Read Online Playing With Fire by Francine Pascal - Free Book Online Page A

path to the club’s entrance, Todd paused to admire a motorcycle parked off to the side. “This Virago’s a beaut, don’t you think, Liz?”
    Elizabeth frowned. “It’s just a pile of metal. I don’t think I’ll ever understand what you see in these machines.”
    â€œJust wait, Liz. When I get my bike, you’ll see how much fun they are.”
    Inside, the club’s dim lighting helped mask the cheap paneled walls marred by scratches and dents.
    Todd took Elizabeth by the arm protectively: “Let’s find seats.”
    Only a few of the small black tables and chairs were occupied. Looking around, Elizabeth recognized Tony Conover, The Droids’ new manager, seated alone near the back of the room, staring intently at the small stage, where the group was already performing. He seemed to be the only one paying attention. The dance floor was empty. Only a handful of people were listening to the music. The rest were huddled together in a corner, nursing drinks and cigarettes, talking very loudly. They must be club regulars, Elizabeth thought.
    Elizabeth and Todd took seats at one of the vacant tables near the dance floor while Winston and Robin checked out the room from the entrance. Winston, realizing this was not the night he was going to meet the girl of his dreams, reluctantly followed his friends to the table, with Robin happily accompanying him. The group ordered a round of sodas, and Elizabeth took out her notebook to begin jotting down her impressions of the place.
    After taking a close look around, she decided to leave a description of the club out of her article. It was pretty seedy. If this is the first rung on the ladder to success, she thought, The Droids have a very long way to go.
    If the band members were disappointed by the surroundings, it was impossible for Elizabeth to tell. They were totally involved with their music. It was clear they’d all practiced hard for this engagement; they sounded more together now than ever. They looked more professional, too. Dana had honed her style so that she now strutted around like a self-confident star. She and Emily had also invested in eye-catching red jumpsuits, and the visual effect was powerful. Max, Dan, and Guy had coordinated their outfits and looked like a trio of alluring tough guys.
    After the second song, Elizabeth put away her notebook and coaxed Todd onto the dance floor. It didn’t matter to them that they were the only ones dancing, and when Elizabeth looked up at the group and got a grateful wink and smile from Emily, she knew her gesture was appreciated. Winston and Robin remained at the table, neither one saying a word.
    Robin was very disappointed. Despite what Elizabeth had told her, she had hoped this would be a night to remember. Jessica had taken Robin shopping with her that afternoon, and all Jessica had talked about was how much Winston was looking forward to this date. She’d assured Robin that this was an opportunity not to be wasted. She’d even insisted on taking Robin to the store in the mall that specialized in large sizes and had personally picked the peach tunic top Robin was wearing. “Winston loves this color,” Jessica had told her. Even though it wasn’t very flattering to her figure, Robin had snatched the garment on the spot.
    But from the moment she’d stepped into Todd’s car, Robin could tell the night wasn’t going to live up to her expectations. Winston had been friendly when he greeted her, but when she had tried to move closer to him on the seat, he had squirmed away uncomfortably. He’d barely spoken to her at all during the forty-five minute ride, directing most of his comments to the front seat. Far from the easygoing, talkative person she had encountered at the dance, Winston had appeared preoccupied and not at all interested in being with her. Now, sitting next to her at the table, he seemed even more distant and uncomfortable.