I stood under the pelting water gazing at the nakedness of my stomach, a bump already forming. It scared me to think how this could be happening. I was never one for domesticity and all that it entailed. The marriage, the picket fence, the kids. It was all too clichèd and unoriginal. So how was it that underneath the fear and disappointment, I was ecstatic to be pregnant? I was blissfully happy to have a big, glorious home in which I cooked and cleaned. And most of all, I was deleriously hapy to be married. Standing in the shower, I contemplated just how different I had become and tried to remember why I had been so stubnornn and foolish. I stood there holding my unborn child in my arms and smiled, had I not been that crazy girl (and remained partly crazy still) I would not have any of this. Not my baby, not my house, and certainly not my husband.
"Do you want to go see them with me tonight?" my friend Jade asked me for the third time. He was all excited about this band he had found called A Fire Inside, or something like that. I shrugged, not really wanting to. Still I knew I would go, one look into Jade's adorable pleading face and I would melt and concede. Which is how I ended up at the foot of a stage, pressed against sweaty punk-lovers, in some underground club in the heart of the Bay. Jade was standing next to me looking a little bored.
"What's the matter Jadey?" I asked over the roar of the music.
"I really just wanted to see AFI, this other shit is boring me." he answered.
"When are they on?"
"They're next. After them, we can leave." He said leaning into my ear.
"Okay." I replied leaning back into him. This would have been a moment to kiss him or at least my friends would have told me so.
It just never happened for us, though. He was gorgeous hardcore punk-rock sexy, just my type, and had the most wonderful personality; but even though we always were together, it never felt romantic. He was like a brother and my best friend, not a potential boyfriend. The band on the stage ended their last song and with a final yell from the lead, left the stage. The next band entered and a skinny boy wearing oversized black pants with suspenders and a white t-shirt grabbed the mic. The bassist and guitarist wore t-shirts under suspenders, while the tall gangly drummer simply wore jeans and a t-shirt. The raven-haired singer began to speak into the mic and I watched him, maddeningly enthralled.
"You guys ready to have some fun?" he yelled. The crowd roared in response, even Jade joined in the shouting.
"Dani, this is them!" he shouted in my ear. I grinned at his excitement and glued my eyes on the stage. The music started and I found myself falling into the sound of the singer's voice. They're songs amazed me so much that I joined in with Jade's insane shouting and moshing. After the final "I'd like to see you, I'd like to see you leave!" the lead jumped up and shouted, "Thank you! We are AFI! Much love, much respect! Goodnight!" Jade and I howled like crazy night hounds as they walked off back stage.
"Oh my goodness, Jade! They were amazing! Who is their singer?" I yelled as he pulled me through the crowd.
"His name is David, do you wanna go meet them?" He asked as we exited into an alley.
"Can we?" I asked in wonder. Jade just grinned and continued dragging my around the back of the building. We met the four band members coming out of a back door. David leaned his head back in resplendent laughter as they all tumbled onto the sidewalk towards a van. I was hooked. I didn't even know him and I was already beyond enthralled. David caught sight of us and paused.
"Jade?" he asked, his eyes darkening.
"Yeah, it's me, Dave." he grinned and answered.
"Man, how have you been?" David asked pulling Jade into a friendly hug.
"Good and you?"
"Great! Oh, sorry, I'm such an ill-mannered brute. I'm Davey Marchand." he said extending his hand towards me.
"Hello, I'm Dani." I said timidly reaching out to tpuch his fingers. Instead of a handshake he pulled me into his chest for a hug. I tried not to giggle as I held onto his waist.
"How do you guys know each other?" I asked when he released me, my eyes pinioning Jade.
"School, we met before Davey dropped out of college." Jade explained. Dammit, I should have gone to school with Jade!
"Yeah, I'm kind of a fuck up. So why did you come out tonight? Trying to impress your girl with how hardcore you are?" Davey chuckled.
"No. We came cuz I wanted Dani to hear you play, she's not my girlfriend."
"Really? Is that a mutual decision or you don't have the moves to get her?" Davey asked and I began blushing like an idiot. I couldn't believe what I heard.
"I don't know, I never asked." Jade said. My eyebrows lifted in shock.
"You would date me?" I asked. By this time, the other three had the van packed and had made their way to our small coversation.
"If he won't I will." the drummer offered with a dorky grin.
"Don't listen to him, he just wants to get laid." the bassist answered.
"Well Jade, would you date darling Dani?" Davey cut in, his dark eyes baring into my face.
"I would, but I'm afraid to ruining our friendship." Jade answered staring down at his feet.
"So you would have asked before now?" I was in utter shock, Jade liked me.
"Maybe, I don't know you're like my sister. God, Davey why'd you have to bring this up?"
"It was my way of finding out if she was single." Davey said slyly.
My head whipped around to face Davey and I felt my cheeks burning.
"What? Why?" I asked. The guitarist was laughing at my reaction.
"Maybe I want to date you." Davey answered, an evil little grin split his face.
"But I just met you." I said and instantly hated myself. Why am I questioning this? Shut the hell up!
"I see your point, are you free right now? We were just going to go get something to eat."
"Sure." Jade answered for the both of us.
"What about Viri?" I asked.
"Damn! I almost forgot about her." Jade said. "Where are you headed? We'll meet you there."
"How about we go to your place Jade, we're here for the night anyways and I know you have food." Dave suggested.
"Yeah, let's go. You have beds and a couch right?" the drummer added.
"Adam shut up!" the guitarist scolded.
"Sure you guys can come over and Dani will make muffins." Jade smiled. "You remember how to get there, right?"
"Yeah, of course." Davey answered with an easy grin. I was melting every second I was in his presence.
"Take Dani with you, it 's gonna take twenty minutes to go pick up Viri and I don't want you guys to be just sitting there." Jade said and I almost gaped. What the hell was he trying to do to me? Jade hugged me and whispered into my ear, "You'll thank me later."
"You're making me ride with them and cook for them. You are an ass." I hissed back before he left me standing there with four virtual strangers. If I had known what was beginning that night, I probably would have thanked Jade and pledged eternally alligence to him, but I had no clue.
"Hold on, how do you have a key to Jade's place?" Adam asked as we all piled into the van.
"Um, because my name's on the lease and I live there." I answered, buckling in next to Davey.
"We've been over a dozen times and never seen you." Adam continued to press while starting the van. I rolled my eyes. I was gettting the third degree over living with Jade from a person I had met five minutes ago. I guess it wasn't just my friends.
"I'm rarely home or awake when I am there. I may have been there a few times, passed out in my room. If not, I was at work or school." I replied, gazing out of the window.
"How long have you lived with Jade?" Davey asked, drawing my attention and eyes to his.
"Two years and some change. But we basically grew up together," I answered, completely forgetting to be offended or defensive.
"And you two never did anything?" Adam gauffed.
"Adam, shut the hell up!" The bassist said, smacking the back of the drummer's head. I started to giggled.
"Thanks." I said.
"I'm Geoff and sorry about not introducing myself sooner." he grinned at me from across Davey. I grinned back. The guitarist swiveled backwards and extended his hand to me and spoke,"Yeah, we're a bit rough around the edges, but I 'm Mark."
I shook his hand as he gave me a wink.
"So are you just making us muffins or do we get a meal?" Mark asked. I rolled my eyes again, laughing.
"Depends on what we have and what you want. Everything is vegan and vegetarian." Three of them groaned in response to my answer and Davey was suddenly squeezing me to his chest.
"You make vegan muffins?" he shrieked excitedly. I remained speechless and just let him hold me a little longer.
"Am I allowed to ask one more question?" Adam interjected, straining to see in the rear-view mirror.
"Yes and that was it," Davey answered, keeping one arm draped across my shoulders.
"Come on! Dani, can I?" Adam begged.
"Ask away." I allowed.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I used to, but right now I don't. Why?"
"I was wondering if you wanted one," he grinned into the rear-view.
"Aren't you cute? I'll keep your name in consideration," I teased as we turned into the apartment complex. The force of Adam's turn almost forced me into Davey's lap. After we found a space, I led our motley crew up the stairs to the apartment and let them all inside, turning lights on as I went. Adam, Geoff, and Mike crashed on the couch while Davey followed me into the kitchen.
"May I help?" he asked adorably.
"No, I've got it. But you can stay and keep me company." I said starting to pull things out for muffins and a veggie stir fry. Davey happily hopped up on the counter and began swinging his legs like a little kid.
"So how did you decide to live with Jade?" he asked flipping his hair.
"Well, I knew I couldn't afford to live by myself and Jade was looking for a place around the same time, it just seemed to fit. Of course he's here more than I am, so it's more like living in the vicinity of Jade." I answered mixing the dry ingredients of the muffins.
"What do you do?" his eyes remained intent on every move I made.
"I work at a used bookstore and then at a restaurant on weekends," I said turning on the front burner on the stove.
"You're a very busy little woman, " he remarked with a little laugh. "And what do you want to be when you grow up, little woman?"
"I'm studying to be a surgeon." The muffins were mixed and poured into the pan and ready for the oven. I grabbed a skillet and placed it on the waiting stove as I bent down to slide the muffins in to start cooking.
"Really? And why would you want to do that?" Davey asked gripping the counter and leaning towards me.
"I have a Jack the Ripper fascination," I beamed as I began chopping up asparagus and garlic.
"Oh, and do you feel you'll be giving birth to the twenty-first century?" he teased. I loved him already. He not only got my little joke, but actually was educated enough to make his own. I smiled to myself as I filled a pot with water for rice.
"I do. So tell me about yourself," I said pouring four cups of rice into the pot and stirring the sizzling vegetables.
"What's there to know? I'm Davey. I write, I sing, I eat, I sleep, I make silly faces," he replied contorting his charming features into a ridiculous bared-teeth, squinty-eyed, scowl-grin. I laughed adding mushrooms to the stir fry and cubes of eggplant and zuccini. I heard the front door open and turned to see Viri and Jade walking in carrying he luggage. Her eyes popped wide as she glanced around.
"Viri!" I exclaimed from the kitchen. She beamed at me and walked to where I was and dropped her bag. She hugged me, which was rare, but I allowed it.
"Guys, this is Viri. She's my friend and she's visiting for the week. Viri, this is Davey and on the couch are Mark, Adam, and Geoff. They're all in a band that Jade is a fan of," I explained as I pointed each one out.
"Well, you like us too don't you?" Davey asked. I felt like saying no would have mortally wounded him.
"It was my first time seeing you guys, so I wouldn't call myself a fan, but I did enjoy you all," I answered, turning shyly back to the food. "Jade, help Viri get her stuff into my room." I tried to avoid further embarassment as I tossed the skillet of vegetables and added a little extra garlic and crushed red pepper. Davey stayed silent, but his eyes were trained on me. I seasoned the boiling rice and covered it. Dinner would be ready in five minutes and I knew that Davey would be leering every second. Mercifully, Viri and Jade returned and started conversing around the small kitchen/living area. I happily attended to the food with no need to talk while Viri familiarized herself with everyone. I saw the way she and Jade hung close to each other and began to wonder what that coukd possibly imply.
I let the muffins cool for a few extra minutes and checked that the rice was done and well seasoned. Davey suddenly came up behind me and guided the spoon I was using to his mouth and ate the rice. I was stunned and frozen, with my hand in his. Butterflies rose in my chest as I watched his face for a reaction. He grinned at me, oblivious to the reaction he stirred in me.
"I just wanted a taste, it all smells so good," he explained and kissed my cheek. I blushed and giggled, unable to stop myself.
"Well is it good?" I asked.
"Delectable," he answered licking his sexy, bowed lips. I narrowly resisted the urge to press my lips to his and bite them. Very narrowly. This man was dangerous, very dangerous.
"Food's ready," I called to the others, trying to remember myself. I pulled down a stack of plates from the cupboard and got forks from the drawer. The men stormed the kitchen, Jade included. That boy acted like it was Chriatmas every time I cooked.
"Hold it! Ladies first!" I shouted trying to get to Viri. I served her first, then Davey, then Mark and Geoff, then Adam, and I gave Jade a huge plate like he normally ate. I grabbed a muffin and joined them all at the table that had me strategically placed next to Davey. I smirked, sitting beside him and begin nibbling my food. A very dangerous man, indeed.
