Temporary Madness

“James,” Adam said excitedly to his bandmate, James Valentine, the next day in the studio after Nicole’s birthday party. It had been an extremely challenging night for Adam. He had returned home to Brittany and although she had already been fast asleep, he couldn’t help but be mesmorized by thoughts of Ava Kensington throughout the night. He got little to no sleep but amazingly managed to get a lot of writing done for their second album.

“Hmm?” James answered half-heartedly, uninterested in what Adam had to say in the moment as he went over some music. “I think I’ve got this beat,” he continued as he jotted down what he had been working on before Adam arrived. “It could work if we had some lyrics to go with it.” He added, looking up at Adam.

Adam placed a sheet of paper on top of James’ work, which to James looked like a bunch of scribble scrabble. He raised his eyebrows as he glanced up at Adam. “I’m supposed to decipher this chicken scratch?”

“Cause you keep me coming back for more and I feel a little better than I did before, if I never see your face again, I don’t mind cause we got much further than I thought we’d get tonight.” Adam read it to him. “That’s the chorus. What do you think?” he asked.

“Is that all you have?” James asked, unimpressed with just a simple line.

Adam scoffed. “Is that all I have…” he repeated, stifling a laugh. “I wrote all the lyrics last night. It was amazing. I was a force to be reckoned with. I just couldn’t stop writing. It hasn’t been like this with me since…”

“Since Jane.” James finished his sentence, referring to the woman who had inspired their entire first album, Songs About Jane. “You’ve got a new muse?” he asked, smirking at him.

“Now James,” Adam grinned as he swiped the sheet of lyrics away from his viewing and paced the room slowly. “Maybe I just got really inspired. It doesn’t mean that I was inspired by someone.”

“Shut up. Do you not think I know you better than that? Who’s the girl? Is it Brittany? Kind of odd that you’d be writing about her now.” James said as he tried to figure out Adam’s confusing mind.

Adam sat down across from James in an excited manner. James was shocked. He had never seen Adam so excited about something, or someone for the entire time he’s known him.

“I went to Nicole’s 21st birthday party last night and I met the most amazing woman I’ve ever seen in my life. She was beautiful, she was exotic, she was witty, she was… I can’t stop thinking about her. I got home and it just came out of me. I had to write. It was like an adrenaline rush. The reason why I was so passionate about music to begin with, you know? It was an expression of my emotions.”

“Well, it couldn’t have come at a better time, I’ll tell you that much.” James joked. “I mean, we are just starting to collaborate on material for our second album. Its been forever since our first, we needed some new material.”

“You’re an ass.” Adam said as he laughed a bit and rolled his eyes. “I got her number.” He admitted, seeing James glare at him.

“Why would you do that?” James asked. “We’ve been with Brit for over a year now, you guys live together. For Christ’s sakes, Adam, you have a dog together which is practically like having a child!”

“Okay, don’t bring Oreo into this,” Adam joked, referring to his and Brittany’s basset hound that they adopted when they moved in together 6 months prior. “He never did anything to anybody.”

“You’re ignoring my whole point. You’ve committed yourself to someone else.” James reiterated his point. “She’s a nice girl.”

“And I’m not planning on cheating on her, James.” Adam said in a serious tone, the expression on his face changing. “I found the girl to be hypnotizing, someone I’d like to get to know better. You know, as friends. She has a boyfriend anyway.” He added, a bit pouty as he sat back in his chair to think about the conversation that had just went on between the two of them. Him and Ava’s meeting last night had been completely innocent. It meant nothing. Right?

Later that evening, Adam and James had left the studio after a productive work day. It was an amazing interaction, just like the old days. Adam’s lyrics matched perfectly with James’ music and they were able to collaborate on the very first potential song for their second album. They had decided to call it “If I Never See Your Face Again”. They left on a good note, anxious to show it to the rest of the band to piece it together to see if it would actually work the next day.

Adam climbed into his car, slamming the door as he settled inside. He checked the time. 8:05pm. It was still early, but him and James had been working since 5:30 that morning. He pulled his iPhone out and scrolled to Ava’s number, his finger hovering over the “call” option illuminated on the screen. No. Calling would be an absurd thing to do. James was right, he was committed to somebody else. Somebody else whom he grew to love very much. Calling another girl he was insanely attracted to, even if it was an innocent and friendly call still would not be morally right. Brittany would see it as emotional cheating. She would be upset.

Suddenly, he jumped when his phone rang. Nicole’s name flashed on the screen. He chose to answer the call. “My favorite person.” He said with a grin.

“Shut up,” Nicole laughed from the other end. “I wanted to thank you for coming last night. It was so great to see you.”

“Well, thank you for inviting me. It had been such a long time and now that I’m finally back in LA, we have to hang out more.” Adam said as he sat back in his car, getting comfortable for what he expected might be a lengthy phone call.

“Actually,” Nicole started. “It’s funny you should mention that. Are you busy tonight? Ava and her boyfriend Brian invited me out for drinks, you know, now that I’m of legal age and all. And yeah, he wasn’t able to come to my party last night and he wanted to make up for it. I know they’re bringing a few of their friends and I didn’t want to be surrounded by people I don’t know that well so I figured maybe you want to come? You should bring Brit too. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to her.” She said, as if the mention of Ava’s name wouldn’t be enough for him to come.

“I always thought you weren’t too fond of Brit.” Adam said, surprised at how reluctant he was to actually bring his girlfriend.

“Well, I didn’t like how she monopolized your time but I think we kind of got off on the wrong foot. But I mean, obviously you guys are serious about each other and I think we should make an effort to be friends, don’t you?” Nicole asked.

“Oh, yes. Right.” Adam said, his mind a bit of a blur on the situation at hand. “Well, absolutely, yes. I’d love to come. I’m on my way home now, so I’ll talk to Brit about it and see if she wants to join.”

“Great!” Nicole said excitedly. “The bar right by my house at around 10.” She instructed him. “And Adam?”

“Yes, sweetpea?” he answered.

“Behave.”

It was 10pm and for once in his life, Adam was right on time with Brittany on his arm.

“Are you sure I look okay?” Brittany questioned Adam insecurely. She was wearing a denim skirt and a purple tank. It was a very simple outfit.

“You look beautiful.” Adam replied with a smile as he kissed her cheek affectionately. “I don’t understand why you’re so worried.”

“Well, Nicole basically hates me. The last thing I want her to think is that I dress like some kind of whore or something when she’s at least keeping an open mind to hang out with me.” Brittany said with a nervous smile. It was important to her that Adam’s friends approved of her. She knew that Nicole was important to Adam and it had always bothered her that Nicole felt as if she tried to monopolize Adam’s time.

“She doesn’t hate you, babe.” Adam corrected her as he opened the door for her on their way into the bar. “She just felt as if our friendship changed when you and I started dating. She had to adjust and remember, she was younger at the time so of course she put the blame on you. She’s a bit older now and she’d like to start fresh. Just relax and have a good time tonight.” He reassured her, squeezing her hand.

Nicole spotted Adam and Brittany and gave them a quick wave. Ava was already there sitting next to a man with what seemed to be dirty blonde hair. Adam couldn’t tell because the lighting in the bar was poor. He had only assumed that that was Brian, Ava’s boyfriend.

When Adam and Brittany approached the group of people, Adam half-listened to Nicole as she introduced the crowd of people they were with. Brittany was making a conscious effort to pay attention to every detail Nicole said as she was desperate to impress her, but the only thing Adam could focus on was Ava.

“We meet again.” Adam grinned at Ava, who averted her eyes over to him nonchalantly, as if only just realizing then that he was there. She smiled.

“Yes,” Ava added. “Adam, this is my boyfriend Brian.” She introduced them immediately.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Brian said politely as Adam returned the notion by shaking his hand.

Adam couldn’t understand how Ava could end up with a man like Brian. He seemed almost as if he was too ordinary looking. He was dressed way too properly with a button down shirt neatly tucked into his khaki pants, his hair was slicked back, and he was just average. The pair did not match at all. He had expected Ava to be with a man who was distinguished and handsome, very smooth, someone who was worthy of having a woman like Ava on his arm.

“Oh my God, Ava?!” Adam was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard his girlfriend shriek towards Ava’s direction.

“Brittany!” Ava gasped, a smile spreading across her face as she rose from her seat to greet her with a hug. “Oh my God, it’s been forever, hasn’t it?” she said in midst of their hug.

“I haven’t seen you since graduation!” Brittany said excitedly as they parted. “You look amazing.”

“Wait,” Adam paused, interrupting their little reunion. “You two… know each other?”

“Yes!” Brittany said as she laughed a bit. “Ava was my roommate in college. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Although I must say, she’s had more luck in our industry than I have. I heard you landed your first role in a movie, how exciting is that? Congratulations! You know, I never missed an episode of General Hospital since I saw you were on it. God, I’m so upset that we’ve lost touch over the years.”

Adam sat in the stool that Ava had left vacant to go greet his girlfriend. Suddenly, he felt a knot in his stomach unlike anything he had felt before. What are the odds that Brittany and Ava would know each other?

“It’s a small world, huh?” Brian said with a chuckle, as if noticing the look of shock on Adam’s face.

“Right.” Adam mumbled, still speechless. Realizing that he needed to snap out of it and fast, he perked up and looked in Brian’s direction. “So, what is it that you do, Brian?”

“I’m in a band.” He said sheepishly, as if he expected ridicule instantly. It must have been something he was used to. “I admire your work.”

“Thanks.” Adam said, uninterested. “Would you like a drink?”

“Oh, no thank you.” Brian rejected his offer.

Adam shrugged. He sure as hell needed one. He ordered his drink and then turned his attention back to Brian after receiving it. “How did you and Ava meet?”

Brian’s eyebrows curved in curiousity at the question. “Oh, well… I was doing a gig at a party she was at one night. I noticed her right off. I mean, she’s a beautiful girl. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one that noticed her. It took quite a few drinks to get up the courage to approach her. She mentioned she thought I was sweet and unlike any of the guys she had dated in the past, so we went out and the rest is history. I’m just grateful she gave me a chance.” Brian gushed over his girlfriend.

“Well, that’s nice of her. I guess nice guys don’t always finish last, huh?” Adam joked with a smirk as he sipped his rum and coke.

“I don’t like the way he was staring at you all night.” Brian said to Ava as he drove her home from the bar later on that evening.

“Huh, who?” Ava questioned him.

“Adam.” Brian said, his face stern.

Ava laughed a bit. “He had been drinking quite a bit, Brittany had to practically carry him out of there.”

“So? He was staring you down even before he got wasted.” Brian said, his voice irritated as he pulled up in front of Ava’s apartment building.

Ava turned to him with a smile on her face, leaning over to stroke Brian’s cheek with her hand. “You’re pretty adorable when you’re jealous.”

“Jealous?!” Brian shrieked. “I am not jealous. I tried to talk to him about his career, music, anything that we were both interested in and all he did was bring the topic right back to you. I want you to stay away from him.”

Ava laughed and shook her head, but quickly stopped laughing when she saw the expression on Brian’s face. She had never seen him look so irritated and so serious all at the same time. She pulled her hand away from his face and her smile faded. “I just met him last night and we have mutual friends. I doubt it’ll be so easy to stay away from him. He’s home for quite a while now working on his second album so I’m pretty sure he’ll be around more often. Be reasonable, Brian. You can’t expect me to stop seeing my friends just because there’s a possibility that he might be there, right?” she asked him, as if testing him.

Brian sighed, his face softening up as he nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t know why, he just got me so angry. He was just so cocky, questioning me like I wasn’t worthy of you or something.”

Ava smiled again, relieved to see the old Brian that she knew and loved back. “The only person who can decide whether or not you’re ‘worthy’ of me is me. And you passed that test with flying colors.” She said as she leaned over him to kiss his lips softly. “So don’t worry.” She whispered against his lips. “Goodnight sweetie. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She added before she got out of the car and headed inside to her apartment.

As Ava climbed the stairs to the second floor of her apartment building, she couldn’t help but be flattered by the way Adam seemed so clearly interested in her. Even enough to question her boyfriend constantly. The man showed no fear.

Just as she approached her apartment door, she heard her phone go off to signal that an unread text message awaited her. She made sure she was settled at home before opening up her phone to read it. It was from Adam.

ADAM: You looked beautiful tonight.

Ava shook her head with a laugh and sighed as she typed back.

AVA: That’s the rum talking. Did you get home safely?

ADAM: I can hold my liquor, I’m fine. What are you up to?

AVA: I just got home.

ADAM: You can’t tell me that you didn’t feel it.

Ava sat on her bed, biting her lip while reading the last text message. She knew exactly what he was referring to, but she was reluctant to get into the conversation. She did not want to play with fire.

AVA: Feel what?

ADAM: There is chemistry between us, don’t deny it, I know that you feel it too.

AVA: I think maybe you should talk to me when you’re not drunk.

ADAM: I’m NOT drunk!

AVA: That’s what drunk morons say.

ADAM: Very cute.

AVA: Anyway, Casanova, it’s late and I’m tired.

ADAM: We should have lunch tomorrow.

AVA: Not such a great idea…

ADAM: Come on, lunch is a friendly meal. Dinner is a romantic meal, even breakfast is a romantic meal since you’re assumingly sharing it with the person that you spent the night with. But lunch? Lunch is a friendly meal. You take a friend out to lunch. I, as a new friend of yours, would absolutely love to take you out to lunch.

Ava laughed as his long winded text message to describe the meaning of each meal of the day. She had to admit, he was a riot. In the two short days that they have had a chance to get to know each other and interact, he had done nothing but made her laugh non-stop. Also, they had practically the same personality. It was like he was the male version of her. She tried to think of a witty answer to give him, but she had nothing.

ADAM: There’s that new café that I’ve been dying to try…

AVA: Okay. Noon. I’ll meet you there.

ADAM: Can’t wait. Night, sweetpea.

AVA: Goodnight, ass.

She shut her phone with a smile. He did play hardball. Sure, she was attracted to him, but there would be no harm in being his friend. Her mind settled on the conversation she had with Brian earlier. He seemed so intimidated by Adam. There had been other men who had actively taken an interest in her and he had never reacted that way. Why start now?

She was unsure, but something in her had to at least have lunch with him. They had so much in common that they could at least become good friend. There was nothing wrong with that, right?