In Love and Lust

"Bob, you're lucky the month of May has such beautiful weather or else I'd be so pissed at you right now. Answer the phone!" I left my message after the beep.

I was standing outside of the venue Bob worked at as a sound technician. All of the doors to get in were locked, and there was no one in the will call booth I could speak to. I thought about banging on the side doors, but someone would take one look at my short stature and think I'm an obsessed fan of one of the bands playing tonight trying to get backstage for free.

There was little less than an hour before the doors were scheduled to open at 7 and there was a decent line growing along the building. I was here to photograph the live show of the same band I did a photoshoot for earlier in the day.

The band, Black Lips, had already traveled to the venue before me to get sound check underway. They were the headliners, and one of the most famous bands I've worked with so far in my career.

"Excuse me miss, you seem a little lost." The familiar voice startled me, causing me to jump. I turned around and giggled at my boyfriend before he swiftly pulled me into a kiss.

"You like popping up unexpectedly lately, don't you." I said as he flashed me a big grin.

"What can I say, you just look too cute when you get scared." Frank chuckled before taking his hand in mine. "I can get you in, you know Bob doesn't hear shit when he's in his zone working."

Frank directed me toward the side doors I thought about banging on and proceeded to pound his tattooed fists against the heavy metal. I laughed, "This is exactly what I thought about doing." I told him.

"Yeah, but I doubt they would have let you in." He said, scrambling in his back pocket for something. "You don't have one of these." He beamed, waving his press ID in my face.

"Looks like you'd have to get me one now." I said as the big door screeched open. A big bald man peered down at us with absolutely no hint of emotion on his face.

"Um-" Frank began, obviously intimidated by the size of this man. It was so cute watching him nervously run his hand through his short hair. "Skeleton Crew records; she's the bands photographer." He stated, flashing him his press pass before motioning toward me.

The man didn't bother to acknowledge Franks ID, but peered down at the large camera hanging off my shoulder which rested on my hip. His eyes lingered on my curves for a moment too long before Frank stepped to the side, blocking his view. The mans attention was brought back to Frank, no words were said and he simply nodded. He stood to the side and allowed us in, Frank took my hand and swiftly lead me down the dim hallway. "Asshole." He muttered beneath his breath.

The sound of drums met my ears and became louder the further we walked down the hall. Frank and I knew this venue like the back of our hand from the many times we came to see Bob and different shows. Frank led us to the venue floor where the band was sound checking. I looked up at the stage and waved, letting the guys in Black Lips know I was there. The lead singer acknowledged me with a nod, and continued tuning his guitar.

Across the venue floor toward the back was the sound booth where Bob spent most of his nights. The booth was completely dark but you could make out Bob's pensive face from the lights shining on the sound board.

"Hey, you guys made it!" He exclaimed once he noticed us walk his way.

"Yeah, thanks to Frank. Someone wouldn't answer the damn phone." I shot him a playful glare.

"Bob, who's that big bald dude by the back side door?" Frank asked rather angrily.

"Whoa, whoa." Bob motioned with his hands to calm down. "What's with all this negativity? C'mon, it's Friday night! Lighten up, get laid." He went on, turning back to his sound board. After moving up a few knobs and turning some switches, he turned back to us.

"First of all, I know a certain someone that doesn't need to answer their phone when it rings." He peered me down. Frank looked at me confused for a moment before Bob turned to him. "And dude, that's Big Jay. Don't worry about him. I already know what happened. He's a perv and Becca has a nice body."

Frank settled with that answer, knowing Big Jay was three times the size of him and he didn't need any confrontation. "Don't worry babe, people look but they can never touch." I said, sitting on Franks lap after he settled in the only other chair in the booth.

Bob chuckled as he stood. "I hope so Becca." He scoffed. "Doors open soon and I have to run back stage for a second. I'll catch y'all around."

Frank pulled me back toward him and looked at me with furrowed brows. "Is there something going on I should know about?" He caught me off guard.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pretending to be oblivious.

"All those remarks Bob just directed toward you." He bit his bottom lip and placed his rough hand on my bare thigh. "Just seemed a little strange." He thought out loud.

I tensed a little beneath his touch as he trailed his fingers down my leg. "Oh, that's just Bob being Bob." I stated. Well, the statement was fairly true. Bob was such an ass when he wanted to be.

"I suppose so." He sighed.

"What," I turned to face him. "Do you think Big Jay is going to steal me away from you?" I giggled softly as I kissed his neck playfully, trying to take his mind off the subject.

"No, it's just- Rays girlfriend cheating on him has been on my mind lately. And you're so beautiful, working with all the guys in these bands now. I just hope I'll always be enough for you." He said rather sheepishly. Frank rarely ever spoke on an emotional level.

"Babe," I said, rubbing his back in a comforting way. "You know I would never do anything to hurt you." An instant pang of guilt shot through my body. The texts in my phone to Gerard this morning proved otherwise.

"I know." He laughed, shaking all his insecure thoughts away. "Rays girlfriend was a bitch anyway."

"See!" I stated as I hopped off his lap. I noticed the guys moving equipment around on stage, getting ready for the opening band to play. "I gotta go, I should go see the guys before the show starts."

Frank nodded and stood as well. "I suppose I should go watch the opening band play, I'm looking to sign them after all."

Frank and I parted ways just before the doors opened and people began filling the venue floor. I made my way through the fans and flashed my photo pass to the bouncer blocking the main entrance to the stage. I found the Black Lips dressing room and knocked on the door twice. Silence came from the other side of the door, so I invited myself in.

The dressing room was already littered with crushed beer cans and cigarettes. The guys were no where to be found. I sighed and sat down on the beat up, stained couch.

The guilty feeling was still lingering as I looked at the last text on my phone.

From: 973-844-9408
1:27pm What time is good for you? I'll be free after 7.

It was now 7:20. I debated on even bothering to write a reply. I couldn't go see him tonight after what Frank just told me not even a full five minutes ago. I settled on telling him I wouldn't be seeing him tonight.

To: 973-844-9408
7:21pm I'm working a gig right now and won't be finished until late. So tonight won't work.

I hit send and not even a minute later my phone vibrated, letting me know that he was waiting by his phone for my text.

From: 973-844-9408
7:21pm Aw, that's too bad. Maybe some other time. What show is it?

To: 973-844-9408
7:22pm The Black Lips! I'll be photographing their set tonight.

I replied quickly, getting lost in conversation. A sense of excitement and urgency washed over me each and every time his unsaved number popped up on my screen. I couldn't hide the smirk on my face as I began to hear commotion coming from the other side of the door.

The door opened quickly as the lead singer stumbled into the room. "Hey, Becca!" He said with a little too much excitement. The rest of the guys stumbled into the dirty, smoke filled room. "You ready for a good show?"

I flashed them a smile as I stood. "Of course!"

We continued with work related small talk. I was so caught up in conversation that I almost didn't notice my phone vibrate in my pocket.

From: 973-844-9408
7:45pm How does a drink sound tomorrow night?

I sighed, knowing deep down I should say no. But something else was telling me yes. My curiosity gets the best of me.

To: 973-844-9408
7:45pm Deal. But no funny business.

I hit send, thinking of every possible place I could tell frank I was going tomorrow other than the truth. I gulped my guilt down into the pit of my stomach and wished it away. I told myself again, nothing bad could come from it.

I heard a roar from the crowd which signaled the show was starting, so I excused myself from the dressing room to go find Frank.

The rest of the night was great. Frank loved the opening band and spoke to them about being signed to his record label. The Black Lips played an awesome show, and I got tons of great pictures. Ray even came out and celebrated his first Friday night being single in three years.

Frank and I made it home to our apartment close to midnight. "You coming to bed, babe?" He called out.

I was in the bathroom where I began my day, wiping away all the mascara off my lashes. "In a second!" I called back to him.

I finished up in the bathroom and made my way to our queen sized bed. I sunk beneath the covers and snuggled up to Frank. My head rested against his bare chest as he ran his fingers through my hair. His steady breathing gently rising his chest up, then down. I listened to his steady heart beat over the silence that filled the room.

"Did you have a good night baby?" He said softly.

"Mmhm." I gently moaned, the tips of his fingers sending me into a trance.

I trailed my fingertips so softly over his tattooed covered skin, tracing the outlines of the ink. He let out a soft moan, shifting his body slightly. I noticed his anxious hips bucking at every inch of skin my fingertips grazed. I looked up at him and smirked, knowing I was turning him on.

We passed out in a heap of deep breaths, naked and disheveled above the sheets.

Two hours later I woke up shivering. A cool gust of wind blew through our bedroom window, chilling our bare bodies. I sighed as I stood to close the window, hugging my body close to keep warm. After silently closing the window I turned back to Frank and covered him with a blanket. He didn't react to the sudden warmth, nothing could wake him up from his deep slumber.

I picked up his shirt that was thrown on the floor and tossed it over my body before scrambling around in the dark to find my panties. I reached for my phone to use the flashlight and began searching by the bed. "Ah, how'd they get under the bed." I muttered to myself, smirking at the reminder of why I was waking up completely naked.

I tossed my phone on the bed as I slid on my red panties, jumping a bit to get them above my butt. I picked up my phone before heading out of the bedroom.

The kitchen lights were left dimmed. I grabbed a bottle of water and plopped down on the couch, the only thing that separated the kitchen from the living room.

I nibbled on my bottom lip as I hit the home button on my phone, unlocking it as Gerard's unsaved number lit up in my face.

From: 973-844-9408
12:21am Of course, no funny business ;)

Another wave of guilt washed over me as I noticed the winky face. I hit back to my text log and quickly swiped to the left, nearly deleting the thread. I stopped myself almost immediately, not wanting to lose his number. I entered his first and last name with a sigh and another nibble at my bottom lip. I clicked save before I could change my mind.

2:24am: Hey you, are you still awake?

I laid back on the couch and turned on the stereo with the remote. The album AM by the Arctic Monkeys quietly filled the room as I laid back. I closed my eyes softly and tried to relieve my mind of any thoughts, when a buzz broke my concentration.

Gerard Eire
2:28 am: Hey little lady! Whatcha doing up so late?

I grinned, quickly opening my phone to reply. I used to love when he called me that. He hasn't changed one bit. He was still full of charm.

2:28 am: I couldn't sleep, hehe. I could ask you the same thing!

Gerard Eire
2:29 am: Why not? Can't stop thinking about tomorrow?

I read his eager words and placed my phone face down on my chest. I bit my bottom lip once more, trying to get my emotions under control. Each time I heard my phone buzz I felt a rush of giddiness and excitement. A rush of emotions I was experiencing again almost immediately.

Gerard Eire
2:29 am: I've missed you.

I smiled a little too widely at my phone.

2:30 am: If someone were to see me smiling at my phone right now, I'd look like the biggest goof.

Gerard Eire
2:31 am: Isn't that what we used to say?

"Babe, what are you doing out here?" My heart skipped a beat at the sound of Franks voice. I was so lost in my phone that I didn't hear his footsteps approaching the living room. He flicked on the lights and I hid my smile as quick as possible.

"Uh, I woke up because I was cold." I said, silencing my phone faster than ever.

Frank leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "Who are you texting with that huge smile on your face at 2:30 in the morning?"

My heart dropped.

I should come clean.

"Bob." I said before I could even blink. He nodded and walked over to the couch. I tried my hardest to resist the urge to hide my phone behind me. I didn't want to raise any suspicion.

Frank sat on the other end of the couch and put my feet in his lap. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding as he started massaging them. "What, could he not sleep either?"

I shook my head silently before picking up my phone again. I tapped on my text log and swiped left on Gerard's thread, deleting any evidence of where I would be tomorrow night.

Notes

Slow start to this chapter, but bear with me! Things will start to heat up next chapter!

Thanks for reading, I'd hope you guys like the direction this is headed!