Chapter 19 - Eleanor - Purge With My Demons

The tulips were still as beautiful as they were two days ago when Owen bought them for me. It was finally Friday, and my last meeting of the day finally came to an end, so I packed up my work bag. I was off early because tonight was Death’s Nevermind show at Purge. I’d held out listening to the band ever since Giordana told me they would be playing because I wanted to take it all in live. But I was itching to know what they sounded like. Giordana told me that I would love them, and she knew my music taste better than I did. She sent me the links to their social media and SoundWave pages countless times, but I resisted. Owen even asked if I had listened, offered to play something for me too, but I refused.

I told Giordana I’d get to Purge early to help with whatever she needed, when I knew I’d just be there to help keep her sane until the show was over.

Ms. Nichols was standing out front, watering our potted plants, when I made it home. “Hey, Ms. Nichols, happy Friday,” I greeted her as I dug for my keys in my work bag.

“Hello, Eleanor, you’re home awfully early.” She didn’t even turn to look at me, just kept watering the plants. I couldn’t wait to be carefree and have the “give no fucks” attitude that Ms. Nichols had one day.

“Yeah…AHA!” I found my keys and held them in the air victoriously. That made Ms. Nichols toss me a side eye, but the plant watering never ceased. “Giordana is hosting Owen’s band at Purge tonight, so I’m going early to help her out.”

“Oh, exciting. Have fun. Tell Owen hi.” She tugged the water hose and went about watering the flowers.

Once inside, I tossed my bag on the couch and gave Luci and Lili ample amounts of love and affection. There wasn’t much for me to do to get ready, as I knew I wanted to be comfortable tonight. I decided to wear my favorite ripped, baggy jeans and a tight, black crop top. I freshened up my makeup by adding a heavier winged liner and a dark lip. Lastly, I decide to go for my platform Converse because I knew they would be extra comfortable. Socks of choice—neon green with googly-eyed bats.

I led Luci out the back door to give her a chance for some outside time before I leave. As I’m tossing the ball for Luci, I notice the same crow from the other day, perched on the fence with a silver coin in his beak. The crow flew over and placed the coin on the iron table.

An alarm started going off on my phone, startling me. The crow flew off. The alarm was my reminder that I needed to leave and head to Purge. “Come on, Luci!” Luci trotted over to me as I scooped up the coin from the table.

Sliding on my studded belt and clipping a chain on my belt loops, I ran through my mental checklist and made sure I’d taken care of everything I needed to. Once satisfied, I grabbed everything I needed, dropped the coin in the bowl by the door, and made my way to Purge.

The streets were still quiet as I made my way to the bar. Most of the city is still finishing up their workday.

The back door was propped open, as I expected it to be when I arrived. The owner, Steve, was leaning against the wall on the phone, smoking a cigarette when I walked by. He gave me a big animated wave as I walked by and into the dark bar.

Music was playing low. I followed the sound and found that it was coming from Giordana’s office. The door was barely cracked open, so I knocked before pushing it open and announced my arrival, “Knock knock, bitch!”

“Tyler, stop it! Hey, babe!” When I saw Giordana, she was sitting on her desk, and I caught her and Ty in what could have been a very compromising position had I been just a few minutes later.

“Damn, she government named you there, Ty.” I chuckled. “Your door was cracked open. I literally could have been anyone.”

“Eh, everyone knows by now.” Ty leaned down and kissed Giordana’s cheek. “I have to finish helping Felix, anyway. One of the other bartenders called out tonight, so he needs help with prep.”

Giordana squeezed his shoulder before he walked away. “Thanks for helping him, Ty.”

He kissed the top of her head, then walked around the desk, making his way toward the office door. As he approached me, he wrapped me in one of his signature Ty bear hugs. Those hugs that squeeze all of your worries away. Then he was out the door to help Felix.

“Is that getting serious, G?” This question had been plaguing me for a while now. I hoped it was. I loved Ty. He and Giordana were great together.

“I’m not sure yet, El. We just started not being concerned with people finding out, so I guess we will see what happens. You know me, though, commitment freaks me out. Every time something starts to get good, I run for the hills.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist and squeezed her tight. “I know, G. But you never really know until you try. That’s what I hear, anyway.”

She shoved me away. I loved using her words against her.

I jump to stand directly in front of her, and her eyes widen. “Okay, enough. We have a fucking show to run!” I place my hands on her shoulders and shake her gently. “Now wipe that shitty look off your face and get your bad bitch panties on! You’re going to kill this tonight.”

She smiles at me. “I love you so much.” She kisses my forehead. “I want to talk to you about something, when the show is over, don’t let me forget to tell you—”

“G!” Steve was yelling for her. “Come here real quick!”

She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “What was the point of buying radios if he’s just going to scream at me?” She turned away and yelled back, “Coming!”

* * *

There wasn’t that much to do to finish getting Purge ready for the evening. Ty and Felix were finishing up the bar prep, and Steve and the rest of the Purge staff were set up, waiting for the doors to open.

When the band arrived, Giordana went out back to help them set up and get whatever they needed. I was sitting at the outside bar, waiting. Owen texted, asking me to wait until after the show to go back there. My chest is tight with anxiety. He said he would explain why after and sent me the most adorable kissy face picture that is now his contact photo. I felt excited, nervous, and hot. I was starting to sweat, but it was cool out.

I turned around on the barstool, fanning myself with my hand. Ty gave me a concerned look. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I think I’m just nervous. Nervous anxiety, ya know?” I shrugged off my weird feeling. “Can I just get a water?”

“Of course.” He handed me the plastic cup; it was ice cold against my hand, and I swear I saw steam rising from the connection between the cup and my hand when I grabbed it. I turned to see if Ty saw anything weird, but he had started walking inside. Felix stood alone behind the bar.

I pull my phone from my pocket and see I missed a text from Owen about fifteen minutes ago.

Owen:

I’ll find you in the crowd gorgeous.

Eleanor:

sure you'll be able to find me?

Owen:

I will always find you.

Eleanor:

Promise?

Owen:

That’s something you never have to worry about.

Holy shit.

Putting my phone away, I down the rest of my water, starting to feel a bit better just talking to Owen. I still couldn’t wrap my head around how he made me feel so comfortable. Giordana should be on her way to me soon, and that was even more of a weight lifted. When I looked up, Felix made his way toward me, holding what looked to be my favorite drink in his hand.

“You want this? Ty said you might once you finished the water.”

I let out a heavy sigh and grabbed the drink from him. “You two are like the best big brothers I never knew I needed. Thank you.”

“We look after you because we love you, El. When you and G showed up here, we knew you two were going to be the best thing to ever happen.” His pause was long. “To the bar and for Ty and I. We needed the energy you two brought. You're like our sisters.” We both immediately grimaced and looked toward the inside where Ty was working. “Well, maybe not so much for the two of them anymore.” We busted out laughing together.

“Thanks again for this.” I pulled out my credit card.

He refuses immediately. “Not tonight, El. On the house.”

“Come on, Felix. You know I hate not paying. It makes me feel weird.”

He smiled and shoved my card back at me. “Well, that’s too bad. Not tonight. I refuse your money. And just because you aren’t paying, doesn’t mean you can’t drink, so please come back and get more if you want it.”

I rolled my eyes and turned back around on the barstool just in time for the first rush of people to come out from inside the bar. I sat back and relished in the fact that I was in a perfect spot where I was sitting—I could see everything perfectly. When Giordana finally made her way to me at the bar, I noticed that she was pumped.

I was on my second drink. My anxiety had significantly washed away in a flood of apple whiskey. I still felt a strange, anxious pull in my chest, but it was an almost comfortable feeling now. Giordana had been going back and forth between checking with the sound team and the band to make sure everything was set to go. In just ten minutes, Death’s Nevermind would perform, and with how much Giordana continued to psyche me up for it, I was more than ready. Her constant “You’re going to love this, Nor,” and “Just wait until you see them”’ and “I know it’s going to blow your mind,” has me ready to either tell her to shut up or speed up time so I can see them.

I finished my second drink and moved to my knees on the barstool, leaning against the wall for stability for a better look at the crowd. There had been a steady flow of people coming out for the almost hour the doors had been open. As I scanned the crowd, I saw a few of the regulars who came to Purge that I expected to be here, then I started to realize there was something significant about this crowd. The ratio of women to men here was not nearly even. There are at least double the amount of women here, which is not typical for this type of show.

My thoughts were cut off when I felt a hand on my thigh. “Hey!” Giordana squeezed my leg to get my attention, and I maneuvered myself down to sitting. She looked at me with a raised brow. “Why does your face look like that?”

“There are a ton of women here.” I laughed.

Giordana smiles and chuckles. “Oh my god, you didn’t check their socials or anything did you?”

“No, why would I?”

“Oh, Nor.” Giordana started chuckling. “Tristan and Ashton do StreamDreams. Plus, you’ve seen all of them, they’re hot!”

My jaw dropped. “Why do I love that so much? They are hot. I haven't met Tristan, but I can only imagine.”

She turned and just smiled at me. “I have to go, they’re about to start. Just get another drink and enjoy the show, babe.” She kissed my cheek and skipped away. She fucking skipped away, like a toddler.

“Felix,” I yell, a bit louder than I need to. Once he looked over to me, I pointed at my empty glass, and he poured me another one. This was either going to be amazing or an absolute shit show, I need to be prepared either way.

Once I had my drink and I’m settled, I sit with my back to the bar, casually leaning back, ready to watch the show. I texted Owen that I hoped they had a great show and slipped my phone into my pocket.

The lights dimmed, and I adjusted myself in my seat to sit a little taller. A woman walked out on the stage to sit behind the drum kit. I recognized her immediately. It was Cora. The crowd started cheering as more of the members started to walk out onto the stage. Seeing this unfold in front of me sent a warmth through my core. A tall guy with long blonde hair walked out next, he’s wearing a mask that obscured the bottom half of his face. It had to be Tristan. He was followed closely by Ashton,and they were so full of energy already bouncing around the stage. Both were holding guitars. Next was Finn. He was solid muscle. He was covered head to toe in black, pants and long sleeves, he’s even wearing a balaclava. They started playing low and slow, everyone started screaming, and another man, my man, emerged from behind the drummer.

Owen was wearing a hooded cloak. It was pulled far over his face, and I couldn’t see much other than his chin. His chest was bare, tattoos on full display. Once he made it to the front of the stage, a brutal growl escaped from below the hood. I was in complete shock, mesmerized in the best way. Everything about what I expected from tonight flew out the window. The way this band works together and creates their music was captivating. The strange feeling in my chest returned, but it’s comforting again, warmth coursing through my body.

At some point, the cloak came off. Owen was tattoos and muscles, that’s it. He’s wearing a mask that was half a skull, covering the top of his face. I was using my will power to telepathically tell him to take it off, I needed to see his face.

Just take the mask off. Please.

“Anything for my soul.” Owen’s voice penetrated my mind. He pulled the mask off and winked at me.

What the fuck?

The pull in my chest intensified. I immediately began to feel heat wash over me from my toes to my scalp. Goosebumps prickled my skin, and a shiver ran down my spine. When he looked my way again, we made eye contact, and it’s as if everything around me slowed to a stop. Sounds dulled. Screams were distant. All I heard was my breathing and my heartbeat growing stronger by the second.

We were still staring at each other when I noticed Finn walking over to Owen and playfully punching him in the arm. Their set must have ended soon after he took the mask off. He was still looking directly at me, but I couldn’t look away if I tried. With a very stern gesture, he pointed to me, then toward the back door. I nodded in understanding.

Owen broke our eye contact reluctantly. He and the rest of the band said their goodbyes and thank yous to the crowd and exited the stage. I chanced one last look at him before he disappeared behind the wall that would lead them back inside. The eye contact was more of a penetrating stare. I was hyper aware of that warmth bubbling in my core and the pull in my chest.

That trance was broken when Giordana ran up to me. “Well, what did you think?!”

The shock was clear in my voice. “I think Owen just like spoke into my fucking mind.”

“Nor, babe, I’m sorry, what?” Her eyes were wide.

“I have to go talk to him.” I stepped down from the stool and pushed through the crowd. Nothing was going to get in my way of getting to him. I needed answers, and I needed him now.