A noise from outside the house pulled John out of a pleasant dream of them together in the car, either singing or eating, not sure which but he was enjoying it thoroughly. Again, the same loud knock woke him entirely as he sat up in the bed.

John opened one eye, as the sun shone directly into his bedroom through the thinly drawn drapes. His eyes adjusted enough he checked his watch on the stand reading it was half-past seven. The knocking got louder the 3rd time around which finally woke Kayleigh from her slumber.

"Who'd come around at this hour?" she wriggled her nose at protesting the early visitor.

"Dun know, but I will deal with them." He pecked her on the cheek.

John found a shirt and his shorts (as sometime throughout the night they made love again) only he remembered he was naked under the bed sheets.

Jesus!

"Jim, hey, it's bloody early, isn't it, thought you weren't coming until half past 9?"

John tried to sound normal, or not suspicious like he had something to hide but his voice came out all croaky, and he cleared it a few times. He felt something in the pocket of his shorts only it was the unwrapped condom John forgot he stored away, just he looked fidgety and tried his best to not fiddle with the condom.

Jim eyed him and his place putting two and two together. The evidence was enough for Jim clap his mate on the back with such enthusiasm, "Oh Johnboy you got laid. That explains why you didn't answer your text or calls. The gig pushed up 2hrs, only if you got your text, you'd know."

Shit!

He couldn't deny it. John was a little bit miffed that he was so transparent. "Yeah, yeah, get in. and shut the fuck up."

Any being discreet was lost on Jim.

Jim entered the front room, it still a mess, food on plates, clothing spread around and Kayleigh's purse and shoes in the hallway. "About bloody time – Hey, don't shoot me that look, mate, you deserve such a beautiful bird."

"Thin Ice." John pointed his finger.

"Alright, alright, she's hot though, I've seen photos of her, and god you are so fucking lucky. And Mate, your shirt is on backward."

He chuckled.

"oh for fuck sakes." John quickly turned it around. "Jesus."

"John what's all the noise."

Kayleigh came into view only wearing John's shirt and nothing more. She smiled at John's friend; she's seen videos of him playing the guitar, "Jim, I presume, Kayleigh Kitson, I work with John."

He extends his hand to shake hers, "Right in one shot, John didn't tell me he would have company?"

She took his hand with a hearty hand shake, good at first impressions and gave a winning smile and with a quick wink, she looked at John then back to Jim. "No, all last minute, very last minute – John could you fetch me things, I would like to take a shower."

He could have died of embarrassment and felt his ears pink at the thought of Jim seeing her in his tee shirt. He did find her shirt and other things in the front room, "John.." she took a step towards him leaning in close so only he could hear and whispered something in his ear. He responded quietly enough, and they kissed awkwardly in front of Jim.

Jim did his best to look away but soon as she disappeared and into the washroom, John pointed the finger at his friend. "One freaking word.."

He didn't wait though, turning on John when the door shut. "You fucking sly dog, she is gorgeous as hell, she has her shit together too."

"You can't say that." John took to cleaning his place as he took pride in a somewhat tidy home.

The men got to work fast, both tidied the front room, John, with the dirty dishes, and he had scrapped the scraps of food into the trash bin. Only he filled the sink with soapy water added the dirty dishes and took to washing them. He had pride in his place.

Not always when he was with Charlotte, John had issues with being organized and well maintained. He hated to clean, but after she left him, John picked up the slack and just made it happen.

Jim finally spoke. "Don't fuck it up. You used protection?"

The glass slipped out of John's hand back into the suds creating a splash down his front. "Jesus."

He had forgotten that he didn't. But the unused condom was felt in his pocket. He nodded to the lie. "Yes."

Jim didn't skip a beat, "Charlotte, she didn't want kids, or marriage, obviously, but you don't want to fuck it up by getting this girl pregnant."

The idea that John's sex life is discussed was enough for him especially since she was only a few feet from him in the house that had thin walls. Jim continued to talk like he was in his world. "Don't fuck it up, like I said John she's your bird."

"You've been quiet?" Jim paused then added, "you did use protection?"

John came around quickly enough annoyed now, "This isn't the Spanish Inquisition so stop asking about me sex life."

"Alright, Mate, just watching your back, as always."

Jim wasn't wrong, being best friends with John.

"Yeah, yeah, you just caught me, you know the new relationship, don't go blabbing at me mam, I will tell her on me own."

"Just laughing, this isn't the Spanish Inquisition like you said. Look I'm happy for you."

That was the last of the conversation regarding John's sex life. Both men settled on tea to brew.

Steam filled the air as the hot water sprayed on Kayleigh's backside. The shampoo (although wasn't her brand) smelled like John. Oh god, she loved him so much that it didn't matter what she used. Although, she did miss her favorite shampoo and soap and made a note to bring those next time she happens to sleep over.

Kayleigh ran her hands over her body it ached in areas that were forgotten to touch in years, and her hand with a vibrator could do only so much. It was the little moments between them she cherished the most, from their laugher to realizing that some things don't work that made their lovemaking perfect. Oh, they had room to grow and they will, but she smiled contently into the warm water as she cleansed her body from the day before.

Once she was done in the shower, and her hair was tucked inside that towel so she can fix her face up she looked over her neck. John did leave his mark that she was his. Kayleigh rubbed the hicky and she felt like a teenager all over again, covering it up with makeup would have to do, but she knew it would rub off eventually and hoped no one would see it and no scarf it would have to do.

Kayleigh set too it, mixing and blending the foundation just right dabbing it to her skin (ouch) and finding a shade that blended the bruising away. "It will have to do."

In no time she had her face back on lips plump and painted a pretty pink. Next, to her hair, she didn't want her work hair since it's the weekend, she usually ties it up, but with her blemish on her neck, she opted to leave the large curls down to hide as much of her throat as possible.

She redressed in her uniform it smelled of work, but it was all she had. She'd forgo the jacket because it was too hot for that. So, that was it; she was ready for what, to go home? Kayleigh couldn't suspect why Jim was over only to remember they have lives outside of their work.

But what were they? Lovers? Friends? They couldn't go back to how it was; they crossed that line.

Then the memory of them not using the condom came back to her – she had to talk to John about it later, not sure how that would happen. But she wanted to know what he thinks of it all.

Kayleigh opened the door to hear the men laughing about a joke Jim had told. "Ready."

John spoke over the edge of his mug of tea. "Not really, come to sit have a cup while I take a quick shower."

As she passes him, far enough away from the kitchen and Jim (who was leaning on the counter looking out the window), John took her hand in his, "Don't let Jim bother you, and I'll knock him on the head if he does." She only giggles but he nodded his head, "I won't be long, here give me a kiss."

She does lean in, and they kiss quickly enough "Half a minute." He called back to Jim.

"I bet that's all you needed, eh?" Jim expected the finger as John hopped up the stairs two at a time.

"So you are Jim." Kayleigh kept it short.

"Yep, and you are Kayleigh."

Kayleigh gave Jim a once over noticing he was the same size, shape and liked grey polo shirt with jeans and a sports jacket to match his brown loafers. She sipped her tea quietly hoping John wouldn't take too long because she didn't know how to bring up a conversation.

Jim smiled at her, "John and I are in a band."

"Right, Con-something" she mumbled over her steaming cup of tea.

"Compendium, has John spoke of us?" Jim kept the banter light so he wouldn't get an ear full later from John.

"Right, yes, he's written a hit or two."

"Ha, a hit we play for small groups now and then, and at local clubs and such." Jim placed his empty mug into the sink.

"Well, I've seen a few of his original work." She mentioned.

"But not live?" Jim questioned.

"Not yet, he's offered to invite me sometime." She finished her mug of tea and left the kitchen table and placed it in the sink. \

"Well here's your chance to ask him." Jim pushed himself away from the counter.

"Ask me what?"

John came into view of the two of them. Clean shaven, hair damp and a slight comb-over, and his favorite purple button-up shirt, (and because Kayleigh would like it) he wore jeans and sneakers, plus added a sports coat to match his shirt.

"Alright then?" he enquired.

"Kayleigh, John and I would like to know if you'd come to see us play tonight?" Jim winked at John.

They stood there in the middle of the kitchen with awkward silence around them. Kayleigh wasn't sure to say yes she could sound too eager, or if she said no she'd throw off John and he may think something was off. So she said, "But John, I am in my work clothes."

Jim cut him off, "We'd be happy to drive you back home, you can change, do whatever you do, and then John could pick you up at say half six and the gig starts at 8 – so what do you say?"

"That's doable, do you mind? What I mean is, John does the driving, and he doesn't mind – Yes…" she trails at the end of her rambling sentence.

"Ok, it's set, how about if we get going, John, I'll pack the van, and we're off in say a few minutes?" Jim checked his watch.

"Jim sounds good, go get my equipment and sort it out while I talk to Kayleigh. The music room is open."

Off Jim went to sort out the equipment.

John waited until they were alone before he kissed Kayleigh softly. "Sorry, I should have asked you my self if you want to join us?"

"You should have, but I forgive you, John, I want to go." She leaned against his chest. "But what are we?"

John was afraid of this, afraid of committing to anyone and Kayleigh wasn't just anyone. "John, if you're going to fob me off –"

"No, no, I won't fob you off," John reassured her.

"We're more than friends, John, twice we made love."

"Then I guess we're courting." John looked down at her and waited for her reaction.

"So, it's official then." Kayleigh let out a long sigh.

"I wouldn't have asked you out tonight if we're not official." John brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead before he kissed it.

"Ok very good."

Kayleigh flashed him a smile, "And for the record, we're dating."

"Alright, alright." His thumb brushed her chin and his lips pressed against hers.

The moment was over when Jim came into view; They pulled away when he caught them canoodling in the kitchen. "Geez, get a move on love birds."