Page 54 of Cold Hard Cash

Jerry parked right out front, Rowena leading Jimmy around to a side door that she unlocked to allow them inside. Looping her arm in Jimmy’s, she hummed cheerfully to herself as she strolled through the empty club. Jimmy could hear a piano playing, but didn’t see one yet.

All of the seating on the ground level had been removed to make way for tables, and the theater concession area had been converted into a bar. The stage was massive, flanked by elaborate carvings of wicked beasts and roses, framed by thick red velvet curtains.

Jimmy stared dumbly at the incredible architecture, hypnotized by all the details and rich colors. He grinned, looking up at the private booths overlooking the stage. The second level looked as if it had been also been updated to hold more tables, and he could see another bar. It was absolutely magical.

Up on stage was a young man with short black hair, his nimble fingers coaxing a sweet melody from the grand piano he was seated at. He wore aStar Warsshirt and jeans, almost comically out of place amongst all the finery.

The young man lifted his head, a pure and adoring smile lighting up his face when he saw Rowena. He looked like an eager puppy whose master had returned home after working all day. When his eyes met Jimmy’s, he frowned suspiciously.

“Hello, lovely!” Rowena greeted. “I have someone for you to meet!”

The young man stood up and peered down from the stage, waving at Jimmy. He still didn’t look very pleased. “Hey.”

“This is Jimmy Poe,” Rowena said, giving Jimmy a little squeeze. “He’s my brother’s new beau, and rumor has it that he’s quite the little singer.”

The young man looked instantly relieved, his smile kinder now when he looked at Jimmy. “Oh, yeah?” He grinned, sitting back down at the piano. “Well, it’s really nice to meet you, Jimmy. I’m Dario Romero.”

Chapter Twelve

Jimmy managed to navigate his way through the back around the curtains and joined Dario on stage, shaking his hand with a friendly grin. “Hey, love your shirt!”

“Thanks!” Dario beamed. “Empirewas always the best, you know?”

“Oh! Freakin’ totally!” Jimmy gushed. “Have you seen the new ones yet? Tell me, did you like—”

“Hey! Turn down the geek,” Rowena called out, taking her place at the table positioned closest to center stage. “It’s super adorable, it is, but I need to find out what we’re gonna do with you, Jimmy. If you can sing, you’re so in. If not, well, we gotta find something else.”

“Right.” Jimmy smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“So, any experience singing?” Dario asked.

“I used to do choir, some glee club in high school,” Jimmy said, rubbing at the back of his neck as he approached the microphone stand. “I love musicals, show tunes, anything really.”

Dario thoughtfully ran his fingers over the keys for a moment as if trying to think of an appropriate song to test Jimmy’s singing prowess. He smirked, both of his hands moving over the piano as he appeared to come up with the perfect one.

“Seriously?” Jimmy laughed and turned around to grin at Dario as he recognized the tune immediately as ‘Since I Don’t Have You.’

“Come on, man,” Dario teased, “get yourBuckaroo Banzaion!”

Jimmy swallowed nervously, the sound audible in the microphone. Smiling shyly down at Rowena, he forced himself to calm down. He did his best to imagine the Hong Kong Cavaliers behind him, slowly swaying his hips to the music as he began to softly sing.

Rowena’s jaw dropped, glancing down at her arm as if to check for goosebumps.

Jimmy blushed all the while, belting out the words with all his heart, his hand now resting easily on the microphone. He was more comfortable after the initial beginning, letting the words move him along, singing confidently as he went for a big finish.

Dario’s fingers flew across the keys for one last chord, laughing, “Hey! Not bad, dude!”

“Not bad? Holy shit, Jimmy! You’re amazing!” Rowena was on her feet, clapping and cheering. She grinned at Dario, promptly instructing him, “You two. Come up with a three song set for tonight. You’ll go on at eleven. I’m going to make sure Roddy comes. He has got to hear you sing, holy fuck balls.”

Jimmy gulped, eyes wide. Cold here. Listening to him sing. Watching him on stage.

You’d let me fuck you in front of the whole world...

Jimmy shivered.

“I think we can handle that,” Dario said, giving Rowena a firm salute.

She blew him a kiss, purring, “You’re a doll, Dario. Thank you! Remember, keep it cool but fun. I really wanna knock Roddy’s socks off with this.”