Man Behind the Mask

A few days went passed. It was now New Year’s Eve. Like he had in past years, Marc-Andre decided he was going to throw a party so that his friends could be safe and wouldn’t have to deal with crazy fans wherever they went. Most of the team and their significant others came, though some stayed home because of their kids. A few even brought their children; Marc-Andre marked off the game room with a “No Alcohol” sign so that the kids could have their own fun and safety. He’d also let Vivienne’s friends come, knowing that they were likely to be upset if she didn’t go out with them. The gang was happy to give up the clubs for one evening; less crowded, no cover charge, and free drinks served by a bartender [Marc-Andre hired one for the evening] was a much better alternative to anywhere in Pittsburgh.
Like always, she, Monica, and Alvin carpooled together, but this time, Joey joined them. Kammi, the Sarah’s, and Mike followed in the other car. The caravan of two traveled slow; earlier that day, it snowed three inches and some roads were not taken as well care of as they should have been [typical Pittsburgh and typical Penndot lol]. When they got there, it was about nine. The night was very young; though most of the guests were already at Marc-Andre’s, no one was wasted…yet. The eight let themselves in and were greeted by one person or another.
Joey was quick to find Kris, who he’d had a little crush on. Joey knew Kris would never be with him and that was ok; he just had fun giggling and being around the man of his dreams, even if it would only result in friendship. Vivienne and the Sarah’s all gave Kris a hug, warranting shifty eyes from Catherine, before he*, and Joey, left to sit on a couch with some other guys and talk about recent adventures.
The three girls walked around until they found Marc-Andre, who was in the kids room. While some of the kids were content coloring and watching tv, a few rowdy ones insisted Marc-Andre join them for some games. He got wrestled, literally, into playing Monopoly with Jackson [Cooke’s son] and a few of the other kids. The women watched as one boy jumped on Flower, trying to knock him onto the couch, but fail, and then two more boys attach themselves to his legs, and a girl to his arm to finally “force” the goalie into playing. It was a very entertaining scene. To the other two, Sarah whispered, “He is so good with kids. Just look at that.” The girls smiled. “I’m giving you two months Viv. If you don’t take advantage of that, I definitely will.” After a go around the board, helping the kids cheat and take advantage of Marc-Andre, the ladies left the kids room to get some alcohol.
Sara suggested they make their way to the “dance floor” in the living room. Everyone took turns being “DJ”, adding their favorite songs to the play list. Monica and Alvin had already beat the girls to the room. They were all tearing up the dance floor, partying to a mix of music that really didn’t blend together but was still very fun. After his game, Marc-Andre joined the dancing; the living room pulled the majority of party goers before ten. One of the songs Vivienne added to the list, Toxic, came on. She, Monica, and Kammi went all out, attaining a lot of attention from Flower’s guests.
“Baby can’t you see, I’m callin’, a boy like you should wear a warning. Its dangerous. I’m fallin’,” they sang, just a little tipsy at this point. Vivienne took her hair down from the bun it was in and shook it out too the music. “I’m addicted to you. Don’t you know that you’re toxic? And I love what you do. Don’t you know that you’re toxic?” There was a lot of body rolling and girl on girl grinding; the floor got hot and steamy. The girls knew all the boys were watching, but it didn’t stop them. “Intoxicate me now, with your lovin’ now. I think I’m ready now. I think I’m ready now.” At the end of the song, they “fell” to the floor. Once it was completely over, they got up and laughed like maniacs, having enjoyed their favorite song and making fools of themselves to an audience, not just the small group.
“Promise me you won’t ever dance like that again,” Mike half joked to Kammi, jealous of the looks she was getting from various hockey players. “You guys too. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with my friends being ogled like meat.”
“I can’t make any promises. Britney is my girl.”
Things toned down only a tiny bit after their “show”. A slow song came on; Viv was happy to get the chance to regain her energy. Jordan basically held her up for it, but afterwards she was ready to keep moving her body. Vivienne was then encased in a Gronk and Flower sandwich, dancing with the two men for quite a few songs. They had to tone it down a bit though; Vivienne was a friend, but she could “feel” the excitement from the two guys and did not want to end this evening making any mistakes. “You looked great out there,” Marc-Andre said as they “danced the night away”. “I’ve never seen you have so much fun dancing before.”
“I agree. Not that I haven’t seen you have fun, but with Eric, you always seemed so…” Gronk trailed off, not knowing where to go.
“Tame?” Flower interjected, trying to find the right word. Jordan nodded. “What got into you out there? It certainly wasn’t alcohol. You’ve only had two drinks since you’ve been here.”
“It was fun. And freedom. And my favorite song. They don’t play my girl at clubs that often. Upon request only,” she answered with a sly smile, still moving with them to a song picked out by Tanger. “To be honest, I think all the alcohol I consumed while with Eric held me back. I was never really a heavy drinker. In the last two months I’ve consumed more than I would during five. Is it bad to say I’m glad that relationship was short lived?” Both men expressed their relief that she was feeling better about herself and that she wasn’t having second thoughts about the end of her and Eric. “I had less destructive, longer relationships in high school and college,” the girl laughed. “And, I’m having more fun tonight than I did at any point. Thanks guys.”
The conversation clashed with the music, but it soon changed to another slow song. This one she shared with Marc-Andre. They continued to talk about the whole situation. Vivienne was still worried about Marc-Andre; though the swelling went down, his skin still showed signs of bruising. More fast songs came on, changing the atmosphere within the three once again. The energy from them didn’t die. After four more songs in close quarters, Vivienne could tell that her friends were still a little stiff because of the ambiance and dancing, but she didn’t call them out on it or make it awkward. What did, however, was the next song from Monica that came on the play list. Vivienne heard the first few notes. “Dear god…”
Before Jordan or Marc-Andre had the opportunity to ask what, Monica pounced on Vivienne. “Damn girl, you make my dick erect, my dick erect!” she started yelling with Totally Michael. Casual Satisfaction pumped from the speakers. “D-damn girl, you make my dick erect, my dick erect.”
Vivienne had no choice but to continue, “O-oo boy, you make my pussy wet, my pussy wet! O-oo boy, you make my pussy wet, my pussy wet!” The two giggled and bounded off, dancing with Kammi and the Sarah’s, though this time significantly more subdued. To this song, it was just goofing off, rather than being sexy.
The five chorused, “Casual satisfaction…the result of our bodies’ chemical reactions!” and then continued. Before long, someone switched the song. A variety of “hey’s” and “what the fuck’s” came from the five girls.
“Sorry guys. Your ‘jam’ kind of really sucked. Not only does no one else know it, but its not fun to dance to. And everyone will have it stuck in their heads,” Sid firmly told them.
“But it’s so fitting for the majority of people here,” Sara whined. “Its New Years, everyone is drunk, and you guys play hockey. Its like, your party anthem. The song is about casual sex!”
Unable to help herself, Vivienne mumbled, “You’re about casual sex.”
“That’s what she said,” Monica finished up.
Sid just looked at them for a minute. “You girls are crazy.” Marc-Andre nodded.
“And irresistible,” Vivienne smiled cutely.
“That can be debated,” TK laughed [yes, apparently a good chunk of the part was involved in this conversation. You got a problem, suck my metaphorical penis, yo].
“I don’t know. After their dancing earlier, I think she may be right…”
Sara chimed, “Thank you, Jordan. I’m glad someone is on our side.”
“I’m gonna go take a break. Monica! Come with me?” Vivienne signaled through girl language that she wanted to talk. They went to the bar, grabbed a drink, and went outside.