Chapter 10: It’s Not Easy Tonight

            Chance, Dan, Darren, and Scott all stepped out of the studio talking and laughing. The atmosphere throughout the group had completely changed after Chance’s performance. By now, it was nearly one in the morning, but no one seemed to care.

            “Hey, let’s go get some coffee,” Chance suggested as she locked up the studio.

            “Sure,” Darren said. They climbed into Scott’s SUV and were off to the nearest café they could find. Chance spotted one called Caffe Roma. Scott pulled in and everyone got out.

            “This looks like a nice little place,” Dan said as he stepped inside. Because it was so late, barely anyone was there. Some light music was playing in the background making the mood of the place soft and elegant.

            The four of them sat down at a table near the window again. Everyone was silent. Chance could feel the light atmosphere between and leaned against Scott. She smiled and closed her eyes. It had turned out to be a great night. Scott and Darren were able to get along for once since they both shared an interest in recording music. Dan and Chance began to get to know each other better since they loved playing music.

            “So,” she quietly said.

            “So?” Darren replied. “That was a lot of fun.”

            “Yeah, I loved jamming with Dan. That was so awesome,” Chance said then yawned.

            “I still can’t believe you learned to play the piano so quickly,” Dan added, sinking into his chair.

            “What was your favorite song of the night?” Scott chimed in.

            “Probably that first one Chance sang. The one that went ‘All I can give you is my heart and my soul,’” Darren sang.

            “I really like that song,” Chance replied.

            “What’s its title?” Dan asked.

            “I think I was gonna title it ‘Forever Your Girl,’” she answered. “You know what I really wish we had time to sing?”

            “What?” all three guys said at once.

            “‘Crash and Burn,’” Chance pronounced. “I absolutely love that song.”

            “That’s probably the best song off the album,” Darren agreed.

            “It totally fits with our relationship. We’re all friends and we’re always helping each other through hard times,” she responded. “Especially you, Darren. I’ve gone through two episodes in front of you, and you totally stood by me through both of them. Thank you.”

            “Mushy moment,” Dan blurted. They began to laugh and a waitress walked up to them to take their order. All ordered coffee and a slice of chocolate cheesecake.

            “I feel like a pig tonight,” Chance suddenly said. “I’ve eaten so much, and I haven’t paid for any of it.”

            “Oh, shut up,” Scott said. He bent down and kissed her waiting lips. “See, you just paid for it.”

            “Why can’t I ever get a relationship like theirs?” Darren complained. “Every single one I’ve been in either sucked or ended in divorce. I’m beginning to think I’m a loser in love.”

            “Aw, Darren. Don’t think that way,” Chance tried to comfort. She reached over to him and put her hand on his cheek. “I’ll always love you.”

            He and Dan laughed. “Why is it that girls always say that?” Dan questioned.

            “Because we’re trying to make everyone feel better. Since guys aren’t allowed to be sensitive, girls have to do it for them,” Chance explained.

            Dan turned to Darren and said, “I love you, man!” Then they hugged.

            Chance exploded into laughter. “Fuck you! I tried to explain myself and you two decide to mock me. That’s the last time I’ll ever do that again.” Tears dripped down her face as she began to laugh harder. She slowly began to calm down and a sudden peace settled over the table.

            Chance listened to the music in the background and recognized it as Fisher’s “I Will Love You.” She stood up and motioned for Darren to follow her. “Just to prove that I’m not joking, dance with me,” she nearly whispered.

            Darren took her hand and stood up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly they began to dance.

“Till my body is dust
Till my soul is no more
I will love you
Love you
Till the sun starts to cry
And the moon turns to rust
I will love you
Love you
But I need to know
Will you stay for all time
Forever and a day?
And I'll give my heart
Till the end of our time
Forever and a day”

            “This is a beautiful song,” Darren whispered into her ear. He had been listening to the lyrics all along and had to say something to Chance about them.

            Chance looked at him. Her eyes were large and looked so innocent. It was as if she were about to cry. Quietly she began to sing the rest of the song to him.

“And I need to know
Will you stay for all time
Forever and a day?
And I'll give my heart
Till the end of our time
Forever and a day
Till the stars fill my eyes
And we touch the last time
I will love you
Love you
I will love you
Love you
I will love you
Love you”

            They stayed in each other’s arms letting the end of the song linger between them. Chance didn’t want to let go. She felt so safe in Darren’s arms, but Scott was watching and she knew she had to let go. She gently leaned over and kissed his cheek before her arms fell to her sides and she returned to Scott.

            The coffee and cheesecake came, and not a word was said between the group members. They enjoyed their food then paid and left the café. Even the drive home was silent. Dan was the first to go. He said his thank yous and goodbyes, then went into the hotel. Darren sat in the back contemplating about what had just happened at the café between himself and Chance.

            ‘I wish she would stop screwing with my feelings. Doesn’t she realize that it hurts when someone does that?’ he asked himself. ‘Then again, she’s only 17. She hasn’t been through that many relationships in her life, and she needs to learn.’

            ‘Stop covering for her,’ another voice came from his subconscious. ‘You need to tell her what’s on your mind or you’re going to get hurt like you usually do. You even said she needs to learn. Let her learn now so she’ll stop. It’ll be better for both of you.’

            “Darren, what are you thinking about?” Chance asked from the front seat. She had turned around to watch him as he thought. “Your eyes look so intense. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

            “You didn’t,” he replied. “I was just thinking about what happened tonight.”

            “Let me guess, the dance?” she said.

            “Yeah, the dance. And I have to tell you something.”

            “What?”

            “I can’t take what you’re doing to me.”

            “What am I doing to you?” Chance innocently asked. She knew where this conversation was going.

            “This is the second time you’ve messed with my feelings, and I don’t want to get hurt anymore,” Darren answered. “You could blame me for the first time because it was my fault for falling asleep, but this second time, you’re the one who wanted to dance.”

            “Chance, what’s Darren talking about?” Scott asked. They had already reached Chance’s house, so he parked the car and waited for an answer.

            “Scott, it’s nothing,” Chance tried to lie.

            “If it’s nothing, then why don’t you tell me?” he replied.

            “Fine!” she nearly yelled. ‘I knew it was going to come to this sooner or later,’ she thought then said, “I’ve been flirting with Darren ever since we met. He’s pissed because I’m jerking his chain, figuratively speaking. This first time I really fucked with his feelings was when I freaked out during the storm last night. I let him fall asleep next to me, in my bed, but nothing, absolutely nothing, happened between us.”

            “You slept with him?” Scott yelled. “How could you do this to me especially after putting my life on the line so that I could be with you? I thought you loved me.”

            “I do love you, Scott. There’s no one else in this world that I could love more,” Chance tried to explain. She reached over to take his hand, but he moved away. “Please, don’t do this to me. You have no idea what you mean to me.”

            Darren knew he wasn’t supposed to be listening to the fight. He slipped out of the car unnoticed and waited for Chance and Scott to finish their fight before doing or saying anything.

            “As far as I can see, I mean about as much to you as every other guy in this world. No wonder Brad hates you so much. You are a bitch,” Scott spat. “This is it. I never want to see you again.”