Ann Lister: Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

He reached out and touched her shoulder then bent in toward her opposite ear. “I’m gonna have to leave,” he said. His face brushed against the soft, golden strands of her hair and, for the first time he could smell her fresh scent.

“I was wondering how long it was going to take everyone to notice who you are,” she answered, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“Not long enough.”

He was staring at her again and she shifted her weight nervously. The thought of him leaving saddened her.

“Well, it’s getting late. I should probably get going too. I’ll walk out with you,” Annie blurted.

“Oh, that’s fucking beautiful,” Gary muttered to himself, but loud enough for Buzz to hear. “Like we didn’t see that coming!”

“Is there a back exit we can use?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, follow me,” Annie answered.

“I’ll see you at the gig tomorrow night,” Michael said to Buzz. Then he quickly disappeared out the side door, right on Annie’s heels.

The air was clean and cool outside. Stars filled the cloudless, early summer sky. Michael stood uneasily, looking over his shoulder, waiting for the onslaught of curiosity seekers.

“Can I give you a lift home?” As soon as he asked the question he knew he was in trouble. Brian would be pissed. To hell with Brian.

Annie laughed. “I only live about a mile down that road,” she said pointing off to her left.

“Oh.” He laughed and slid his hands into his pants pockets.

“You can walk with me, if you want,” she suggested nervously.

Michael nodded and followed Annie down the narrow sidewalk.

“Are you cold?” he asked, thinking he detected a slight shiver from Annie. “You can wear my coat if you want.”

“No, I’m fine,” she answered, but Michael’s hands were already draping his coat around her shoulders. “Thanks,” she said.

She pulled the collar up closer to her face and shivered again but this time it wasn’t because she was cold. With the worn leather against her cheeks, she could clearly smell his masculine aftershave, and smiled. She felt warmed to her core and safe.

They walked in silence for several feet until Annie finally got the courage to break the awkwardness between them.

“So, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you think of our band?”

“I was hoping to talk to you about that,” Michael replied.

Annie stopped on the sidewalk and faced him. “Oh God, you don’t like us,” she sighed, looking away from him and clenching her fists into tight balls.

“What gave you that idea? I think you’re great.”

“Your statement sounded as if it was going to end with a ‘but’. It’s okay. I mean, that’s part of the deal, right? You’re supposed to give us your professional opinion at the end of the week, right?”

“Okay. Individually, I think you are all very talented. But together, I think some of the dynamics are wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Annie asked, feeling the sweat collecting on her palms again.

“Well, for starters, I think you should be the front person of the band. You have much more stage presence than Gary, your vocal range is fuller and…,” Michael tried to stifle a laugh but was unsuccessful.

Annie stopped again. “And what?”

“Well, honestly, you’re much sexier to look at.”

Annie felt her face blush with fire and she quickly looked away from Michael and began to walk again.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean that to sound sexist but that’s the way it is in this business. Sex sells. It’s that simple. Plus, you can play guitar better than any…”

Annie spun around. “Excuse me? You better choose your next few words very carefully, Michael, if you don’t want to sound sexist,” she said playfully.

“This isn’t going very well, is it? I’m a man of few words for a reason, Annie, and this is why. I didn’t mean to imply anything by that comment. Can we just say that I was completely blown away by your guitar playing and leave it at that?”

“Thank you. That sounds much better,” she smiled.

They walked in silence for several minutes. Annie’s head swirled with so many thoughts. She suddenly wished she lived much further down the road so she could have more time with Michael.

“Annie, how much do you know about me?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Probably more than you’d like me to,” she smiled. “I’ve been a fan of your music for as long as I can remember. In fact, it was because of your guitar playing that I chose to pursue the guitar.”

“Wow, when you say it like that, it makes me feel pretty damn old.”

“You’ll be thirty-eight on your next birthday. That’s not old.” Annie stopped at the end of her driveway and paused, looking up into his magnificent face.

Michael stared back at her, his face serious but his eyes warm and inviting. He shifted uneasily on the sidewalk. “Annie. Is that your full name or a condensed version of something else?”

Annie smiled. “That’s an interesting question. Not too many people think to ask me that. I guess they just assume my name is Ann and Annie is my nickname.” She glanced up at him and tipped her head shyly. “Actually, my full name is Angelise. I was named after a great-aunt or something but my younger brother could never pronounce it so everyone stated calling me Annie.”

“Angelise is a beautiful name.”

“You can call me that if you like. I answer to both. Just don’t call me Al.”

“I won’t make that mistake again,” he laughed. “I’ll call you Annie.”

He rubbed at his chin thoughtfully and smiled. “I think if I were to shorten your full name I’d call you Angel.”

“If I ever have a daughter, that’s what I’d like to name her.”

A pause fell between them and Michael began to visibly fidget.

“What’s the matter?” Annie asked, seeing the look of confusion on his face.

“I don’t know anything about you but you say you know so much about me. Makes me feel at a disadvantage.”

“Well, that’s because my life hasn’t been written about in books,” she laughed and Michael smiled.

“Don’t believe everything you’ve read, Annie.”

“Are you trying to tell me what I’ve read is a bunch of lies?”

“Most of it’s true. I’m not necessarily proud of it nor am I making apologies for it either. Living through some of that crap made me into the man I am today.”

“I like the man you are today,” she smiled up at him.

Silence blanketed them again while each studied the others face. Annie felt like a teenager on a first date. Michael was so real and down to earth. It was hard to believe he was the mega rock star that he was in reality.

“How long have you been playing?” Michael asked, breaking the trance he was in.

“Since I was thirteen.”

“So how many years is that?”

“Michael, if you’re trying to figure out my age, just ask me.”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re a real smart ass?” he said with a sly smile.

Annie stifled a laugh. “You wouldn’t be the first one to call me that.”

“I like that in a woman.”

Again, they shifted uneasily, removing the space between them.

“I’m thirty-one,” Annie announced.

“Excuse me?”

“You wanted to know my age, didn’t you?”

“Oh, right,” Michael sighed, staring blankly at his feet. He could not believe how nervous he was. What was it about Annie that seemed to drain all rational thoughts from his brain?

“I'll be thirty-two on July 4 th ,” she offered, trying to break the empty silence that hung between them. Michael continued to squirm like a nervous cat and appeared ready to bolt. With her eyes, sh tried to beg him to stay. If this was the only time she'd have alone with him, she didn't want the night to ever end.