Setting Up

Carson looks up from his desk, having to make an effort to actually focus on Misty, though he wasn’t startled as he brings himself back to the present from his thoughts. “Nah, if I worked too much, I’d actually get something worthwhile done.”

He gestures for Misty to enter his cubicle and draws her close, gently moving her until she’s sitting on his knee, careful not to move too quickly. He rests his head down on her shoulder wearily. “Guess I figured I’d rather not spend time with a group tonight.”

He’s quiet…quieter than normal, and doesn’t offer any more talk himself, but just sits, his arms resting lightly around her.


Con grins as he sees Jamie waiting for him. “Give a man time to get away from work, will ya?” His eyes twinkle with pleasure that Jamie had come, and he wraps his arms around her as she comes close, returning the kiss with just as much feeling.

Whistles and hollers ring out.

“Wooee!”

“Hey, Con!”

“Ooooh man!”

Con’s own smiling finally forces the exchange to end, his face red, though he doesn’t care.

“How come we didn’t know about her?!”

Another whistle sounds. “Ooh, and she’s a little spitfire, ain’t she?!”

“Yeah, man if you ever…”

“Heeeeey,” Con looks over his shoulder, chiding with a humorous growl. A smile quirks the corner of his mouth. “Watch it, Brandon.”

His fellow construction worker grins from ear to ear. “Just a thought.”

“Well stop thinking – you might hurt yourself.” Con knows the guys are just teasing, and can’t help allowing his own humor to show. He was downright proud of Jamie, and having the other guys notice her was all the more a compliment. He slings his arm around her shoulders, guiding her to her car. “We better get you out of here,” he teases, “before someone else steals you away from me.”

Opening her door for her, he pauses. “I know I’m already late, but I have this strange feeling you really don’t want me going like this.” He holds out his arms, displaying how dirty and sweaty he was. “Follow me to my place and give me fifteen minutes, then we can scoot on over.” He rolls his eyes. “And don’t worry about Jason – I haven’t seen him since he moved out, so I doubt he’ll be shedding any tears if I didn’t show up.”


Laura comes bounding off the porch and jogging to Nate’s car, dressed in shorts and tanktop. Sliding into the passenger seat, she throws a smirk at Nate. “I heard the first honk, ya know.” Humor dances in her eyes. “But that’s okay…I wouldn’t want to miss you.”


“Hey, good evening.” Wyatt gives Aerith a smile. “Of course I made it. Like I’d ever skunk you.” He rolls his eyes, knowing he’d already left her high and dry twice.

Pulling away from the curb, he gives her a sidelong glance. “You look nice tonight.”


“Hey, KT!” Kyle announces that Katie has arrived with his enthusiastic holler.

Jen grins and returns Katie’s hug. “Glad you could make it.”

All the guys return the enthusiastic greeting.

“The fun is just beginning!” Kyle exclaims. “Are you nuts? We got a whole hour before the show starts. All you’ve missed is our…”

“Running around like chickens with their heads cut off,” Phil quips. “Kyle, get your big feet off that cord!”

“Whoopsies.” Kyle shifts out of the way. “Sorry, sorry.” He gives Katie a cheesy grin. “I hope you’re ready to rock and roll, ‘cause we’re gonna be rockin’ tonight!”

Phil smirks. “Katie, if you want to help, you can start with helping Jen get that sound board set up.”


Jason pulls into an empty space in the parking lot and glances down the row, spotting Katie’s car. He shouldn’t have been surprised she was already there, but it did change the perspective of things.

A bit of melancholy settles over him. He can feel the same tugging to his heart again, and takes a deep breath, doing his best to keep his feeling submerged while pulling on a nice mask that would tell everyone he was calm, cool and collected.

Dismounting his bike, he heads on in.

“Yo, Jason!” Phil waves from the stage. “Wassup?!”

Jason stops a moment, holding out his hands to the side. “What do you think?”

“It’s showtime!” Kyle gives a whoop, leaping down off the stage.

“Kyle, calm yourself,” Jen chides. She throws Katie a look. “That’s the last time I let him have sugar before a show.”

Kyles grin widens. “Feels pretty good to me!”

Jason shakes his head and sets his backpack down, trying to keep his concentration away from Katie, though finding it difficult. He’d encased himself in a hard determination to handle himself tonight, but being here now seemed to soften him against his own will.

Jen gives him a once over, grinning. “Ooh, went for the black tee and motorcycle boots tonight. I like it.”

Jason’s face reddens slightly. “I didn’t exactly try.”

“Oh, trust me, you don’t have to try,” Jen teases. She squints up at him. “You need a haircut though.”

“Nothing like being blunt,” Phil intervenes.

A sly smile creases Jen’s lips, ignoring her brother and still talking to Jason. “Haven’t had a cut in a while, have you?”

“That bad?”

Jen shakes her head. She could get away with giving her raw opinions about the band’s dress and hair, but it was always done with humor and none of the guys minded a bit. They all knew she had an eye for what looked good and didn’t mind taking her advice. “No, but I like it when it’s trimmed up the sides.”

Jason can’t help a little grin. “Well I doubt I can make it to a barber and back in time.”

Jen reaches down into a box. “That’s why I always carry scissors with me.”

“Hey!” Kyle interrupts. “We need him to help set up.”

“It’ll only take me ten minutes,” Jen promises. She looks at Jason with question. “Your call.”

Jason shrugs. “You’re the manager. Can I trust you?”

Jen giggles. “I cut my brothers’ hair all the time. Come on.” She wheels forward a little and gestures to the floor. Grab a rag to put around your neck and sit down in front of me.”

Jason does as he’s told, lowering himself to the floor between Jen’s legs and leaning back far enough for her to work.

Just as promised, she’s done within ten minutes, having trimmed Jason’s hair shorter up the sides and a bit on top. Borrowing Mike’s gel, she gives Jason just a tad of a spike, letting the front hang down a little bit over his forehead. “There we go! All set.”

Jason stands up and brushes loose hair off himself. “Satisfied?”

Jen beams as she smiles. “Yes. You’re as hott as ever.”

Jason rolls his eyes, trying not to get red in the face again.

“Hey, Jase, throw me one of those spare adapters in the box over there!” Mike calls to him.

All too happy to get away from Jen’s compliments, he moves to the box by the sound booth. Reaching down, he accidentally bumps into Katie who’s hooking up some of the cords. Straightening quickly, he looks at her, swallowing hard. The pull on his wall intensifies, and the anger gets shoved to the side, replaced by his dejected feelings. He didn’t want to speak to her…he wanted to just ignore her presence like he had been. But deep down, that wasn’t really how he felt. He was angry and frustrated, but there was still a little boy there that just wanted to feel better again and simply didn’t know how. He knew he'd been wrong to give everyone the cold shoulder lately...he just didn't know how else to deal with what he'd been feeling.

An unexplainable force draws his voice out as if prompting him towards healing. “Sorry, I…” he glances down, fidgeting with he adapter he’d retrieved. Looking back up, he gains courage he didn’t think he had. “How ya doing?”

Kyle raises his hand, ready to holler at Jason for something else, but Jen throws him a warning glance, heading him off.