Karaoke Night

 

 

 

It was a typical Saturday night at The Edge of Paradise with a typical weekend crowd. The music from the jukebox was so loud it drowned out the shouting of the patrons that were trying to talk. Buffy didn’t care. The rock and roll beat kept her on a rhythm. Her hips swayed as she grabbed the bottle of vodka, poured some in with the orange juice, swirled it a bit before placing it on a tray.

 

“Thanks, Luv,” Spike drawled as he picked the tray up.

 

She only nodded but a smile tugged at her lips when she gave in to temptation.

 

Damn that man has a fine ass, she thought as she watched Spike walk away. Her tongue darted out to tease at her upper lip as she wondered if he tasted as good as he looked.

 

“Earth to Buffy,” Faith yelled, snapping fingers in her face. “I need drinks.”

 

Shaking her head, Buffy turned back to her work. “What cha need?’

 

“Two Michelob drafts, and a coke with a cherry,” Faith said.

 

One eyebrow went up at the order and she looked out at Faith’s tables even as her hands went for the mugs. It took her only one glance to find the table. Two senior classmen who were regulars with a girl that looked in way over her head. A freshman flattered by the attention of someone older. Buffy sighed. It never changed. She put the drinks on her friend’s tray.

 

“Watch her,” Buffy said, glad that Faith nodded. Most likely the boys had a flask to spike the coke so they’re crude seduction would be easier.  The word would spread among the servers to keep an eye on the girl. She knew Spike would protect her with his fists and Angel would be the first to offer a pick-me-up speech that would leave her flattered. The Edge was a good place to be if you needed a friend.

 

“Hey, Buf,” Angel said, tying his apron as he came behind the bar. “Sorry I’m late.”

 

“It’s okay,” Buffy responded absently as she poured drinks for someone sitting at the bar. She knew Angel wanted some attention from her. His crush on her was apparent to everyone who knew them. Smiling she looked up at him, looking for something to compliment him on. “Oooh, your hair looks good tonight.”

 

“You think so?” Angel asked, running his hand through his messy gelled locks. “My stylist…I mean the girl who cut my hair recommended something new.”

 

“It makes you all tigery,” Buffy said, patting his bottom. “You’d better get out there before Lorne gets back. I’d hate for you to get into any trouble.”

 

The young man blushed as he grabbed a tray and headed for his station. Buffy shook her head and reached for a glass to fill her next order.

 

“When are you going to put him out of his misery?” Faith asked, leaning on the bar. “The boy is all anxious to please, so let him please.”

 

“I don’t know,” Buffy said. “He is all fine and everything but…”

 

“But why ride a merry-go-round when you can have a wild stallion?” Spike asked. He jumped up with his hands planted on the bar and leaned over to give Buffy a quick peck. “So, when are you going put yourself out of your misery and let me make you scream?”

 

Buffy laughed and pushed him back. And that was her dilemma. She could have her choice. It should be simple, Angel or Spike. They both liked her. They were all friends. They both wanted more. She just couldn’t make up her mind which one she wanted. Sighing and knowing it wasn’t going to come anytime soon, she pushed it out of her mind.

 

The rest of the night she mixed the drinks, collected the tips, and chatted a bit here and there when it was slow. Every chance she got though she looked up to watch the two men that were weighting heavy on her mind as they moved from table to table. Spike was a live wire, laughing, flirting, and playing. It was all a game to him. And sex with him would be like riding a roller coaster and it would leave her heady with pleasure and her body humming.

 

And then there was Angel. Sweet and deep, he was the epitome of the white knight that a girl dreamed about. He would be there, steady, supporting and bringing flowers or reading poetry to you. It would be slow love making that would leave her feeling precious.

 

Why can’t I find someone that could do both? Buffy lamented as her body reacted to her thoughts. Damn it, she was lonely and she was horny. It had been a long time since she had broken up with her last boyfriend. This problem of not being able to choose had left her bed empty. She squeezed her legs together as her pussy tingled with longing again.

 

“So, what’s the prob, Buffy,” Faith said, laying her tray on the bar. “Go out with both of them. Fuck ‘em both and have a good time. Everybody knows and nobody gets hurt.”

 

“Sorry, but I’m a one man woman,” Buffy said, looking up at her friend. Faith never had any trouble with the men in her life because she was the one always in charge. Buffy would describe herself as an independent woman but yet a part of her wanted to be protected. “I like them both. I don’t want to hurt anyone by making a choice.”

 

“My way is better.”

 

“Probably but its better that we don’t find that out,” Buffy said, laying the drinks on the tray. “Go on.” She could see Angel making his way toward her and she didn’t want Faith butting in. “Hey,” she said as he slipped behind the bar to grab a quick drink of water.

 

“Hi there, Buf,” Angel said, toying with the paper cup. “I was wondering…if you know…you’d like to go out sometime.”

 

Oh, shit.

 

He’d finally worked up the courage to actually ask her out. She was trapped with no way out.

 

“Hey, cutie,” Spike said, sidling up to Angel. “It looks like we do have a problem here.”

 

“Look guys…”

 

Spike’s hand went up to cut her off. “It clearly looks like the lady likes us both but just can’t make up her mind about it. Right, Buffy?” She nodded meekly. “So, how about we duel it out?”

 

“Duel?” Angel asked, dubiously. “You mean like with guns?”

 

“No, man,” Spike said, laughing with a roll of his eyes. “We sing karaoke and whoever hits the applause meter the loudest wins the honor of taking Buffy out.”

 

The look on Angel’s face made Buffy’s stomach turn. He looked petrified and there was no way she was going to make a spectacle out of her love life.

 

“You’re not chicken are you?” Spike asked. “Come on…all fun and games for the lady’s honor. No hard feelings.”

 

This time Buffy rolled her eyes. It was the same expression that Faith had used but things like this never worked out. She was getting ready to protest when she realized the two men were shaking on it.

 

“Come on…guys,” Buffy called as they walked away together. “Don’t do this…I won’t go out with either of you, if you do.”

 

Yeah, right.

 

If Spike and Angel could come to an amicable agreement about dating her then why should she argue with it? Their friendship was important to her too. She sighed as she watched them talk to Lorne and felt like blushing when he turned to study her. She shrugged then made herself busy wiping down the bar.

 

“Attention everyone,” Lorne called, standing on the small stage in the corner. “I know it’s not our regular karaoke night but I’ve received a special request from Spike and Angel. Since I thought it would be a hoot I decided why not. It seems they both have a liking for the little cupcake behind the bar.” The spotlight swung in Buffy’s direction and she smiled as she waved. “But she can’t decide which flavor she wants, the Spicy Spike or the Creamy Angel. So, they are going to sing for her favors and whoever receives the most applause wins. Now, Spike has offered to go first with a wonderful rendition of Teddy Bear.”

 

“This is going to be good,” Faith said, hopping up to sit on the bar.

 

“Yeah, embarrassing,” Buffy said, leaning on her forearms next to her. “I can’t believe this is happening. If I wasn’t so damn lonely…”

 

“Horny,” Faith corrected.

 

They both laughed as they watched Spike accept the microphone and climb on stage. The music started and the blonde hunk pointed in Buffy’s direction before he started crooning.

 

Just wanna be your teddy bear

Put a chain around my neck

and lead me anywhere

Oh, let me be your teddy bear

 

Spike started gyrating to the music which made the girls in the audience scream. And that only made him ham it up even more.

 

Baby let me be, around you every night

Run your fingers through my hair,

And cuddle me real tight.

 

By the time Spike finished the song he had the whole place jumping. When he finished the applause was thunderous and Buffy’s body was tingling in anticipation of making love to him.

 

“Thank you, thank you everyone,” Spike said, in a really bad imitation of Elvis.

 

The blonde jumped off the stage and took a seat next to Lorne while Angel made his way hesitantly up the stairs.

 

“Oh, Angel is going to be dead,” Faith said. “There’s no way he can top that.”

 

“Give him a chance,” Buffy said, swatting at her friend. “He just has to do well. I couldn’t stand it if he gets hurt.”

 

The first strands of the music started to play and Buffy smiled. He had chosen a perfect song for him. Angel wasn’t trying to compete with Spike. He was being himself and that earned major points in Buffy’s book.

 

Love me tender,

Love me long,

Take me to your heart.

For it’s there that I belong,

And we’ll never part.

 

It was sweet and romantic. The perfect song to win a girl’s heart and it made Buffy feel warm all over. She sighed as she made her way to the front for the announcement of who had won. Either way she knew she was a winner. Lorne reached her before she got there though.

 

“Look, dumpling, I’m not the one to tell anyone how to live their life,” Lorne said. “Both of those guys…they love you. I mean, seriously love you. I’ve heard them talk and the fact that they were willing to take a chance like that proves my point.” He handed her a piece of paper. “Here’s the result. No one else knows. Choose wisely because you’re going to be breaking somebody’s heart.”

 

Buffy stared down at the numbers for a moment then tore the paper to shreds. She rose up on her tiptoes and whispered in her boss’s ear. He was all smiles as he turned and led her to the stage.

 

“Okay, everyone, the results are in. Buffy has graciously offered to sing and let us know who won. Settle down, amigos and give the girl a chance.”

 

Taking the microphone, Buffy stepped to the center of the stage. She swallowed as she looked down at the two men who were waiting. This was the hardest thing she had ever done and as the notes played she looked to the back of the room.

 

There are times when a woman

Has to say what’s on her mind

Even though she knows how much it’s going to hurt.

 

She smiled down at them. They both wore an expression of hopeful dread.

 

Torn between two lovers

Feelin like a fool

Loving both of you

Is breaking all the rules

 

And with that she admitted in her own heart that she loved them both. Her fingers crossed hoping they would go along with her plan.

 

Couldn’t really blame you

If you turn and walk away

But with everything I feel inside

I’m asking you to stay.

 

“Both of you,” Buffy said, softly. “I’m asking both of you to stay. I can’t choose and I can’t let a room full of people decide either.” She waved her hand around, knowing that she could be completely humiliated in the next few minutes. “I love you both and I know it might not be what you want but I want the three of together.”

 

She stepped off the stage, laying the microphone down on the edge. The two men were staring at each other as they contemplated her request. It would mean more than just sharing her. It would mean sharing with each other.

 

“Look, mate,” Spike said. “Never considered myself queer but you and me…well, we get along and we both love her. So, I’m game if you are.”

 

“Okay,” Angel said, standing.

 

“It’s yes then, doll,” Spike said, smiling at her as he stood beside Angel.

 

“Yes, yes, yes,” Buffy shouted, launching herself toward them. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”

 

“And us,” Angel whispered, kissing her cheek. “Can we get out of here?”

 

Buffy nodded and took their hands. Lorne only smiled at them so it was okay with him. She grabbed her purse from behind the counter before hugging Faith.

 

“Close up for us,” Buffy said. “Thanks for the suggestion.”

 

“This is just great,” Faith muttered. “She gets the guys and I get the work.”

 

Buffy only laughed as she headed out to start her future with the men she loved. Well, that and a whole lot of loving to make up for lost time.

 

 

~~~The End~~~

 

 

Author’s Note: The lyrics for ‘Teddy Bear’, ‘Love Me Tender’ and ‘Torn Between Two Lovers’ belong to whoever has legal claim to them. I’m simple borrowing them for entertainment purposes and am not trying to infringe upon their claim.

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