Boy #1: The Wannabe Rockstar (Oh, Those Boys)

by Penny Sixsmith

  When he eventually turned away to put his clothing to rights, Cass was left at somewhat of a loss. A different girl had walked into that church – the kind who would never have imagined herself so easily having sex in public. She wasn't quite sure who she was anymore.

  Who am I kidding? One girl came home on Valentine's Day three months ago, and a totally different girl fell into that bed with Micah, and she's been changing ever since.

  After her dress was buttoned up, she spied her underwear on the floor. She picked it up and looked at it, then on a whim, she laid the satin and lace out on the cog. When Micah turned and saw what she was doing, he laughed again.

  “I love it,” he chuckled, pulling her close to kiss her on the temple.

  They hurried down the stairs, Micah once again holding her hand the entire way. Once they were back in the chapel, there was a wolf whistle. A homeless man was sitting in one of the pews, grinning broadly at them. Cass felt herself blushing, but then decided fuck it. She grinned back at the man, then blew him a kiss.

  They ran all the way back out to the street, and while she wrapped her arms around his torso and bit into his chest, Micah hailed a cab. Kissed her even while they fell into the backseat, and before they were halfway home, his fingers found their way between her damp, sticky thighs. She glanced in the rear view mirror once, saw the cabbie blushing, and she laughed loudly before swallowing a moan.

  It felt so different, touching Micah so freely. Why hadn't they tried it before? She pinned him against the security door while he struggled to key in the code, then began yanking his shirt off as they stumbled into the entry way. Both their jackets were abandoned in the elevator, and before Cassie could get her front door open, he was picking her up. Wrapping her legs around his waist. Kicking open the door, and then falling back against it from the inside, shutting it with a slam.

  And while he carried her to the sofa – the closest, cushiest, surface – Cass knew the girl she was, was evolving even further still. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.

  Wasn't even sure if she wanted to.

  5

  They spent the rest of the day together. He snuck out some time after she'd fallen asleep. If anything, that was them getting back to normal, but Cass was a little bummed when she woke up alone the next morning.

  She went down and met roadside assistance while they jumped her car. Josh saw her there, and laughed when he realized her predicament. He drove a Jeep and always kept jumper cables in the back. If she'd just said something, he could've had her on her way within minutes.

  But then she remembered what kind of afternoon her dead battery had led to, and Cassie was glad she hadn't asked for help.

  “Maybe you should take my number, in case something like this happens again.”

  So they exchanged numbers, the tow truck guy rolling his eyes the whole time. Then she was finally on her way to work.

  A disaster happened at another coordinator's event, and half the company wound up rushing to save the day. Cassie dragged herself home well after two in the morning, and she didn't even care that she hadn't heard from either of the boys in her life. She just wanted to sleep for the rest of her life.

  Wednesday passed uneventfully for the most part – a morning jog, then gym with Natalie after work. Cass frowned every time she passed Micah's door, wondering if he was avoiding her again. She'd gone to the event hall to oversee the delivery of some props, and though his band had been there, Micah had been nowhere to be found.

  Josh did finally text her, though, asking if she wanted to be picked up for their dinner. She told him she'd rather meet him there, save them both some time – and also solidify in her mind that it was not a date. He replied with the name of a swanky sushi fusion place downtown, and told her he had a table booked for eight o'clock.

  Looking forward to this, Cass.

  She grinned like an idiot for a while after getting the last text, skipping around her apartment, but it all fell away when she heard laughter in the hallway. She crept up to her door, then shamelessly spied through her peephole.

  It was Micah and Tyler, and some other band guy, the drummer, maybe? They were all guffawing and swaggering about, clearly a little drunk. Several girls were mixed in with them, tittering and laughing like idiots. Micah didn't even so much as glance at her door before letting everyone into his place.

  “Fucker.”

  She growled and stomped around for a while, trying to figure out why she was so annoyed. She wasn't his girlfriend, and it wasn't like this was unusual behavior for him. He could do whatever he wanted.

  She suddenly desperately wished her dinner with Josh was that night, instead of Saturday. Even considered texting him and asking if he'd want to meet her for drinks. Before she could give in to desperation, though, someone rang her doorbell.

  “I swear to god, if this is some groupie,” Cassie snarled before she yanked open the door. “What do you want!?”

  But it wasn't a groupie standing there. Natalie was staring at her with wide eyes and a large bag of groceries in her arms.

  “Bad time?” she asked with a laugh. From behind her, Micah's door cracked open, and his head peeked out.

  “No, not at all. Just ... wasn't expecting anybody. Come in, come in,” Cass urged, stepping aside and ushering her friend in, all the while giving Micah a death glare.

  “Who's your hot friend?” he stage whispered, stepping fully out of his doorway. Cass waved him away and let her own door fall shut behind her.

  “No one you ever need to be concerned about, go back to your orgy,” she hissed. As if on cue, music started filtering into the hallway – someone was strumming a guitar.

  “Hey, maybe your friend is into orgies. Don't be selfish, St. John.”

  “I'm not being -”

  Another body stepped into the hallway, and Tyler gasped.

  “You're that chick!” he exclaimed, pointing at her. “From the party place! Dude, I knew I knew you from somewhere. You two are neighbors!”

  Cassie groaned and Micah just nodded his head.

  “Yup. Super close neighbors,” he said, and she refused to return his gaze when he winked at her.

  “This is the chick that Josh never shuts up about,” Tyler continued.

  Cass's ears perked up at that.

  “He won't what?” she asked, taking another step into the hall.

  “Yeah, that guy who owns the place, Josh?” Tyler explained. “He's like ... in love with you.”

  “Jesus, I'm gonna be sick,” Micah groaned. She hit him in the stomach.

  “Well, I mean, not in-in love,” Tyler corrected himself. “He just like thinks you're super awesome.”

  “How do you know he thinks that?” Cass asked.

  “We went out for beers last night. You weren't there,” Tyler said, gesturing to Micah, who also looked surprised by the statement. “Tony's chick asked him if he was married or single or whatever, and he said single, but that he was gearing up for some kind of date with you, and that he was really looking forward to it. He's totally into you.”

  Cassie was surprised, and Micah looked downright annoyed.

  “I don't need to hear this shit,” he grumbled, and he stomped back into his apartment, shoulder checking his friend along the way.

  “Hey!” Tyler snapped. “Careful, man, I got a full beer -”

  She couldn't hear the rest of his complaint as he shut the door behind them. She quickly scurried back into her apartment, just in time to see Natalie come out of her bedroom. The apartment's only bathroom was an en suite.

  “Sorry, I had to pee like you wouldn't believe! Anywhoo, sorry to drop in unannounced, but my date bailed on me, and my gig got canceled, so I'm feeling decidedly depressed. You either have to introduce me to your neighbor with the magic dong, or you have to drink with me. Your choice.”

  “Uh ...” Cassie glanced at the door over her shoulder, just as the music next door cranked up even louder. “Drinking. Definitely drinking.”
<
br />   “Can't hide him away from me forever!”

  Maybe not, but I can certainly try.

  ANOTHER DAY, NO VISIT from Micah.

  Cass didn't even have time to worry about it too much. She was spending every moment at the event hall, making sure everything was absolutely perfect for the party. Special lighting had been designed and put into place, the sound system was operational, and Josh had been telling the truth – there was no sign of the construction work that had gone on earlier in the week.

  He was a real help, getting right in the mix with her. Cassie was very hands-on at her events, putting on her work out clothing and moving tables right along with the hall's staff. She would've worked straight through the day if Josh hadn't pulled her aside for lunch. He'd bought Chinese for them, a little bit of everything, and they'd leaned against a bar in the kitchen, laughing and sharing food.

  The band walked by at one point, and Micah caught her eye. But then he was turning away, as if they were nothing more than polite strangers.

  He showed me his special place, that beautiful church, but why? What did it even mean? Maybe it was nothing. Maybe he just had a secret fantasy to have sex up there. Maybe I'm an idiot.

  Cass stayed late, double and triple checking everything. The space was gorgeous, she couldn't spot one single flaw, yet still she went over everything again and again.

  “You really love what you do, don't you?”

  Josh had stayed with her, even though there was janitorial staff on hand to lock up after she left.

  “I do,” she nodded in agreement. “And I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, sorry to say.”

  “I can tell. I work with a lot of different event planners, and I'm being honest when I say you have to be one of the best.”

  “Oh, stop,” she laughed, waving him away. “You're just saying that because I agreed to dinner.”

  “Well ...” he teased, and she shoved his arm. “No, I'm not. It's the truth. It's been great working with you. I'm almost sad it's gonna be over after tomorrow.”

  They were moving around his office, collecting their personal belongings, and she laughed at him.

  “At least we still have all day tomorrow, and then you said I could do the break down on Sunday, right?” she checked again as she stepped through his door. He followed behind, turning off the lights and locking up.

  “Yeah, I'll come open up that morning so you and your people can get in,” he assured her, guiding her down the hallway to the back exit. When he opened the door, she was surprised at how balmy it felt outside.

  “See? You still get to work with me until Sunday. Lots of time.”

  “Not enough,” he laughed, standing out of the way so she could walk past him.

  “Awww, are you going to miss having me around, Josh?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him, being silly.

  “I think I really am, Cassie,” his voice was soft as he replied.

  They'd only known each other for a week, barely that, but she did genuinely like him. He was easy to be around, there was none of the nervousness that usually came with attraction. He felt comfortable, like an old friend. So she was a little shocked when he leaned down and kissed her.

  And even more so when it ended as quickly as it started.

  “I'm sorry,” Josh breathed. “I just ... I really like you, Cassandra.”

  She stared up at him, her brain still playing catch up to the situation.

  Why? This is so cliché – the minute I stopped looking for love, stopped wanting it, two men fall into my life. I don't want this, so why can't I seem to stop it from happening!?

  But despite her internal battle, his words made her smile.

  He liked her.

  “Don't be sorry,” she finally said, giving him a cheeky wink to defuse the situation.

  Then she was skipping down the steps, not giving him a chance to reply. When she got to her car, she faced him long enough to blow him a kiss, then she dropped into the driver's seat.

  I didn't realize it, but I missed this. Sex is great and all, but being liked ... I'd forgotten how good it feels.

  She held onto the rosy feeling in her chest. Thought about his words and his lips. Remembered the way his eyes seemed to light up when he was talking to her. The dimple in one of his cheeks. The way he filled out his suits. She refused to let go of the thoughts, of the feelings she was experiencing. She didn't want them to end. She didn't want to feel confused or conflicted.

  So when someone softly knocked on her door around three in the morning, Cassie took a deep breath, then put in her ear buds. Played her white noise, and turned up the volume as loud as she could stand.

  He really likes me. Maybe I could learn to really like him.

  6

  A kiss was fine and dandy, but when Cassie woke up that Friday, she was all business.

  She was at the event hall by six in the morning. She went over the menu once again with the catering company, making sure they had all the allergy and specialty dishes sorted out.

  She went over every place setting, every chair, virtually every surface with a duster.

  There were hundreds of decorative mason jars hanging from the ceiling, each with a tea light in it. When one went out, Cassie herself got on the extension ladder and fixed it.

  There would not be one single solitary blot on this event, not if she had anything to do about it.

  Josh once again saved her by forcing her to stop for lunch. They sat in his office that time, out of everyone's way, and shared sub sandwiches. He wiped mustard off the corner of her lips, and she kissed his cheek in return, leaving a big mustard print behind.

  All in all, it was a relatively easy event – everything was going off without a hitch. The birthday girl showed up with her entourage and got ready in a large changing room. Cassie made sure they were well stocked on champagne and light snacks, then she did one last walk through of the event space before deciding it was finally time for her to change, as well.

  The whole theme for the birthday was something of a mix between posh and pinterest. Almost wedding reception, but not quite. Something she'd done a million times in the past, and would a million more times in the future. So dressing for it was relatively easy.

  She put on a tea length, A-line gown, with a wide skirt and petticoat. It was all delicate eggshell lace covering everything up to the sweetheart bodice. A soft pink belt fit neatly around her waist, and she slipped into a matching pair of pink pumps.

  The overall effect was almost overwhelmingly “girly”, and she was tickled at her reflection. It was exactly what she wanted – she would fit in with the birthday girl's crowd, but not stand out at all. She hurriedly braided her hair all around the base of her head, making it artfully mussy, and then makeup was the easiest. Sticking with the “girly” theme, she made her lashes long and spiky, kept her cheeks and nose highlighted and dewy, and then topped it all off with shiny gloss on her lips.

  Then she put in her ear piece, which led to a radio that was clipped inside the back of her dress. Her matching “clutch” was actually able to fold out into an emergency supply kit – first aid, sewing, batteries, just about anything for any sort of random mini-disaster. On top of all that, she held a small tablet, which held the entire contents of the night in it. She looked herself over one last time in the mirror, then nodded her head.

  Show time.

  Cassie was a born hostess, it came naturally to her. She greeted the mayor and his wife, waving away their compliments when they took in the event space. After seating them, she went off to check on the birthday girl and company, giving them a time check before heading back to the entrance.

  Guests were greeted, with Cassie herself dealing with VIP guests, showing them to their tables and ensuring they got their drinks taken care of. When Josh's high profile celebrity finally showed up, there were audible gasps, and from outside, flash photography was going off like crazy. She was escorted to the family table, and Cass couldn't wait to see her client's face when she
saw who she was sitting next to.

  Ten minutes later, when it happened, she wasn't disappointed. She was pretty sure the entire city heard the birthday girl's shriek of excitement.

  Haven't even served appetizers, and I'm already calling this night a success.

  And it continued smoothly. The ballet performance was amazing, as were all the other acts. Dinner was delicious, and everyone clapped when the specially designed cake came out. The birthday girl shed tears as she blew out her candles.

  While the father and daughter shared a special dance, Cass finally excused herself to grab a quick bite. Josh had already left for the evening, leaving her to shine in her element. But he'd given her free use of his office, just asking her to close the door when she was done. So she ate a quick meal at his desk.

  When she heard the first strums of a guitar, she was surprised, then laughed out loud at herself. She'd been running around so much, she'd honestly forgotten about the band. They'd done a soundcheck earlier in the day, when she'd been out on an errand. Then afterwards, she'd been so busy, she hadn't had time to think about them at all. Her assistant and other staff from the agency had been tasked with wrangling the performers.

  A raucous, poppy hit was played, causing the crowd to cheer and no doubt dance. By the time Cass had finished and cleaned up after herself, another song was starting. Another big hit from the 90s, a cover of a rap song, but done in a pop-punk style. She bobbed her head to the beat, deciding she might like Micah's band, after all.

  When she came into the main room, she stuck close to the wall, surveying the space. Just like she'd guessed, most everyone was up dancing. The few that were sitting seemed to be enjoying themselves. She checked in with the mayor and his wife, making sure they didn't need anything. Stopped in at the kitchen, making sure the staff was all fed and taken care of.

  When she came back onto the floor, another rowdy song was playing. All the people on the floor were jumping up and down, and it would've been a pretty funny sight, all these people in formal attire practically moshing. But even as she started to smile, something else caught her eye, and stopped her in her tracks at the edge of the dance floor.