I jumped into my Jeep and stared at the steering wheel. What am I going to do this weekend? My original plans were to prepare for the photo shoots coming up next week, but since those plans were shot down, I had nothing. I knew Steve would ask me what I did during my mini-vacation and I knew he would not be impressed if I said I relaxed by the pool the entire time. By the time I reached my house fifteen minutes later, I still had no idea what I was going to do. Once I walked through the door, I kicked off my Converse and walked towards the kitchen.
"I need some brain food", I said to myself as I rummaged through the pantry, pulling out a bag of jumbo marshmallows. I walked out to my backyard pool and flopped on one of the lawn chairs. I struggled to open the bag, trying to rip it open with my teeth.
"Shit", I muttered when the bag burst open and marshmallows went flying into the pool. I picked up the soggy pieces and tossed them over the fence. The neighbor's bulldog should be happy. I tried to think of something to do while I ate, but all I could think about was today's photo shoot with Panic!
"Those two are such flirts!" I giggled to myself, remembering how Brendon tried to lure me into his dressing room or when Spencer made obscene poses during the shoot. The Vegas bands are always the craziest.
A voice rang out in my head. Do something wild and crazy!
"Vegas!" I shouted, spilling more marshmallows as I ran inside to get my phone. I quickly dialed Lucinda's number. Lucinda is a friend of mine who is also a model for Fueled by Ramen and Decaydance Clothing. We met when I was invited to Pete Wentz's CD launch party when I first moved to L.A. and we've been close since.
"How's it going Isabelle?" she asked happily. "Let's go to Vegas!" I announced. There was a slight pause. "When do you plan on taking this trip?"
"How about tonight? We can stay for the entire weekend! What do you say?"
"I say it's about time you got away from work! I have an idea! Why don't we invite more people and rent a party bus for the weekend?"
"I like the way you think! Matt, Dom, and Tom are in L.A. for the summer so I'm pretty sure they'll be up for it!"
Lucinda giggled. "Are you and Dommie-wommie finally going to get together this weekend?" she asked slyly.
"Oh, shut up!" I laughed. Dominic Howard, drummer for the English band Muse, is one of my best friends. We met a few years ago in San Francisco when I was a photographer's assistant and we've kept in touch. He likes to come to L.A. when he's not touring or in the studio so we can hang out. His band mates and my friends always tease that we will end up dating, but we know it's a joke. I'm simply not Dom's type. He's a rock star who dates beautiful models while I'm a photographer that barely wears makeup.
"Say what you want", Lucinda continued, "But something interesting is going to happen between you two this weekend, I can feel it!"
"Okay Ms. Psychic!" I say, "Invite two or three more people and I will go over to the Muse mansion to talk to the guys."
"Isabelle and Dominic in a hotel room!" Lucinda sang, "F-U-C-"
"Goodbye Lucinda!" I said loudly before hanging up.
A five minute drive and I pulled up in front of the Muse mansion; Matt, Dom, and Tom's 'party palace' for the summer (Chris is in England caring for his wife and a million children). It's the end of June, but they've already thrown some amazing parties. I still have the sombrero from last weekend's Mexican bash. I walked through the front door without knocking. They're the type of guys who don't care who comes in at any time.
"Anybody home?" I called out as I make my way to the staircase. I hear loud music coming from the basement. I head downstairs and I recognize the music as 'Citizen Erased', one of Muse's best songs. I enter the guys' 'jamming room' and see Dom banging away on the drums, Matt jumping around with his guitar, and Tom attempting to play the bass.
"Nice job!" I said when they finish, "Now if only you played that song live more often!"
"Hello to you too!" Matt said, placing his guitar on the rack. He went over to give me a hug, but Dom reached me first.
"You know I always get first dibs on hugging Isabelle!" Dom said to Matt. Matt pulled us apart and gave me a hug. For such a small guy, he's pretty strong. "You never said how long the hugs last!" Matt said, sticking his tongue out at Dom.
I looked over at Tom. "Help me please?" I pleaded. Tom grinned. "Okay guys", Tom said, clapping his hands, "No need to smother the poor girl!" Matt lets me go and I face the three guys.
"How would you like to go to Vegas, tonight?" I asked.
Three pairs of eyes widen at the same time. "Tonight?" Dom asked. I nodded excitedly. "Me and Lucinda are getting a party bus and we'll be there the entire weekend."
"Wait", Tom said, "Do you mean Lucinda, the model." I rolled my eyes and nodded. Tom has always had a thing for Lucinda, although she barely talks to him.
"You can count me in!" Tom said. I look at Matt and Dom. "How about it?"
Dom hugged me again. "You know I can never say no to you!" he said happily. "I never turn down a chance to play poker", Matt replied.
"Perfect!" I said. "Come by my house around six and the bus will pick us up there! Oh, and Matt?"
"Yes?"
"Please leave the flashing glasses here, okay? Las Vegas has enough lights!"
