Free Rock 'n' Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason by Rose Pressey

if he had cooties. “He’s a what?”
    Ew, ew, ew. This day was straight out of the Twilight Zone.

 
     
    Chapter 14
     
    “He’s a mortician. He doesn’t play music or anything, but he’s a big rockabilly fan and has seen a lot of your shows. I told him he could swing by and say hi. I hope you don’t mind?”
    “No…No.” I swallowed hard. “I don’t mind.” I gave a half-hearted smile. “Well, um, we’d better get to it. Nice meeting you, Pierce.” I wished I had a trap-door underneath me to escape this awkward situation. And maybe some hand sanitizer.
    “Nice meeting you, Veronica. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.”
    Not if I could help it.
    Pierce took a swig of his drink, placed the glass back onto the table, then curved his thin lips into a closed-mouth grin. Apparently he loved his profession.
    “Nice meeting you, too.” I hurried away as if he had the bubonic plague.
    “Isn’t it too early to be drinking?” I asked Buzz as we walked away. Of course, Frank had been drinking early, too. “Then again, I’d probably drink around the clock if I had his profession.”
    Buzz laughed. The sound was kind and genuine. “You’re spunky. I like that. So, I was wondering… Would you like to go out for some lunch? I’m assuming you’ll take a break? Or should I not assume anything? I thought you could get to know me better since I just walked in off the street. I’m sure you have questions.” He brushed a black lock from his forehead.
    What would it feel like to run my fingers through his thick hair? He could be dangerous for my career. Too much distraction.
    He was right though, I had questions. Too many questions. “Lunch? Well, I do allow you guys to eat and I occasionally grab a burger.” I chuckled.
    Was he asking me on a date? No. I vowed never again to date band members when Rick took off with his now wife. He’d married Betsy in an intimate drunken setting in a little chapel in Vegas. Classy guy all around, that Rick. But Buzz was being friendly and nothing more, right? Those dimples were so hard to resist. Any sane woman would say yes to almost anything he asked. Almost.
    “What time would you like to go?” he asked.
    I glanced at my watch. “Well, it’s eleven now. I suppose we won’t practice well without food.”
    “No. We definitely need our energy. We should grab a bite now.” He motioned toward the door.
    Frank’s voice boomed in my ear. “What? What the hell? Now we’re not going to practice?”
    I closed my eyes to give myself a second to choose the right words. “Frank, the auditions took longer than we expected, plus the detective showed up.” I hadn’t meant to say detective. That’s what happens when I speak without thinking. Buzz watched us, but he didn’t ask about why the police would be here. I was sure he would during lunch. I’d have to tell the truth. But I supposed he knew what had happened already. He knew we needed a bass player, so I was kidding myself thinking he didn’t know why we needed one.
    “Veronica, can I speak to you?” Kitty motioned with her head.
    Bless her for saving me. “Excuse me,” I said.
    When I reached the table, I pulled out a chair and sat. Danny stood, then ambled toward the restrooms when Kitty gave him the look.
    “That’s it. He’s gay. I should have known,” Kitty whisper-yelled.
    “What? Danny’s gay?” My eyes widened.
    “No, silly. Buzz. Buzz is gay.” She pointed with her fire engine red tipped finger.
    “What makes you say that?”
    “Why else would he bring his friend?” she pointed to Pierce, who, by the way, still watched us from the corner. I’d have to ask Buzz about him. What was with the stare? I had wondered how long it would take Kitty to notice the guy.
    “He brought his friend because they are friends. Besides, he just asked me to go to lunch with him,” I whispered.
    “Buzz asked you out? Oh, maybe he isn’t gay. So you’re going on a date with him?” Her brow