The next week went by quickly for Frank, who was pulling even more hours in the studio to help the new band set everything up to record their first album. It was a learning curve for him and the band but all in all it was going well. It was tough, he wasn’t going to lie and he felt exhausted every night he came home. He didn’t even have the energy to have sex he was so goddamn tired. All he wanted to do when he came home was to sit in front of the couch, chill out for an hour before going to bed. It was a Friday evening, and he was just thankful that he was off for the weekend. The band was playing a couple of local gigs so they were taking a break from the studio in order to practice and explore the city a bit. They were nice guys, but they were so full of energy and enthusiasm that it was hard to deal with it all and smile all the time. They were young though, so he couldn’t really blame them. He had been their age once, he remembered being able to party all night and still managing to make it in to class the next day and pass his exams. He didn’t have that stamina anymore though.

‘We should go out tonight!’ Jamia piped up when she came out of the shower. She wore nothing but a towel that was wrapped tightly around her. He couldn’t help but smile a little at the sight. He might have been tired but it didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate the view.

‘Maybe tomorrow night Jamia, I’m fucking exhausted.’

‘You’ve been exhausted all week Frank.’ She snapped.

He could see the pent up frustration and anger on her face. He was stunned to realise she was so annoyed with him. She hadn’t given him any indication but then again he wondered if he should really been surprised. They hadn’t spent any time together during the week, or at least not any proper couple time. He came home, drank a beer and slouched on the couch before going to bed every night so perhaps she was entitled to be a bit pissed off. It didn’t stop the anger rising in him though. Sure she was right to be pissed off, but from his point of view he was entitled to just relax sometimes without anybody expecting something from him. He was doing his best to get into the production side of a tough industry, something Jamia had been supportive of for the most part and for her to suddenly turn around and be angry over it was nothing short of infuriating.

‘Of course I’m fucking tired Jamia, I’ve been working twelve hour shifts in the studio! Jesus Christ, what do you expect from me?’

‘Oh, I don’t know, maybe just a little bit of your time perhaps or a bit of fucking recognition that I exist?’ she hissed.

He couldn’t stop the angry breathy scoff that left his lips.

‘Sorry I haven’t been pandering to you for once. Remind me never to be human every once in a while.’

He regretted the words the minute they were spoken, especially when he saw the hurt look on Jamia’s face. They rarely argued or fought, but when they did Frank was always the one to feel like shit. Jamia had a way of making him feel guilty just by the way she would look at him with her big, brown eyes. They wounded look was too much for him to bear so he would always give in.

‘Sorry’ he sighed, getting up from the couch and walking over to her, pulling her into his arms and cuddling her before she got angry and stormed off.

‘No, I’m sorry’ she apologised, wrapping her arms around his waist and cuddling into his chest. ‘I know you’re stressed. I just don’t like when we don’t get to spend time together. It makes me feel like we’re roommates instead of partners, you know?’

He kissed the top of her head.

‘Where do you want to go?’ he asked.

‘No, you’re tired. We can just cuddle on the couch, get a pizza or something?’ she offered.

‘Sounds good to me. We’ll do something next week, I promise.’

***********************************************************************

Gerard watched from the crowd, a smile on his face as his hazel eyes focused on the woman he adored on stage with her band. She was a true rock star through and through; her whole body went into her performance as she thrashed about with her bass as though her life depended on it. It some ways it did. She worked a normal nine to five job, but music was her passion, her outlet to vent her frustration over the daily grind of adulthood. She dressed in short skirts and shirts when she played on stage, doing her best to revert back to her teenage years just for a little while. For Gerard it was always a joy to see other men drooling over her knowing that he was the one that got to take her home at the end of the night. He was the one that shared her bed and had the right to touch her whenever he wanted. He relished the fact.

The venue was a small club in the centre of the city that had a very alternative feel to it. The bands that graced the stage previously were all up and coming musicians and Gerard could see Lindsey’s band going somewhere. Not successful in a Metallica way but probably enough to make a living off it. They tapped into something rock seemed to be missing lately; it was something in their ‘fuck you world’ attitude that drew the crowds in. He had been a fan of the band from their beginning. He had actually met Lindsey at one of her gigs years ago. She enjoyed reminding him that he was technically a groupie. He didn’t mind too much though because it was true.

When they band finished they went backstage to load their gear up. Gerard went to the bar to order a couple of drinks for him and Lindsey. It was going to be a late night, he could feel it already. Lindsey would be too riled up to go home anytime soon. He’d rather just go home and fuck her senseless but delayed gratification would be on the cards tonight.

‘Hey baby’ she came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. He turned his head to face her, a smile forming on his face. He gave her a quick peck and grabbed their drinks, handing her some girlie cocktail he knew she’d love. She took a sip, appearing to like it when she took a long gulp of the sweet concoction.

‘Hey, there’s someone I’d like you to meet. She’s an old friend from high school; I think you’d like her!’

Gerard just gave her a fleeting smile before linking their hands together and letting her lead the way to a table that was occupied by the guitarist of the band and a blond girl he’d never met before. She was pretty, that he couldn’t deny. She had a small build, large blue eyes and a nice smile. Her teeth were a little big but it didn’t detract from her beauty. Even from her sitting position Gerard could tell her black dress was barely concealing her modesty. Her breasts were barely contained in the plunging neckline.

‘Gerard this is Susan.’

‘Nice to meet you’ Gerard offered her a hand, which she took with what he assumed was supposed to be a seductive smile. In reality, it came across as a little sleazy. He just smiled at her, shaking her hand with a loose grip. Throughout the night Gerard took in the woman’s body language. She would lean forward when talking to him, trying to close the gap between them in a flirty manner. She would subtly bat her eyelashes and occasional twirl a loose strand of her wavy hair. He prided himself on being able to read people, and this girl was doing her best to show her interest in him. It was flattering, making him grin and flirt back just to see how far she would take it. Lindsey was unaffected by this, and it was the smile on her face that let Gerard know exactly what was on her mind. Lindsey even encouraged her friend’s behaviour, telling her to sit beside Gerard when she left to go to the ladies room. When last orders were called Susan finished her drink with one last sip and declared she was heading home. Lindsey raised a questioning eyebrow at Gerard, and smirked when he answered with an approving nod.

‘We have some wine at our place if you want to come. You’re more than welcome to stay.’ Lindsey offered.

‘Aw, thanks Lindsey. Are you sure you don’t mind?’ Susan asked Gerard, acting a little shy.

‘Not at all Susan. The more the merrier.’

Notes

Posted a day early.

Why?

Because lucky me is going to see the awesome, sexy Jared Leto in concert tomorrow night.

Be honest, who's jealous of me right now?