Under Her Skin (22 page)

"Wow, you're really trying to make me look bad!" She laughed. "Ok, and what about for Tobias?"

"Well, we want to make him sound really good. I think this song right here would be perfect for the first one." She pointed to another song.

"Ok, and what about this one right here…it's one of my favorites." Marlo pointed out another one.

"Perfect. Now give the list of songs to the guy and let's go get our drinks." Janis said, giving a song of her own to the DJ.

Back at the table, Tobias was writing fast, hoping to finish his list before Marlo got back. Just as he finished writing the last song, she walked up and put her hand on his shoulder. He jumped from being startled and quickly covered his list. He smiled at her sweetly as he stood up and went to hand in his list.

Marlo saw that a round of shots had been lined up in the center of the table, as well as their regular drinks. She took her glass of Sex on the Beach and slammed it, then grabbed her shot and took it with ease. As the liquid burned going down her throat, it also melted some of her nervousness.

Moments later, Marlo saw Tobias get up on stage and grab one of the microphones. "Good evening everyone. My name is Tobias and I am a member of the band Pleasure Pointe. We have a favor to ask of you tonight. My girlfriend and I have a little bet going on, where we are going to sing three songs each, and we need for you to judge who you like better. We've picked two songs for the other person, one for ourselves. The waiters will be handing out slips of paper, so if you could just write down which one you liked better after we are all done and drop it off at our table, we'd appreciate it. For everyone that votes, you'll get a free drink from us." The crowd roared in applause at the last comment, loving the extra incentive to participate in the bet.

"So, without further ado, please welcome Marlo LaPointe to the stage, singing 'Spider webs' by No Doubt.

The crowd applauded as Marlo stood up and went to the stage. She was happy that he had at least picked a song that she knew and liked. The music started, and Marlo got right into it.

You think that we connect/ That the chemistry's correct/ Your words walk right through my ears/ Presuming I like what I hear/ And now I'm stuck in the web/ You're spinning/ You've got me for your prey...

She started jumping up and down as she sang, really getting the crowd into it.

Chorus: Sorry I'm not home right now/ I'm walking in your spider webs/ So leave a message/ And I'll call you back/ A likely story, but leave a message/ And I'll call you back

You're intruding on what's mine/ You're taking up my time/ Don't have the courage inside me/ To tell you please just let me be/ Communication, telephonic invasion/ I'm planning my escape...

Chorus/ And it's all your fault/ I screen my phone calls/ No matter who calls/ I gotta screen my phone calls

Now it's gone too deep/ You wake me in my sleep/ My dreams become nightmares/ 'Cause you're ringing in my ears/ Chorus

Marlo ended the song to a round of applause, causing her to blush. She tried to catch her breath before she announced Tobias's song. "Thanks. Now please give it up for Tobias singing 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' by Jet." She shouted, a little breathless still.

Tobias came up to the stage and winked at her as she went down the back stairs and grabbed the bottle of water that Sammy had waiting for her. "Tobias told me you'd need this." He said. "You were great!"

Marlo shook her head and downed the water. Tobias was right, she did need that. She'd have to make sure that they had enough for each of them after all of their songs. She made her way back to their table, where she had a clear view of Tobias up on stage, getting ready to sing his song. He looked so calm and collected, it made her a little envious since she was so nervous on stage.

Let's Go!!

So 1, 2, 3, take my hand and come with me/ because you look so fine/

and I really wanna make you mine./ I say you look so fine/ that I really wanna make you mine.

Oh, 4,5,6 c'mon and get your kicks/ now you don't need that money/ when you look like that, do ya honey.

Big black boots,/ long brown hair,/ she's so sweet/ with her get back stare.

Well I could see,/ you home with me,/ but you were with another man, yea!/ I know we,/ ain't got much to say,/ before I let you get away, yea!/ I said, are you gonna be my girl?

Well, so 1,2,3, take my hand and come with me/ because you look so fine

and i really wanna make you mine./ I say you look so fine/ that I really wanna make you mine.

Oh, 4,5,6 c'mon and get your kicks/ now you don't need that money/ with a face like that, do ya.

Big black boots,/ long brown hair,/ she's so sweet/ with her get back stare.

Well I could see,/ you home with me,/ but you were with another man, yea!

I know we,/ ain't got much to say,/ before I let you get away, yea!/ I said, are you gonna be my girl?

Oh yea. Oh yea. C'mon!/ I could see,/ you home with me,/ but you were with another man, yea!/ I know we,/ ain't got much to say,/ before I let you get away, yea!/ Uh, be my girl./ Be my girl./ Are you gonna be my girl?! Yea

The crowd seemed equally impressed with Tobias as they were with Marlo. He could see everyone leaning over and talking to their friends, most likely discussing who they liked better so far.

The next song that Tobias had picked for Marlo was Heartbreaker by Pat Benetar, and she went up and sang it, like a total rock start. When she announced that Tobias would sing a matchbox 20 song next, he couldn't help but smile. He knew that Janis had picked out his first song, but 'Bent' by matchbox 20 was all Marlo. He knew she had a little obsession with that band, so it was no surprise that he was singing one of their songs. He was also glad that she had chosen one that gave him a little rest period. His first song that he sang required a lot of energy, and he knew that his last song would need some energy too, so he needed a little break in between.

He sat at the table and waited for Marlo to start her last song, the one that she had picked for herself. When the first few notes played, Tobias thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head. He couldn't believe she would try such a risky song.

Spend all your time waiting/for that second chance/for a break that would make it okay/there's always some reason/to feel not good enough/and it's hard at the end of the day/I need some distraction/

oh beautiful release/memories seep from my veins/let me be empty/oh and weightless then maybe/I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel/fly away from here/from this dark cold hotel room/and the endlessness that you feel/you are pulled from the wreckage/of your silent reverie/you're in the arms of the angel/may you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line/and everywhere you turn/there's vultures and thieves at your back/ the storm keeps on twisting/you keep on building the lies/that you make up for all that you lack/it don't make no difference/escaping one last time/it's easier to believe/in this sweet madness oh/this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of the angel/fly away from here/from this dark cold hotel room/and the endlessness that you feel/you are pulled from the wreckage/of your silent reverie/you're in the arms of the angel/may you find some comfort here/you're in the arms of the angel/may you find some comfort here (Angel by Sarah McLachlan)

He couldn't believe it! He sat in awe… she had just pulled it off. The song was flawless.

Marlo was surprised too, to say the least. Even in her own ears, that song didn't sound too bad. The applause she received shook her out of her thoughts and sent her down to the table, into the waiting arms of Tobias.

"You know, you just made it nearly impossible for me to win." He whispered in her ear as he held her in a tight embrace.

Marlo shook her head and lightly pushed him away. "Knock 'em dead!" She said, pointing to the stage.

Tobias got up there and sang his favorite Lenny Kravitz song, 'Are You Gonna Go My Way'. He used up the last of his energy, just having fun, since there was no way he could win the contest now…not that he really wanted to in the first place, but he didn't think it would be such a blowout.

After he was done, he went to the table where people were coming to drop off their votes left and right. Each person who dropped off a vote got their wooden nickel for their free drink. Sammy and AJ tallied the votes while Tobias and Marlo tried to get their energy back, and Dusty and Janis sat talking.

"Wow, I didn't think it would be this close." Sammy told the table, a sad look on his face. "You're not going to believe this, but Tobias won by three votes." He looked around the table nervously.

None of the guys knew what to say. Even Marlo looked a little upset by the results. "Wait, I didn't vote." Tobias said. "I vote for Marlo. 'Angel' blew me away. I couldn't compete with that."

"I agree." Dusty said. "Sorry man, but she did kill that song. My vote is for Marlo too."

Sammy wrote their two votes down and added one for himself. "Marlo gets my vote too."

"Me too." AJ said, telling Sammy to write in another vote for her.

"Girl, you won it hands down." Janis said, adding another vote for Marlo.

"Well, looks like you are the newest member of Pleasure Pointe, sweetheart." Tobias told her, kissing her temple as he put his arm around her.

Chapter 24

Once the deal was sealed, and Marlo was the newest member of Pleasure Pointe, they realized that Janis's name was being called to the stage. She blushed quickly and pulled Dusty along with her.

"What're you doing?" He asked her when they got to the stage.

"We're going to sing a song." Janis told him, as if it was clearly obvious. "I think it's time to loosen up a little."

Dusty looked at her as though she was crazy, but went to the stage anyways. The first few notes of the song played, and he looked over to Janis and laughed. Who'd have thought she would have picked a Sonny and Cher song? They shared verse for verse through 'I Got You Babe', laughing the whole time. He had to give it up for Janis, she sure knew how to break the ice.

After their song, the tension had melted between them, and the nerves were steadied. There was no longer the awkwardness of a first date, instead it was a fun and relaxing night where they each enjoyed the other's company.

Not long after the powerful duet, the group left the karaoke bar in search of a club where they could really let loose. They all packed back into the limo and went to one of the most popular clubs in the city.

Once there, Dusty and Janis secluded themselves in a semi-private booth where they could get to know each other a little better. The rest of them hit the floor, dancing both to let off some steam, and also to celebrate their newest member. It was a night that they all needed, knowing how crazy their lives were about to get.

The next morning, no one was surprised to see Janis sitting in the hotel restaurant next to Dusty, eating breakfast. Even though they both claim that nothing happened, that they were just up all night talking, no one could prove that was what really happened. Either way, Dusty had found someone that he connected with, who understood his obligation to the band. He had also found someone that had been given the band's 'Seal of Approval', and after the whole ordeal with Carly, it was important for him to have the band behind him.

Dusty and Janis parted that morning with an agreement that he would call whenever he was in or near the city, and she would try to get out and see them on tour when she could take a break from her job. Both of them separated with stars in their eyes, counting their blessings and thanking whichever higher powers brought them together.

*****

The next few weeks passed by in a blur. When they weren't doing promotional appearances, they were rehearsing. The guys had been right, Marlo fit into each song perfectly. She had quickly learned her part in all the songs, and also adjusted quite well to all the new attention she was receiving. It wasn't easy to be thrown into the spotlight of an already successful band, but she handled it like a pro…at least on the outside. Inside, she was a bundle of nerves, second guessing everything in her life.

The big day finally came, their first concert. They were playing to a sold out crowd, causing Marlo's insides to churn. She just hoped she'd be able to hold it together through their set, and not screw it up too badly for the guys. She felt like she had completely blanked on every song that they were about to perform, and almost refused to go out on stage.

Tobias noticed her nervousness and pulled her aside. "I know this's a big night for you, so take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Just remember, we're all in this together. How could you ask for more support than the four guys you'll be sharing the stage with?" He asked, flashing her his famous smirk. "I'll be right by your side out there, don't forget that."

Marlo nodded her head, her mouth too dry to speak. When they were announced to the stage, Marlo slowly made her way to her mark. She strapped on her guitar and signaled to Tobias that she was ready. He winked at her and gave Sammy the nod that they were all ready. He counted off the start on his drum sticks, and as soon as the music started, Marlo felt her nervousness melt away. Everything was just as they had practiced, if not better because they were all more juiced up being in front of such a huge crowd. She couldn't believe the feeling it gave her, and nerves put aside, she realized that she was addicted.

Their set seemed to end all too quickly, even with two encores. Before she knew it, Marlo was backstage with the guys, celebrating their first concert back. The first one waiting for her with open arms was Tobias.

"What the hell were you so nervous for? You made the rest of us look like amateurs." He smirked at her.

"You rocked out there, sis." Dusty told her, pulling her out of Tobias' embrace and into his own.

"Killer!" Sammy told her, ruffling her hair as he walked by her.

"Bitchin'." AJ winked at her.

Marlo was embarrassed by all of the attention. "I couldn't have done any of that without all of your help guys. I never thought it would be like that, and if you hadn't all pressured me, I would never have been able to feel that rush." She told them all, feeling as if she was about to cry. "Thanks for believing in me." She told them with a shaky voice. She wanted to say so much more to all of them, but it was such an emotional time for her that she just left it at that.