Chapter 29

One week later:

"Where's your sidekick?" Dallas asked.

"Fuck him," Brian scoffed. "He's embarrassed me one last time. Also note he is not to be invited to the wedding."

"What the hell happened this time?"

"Do you want me to begin where the idiot got drunk on his ass and smoked three bowls of gonz on top of that, or when he started making sexist comments and pissed off half the women in the place last night?"

"Oh no…." Dallas groaned. "Was Stef with you by any chance?"

"Hell, Steffi was not only present when all of this went down, but also came close to breaking it off with me and wouldn't talk for over three hours before I had to set her straight that I didn't share the same views. I'm lucky I didn't end up sleeping on the couch because of that asshole's bullshit."

"Jesus Christ. What is his problem lately? He was never like this before."

"I know. I'm not even a woman and half the shit Paul said I didn't even find funny. God, Dallas, I hope you don't think any less of me because of all of this."

"Of course I don't; we know each other better than that."

"Thanks, man. But seriously, dude is fucked up in the head and has been nothing but a druggie party boy and a bitter whore ever since he got his walking papers. People lose their jobs every day, Dallas. Hell, I've lost my last three matches and not even going to be on TV next week, but do you see me bitching and finding ways to make an ass of myself in public? If the dumbass hasn't lost fans enough already, this probably did it for sure, and Lord knows he can't afford to lose more than he already has. He loses fans, no promotion will want to book him if he can't get asses in seats."

"Someone needs to get their act together," Dallas replied.

"Exactly! Finally, someone besides Stef who gets it. Even she wants nothing more to do with him, and at this point, I can't blame her."

"Is there anything lined up for Paul?" Dallas inquired.

"Well, according to the jackass, he's got 'all these prospects', but between the two of us, I think he's full of shit. He's done nothing in the past two and a half months except that pod cast of his brother's—which he was higher than a fucking kite and made an ass of himself again with some stupid comments that pissed people off—and hang out on sites hitting on bimbos age 21 and under. The only thing that's been solid so far is that gig coming up in Germany on May first, but I wouldn't be surprised if he screws that up too. He barely lasted under Behrens for three whole days."

"My God," Dallas said. "I didn't know any of that."

"Oh, there's more. The last relationship he had was with a great person that everyone liked, but lo and behold, he blew that too and got dumped. I'm almost ashamed to admit I've known him all these years. Dallas, he doesn't even check in with me much anymore to see how I am like he used to. Says he is 'busy'. Bullshit. I guess being a junkie whore takes priority over one's friends and making something out of their lives."

"I'm sorry, Brian."

"Don't be. It's onward and upward from here. Besides, I have Steffi, a lot of other friends, an amazingly supportive family, some charisma and a dream that I happen to be living. Five out of six isn't bad."

"And a great attitude," Dallas added with a chuckle before looking around. "Where is Stef anyway?"

Brian gestured toward the ladies' room. "Needed to make a 'pit stop', as she politely put it."

"But everything's all right between you two?"

Brian gave a sly wink. "Never better, especially after we had that long talk last night when I finally got her to speak to me."

"Okay, mister, stop right there!" Dallas let out a hearty laugh. "Otherwise, I'm going to learn more than I ever needed to know!"

"Aw, damn, and to think I was going to confide the details," Brian joked.

"Some things are better off not being known." Dallas shook his head and smiled. "By the way, the little lady of yours is headed back here, so we better behave ourselves."

"Me behave? Yeah, Dallas, like that will ever happen. Hell will probably freeze over first."

"And that, my friend," Dallas grinned, "is what makes you you."