The sun shone over the hustling city of LA, Roger stepped out of the plane behind me then giving me a playful pinch just above my ass. I looked back to see him smirking at me, he looked gorgeous. His blonde wavy hair ruffled from the long flight, his blue eyes piercing and his shirt nearly unbuttoned. I licked my lips looking him up and down, suddenly my foot got caught in one of the steps during my distraction. I tumbled dramatically down the stairs my hair billowing wildly behind my back. Bouncing down the steps I came to a halt as my face smacked the concrete. I groaned sitting up slowly. A slim arm pulled me up to meet them and I turned to see a familiar red curly head of hair. The girl's brown eyes widened as I looked at her. It was her, that bitch. Francie my bridesmaid who had run off with Paul at our wedding. I had known her since I was 4, our Mum's had been friends and we had gone to school together. She was always there for me. Until my wedding day.
Her mouth hung ugly and slack until she sweetly chimed "Evelyn, How are you?" hugging me tightly
"Quite the fall you had there, rather embarrassing actually. But that's just so you, not afraid to be embarrassed or of judgement. And your outfit. Its so....BOLD" I followed her gaze up and back down me. I self consciously covered myself up the best I could. As I did so I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around my waist pulling me close.
"Babe are you okay?" Roger said in my ear, a concerned furrow in his brow. He planted a million kisses along my head and paused as his gaze faltered to Francie.
"Hi. do we know you?" A sassy tone lacing his rough voice
"Oh gosh, has Evelyn not told me about you?" she flipped her hair momentarily and raised her hand to cover her mouth in surprise "Probably didn't want to be upstaged" she said smirking looking Roger up and down. MY Roger.
"What are you doing here anyway? Francesca" I snarled at Francie the tone coming out harsher than intended and earning an amused huff from my boyfriend who wrapped his arms tighter around my waist
"Paul is working here, I'm coming out to stay with him" I inhaled sharply at the mention of Paul's name, my body tensed and I knew Roger could feel how uncomfortable I was "You remember Paul right? Evelyn?"
"Lily Pad, we better be heading off. We have a lot to do" Roger said, graciously saving me.
"Lily Pad? How....quaint" She gave the both of us a tight lipped smile and flounced off toward the terminal. I stood my eyes wide and still in shock over the encounter. I had been dating Roger for a number of months now. I knew he used to sleep around a lot so I didn't dare ask about his past relationships. To be honest the topic had never really came up between us, now after this encounter I would need to trust him fully. To tell him what only Vanity and my parents knew. I had to tell him about Paul.
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A modest Van sat waiting for the band. I watched Roger's eyes light up as he spotted it. I laughed clinging tightly to his arm, lavishing in the comfort he gave me. I needed to tell him, everything about Paul and Francie and my wedding. He looked at my, his eyes swimming with worry. He could tell something was wrong with me. Over the last months I had opened up more to him than I had to anyone in a really long time. It scared me, but excited me all at the same time. I trusted him, I really did. But something was holding me back from diving in fully. I hadn't felt like this with any man since... since Paul. Roger's eyes were still fixed on me , I dragged my gaze up to meet him. His brow was furrowed with concern, he wrapped his arm tightly around his waist. He leaned down and kissed me gently on the lips, the kiss spoke 1000 words. It was warm and comforting. Reassuring and gentle. It said 'everything is going to be okay'. I thanked myself for having Roger. He held my hand and guided me into the backseat of the van. He was like a kid in a candy store, his eyes lit up and he immediately started playing with every imaginable object.
"That's the man you shag? c'mon darling" Freddie came up behind me dressed in a sparkling green jacket and a pair of dark cat eye sunglasses "Although I can imagine he can be quite the machine, if you know what I mean" he winked
"Freddie you are bad!" I laughed "And you look fabulous, I love your outfit" I gave him a huge hug
"Also Freddie I HEARD THAT" Roger screamed from the depths of the van
"Oh calm down darling. Don't be so touchy, just because you are in LOVE with your car" He giggled
"I am NOT!" He growled "Do you know what? I don't have to explain myself to you!" He said haughtily and crawled back inside the van. Freddie giggled and clambered in to the back along with John.
"So I guess I'm driving?" Brain sighed
"You know it" John smirked sassily
We set off trundling out of the airport with all the bands equipment in a separate Van with the Paul Pretner. Paul was working with the band, he was charming. But something was off about him, Roger and I both agreed on that. As we chugged out of the bustling city my eye lids became heavy, a beautiful sunset began to sink over the horizon. I rested my head on Roger's chest, he gently ran his fingers through my hair. I smiled and drifted off into a peaceful sleep, my dreams filled with a quiet emptiness.
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"OH MY FUCKING GOD"
I grumbled as my eyes slowly peeled open. Roger pulled me gently up to sit beside him though I could see the excitement sparkling in his eyes. He hugged me tightly and began to bounce his leg.
"What?" I whined "What is it?"
"WE ARE HERE DARLING!"
"WHAT? WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING!" I laughed as Roger dragged me on to his lap
"You two truly do make a fantastic looking couple. Your kids will be so beautiful" Freddie smirked leaning back in to the plush seat
"FREDDIE!" All four of us yelled
The Van rolled up to the first venue. It was a relatively small arena but it was the biggest one the band had played yet. Hope glittered in their eager eyes. As soon as the van stopped everyone tumbled out at the speed of light, we all sprinted toward the venue Roger holding my hand practically dragging me. We burst through the doors, everyone stood in complete awe. A large stage was situated at the front of the big room. A balcony filled with seats was above us with a huge open space for the main section of the crowd. Freddie grabbed my hand and ran excitedly in to the open space, pulling me away from a reluctant Roger. He lowered his voice
"Darling, I simply cannot believe this. I just-" He cut himself short by staring at the ceiling and then belting
"AYYYY OH"Â shivers coarsed down my spine as the other boys smiled, nodding in approval at Freddie's antics. He looked at me smiling widely, he had a beautiful smile despite the fact he would always try and hide his teeth. The other boys ran to join us all of them dancing in the middle of the floor. Roger grabbed me by the hand, he pulled me tightly toward his and wrapped his arms tightly round my waist. He leaned down toward me his lips slightly parted and blue eyes sparkling in wonder. He kissed me gently, it was meaningful and true. Just like I wanted it to be.
"Lets get to it. We have a show to put on" John piped up from the back
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We were all together backstage in the dressing room, I was adjusting Roger's waistcoat refraining from running my hands all over him. He was shirtless with only the famous white leather waistcoat and a pair of tight trousers on. He wore matching white Chelsea boots and a necklace. Something was missing though, something tiny that would pull the look together. Then it struck me a necklace, a thin silver chain not unlike the one I always wore. I desperately rattled through a bag for a few minutes before sighing and unclasping the thin silver chain I never took off.
"Hey, hey. What are you doing Lily Pad? I have never seen you take off that necklace"
That was because I never had taken it off, it was present from my grandmother when I was 14 and she was in hospital. I had worn it day and night since without fail, now I was taking it off. For the outfits sake. I burrowed it tightly in my hand before slowly unclenching my fist and clasping it gently around Roger's neck.
"It was a gift from my Grandmother. Do not loose it" I said with a smile
"You look amazing" His hair was beautiful and getting longer, I had to admit I liked it. His eyes sparkled with the slight hint of makeup he had on. And his outfit was some of my best work. In fact that was true for all of the boys. Freddie had on a tight black catsuit, completely outrageous but so Freddie. Brian had the previously despised long flares on and a white flowing top that hugged his chest in just the right places. John had a floral shirt that was quite unbuttoned along with a pair of black jeans and a large buckled belt, it was very neutral and very John. I loved how each of them looked, they all complimented each other and blended together in a perfect fusion.
"5 minutes until the curtain goes up, 5 minutes" A man with a clipboard quickly announced before scurrying away. John was first to react nervously pacing around the room. Freddie took a completely different approach and began jumping excitedly and hugging everyone in the room calling them all "beautiful" or "darling". Brain sat in the corner nervously fiddling with the strings of his guitar and then twisting the pegs repeatedly tuning it over and over. Roger sat on a chair playing with his hair and wringing his hands nervously. He lit up a cigarette and took a long drag, blowing it out shakily. I stood behind him in the reflection of the mirror, I tousled his hair gently patting the stray hairs back down in to place. He smiled fiddling nervously with my necklace around his neck.
"You are gonna be great you know that?" I smiled looking at him directly
"What if they don't like us?" Roger blurted out spinning the soft chair around to face me and putting the cigarette but in an stained glass ashtray nearby
"They will love you, I promise" I took his hands squeezing them softly "They will at least love how you look, I took care of that part" I winked at him
"Oh shut it Evie"
"Every girl out there will be interested in you tonight you know that right?" I smiled half jokingly my gaze slipping to the floor as the wistful doubt. Roger stood from the chair so he was towering above me. He gently placed two fingers under my chin and lifted my head so I had to to make eye contact with him.
"You are the only girl I am interested in Evelyn Lily" A familiar soft blush crept over my cheek and a fuzzy feeling settled in my gut, one Roger never failed to give me. Despite how long we had been dating. I smiled a wide, grateful smile at him and leaned up to kiss him.
"Time to go boys" The man coughed "Eh...Roger. Time to go" Roger broke away from me and pulled an apologetic face.
"Knock em dead Meddows"
"Evelyn please, the song is called 'keep yourself alive'" He rolled his eyes before playfully winking and bounding out the door
I heard him scream as he ran down the hall "MAKE SURE TO WATCH ME"