Episode 189: The Difficult Kind

Xavier got up and crushed a skeletal groupie’s cigarette into the floor. He returned, draping an arm over Avalon’s shoulder, the other hand nursing his pre-show beer. His left leg was fidgeting in quick bounces.

Ava rested her head in the crook of his neck, not minding that he smelled of every vice known to mankind. "You guys did so well in Japan, I don’t get why Michael Gable thinks showcasing you in a grimy place like this is a good idea."

Xavier was quiet, searingly so. "We can’t play a Planet Hollywood and expect people to take us seriously; you don’t have to be here if you don’t want to be."

"Hey," Ava said lifting her head and planting her lips on the side of his mouth. "You know I love watching you up there, it’s like Tom Joad meets Edmond Dantes."

Xavier frowned and his fingers toyed with the waist of her blue jeans. "You really don’t belong here Avalon."

"Neither do you, you’re so much better than a place like this," Ava replied pushing an errant strand of black hair out of his eyes. "I’m getting a headache, I’m going outside until your set starts, why don’t you come with?"

"Nah, babe, I’m good here, you go ahead," he said smoothing the silky ends of her hair.

Avalon took one step out into the black, desolate alleyway when a hand wrapped across her mouth preventing any scream for help.

Episode 190: If I Ran Into You