Chapter 9 - Party

"I have to admit, that was actually really good." I held up my hands. Tasha was right, they were a great band.

"See, I told you!" She said smugly with a harsh voice after screaming in my ear the whole time. "So? Are we going to the party?"

"Oh Tash! I don't know? It's not really my thing. All sorts get passed around at those kinds of parties. I have to be careful with these things. The press would have a field day." We slowly made our way to the VIP exit, where my car would be waiting.

"Oh please? Don't be a woosy pants?" She had a whine that would give any teenager a good run for their money.

The middle aged actor; who I still couldn't remember his name, brushed past us and asked if we were going to the party.

"Oh, we're not sure yet. Undecided." I smiled.

"They throw a mean party after their tours. You should go, they're great." He waved and was gone.

"Huh!" I coughed.

"See! Even he said it was good!" Tasha gloated.

"Talk about coercion?" I sighed, defeated.

Tasha got out her phone and started tapping a message to someone.

"Who you texting now?"

"Sam!" She smirked "To say I'm gonna be staying at yours again."

"Tasha!" She'd left me little choice; I couldn't let her go alone. So it looked like I was joining her. Her plan had worked right down to the letter.

.

I'd been to a few wrap parties before, but never a band tour party. Neither had Tasha. I had visions of loud pop music, strippers and drugs being passed around the room in bongs. Drunken middle aged actors making complete fools of themselves, while the younger generation raved to beats they thought ruled the world.

We pulled up outside and the hotel looked the expensive kind; I'd not stayed there before, so wasn't sure of the clientele. But it didn't look the sort of place that would allow strippers, which put my mind at ease a little.

"Wait! Tasha grabbed my arm as we were about to get out the car, I thought she'd suddenly changed her mind.

"What?"

"Lippy!" She delved her hand into her bag, pulling out her lipstick and mirror. After applying she blotted her lips together and held them out to me. I sighed but accepted them. If I was going to this thing, I may as well look good. I checked my hair and eyes too and handed it back to her.

She chucked it in her bag again and made to open the door. I caught her arm. "Look, any shit and we go right? I don't need the bad press. OK?"

She nodded feverishly and we climbed out. I told Steve if I needed him I'd bleep him. He said he'd be waiting in the car park. Ideal, the getaway vehicle was sorted.

"What the hell am I doing here?" I sang nervously to myself as we made our way inside.

"Shh!" She put her finger to her lips. "It sounds like it's in there." She moved her finger to point to a room just off the reception area where music boomed away.

Two big burly bouncers stood by the doors. They recognized me, but asked Tasha for a pass to which she happily provided. They both swooshed opened the doors and wished us a good evening.

A sea of muttering and music flooded our ears. I quickly scoured the room for the familiar faces from earlier, a few I recognized again and acknowledged as we walked in and up to the bar.

Tasha got out some cash to pay the barman for the bottle of wine, but he explained it was a free bar. "Ohh! Right! Thanks." She grinned to me. "Free booze?!" She whooped. I just knew right there and then, she was gonna get smashed!

A youngish couple of lads approached us at a table we'd grabbed. "Oh god!" I flapped. "If anyone offers me drugs I'll die!" I tried to sink down into my seat. "You're Jen March aren't you?" One said.

"Jen Austen now, yes." I looked around fakely to try to make them lose interest.

"I'm really sorry to bother you but can my brother have your autograph?" He smiled politely as the other lad held out a pen and paper.

"Oh?" I said slightly shocked.

"Sorry. I know you probably get hounded all the time. We're big fans in our house." The slightly older lad said.

"Sure. Who do I pen it too?" I replied taking the pen and paper.

"Russell, Please?" Said the younger male beaming.

I scribbled a small note and handed it back. "There you go."

"Thank you so much. Sorry to bother you again. We are very excited about Vegas or Bust. Thank you." They retreated happily.

"Hmm." Tasha narrowed her eyes together and sipped her wine.

"What?" I said shrugging, taking a large gulp from my own glass.

"We come here for Trenchcoat and Jennifer Austen steals the thunder again!" She teased.

"Oh don't be silly! I can't help it if I'm sort after." I flicked back my hair flirtatiously.

We'd already downed the first bottle before the band even got there. They arrived looking dapper, obviously showered and changed from their dripping wet sodden stage clothes they'd left wearing at the end of the show.

"They're here." Tasha nudged me and pointed them out as they came through the crowds. They waved to us as they passed straight through to the bar. I was a little disappointed they didn't stop to chat actually. Especially Marcus, but I couldn't let on to Tasha I thought so. I was being ridiculous anyway. There were much younger prettier girls there than us. Why would they want to speak with us?

"Oh I love this song, can we dance?" Tasha had been fidgeting in her seat like a child desperate for a wee for the last 10 minutes, she was gagging to get up and dance.

"Err, no!" I waved my hand in front my face. "No! Definitely not!"

.

Collapsing into our seats, we giggled like school girls. We'd forgotten all about the band and were having the most fun we'd had in years.

"Oh, god!" I puffed breathlessly. "I haven't done the Macarena for years!"

"This is great. I'm glad you came round to the idea." She grinned.

"I had little choice with you around!" I teased with a sudden craving for a ciggie. "Can you smoke in here?" I pulled one from my bag.

"Nah-ah" she shook her head "UK law."

Damn! That would mean going out in the cold.

"You coming?" I wiggled the cigarette at her.

"Nah! I need a wee." She slurred slightly.

"OK, don't go wandering off. Meet you back here." I said before making off outside.

The chilly night air hit me as I pushed open the door. Routing through my bag I tried to find a lighter, before realizing I was still missing it. "Damn!" I cursed aloud.

"Oh, here!" A blonde man lit his lighter for me.

"Ah cheers! I really need to buy another one." I leaned into the flame and drew back deep. "Thanks!" I smiled once it lit.

"No worries Ms Austen." He smiled and returned to his conversation with his male companion.

I wrapped my free arm around me, grasping at any warmth possible. I cowered around the corner to shelter from the breeze. The main door swished open and I glanced up thinking it maybe Tasha. It was Marcus, he didn't seem to see me at first, or at least I didn't think he did. He bent his head low cupping his hand round to lit his cigarette and caught me gazing as he raised his head up again. He drew in and smiled, exhaled and walked towards me.

"Hey!" He said bashful like. The breeze blew a lock of my hair loose across my face; I tucked it behind my ear away from my lit Marlborough Light.

"Hey! Great gig!" I pulled back on it again desperately trying not to shiver.

"Thanks! I wasn't sure my voice would hold out tonight, been a long tour. You made it then?" He referred to the party.

"Yeah. Tasha insisted." I tittered.

He smiled in reply.

"Bet your family will be glad to have you home for a while now?"

"Yes, they came tonight actually; my brothers said they got your Autograph in there." He nodded his head to inside the party.

"Oh? They were your brothers? I didn't know that!"

Drug dealers! Really Jen!

"Hmm." He nodded again. "Mum and Dad came to the show, but this isn't their thing."

I laughed nervously taking another drag. "No, I guess not!" The two males that had been outside rejoined the party, leaving us alone.

"You look cold, you OK?" He lowered one eyebrow looking concerned.

"No, I'll be fine. So? Is there a Mrs Perdy?"

Wait! What was I saying?

Marcus just laughed and took another draw.

"I'm so sorry! That's none of my business, forgive me. Me and my mouth."

Jennifer!

"No! It's OK. It's fine and no, there is no Mrs Perdy or Mrs Perdy-to-be..." He smiled.

"Oh!" I replied nervously.

GULP!

"...and no! I'm not gay." He grinned, lighting his cigarette again as it had burnt out.

"I'm really sorry for being rude. My mouth just runs away with myself. It's my biggest cause of lawsuits in the U.S." I joked.

"Really?" He exhaled. "That's not what I heard."

What?

"Wha...What did you hear?" I stumbled forming my words. Realizing my cigarette was dead I stubbed it out in the receptacle provided before re-wrapping both arms around me for warmth.

"I'm sorry, seems my mouth can get rude too." He shook his head.

"Try me?" I challenged.

"Heard you kicked out your prick of a husband for being a dick."

Fair description.

"Hmm, well that much is true." I hugged myself covering my obvious chill in my bra area.

"Fucking winds me up that does. Why do some men throw good things away for what is more often than not someone sporting a dogface?"

I laughed aloud at his description. "It's a shame all men don't share your opinion, my life would be a lot happier!" I huffed.

"I'd have put the twat in hospital, not just thrown him out!" He sneered.

"Where were you when I needed you?" I half joked then blushed when I realized I meant it.

He took his last draw and flicked his butt out into the darkness before replying. "Let's go in. It's cold." He motioned inside.

I answered with a silent smile and he opened the door for me. As I walked through first he placed his free hand in the dip of my lower back. I shivered under his touch; luckily the chill in the air disguised it.

As we returned into the warmth of the party, all I could concentrate on was his hand inches from my ass. It had been many years since I felt knots in my belly like I did right then.

He leaned in close to my ear and asked if I'd like a drink.

"I should really get back to Tasha." I refused.

Noooooo. You want a drink, a kiss if not too much trouble and a side order of sex please!

"She's over there." He pointed at Tasha who was slumped over in a booth.

Geesus!

"I'll get you a drink. Wait there, don't go anywhere. What would you like?"

"Um, Vodka and Coke please?" I said back into his ear. He smelt delightful.

"K, I'll be back. Wait there." I shivered again as I felt his lips touch my ear and I swear his hand touched my ass cheek as it slid away.

"Tash!" I said nudging her shoulder. After no reaction I did it again but harder. "Tash!"

Oh great! She's fucked.

"Natasha! Please don't do this to me?" No! She was comatose.

"Here." He said suddenly back by my side and held out a glass to me.

Ohh... I was way too old for these feelings.

"Thanks. Look I'm really sorry, she's passed out. I have to get her home."

"Oh." He laughed. "Like we haven't all been there."

"Sorry." I grimaced.

This wasn't supposed to happen!

"It's fine. Can I call you a cab?"

"No I have a car waiting. I just need to get her outside." I plunged my hand into my bag and began to page my driver.

"Drink your drink, I'll carry her out." He said scooping her up easily.

Wow!

I knocked back my drink. "Thank you so much. I'm going to kill her tomorrow!"

.

"Think someone will have a bad head later!" He grinned after sliding her along the back seat of the car.

"Thank you Marcus, I'm really sorry to bail." I winced.

"Hey, no worries. Get her home." He flashed a cheeky smile which showed off his teeth again.

"Bye." I lingered.

"Nice to see you again." He leaned forward and kissed my cheek softly.

What was that aftershave he was wearing?

"Night." I smiled and climbed into the front seat of the car. As I closed the door he tapped on the window. Steve opened it halfway for me.

Marcus rested one hand on the car roof and bend down. "Can I, er...call you?" He said bashfully.

"Um, sure." I said calmly as fireworks went off inside my stomach. He pulled his phone from his pocket and unlocked it, pressed a few buttons and handed it to me to tap in my number. I handed it back when I was done.

"Thanks" He smiled smugly.

"Classified." I said and he understood.

"Classified." He acknowledged.

"Night." I mumbled.

Steve put up my window and we pulled away.

A/N: Dirty Dawg! She got his number! *nudge nudge* *wink wink*

I wonder what aftershave he was wearing? Dior maybe? Tash, Tash, Tash! Me thinks you may regret getting puggled!

He could pop me into the back of a Merc anyday! ;op

Thanks for sticking with me. Lots of Love.

DeathToBeReborn xx