Some of the crew had come up with a practice of taking polaroids of groupies interested in coming backstage, allowing the musicians to select whom they wanted without actually meeting them. They also saved the pictures and commented on them later, a practice he disapproved of. He disapproved of the whole photo thing, actually, but wasn't above using it when he wanted company. It was way better for him then having to go out and pick one in person.
This was a smallish town in the Midwest. He was in a good mood after the show, energized. It had been a good one tonight and he didn't feel like going to sleep just yet, so he swallowed his sense of decency and asked for the stack of photos. They consented to having their photo taken for him to choose from, after all.
Most were straight up too pushy, small town pretty, a little trashy, and he didn't feel attracted to them at all.
Then he came across her. Long, straight hair of dark brown, big brown eyes, solemn and a little apprehensive look on her face, looking at the camera a little under her brow. He got curious, it seemed there was some depth to this one. He decided to go with his instincts and showed the picture to Jeff, the crew member handling them tonight. Jeff raised his eyebrows, he had mostly gone through busty blondes recently, but went for it without commenting. He turned back to his dressing room, walked up to the mirror, smiled at his reflection and tousled his curly hair. He picked up a towel from the table and dried his neck with it, he was still sweaty after performing.
There was a knock on the door, the girl came in, Jeff closed the door behind her. She remained standing by the door, looking at him across the room, and he thought she looked nervous.
"Hello there," he said, friendly. "What's your name?"
"Annabel," she replied. She had a nice voice, quite low and soft.
"Hi Annabel, I'm Ted," he said and now she smiled, and she was truly beautiful when she did.
"I know," she said.
"You want a drink?" he asked, turning to see what he had to offer. "Or are you too young for that?"
"I'm nineteen," she said.
"Yeah? I'm twenty...twenty six, or what? Something like that, anyway."
She smiled again. Beer might be okay? He opened two beers, sat on the sofa, and gestured to her with a bottle. She came and sat beside him, at a small distance, and they looked at each other.
"So, what did you want to see me for?" he asked, when she seemed to be at a loss coming up with something to say.
"I want to make love with you," she said and blushed.
He choked on his beer and then laughed.
"Wow, okay," he said, "Yeah, don't bother with autographs and shit, just straight to it, huh?"
And he smiled at her. She seemed less than impressed with herself.
"Too blunt?" she said. "I'm sorry. I just thought that's...that's what you do with...fans. After the show."
"Well, can't say I haven't," he said. "But I'm not gonna just attack you, don't be afraid."
She seemed somehow ill at ease, definitely not lusty or like she wanted him to just jump her, and yet she had said she wanted it. There was now something to this, and he looked at her, thoughtful. He touched her cheek, leaned closer and kissed her.
Her lips were soft and warm, sensual, he kissed her gently and slowly. She responded but didn't take initiative, waited for him to kiss her, add a little tongue. She was sweet but he still didn't get the vibe of her wanting him.
He stopped kissing her and just stroked her cheek.
"So tell me," he said. "What is it you want with me?"
"I want to make love with you," she replied.
They looked at each other, and he said, "Yeah, you keep saying that, but it's not the vibe I get off you."
"I'm sorry," she said and looked disappointed at herself. "I guess I don't know how."
He understood in a flash. "You haven't done it before?"
She blushed again and broke eye contact, she looked at his chest or somewhere thereabouts. He had only a vest on, his chest was bare with only a few necklaces hanging on it.
"Oh, girl," he said gently. "You thought I'd just jump you? I need you to want me, I won't just use you."
"Well I want you," she whispered. "But I don't know how to do it."
"Darling," he said and touched her chin, lifted it so that she met his eyes again. "Your first time shouldn't be on some crummy backstage sofa. You deserve better. Don't you know that?"
"Well I do know but what can I do," she said, flaring up. "You know how shitty it is to live in a small town like this? I know everyone here! I don't want to do it with any of the guys in school, I don't want to give it to any of them, and it's not like I can do it with anyone else, either. And I really do like you. But I'm sorry I said anything, I shouldn't have come, I'll just have to wait until I can move away from here to go to college or something. Or die an old maid."
He was amazed at her outburst and alarmed to see tears in her eyes.
"Honey," he said and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I do know what it's like to live in a small town. I understand you. Please don't be sad."
This had somehow gotten quite deep quite suddenly.
"Can I hug you?" he asked.