Disclaimer: We do not own anyone in this story, however we do own the story line.
This is a Danny Jones oriented story.
This is a collaborative story between me and my friend, and we have decided to post this here along with other fan fiction boards. We do hope you enjoy reading this as much as we have enjoyed writing it.
Thank you in advance for taking time to read!
We appreciate it greatly!
Chapter One - "We pass just close enough to touch…"
The music blared from the speakers, thumping loudly in my chest as I entered the bar. It was packed, more than usual, filled with young females all dressed to impress. I was no exception, I was dressed to impress, but as to whom I had no idea. I was dragged here, forced against my will to be all dolled up and put on display. This wasn't my scene, yet I played along, joining my friend in her quest for her own little 'distraction' from her everyday life. It was the same every week, and normally I was able to escape this kind of humiliation with some sort of excuse, but this week I was trapped, so I had to make the best of this awkward situation.
"Let's get something to drink Brooke," my friend Sophie yelled into my ear, drawing my attention back from glancing around the smoke filled room, focusing back to the person in front of me.
"Yeah ok," I responded, following her through the mass of bodies that filled this tiny space.
What was it that had drawn all these girls into this normally sparsely filled bar? What had attracted this type of audience?
I managed to get myself a beer and decided that it was far too hectic standing at the bar with the manic crowd of people and proceeded to make my way over to a corner table, away from the crowd, but unfortunately unable to escape the loud thumping of the bass that penetrated my body.
Somewhere along the way, I had lost Sophie, undoubtedly to a young gentleman pulling her into the crowd, but she was a big girl and she could take care of herself, so I didn't worry. My eyes scanned over the crowd in front of the stage, and undeniably I found her; her body pressed up against a young hot thing, their faces inches apart. I couldn't help but laugh a little, it was just like Sophie to walk into a room and command it, grab the nearest guy and just have her way with him; I just wish I could exude some of that confidence.
My eyes left hers, and continued to scan the rest of the bar; finally taking in everything that was around me. And ultimately my eyes landed on the stage. How had I missed him before? Walking in, I was so preoccupied with my misery that I had missed him standing in the middle of the stage, strumming away on his guitar, swaying back and forth as he played with his band.
It was undeniable why all these girls surrounded the stage, their hands waving in front of them in hopes of touching him, the girls swooning as he flashed a huge grin while crossing the stage; he was gorgeous. He caught my attention. I was unable to tear my gaze away from him, so he provided me with a nice distraction for the evening; giving me something to look at while I passed the time at the back of the bar while my friend danced the night away.
His band played for an hour, and I continued to stare at him as his fingers worked away on the strings of the guitar. He just looked so hot playing up on the stage, so comfortable, emanating so much confidence that I can guarantee I felt my heart speed up a couple of times through out the set. At one moment, I swear I felt his eyes reach me, seeing me for only a second, lingering for a moment and then moving on to the rest of the crowd. I'm sure he couldn't see me, being tucked away in the back, behind hundreds of bodies, cradling my drink as I tapped my foot along to the music.
The set ended and the band left, the girls swarming to the side of the stage, little squeals being let out as the band signed autographs and gave hugs to fans. I couldn't see the scene, but I could easily picture it in my head, laughing quietly as I made my way back over to the bar to replenish my drink.
Surprisingly, I had a few men come up to me over the course of the night; offering me drinks, telling me how 'hot' I looked, asking me if I wanted to 'go somewhere quiet'. I had managed to brush most of them off, unable to control my laughter as some came up with the cheesiest pick-up lines I have ever heard. Tonight would go down in the record books as the 'night of cheesiest one-liners ever'.
Leaning over the bar, I managed to yell to the bartender for another beer, barely able to hear the sound of my own voice as the dance music now blasted throughout the small bar. Bodies moved out on the dance floor in front of the stage, suddenly leaving the bar area rather empty and almost bearable to be around.
"Hey, can I buy you a drink?" I heard a low voice say, as I was handed my beer bottle, a smile spreading across my lips at the pathetic attempt at a pick-up line.
"Oh, it seems that you're just a second too late…" I said smugly, turning around slowly, ready to have fun with this new pathetic loser, but I was stopped abruptly mid sentence as my breath caught in my throat.
He still looked amazing close up, and now he was standing in front of me and I had just made an idiot of myself, sounding like a complete bitch. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid' I cursed myself silently.
"Oh," he answered disheartened, continuing to stare at me with deep eyes; they were a dark shade of blue that I felt myself drawn to, unable to tear my eyes away from.
"No, I'm sorry that was bitchy beyond belief," I said, trying to salvage any attempt at a conversation between us. For some reason, I wanted to have a conversation with him.
"Only a little," he said, both of us starting to laugh.
There was an awkward silence, the music from the speakers bleeding into the space between us, my mind frantically searching for something to say. Anything.
"You were pretty good up there," I finally managed to spit out, instantly regretting that I only said 'pretty good' and not 'amazing'.
"Oh well thanks," he said, grabbing a drink for himself from the bar, allowing me time to take a huge gulp of my beer to maybe try and ease the nerves that were jittering inside me. Why was I so nervous around this complete, undoubtedly handsome, stranger?
"So I saw you from the stage," he said while turning around.
I was caught in the middle of swallowing my drink and managed to spit out the beer from my mouth in complete shock from his statement. Shit. He really had noticed me when I thought his eyes caught me earlier on in the evening and now I had gone and spit beer on the guy. This was going splendidly.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I said, grabbing napkins, wiping down his shirt frantically. My fingertips caught the skin of his neck ever so briefly and a jolt of electricity shot through my fingers and down my spine. Keep it together Brooke, I commanded silently, cursing my clumsy ways.
"It's ok, it's only a little spilt beer," he laughed off, grabbing my hand away from his chest to stop it from trying to hurriedly wipe away the fermented liquid.
I thought my legs would give way at that moment, my eyes shooting up to focus on his face as his eyes met mine. We both stood there for a moment, the music being drowned out by the deafening beating of my heart, reading to explode from my chest. I quickly cleared my throat and we both glanced down at our clasped hands, and he dropped it, shifting backwards nervously. I bit my lip, suddenly aware that I was blushing slightly, hoping that the dim lighting in the bar would mask my embarrassment and foolishness.
"I'm really sorry," I apologized again, shaking my head gently from side to side, unable to believe the stupid antics I was pulling in front of this guy.
"It's ok, really," he said, trying to reassure me. He seemed sincere; a rarity to find in bars like these.
"Let me make it up to you," I said, trying to find a way I could try and eradicate this terribly awkward situation. I felt so guilty.
"It's alright really, just talking to you is worth it," he said, his voice lowering at the end, his eyes dropping to the floor.
Wow, he was being so unbelievably sweet and it just made my head go all fuzzy and my stomach fill with butterflies as they fluttered around giving me an excited yet nervous feeling. It was nice, I felt like a school girl again, all anxious and shaky in front of a guy.
"That's sweet," I said, shuffling slightly closer to him, being pushed in various directions by the crowd of people starting to flock towards the bar. What was it with all these people, it's like they travelled in packs.
"So my name's Danny by the way," he said all of a sudden, sticking out his hand, realizing we had been talking for a good ten minutes and we hadn't even exchanged names.
"I'm Brooke," I answered, taking his hand in mine and shaking it gently. There was that jolt of electricity once again. I felt the temperature in the room raise by a hundred degrees, an almost suffocating feeling filling my chest. I had to let go, before I was consumed by the overwhelming feeling.
We moved to a small table, nuzzled somewhere in the back, away from prying eyes and curious ears; Danny seemed to be drawing some attention to himself no matter where he travelled in the bar. He caught the eyes of almost every girl in the bar; and I was shot dirty stares just as equally for walking beside him. We managed to pass the rest of the night together in that back table, his band mates joining us for the second half of the night. Uncontrollable laughter filled the atmosphere of the table as stories were shared after being introduced to each one of them. As we continued to talk, Danny's leg would brush up against mine and chills would rush down my back. His hand caught arm at one point, the back of his hand brushing against the exposed bare skin of my upper arm; I was sure I was going to melt into the seat at that moment, pulling all my strength in me to remain sitting upright.
Every time I glanced up from the table or focused my attention to the crowd of people in the bar, I managed to catch an evil sneer thrown my way; jealously evident in the girls due to the fact that I was sitting here with four very handsome boys. Never in a million years did I think I would be the girl sitting with the band. It was comical really.
Slowly, one by one each band member left, first the guitarist, then the bassist, and finally the drummer; leaving me and Danny alone for the first time since we met at the bar. I was happy that he wanted to stay, indicating that these feelings weren't only one-sided. I had gotten suddenly very nervous, but was able to control my nerves due to the slightly large amount of alcohol I had somehow managed to consume, unsure of when it all happened.
I hadn't heard from Sophie yet, last time seeing her with that guy on the dance floor, attached at the hips. She should have at least come to check up on me, make sure I'm still alive after she abandoned me. I was a little peeved to say the least.
At that moment, I felt a vibrating from my pant pocket and reached for my phone. Flipping open the screen, I read the message and was filled with a bit of anger, annoyance, but also a bit of relief. Sophie had ditched me.
Hey babe. Left with man candy. Don't wait for me. Sof xx
"Bitch," I muttered under my breath, flipping my phone closed forcefully, cursing myself for being so stupid as to be dragged along here just to be ditched.
"What?" I heard Danny ask, my attention being focused back to him; ok so being dragged out here wasn't all bad.
"Oh nothing, my friend just ditched me," I said, tucking my phone back into my jean pocket. I grabbed my beer and took another long drink, bracing myself for the long walk home.
"You came here with a friend?" he asked.
"Yeah, Sophie, but she managed to scurry off somewhere with some guy she found at the bar, so I have to walk home alone now, what fun," I said sarcastically, focusing on the table, my hands fidgeting nervously around the beer bottle.
"Well I can walk you home," Danny offered hopefully, placing his hand over mine on the table. I stopped breathing at that moment, my heart ceasing to beat as his skin touched mine.
"That's really kind of you, but I'm sure it's out of your way," I said, trying to sound non-chalant, but hoping that he would protest a little; it would be nice to walk home with him, I didn't exactly want this night to end yet.
"Nonsense, plus a pretty girl like yourself could get jumped at this time of night," he added chivalrously, giving me a huge grin to reassure me he wanted to do this.
"That's really sweet of you Danny, I'd love for you to walk me home," I accepted, laughing as the grin on his lips got even wider at my response. A sudden urge to place my lips on his built up inside me, but I stopped myself, controlled myself, gained some composure; it would be too soon.
We decided to leave the bar after we finished our final drinks, walking out into the warm summer night, the refreshing breeze welcoming after sitting in the suffocatingly smoky bar for hours. I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes to try and gain some composure for the walk home; I had to control myself around Danny.
The walk was long, but not long enough in my opinion. We managed to talk the entire time, not a silent moment falling between us. He was funny, and had managed to make me laugh almost the entire walk home; my sides ached from all the laughter that had escaped my mouth tonight. We walked down my street, a quiet side street with rows of respectable townhouses lined up. We approached my doorstep, stopping in front of the stairs, the first silence falling between us since we left the bar.
"So, this is me," I said, looking up at my door and then focusing back onto my shoes, rocking back and forth, unsure of what to do next. "Thank you for walking me home," I thanked him, looking up at him for the first time since we arrived at my door step.
"Anytime," Danny answered, flashing that same grin again.
His eyes began to scan my face, falling on my eyes and boring deeper to try and find what I was thinking. I couldn't help but stare back, my knees feeling weak as we stood there, our eyes locked. My breath was caught in my throat, my fingers fiddling nervously with each other, unable to really remain still. I wanted him to move forward and just kiss me, to close the gap between us and feel his lips on mine, but he remained back.
"Well, I should get inside, thanks again," I said, feeling a little deflated; maybe he was only being kind walking me home?
"Yeah," he replied quietly, letting his head drop, gaze focused on the pavement below us.
I let out a deep sigh and said bye, turning on my heel, making my way slowly up the stairs. I could still feel his presence behind me as I reached the first step, aware that he was staring at my back, the heat from his stare boring a hole into my back. Just say something you idiot; both a plea to him and myself.
"I'd like to see you again," I finally heard him say firmly, finding myself whipping around to look at him once more.
I couldn't stop the huge grin that spread across my face, I had seemed to be filled with so much joy by six simple words.
"Me too," I said, walking back down the stairs towards him, stopping in front of him and pulling out a piece of paper to scribble down my number. I couldn't stop smiling.
"Good," he said reaching for the piece of paper, brushing my hand, sending those butterflies into flight once again.
He brought his hand gently to my face and slowly brushed a stray hair from my face, running his finger along cheek. Kiss me damn it! Just lean in a kiss me already, I pleaded in my head, wanting to feel his lips on mine, if only for a moment. But I was too scared to make the first move; I would have to wait due to my cowardice. His hand dropped from my face and my hopes dropped as well.
"Well, bye," he said, smiling at me once again.
"Yeah bye. Thanks again," I said, giving him one final look before turning my back to him once again and making my way up the stairs and to my door.
I unlocked it and stepped inside, closing it behind me and leaning my back against the door, breathing in deeply, trying to calm my nerves and my disappointment. I wish he had just kissed me. I was startled by a soft knocking, almost inaudible it was so low. I turn around apprehensively, unsure if I'm just hearing things. I reach for the lock and pull the door open and my stomach does a somersault as I find Danny standing on my doorstep.
He doesn't say anything, just a determined look in his eyes. He leans forward; cupping my face in his hands and pulls me into a kiss. Finally! The sparks that erupt from the meeting of our lips are earth shattering, sending both cold shivers and hot waves throughout my body, my legs becoming weak under the weight of my body. My arms remain lifeless at my sides as his lips continue to move over mine, his tongue brushing gently across my bottom lip. I feel him smile into the kiss and I find myself mimicking his actions, my arms suddenly coming to life and wrapping around his neck. We stay like this for moments, and then he pulls away; my lips left numb from his touch. He smiles at me softly.
"I've wanted to do that all night," he laughs, continuing to stare at me.
I remain silent, purely from shock. He notices the blank expression on my face and laughs quietly under his breath. He doesn't say another word; he just turns around and walks down the stairs, turning at the bottom and making his way down the street. I just stand there for moments, relishing in the feeling of his lips on mine. I manage to compose myself after a few minutes and I close the door and lock it behind me. This night ended up turning out alright, better than alright; I think I may have found a permanent distraction, one that has overwhelmed me already, by consuming my thoughts.
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