by Marie, Lisa
“CLOSE THE DAMN DOOR!” I lean over the console and yell out through the gap and grab the handle to slam it shut. Shaking my head, I pull into a stall and shift it into park. We decided to rent a car today so we could sightsee or use sightseeing as an excuse to leave Landyn and Siannon so we can fuck somewhere. At least that’s why I rented the car, I have no real clue what Lexi is thinking.
I climb out of the vehicle and look over the roof at the two girls hugging the shit out of each other like schoolgirls. “LAN! Do you see that?” I call out and close the door. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I nod in the direction of the girls. “That makes my dick hard! Touch her tit!”
Landyn laughs out loud and the girls glare at me.
“What? That’s fucking hot!” I rub my cock through my pants. “At least kiss each other!”
“Des! Fuck sake, bro.” Landyn shakes his head at me. Like he wasn’t thinking it.
Lexi walks toward me and smacks my chest, causing a glorious OOMF sound to erupt from my mouth.
“I’m starving, been waiting for you forever! Can we go inside please?” Landyn asks pulling the door open and Siannon steps in giggling. Lexi and I follow closely behind, my hand cups her ass, and she graciously lifts it up so my fingers dig deep underneath and tickle her covered mound.
It’s busy here for lunch but no one seems to pay attention to us as we enter the establishment. We are seated right away in the far back corner as requested. The girls sit across from each other and Landyn and I watch them as they catch up. Bringing us a glass of water, the waitress looks up at Landyn and her mouth drops open. She’s twenty something and obviously knows who we are. Stammering, she finally manages to greet us.
“What are your specials tonight?” I ask, watching her squirm beneath our gaze.
“Um-… yes.” She smiles nervously. “Might I recommend the porkbelly as a starter and the seafood plate for your meal? They are sought after by many, and the porkbellies are right lovely.”
“Sounds fantastic! Can you also please bring some Irish soda bread with the appetizer?” Landyn requests thoughtfully.
“Yes of course, Mr. Pierce. I mean Landyn. Aw shit,” she whispers and realizes what she said, when it’s too late to take it back. Her eyes begin to glisten and Landyn reaches for her shaking hand.
“It’s alright. Don’t be nervous, we just want to have lunch is all.”
“I’m just.” She wets her lip and looks around. “I am a Sinner, and this is the most surreal experience I have ever had,” she whispers loudly.
“Tell you what, love, don’t make a scene or have the autograph hounds come after us during our meal and we will pose for pictures with you after.” I offer.
“You’ve got it,” she tells me and heads back to the kitchen to hand in our order.
This is a cozy little restaurant. The backs of some chairs touch the backs of the others. There’s a couple of sofas on either side of a coffee table near the fireplace. It smells amazing in here. In no time, the waitress brings some tea and sets it on the table in front of us.
“How did you find this place?” I ask Siannon seemingly interrupting her deep intellectual squealing fest with Lexi.
“Some travel site. I don’t remember exactly but it got amazing ratings and it was said to be that place unheard of…” She looks around the room and raises her glass of water. “Until today apparently.”
We all laugh.
“Des, while the girls catch up. You and I need to discuss Micha.” Landyn rests his arm on the table and leans in. “What the fuck is going on with him? He is always on his fucking phone, he’s pissed off ninety percent of the time and he doesn’t stick around when I walk into a room. Did you fucking notice that?”
“Okay, hold on.” I raise my hands in surrender. “He’s been in some sort of moony funk for months.”
“Moony?”
“Shut the fuck up and let me finish.” I smile at my cousin who sits back and graciously waves his hand for me to continue. “One, I don’t know what the fuck is going on with him, but he’s always fucking leaving the room when his phone rings or leaving period when he gets a text.” I pick up my glass and take a drink. “TWO, motherfucker, he clocked Tim for you. Would he have done that if he had a bone to pick with you? Three, dipshit… Do you think we need to talk with him? Think he’s using again?” I spin my glass in my hand and wait for a reply.
Landyn rubs his chin and shakes his head. “I dunno. But if he is, this has got to be it. Evan gave him the ultimatum. The lawyers drew up the contract. It’s as legal as a marriage in Vegas.”
“Let’s keep an eye on him. We can talk with Evan when we get home. If we need to we can get drug testing. He can’t refuse.” I finish my sentence just before our waitress returns. Eagerly she places the soda bread and the porkbellies on the table and I wink at her, causing a flush to creep over her cheeks. Lexi catches the exchange and rolls her eyes at me before she thanks the waitress and stuffs a piece of the bread into her mouth while smirking at me.
Dinner is uneventful, the girls giggle and whisper just like kids at a slumber party and the waitress holds up her end of the deal so we all sneak outside when we’re done to take the pictures that we promised. She’s actually very kind, like all of our Sinners and tells us a few places around town that even I haven’t heard of. Lexi is straining to understand the accent and asks me once we return to our car what exactly was said.
As we drive through Dublin, Lexi is glued to the window in awe. She’s never seen anything so beautiful and parks so green as here. When we pull closer to the castle her mouth drops open and she leans forward in her seat trying to get a closer view.
“You wanna go inside, babe?” I ask her, knowing full well that Landyn and I have already decided to bring the girls here. We’ve seen it. It’s amazing but it’s also the place he’s gonna ask Siannon to marry him. I told that fucker it’s way too soon, but he doesn’t care. I really hope he’s not making a mistake.
“We can go in there?” she asks turning her head to look at me, eyes wide.
“We’re meeting Landyn and Siannon inside. I just have to get parking.” Her smile widens and she leans across the seat to plant a kiss on my cheek. I find a stall just across the street and we walk to the castle hand in hand.
Walking past the Ship St. Barracks buildings, her eyes grow even wider still as we continue to walk. Arriving at Dubh Linn Gardens, we see Siannon walking along the cut out pathway through the grass as Landyn looks on. Lexi squeezes my hand and turns to me, so happy. “WOW,” she whispers and runs to join her friend on the lawn.
I stand beside Landyn and we both watch our girls running quickly through the path, slowing when they come across children doing the same, not a fucking care in the world. “Where are you going to do it?” I ask him, not removing my hands from my pockets or turning my gaze away from Lexi.
“When it feels right, but I know today is the day and it will be here.” He wipes his brow chuckling. “I’m nervous as fuck though.”
He’s an idiot. It’s too soon.
Together we walk to the center of the garden and meet with our girls. We want to take them into the Chapel Royal and maybe The Chester Beatty Library on our way out. These places have always caught my eye when I have come here.
We walk to the Chapel Royal first and the girls are overwhelmed by the classic design. The high ceilings and the dark balconies above. Lexi walks further in and sits at a pew soaking it all in. I watch her from a distance and then notice Landyn pull Siannon off to the side and take a knee. Her squeal echoes through the building and pulls Lexi’s attention away from her own thoughts back to Siannon. We watch as Siannon kisses Landyn over and over again.
I guess she said yes.
Lexi stands and begins to walk over to the excited couple, when I put my hand out to stop her.
“Let’s give them some privacy, babe. Another reason we got our own car today.” I start leading her out of the building and back to the Gardens.
�
�You knew about this?” she asks.
“Yeah, I’m not happy about it. I honestly think it’s too fucking soon but they’re adults and can do whatever the fuck they want, right?”
“I don’t know what to think. I mean, I’m happy for Siannon. But like you said, it is too soon.” She shakes her head and takes my hand. When we arrive at the garden she wraps her arms around herself in a hug and takes in the castle in its entirety.
“It’s a beautiful place, Des. Thank you for bringing me.”
“Wanna go see the library?” I ask, coming up behind her and kissing her neck.
“Nope, lets go home. It’s our last night there before the show tomorrow. Let’s make the most out of it.”
*
The concert ends and I rush back to my changing room to see my girl. She promised she’d be waiting to take a shower with me before we head to the bus that’s taking us to the next city. Pushing past the security and the other guys, I push open my door and start taking off my clothes before I notice her on the couch crying.
Tossing my shirt to the ground, I quickly rush to her side and reach out to touch her hand. Her head snaps to me, fire burning in her eyes and she slaps at my hand.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I ask confused as fuck.
“Don’t you fucking baby me, asshole.” She hisses.
“What do you – What the fuck is going on?”
She stands up and wipes her eyes. “I’m going home, and when you get there, you can forget about me, okay?”
“Why would I want to do that? What the fuck, Lex?” I stand to block her in the room.
“Move, Desmond.” She orders while forcefully lifting the handle on her suitcase.
“Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on here.” I’m trying so hard to stay calm. My hands are fisted at my side while I try not to yell at my girl.
“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY, DESMOND!” She hits my chest with her open hands, and I step off to the side granting her exit from my room. I won’t fight with her. I don’t know what it is about until the door opens and I see Evan standing across the hall with a smug grin on his face. Fire fills my veins and I stalk over to face him. My nostrils flare and I see red.
“Hi, Desmond, did you get the news?” he asks me false glee. “The news is Terina is pregnant.”
I stop where I stand and continue to breathe heavily. Lexi comes back to me and whispers, “Congratulations, DAD,” in the most cynical way possible before she walks away and my whole world crumbles below my feet.
Landyn arrives and I hear him and Evan talking, but I don’t hear the words. I see them pointing at me but it’s blurry around the edges. You know in the movies when you see someone either overly confused or drugged and they lose their balance and hearing while the images around them wobble and blur? Yeah, that’s how it is for me right now.
“FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!” I yell and go back into my room, slamming the door as hard as I can.
Chapter 16
I made it through Europe.
Barely.
I’m so fucking hung over right now this flight is the worst thing I could be doing with myself. I keep beating myself up because I promised not to promise not to hurt her. Did that make sense like it did in my head? Fuck it. Whatever. I tip back my scotch and water and stare at the ice in the plastic glass.
Who’s fuckin’ moony now? Yeah I said moony, fuck off.
Evan stayed in Europe with us for the entire tour, which he never fucking does and I think it was just to make fucking sure that I am in pain. Reminded me every fuckin’ day that I knocked up his fiancée and lost my fuckin’ girl. I don’t even know what he told her. Lexi changed her number. Siannon won’t talk to me. Landyn is being fucking Landyn and Micha, well he keeps fucking leaving so I don’t know what he thinks.
We’ll be landing in an hour and I know I’ve got some shit to deal with. I should have stayed in Europe. Never fucking come back here. Yeah, because that’s the fucking mature thing to do.
Barely opening my eyes, I roll my head to the side and look out the window at the clouds below the plane. I haven’t showered in two days and I am sure the person sitting next to me has caught the amazing aroma of drunken rock star a few times during this lengthy flight. Sometimes I just stare at him sitting there all content in his button up shirt and slacks. FUCKIN’ SLACKS! Those hipster fucking horn-rimmed glasses make him look like I want to punch him in the face.
He turns his gaze to the dirty rock star glaring at him from the window seat and offers a tight smile. I roll my eyes and burp before pressing the call button repeatedly.
“Sir, I’m sorry but I cannot sell you any more alcohol. We will be landing shortly,” the attendant tells me, but I don’t want to hear it. I’ll pull the rock star card – that will work.
“Do you know who I am?” I slur and point at myself. “I… am Desmond Charter, drummer for the best fucking band in the world.” My voice grows louder and my slurring becomes more obvious the more I talk. Her arms cross and another attendant joins her to glare at me from the aisle. “Whatever, fuck.” I wave my hand angrily. “Can I have a water?”
The two women continue to stare at me, judging me. I know they are planning to have security meet me the moment we land. Leaning across the center seat I repeat, “Can I have water?” rolling my eyes I add an exaggerated, “PLEASE,” and bat my eyelashes at them.
Hipster-suit beside me curls his lip in disgust so I pet his chest and realign the buttons on his shirt so they aren’t twisted anymore. “Hey, dude… I bet I could fuck both of them before we land. Or I could take the brunette and you can take the blonde.” Sitting up, I lean on the armrest and lick my lips. “Yeah, you take the blonde.” Smacking my mouth a couple of times, I can no longer hold my heavy eyes open and I give in to the stupor.
An hour later we land and we get the same old fucking spiel. Thank you for flying with us, blah blah fuckin’ blah and my hipster row buddy gets up as quickly as possible and disappears into the sea of tired passengers. I cross my arms and wait until everyone’s gone. I don’t even think I have enough stability to consider walking with the herd today. Besides, they may need room to have the authorities board and remove me.
No one’s waiting for me at the gate which is fucking amazing. I thought momentarily that they might have me escorted out by the rent a cop team on the ground but no. I couldn’t give a shit either way. I pull my sunglasses down over my eyes and walk through the crowded airport and for once I am not happy to be home. Stepping out into the humidity, I raise my hand and hail a taxi to take me to my apartment. I close my eyes and relax during the trip to my apartment.
I wonder if that chick down the hall would want to hook up after I take a shower.
I’ll bet my nutsack smells like fuckin’ heaven right now.
Maybe I should shower first.
Pulling up in front, my cab driver has to call to me a few times. I think I fell asleep again. Whatever. I hand him a fifty and climb out of the car, dragging my luggage behind me. I step into the foyer and see my mailbox is stuffed full of envelopes and flyers. Giving it the finger, I push past the second set of doors and step into the hallway. Lowering my glasses, I see no one in the hall and I feel a sense of desperation wash over me as I turn the knob and push the heavy wooden stairway door open with my shoulder.
The four flights of stairs feels like a death march in cement shoes. I’ve barely made it up a flight and I’m breaking out in a sweat and dry heaving. Having to stop on the landing I wipe my brow and rub my eyes. Fuck… still three flights. Reluctantly, I make my way up the remaining stairs. Huffing and puffing the entire time, I can barely pull the door open when I reach my floor. Lifting the handle of my suitcase, I trudge down the hall to my suite. Dropping my head to the door, I fumble to get the keys out of my pocket and swear at my arch nemesis “the lock” when it won’t accept the key I want to feed it.
“JUST.TAKE.THE.FUUUUUCKING.KEEEEEEEEEEY.” I snarl at the door before I realize I am attempting to st
art the door with my motorcycle key. Flipping the keyring around, I finally find the right one and open the door. Practically falling into my suite, I close the door and plod through the room that is still full of fuckin’ lace and candles and frilly shit. I take a breath and vow to burn the apartment down before storming into my bedroom and dropping on the bed to die.
If only it were that fucking easy.
My phone rings from my coat pocket, and I open one eye on my bed to glare at the intruder. I pull my arm from under the heavy weight of my body and let it drop on my jacket, flipping it until it opens and my phone falls out of the pocket. I concentrate really hard and focus on the screen with my one eye, nothing is worth lifting my head from this pillow at this moment.
Caller ID tells me it’s Terina.
“Fuck.” I groan and press accept.
“What do you want, Terina?” I ask, not even trying to be nice. Rolling over I raise my arm and cover my eye, catching a whiff of my armpit I cringe and put my arm back down beside me.
“Are you back in the states yet?” Her voice makes me shiver.
“I don’t know if I want to answer that,” I reply without any emotion in my voice.
“I’m going to come over if you don’t talk to me on the phone, Des.”
“Why do I want to talk to you?” I asked. “You ruined my relationship.” I accuse.
Laughing she replies, “What the fuck do you think you did to mine?”
She’s right. I know she’s right. “Sorry,” I tell her. But I’m more sorry for myself than her.
“You aren’t the only person who lost shit, Des. Don’t make this all about you, WE fucked up and WE can’t take it back. Grow a pair and man up for fuck’s sake.”
I pull the phone from my ear and clumsily bring myself to a sitting position on my wrinkled comforter. She’s right. “You’re right,” I say while bringing the phone back to my ear. “I don’t want anything to do with you, but I’ll do what’s right.”
“So, uh thanks for that, Des. If you’re a part of it’s life, you’re a part of mine.” She slaps me with the truth that we are now tied together because of the promise of a good blow job. “I have an appointment tomorrow at the OB/GYN and I want you to come. They are going to have questions about health and stuff, and all I know is you are Desmond fucking Charter. Who fucks anything with tits and a pussy.”