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It had been a long week at work and your friends convinced you to head with them to a karaoke bar. You’ve been such a workaholic these past few months, it helped you forget about your last relationship, which was good while it lasted but is now a faded memory. You’ve found it hard to even think about forging anything new. You weren’t into the bar scene, had no taste for one-night-stands, and couldn’t even think about the scary world of online dating services.
“Come on, Marie! You used to be loads of fun. I know you have it in you,” your best work buddy Essie prodded you along as you trudged down the street to the bar. “And you have the best voice of our whole lot. It would be nice to win the contest tonight so our bar tab is covered.” You don’t say anything, but now you realized her motive for getting you out. But she’s stuck with you through thick and thin, and you know you’ll have a good time. You give Essie a smile and a good-natured shove into the bar.
Essie grinned because you don’t get her motives at all. This was all a well-planned set-up and you are about to fall into her trap. “This place hasn’t changed much. Still nothing to look at,” you remark. It has been a while since you’ve been to Einstein’s Bar. Not too exciting, dark booths, a dimly lit stage for the karaoke contest, a couple of pool tables near the back of the bar. “I think you’ll enjoy some of the scenery,” Essie says as she leads you to where your friends are assembled.
Essie did well to get a lot of your old gang back together. Some people you used to work with but have moved on. You were excited to catch up with Lise, who you haven’t seen in ages. “What’s going on with you?” Lise flashes an engagement ring in your face, and while you’re happy for her, it also reminds you of your current state of affairs. “My man’s gonna be here tonight, Marie,” said Lise, but she can see the forlorn look on your face, “oh, don’t be sad. You will have a reason to put a smile on soon enough!”
You try to turn around and leave, but even more of your girlfriends gather ‘round and won’t hear anything of it. “I do NOT want to be fixed up! It is SOOOOO awkward!” you protest. “So, don’t think of it like that,” says Essie as she forces you into a chair. “He doesn’t know anything about it. He comes here every week, and he is an amazing singer. Just have fun tonight and if it’s meant to happen it will.” You have a horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach, but Lise hands you a tequila shot and you gulp it down for courage.
The host becomes the common object of ridicule for you and your friends. He's as cheesy as it gets, but that's part of what makes karaoke night fun. It isn't tough to be better than the host at this place! Lise grabs your arm, "Marie, I want you to meet my fiancé, Bård." He grasps your hands and leans in for a kiss on the cheek, "I've heard a lot about you, nice to finally meet you!" You immediately get suspicious. If he knows, his brother must know. "Where's Vegard, honey?" Lise asks.
“He’s on his way, he got hung up at work, but he’ll be here.” Bård gives you a knowing look and you cringe. Lise says, “Marie, we swear he doesn’t know anything!” and Bård backs her up. “He’s so oblivious he wouldn’t realize it was a set-up even if it was printed in the karaoke program.” Essie chimes in, “Like we said, QUIT WORRYING and have a good time! Why don’t you get up there and do what you do best?” You agree with that and pick out a song.
As you’re up there vamping your energy level increases and filling your head with the lyrics (along with another shot) helps your anxiety subside. You get into the song and realize that Lise’s man is superhot. An effortless-looking coif of caramel hair, steel-blue eyes and angular features. You begin wondering what the brother will look like and start scanning the room.
Essie convinces you to do another song, this time “It’s Raining Men.” You have to laugh, because it is so far from the truth, but you have fun and it is great to be back singing with your friends. The bar begins to get crowded and the tequila is taking effect. You’re feeling back in your element with an audience and a nice buzz. It has been a long time.
You finish your number as Lise pulls Bård on stage, embarrassing him with some lewd dance moves. You notice a new face in the crowd laughing much harder than anyone else. A huge smile of brilliant teeth amidst a shock of bouncing dark curls. He’s wearing a plain white button-down shirt that’s lost its tie, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, the buttons open to reveal a bit of chest hair and a peek of smooth collarbone.
Your friends pull you off the stage as this vision steps up to take the stage with Bård. Essie sits down with you and whispers in your ear, “there’s his brother. Isn’t he a cutie? And they both are great singers.” The guys start up with a James Brown number, and you can’t believe two white guys can sound that soulful. They even have the dance moves down pat and the mostly-female crowd erupts with approval.
“How is this guy still single, Essie?” you ask. “He’s such a great guy, Marie, he just has been really gun shy since his last relationship, which ended about a year ago. Now that Bård and Lise are about to settle down, Bård wants to see his brother get serious with somebody, but he hasn’t done anything to even try to date. He’s thrown himself in to work like you have. Lise thinks you two would really hit it off.” The song suddenly comes to an end and you hope no one overheard your conversation.
Another group goes up to sing a song, and you watch the brothers as they head over the bar to get a drink. You watch a few women try to approach the guys, but neither one are paying attention to the advances, and they politely rebuff some direct approaches. You know the tequila is in your head now, because all you can focus on is Vegard’s tight ass and thick thighs. Lise breaks you out of your reverie, “you know, Vegard loves duets but no woman in this place has a voice like yours, Marie.”
“We need to get you two up there. I know a song he loves to sing.” She waves over to the guys to get them to come back. “Vegard, this is my friend Marie. I think you guys should sing this song together,” handing him the book and pushing you over in his direction. You know there’s no turning back now so you smile and do your best to not show your nerves. He averts your gaze for now, staying focused on the song book.
Bård steps over to make sure you’re standing between the brothers. “Oh, this will be a good one. Remember when we used to sing this? I can hit the high notes pretty well and it would crack up my mom.” You look in the book, and notice Vegard has beautiful hands underlining the song title. “Elton John and Kiki Dee? That’s definitely a blast from the past!” Secretly you’re really excited because you’d sing that song in your bedroom mirror for hours on end as a girl.
Your eyes lock for the first time, and you see he's excited about the song as well. "You'll be a damn fine better singing partner than my brother for this song!" "We aren't the slightest bit gay, you know, says Bård, punching him in the arm. "We just like to sing." Vegard looks down again, "I heard you when I came in, and you do have a great voice." He looks up to catch your eyes, and you feel a spark, "Are you up for this?"
Your friends push you back up on stage and the song begins…”Don’t go breakin’ my heart…” “I couldn’t if I tried…” “Oh, honey if I get restless…” “Baby you’re not that kind…” You’re both really into the song and it’s like you’re back in front of your bedroom mirror. Your voices sound great together and you’re even able to fake a few coordinated dance moves. You haven’t had this much fun in a long time. Vegard takes your hand to twirl you around during the bridge and you get tingly all over.
The whole bar erupts with cheers as the song comes to a close much too soon. Vegard keeps hold of your hand as you both take a bow. You can’t tell if you feel tipsy from the drinks or from the dormant feelings of attraction that have suddenly blossomed inside of you. He leads you off the stage, “that was great! Would you like to pick another song?” Lise runs over with a glass of water for you, “you both were sooooo good! We’re gonna get free drinks tonight for sure!”
The host declares your duet the undisputed winner for the evening. You think the bar tab won't be the only prize you'll leave with tonight.