Chapter 3 - Johnny - I Want More
“You should give her some time to get used to being here before you start demanding information,” Travis says. “It’s only been a few hours since she found out she’s working for Connor. I’m sure she has enough on her mind without you trying to hook up with her best friend.”
Fucking Travis. Why does he have to make so much sense? As soon as I saw Alex, I wanted to ask her for Becca’s number, but Travis is right. I guess I should let Alex get settled before I start asking questions. But I’m not going to be happy about it. Becca has been on my mind all week, and nothing has been able to distract me. I was almost ready to launch a stalking strategy like Connor had, but having that entire neighbourhood thinking two of us are sketchy fucks wasn’t all that appealing.
“Fine, I’ll wait to ask. But I’m not waiting long. Becca is special. I can feel it.”
“Yeah, just like Amber. And Tasha. Oh, and don’t forget Sherry,” Travis chuckles while ticking the names off on his fingers. “You fall in love all the time, Johnny. Maybe you should forget about this one altogether. Getting involved with Alex’s best friend probably isn’t a great idea. Look at the way Connor looks at Alex.” He gestures to where Connor is currently pulling Alex into a hug. “He’s not letting her go anytime soon. Breaking up with Becca could cause problems for all of us. Set your sights elsewhere.”
I nod, not because I agree with his assessment, but because looking like I agree is the only way to get Travis to shut up. I know he has a point, but Becca feels different from any of the others.
I’ve always been more romantic than most guys. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I have my wedding planned out, but I definitely have some ideas of how I would like it to go. The only thing I haven’t been able to find is my bride. Travis is almost right. I have had many girlfriends. I always go into a relationship with the intent that it will last. I just don’t stick around after I know she’s not the one.
I’m expecting fireworks and explosions and that classic ‘love at first sight’ feeling that I read about. Yes, I read romance novels, not that it’s a bad thing. I’ve learned a lot about how to treat a woman from the books that I’ve read. Not all of them, of course. Dark romance is one thing to read, but in reality, most women don’t like to be treated the way some of the dudes in those books treat female main characters. At least not outside of the bedroom. My mom tells me I’d probably fall into the cinnamon roll category if I were a romance novel hero; I’m a sweetheart, and I’m okay with that.
“You guys coming?” I catch the end of whatever Connor was saying. Looks like we’re heading to the studio.
“Not that I’m afraid of helping you, Alex, but I really need to keep an eye on Connor in the studio. I have a feeling he’s bursting with desire to write love songs tonight, for some strange reason.” Travis laughs and runs off down the hall to the studio.
“Something’s going to be bursting with desire tonight,” I joke, waggling my eyebrows and winking at Alex before I follow after Travis. I hear her chuckle as I walk away.
I think I’m going to like having Alex around, and not just because she gets me one step closer to Becca. Connor already seems happier than he has in years. Not sure what that’s going to mean for his songwriting, or for the band, but he’s my friend first, and the lead singer of Sleeping Dogs second. His happiness is more important than that other stuff.
See? Sweetheart, and not just when there are ladies involved.
When I get into the studio, Connor is already pacing, talking about how he can’t lose Alex. Guy’s got it bad. Good for him. I walk over and pick up an acoustic guitar and start messing around. We’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re going to get any work done tonight. Connor is too worked up about Alex to settle down and get some writing in. I missed most of the conversation in the kitchen, but I think we’re in here to give Alex a little time to herself. Well, to herself, with Devon and Ryder. They seem to have befriended her more quickly than the rest of us. It’s nice for her to have someone on her side.
“It can’t bother her that much, can it?” Connor asks. He’s referring to the story Becca started to tell last week at Rough Mix, about how Alex has been cheated on by every boyfriend she’s ever had, besides when she dated Connor in high school.
“Oh gee, I don’t know, dude. If you’d been cheated on a bunch of times, would you be interested in starting a relationship with someone? Let alone someone you could google to see evidence of the countless other people they’ve been with?” My voice is dripping with sarcasm.
Connor dated a lot when we first got popular with the band. There are pictures of him online with hundreds of different women. I don’t know for sure what Alex would think of that, but it certainly doesn’t paint a nice picture. It makes him look like a whore. Which makes sense, because at that time he was kind of a whore. I think we all were. I was just a misguided whore looking for love, while the rest of them were just getting their dicks wet.
The conversation continues this way for a while, with us talking about Connor and Alex, until Devon and Ryder come back from the kitchen.
“Hey guys,” Connor greets them. “Dinner done already? That was fast.”
“Nah,” Ryder says. “Lasagnas just went in the oven. She made her own noodles, man. I’ve never had lasagna made with fresh noodles. If you fuck this up I’m going to be pissed.”
“So before Connor asks, did Alex say anything about him?” I ask, knowing that’s the only Connor can think about right now.
“Not much. She’s calling Becca to talk right now, though.” My ears perk up at Ryder’s mention of Becca, but I drift off into my thoughts again when it’s clear the conversation isn’t going to be about her.
I continue to pick out a melody on the guitar while my mind wanders. Thoughts of Becca take over and I lose track of what the guys are talking about. I wonder how her pictures from the show turned out? She must be an amazing photographer. Is that her full-time job or if she does something else too? Maybe she models? She has almost a pin-up quality to her look, with her short Bettie Paige bangs and that dark red lipstick she was wearing last week.
Would that lipstick end up all over my face if we kissed? Maybe she has some extra long-lasting lipstick that won’t come off on my face. I’m not sure which I would prefer. I can’t say I’d be mad if we both wound up with red lipstick smeared over our faces. Everyone would know I was hers and she was mine that way.
Connor’s voice intrudes on my thoughts. “I can’t help it. I’m fucking in love with her guys. Tell me what to do.”
“In love? You just met her. Is that even possible?” I look over at Connor, disbelief and hope both plain in my voice.
“I didn’t just meet her. I’ve been in love with her all these years. I just never thought I’d get another chance. I didn’t think I’d ever see her again.”
“Okay, yeah, that makes sense.” Plus, if he can fall in love this quickly, then there’s nothing saying I can’t.
Sure, it’s a little different because I just met Becca, but at least this shows it’s a possibility. Travis has already guessed what’s going through my brain, and he’s subtly shaking his head at me. He always knows what I’m thinking. I wonder if something about us being the only two boys in a family with seven kids gives us special powers, like twins. At least he somehow manages to use our strange brain connection in his favour. Most of the time, I just end up thinking he’s hungry. Either he’s really good at reading my thoughts, or I’m just that predictable.
I widen my eyes at him, hoping he gets the message. I know what we agreed, and I will give Alex some time before I beg her for information about Becca. But not too much. This is my destiny we’re talking about, after all. If I leave it all up to fate, it might not happen.
