The whole day today was the band getting into practice to play real songs that could be requested at the bar. "Alright guys we need to get these things down and remember the styles. Lexi if there's a female voice part I'm gonna need you to fill it, Gavin don't let the bass take over, I know you've been watching a lot of Davie504 but it's still the background in real life." he called out, trying to prepare them the best he could.
Pulling up to the bar, she glanced at her phone with a smile. "He's too sweet." She smiled, slipping her phone back into her pocket. Getting out, she headed inside to start her day.
The place was rather empty, and stayed that way for a long time. Of course, around 9 o'clock a decent amount of people began showing up to get ready for the evening to come. With a slight nervousness at the amount of people, she swallowed it down and prepared herself to get the dozen orders at once.
Tempest was running around like a madman as he got things together and helped pack things into the van they were using to transport the equipment. "Good, good…no no no we're not gonna take that…What are you doing?…um I mean we can but no." he pulled at his hair a bit as it was nearing the time to leave
Tonight…
Joanna wasn't sure how long she was going to last. It wasn't much the stress, or the work load. It was the people. She knew she should have thought more about working here, when she applied, but at the time she was desperate. Now she was desperate to get out. The way they spoke to her… and looked at her. It made her so incredibly uncomfortable. The side comments they made, scared her for sure. She did her best to ignore them, but jumped when she felt someone's arm around her. "Hey, it's me. You look like a wreck Jo." Jonathan said softly, trying to calm her nerves.
"Deep breath Tempest…it's gonna be fine." Tempest told himself.
"Dude you're gonna make yourself more uneasy by talking to yourself." an angel girl that worked the classic strings told him, Yoon was her name he thought. "Yeah you're right…is everything ready?" he asked her
"Yeah we're ready to head out." Yoon responded
"Alright, guys! Were heading out. Take your personal items too cause we're closing up for the night." Tempest said. They all loaded up and started to make their way over.
on our way Tempest sent to Joanna
"Thanks Jonathan, that helps me so much." She half spat, pulling away from her. She felt her phone buzz, and assumed it was Tempest. So she ignored it when she went back to work.
"Come on Jo, don't be mad. What's bugging you?" He asked, hovering over her while she filled more glasses.
"Nothing. I'm fine, just a little stressed out. You could help by doing your job." She muttered, not actually wanting him to leave her side until Tempest got here. Though he didn't know that.
"Alright, sorry for bothering you." He said before turning to go take more orders of his own.
They didn't run into too much traffic and soon enough they were all outside the bar in the back unpacking the van that they had used to get here, along with one of the work's trucks that he had kindly let things get packed into.
The manager came out, a smile on his face. "You made it!" He bellowed, having two attendants following behind him. "Do y'all need some help?" He asked, signalling them to go help out.
"Oh thank you sir we'd appreciate that." Tempest responded with a smile "So glad we could work out something."
"I am too! The band quit on me for tonight. They got some better gig." He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Thank you guys, Jeremiah and Stacey are here to help when you need it."
"Well thanks again." Tempest told him "Hello there Jeremiah and hi there Stacey could you guys help us get the drums in cause i'd be appreciative if we could get some help with those suckers."
The two of them nodded, and quickly did what he asked with out much word. The two were smiling though, they didn't look miserable at all.
"Thank you kindly." Tempest told them and helped the rest of his workers bring the equipment in.
Both of them nodded politely, before mumbling between themselves as they carried in the drum set. They seemed giggly, and friendly.
Tempest and the others were soon setting up in the space that they had been provided. "Make sure you separate the acoustic and bass guitar or it'll cause some discord in the notes." he reminded them as he set up his keyboard.
Joanna looked over to Tempest, feeling a relief fill her. Even while the other men made snide, and even inappropriate comments. She ignored them, and once all their refills had been set, she dashed over to Tempest, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Oh thank god you're here."
"Hey Jo!" a little bit of his stress immediately melted away as he hugged her back "Happy to see you too! How's work been?"
"Terrible." She mumbled, burying her face into his chest with a groan. "I really need a reason not to quit right now." She admitted, resting her head on his chest.
"I'm so sorry…work stress?" he asked as he held her close and stroked her hair, motioned with his other hand where to move the drum set.
"More than that, but now isn't the place to talk. How about tonight at my place?" She asked softly, taking his hand and lacing their fingers tightly.
"Yeah, sure." he responded and gave her a little kiss "I gotta help the others but I'll talk to you in a bit beautiful" he told her
"I gotta go back to work anyways. Love you." She hummed, standing on her toes, and pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek. It left a light red stain, and she giggled before walking away.
He didn't notice the lipstick mark so he got with the rest and started out with a Sweet Caroline after it was requested by a pair of tipsy dudes that were clearly best of friends.
Joanna laughed, looking up to Tempest on stage. Her natural smile was back, and she was feeling a little more secure hearing his voice.
After that Piano Man was requested. Felix had another worker take over his trumpet as he pulled a harmonica out of his bag and hopped in with the rest of them. Tempest would glance at Jo quite a bit, unable to keep his eyes off her very long
She felt warm, and happy to be joking with her co-workers. Still not as worried as she had been before. The night was going by in a breeze, as she continued to fill the drinks of the others.
The band took it's first break, Tempest came up and leaned against the counter "I'll have a shot…of fanta." he chuckled as he turned his head to Jo and her co-workers
Joanna giggled, pulling an orange soda out of the small fridge. "Why not just the whole bottle?" She asked, sliding the small bottle towards him.
He chuckled and took the can "Thanks Jo" he told her and cracked it open, taking a long sip "Man my voice is gonna be raw if someone asks for Sweet Caroline again" he commented but with his usual smile.
"Don't you have a fill in singer?" She asked, noticing the lipstick smudge on his cheek still. "And you might want to go wash your face, though you don't look bad in red."