15
Ryder - Party Plans and Girl Time
Seeing Denise at the bookstore the other day was a pleasant surprise. We had a normal conversation after I apologized for my behaviour. I still want her to be mine, but instead of trying to chase her down, I’ve decided to focus on being the type of man who is worthy of a woman like her.
Denise has been cleaning up my messes for years. She does everything for the band, and everything for everyone else around her too. My plan is to become someone who she can count on to take care of her, instead of the other way around.
I’ve spent the days since I’ve seen her working with the guys in the studio. I’ve written a couple of songs that I think might even make it onto the album. Connor is a better lyricist than I am, but even he was impressed with what I’ve come up with. It’s amazing how much work we’ve been able to get done with me being sober. And with me actually showing up. I wasn’t aware of just how much I was letting these guys down until this week, and do I ever feel like an asshole for it. Luckily we’ve all been friends for so long, or they probably would have already kicked me out of the band. I wouldn’t have blamed them either. I was definitely not carrying my weight.
Today is our last day in the studio before Connor’s surprise proposal to Alex. He booked Rough Mix for a private party and invited all of Alex’s friends. Alex’s best friend Becca and I are in charge of keeping her occupied for the day while Connor gets everything ready.
Becca sent me a text the other day to tell me what she has planned. Apparently we’ll be spending the day at a spa. Manis, pedis, waxing; you name it, we’re doing it. Just wait when they find out I called and had us all booked into a group session. I don’t mind the odd beauty treatment, and I’m not going to let them put me in a separate room just because I’m a dude.
I tried to get Denise to come too, but she has some appointment that she can’t get out of. Too bad. I’m sure she’d have enjoyed my suffering as much as the other two are sure to. I plan to get the full stripper wax, top to bottom, front and back. Don’t let it be said that I won’t do anything for a laugh. My grooming routine is usually a little more private, and I tend to prefer a trim to wax, but since I know it’ll make the ladies laugh, I’m going to go ahead and give it a go. How bad can it be, right?
“Hey, Ryder, got anything new for us today?” Connor asks while the other guys grab drinks from the kitchen.
“Not yet, man.” I tell him. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with Pops this week.”
Connor felt my proficiency with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu first hand the other day when we sparred and I submitted him with an armbar in the first two minutes. He knows that I’m going to be helping Pops with his teen girls’ self-defence classes.
“How’s that coming along? Alex said that Pops is excited. What about you?”
“I can’t wait to get started, actually.” I surprised myself with how much I’ve been looking forward to it. I even grabbed a book about coaching girls when I was at the bookstore the other day because I really don’t want to screw this up. “It’s nice to be giving back to the community. I never thought I would be the kind of guy who volunteers my time, but here we are.” I laugh.
“I gotta say, I really like this ‘new and improved’ Ryder. You’re as funny as ever, but you’re a lot more focused too. I hope this new Ryder is with us to stay.”
“Me too, man. I’m not getting any younger; it’s time I grow up. I need to be the type of guy a woman can count on, not just another idiot looking to get his dick wet.”
“Speaking of women, how are things with Denise? You guys work things out yet?”
Fucking Connor, jumping right to the crux of the issue.
“Not that it’s your business,” I say with a pointed look, “but we’re friends again. I’m leaving it at that for now. She just broke up with Andrew, again, and she doesn’t need me sniffing around.” Not that I wasn’t already waiting, but this time I’m going to give her more time. “She forgave me for my ill-timed confession last week, and that’s enough for now.”
Connor looks at me with a small smile on his face, nodding his head a little. “I’m impressed man. That’s about the smartest thing I’ve heard you say about this. Just so you know, though, if you screw this up we’re going to have to take Denise in the divorce.” He snickers.
“Believe me, I know.” I nod while laughing, too. “She’s amazing. I’d keep her over me too, if I had to choose.”
“You are so whipped.” Devon is coming back into the studio, Travis, Aiden, and Johnny trailing along behind him. Devon is almost 6 inches taller than each of the others and the way they’re following him now makes him look like the pied piper. I wonder if he’s going to lead all these guys into a lake and drown them? Nah, I can’t see Devon doing anything so sinister. As scary as the guy looks, he’s basically a giant teddy bear. At least to people he likes. Cross his friends and that’s another story entirely. “I can’t wait until you two are actually together to see just what kind of purse she’ll use to carry your balls in.”
“Laugh it up, fuckers,” I tell them all as they laugh. Not surprisingly, the only one not laughing is Connor. “Lady love comes for us all, and one of you assholes is sure to be next.”
That sobers them up a little. They’re all around the same age as me, which makes us all late bloomers in the love and commitment department. Not necessarily when you consider our career choice, but amongst the general population. Most people have had a serious relationship or two by the time they reach our age. Which means we’re all due.
“Speak for yourself,” Johnny says. “I’m not ready for that kind of relationship. I’ll keep my balls where they are, thanks.”
“Yeah, sure pal.” I may have been preoccupied and drunk for the last little while, but I can see the way he looks at Becca when he thinks no one is watching. And he may or may not notice that she’s looking at him the same way. “I’ll expect my wedding invitation in the mail soon.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Travis turns to Connor. “Tomorrow’s the big day. You all ready? What time do you need us there to help you set up?”
We spend the rest of the day going over the details of Connor’s proposal to Alex. Listening to those guys talk, I’m glad I got tapped for ‘distract Alex’ duty. I’d way rather get the full body wax I have planned than set up hundreds and hundreds of candles and get all that stuff ready. I’ll take hanging with the girls over that sort of tedious manual labour any day.
* * *
“I can’t believe you actually got waxed, Ryder,” Becca laughs. We’re sitting on the patio of a pub down the street from the spa, enjoying some appetizers and a couple of drinks before we all head our separate ways. “You should have seen that poor girl’s face when she realized Ryder Sullivan, world famous lead guitarist for Sleeping Dogs, was up on her table with his ass in the air, waiting for her to wax his butthole.” Tears are running down her face as she pictures it again.
“Who thought it was a good idea to have a group appointment? I think I need to have my eyeballs bleached after that.” Alex laughs too.
