Holding on to Us

by A. E. Neal

  "Uh," I raised my hand, "TMI, friend in the room. Don't need to hear that shit, thanks."

  "Sorry, Ken," Ally said. "He's just grumpy, 'cause Doc said we can't do anything until he gets his cast set."

  "Wha-wha. Oh, poor you," I teased. "I'm sure Ally's vibrator is getting a workout this week," I added.

  "Ken!" She shot an evil glance my way and I laughed.

  Brody looked a bit shocked and he turned to Ally and whispered, "You have a vibrator? Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Thanks, Kennedy."

  I shrugged. "Every girl's gotta have one these days. Sometimes, Mr. Johnson, just doesn't take care of it."

  "Oh my God, that's not true," Ally squealed. "You take care of me."

  I made a gagging motion with a finger down my throat and Ally laughed.

  "Well, he does," she added.

  "You know, if you guys need a little 'alone' time, I'll be happy to come back later," I said and Brody's eyes widened. Ally blushed and buried her face in her hands.

  "Noooo...we can't," she giggled.

  His leg was still full of metal screws. I wasn't sure how that would even work, but I didn't even want to think of my best friend's fiancé in a sexual way. Brody had become more of a brother to me over the last week. He was protective and made sure I texted him or Ally when I was safely to my car after visits. It was sweet and also a little overbearing, but I understood why he felt the need to take care of me too.

  As Brody scooped chunks of Jell-o out of the tiny cup and shoveled it into his mouth, Ally came over and sat next to me.

  "You and Deacon okay?" she asked.

  Of course, she could see right through me. She'd always had.

  "He was supposed to meet me for lunch and when I texted him, he never responded. I don't know what's going on," I said and in that moment I remembered I had a message.

  I pulled my phone from my purse and swiped the screen.

  Deacon: Sorry I missed lunch. My dad had a relapse. Back in ICU. Call you later, OK?

  Now, I felt like a horrible person. "His dad is in ICU again," I mumbled as I typed my response.

  Me: Kay.

  I hit 'send' and set my phone on the small coffee table. "I'm such a bitch, I don't know why he still gives me the time of day."

  "He's got it bad for you, Ken. I think he's in lurve with you," she teased and I rolled my eyes.

  "Don't even joke about that shit. We've only been seeing each other for, uh... not even two weeks. And I don't even see him half the time 'cause he's always working."

  "I was kidding, don't freak out. Jeez. Have you guys...uh...you know, done it yet?" she asked quietly, so Brody couldn't hear.

  "No," I said, shaking my head.

  And the truth was, I wanted to, but we just hadn't had any time alone together. My battery operated boyfriend was currently taking Deacon's place, I hadn't had a man-made orgasm since Zac, and I longed for the connection again.

  "You could safely say, I'm sexually frustrated," I added and Ally laughed.

  "Me, too," she said. "But it's not his fault. He's tried. I'm just scared I'm gonna break him or something."

  We both laughed as we watched Brody stab his fork into a piece of lettuce begrudgingly. Poor guy. I made a mental note to bring him a burger next time I visited. Doctor's orders or not, the hospital food looked terrible and I couldn't blame him one bit for not wanting to touch the stuff.

  Brody flipped through the channels and decided on Sports Center.

  "Really?" we both whined.

  "You two are having girl time over there, so yeah, I'm watching Sports Center. There's no way in hell you guys can talk me into watching another chick-flick. They need to ban the Lifetime channel from this facility, permanently," he huffed. "I've already got an email in to the director."

  We both laughed.

  Chapter 15

  Zac

  It was true. Kennedy had texted me a few times over the last week and I hadn't responded. To be honest, a few days ago, I saw her car in the parking lot at the hospital, so I turned around and decided I would go back to visit Brody later. I couldn't face her, nor did I want to rehash the details about Kirsten and I.

  Although, what we had wasn't much of a relationship at all. The girl had turned me into her late-night booty call. I was nothing but a walking, talking, hard cock for her to get off on every time she had the urge. I could barely stand being around the girl half the time. Her voice alone had given me two migraines and I never got migraines. That shit-head, demon dog of hers hated me, and she insisted he stay in her room while we had sex. His beady eyes watched me like I was violating his property, and I was surprised he hadn't tried humping my leg while I took Kirsten from behind.

  Band practice started at six, and I was already running late after Kirsten conned me into getting her Ben & Jerry's and renting a copy of some sappy chick movie because it was her time of the month.

  I inwardly thanked Mother Nature for the break, but there was no way I could get away from her constant whining, which I assumed was because she was PMSing, but if I ever said that out loud¸ she'd chop my dick off with a meat cleaver. No, thanks.

  I parked in my usual spot outside Epic. The place had been quiet ever since Brody's accident and I knew Finn was worried because revenue was at an all time low. The band and I decided to start scouting outside talent for him, just to bring in another act when we weren't playing.

  Alex set up a Facebook page for our band and in less than a week, we already had over two thousand followers. So we knew we had fans, they just hadn't come to see us play lately.

  Chris had found an all-girl group from Flagstaff who were coming down to practice with us and I hoped they'd be halfway decent, so we wouldn't have to keep having open mic night. Talk about your ears bleeding. I knew Finn had had enough too. During the last one, he had actually hid in the manager's office until it was over. Which was bad, considering he was Epic's only bartender.

  "Yo! Zac-E, my man!" Alex called and I really wished I could knock him out every time he called me that.

  "Sup," I replied, giving him a head nod.

  "What's going on with you, buddy. You've been such a pussy lately. I don't even get the usual 'fuck off' from you, anymore," Alex joked. But he was right. I was on the verge of losing my man-card because of a twenty-two year old, horny, over emotional girl.

  "Fucking Kirsten is making me question my manhood. The girl is all over the damn place. I think she might be bipolar," I said as I pulled my bass from its case.

  Alex threw his head back and laughed. "You wait, these chicks coming tonight...they're smokin' hot. I mean like nine-point-five smokin'."

  "All of them?" I asked out of curiosity.

  Alex shoved his phone in my face. "All. Of. Them."

  It was the band's Facebook page, Velvet Vixens. And holy shit were they hot. The band's lead singer's name was Layna. She was supermodel gorgeous with long dark hair, blue eyes and legs that went for miles. The other three members, Amber, Trista, and Carly were equally good looking, but Layna had that exotic look about her.

  "I've got dibs on that Amber chick, gingers are so hot." Alex pulled the phone back and started licking the screen with the tip of his tongue.

  "Gross, dude," I cringed.

  We practiced a few of our new songs in the dressing room, which we'd pretty much made into our own room, since we were the only permanent band at Epic. Alex finished up tweaking a few lyrics to a new song called, Wander. It was a mix of rock and had just a touch of punk flare to it.

  I heard a light tap on the door and shouted, "Come in!" as we played the last verse of the song.

  "Guys, the Velvet Vixens are here," Finn announced and Alex shot up from the couch.

  "Yessss," he said, air-humping the arm of the couch. "Dibs on the redhead."

  "We know," Chris and I said in unison as Alex disappeared down the hall.

  I glanced at Chris, who just shrugged and took a sip of his Red Bull.

  "Fine, I'll go make
sure he's not groping the newbies," I said and Chris just laughed.

  The back door was wide open and I heard a few feminine giggles coming from outside. I followed the noise and to my surprise, the girls weren't falling all over Alex. Instead, one of them, Carly, actually had him by the balls. Literally.

  "Whoa, ladies. What the hell's going on?" I asked as I held my hands up, so I wouldn't be the one who was attacked next.

  Carly shot me an evil glare, gripped Alex's junk tighter and he screamed. "This crab-infested piece of shit belong to you?"

  I watched as tears began to run down Alex's face and I knew he had to have done something pretty bad, considering the current position he was in.

  "Yeah. Let him go...please," I said as I took a step forward to help Alex who collapsed on the ground, holding his crotch.

  I knelt down beside him. "What the fuck, man?"

  "Stupid bitch is crazy," he choked out, Carly rolled her eyes and took a couple of guitar cases inside.

  "What'd you say to her?"

  "Doesn't matter, man, they're all batting for the other team. Well, all but the brunette, but she isn't my type," Alex said as he slid his hand down the front of his pants.

  "What the fuck are you doin'?" I let go of his arm and he laid back on the concrete.

  "I'm checking to make sure my frank and beans are still in place."

  And with that, I laughed. I knew one day a girl would see right through Alex and call him out, but him being turned down by a group of lesbians was the best thing I'd heard in all the time I'd known him.

  "It's not funny, asshole. I think she did some permanent damage. Are your balls supposed to feel lumpy?"

  I ignored his question and walked over to the van.

  "Sorry 'bout my friend. He's just a dumb ass," I said to the brunette.

  She turned to face me and pushed two amplifiers in my arms. "You're lucky she didn't rip his tiny pecker off."

  "Again, I'm sorry," I said and she flashed me her white smile. "I'm Zac."

  "Layna," she replied as she pulled a box of wires from the van and shut the doors.

  As I followed Layna into Epic, I kicked Alex as I passed him. "Try to keep your dick in your pants, fuck nut."

  "Oh! He's back!" Alex shouted. "Zac's back. He didn't lose his man-card, after all. It was just hiding in his vagina all along!"

  I shot him a 'shut the fuck up' look and he just laughed. Moron.

  I helped the girls get set up on stage, and the bar was beginning to fill up. Mostly college students, some of the usual regulars and there was Kirsten, ordering a drink from Finn at the bar. Great, just what I didn't need tonight.

  She saw me and waved frantically before grabbing her drink and skipping over to me.

  "Hi, babe!"

  "What're you doin' here?" I asked.

  "Well, duh, silly. I'm here to see you play," she said in a high-pitched voice that made my ears ring.

  "We don't go on for a couple of hours, since the girls are playing first," I said matter-of-factly.

  She moved closer to me with an expression of worry on her face. "What?" I asked as I eyed Layna coming toward us.

  Kirsten stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. "But—" she began before Layna cut her off.

  "Zac?" Layna asked and I turned to face her as Kirsten stood there, sipping her drink and looking pretty ticked off.

  "What's up?"

  "Uh, Finn said you guys might have an extra mic we could borrow. I thought I packed it after our last gig, but I can't find it anywhere."

  "Sure," I offered and her dark blue eyes lit up.

  "Really? That'd be awesome, thanks."

  "I'll grab it in a sec," I said and she smiled again, flashing her perfectly whitened grin before hopping up on stage to help the others finish setting up. I watched as she practically glided across the stage, her hips moving from left to right under her tight, form-fitting mini dress.

  "Ahem!" Kirsten said blatantly, clearing her throat.

  I spun around to face her. "She needs to borrow a mic," I offered, but apparently that wasn't a good answer.

  Kirsten balled her fist at her side and huffed.

  Oh shit. She was gonna have a full-fledged temper tantrum. I could feel it.

  I gripped her shoulders in my hands and pulled her closer to me. I felt her body relax under my hands.

  "You think she's prettier than me, don't you?" she asked, but it was more of a whine.

  "No, you're much more beautiful than she is," I lied. I was breaking records with all the lies I'd told Kirsten, it was a miracle she actually believed all of them.

  "You're just saying that." Here we go.

  Red alert! Red alert! We have a class-five clinger. Do you read me, over? I recited silently.

  "Look, I have a lot to do to get ready for tonight. I'll see you when our set is over, okay?" I changed the subject like a champ! Or so I thought.

  "No, Zac, I'm not letting you walk away," she began and I prepared myself for the inevitable ass-chewing I was about to receive. "You can't leave until you give me a kiss," she said as she closed her eyes and puckered her lips.

  Maybe she really was just that naive. I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. As I pulled back, she stood on her tiptoes and clasped her hands tightly around my neck, then she kissed me. Hard. Her tongue traced my partially opened mouth and I was forced to return the favor.

  After Kirsten was satisfied with my 'apology', she scampered off to meet some of her girlfriends at the bar.

  I ran my hand through my hair and headed back to our dressing room to get Layna a microphone.

  "I see your girlfriend made it. Aren't you the lucky one? She's like a nine-point-eight on the hotness scale," Alex said and I tried to ignore him. "You mind if I hit that when you're finished?"

  I turned to face him, not only had he already made an ass out of himself, but he was getting on my last nerve. "Number one, you're a fucking dick. Number two, she's a clinger. You know what that means?"

  "You just don't know how to handle them, and I'm not a dick."

  "Please. Oh, wise one, tell me how to handle them," I mused.

  He laughed and put an arm around me like a father would when he's about to talk to his son about sex for the first time. "Your first mistake, was giving her hope. Hope that you'd call her again, take her out on a date, etcetera, etcetera. Your second mistake, was fucking her, knowing that she only lives a few doors away from you. I'd say you're in it for the long haul now, my friend. Unless you can shake her like a bad case of Chlamydia," he chuckled and pat me on the back.

  "Thank you, oh, wise one. You didn't think I already knew that?"

  "Just trying to offer my services, man. I'll take that little wildcat off your hands, any day. Just say the word."

  "Whatever."

  Alex laughed and I spotted the microphone I'd come for in the first place. I grabbed it and headed back out to the stage. The Velvet Vixens were already warming up and as I handed the mic to Layna, she winked at me.

  Oh, this was gonna be a long night.

  Kennedy

  "Sweetheart, your phone is ringing," Deacon said sleepily as he nudged me.

  It was the third night in a row, Deacon and I had spent the night together with no sex involved. A shocker, I know. But something about him was different and as much as I wanted to take our relationship to the next level, I was perfectly content with having him by my side when I fell asleep at night.

  I reached over Deacon and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. "Hello?"

  "Ken?" Ally asked quietly.

  "Are you alright? It's seven A.M."

  "Sorry. I know it's early, but I wanted to call and let you know they're letting Brody go home today," she said and I sensed she was smiling.

  "Do you need my help?"

  "Actually," she began and I noticed the hesitation in her voice.

  "What's going on, Al?"

  "I was just thinking that I'd bring him to the townhouse for a few days, since his stairs a
re too steep and he's not allowed to put any weight on his leg, yet. I know it's a lot to ask, but I think it'd really help," she said.

  "Of course, friend. There's an extra bed in the basement, Deacon and I can set it up for you guys, if you want."

  "Really?" she squeaked.

  "Yes, really. What time will you be here?"

  "He's signing the release papers now, and then we have to stop by the apartment for a few things. But we should be there around noon."

  "'Kay, now can I go back to sleep?"

  She laughed. "You're not really going back to sleep, are you? Deacon's there, isn't he? Ooooh," she teased.

  "I'm hanging up, now."

  "Okay. Fine. Bye."

  "Bye," I said and hit the 'end' button.

  I rolled over to set my phone down and Deacon was laying with his arms over his head, tucked underneath the edge of his pillow. I traced his bare chest with my fingertips, and all at once, he rolled me onto my back and covered my body with his. He propped himself onto his elbows, pinning my arms above my head and his warm chocolate gaze caught mine.

  "You're so beautiful in the morning," he whispered.

  I giggled and he leaned down to kiss me, but I turned my head to the side before his lips met mine. "I need to brush my teeth. I have some serious dragon breath."

  He released my arm and took my jaw in his grip. I fought him by shaking my head back and forth with my mouth shut in a hard line.

  "I think I'll take my chances with the dragon," he said and I stopped flailing. Deacon's lips were warm and inviting. I relaxed, letting him in as we explored each other's mouths like it was our first kiss. His body moved over me with fluidity and I let my legs fall open as he rested between them.

  It's been long enough, right? I thought to myself.

  I rolled him onto his back and straddled him. There was nothing between us, but a few pieces of thin cloth. His hands snaked up the back of my tank top before he lifted it over my head, exposing my bare breasts. It wasn't the first time he'd seen me topless, but this time, he couldn't take his eyes off of me. "Gorgeous," he whispered as his fingertips traced my tattoos.

  I leaned down to kiss him again, the heat between us grew and I ached to have him. All of him. I rocked my hips back and forth, slowly. He cupped my breast, massaging it between his strong fingers before drawing my pierced nipple into his mouth. His tongue slid over the tiny barbell and I moaned.