The Band Guy and the Bartender (Closed for myself and Jupiter0)

[Taranis]

Mitch sat at the bar of his favorite local hang out and venue. The 25 year old 6'3" buzzed cut drummer sipped his beer while he looked at his drum kit on the make shift stage. He had a gig that night with his buddies and there was a decent turn out. He played this bar so regularly he didn't even bother to hand out flyers half the time since most people knew his band "Ground Ball with Eyes" was playing most thursday evenings. He finished his beer and looked at the time noticing he had time to kill.

The rest of his band mates, Kevin on Bass, and Ryan on lead vocals and guitar would be their shortly. He usually was early since his stuff took longer to set-up, plus he liked talking to his favorite bartender, who always seemed to be working when they played. Either she liked their music, could tolerate it, or sucked it up because they had become friends over the years. He finished his beer and looked over his left arm which was fully covered in tattoos noting that he needed to get some of it touched up.

A few minutes went by and Kevin and Ryan walked in and he greeted them with the usual hello's and helped bring and set stuff up. He then looked back at the bar looking for his favorite girl.
"Hey could we get 3 beers? Thanks doll!"
And he gave her a big goofy cheesy grin after he yelled to her. He liked to pretend he was a hot shot rockstar when clearly he wasn't. But she never really got mad which is why their friendship worked. He set up his own mic and once things were set up they walked back to the bar to retrieve their requested beverages and wait for their time to start.

 

[Jupiter0]

Macie smiled over at Mitch, clarifying his order. She bent down to the minifridge under the bar and pulled out three beers. Their usual. She had been a bartender at this bar since she turned 21, so she was a pro of four years now. She leaned forward on her elbows against the bar, her left hand idly twirling the stud on her lip, as she watched Mitch set up early like he usually did. There wasn't a lot of people at the bar yet, but she would be expecting a small rush when the gig started.

When Mitch came over to retrieve his beers, she gave him her usual smile. "So, no 'Hello, Macie. How are you today, Macie? You're looking well, Macie. Is that a new shirt, Macie?" She joked with him. "Just a 'Gimme beer-typical-man' hello? Now, I think I deserve better than that since, after all, I'm the one with the beer." She smiled, with that sly look on her face.

She had known Mitch for a few years now, and they always were like this, joking around and stuff. Mildly flirting at times. But they had never really had a chance to do anything about the small attraction they had for each other. A fine example would be that she had a boyfriend of a few weeks as of now. Speaking of the devil, the phone in her pocket vibrated, signalling a text message from said guy.

 

[Taranis]

Mitch laughed slightly at her comments and just drank his beer. They teased each other constantly but always in jest, never to really hurt the others feelings though sometimes when he was drunk things were said they he didn't want to say.
"You know me, I like beer... plus you always look good, all your shirts look the same to me, and I assumed you're doing well because I am here."
He ended it with a chuckle and playful wink. He looked at the people slowly filtering into the average sized establishment and Ryan did his usual front man thing, greeting people, telling them to buy the crappy t-shirts they paid some art student to make them and Kevin smoked cigarettes trying to chat up a girl.

He laughed hoping the girl he was sort-of kind of off and on seeing would show up. The two had a small history but they were on an "on" phase and hoped she'd be there. He kept drinking his beer and noticed Macie taking her phone to check a message then smiling.
"So, that the new guy you're dating? I'm hoping he's not like the last one... I dont wanna have to kick this guy's ass...oh and tell him to come to the show!"
Mitch chuckled slightly again always promoting his band to whomever when he had the chance. The more new ears to hear his music the better. He did hope Macie found herself a good guy, she deserved it.

They had subtly flirted a few times and he always held this attraction towards her but had seen her with other guys, and assumed he was secured in the 'friend zone". He checked the time and saw they only had a few minutes before they started and started to drink his beer a bit faster hoping to finish before he had to drum and sing.

 

[Jupiter0]

Macie laughed a little at his comments. "You wish that was the reason." She joked. She smiled at the message, because it was one of those cute little lovey-dovey things. But she wasn't too sure about this guy. She didn't feel like herself when he was around. But he did make her feel appreciated at times.

"I would invite him, but he is working tonight. Sorry, hon. I know you'd appreciate every soul that hears your music. What about that chick you're seeing? That is, I'm assuming you two are still together. I haven't seen her around much."

Macie was making some more drinks for these two guys and a slutty-looking girl who had just walked up to the bar. After serving them, her phone vibrated again and she checked the message. Things were starting to seem funny with Mark. He was seeming more and more distant, than he had two weeks ago when he was all over her.

 

[Taranis]

Her guy was working and couldn't come to the show, very understandable... he wished he had an excuse like that for Lyla but did not. He got a text asking why she should come whens she had already seen him play a million times before. She had been a groupie but had a tendency to lose interest quickly, making her a bad groupie. Plus he had suspected her of cheating but never brought it up for fear of her freaking out like she did from time to time. So he just shrugged to Macie.
"Maybe she'll show, and yeah we are I guess back together. She's been busy with stuff and school..."

Mitch chugged the end of his beer and let out a less than attractive belch and then watched as she served others. He leaned over the bar grabbing a glass and filling it with water. He sometimes helped himself to things when she was busy and the owner had seen him do this and didn't seem to care since he and his band brought in business, and didn't care if he was getting water.
"Macie, I grabbed a water and we're gonna start now.."

He walked over to his kit and slammed a stick on a cymbal getting everyone's attention. Ryan and Kevin began tuning a bit as he turned his mic on.
"Alright bitches we are starting... and as you know we are Ground Ball with Eyes. And tonight we are gonna play a few songs, a few covers a few originals and a few others, Of course you can request all you want and we probably won't play it...and if one of you fuckers yells free bird one more time I will kill you!"
At that note their friend Joe jumped on a chair with a lighter in hand.
"FREE BIRD!"
"Alright, Joe dies first..."
And at that Kevin busted out a fat base line and Ryan fell in as they played one of their old songs first. They were a kind of punk/rock/random typical garage band.

Mitch kept looking to see if Lyla showed up and hadn't seen her, maybe she would show up later, but it was doubtful. A few more songs, an AC/DC cover, another original and then they took a "half time" break after one more song.
"Okay monkeys, my throat needs liquid, and whoever buy's me the most expensive shot of whatever gets to request a song... "
Ryan and Kevin cleared their throats.
"Oh yeah, you gotta buy one for them too...okay, be back in 15"
He then stood up from his seat and pulled his shirt off, after sweating a bit. Besides the full sleeve of tattoos he also had quite a few on his chest, stomach, back and a few on his other arm. He walked up to the bar and looked at Macie.
"Enjoy the show tonight? and can i get another beer please?"
He smiled and wiped his forehead high fiving a few people as they came over and chatted with his budies. Though he was hoping that Macie was enjoying their set.

 

[Jupiter0]

Macie heard Mitch say something about water and she nodded her response as she had her back turned and was mixing a vodka tonic. "Ok, have fun Mitchie." She said over her shoulder, using her little pet name for him.

Throughout the playing, Macie was busy mixing drinks and tending to customers, but she could hear the band, and thought that they were actually pretty good. At times, she got a few good glimpses at Mitch. He was quite the drummer.

As he came over she had a beer ready on the counter. She watched the plethora of tattoos become exposed as he took of his shirt and couldn't help but to think about how attractive he looked with them. She had a few tattoos herself, but none that could match any of his.

"Oh yes, I'm loving the show. It's you guys' best one yet" She smiled and was cleaning out a mug with a rag.

 

[Taranis]

As he walked up there was a beer waiting for him that Macie had obviously set out for him and he smiled at her. She said she was loving the show and said it was their best one which was sweet.
"Macie you say that every week!"
He chuckled slightly and as he sipped at his beer he looked around the bar trying to find what he thought was his girlfriend but didn't see her anywhere and just shrugged. Mitch went to turn back to Macie and talk when a girl walked over and smiled carrying two shots of what he assumed was not top shelf whiskey.
"Hey...good show..." ANd she handed him a shot. "Cheers"

She said as she downed the brown liquid and he did the same, she made a weird face and he shrugged at the taste of the cheap whiskey.
"Thanks..."
He could tell she was trying to hit on him and was using her looks. She was definitely an attractive girl, but not his type, to perfect looking. To much make up and her hair was to awkwardly straight. But he took the shot and Kevin said they'd be going back up soon.
"so you play drums good....oh and does this mean I get to request a song?"
She gave a playful smile and touched his arm with this look.

He laughed slightly and chugged his beer then looked at her.
"I play drums well... and no."
She looked pissed and was about to say something but he walked away and back up to his drum kit and sat down.
"Alright people...time for another cover..."
He smiled and was excited since it was one of his favorite songs. The broke into Motorhead's Ace of spades. After he drank some water and Ryan did some stuff talking with the crowd and a few more songs and it was the end of their set.
"Thank you everyone for coming out and we also want to thank O'Hallern's Pub for having...and Macie! Our wonderful bartender! Go over and give her a big tip. thank you everyone drive safe."

They were done and people started to filter out but some stayed to see if there was a party after and to finish drinking until the bar closed. He talked to a few friends and glanced over at Macie a few times to see how she was and if she was busy.