When You Got Love in Your Sights, Watch out, Love Bites

“Are you sure this is okay?” I asked as I tugged down my Aerosmith t-shirt that I had modified by cutting off the sleeves, “you’re not just saying so because you want to go?”

“Yes, you look beyond beautiful,” Steve sighed, “now can we please go? Joe just pulled into the driveway.”

I gave myself a final once over in the mirror, making sure my bum looked good in my tight jeans, “alright… lets go.”

Steve gave me one of his gorgeous shy smiles that I loved so much, as he took my hand and lead me out of his house. If I didn’t have Steve with me right now, I probably wouldn’t have been able to walk to the door.

I was meeting Steve’s new band for the first time, and we were all going to London to see a band called UFO play. I was both super excited and a bundle of nerves. I wanted to make sure I looked my best for the gig, and so I’d make a good first impression with Steves new friends. I really wanted them to like me.

There was an old white van waiting in the driveway for us. The back windows were tinted, but in the front I could see two rather handsome young men talking and smoking. The one in the drivers seat was taller, and the one in the passenger side had longer curly hair. They both had pretty dark brown hair; that I was slightly envious of. I didn’t think my wavy blonde hair was even half as nice as theirs.

Steve opened the side door, letting the loud music out into the air; they were listening to David Bowie. I noticed there was a couple sitting in the very back, as I got in. the man gave me a welcoming smile, while the girl just looked distastefully out the window, as if she didn’t want to be here.

I took a seat next to a shorter man with dark curly hair and big lips. The way he was smiling at me made me a little uncomfortable, but I just let it go. These were Steve’s new friends. And if Steve liked them, then they must be nice people.

The man driving began to back up as soon as Steve closed the door. Steve draped his long thin arm around my shoulders and gave me a reassuring smile. I returned his smile and leaned into him, just to get a little further away from his short friend.

“So,” the most handsome of all the men in the van began, as he turned to look back at all of us, pushing some of his long brown hair out of his face, “you must be Clarkies bird, then? I’m Rick.”

“And I’m Joe,” the taller man driving chuckled, “Clarkie wasn’t lying when he said you were gorgeous.”

I couldn’t help but blush at that, “it’s nice to meet you, I’m Gypsy… and Steve and I are just friends.”

Short man smiled even bigger, “are you now? I’m Pete,” he took my hand and kissed it, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, luv.”

“This is my girlfriend, Clare,” the man in the back piped up, he sent me another nice smile, “and I’m Tony.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Clare sent me a quick smile before looking out the window once again, “it’s nice to have another girl around.”

I noticed Joe roll his eyes in the rear-view mirror, and I couldn’t help but giggle. He flashed me his charming smile in the mirror. It didn’t take much to see that Clare wasn’t too fond of these guys, and the feeling seemed to be mutual.

“Sorry for just assumin’ you were Steve’s girl,” Rick said, as he turned around in his seat once again, “just from the way he talks about ya, and how close you are… we all sorta figured you were goin’ steady er somthin’.”

I could feel the heat rise on my cheeks, as a blush set in. I never imagined Steve talked about me to his friends. Though I had never really given much thought to what he would talk to his guy friends about. The butterflies in my stomach from Joe and Rick just increased at the thought of what Steve may have told them about me.

I smiled and waved it off, “that’s fine. We are pretty close, so I guess it comes off like we’re together.”

I smiled up at Steve. He looked like he was deep in thought and slightly bothered, but he gave me a small smile before looking out the window. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I didn’t want to risk embarrassing him in front of his friends. So I didn’t say anything, and just looked ahead out at the road.

The rest of the drive Joe and Rick talked to me about everything, while Pete would throw his two cents in and hit on me whenever he got the chance. I was a little put off by him, and I would try and snuggle closer to Steve. The time passed by rather quickly and before I knew it the three-hour drive was over and we were in London.

“I think we’ll have enough time to get a few drinks before they go on,” Tony said happily, as he followed Pete out of the van.

Steve and I waited for Clare to get out before we even began to move. I didn’t want to get on her bad side, she seemed like one of those annoying girls who would try and ruin your life and cause drama. And I wasn’t one for drama.

Joe draped his long arm around my shoulders once I was out of the van, and had straightened myself out again, “ready, luv?”

I couldn’t stop the stupid grin that spread across my face, “yup.”

Joe paid for the both of us to get in, even though I protested, as I could have paid for myself. But Joe insisted that he was going to be a gentleman and pay for his new ‘lady friend’ to get in. I just laughed and gave in; I could tell that that was a fight I just wasn’t going to win.

Joe made straight for the bar once we were in, “what do you want to drink?”

“Jack and coke,” I shrugged as I looked around the smoky bar. I loved places like this. It felt like home. Like back on the strip, where I really belonged.

“Really?” Joe asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively, “I took you for more of a girly drink kinda bird.”

I right out laughed at that as the bartender handed us our drinks, “I’ve been drinking Jack for years now… I never really developed a taste for those girly drinks either.”

“A bird after me own heart,” Pete chuckled as he and Steve came up to the bar and ordered their drinks.

I pressed myself slightly against Joe. I was still a little unsure of what to make of Pete. He seemed like a creeper to me. Like one of those guys who wouldn’t even think twice about slipping a girl a roofie.

“Don’t worry, luv,” Joe whispered in my ear, “he’s harmless, really.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I decided to trust Joe. They had known each other longer then I’d known them. It was at that moment that I decided to just let loose and not let anyone or anything bother me. So I downed my drink, and took Steve’s beer, making sure to give him a kiss on the cheek before making my way onto the dance floor.

There were some people waiting upfront already, where the band would soon be playing. And there were people just dancing away already. I decided to go and stand with the people at the front. I loved UFO, so the closer I was to them the better, in my opinion. Every time Steve took me to see them I always ended up sitting at the bar, or standing just far enough away that I couldn’t see them play. But this time I was determined to see the whole thing, even if it killed me!

“Excited?” Joe asked as he stood behind me.

I giggled, as I smiled and looked up at him, “a little, you?”

He shrugged and took a sip of his drink, “I guess.”

“So…” I began, trying to think of something that would make for good conversation. I wanted to get to know Joe better, “who’s the Bowie fan?”

Joe gave me a slightly confused look, “hum?”

“Well… you were playing a Bowie tape when you picked Steve and I up. So I was just wondering who put it in…” I felt a little awkward, and my shyness was starting to kick in along with more butterflies.

Joe was just so pretty. He was tall, dark, and handsome. Not to mention funny and sweet. There was no question about if I was attracted to him or not. For the entire drive here I’d been thinking of all the things I wanted to do to him. I would never be brave enough to act on my feelings though.

“Oh,” he looked as though he understood now, “that’d be me. You a fan?”

“Are you kidding?” I laughed, “I love him! His voice is just so… god I cant even describe it!”

Joe laughed at my excitement, as the lights over the dance floor went out, and the lights over the little stage went on. A whole new wave of excitement rushed through me when Pete Way took to the stage, followed by the rest of the band. That excitement almost tripled as Phil Mogg grabbed the mic. I’d had a slight crush on Phil for a while now.

I practically melted when Phil winked at me, as he introduced the song. I assumed he recognised me from all the other gigs I’d drug Steve to. They started out with a few new songs; Too Hot To Handle, Love To Love, and Lights Out. Then they went into some of my older favourites, to which I sing and danced to.

It was really something to actually see them work the stage. Michael was really something to watch, his guitar playing really blew me away. He wasn’t as good as Steve, but he was definitely good. Pete danced around and worked his bass like nobodies business. Andy kept the beat going from his place behind the drums. Paul played the keyboard and guitar beautifully. And I was in an almost constant swoon after Phil, as he pranced around the stage and sang.

The show was over way too soon for my liking, but they had been on for an hour. The band went backstage, and the normal lights came on over the dance floor as music began to play again.

Joe began to walk back over to the guys, who were still seated at the bar, but were now being spoken to by a group of pretty young women. I felt a slight pang of jealousy when I saw the gorgeous dark haired girl talking to Steve. When Steve laughed and flashed her his gorgeous smile, my stomach dropped to my feet. I did not want to go over there at the moment. There was too much whore surrounding them for my liking.

I grabbed Joes arm, “I’m just gonna dance for a while, is that okay?”

Joe laughed, “of course, luv. You don’t have to ask permission to have fun. I’d offer to dance with you, but god knows I’m terrible.”

“That’s okay,” I smiled and stood on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek. The alcohol was kicking in, and starting up my bravery, “I’m sure I’ll be fine on my own.”

Joe chuckled as he continued to make his way over to the bar. I didn’t really want to be by myself with those girls all over Steve and his friends. But I was hoping that dancing would take my mind off of them.

I let my hips sway with the music. Letting it flow through me, cleansing my mind of everything but having a good time. Not too long after I started to dance, did a warm body press up against my back, and hands were placed on my hips. I was a little startled. But even more so pleased, when I turned to see it was Phil.

“So if it isn’t the little drifting Gypsy,” he grinned, “how did I know you’d be here, luv?”

I giggled and gave him a kiss, “I duno, maybe it’s you who’s the gypsy.”

He laughed and took my hand, “maybe, come on… I’ve got something for you.”

I was practically a puddle at his feet. I followed him backstage where the rest of the guys were sitting with a few pretty girls here and there, drinking and having a good time. The guys, who weren’t completely engulfed with the pretty girls around them, waved and said hello to me. I just grinned and waved back. I was beyond ecstatic that they seemed to remember me.

Phil stopped in front of some boxes, before mumbling, “I think it’s in this one…”

He opened one of the boxes labelled blue shirts, and pulled out a purple UFO t-shirt and handed it to me.

“I remembered you saying you liked our shirts, but you thought they’d look better purple… so I had one made for you,” Phil explained as he leaned against the wall.

I just looked at him in a mixture of shock and awe. I couldn’t believe he’d done that just for me, “how much for it?”

He sent me a sexy smirk as he chuckled, “it’s free, luv… a thank you for supporting us for so long.”

“I don’t know what to say…” I really was at a loss for words, “is there anything I can do to repay you… I mean… wow… there has to be something!”

“Well…” he shrugged, and pointedly looked over at a closed door labelled ‘washroom.’

A rush of pure excitement went through my body, making me a little light headed. I grinned like that cat that caught the mouse, as I took Phil’s hand and lead him towards the washroom.

***

I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot when I found the guys, still all at the bar. I now had my new UFO t-shirt on, and my Aerosmith one was tucked securely through the back of my belt so I wouldn’t have to carry it around.

“I see you got a shirt too,” Joe said, raising up his own new blue t-shirt, and drawing attention to me.

“Where’d you run off to?” Steve asked sounding less then pleased, and completely shoving the petite girl off of his lap.

“I just went and talked to the band for a while… and Phil gave me this shirt,” I didn’t know why I was lying to Steve about where I’d been. It wasn’t completely untrue; after Phil and I finished up in the bathroom I did stay and talk to the rest of the band.

“Oh!” Pete slurred loudly, chuckling before taking another deep drink, “I bet you were just talkin’ to em.”

Everyone laughed except for Steve and I. a wild heat arose on my cheeks as a dark blush took over. Steve noticed my guilty look, and sent me a glare before getting up and storming out of the bar. I was a little taken back by this, and looked around at the guys. They all looked equally confused, except for Rick. Who looked oddly like he knew just what was going on.

“Well ladies,” Pete slurred, “it looks like that’s our queue to go.”

I left the guys to say good night to their new friends, and went out to the van. Steve was leaning against the van, looking livid.

“Stevie-“ I began quietly, as I got closer to him.

He glared down at his feet; “don’t talk to me right now.”

“Ste-“

“Gypsy, I’m serious… I think you should sit in the front of the van with Rick,” Steve opened the vans side door, “I don’t even want to look at you right now.”

Every last drop of happiness was drained out of me with those few words. I felt a lump rise in my throat as I tried not to cry. I just numbly did as Steve told me and climbed into the front passenger seat of the van. I couldn’t even imagine what I had done to make Steve so mad at me. Steve had never used that tone or spoken to me like that before. It felt as though someone had punched me in the stomach or backhanded me across the face.

The rest of the guys came out of the bar and started to pile into the van. I watched in the rear-view mirror as Steve, Joe, and Pete climbed into the very back of the van. Tony and Clare got into the middle and closed the door. And Rick got in the drivers seat.

Rick gave me a small smile as he started up the van. Joe and Pete began happily singing to Bennie And The Jets as it came on the radio. Tony joined in a little after when Clare passed out in his lap. Steve just glared out the window.

“He’ll be okay, luv… just give ‘em a little time, yeah?” Rick said quietly, so only I could hear over the ruckus in the back.

I looked sadly over at him, “sure I guess… I just don’t understand what I did.”

Rick looked like he was thinking about what to say, “well… I… um… he’ll tell you when he’s ready.”

I could tell Rick was uncomfortable, so I just let it drop. Though now I was curious as to why Rick couldn’t tell me what was wrong. If Steve was aloud to have a bunch of gorgeous girls all over him, what was so wrong with me going and having some fun with a very attractive man? Steve and I were only friends after all.

I looked out the window and watched everything pass by. I soon found myself drifting off to sleep, despite all the noise the guys were making in the back of the van. I briefly woke up when Rick stopped to get some tea to keep him awake, but was out like a light again within minutes.

It wasn’t until my head hit a soft surface that I woke up again. I looked around in a slight panic, not knowing where I was. But I quickly realised that I was in my room, and that Steve was about to leave.

“Steve,” I quietly called out to him before he opened the door, “I’m sorry… for whatever I did. I didn’t mean to upset you! Please talk to me.”

Steve turned to look at me, nodded, and then left. I couldn’t hold my sadness back any longer. I buried my face in my feather pillow, and wept.