Chapter 582

The comedy show was already on when you got to the club, but you’d been around enough times over the summer that the bouncer out front recognised you and waved you in. The loungey bar area was dimly lit, and the open stage area was almost pitch dark except for the bright lights focused on the stage. Tasha wasn’t on, and thankfully neither were any of the more prickly comedians you and Gemma had gotten a reputation with.

You went to the bar and ordered a beer, not feeling like spending the twelve dollars for a cocktail even though you had Gemma on the brain, and when you had your drink you asked after Tasha. He nodded you to the far end of the bar, back around the side where the comedians hung out and watched each other’s sets. You’d never actually been around that side before, usually you met whoever you were coming to see out front.

With a breath, and a quick prayer that the ‘Bull Dyke’ or the guy you had said stole jokes weren’t back there, you took a swig of your beer and headed around the bar.

There were half a dozen comedians hanging out back there, an older one seemingly holding court as he told some story with wild gesticulations of his hands. Tasha was at the far end of the table, smiling and chuckling but keeping her distance a bit, one ear towards the stage. When you started to approach she turned at the motion and her smile flicked brighter for a moment before she grimaced and glanced down the table.

Mosche was sitting there, listening raptly to the older comedian, laughing just a little too loud. His arm was around Iris, who was smiling but looked way out of her element.

“This guy,” you muttered, shaking your head.

Mosche spotted you second, before Tasha could make her escape from the table. “John!” he said. “Hey, guys, this is my friend John.”

You groaned softly under your breath, forcing a smile and approaching. “Hi, guys.”

“Don’t tell me,” the older comedian said. “You’ve got a great idea for a joke.”

“Nope,” you said, not wanting to engage or take the bait.

“John’s my roommate, but he’s moving away. Hey, speaking of which, does anyone need a place?”

Another guy at the table leaned forward, immediately interested. He was sitting on the other side of Iris and was maybe twenty years older than Mosche, let alone you or the petite asian girl.

“Right,” you said, backing away as Mosche got swept into maybe getting a new roommate. Tasha had stood up and left the table, hovering behind you, so you took another quiet step back and then turned, following her.

You both went around to the other end of the bar, out of sight of the other comedians. Laughter echoed out from the stage area but you weren’t paying any attention to whoever was on stage.

“Hi,” Tash said with a grin as she pivoted on one foot and turned, leaning back into you as she hugged you tightly.

“Hey, gorgeous,” you said, squeezing her back. She was wearing her usual ‘stage uniform’ of the light leather jacket and tight black jeans, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. “What’s our limit here, ‘cause I’d love to kiss you.”

“Ugh, same,” she said, looking up at you with a big grin. “But that would be too obvious, and when I kiss you I want to kiss you. Give my ass a squeeze though.”