As it turned out, all Eddie did need was some liquid courage. Three beers in, and he was meandering through groups, introducing himself and striking up conversation with anyone who would let him. It helped that this was a more diverse crowd than he was used to, and far more open-minded. Rosie was glad to see that he found Steven and Francesco; the three of them stood around like old friends, exchanging band talk non-stop. She had thought they would get along. Hoped so, really. Francesco had been pushing to start a band, but they needed members. Maybe if Eddie saw potential alternatives to the boys in Corroded Coffin...

He caught her eye and grinned. Rosie jerked her head in the direction of the kitchen. Eddie met her there, smirking as he pressed her up against the fridge. They'd created a little ritual, joining out here whenever one of them needed a drink. Making out until someone interrupted them.

"Having fun?"

"They're friendly." He agreed, fingers crawling up her skirt.

"I knew you'd like them."

"Mm-hm."

She let him envelop her again. The fridge rattled behind them. Rosie edged away from it before they did damage. A cough threw them apart.

Vanessa, blushing, bustled over and took out her wine. "Excuse me."

Rosie caught Eddie trying to wipe the red stain from his mouth, and stifled a laugh. Her friend didn't even look at them while she poured.

"We're playing in a few." Vanessa offered eventually. "If you guys want to organize your drinks."

"Right."

"Right.

"Right."

Eddie was not much of a shot. At all. He was actually worse than Rosie. Fortunately, Vanessa and her boyfriend were not much better. The four of them ended up drinking nearly the same amount of cups, but inevitably Eddie and Rosie lost. The two boys shook hands, Marty pulling Eddie into a drunken hug. They escaped to find more beers with their arms around each other.

Vanessa settled next to Rosie on the sofa. "He's very cute."

She eyed her over the rim of her cup. "I know."

"He's crazy about you, too." Her friend looped a strand of hair behind Rosie's ear. "You know that?"

"I do, actually."

A pouty face. "The way he just started following you around."

"Shush!"

"Like a lil puppy dog."

"Aha! Stop! He just doesn't know anyone." Rosie watched the door Eddie had walked out of. "He's usually pretty...wild."

"Good wild?"

"Good wild."

"Not like..." Vanessa's gaze fell behind her.

Rosie was sitting with her friend when Eddie and Marty returned. Asshole had made him take a shot of whisky, and it was still burning its way down. So damn sexy, in that little black dress. Even the way she raked the hair out of her face. Sexy. A hint of pride when he noticed she'd had to reapply her lipstick. He wondered if it was the same tube he had "bought" so long ago. Probably not. Same shade, though.

"Eddie!" Rosie sprang up as he approached. Hugged him like he'd been away for a year. Topped it off with a kiss, too.

"Hi." Who cared if her friends were there? He put his arms round her waist and smooched her again. Crestfallen when Rosie eased away.

"Um...Eddie..." She gestured to a new friend that had joined them. "This is Charlie."

Where had he heard that name? He sifted through his inebriated mind to find it. The guy that stood to shake his hand was taller, handsome. Built like an athlete. "Nice to meet you."

Rosie's ex-boyfriend pasted on a grin. "Charles. You too, man."

A hand settled firmly at his back. She drew right up to him. "Charlie is also here to finish a Masters."

"It's mostly done, really." What had Rosie mentioned he played? Baseball? Football? He looked like a baseball player. "I'm itching to get out into the real world. Make a living, you know?"

"Sure."

"Rose never mentioned what you do?"

In the face of academics, Eddie felt small answering: "I work at a bar."

"A bar. Okay."

Vanessa chimed in from her seat. "Rosie mentioned you were a musician, too?"

Suddenly, he wanted to hug Vanessa. "I'm in a band. Yes."

"A band?" Charlie asked eagerly. "What do you play? What's it called? Have we heard of you?"

"...Corroded Coffin."

The ex burst out laughing. "That's a name!"

"Right?" Eddie tried to join in, feeling Rosie's palm press the small of his back. Trouble was, Charlie looked like every dimwit jock that had ever tormented him. There was no levity in this exchange, just posturing.

"Are you guys famous or? Any shows coming up? Maybe we can all swing by."

"None. Yet."

At his side, Rosie tossed back the remainder of her drink. "I'm going to get another."

She steered him away. Into the kitchen. Got them both a drink and went to the back door. Eddie followed her out, but didn't miss Charlie waving through the dining room door.

"He's -"

"A douchebag." Rosie slammed the half-bottle of wine down on the glass table. It nearly went through.

"Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so."

"Ignore him." She took a swig directly from the bottle and slid him a beer. "Charlie just...gets off by making other people feel little."

"And yet you dated him."

"He seemed nice. At first."

Eddie sipped. Thinking about that square jaw and quaffed hair. "He doesn't seem like your type."

"Oh?" Tilted head her foot brushed his leg. "What's my type?"

"Messy hair. Tattoos. Questionable hygiene."

"That last one especially."

"Hey!" Eddie caught her calf and brought her leg up into his lap.

Another big gulp of wine. "You're right. He's really not. I just...I don't know."

"Spit it out."

"I got it into my head that he was the kind of person I was supposed to go for."

"Why?"

"Attractive, put-together. Rich parents. Good prospects -"

"Alright!" Eddie exclaimed. Slapped the meaty part of her leg. It jiggled. What would his friends think if she showed up with a bite mark there? "I get it!"

"The kind of guy parents would approve of."

"No pressure. Great."

Rosie smiled, taking him in. "They didn't like him."

"No?"

"Nope. Mom said he was made of plastic. Dad hardly said a word to him. It was a very awkward dinner."

"Did you like him?"

She shook her head. "He was fine. For a bit. But imagine living with that sanctimonious face all the time."

"I can't imagine it."

"I didn't know what I wanted. Then."

They drank some more. Rosie kicked off her shoes and convinced Eddie rub her feet, kicking out when he prodded her toes. Neither of them really felt like going back in, even when the singing started. Vanessa discovered them outside and brought Marty to share some champagne. No-one was fit to drive, so they took over her guest room.

For some reason, Eddie locked the door.