Five Years

I got dressed and did my makeup. I was wearing a black and white gingham skater dress, a flowy red cardigan, and black caged heels. My makeup was done into a smoky eye and matte red lipstick. I walked out of the bathroom and stopped by my bunk to grab my sparkly silver clutch purse.

“Can I stop you for a second?” Zack tapped my shoulder and I turned around.

“Of course bro, what’s up?” We sat down on my bed and he pulled something out of his pocket.

“So I know that things might be awkward,” his voice was hushed. “I just want you to know that I’m going to want to protect you from everything because it’s my job. And since things ended badly between you and Alex, I want to give you this to show you that he’s truly sorry, that we all are.”

He handed me a silver necklace with a heart pennant with my initials. “Zack, this is beautiful!” I pulled him into a big hug. “Did you pick this out yourself?”

“Well I had a little help from Rian and Cassadee, I didn’t want to get you something that you might hate so we just picked out something simple.” He smiled and rubbed my shoulder.

“Thanks Zack, it means a lot.” I got up from the bed and walked toward the door.

“Have fun tonight!” He called. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t!”

When I got off the bus I was greeted by hoots and hollers from the guys and Jenna. “Spin!” Jaime laughed.

“So fancy,” Jenna shimmied and linked arms with me. She was wearing black skinny jeans and a cream lace tank top along with cream toms. The guys wore what they usually did, with blazers in addition. We went to an upscale bar in the city; we got in no problem since the bouncer recognized Jenna.

“This place is amazing,” I laughed and looked around. Vic scored us a table not long after we were in the place and we ordered a round of drinks, I went with a Vodka Tonic and everyone else ordered what they wanted along with a round of Melon Balls. When the waitress came back we took our shots at the same time, then we chased them down with our drinks. We laughed and talked throughout the night, but after our first round of drinks were gone, she wouldn’t come back to our table.

“I’m gonna go up to the bar and order the drinks,” I got up from the table and Jenna followed me to the bar. I ordered some beers for the guys and then Jenna and I ordered White Russians. We waited for the drinks and a guy came over.

“Hey, can I buy you a drink?” He smiled. He was tall and strongly built, dark hair that was gelled and lovely green eyes. His leather jacket suited him well, the bad boy look was really working out for him.

“Uh, I actually just ordered one but I’ll let you know when it runs dry.” I smiled and the drinks came by.

“My name’s Jake,” he held out his hand.

“I’m Shay,” I shook his hand and the waitress brought the drinks over to our table, being led by Jenna. “Well I’m sitting over there with a couple of friends if you want to join us.” I pointed over to the table and when I turned to look at them they smiled and waved.

“Sounds good,” he laughed and looked at the bartender. “How about I order myself a drink and then come over and sit with you?”

“Don’t keep me waiting.” I smiled and walked over to the table, being sure to walk as sexy as I could, giving him something to remember while he was getting a drink. When I sat down next to Jenna at the table they all gave me smirks.

“So who’s the guy?” Tony teased.

“His name is Jake and he’s gonna come over here after he gets a drink so please don’t do anything.” I begged them. Even though we had only met a few days ago, I really got along with all of them, like we’ve been friends for years.

“Don’t worry Shay,” Mike rolled his eyes. “We aren’t gonna scare away your potential boy toy.”

After the night went on and Jake finally joined us, I ended up going off to a smaller table with him. We talked and laughed and drank a lot.

“So what would you think about coming home with me tonight?” He smirked and took a sip of his drink.

“Well it sounds like a hell of a lot of fun but I’ve gotta go back with those guys.” I sighed. “We don’t live around here, we just stopped for a show. I’m kind of on tour right now.”

“That’s too bad.” He frowned.

“But tomorrow night they’re playing a show.” I looked through my clutch. “I have an extra VIP pass with me if you want to come and watch from side stage with me.”

“I’d love that,” he smiled. I handed him the ticket and we exchanged phone numbers, then he left the bar and shot me a handsome smile when he walked out the door. I went to the bar and ordered one more drink, an apple martini. I walked back to the table with a smile and everyone shot me a judging look.

“You just let him go home?” Jenna glared at me.

“Well yeah,” I furrowed my brows. “I don’t know the area, and besides, I invited him to the concert tomorrow night.”

“Aww,” Mike cooed. “Instead of fucking him you went with a date, that’s just too damn cute Shay.”

“Cut her some slack man, not everyone is into one night stands.” Vic shook his head. “I think it’s sweet that you invited him out.”

“Except for the fact that you probably won’t be able to date him,” Tony bared his teeth and looked at the wall.

“Guys, I can make my own decisions.” I sighed. “I’m a grown fucking woman drinking god damn booze for Christ’s sake.”

“I think we struck a nerve!” Jenna stuck her hands up and made a scared face.

“Well Tony does have a point.” Jaime said. “After all, he’s probably just going to be at the concert and then who knows if you’ll ever be able to see him again.”

“Chicago is a big city.” Mike nodded.

“If I were you, I would climb him like a tree tomorrow night.” Jenna hugged my arm. “Because if you don’t, I definitely will.”

“Jenna,” I rolled my eyes. “It’s none of your business who I do or don’t have sex with.”

“Lies!” Vic pointed at me with furrowed brows.

I laughed and finished off my drink. We all headed back to the buses and we were all a little buzzed from the booze. The guys went back to their bus and Jenna came back to the All Time Low bus with me.

“Well if it isn’t the partners in crime.” Rian laughed when we walked onto the bus. “How was your night out with your newfound friends?”

“It was awesome, the drinks were amazing-”

“And she met a guy.” Jenna smirked. Alex looked up from his phone and raised his eyebrows.

“Shay met a boy?” Jack gasped and got up from the couch. “Cut the shit Shay, tell me all about the down and dirty.”

“We didn’t do anything.” I rolled my eyes and went past them to go get clothes from my bunk. Jenna followed and hugged me from behind.

“Can I just stay on your bus please?” She whined.

“Of course you can!” I laughed. I pulled out two pairs of yoga shorts and some tee shirts. “We can just sleep on the pull out couch in the back lounge.”

“Okay, I’m gonna go change.” She walked into the bathroom and I took off my shoes. I just got changed in front of my bunk, I was too lazy to get changed anywhere else. I slipped on my shorts and took off my cardigan and dress.

“Whoa there Shay, please warn someone when you’re indecent!” Alex laughed and covered his eyes. I quickly put on my shirt and crossed my arms, my face burning from the embarrassment.

“Uh, sorry that you had to see that,” I looked down at the ground.

“So tell me about this guy.” Alex sat down in his bunk and I sat down in mine.
I sighed and put my old clothes away into my suitcase. “Well we met at the bar and after laughing and talking for a long time he asked me if I wanted to go home with him. Since I don’t know the area very well I just told him that I couldn’t but I invited him to the show tomorrow night.”

“You invited new guy to the show?” He laughed.

“Yes,” I smiled. “And I think you’ll like him, he’s a really nice guy.” I got up from my bunk and went into the back lounge. I pulled out the couch and grabbed some blankets and pillows for Jenna and I. As soon as she came out of the bathroom she fell onto the bed and fell asleep pretty fast. Her soft snores were enough to help me fall asleep too.

Notes

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