Chapter 5

Pearl looked at the book Frank held out to her. It was the Bukowski book Rhys had been looking though. She smiled and placed it in the bag with the other books and thanked Frank. She headed to her car, still smiling from the interaction and how amazing her day was turning out to be. She continued with her errands, grabbing a quick late lunch and stopping for a few things she needed. 

She made it to John's house at around 5 and he and the guys were already getting set up for practice. His basement wasn't the most glamorous but it worked perfectly for their rehearsal space. His wife Janie was incredibly understanding and supportive. She had met them both in college when Janie and John started dating and was so happy to see them still going strong. "Hey woman! Having a good day?" John asked. He and Janie had been her biggest supporters recently during her divorce and she was so grateful. "I'm good actually. Today is a good day so far and that's all I can ask for, one good day at a time, right?" Pearl replied, grabbing a beer from the basement fridge. John was their rhythm guitar player and also her acoustic partner. He was setting up his amp and their drummer, Blake flashed her a thumbs up as he finished setting up his drums. Blake was awesome. Tattooed from head to toe, He was young compared to the rest of the band at 21, but he was a ball of energy and enthusiasm and she really appreciated what he brought to it. Antonio, preferably Tony, their bass player, was sitting on the couch, scrolling his phone. He was also great, very laid back. He was 100% Italian from New York and looked the part with his dark hair and accent. Pearl was always calling him "boss" and quoting the Godfather to him. They had a great comedic camaraderie that she enjoyed.  Their lead guitar player, Dylan, was a different story. He wasn't there yet, he had a habit of being late. He was stoic and quiet. Not like the usual lead guitar players she was used to. He gave her the impression he preferred male lead singers and was always short with her. He suggested a lot of male sung cover songs and really didn't say much when she would give them her lyrics she was working on or making suggestions. He seemed to almost avoid her as much as possible. They were a rock band, by most standards, but she liked to throw in slower songs, more lyrically in-depth and diverse sounding than just the basic rock genre. She wanted to reach people. People like her that have been or are currently in bad places. In pain. Hopeless. She loved the thought of being able to relate to them and make them feel that someone else understands. That's what music and poetry has always been to her. An outlet for the pain. A lifeline to hope. And the other guys seemed to dig her ideas but Dylan seemed indifferent most of the time or even bothered by her. 

After they all got set up, still waiting on Dylan, they chatted a little about their upcoming gig. Pearl was thrilled and they started to get their song lineup put together. Finally Dylan arrived and rehearsal went off without a hitch. It felt good to sing and belt out words and energy with the guys. They picked up their stuff and Pearl went to the bathroom to get ready for her anand John's acoustic gig that night at the local brewery. As she was walking out, she practically ran Dylan over making his way out of the basement. "Sorry, Dylan,  I didn't see you there." Pearl said, obviously embarrassed. "All good" Dylan  replied moving quickly away. He was also younger than her. She still wasn't sure his exact age but he hinted at his late 20s. He reminded her of a young Ethan Hawke. Tall and a little awkward. Medium length, straight dirty blonde/brown hair and a goatee. He was sexy in a sarcastic, quiet way. Unassuming. A bit of a drifter. John had met him one night while out with a few buddies having a beer after work and Pearl had an awkward evening with him once. They hadn't talked much since. 

She was thankful for Dylan, he had worked it so John and Pearl could do acoustic sets sometimes at his brewery and it's where they were going to be tonight. It allowed her some extra cash here and there which every little bit helped.

Pearl and John and Janie packed up and headed out to the Fifth Street Brewpub in the city. It was a half hour drive and the food was amazing. Dylan worked as a brewer and bartender there. It was a great place for acoustic music. Pearl loved to sing stripped down versions of Heart and Fleetwood Mac as well as other artists that moved her. Tonight she was adding some others as well as some originals. She felt so alive when she was up singing. Not the shy, weird, pushed down woman she had been. No. On stage was when she could be free of all that. 

After the first set, she went to the bar to get some water. Dylan was behind the bar and handed her a glass and told her she was sounding good tonight. "Ok" Pearl thought out loud. "That's a nice compliment coming ffrom Mr. Moody Pants". She smiled and thanked him and headed to the table where John and Janie were seated. Tony said he and his girlfriend might come by later, too. Just then Blake and his buddy from another band he was in showed up. "Can't stay Pearly Pearl but I wanted to stop in and say hi and show some love before we have to meet some people. Plus we're starving" Blake said and sat down giving Janie a rambunctious hug. John and Pearl started the next set and Pearl was just beginning Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" when she looked at the door and saw him. The beautiful man from the bookstore, Rhys, walking in. His hair was tucked behind his ear and he glanced at the stage. "Just before our love got lost you said..."I am as constant as a northern star" and I said "constantly in the darkness? Where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar....." Pearl sang as her heart raced. He slowly walked along the edge of the bar stools, his eyes never leaving Pearl while she sang. "Oh I could drink a case of you darlin, and I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet...." she felt him watching her. Did he recognize her? No. It was a brief meeting. No way should could forget him though, he was and still was quite literally the most beautiful man ever created. They played three more cover songs and then an original Pearl wrote during her marriage. It was about being lonely when you weren't alone. "Loneliness isn't always about being alone. I've been alone surrounded by seas of eyes and oceans of tears...." she began. He still watched her, intently. And he seemed saddened by the song. Affected. She never stopped watching him, either. They finished the set and as she approached the side of the bar and asked Dylan for another water, she turned and he was right beside her. "Hello,  Pearl with the beautiful eyes. Not only a poetry lover, but also a poet I see." Rhys was close enough for her to smell the beer on his breath. "Indeed."

Pearl said. "I spent my entire life wanting to be the muse, but it didn't work out that way. So I became the poet instead." She looked directly in his eyes when she said it. Screw it, she thought. What did she have to lose. Why be shy and afraid? Why not be herself for once? Who cares what anyone thought anymore anyway.

If I am not mistaken, you could possibly be one of the most, if not the most, intriguing women I've ever met." Rhys said with a direct look. What??? Pearl thought. Me?? No way he was serious. "And if I'm not mistaken, you may be a stalker. Are you following me?" Pearl grinned when she asked, knowing she was just being cute. "No. I am pleasantly surprised to see you here, especially singing though. But I'm in town for a few short days and wanted a beer. This place is a block from my hotel so I figured it would fill the need. Looks like it did. In more ways than one." Rhys replied. "Well I am happy at this fortuitous meeting again. Now at least I get to thank you for the books. You didn't have to do that, but it made my day." Pearl said.  "It was my pleasure" Rhys replied. They locked eyes and it started to feel like no one else was in the bar when Dylan interrupted them. "Hey Pearl, you want this water or what?" He slammed the glass right in between them. Nice, Dylan. Keep the crappiness going toward me, Pearl thought. "Yes thank you, Dylan" 

But he didn't leave. He stood behind the bar with his eyes on Rhys. What was his problem? Bad enough he didn't like me, but now he was just being a dick, Pearl thought with annoyance. 

John then motioned her over. It was their last set. "Are you staying here long?" Pearl asked Rhys. "As long as you're here, entertaining me, no chance I'm leaving." He replied. Pearl walked to the stage and they did their last set. Rhys never left where he stood when their conversation ended. She noticed people staring at him. Whispering to each other. A couple of people shook his hand. I mean who wouldn't, he was gorgeous. Magnetic. After they packed up, Rhys walked to the door. Pearl followed him out. She thought he was leaving and wanted to at least say goodbye. She found him, a ways down the alley, lighting a cigarette, a girl approaching him. "Hey there. My friend and I noticed you inside and were star struck to say the least and she dared me to say hi. So hi!" The cute young blonde blurted out. Pearl hung back and watched the whole thing. Star struck? It was cute, even though she wasn't thrilled about it for some reason. Why did she care? "Hi, how are you?" Rhys replied dryly. He took a drag from the cigarette and glanced toward Pearl, seeing her watching. He gave a slight smile and said," Are you enjoying the show? I came to see Pearl sing. Really amazing. Pearl come over here and meet....sorry, what's your name?" "Meghan" she said and out her eyes down. "Meghan, come meet Meghan." Pearl walked over and said "Great to meet you, I was just going back in." "Me too" said Rhys. "Can we get a picture with you!?" Meghan asked Rhys. "Sure" he said. Pearl went to walk out of the way and Rhys grabbed her and pulled her tight to him. Great. They were all in the picture now. 

They sat down on the only two stools left. "Thought I was leaving without saying goodbye, huh? How sentimental Pearl." Rhys chuckled. "Actually I was going to ask you to bum a smoke but decided against it at the last minute." Pearl replied. "Was it because of my fan club?" Rhys asked just as smartly. "Yea about that...who are you?" Pearl knew she sounded stupid but she was genuinely curious. "I'm Rhys. Most people know me by my full name. Holden Rhys Tomlinson. Or just Holden Tomlinson. I'm an actor. I'm in this little show called Knights of Eden. Heard of it?" He smiled and looked away. Holy shit he's an actor. Holy. Shit. She'd heard of it, maybe? She rarely watched tv. She didn't even own a tv. But she'd seen people post about it on social media. Guessing the new season storyline and discussing characters. "I've heard of it a little?" she wasn't going to lie to him. "I really don't watch much tv" she confessed. He laughed a big, belly laugh and said "That's perfect. That's just perfect. I knew you were special, Pearl. This is great."  

Just then, Dylan came over and asked what they wanted to drink. Rhys ordered a pint and asked Pearl what she would like. "I'll take one of those, too." Pearl said. "Lovely" Dylan responded dryly. After another pint and several conversations about some other writers they liked and a little about Rhys' show, John and Janie came over to say goodbye. Janie stopped and looked like she'd seen a ghost. "Holden Tomlinson!!! Oh my god I'm a HUGE fan!" Janie yelled excitedly. "I love Knights of Eden! What are you doing here? And you know Pearl? Is this a work thing, Pearl?" Janie rambled. "No actually, we met at Frank's bookstore today. Not a work thing. You two have a great night. Love you guys." Pearl said like is wasn't a big deal to be sitting next to Rhys. It didn't feel like that to her. She just genuinely enjoyed his company, however corny that sounded. "Well great to meet you, Holden. And have a great night, Pearly girl." John said with a wink. 

"I should get going, too" Pearl said. "It's late. I have to get my car from the parking garage. It was great seeing you again. Thank you for the books, really. And thanks for the beers and the conversation. I needed it more than you know" 

"You are more than welcome, Pearl with the pretty eyes. I had an unexpectedly amazing time, too. Mind if I walk you out?" 

"Not at all" Pearl said. She went to the side of the bar and grabbed her jacket and purse. Dylan stood over her. "What are you doing with that guy? He seems like a total douchebag. I don't trust him and you just met him." Dylan was being an invasive dick, not just a regular dick. "Why are you so concerned? It's none of your business actually, and I'm fine." Pearl replied. Dylan grabbed her arm. "It's just not like you to act like this Pearl. You don't just randomly hook up with dudes at bars." 

"I didn't know my moral decisions affected you, Dylan. Appreciate the concern but back off, I haven't had the best luck lately when it comes to meeting people, so if you don't mind, I'd like to enjoy this, thank you" Pearl replied, pulling her arm away. What the hell was his problem?