first song is for all the fellas out there that has that one special girl in his life that just does it for him." He began strumming a few chords on his guitar and when he began to sing I was sure my jaw hit the floor this time.

He sang with so much passion and he seemed so carefree. I was drawn into every word he sung, every strum of his guitar. He was so good, it was a surprise he hadn't been signed by anyone. The song he sang was that newly popular song by Maroon 5 Girls Like You. I can honestly say I like his version better than the original.

"You might want to close your mouth before flies nest in it." Lenny laughed as he placed his finger under my chin closing my mouth.

"Did you know he was going to be here?" I asked accusingly.

Lenny laughed at my reaction. "Honestly I didn't. I just knew they had live performances and thought it was something you'd like. Him being here is pure coincidence." He confessed.

"Alright, guys we're going to take it back to one of my favorites. It's a classic. Sing along if you know the words."

https://youtu.be/e5mDRNVVIxI

The next song he sang, felt too close to home. It used to be a favorite of mine growing up, but now it just reminded me of the colossal heartache I still had. I know I should hate Malcolm for what he did, but my heart still felt something strong for him. Even hundreds and hundreds of miles apart he still had a hold on me. The way he sang the song with so much passion made you wonder who broke his heart. Did he hurt just as bad as I did or worse?

I promised myself I would enjoy this night and not think about the past, but how could I when this song spoke so much of my past.

"Um. I'll be back guys." I wasn't sure if they heard me or not, but I had to get out of there before I became a heaping mess in the middle of the room. As I made my way to the bathrooms I had to pass by the stage. I chanced a final look as he sang the last few lines. It was a mistake, he had his eyes trained on me like a hawk as his fingers strummed the guitar effortlessly.

"Thank you for your time everyone. I'll be here next week." He stood and took a bow as I rushed into the women's bathroom, tears finally breaking free. I rushed into one of the stalls releasing a strangled cry. Every time I thought I was over the heartbreak something comes and shoves it back in my face, reopening the wounds.

"Manny?" A soft voice called out. I couldn't let her see me like this. I stayed quiet hoping she'd go away. "I'm not leaving until you talk to me. Tell me what's going on?" I watched as her bright blue wedges appeared in front of my door.

I came to New Haven to get away, not bring my disastrous old life into my freshly new one. It was too messy, too hurtful to talk about.

"Since you won't come out. I'm coming in." Before I had a chance to wipe my face Megan slowly pushed the door open, giving me the opportunity to stop her. I couldn't find it in me to do so. As soon as the door was open I was up and in her arms in seconds. More tears racing down my face.

"It's okay sweetie. I'm sorry if my questions upset you." She said soothingly rubbing small circles in my back. Shaking my head I took a few deep breaths trying to reign in my emotions.

"It's not you." I said wiping my eyes. "You're right. I am running. I'm running from my old life." I confessed.

"My name is Emory. Manuela is my middle name. I felt to get a fresh start I needed to leave everything behind. My name felt like a weight on my shoulder that I needed to shred. But the more distance I try and put between me and my past, I keep getting slapped in the face with it."

I walked over to the sink grabbing a few paper towels on the way. I wet the corner of one dabbing at the slightly smudged make-up. Somehow saying this out loud actually made me feel a little better. Like I was finally setting myself free.

"The song Vincent sang just brought it all back to the forefront like a freight train."

"Then I'm not going to tell you how I'm very positive he's waiting for you right outside that door." I looked into the mirror at Megan and saw the wide smile she had on her face.