Seamus' Pub had become the hot spot for the town's way-wards, college hipsters and people like Erik and I. We usually fit in because we didn't stand out. Morgan and Liam on the other hand always stood out. A good-looking, all-American, classic couple. That was Liam and Morgan. 

After about four beers between the two of them, Morgan wasn't much of a drinker, they decided to hit the dance floor. I use the term "dance floor" quite loosely, it was actually just the middle of the bar, directly in front of the stage and about 6 steps from the jukebox that was the home to nothing but crappy music. But, Morgan and Liam liked crappy music so that is typically where they would bump and grind against each other while they enjoyed "music" that shouldn't even be played in such a bar, let alone the radio.

Erik and I went for the live shows. It was the only bar within 100 miles that played loud, fast, choppy punk beats and that was why we called Seamus' Pub home. At least after 9 pm when the jukebox stopped yammering and was quickly replaced with a live hammering bass, screaming guitar and kick-ass drums would pulsate one's ears leading you to a total, a supreme sense of the ultimate escape from the world.

The coolest thing about Morgan was she was always so incredibly open-minded. Yeah, she listened and loved her radio rock, or hip-hop, or indie, or whatever else she was digging that week... But, she also loved what I loved. When I came to find punk rock when I was about 14, she bought my first Ramones album, shortly followed the Sex Pistols, and then the Dead Kennedy's. And not only did she buy them, she listened to them and listened to me as I expressed why the music was of such significance. Not only to me but to the world that we lived in. She listened with an open mind and an open heart.

As Liam and Morgan wrapped up their little dance session, we abandoned our bar stools and ended up finding ourselves situated at a cozy pub style table. Once the bar started to fill up for the incoming band, it really filled up. Calling dibs on a table before the nuisances arrived was really the only way that you could chill out if you needed to while the bands rolled through their sets.

"You guys want to split a pitcher?" Erik called out over the hum of the amps.

"That'd be cool, man, thanks for the offer! I got the next one," Liam grinned.

"And just how much are we planning on drinking tonight, my love? You know I'm watching my figure," Morgan wrapped her arms around Liam's neck, smiling coyly.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closely, "baby, your figure is the last thing that you need to watch. You are perfection."

She laughed, "far from it, but I am officially happy to know that I have you at least fooled."

"Alright, alright you two. You damn lovebirds are making me ill. Like, for real, you guys are gross."

"Easy now, Jenn. None of us are immune as to the way you and Erik look at each other. He's smitten and you are officially crazy about him too. So lay off, eh?" Liam poked my arm and I smirked.

"You have zero proof. That story is not ironclad and will not hold up in court."

Erik came back with the pitcher and four glasses, "who's going to court?"

We all laughed.

"Leave it to you to have only heard that out of the entire conversation," Morgan smiled at him.

"I'm on edge, alright? Cops got it in for me, I swear!"

We laughed again as the band started to run through their "checks" and get fired up. This show was going to be killer, Erik and I could not have been more excited. Morgan a little less so. But, Liam looked downright bored out of his skull. Already. He chugged his beer and quickly refilled the glass. He caught me looking over at him and I nodded, holding up his glass to cheers, we did and he smiled. He actually, genuinely looked relaxed for the first time that I had known him.