How to Be a Rock Star's Ex-Girlfriend (8 page)

At twenty minutes after nine, the doorbell announced their arrival. By then, Cara and I had been ready for about two hours. It never took us as long to get ready as we thought, but we had put the time to good use, listening to music, drinking, and laughing about the past.

The guys looked great in their jeans and t-shirts, I’m sure it took them all of five minutes to get ready. I knew that Braden had to work until close that night, meaning that he would have been at the store until nine or a little after. He probably took a three minute shower, hopped into some clean clothes and off he went. Oh, to be a guy and not worry about makeup and hair!

“Are you girls ready to go? We took a taxi here, so it’s out at the curb waiting for us.” Braden came up and gave me a hug.

“I think we’re ready. Let us grab our coats and we’ll be on our way.”

Sophie and Mark walked into Shaken fifteen minutes after we did. They looked like they were enjoying their night out. Sophie was laughing at something Mark had, said and Mark was leaning towards her with his arm around her waist. It was nice to see them that way. Most visits with Mark were slightly uncomfortable, causing awkward silences and Sophie’s over eager attempts to fill them. I sincerely hoped that this easy going mood continued tonight.

They made their way to the table we had claimed. Tonight the club wasn’t as jammed as it had been a few weeks back, but it was getting busier. By eleven or so, the place would be packed with people dancing and trying to meet the man or women of their dreams.

“Hey guys! Are we late?” Sophie gave Cara and me big hugs as they moved to their seats. “We had the best dinner. I talked Mark into going to that Italian place you guys went to.” She waved her finger from Braden to me. “It was so nice, quiet and pretty. I’m so glad we went!”

“I’m glad you had a good time. It is a really nice place.” Sophie was acting like she was about to burst with joy. I was surprised that a simple dinner with Mark could cause that much excitement. I mean, he’s a nice guy, but it was just a meal!

“Oh, I just can’t wait anymore! I have to tell you guys something!” I looked at Sophie as she spoke, wondering what all the fuss was about. “Look! Mark proposed!”

Sophie held out her left hand to show off a beautiful round cut diamond ring. “Isn’t it wonderful? I can’t believe it! I can’t stop looking at it!”

Sophie’s announcement brought us to our feet with shrieks and clapping. We attacked Sophie with hugs and kisses, while the guys patted Mark on the back and shook his hand.

“This is so crazy! I can’t believe that you’re engaged! Congratulations!” I grabbed Sophie’s hand to get a closer look at her ring. “It’s beautiful! Just what you wanted, right?”

Like most girls, the three of us had talked about marriage and rings and weddings many times. Cara liked something different

every time. She had wanted everything from a wide gold ring to a diamond encrusted, platinum wedding band with an emerald cut engagement ring. When she was dating Trevor, the black leather loving mechanic, she even claimed to want a large black onyx on a pewter band. Since I had no plans of getting married any time soon, I tried to stay out of these conversations as best I could. But I did like the princess cut diamonds best. Sophie had always wanted a classic ring with a round solitaire on a thin gold band. I guess she must have told Mark what she liked too. That was the only way to explain that fact that she was now wearing the exact ring she had always dreamed about.

Our evening out quickly turned into an engagement party for the newly engaged couple. Tim and Sam, Braden’s other band members, showed up, introducing us to their girlfriends, Lindsay and Erika. They joined our impromptu celebration, congratulating the happy pair. The news quickly spread through the club, and our table was bombarded with well wishers and free drinks. The DJ even played ‘their’ song,
Love of a Lifetime
by Firehouse, in their honor. It was only slightly corny.

With all the excitement, I had almost forgotten that this was the night Cara’s plan was happening. As Braden and I joined the couples swaying to the music, I wondered if we were still on. I noticed that Cara was dancing with Dylan, which meant that either the man of the hour wasn’t here yet or her attempts to get in this secret guy’s pants weren’t going so well.

When the song ended, I moved over to where Cara and Dylan were standing and asked her to accompany me to the restroom.

“What’s up?” Cara made use of the small mirror on the wall, smoothing her hair and applying lip gloss.

“Are we still going through with this plan of yours? Sophie’s big news almost made me forget about the whole thing.”

“I know, isn’t it wild that they’re getting married! I mean, I knew that they were probably headed in that direction, but I thought we had at least a year until it happened. I bet Mark thought he better ask her quick and get her away from our bad influences!”

“Cara! That’s awful! But you may be right!”

“Well, he always gives me that look of his, like what are you up to now? It drives me crazy! What a tight ass. I’m happy for Sophie though. He’s just what she’s always wanted.”

“What about what I want? You know, Braden and me, getting busy. You remember that, right?”

“Don’t worry! The plan is moving along perfectly. I’ve already arranged for you and Braden to have the apartment to yourselves.”

“How is that possible? Where are you going to be? I haven’t seen you make a move on anyone yet. What happened to your other plan?”

“I’ve already taken care of that. I’ll be staying with Dylan tonight.”

“Dylan? What a great idea! I didn’t even think of just switching roommates for the night! Why didn’t you just tell me that was your great plan? It’s so simple. Thanks, Cara.”

“Umm, that’s not exactly what’s going on.” Cara couldn’t look me in the eye. “I’m staying with Dylan, but not like roommates.”

I swear my jaw hit the floor. Cara and Dylan, together, as a couple? Why had I not seen this coming? We were spending so much time with those two guys; I guess it was inevitable that they would hookup.

“Does Braden know that you guys are getting together?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve kind of had my eye on Dylan for awhile, but with Kevin in the picture, I couldn’t do anything about it. When you asked me for help, I decided that I would make my move and help you with your problem all at the same time.”

“But what if Dylan didn’t go for it?”

“I didn’t think I’d have any trouble in that area since Dylan made it clear that he was waiting for me to break up with Kevin.”

“Well, that’s two exciting pieces of information tonight. I don’t know which surprises me more, the impending wedding or your love life!”

We left the bathroom laughing and walked back to join the others. Sophie and Mark looked as if they were about to leave.

“We’re going to take off! Tomorrow we have to call our parents and start planning!” Sophie looked radiant as they made their way to the door. “Call me sometime in the afternoon so we can talk about bridesmaid dresses!”

“Bridesmaid dresses. Oh, I hope they’re not too ugly!” Cara was right. I’d seen some awful gowns. Sophie had decent taste, but I was imagining her idea of the perfect ceremony. At one point she had wanted lots of ruffles and bows. I could only hope that simplicity would win out over the fifth grade dream wedding.

“I guess we’ll have to make sure we get our opinions heard. I am not walking down the aisle in anything with a butt bow or a hoop skirt.”

After the love birds left, we all felt like spending some alone time with our significant other. Even though it was still early, Cara and Dylan said goodnight. I still couldn’t get over the fact that I had missed the two of them making eyes at each other. The longer I thought of the two of them together, the more I liked the idea. They would be a great couple.

I looked over at Braden. “Can you believe those two? Did you know they were into each other?”

“I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t sure. Dylan wouldn’t confirm anything. I also had a feeling that you wanted to get me alone. Am I right?”

“What gave you that idea?” I was totally humiliated. I had been trying to be so sly about wanting him.

“Well, I wanted to be with you alone. I was hoping you felt the same.”

“Definitely. I thought maybe Cara told you about our plan.”

“You had a plan? What was this plan supposed to accomplish?”

“You know, it was just supposed to get us some private time. Cara said she’d take care of it. I just realized that we were always with other people. Is that okay?” Once again, saying it out loud made me think about how silly this all sounded. Now that I’d admitted it, would Braden still want to be with me?

“That is definitely okay!”

Braden and I made our excuses to his friends and were the next to leave. We practically ran to the taxi in our haste to get back to the apartment.

CHAPTER 7
 

That night was the most magical evening. I know how cheesy that sounds, how mundane. It doesn’t change the fact that Braden and I had an incredible time.

We started kissing in the cab and never seemed to stop. As soon as we managed to make it into my place, our embraces intensified. It was like every romance novel I had ever read, every soap opera love scene. Perfect and surreal.

Contrary to everything you see on TV, the first time you make love to someone isn’t a flawless, effortless ballet. It’s usually bumpy and awkward, with a few odd noises thrown in.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure those things happened with us, too. We were just too focused on pleasing each other to care.

Sophie’s sweater ended up in a ball at the foot of my bed. I’d worry about getting it back to her in immaculate condition later. It was followed by Braden’s t-shirt, and slowly the rest of our clothes littered the floor.

For once in my life, I wasn’t worried about not being skinny enough or tall enough. The way Braden touched me showed me I had nothing to worry about. I simply closed my eyes and enjoyed.

I promise not to bore you with all the intimate details, like who did what, for how long, and all that stuff. Just believe me when I say that it was wonderful!

Later that night, tracing Braden’s tattoo with my finger, I did what no sane individual would do. I told Braden how wonderful I thought he was how wonderful I thought we were together.

“You think we’re wonderful?” He leaned over and kissed me forehead.

“Um,” Suddenly wondering how I could get myself out of this mess, I tried to back track. I was in a sex-induced coma. I was bound to say something stupid. “Did I say wonderful?”

“Yeah, I think you did.”

“Okay, wonderful. But purely in a chick flick, love scene kind of t»

way!”

“I guess I can deal with that. And by the way, I think you’re pretty wonderful too!”

“So, you’re not mad that I manipulated this situation?”

“I am very, very happy that you set up this little rendezvous. But just for my peace of mind, do you have anything else planned for me? Anything I should know about?”

“Not yet!” And with that, I pulled him to me and made sure that he stayed very, very happy.

At ten o’clock the next morning, we were woken up by the telephone.

“Who could be calling?” Braden pulled his pillow over his head and tried to ignore it.

“Whoever it is, they should go away.” I fumbled with all the stuff I had crammed on my night stand, trying to reach the phone without opening my eyes.

“Hello?”

“Hi dear! Did I wake you?”

“Hi Mom. Yes, you did wake me. You know that I like to sleep in whenever I’m not working. What’s up?”

“I haven’t talked to you much this week. You’ve been so busy lately, we’ve haven’t seen you in weeks!”

“I know, Mom. I haven’t had much free time.”

“Why don’t you come over for lunch today? You have the day off, it’s perfect!”

“Well, I kind of have plans.”

“Ava, are you seeing someone?”

“Why would you ask me that?” I had yet to tell my mom about Braden. I kept telling myself that I was waiting for the right time. The truth was that I didn’t want to share him with anyone, even my mother. She would start talking about meeting him, and when could we come over?

I remember when Dane and I broke up, she was upset for much longer then I was. She met him once when he came home with me to watch one of my brother’s baseball games. After that, there was no stopping her. She thought he was the nicest boy I’d ever dated and practically had us married!

“You know how you get when you’re dating a new boy! We never hear from you, and you’re always too busy to come visit us. That seems to be what’s happening right now. So, am I right? Are you dating someone special?”

“Mom, can we talk about this later? I’m really tired. I promise that I’ll call you tonight. Okay?”

“That’ll be fine. I expect to hear about this new boyfriend of yours! Bye honey!”

“Bye, Mom.” I decided not to even try to convince my mother that I wasn’t dating anyone. I’d have to tell her about Braden eventually. I guess tonight was as good a time as any.

I hung up the phone to find Braden looking at my with a big smirk on his face.

“So, that was your mom. Have you told her about me yet?”

“How did you guess exactly what she was asking me about? You must be psychic! She was positive that I had a new man, since I’ve been too busy to visit her!”

“And you said?”

“That I would talk to her later. I couldn’t fill her in on all the details with you next to me in bed! Right?”

“Well, I would’ve liked to hear what you had to say about me, but I guess you’re right. What are you going to tell her?”

“That you’re a pleasant distraction.” I started getting out of bed when Braden reached over and grabbed my leg.

“A pleasant distraction? Is that what I am?” He tickled the back of my knee, making me shriek and try to pull away. “I’ll give you a distraction!”

I playfully tried to escape the hold he had on me, while working on reversing the situation. Wrestling quickly let to a different type of action, but the easy going mood stayed with us. We laughed and talked between kisses, tickled each other, and took turns being ‘in charge’. It was a really nice change from the typical sexual experience, with the guy trying to impress me with his skills, not caring if I like his moves or not. Think about it. How many times have you been with someone and its full steam ahead? There’s no asking if you like something, no changing it up, the guy just assumes that he’s so good that you’ll like anything he does!