Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

It was the night of the record release party. The guys had invited pretty much every single person they knew. The party was taking place at Johnny's Bar, the guys' favorite hangout and where portions of the album had actually been written.

Brian had been gone for most of the day. The guys had been celebrating with the studio crew, most of whom were not going to make it to the party tonight. I was meeting everyone at the bar at eight-thirty.

I had dressed with Brian in mind. My hair was piled on top of my head, two tendrils framing my carefully made-up face. I wore a Guns N Roses shirt that had been converted into a corset-like top, a black miniskirt, black fishnets, and knee-high boots with three inch spike heels. I'd probably end up busting my ass by the end of the night, but it would be worth it just to see that look in Brian's eyes when I entered the room.

Smiling, I grabbed my tiny clutch and breezed downstairs. Pixie was curled up on the sofa, purring contentedly. Brian had taken Pinkly to Zacky's house earlier. There, he could play with Zacky's dog, Ichabod, and not annoy the hell out of Pixie.

I found my keys and traipsed out to my car. Twenty minutes later, I was parking next to Matt's SUV in the back lot of Johnny's Bar. The front lot was overflowing already, and it was only five after eight.

I could hear AC/DC's "Back in Black" blaring deafeningly inside. I slipped in the back entrance and made my way to the main room. The guys were over by the pool tables. There was a fairly large crowd gathered around them. People were talking and laughing and I didn't see a single person without a drink.

I detoured to the bar for a Crown and Coke before navigating a path to the guys.

"Just when I think you can't possibly get any hotter..." Matt said by way of greeting, spotting me first.

Brian, Zacky, Johnny, and Jimmy all turned curiously. Brian's eyes darkened with an emotion I knew all too well and he reached out, taking my hand and pulling me to him for an almost X-rated hello kiss.

"Showoff," Jimmy muttered.

Brian ignored him, nuzzling my neck. I giggled and pushed him back a step. "Down, boy."

"Yes, please." Zacky tugged me away from Brian. "Down, boy."

Brian gave him a dirty look. Zacky hugged me. "Hello, Jordan."

I flashed Zacky a bright smile. "Hi, Zee."

"You look great," he commented.

"Too right she does," Johnny said, lifting his glass in my direction. "I'd throw you down and fuck you right here if Brian wouldn't kick my ass."

"Have I mentioned how badly you guys need girlfriends?" I said, but I couldn't help my pleased grin.

"Matt brought a date," Jimmy announced, sounding for all the world like a younger sibling tattling on his elder brother.

I turned on Matt, arms crossed over my chest. "Well? Where is she?"

"Bathroom," Matt mumbled. He seemed embarrassed.

"She's pretty," Jimmy stage-whispered.

"Jimmy, you think anything with tits is pretty," Johnny cracked. He then looked at Matt with wide eyes. "Not that I'm saying she's not pretty."

"Johnny, do yourself a favor and shut up," Zacky chimed in.

"Fine," Johnny said sulkily.

At that moment, a gorgeous brunette with big blue eyes and flawless ivory skin appeared out of the crowd, approaching Matt with a smile.

"Jordan, this is Dawn," Matt said. "Dawn, this is Jordan, Brian's fiancée."

"Nice to meet you," I said politely, shaking Dawn's hand.

"I suddenly feel that we should have set up a mud wrestling pit for the party," Jimmy remarked to Zacky as they watched Dawn and me.

"Jimmy," Matt said warningly.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's a condition. I can't help myself."

Dawn giggled.

"Duct tape would cure that condition," I pointed out.

Jimmy gave me a sour look. "You're supposed to be on my side, sunshine. We're partners, remember?"

Brian slipped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on top of my head. Jimmy, Johnny, and Zacky drifted away to mingle with their guests. Matt twined his fingers with Dawn's and led her in the direction of the exit.

"We may have to leave early," Brian said in my ear. "Unless you're up for a round in the bathroom?"

Smirking, I turned in his arms. "You naughty boy! A public restroom?"

"Don't even act like this is my fault. You knew what that outfit, particularly those damn boots, would do to me."

I lifted a shoulder. "Maybe."

"Harlot."

I kissed him lingeringly, linking my arms around his neck. One of his hands stayed firmly at the small of my back, the other slid down to my ass.

"I love you," I murmured once I'd drawn away.

"I love you, too," he replied. "Now, can we get outta here?"

I laughed. "No. We have to stay for at least an hour."

"An hour?" Brian checked his watch. "Okay. At nine forty-five, I'm dragging your ass out of here, and I don't want any objections."

I grinned. "Sir, yes, sir."

*****

I stumbled downstairs at one o'clock the next afternoon and followed the scent of coffee to the kitchen. Pixie was happily attacking the contents of her food bowl.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and padded out onto the patio. Brian was smoking a cigarette and throwing Pinkly's ball for him.

"Hey," I said, lowering myself onto one of the lounge chairs.

Brian glanced up with a smile. "Hey."

"Is anything going on today?"

"I don't think so."

I gasped in mock surprise. "Oh, my God! You mean we actually get a day to ourselves?"

Brian chuckled. "Maybe. If you didn't just jinx us by saying that. I swear, there must be a little green light that comes on every time you and I are alone, and Jimmy must be constantly monitoring it."

"Aww, he's not that bad."

Brian arched an eyebrow.

"Okay. He is that bad."

Brian pitched away his finished cigarette and came over to join me on the lounge chair. He climbed behind me and I positioned myself between his legs, relaxing back against his chest and stomach.

We sat in silence for a long time, and it was perfect. I basked in the warm sunlight, listening to Brian's steady heartbeat and deep, even breathing.

"I'm going to miss you this summer," he commented suddenly.

I didn't say anything. He knew it was impossible for me to go all over the country with them on the Warped Tour. We had both agreed that school was more important.

But Jimmy's idea that I tag along on the fall tour had taken hold of me, and I now wanted very much to go. However, I was sticking to my guns: I would only go if Brian invited me. And I wasn't going to drop any subtle hints that might make him feel obligated to invite me. I wanted him to invite me only if he really wanted me with him.

"It's going to be the longest time I've ever spent away from you," he said.

"I know."

"And after Warped, almost two months off before we're back on the road."

I nodded.

"Maybe I made the wrong career decision."

"Bri!" I protested. "You know that's bullshit. You wouldn't be happy doing anything else."

He sighed. "I know." He paused. "After you graduate, maybe you could wait a little while to get a job and come with us for the fall tour."

I stayed quiet.

"If you wanted to," he added after a couple of seconds of silence.

I faced him. "You know I'd love to. Do you really want me to?"

"Yes," he replied without even an ounce of hesitation. "In case you hadn't noticed, I want to spend every minute of every day with you. I don't intend to let a little thing like a tour prevent me from doing that."

I grinned. "Wow, Bri, you're getting good at these romantic speeches."

He laughed and brushed a kiss across my lips. "I guess you just bring it out in me."

I gave him a thoughtful look. "What?" he inquired.

"You do realize we're becoming one of those absolutely nauseating couples, right? The kind of couple that none of our friends is going to want to be around because we're all sunshine and rainbows?"

Brian snickered. "No big loss. Our friends aren't the ones that do all those things I like." There was no mistaking what "things" he was talking about.

I rolled my eyes. "There's the intelligent, non-perverted response I was looking for," I drawled sarcastically, shifting as though to get to my feet.

"Baby." Brian hugged me to him tightly. "We're not nauseating. We're in love. We're supposed to act like idiots." He drew back enough to look at me. "How come I know that and you don't? You're the one who was all fairy tales and happily-ever-after in high school," he teased.

I punched him on the shoulder. "I was not."

"Yeah, sure," he scoffed. "Homecoming queen. Prom queen. Head cheerleader."

"Stop!" I yelled. "Why must you always dwell on my bad qualities?"

"You couldn't help it. You didn't know any better. That's why I fixed you."

"You fixed me?" I repeated.

"Yep."

"I'm gonna fix you in a minute," I grumbled, but my completely non-threatening threat only made Brian laugh.

"I love it when you talk dirty," he said, dark eyes sparkling with amusement and happiness.

I fought not to smile and lost the battle. "You're a dork, Bri."

"I'm your dork, J."

"No!" I covered my ears. "Total cheese moment! Stop it!" I glared at him. "Now we have to go do something totally and utterly bad to undo all of this!"

A smirk slowly curved Brian's lips. "If you insist."

I hopped to my feet. "I do."

Brian got up and followed me to the sliding glass doors that opened onto the kitchen. I stopped him just before we stepped inside. "Wait."

"What?" There was a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Breakfast first," I said, and flashed a wicked smile. "We're going to need our energy."

Brian shoved me through the door. "Fine, but you'd better eat fast."