Free Holding On To Love by A.E. Neal Page A

out of the house. Ever.
    I needed to keep him on my side, so I chose my words carefully. "I just asked what her name was. She seemed pretty pissed about that chick I banged in the bathroom. Sorry, man. I didn't know she was here."
    He shrugged and said, "Nah. It's cool, man. Don't mind Ally, she gets hostile with all guys, not just you."
    Ally...her name is Ally. Fits that spunky personality of hers to the "t".
    "...Friday and Saturday?" He asked, but I was still rolling her name around in my head and didn't hear him.
    "Huh?" I asked quickly. "I guess that scotch finally getting to me."
    "Ha! Tell me about it, I'm pretty shit-faced myself," he laughed. "I just wanted to know if you wanted us on Friday and Saturday nights or did you have something else in mind?"
    I shook my head. I need to quit thinking about her. "Yeah. Friday and Saturday for now, unless something changes," I said, shaking his hand, "I'll have Finn draw up a contract for you on Monday. See you guys next week."
    I turned and walked out of the dressing room, wondering if my little fox had left the pub yet, I thought I'd ask Finn if he'd seen her leave. Just as I passed the bar I saw her heading for the door in a hurry, towing a tiny black-haired girl behind her.
    I shouted after her, but it was already too late. She disappeared into the darkness behind the door and I watched as it closed slowly, separating her world from mine. I decided to let her go, figuring she needed to cool off anyway and me running after her wasn't going to help.
     
    The pub had pretty much cleared out, we still had a few regulars nursing their drinks at the bar. I assumed Finn had already made his last call announcement since the waitresses were busy wiping down tables and clearing empty glasses.
    Finn came up beside me and cleared his throat, "Great night we had tonight. We ran out of Fat Tire and we need to order more whiskey. Other than that, we did well, my friend."
    "We did," I agreed, slapping him on the shoulder. "I asked the band to play two nights a week for the next few months. You think you can draw up a contract for me Monday?"
    He nodded. "Sure thing, boss." I laughed.
    Finnegan and I are business partners and old friends. We've known each other for years and once I'd finally started making some money playing hockey, we agreed to open the pub together and split everything fifty-fifty. I'd known he had bar tended back in college, so it was a no brainer when he offered to help out until we found a replacement.
     
    "I've got practice tomorrow and Monday night. You gonna be alright here while I'm gone?" I asked.
    "Yeah. You know me. I got this," he said, turning to head back to the bar. "She's quite the looker, that one," he laughed, pointing towards the door.
    His comment caught me off guard, but I nodded in agreement. Sneaky bastard had me all figured out. I laughed and strolled back to the dressing room.
    The door was propped open and the room was empty except for a few of the band's instruments and an empty bottle of scotch. I sat in the wing-back chair and inhaled deeply. I swore I could still smell faint traces of Ally and I adjusted myself to keep my hard-on from piercing through the seam of my jeans. She was getting to me, finding her way into my head without even trying. Her long tanned legs, gorgeous blue eyes and those perky breasts were all I could see when I closed my eyes. I rest my head in my hands and let out an audible sigh. Damn it all to hell. 

Chapter 5
 
Ally
     
    I looked over at Andrew and smiled, his brown eyes gleaming in the dim light. He squeezed my hand tightly. "I love you," he whispered. I love you, more, I mouthed silently.
    Out of the corner of my eye, two bright headlights barreled towards us. Everything fell into slow motion. My body was completely numb. I tried to reach out to touch Andrew, who was lying motionless against the steering wheel, but I couldn't move. The winter air filled my chest and at the same time, pushed down on me with