Coda And Jacket

Rated R for sex, drugs, and rock n roll.

Matt Webb/Josh Ramsay, AU

Based on an AU me and my Kiah invented.

Josh is a trouble maker looking for attention and Matt will try anything to keep him controlled.

Ch. 1

Stage I Remember

It all started once the lights dimmed. Band members waiting on stage eagerly, nervously. A single guitar chord strikes and the lights flick up again. The crowd roars and moves as one. Secret, relieved smiles are passed between a singer and guitarist, we did it. The crowd all jumping and singing together, united like a mob of the music. This was the last time I'd be able to have any fun before school started the next week.

That's when I saw him. I couldn't take my eyes off him.

There was a damp, sweet smell that fills the air of the writhing bodies. Sweat and pot. Concert smells. I glanced around for a second, willing myself to look away from him, to scan the audience, or my comrades for the night. None of the other people fascinated me like he did.

He was a tall, lanky kid with dirty blonde hair. Full, plump lips sucking hard on a joint before blowing the thick smoke up at the ceiling. Long, crooked fingers pass the paper tube to someone else. A wide grin dances on his lips and he turned to look back at me. Glazed over, crystal blue eyes look me over and he waves. I waved back and step closer to him.

"Hi!" I shouted over the music, pressed closer to the beautiful stranger by the pushing crowd. He just grinned and turned to face me. "Who are you?"

"What?" He tilted his head, laughing slightly. His voice was just as gorgeous. I needed to hear more.

"What's your name?" I leaned down to his ear, asking a bit louder. I took note of the two black hoops pierced through his ear and couldn't help but wonder what else he had pierced.

"Oh!" He laughed loudly before grabbing my wrist, pulling it around his waist so he could see the skin better. He took a sharpie out of his back pocket and scribbled on my forearm. Before I could read it, he reached up, wrapped his fingers around my neck and whispered in my ear, "Come find me."

And just like that my gorgeous stranger bounced off through the audience, leaving me with nothing but touches, whispers and a sharpie message. I lifted my arm, mouthing the words to myself.

'Josh Ramsay' and then a seven digit number.

I waited two days after the concert to call Josh, to not seem so desperate. I was questioning my choice in lovers for a while but he just seemed to sell it. I wanted him. But I also wanted to sound cool, collected, someone worth his number. I had written a small script, asking him out to lunch and I practised saying it in my calmest, slickest voice. I held the paper script in front of me and the phone in the other hand. Slowly and shakily, I dialled the numbed.

"Ralph's Laundromat, what do you want?" A bored woman's voice sounded from the other end. What? A Laundromat?

"H-hi. This…this is Matt Webb, is there a Josh Ramsay here?" I stammered, losing my cool.

"That little fuck. I'm sorry dude. You got a fake number," The chick on the other end popped her gum. I smacked my forehead in frustration. "If it helps, you ain't the first dude."

"Its fine, no worries. Sorry for taking up your time." I sighed before hanging up. Of course someone as beautiful would a fucking tease. That stupid bitch for making me look like an idiot.

I focused on school instead of the mysterious blonde so that when it started the next week I'd feel better for being blown off. I hadn't done very well in the past year, choosing guitar lessons and random dates instead of homework. This year had to be different or my parents would kill me.

I took notes, paid attention to the teachers and told myself repeatedly I was going to pass, and it was all going to be okay. I was so positive for this year.

And then it all blew out the window in a single second.

It was the last class of the day and that stupid blue eyed boy sauntered in, fifteen minutes late to class.

It took every once of my strength to not stare at the long legs encased in tight jeans as he walked by my desk, long fingers trailing against the wood beside me, a shy smile on his lips. He sat way in the back, hiding from the rest of the students but I knew he was there. That little tease. Already I could see school was becoming last priority. I needed to have Josh and I knew at that moment I'd stop at nothing to make him mine.

I waited until everyone had left the classroom to make my move. Josh stood up in the back, slowly making his way out the door. I grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him out of the room. Quickly, we made our way outside, hiding behind the bleachers.

"Oh…look it's you." He smiled tiredly, fluttering dark lashes up at me once we were out of sight. I pressed him against the metal poles, trapping him from escaping me again.

"You gave me a fake number, bitch." I spat, feelings of embarrassment and anger washing over me yet again. I really hadn't forgotten about him and how could you? He was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen. He just smirked and looked me over.

"I told you to come find me…you obviously didn't work hard enough."

"I worked my ass off to find you." I really hadn't but if he thought I did, then just maybe he'd give in.

"You did? Well how come I don't know your name then? Hmm?" He laughed softly, teasingly. I pushed his shoulders, not wanting him to embarrass me further.

"You would if you didn't give me a fake number. Now I'm not sure I want to give it to you." Of course I did. I wanted to hear him say it.

"Okay, fair enough. You passed this test I guess. What's your name?" He blinked up at me, innocent green eyes staying fixed on my deep brown ones.

"My names Matt. Matt Webb." I loosened my grip on him, so I was just standing in front of him.

"Matt…I like Matt," He smiled softly, before pulling away from me and walking through the field. He pulled out a cigarette from behind his ear and lit it. "I'll see you tomorrow then Matt."

I spent the rest of the day and night planning how to win Josh Ramsay over.