Authors: Breigh Forstner
I had a serious problem.
Why was it that guys that could sing turned me on so much? I watched Cale challenge Tyler to a karaoke battle. Winner got a free dinner wherever they chose. That was fine, I was excited to see who was going to pull out all the stops and kick the other one’s ass, but goodness gracious…
I never knew Tyler Donahue could sing.
Cale sang first, though. He chose “Spoonman” by Soundgarden, which I never knew he liked until then. Some of the people at Crabby Pete’s recognized who he was because a couple of girls closer to my age bombarded the small stage where he was singing. I rolled my eyes at their attempt to claim his attention, dancing against each other proactively and holding hands while doing it.
“Is that how I have to be or something?” I whispered to Tyler, who was sitting beside me with a scowl on his face. I wouldn’t tell him this, but I liked how he furrowed his eyebrows and scowled when he got mad or frustrated. It made him look attractive. Me and my odd mind.
“Hell no,” he whispered back. “I actually think I recognize those girls from school, of all things. Don’t end up like them please. You’re too much of a good girl and that’s a good thing.”
I sat back and smiled. A
good girl
. I didn’t always want to be good. In fact, when I left my parents’ house in the first place, they made me as bad as they come in their world. My eyes landed on Cale and how, as always, he commanded the stage, no matter how small it was. His long sleeve brown Henley fit snug on his chest, showing his muscles every time he moved around. When he hit the high notes in the song, I knew Tyler would have some tough competition. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him squirm in his seat.
The crowd erupted into claps and girls’ laughter—cheesy giggles. Cale bowed and waved to everyone before maneuvering his way back to our table. I stood up and kissed him on the lips, knowing that those girls up in front of him were watching with much disappointment.
“Damn, I’ll do this more often,” Cale growled against my lips, reaching for the shot glass sitting on the table. “I take it you liked it, B?”
“Well, I had to stake my claim,” I told him. “Those girls looked like they wanted to pounce on you at any moment. They needed to know you were taken.”
“Yup. Definitely doing this again. I love this side of you. Totally a turn on,” Cale murmured, leaving a quick peck on my lips once again. “Alright, Donahue, your turn now. I’ll be thinking of my dinner picks while you bomb your ‘performance.’”
“My votes on Tyler,” Luke stuck up for Tyler, offering him the last shot glass. Tyler reluctantly took it and swallowed the liquid instantly.
“Now that I’ve gone against my word about drinking…” Tyler rolled his shoulders up and down, and cracking his neck, he high fived the other guys as he strolled up to where the big song book was to pick out his music. While he was waiting, I watched a girl get on stage and do an old Britney Spears song, taking me back to my before the preteen days. Tyler looked back and I saw his eyes land on mine, winking at me before he told the DJ his pick.
“I’ve got this in the bag…” Cale shouted to our group of people, and I slapped him on the arm. “What, babe? It’s the truth! You haven’t heard Tyler sing, have you?”
I shook my head. “Doesn’t matter, Mister I’m So Sure of Myself. You’re only saying that because he’s competition.” I stuck my tongue out at him and Cale nudged me in my side.
“You’re damn right,” he admitted, sliding down in between Raptor and Vince as I stayed standing. Tyler walked onstage, taking the microphone from the girl before him. I watched her bat her eyelashes and stick out her chest to gain his attention, but Tyler’s gaze remained on her face.
As the intro to the music kicked in, Tyler growled into the microphone, “How’s everyone doing tonight?” Hands shot up. People shouted incoherent words in unison. “This one goes out to my band mates back by the bar. Love you guys.” Everyone turned to look at us as soon as he said ‘band members,’ probably thinking we were famous people or something.
“Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains played, and Cale muttered swear words in response. My head was bopping along to the music, but my mind was blown away when Tyler opened his mouth to sing.
“I’m the man in the box…”
he sang, channeling the band’s late lead singer as he transformed into a completely different person. Holy hell could he sing. His voice was different from Cale’s. It had a grit to it that Cale didn’t have. It sounded more gravely, reminding me of a mix between the lead singer of The Goo Goo Dolls and Layne Staley.
I’d be damned if I wasn’t completely in love with his voice.
As he hit the last chorus, almost the entire bar was standing right by the stage, guys and girls. He was putting on a rock show and it was only karaoke.
I guess he really wanted that free dinner.
When the song was done, we all knew who won Cale’s so called challenge.
“Told you he was no good,” Cale said to me, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back into his seat.
“You kidding? That was amazing,” I said. Tyler came back to the table and the guys hugged him and pat him on the back, trying to avoid his recovering ribs. Tyler walked over to me and pulled me into a tight bear hug. “What about your ribs?” I asked, as he pulled away.
“I’m recovering, that’s all I give a shit about,” Tyler joked. Then he faced Cale. “So who do you think won that free dinner, Pelton?”
Cale’s expression turned from frumpy to happy seconds later as he gave Tyler a one armed hug. “I guess the best man won. And coming from me, that’s a big compliment.”
Tyler pretended to bow, touching a hand to his heart. “Oh I’m so honored,” he mocked. The two of them started cracking up.
The rest of my night was spent watching Cale go against his word about getting drunk. By the time midnight came around, I knew they all should get home or else they would close Crazy Pete’s down. I didn’t even know if I was supposed to be in there at that time anyways.
“Do you want me to walk you home?” Cale asked as we held hands, walking down the sidewalk. It was just starting to snow so I was thankful for the short distance back to the loft.
I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it,” I replied, slipping my free hand into my pocket to keep it warm. “It was good to get out with you guys tonight.”
Cale ran a hand through his hair, stumbling slightly. “I missed spending time with you, B. This past week has been hell. I just can’t wait to feel normal again and not have to take these pain meds.”
My head rested against the crook of his neck as we shared our moment of silence. Looking into his amber eyes, I said softly, “I love you.”
Cale kissed me on the nose, his lips moving slowly to each cheek, dipping down to my lips. I let him in, tasting the last shot of tequila he had on his breath. His hand separated from mine to move around to cup my backside, ramming me into him.
“Jeez,” I said, ending the long kiss. “Eager, huh?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” He breathed against my ear, sending shivers through my body. “I love knowing I do things like that to you. Either that, or you’re cold because you didn’t wear a winter coat, silly.”
“It’s not even that far of a walk!” I shouted playfully. “I’ll be fine. I plan to take a nice long relaxing bubble bath when I get back and curl up…”
Cale put a hand up to his heart as if he was hurt. “What? All of that without me?”
“Oh stop with the dramatics,” I scoffed, wrapping my arms around his neck, kissing the spot above his lips. “Text me later.”
He winked. “I plan to.”
Vince, Luke, Raptor and Tyler caught up to us, bringing me into a group hug.
“Owww. You guys, let me go!” I squealed, as each one of them took turns ruffling up my hair.
“You love it! Don’t lie,” Raptor said in return.
“Seriously though, I’m cold and I’m walking home. Now go.” I shooed them along, and we said our goodbyes. Cale was running ahead of the rest of them, calling shot gun since Tyler was the driver.
Tyler stayed behind. He waited until the guys were in the car before, slipping off the parka he had on and handing it to me.
“Here,” he said, as I reluctantly took the parka from him. “I don’t care if it’s a block or a mile, you better wear this.” I put the parka on and zipped it up. It was a little big, but it was the thought that counted.
“Thank you, Ty. But what about you?”
“Ahhh, I’m hot-blooded. Plus that van has amazing heat. You just be careful since it’s icy out and what not.” He looked so sweet and innocent at that moment, his black hair kept under a Red Wings cap, and his white long-sleeved shirt already appearing wet from the falling snowflakes.
“Alright. But thank you again.” I smiled, starting to walk in the opposite direction.
“Bryn!” he yelled, still standing in the same spot as I was just about ready to cross the street.
“Yeah?”
“Text me later, will you?”
I was wondering why Tyler was being extremely friendly with me all of a sudden. He’d always been nice since we met back in the recording studio, but tonight I especially noticed something different about how he was acting.
“Of course. See ya later!”
The second I got home, I peeled off all of my clothes, heading straight towards the bathtub. Where was the hot cocoa when I needed it? That sounded so amazing: a hot bubble bath and a mug of hot cocoa. I’d have to remember that for next time. I stepped into the tub feet first, letting the warmth take me over. After a minute of soaking, I reached over for my phone to text Cale.
Me:
Did you make it home?
Cale:
Mhmmmm. Saw Ty boy gave you his coat
Me:
Yeah didn’t have a choice, but it did help.
Cale:
I’m sorry B. If I was wearing one I would’ve gave it to you.
Me:
It’s okay Cale, don’t worry about it. We’re both safe and sound, that’s all that matters.
As I was waited for Cale to text me back, another text popped in from Tyler.
Tyler:
Did you get that bubble bath you wanted?
I giggled, sending him back a reply, questioning why would he even care?
Me:
I am doing that now as a matter of fact.
Tyler:
Cale’s all hot and bothered after hearing that…ha-ha
Me:
Not surprising!
Tyler:
You working tomorrow too?
Me:
Yep. I told Louisa I’d help train a new waitress for her.
Tyler:
Okay.
Me:
Just okay?
Tyler:
I might take Cale up on that free dinner at your place.
Me:
Sounds good. Just don’t embarrass me! Lol just kidding. But I’m going to get back to enjoying my bath.
Tyler:
Alright B sorry to bug ya, sleep well.
I enjoyed the rest of my bubble bath in complete silence minus my periodic humming of whatever song that was in my head. After drying off with a towel, I slipped on a nightshirt, putting the towel in the hamper next to me. For this time of night, Downtown was surprisingly quiet with hardly any honking horns or drunken idiots screaming in the street, and I was thankful because I was so tired.
Before I lay down for the night, I took a couple of pain pills for my head. The doctor warned me with my mild concussion that I was going to have moderate to extremely painful headaches. So he prescribed me some medicine to take for a few weeks until I went back for a checkup. I never took medicine usually for anything, but if I wanted to be alright for the big headlining tour coming up. I had to listen to what the doctor said.
It was the beginning of December when I finally broke down.
Today my mom was going to meet Bryn for the first time. And I was completely nervous.
Like the kind of nervous where my hands got clammy and my forehead broke out in sweat I hadn’t gotten that nervous since playing with the guys back in the beginning—when we were more worried about playing shows than attending gym class.
I talked to my mom the night before night, and when I told her my idea she was more than happy. She was ecstatic.
“I’m going to have the girls help me clean every inch of this house! We have to be presentable…” And she went on and on…but that’s how my mom was. She was always trying to please other people before herself.
“Don’t worry about it, Mom. Bryn will love you guys,” I promised. “Are you going to make that chicken wrapped in bacon?”
“Well it’s up to the guest of honor, Mister,” Mom scolded me. “But from what you’ve been telling me about her, I think that’s a good choice. Sadie wanted to make some cherry cheesecake too, so tell Bryn to come hungry.”
That was the one thing I missed about living with my mom and sisters. We never once in our lives went hungry. Mom had taught us how to cook young, and she always tried to give us a full course meal. I hadn’t visited them as much as I wanted to lately with touring and recording, so I was glad I was going to see them today.
Bryn:
Should I dress formal or wear like a sweater and jeans?
Me:
You don’t have any of your old dresses from home do ya?
Bryn:
Heck nooo. I dropped them off to a thrift store.
Me:
Well then sweater and jeans is fine. I’ll come pick you up in a bit babe. Love you.
Bryn:
Love you too.
Blaring the stereo with some Rev Theory, I pulled my Focus into the parking spot in front of Bryn’s loft. Before I could even turn the car off, she came running downstairs, outside into the cold. I looked down at her feet and she was wearing some kind of high heeled boots. My first thought was
she’s going to slip and fall on the sidewalk running like that.
But I remembered she had worn heels for most of her life so she was good.
I hurried up and leapt out in time to open the passenger door for her.
“You look amazing, B,” I whispered into her ear. She truly did. Underneath her black puffy coat I could see a long grey sweater paired with black jeans. And of course her knee high black heeled boots. I gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek before helping her into her seat.
Going back to my side and buckling my seat belt, she blurted out, “I’m really nervous.”
My free hand lay on her thigh, running circles against the fabric covering them. “Don’t be, Bryn. My mom and my sisters will love you,” I assured her. “I didn’t even tell you what my mom’s making, did I?”
Bryn shook her head. “No, is it some sort of surprise?”
“Not really. Well I hope you’ll like it. She’s making her signature grilled chicken wrapped in bacon. She sprinkles cheese all over them too and makes this special buttermilk ranch to dip it in. You will not go home hungry, that’s all I’ll say.”
I held her hand the rest of the short drive. After getting through downtown traffic, we maneuvered down a couple of more side roads, turning into the subdivision I had lived almost my whole life.
Bryn turned so she could look out the window at the houses we passed by. As she did, her stomach growled loud and clear for me to hear. Her face flushed red and she mouthed
Sorry
. “I guess you can tell I haven’t eaten much of anything today.”
“Trust me hun, my mom typically cooks for an army so you’ll be moaning from eating too much within a few hours.” I reassured her.
Seconds later, we were pulling into the four car driveway. I turned off the ignition, getting out of the car so I could open the door for Bryn again. I had told myself I always needed to fight for this girl, and that meant showing her I knew how to be a gentleman.
“I’m in love with this place already,” she gushed, her eyes flickering from the wrap-around porch to the grey shade of brick that the house was made out of. It certainly wasn’t a mansion by any means, but it was the best home I could’ve grew up in. I couldn’t wait until the snow cleared so I could show her the rest of the property, which went about three acres out back. “You really grew up here?”
“Mhmm. I lived here my whole life until I moved out with the band,” I explained as we walked hand in hand to the door. Bryn’s hand gripped mine tighter as we heard my mom shouting, “I’m coming, I’m coming!”
“She’s just happy to meet you that’s all,” I reassured Bryn as the door opened.
“Oh my goodness. Finally we get to meet you!” My mom shrieked, taking Bryn from me and giving her a warm, caring hug. She had on a red Christmas sweater, and her copper hair pinned back. “I’m Joann Pelton. Cale’s mom.”
Bryn looked back at me, then smiled at my mom. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Pelton. I’m Bryn.”
“You are too sweet, honey. Just call me Joann. Mrs. Pelton makes me feel older than I really am.” Mom chuckled, walking up to me and standing on her tip toes to give me a kiss on the forehead. “Both of you look so nice today, I feel so underdressed.”
“Don’t say that. I hope I look as beautiful as you are after I have kids,” Bryn admitted. She never once mentioned about getting married or having kids. At least since we’ve known each other. But then again she was only 18, for goodness’ sake.
“Thank you, sweetie. But come on in.” Mom gestured us to come into the living room. “The girls are running around doing something. I told them you were here….”
“FINALLY!” I heard a shriek, and sure enough, it was the three musketeers running from the family room out to greet us.
“She’s even prettier in person,” Danielle said to me, coming up to Bryn to shake her hand. Her long Brown hair twisted into a French braid down her back. She was about Bryn’s height with no shoes on, her amber eyes coated in way too much makeup just for dinner with my girlfriend. “It’s nice to finally meet you. After all the times Cale has talked about bringing you over, he actually does.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you guys too. It’s good to put faces to the names,” Bryn responded, her eyes lighting up. My sisters gave Bryn the grand tour of the house while I went into the kitchen with my mom.
“Sooo….” she started to say as she uncovered the platter of chicken, setting it onto the counter. “She’s stunning.”
Tell me something I don’t know, Mom.
“I know. I’m a pretty lucky guy,” I said truthfully. “Sometimes I really wonder how I got her to join the band. She’s an amazing player. A lot better than we expected.”
My mom tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at me with her warm, motherly smile. “It was your gut telling you there was something about her. I can tell by the way you look her, my son. You’re smitten and it’s good to see that. I know you had a hard time with Lucy and I’m so happy you have Tyler back and now Bryn. She seems like a sweetheart.”
I nodded. “Oh she is. She puts up with my ass on a near daily basis and hasn’t left yet!” We talked for another minute or so, and then the girls strolled back into the kitchen.
“Mom!” Alexandria said. She was smaller, more petite than the rest of us, rounding up to 5’4. I always used to tease her when she was little, calling her “short stuff.” “Bryn said she’d come play in my guitar class sometime!” When I heard that, my eyes darted over to Bryn. She looked at me and shrugged as if she was saying,
Why not
?
“That’s great, Alex.” Mom patted her on the shoulder. “I bet all the other kids will love seeing a rock star in the flesh.”
Bryn took that compliment to heart. “Oh, I’m no rock star…”
That’s when I interjected. “Please. You command that stage better than I can. You’ll totally overpower Kallie Cooper this tour…”
Bryn cringed as soon as I said her name. Kallie Cooper was the lead singer of Angels from Hell, another band on our label. I had met Kallie a few years ago when we opened for them on an east coast tour. She was a very demanding girl, to say the least, but an incredible talent and hot as hell. When I had originally mentioned them coming on our next tour, the guys were all for it since we had performed with them before. But apparently Bryn had in her head that Kallie was going to try to steal me away from her because she “heard’ things” about Kallie burning through guys like wildfire.
It would never happen.
“Of course, because she relies on her looks to sell her band instead of talent,” Bryn said. “Although I do think they have some good music. Don’t get me wrong…”
“It’s time to eat,” Mom said, interrupting our conversation and gesturing for us to go into the dining room.
Four hours later, after a full three course meal and a game of Pictionary, I made up the excuse that we had practice early in the morning, so we had to go.
My sisters were pissed Bryn had to leave. Danielle had even offered to give up her bed just so Bryn could spill the beans about how “bad” I was on tour. They were always trying to dig up dirt on me so they could use it against me when I made fun of them. But it was all in good fun.
“You need to come over before you guys leave again,” Alexandria pleaded. “I like this girl, big brother. Better keep her.”
I chuckled, wrapping her into a big bear hug. “I plan to, Alex. Don’t worry.”
“It was nice to meet all of you,” Bryn said, giving everyone a hug and kiss on the cheek before we headed back to the apartment.
Bryn messed with the radio, settling on a heavy metal station. Sitting back into the seat, she breathed a sigh of relief. “That was intense.”
I looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “You think!? But hey, you know now that they love you. It’s pretty big when Dani is offering her sanctuary to you just so you’ll stay.”
Bryn giggled, leaning over to kiss me on the lips as I was driving. “I can’t even tell you how good it felt to feel so…welcome. I never felt like this when I was at home with my parents and…” She wanted to say Brayden, but after his private cremation ceremony, Bryn vowed to never speak his name again. “I felt like a part of your family.”
“You know I love you, right?”? I asked her as we pulled up to my apartment. The lights were still on, so that meant someone had to still be awake.
“Of course. And I love you too,” she said sweetly, taking the keys out of the ignition for me, and hopping over into the driver’s seat so she was now straddling my lap. We had played it safe ever since what happened with Brayden, but I was tired of holding back on this girl. I had so much love for Bryn, and I would gladly show her every second of every day just how much I cared about her.
“The guys are probably staring at us from the window.” I gestured towards the second floor of the apartment complex. They were heckling me before I left about bringing Bryn back to the apartment to hang out, since usually I never brought her there. We stuck around downtown and her loft.
“So what?” she breathed, her mouth claiming mine for a kiss. I kissed her back, letting my tongue roam into her mouth as my hands reached around to rest under her sweater, just above the top of her jeans. I could feel all of the pent up sexual tension disappear as we continued what hadn’t been done in weeks. I secretly wished I could kick the guys out so we could have the place for ourselves. Normally, I wouldn’t have minded kissing her and doing other x rated things in my car, but we tried to keep the PDA to a minimum when we were around the band and practicing.
“Okay, okay.” I tried to breathe out Bryn sat up straight on my lap. She had a certain look in her eye, and I knew what it meant. She was ready. “Let’s try and sneak into my room without them knowing. I’m not going to let our first time in weeks be in the front seat of my car.” Bryn was the kind of girl who deserved nothing but the best. My best certainly wouldn’t be in the position we were in now.
She nodded, carefully climbing off my lap and sitting back into the other seat. “Like that’ll work. You live with four other guys. One of them will see me walk into your bedroom and interrogate us and you know it,” she teased.
“They can suck it for all I care at this second,” I scoffed, opening my door and hurrying over to Bryn’s side so I could get her out of the car. Shutting her door, I continued, “All I know is we have both waited way too long for our own good and I need you way too much right now.”
***