Scars

“Be good and I’ll see you tomorrow evening.” Tonya told Jake as she hugged him good bye.

“I will mom, love you.” he replied.

“Love you too.” she said as she pulled away and allowed him to get into Patricks car.

“Come on, I’ve just had a message off Jimmy, they’re all over at Johnny’s.” Stella said, almost dragging Tonya over to her car.

Once in the car, Tonya dug around in her purse, first finding a mirror and lip gloss, freshening up her makeup before checking her hair and spraying some more perfume on her pulse points.

“Spray me too.” Stella said stretching her neck to allow Tonya to spray some on her too.

As Stella parked her car, Tonya took a deep breath, checking her reflection in the rear view mirror one last time before stepping out if the car.

“T!” Jimmy cheered loudly as he spotted them walking into Johnny’s bar.

“Hey Jim.” She said as he came running over to her, scooping her up into his arms and spinning her around.

She laughed as he put her down, straightening out her top as he did the same to Stella.

“Two beers?” he asked.

“Yes please James.” Stella replied as he skipped off to the bar, leaving the two of them to walk over to the rest of the group.

“Hey.” Tonya said as she snuck up on Brian who was watching Matt and Johnny play pool.

“Oh hey.” he replied as he turned around to face her, a smile immediately appearing on his handsome face. “I thought you were going out with Jake and his grandparents?”

“We did, didn’t the guys tell you we were coming?” she replied.

“No, we wanted it to be a surprise.” Stella said with a smirk as she took a bottle of beer off Jimmy from where she was sat next to Zack.

“Either way, I’m glad you’re here.” He replied with a smile as he leaned down and kissed her lips before slipping his arm around her waist.

“Me too.” she replied.

“I didn’t get the chance to tell you earlier, but I’ve finished the design for your tattoo.” He said as he gently guided them back to the table the group were sat at.

“Really? Cool, I’ll drop by the studio sometime to see it.” she said.

“Fucking yes!” Matt yelled from the pool table. “Who’s up next?”

“I’ll play you.” Stella announced as she stood up and walked with confidence over to where Matt was setting up the pool table.

“This could be interesting.” Jimmy said leaning forward to prop his elbows against the table staring off towards the pool table.

“Uh-oh, is he as competitive as she is?” Tonya asked watching as Jimmy nodded. “Then this could be very interesting.”

Conversation and alcohol flowed easily between the group as Matt and Stella played pool, Matt not happy with loosing and challenging her to the best of three. When he had one that, Stella had then insisted on a best of five. As they watched their friends, wondering if they would actually reach a final game, Brian’s hand slipped slowly up and down Tonya’s thigh, his long fingers drawing light shapes over the material of her jeans.

“Oh, I love this song, babe can we dance?” Lacey cheered as she stood up, taking hold of Johnny’s hand without a reply and leading him out to the small dance floor.

“Come on then.” Jimmy said standing up, a large smile breaking out onto Leana’s face as he read her mind and stood up to join Lacey and Johnny.

Feeling her body move slightly to the beat of the music as she sat next to him watching the other couples dance, Brian stood up and offered his hand out to Tonya, “You’re practically dancing already.” He said as she looked up at him before taking hold of his hand and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.

Brian placed his hands on her hips as she timidly slipped hers around his shoulders, their eyes meeting as their bodies began to move in time to the music. They watched each other for what seamed like forever, Tonya watching as Brian nervously began to bite his lower lip. Letting out a long breath, she reached up onto her tip-toes to press her lips softly against his, both moaning softly at the contact. Her hands found the back of his head, her fingers slipping through his dark hair as his tongue slipped slowly over her lower lip.

Lips parting, their tongues glided slowly over each others as Brian’s grip on her hips tightened, pulling her closer to him.

“CHEAT!”

Stella’s loud voice boomed through the bar, causing Tonya and Brian to break apart, and their attention drawn to their friends.

“Fucking Cheat!” she yelled again.

“I did not fucking cheat!” Matt chuckled loudly. “Just admit that I’m the better pool player.”

“Never! You cheated, just admit it. I saw you nudge the table.” She retorted with a smile.

“God, you two are as bad as each other!” Zack yelled. “Both of you have been cheating in that last game. I’ve been sat here watching you.”

Both Matt and Stella’s eyes widened as the rest of the group fell apart laughing hysterically.

“Finally met your match.” Tonya giggled as Brian wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his lips softly to her neck.

“Okay, so who’s going to play the winner?” Matt asked smugly looking around the group.

“I think you’ve played enough pool for one night.” Gena said sternly through a small smile.

“Spoil sport.” Matt muttered “Who’s up for another round of drinks?”

“So long as you’re paying.” Stella replied loudly with a smirk.

“You can come and help me for that.” Matt replied grabbing hold of Stella’s hand and gently pulling her in the direction of the bar.

“If I didn’t know better I would say that he had a bit of a crush on her.” Gena said as she watched them walk away.

“Yeah it’s a shame she’s with Cole, I think they’d make a good couple.” Jimmy said.

“As much as I like Cole, I tend to agree with you there James.” Tonya said with a half smile and noticing that Brian was looking at her with a puzzled expression. “It’s a long story, and not one to go into here and now.”

Brian nodded, slipping an arm around her waist as he kissed her temple. She smiled; turning so she could lean up and kiss his cheek as Matt and Stella returned with a tray drinks each.

Two hours later, after a few more bottles of beers and a round of shots, Tonya had her head resting on Brian’s shoulder, his arm still securely around her waist, his long calloused fingers drawing invisible patterns on her side.

“You okay babe?” he asked quietly placing a gentle kiss in her hair.

“Yeah.” She sighed, stifling a yawn. “Just a bit tired, and I think last night has caught up with me too.”

“Last night?” he queried.

“Yeah, me and Stella got through a few bottles of wine during out Johnny Depp feast.” She replied. “I had a killer hangover this morning.”

“Do you wanna go home?” he asked quietly.

“I’m staying at Stella’s again.” she told him, this time a yawn escaping her lips.

“I can walk you back to her place instead then.” He replied with a smile.

“You don’t have to.” she said lifting her head to look up at him.

“I know, but I want to.” he replied smiling down at her as she leaned up to press her lips to his. He slowly placed his hand on her cheek, holding their lips together. Tonya’s hand slipped slowly up Brian’s thigh, finding the hem of his navy v-neck as their tongues toyed gently with each other.

“Ugh, you guys need to get a room!” Stella yelled as she plopped down in the chair opposite them, almost falling off it as Tonya glared at her. “What?”

“That is the second time you have interrupted us tonight.” She growled through gritted teeth.

Stella smirked, her eyes glazed over a little with alcohol, “Matt’s offered to walk us back to mine.”

“Brian’s offered to do the same.” Tonya replied with a smile.

“Well, aren’t we lucky, having two sexy men walking us home.” Stella replied as Matt joined them.

“Ready?” he asked with a dimpled smile.

“Yep, and it looks like you’re walking me home and Brian’s walking Tonya home.” she replied as the three of them stood from their seats.

As they exited the bar, Brian placed his jacket over Tonya’s shoulders, allowing her to slip her arms into the sleeves before he took hold of her hand once again. Matt and Stella were a few steps ahead, her small arm linked through Matt’s tattooed, muscular one.

“Would it be okay if I popped into the studio to check out the tattoo at some point this week?” she asked as they walked slowly behind Matt and Stella.

“Of course, pop in anytime.” He replied quietly. “I just hope you like it, that you think it does Luke justice.”

“Bri, I have every faith in your ability, I’m sure you’ve done a wonderful job. I can’t wait to see it.” she replied with a smile as they reached Stella’s drive way.

She stopped at the foot of the driveway, glancing up to see Stella and Matt sat on the top step talking. “I’m glad you decided to join us tonight.” He said taking hold of her other hand to turn her so that she was stood facing him.

“Me too, I’ve had fun, despite the hangover I’m probably going to have in the morning.” She replied smiling back at him as he once again lowered his lips to hers.

“May as well make it three!” Stella yelled, Matt chuckling next to her.

“I’m going to kill her.” Tonya muttered quietly.

“No you won’t.” Brian said with a smile as he kissed her briefly, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow okay?”

“Yeah, not too early though.” She warned before he pecked her lips again, Matt slapping his back as he joined them. “Here, you better have this back.” She added taking off Brian’s jacket and handing it back to him, saying their final goodbyes before Tonya made her way up the steps to where Stella was stood holding her front door open for her.

“You should be lucky I love you.” she muttered as they walked into the house, closing and locking the door behind her.