The Rules We Break 6 - The Evening

"That’s so cool that you’re touring again, man. I miss it," Jeremy said, putting down his bottle with a sigh.

"You could be doing the same," Tom said with a nudge. Jeremy shook his head.

"I'm so rusty. Plus, I don't even have a band anymore."

"You could do a solo run!" Jessica said. "That's what Tom is doing, expressive guitar rhythms." She turned to Tom with a worshipping gaze. "The crowd goes crazy for it."

The words dripped from her tongue as she nuzzled her nose against his.

"You are my starlight, you know that?" Tom said.

"You are my soul and purpose," Jessica replied, interlocking her fingers with his. They closed their eyes and shook subtly. Jeremy cleared his throat and looked away.

"Doing the soul-bonding thing again, huh?" He said.

"Don't judge what you don't understand," Tom said. "It's a next-level connection."

"It really is, like, I thought I knew what love was before, you know? I thought I knew what it meant to feel and be felt. And then we tied souls and…" Jessica trailed off with a laugh. "It's magical, right babe?"

“So magical. She’s actually teaching classes now at her spirit shop.”

“No kidding,” Jeremy said, looking at Jessica. “Is it doing well?”

“VERY well. I’m going to get certified in spiritual healing next month.”

“Wow,” Jeremy watched as the two collapsed into one another.

They were a pair of complex emotions dressed in blackwear and tattoos. The kind of relationship that always seemed two steps away from implosion. And yet, when Jeremy watched them, he envied their energy. Their willingness to be who they are. The willingness to chase their dreams.

And to chase dreams meant to accept risk, and that was something Jessica and Tom never seemed to have a problem with.

In many ways, they were perfect for each other.

Jeremy’s mind began to trail off. He stared at the guitar case resting against the back of the couch beneath the pergola, imagining himself going back onstage. Touring again, making music again. Pushing worry to the side to make room for a dream.

“Oh shit! Is that the old Martin!” Tom asked.

Jeremy snapped back to attention.

“Hm? Oh, yeah, it is. Dug it out of the garage the other day.”

“So you’re playing again?”

“I mean, a little bit, nothing crazy.”

“Oh my god, Jeremy! You should play something for us,” Jessica said.

“Oh no, I don’t think—”

"Come on, Jeremy, I haven’t heard you play in years!" Tom said.

Jeremy laughed. It had been so long. Even a small performance like this woke something up that he had forgotten long ago.

“Alright,” he finally said.

“There he is!” Tom said as she and Jessica clapped. It drew the attention of the rest of the group, all watching intently as Jeremy walked over, found his guitar, dusted it off, and threw the strap over his shoulder.

He slipped his fingertips across the strings. They ached. The calluses he’d used to have were long gone.

But his fingers still remembered. And with a single strum, they brought Jeremy back in time.

He closed his eyes, and he saw it.

He saw the crowds, the freedom, the life that those strings had brought him.

He remembered looking into the bright lights overhead and imagining he had made it.

That he wasn’t just playing at backwater bars.

That his music meant something.

That it touched people.

His hands moved as he strummed the chords.

The old chords from long ago.

And then, he opened his eyes, and he saw it again in his friends’ enraptured stare.

The world he created in these fleeting soundwaves.

Jeremy played. He played and played.

Inevitably, the words followed.

"If I had known you were the one

I would have given it up before it begun.

Because you were my soul

My very soul

And you walked away

All the same."

As soon as it started, it was over. Jeremy put down his guitar, focusing on it for a second.

And then he looked up.

They all stared in shock. Stammered into silence.

Even David, looking onward from the sliding doors, had stopped to listen. Sage stood next to him. Jeremy didn't know when they had left the house. He didn't know how much they had heard, or how long they’d been alone together, or if it even mattered.

Music always had a way of making things small.

Sage looked at him longingly. Just like she used to.

Jeremy smiled back.

"Wow," Tom said. "Jeremy, you still have it."

Jeremy looked at him. "You think?"

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Jessica said. "Why the fuck did you ever stop?! That was you out of practice?"

Jeremy laughed in disbelief. They couldn't actually mean it. They were just being polite.

Because if they weren't. It would have meant he had turned his back on the one thing that had made him feel alive.

"Gotta say," David said, walking over to Jeremy. "You can play some mean guitar.”

"Thanks," Jeremy said.

"No, I fucking mean it."

"Thanks," Jeremy said again. Standing up. “You staying to finish the game?”

“No, no...” David looked over at Sage. “It’s probably time I take off.”

He offered his hand to Jeremy with a smile.

"It was great getting to finally meet you."

"Yeah, likewise,” Jeremy said, taking his hand. When he felt David squeeze, he squeezed just as hard right back.

"I’m sure you'll be seeing more of me," David said.

"I'm sure," Jeremy replied. With a smirk, David let his hand go and strode across the shared lawn to his home.

Tom and Jessica watched him for a moment.

"So remind me again,” Tom said. “Why are you friends with your old neighbor?"

Jeremy looked away from David and cleared his throat.

"I don't know if we'd call him a friend…” he said.

"So we're just inviting any old neighbors then?" Tom asked.

"That's what you do in suburbia, Tom, you make friends with the neighbors."

Tom shook his head as he watched David walk away.

“Thank god I don’t live in the suburbs,” he said.

Jeremy punched him on the shoulder, knocking him back.

The night went on as expected. They had the same conversations, the same jokes, and the same laughs.

The same faces.

The same routines.

There was comfort to it. Jeremy couldn’t deny that. Only now, his eyes kept shifting back to the Martin. The game ended, and the sun began to set, the warmth going with it.

As the group went on in conversation, Sage leaned into Jeremy's ear.

"That was beautiful, baby," She said.

“Hm? Oh, the guitar?”

“Yeah, what else would I mean?”

Jeremy smirked and shrugged. “Thanks.”

"I haven't heard you play like that in a long time."

Jeremy stared at her for a moment. "You really liked it?"

"I loved it," Sage wrapped her arms around his. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jeremy said. He paused for a moment, foot tapping nervously. “Tom was saying I should pick up playing again.”

“Oh?” Sage turned to him, surprised. “What, like shows?”

“Yeah, I guess he’s doing a solo act. I thought... You know, something small and local might be interesting.”

He could see that familiar fear in Sage’s eyes. It was the same as always, and so he would tread carefully, like he always did.

“It wouldn’t be anything serious,” he said.

Sage nodded with wide eyes.

“No, I know.”

“I mean it, I wouldn’t be quitting my job or anything.”

“You better not,” She said with a nervous laugh.

He could tell she was working through it. It always took her a moment to process these things. Jeremy cleared his throat.

“It was just an idea,” He said. Sage nodded.

“Yeah, no totally.”

“We can talk about it more later, ok?”

“Alright,” Sage forced a smile. She meant well despite her worry, Jeremy knew that. He glanced once more at David’s home and decided to change the subject.

"So... you and David got the dishes squared away?” He asked. Sage’s cheeks flushed.

"A little bit," She said teasingly. She glanced at the group and, satisfied they weren't listening, turned back to Jeremy. "He wants to maybe help out later, too."

Jeremy's heart raced. "Does he now?"

"I wasn't sure if we'd be busy."

Jeremy thought for a moment and decided he could use a little more risk in his life.

"I mean, I'm sure we could make some time later," He said.

Sage tapped her fingers against her beer can before bringing it to her lips.

“What about Ryan and Amy?”

Jeremy smirked. “Guess we’ll have to be careful.”

Sage laughed and shook her head.

"Noted." She said.

The night went on. Jeremy thought of the guitar and touring again. He could make it work; he’d make sure it wouldn’t get in the way of daily lives. He would make sure it didn’t stress Sage. Maybe he could do it on weeknights.

No, the weekends wouldn't work. Sage always had plans for them.

And well, their evenings were often pretty packed too.

Plus, she'd worry. It always made her worry.

Jeremy sighed. He missed the days when they lived dangerously.

If nothing else, he would make sure that they did tonight.

"Uh, guys,” Tom said. “Looks like your neighbor’s back."

Jeremy turned with the rest of the group, watching as David's sliding door opened. He came out with a pack of beer, an open shirt, and pulled out one of his flimsy lawn chairs resting against his house. Then, with sunglasses on, he sat down, facing their direction.

"What the hell…" Theo said. “Does he normally do this?”

Sage and Jeremy looked at each other.

"That is so fucking weird," Tom said.

Amy shifted in her seat. "Should we invite him back over?"

"No," Sage said. "He'd come if he wanted to."

"But he's just… staring," Tom said.

"Yeah, well, it is his backyard, too," Sage replied. Turning from David and trying to make light of it.

“See? This is why I’d never have a home like this,” Amy said. “That is a peeping tom house.”

The group laughed.

“It’s fine, really. Let him do his thing,” Jeremy said, grabbing his beer and standing up. “Come on, let’s head inside.”

The group did so. Soon forgetting about David. And it wasn't long after that Tom and Jessica said their goodbyes.

"We should talk more, Jeremy!" Tom said, throwing on his jacket.

“For real,” Jessica added. “If you’re interested in a small show. Let us know, we could definitely hook you up with something.”

"For sure, thanks, guys,” Jeremy said as he saw them out the front door.

Theo left next. Giving Sage an overly affectionate and long hug. Then, passing Jeremy, nodded and cleared his throat.

“Nice seeing you as always,” Theo said.

“Likewise,” Jeremy spoke politely, but in truth, he couldn’t wait for Theo to leave his home.

“That was some really good playing. I can see why you used to tour.”

“Yeah.”

Theo glanced over at Sage. “She always did have a thing for artists and celebrities, didn’t she?”

They both looked in her direction, watching her make small talk with Ryan and Amy.

“That she did.”

“You know, she wanted to be an actress once upon a time,” Theo said.

Jeremy always hated it when Theo brought up little facts about Sage that Jeremy didn't know.

“Yeah, I know,” he lied.

“Did you? She doesn’t really talk about it that much,” Theo said, calling Jeremy’s bluff.

“We talk about everything, Theo,” Jeremy turned to him. “We are married, after all.”

Theo sniffed and looked away, nodding.

“Right... well, anyway, it was good seeing you guys. Catch you later,” he said, turning and promptly leaving.

As Jeremy turned and walked towards Sage, Ryan yawned and stretched.

"God, I'm beat," Ryan said. "Think I'll turn in."

“Ugh, me too,” Amy said. “This was so much fun, though, guys! Talk about a welcome party. Also, Sage, I LOVE the new outdoor space.”

“Isn’t it fantastic?! We are going to have so many parties out there,” Sage said.

“We sure will,” Jeremy said tiredly. He glanced through the windows, spotting David still drinking on his porch. Silhouetted by a single overhead light.

Jeremy had never been more grateful that the guest bedroom faced the front of the house.

As Ryan and Amy retreated upstairs, Jeremy and Sage started cleaning up. Slowly, they made their way back outside, only to be interrupted by David's sudden voice calling from the shadows.

"Need help?" He said, walking forward. Jeremy looked at Sage, who shrugged.

"Sure." She said gently. "We have guests upstairs, though."

David glanced at Jeremy.

"Then I guess he'll have to be our little lookout, won't he?"

Jeremy stared at Sage in shock. He couldn’t believe David’s brazenness. But even more so, he couldn’t believe how excited Sage looked.

Sage, the woman who was always worried about the slightest risk. Sage, the woman who needed everything perfect and planned.

Was enjoying this.

"What do you think?" She asked.

Jeremy's heart raced as sweat covered his hands.

As the same feeling he got right before a show ran through his nerves.

"So what’s the plan? You two would go back over to his place?" Jeremy asked.

David nodded.

"That's the plan, we could even close the blinds if you'd like.” He looked at Sage. “Just to make sure those friends of yours don’t get a show also.”

"No, absolutely not,” Sage said. “Jeremy has to watch. Remember?"

David chuckled.

"Then I guess it’s up to you," he said, looking at Jeremy. “Think you can make sure we don’t get caught?”

"Didn't you say I'd be a good lookout?" Jeremy countered.

David smiled wickedly.

"Well then," He said, looking at Sage. "Are we doing this?"

Sage, twisting on her feet, looked at Jeremy with a giddy smile.

"I guess we are," she said.

Jeremy nodded.

“Come on then,” David said, offering his hand. Sage ignored it and started walking to David’s house. Touching Jeremy’s shoulder as she passed him.

“Enjoy the show,” She said seductively.

Jeremy watched as they walked away.

As David grabbed Sage and pulled her close to his side.

As his neighbor turned to look back at him, grabbing Sage’s ass firmly with a smirk.

As they faded into darkness.

Jeremy turned and rushed quickly through the kitchen and up the stairs.

Chasing the performance they were all about to share.

--

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