I'd Rather Not Miss Out On Us

“Chocolate Chip Waffles, with the sausage and toast, please.”
“Okay, and for you sir?”
“I think I’ll have the same, but no meat, just toast.”
We make eye contact, smiling back at each other. I’m the first to break the moment, looking down take a sip of my coffee. This is it. I need to actually learn about Frank Iero. Well, more then I already know. That sounds creepy, but I’m just a big fan. I read interviews and shit sometimes.
“So, why are you in LA?” I start. Good, Jess. Very good.
“I had a meeting about a recording studio. And I stayed to visit with friends, and shit.”
“You see everyone?”
“Well, Gerard and Mikey were the two biggest people to see.” My eyes widen, the thought that they’re still best friends warmed my heart. He chuckles, as if he knows what I’m thinking. “Tom, the tech guy for HOB, too. But I accidentally bumped into him. I’m glad I did, though.” He barely whispers the last part, and smiles down at this hands.
I can’t help the fan girl word vomit that comes up next, “So, Gerard and Mikey are doing good?”
“Hah, yeah. And their wives. And Bandit. God, I love that little girl. She made me miss Cherry and Lily so much.” He immediately looks down, awkwardly.
Okay, so I won’t lie, that was weird for a second. I know he has kids. 3 to be exact. And yeah, I’m a 20 year old girl he met last night, but his face just basically screamed “don’t talk about your kids around her”. He has to know it’s okay.
“How old are they?” I ask. He looks up, eyebrows furrowed, but they relax and a smile spreads across his lips. .
“Twins are almost 5, Miles is 3.” My eyes goes to the roman numerals on his neck. He looks at me before continuing. “And god they are nuts.” We both laugh.
“But you wouldn’t change them, even if you could.”
“You’re right about that.” The look on his face thinking about his kids puts more butterflies in my stomach. It’s so soft, and pure. Filled with pure love. It’s beautiful.
Our food comes, and we’re silent for a few minutes as we dig in. I know I should be freaking out. I’m having breakfast with Frank Iero. But I can’t help but to not think of him as this man I look up to. I just look at him and see an attractive guy that I had the pleasure of meeting.
He looks up at me, and I realize I’m staring. But I can’t really help it. I smile at him, and he smiles back. It’s silent but the silence is fine. It’s peaceful. He look back down. I need to know more about him. I need to ask him questions. I need to know this guy.
The silence continues as we eat our food, making small talk. I get him talking about his kids again, just because I like hearing about them, and I like the glow that radiates off of him while he talks about them. I let him go on for a minute, he apologizes for rambling but remembers another adorable story and continues to talk about them. I can’t wait to meet these kids.
Whoa.
Jess, no. Don’t think like that. It’s not okay.
“Okay, enough about my world.” Awh. His world. God, he’s such a good dad. I just know it. “Tell me about yours.”
“I’m a vocalist. That’s about it.”
“No, it’s not. Name 3 things that mean the most to you.”
“My niece, Audrey. Fans. And Music.”
“Niece? Tell me about her.”
I give a short rundown on Audrey and all she’s done for me, and how much I love her, and a few stories that prove how cute she is.
“Fans. Music. I like that. Why?” Well, damn. He’s pushing it now.
“Uhm.” I don’t have a clue what to say. “Without the fans, I wouldn’t be doing this, it wouldn’t be a possibility. And without the rejects I wouldn’t be alive.” Fuck. I didn’t mean to say that. I look up at him. His face hasn’t changed. Did he not hear me? Or does he just understand? “And music is clearly thrown into that.” I finish.
“I get it. Music is life or death for you. It breaks your heart, but fixes it too. I feel the same way.”
I smile at him. I find myself leaning towards the table. All I want to do is kiss him, I don’t know how else to reply. I stop. You’re in a restaurant. He reads my mind, because he leans in, and I continue to lean in until our lips touch, and we share a small, short, closed mouthed kiss across the table. His lips are slightly sticky from the syrup, but I’m sure mine are too. We release at the same time.
I smile at him, and he returns it generously. The waitress comes over and interrupts our moment.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry to bother you, can- can I see your ID?”
“Excuse me?” What, did I accidentally order spiked coffee or something?
She looks over at Frank with her eyebrows furrowed and eyes radiating worry.
“Oh my fucking god.” I mumble. I look at Frank, he’s still confused. “You can’t do that. Listen, darling, I’m 20 years old. There’s nothing fucked up going on here.” I glance at Frank again as his face changes, I can tell he understands what’s going on now. “Can we get our check please?” I nearly scream the last part.
I can’t believe this. Wow. He doesn’t even look that old. He looks 25 tops. But then again, I know I don’t look a day over 16. But still. What is wrong with this woman? I can’t even begin to describe my annoyance.
She speaks up again. “I am so sorry, your food is on me. I apologize. Oh, god.”
I stand up, Frank does too. “Have a good day.” I spit at the waitress and head for the door, Frank behind me. I move my hand to the top of my head and grip a handful of hair breathing heavily, like a stressed maniac after I get to the parking lot.
Then I feel two arms go around my stomach and hot breathe on my neck. His hands rub my abdomen tenderly as I fall back into Frank’s arms slightly.
“Shh, it’s okay. She was a bitch. There’s lots of those. It’s alright.” His voice is so calm, so soothing. All my anger melts away in his touch.
I let my eyes close at his words and rub his arms. It was only now that I realize Frank isn’t much taller than me. But I don’t care.
“That didn’t make you uncomfortable?” I try my hardest not to stutter out. I tend to do that when I’m angry.
“I mean, yeah. But I’ve had to shrug off a lot of bullshit, so I guess I’m good at it.”
“It’s just the thought of what had to be going through her head about you. She had to be thinking sick things, and I don’t like that.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, okay?”
I nod my head yes.
“C’mon, let’s go.” He says as he releases me. I immediately grab his hand and pull him to me. His face is right in front of mine. I kiss him again. Nothing big. Our mouths become one for a minute, his lips still slightly sticky with the taste of chocolate and coffee left on them like a stain. I’m sure mine are the exact same. He breaks it. Pulling me to the car, opening the door for me. I slide in and watch him walk around to his side. He sits down, starts the car, and backs up. He stops before he gets to the road, and reaches over to grab my hand. I intertwine our fingers.

Notes

Two chapters because I didn't update yesterday.
So, here's a little drama and really cute shit.
This is gonna get fluffy, I'm just saying.
BTW, that waitress thing happened to my friend. and her boyfriend is only 4 years older then her (but he has as many tattoos as frank and I guess it ages him a lot.)
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thanks for reading!