“Don’t bring me into this. Besides, if I sing, we will give ourselves away. I’m surprised no one has recognized Vivi and Maggie,” Rosalie says.
“I’m surprised your face hasn’t given us up by now,” Maggie says.
“Don’t look, but we’re spotted already. I was looking around and recognize the faces of two men. They were part of the tour’s bodyguard staff.” Vivian says.
I watch Rosalie slowly scan the place, recognize them and then recognize me. She stops for a couple of seconds on me before continuing her cursory gaze.
“Should we confront them?” Vivian asks.
“No,” both Genevieve and Rosalie say.
“You stay far away from them,” Rosalie adds.
I take my eyes off of them and watch the men. One of them has eyes glue to Vivian. Seems like there is a story behind it, one Vivian is not aware of, but it doesn’t sound good.
“Rosie, please sing a song while I go deal with those two.” Even I can tell that’s an order from Genevieve. Rosalie sighs and heads over to the karaoke machine and punches a few numbers. Did she queue in a set?
I don’t know the title of the song but I recognize it’s Britney Spears. By the chorus, I’m transfixed with Rosalie. Sheturns the little karaoke stage into her entire platform. Rosalie sings extraordinarily well; she also has a commanding aura. Is the way she looks at you and the way she moves her body that puts you under her spell.
It feels like she is only looking at me, calling me to get closer to her. I grab the corner of the bar until my knuckles turn white and force myself not to move. Cooper, remember you are only here to make sure they get taken care of and head out wherever next they want to go. Getting attached is not part of the plan. Whatever this irrational feeling stops now. I force myself to look at the table the two men were sitting. I find them standing towering over Genevieve, but it doesn’t look like they are intimidating her.
They look a little scared of her. Rosalie is starting her third song and people are gathering in front of her, dancing and singing along when Genevieve points towards the door, tipping her chin towards it. One of the man speaks, but she shushes him. I can’t hear their conversation, but the tension in the men’s body is very telling.
The men walk towards the door, but I don’t watch them leave. I turn my attention up front to the little karaoke stage where the microphone catches Rosalie’s voice, telling someone to leave her alone and to stop trying to hug her. Before I even knew what I was doing, I grab the man’s shoulder and push him away from Rosalie.
I stand in front of him, glaring at anyone who thinks they can get close to her without her consent. One of the security guys finally shows up and asks people to get back to their seats and to respect Saddleback’s tourist. He then comes close to me and whispers.
“Calm down dude, you are going to drive out the customers.”
I glare at him before turning to Rosalie. My hands hover over her arms as I look up and down. “Did he harm you?” I ask.
“He didn’t. How about you sit at our table while we do one last song?” I arch my eyebrow.
She makes it sound like both a question and an order. I give in when the other three women reach the platform and grab a microphone.
This song I know the title and so does everyone in Sing Note. I wonder if they work in the entertainment industry because they know how to enthrall a crowd. They owned Man! I Feel Like A Woman by Shaina Twain. Rosalie walks towards me as the other three go to the cashier.
“What was that?” She says as soon as she sits.
“What was what?”
“Don’t play fool Cooper. You’ve been watching us and I’ve been watching back. I may not know you, but I’m certain you are no fool. You didn’t have to grab his shoulder the way you did. You could have broken a bone.”
“The best he is gonna get is a bruise. I would have grabbed him differently if I want to break his shoulder.”
“Well, thanks for not wanting to break his shoulder. I could have handled it. I was handling it. The security of this place could have handled it. I’m grateful for the help, but it was excessive.”
“Do you want me to apologize to the dude?”
“What? No. What type of mental gymnastics your brain is doing? Just think a little before you almost assault someone. It can get us in trouble.”
“Of course. You are looking out for you and your friends.”
“I meant you and I, but whatever. I shouldn’t be caring for the well-being of someone who I’m not gonna see. I also wanted to say that I talk to the mechanic and I’ve talked to a family member of mine that’s gonna pick me and my friends up. Thank you and your brothers for stopping and helping us. Have a good night and please don’t get into fights.”
“I don’t get into fights,” I lie, and she stares blankly at me.
“Do I look like I’ll believed you?” I shake my head, and she smirks before taping the table and standing up. “Sleep well, Cooper.”
