I thank Comrade and the others for their gifts, and then we head out to the back porch while CC changes into his swim trunks. When everyone’s settled I ask if anyone would like a drink, and then I head into the kitchen, but to get to the kitchen I have to pass the bathroom.
I don’t head the normal rustling of someone getting changed though. Instead I hear CC talking to someone, and listen intently. I normally wouldn’t listen in on the conversation of others, but what he said intrigued me.
“I don’t care, Ashley! You really hurt her!” he shouts into his phone. Then there’s a small pause, and he says, “Just stay away from her for a while. Don’t call her, text her, or even breathe her fucking name, man.”
I feel my eyes widen, as I think of his words, but I’m side tracked when I hear him say, “I know that’s why she said it. She doesn’t really forgive you. How could she?” another pause, and he says, “True. Like I said though, give her some real time to think about everything and deal with it. Let her contact you first, and see where it goes from there. But really, I have to go now. Bye.”
I head his phone beep, then I race to the kitchen as quietly as I can. I sigh, leaning against the counter, and then shake my head to clear my thoughts. I head over to the fridge, and grab 3 Rolling Rocks, the orange juice, ice, peach schnapps, and finally Crown Royal and Coca Cola. I walk over to the island, where I’ve set everything, then grab the blender.
I plug it in, then add in ice cubes, orange juice, and the schnapps, put the lid on, and press the on button. I watch as the drink blends together to form a slushy orange liquid, then when it’s ready, I pour it into a large glass and stick in a tiny pink umbrella. I set that on the tray, and move on to the others.
When I’ve finished with everyone’s drinks, I grab the tray, and walk outside. Everyone’s laughing at something that has Andy looking annoyed, and then I see ice all over the deck, and an empty glass bowl. I chuckle lightly, then begin passing out the drinks.
When I pass Andy his drink, he nods his thanks to me, and I smile kindly at him. I grab my drink off the tray, and take a deep pull of my Black Tooth Grin (Dime fans know what that is, but for those who don’t know it’s Crown Royal and Coca Cola mixed together), then set the cool drink on the table in front of me.
“So what the hell did you do to your hair, Blade?” Stitch asked, after taking a drink.
I shrug one shoulder, and then say, “Don’t ask me. I usually never know until I’ve thought about it for at least 24 to 48 hours.”
They laugh at me, but it’s true. I normally never understand what I did until I’ve done that. It’s just how I am. I mean, I know I’ve changed it, but I can’t decide if I like it or not until I’ve taken time out to really study how it looks on me.
I look over then, and I can tell CC’s in his own little world, but decide not to give him a hard time about it. We laugh, have fun, refresh our drinks from time to time, and talk about new music we’ve been working on. I honestly can’t thank the guys enough, because I doubt we could have done all this in only a year on our own.
Secretly, I think we all know we owe so much to the Brides’, and whenever we go to thank them for it, they wave us off and tell us not to waste the gift they have given us. Of course, we always agree not to, and so far we haven’t. If anything, I think this experience has brought our band closer than ever before, and that’s amazing.
I’m pulled from my thoughts, when I hear CC shout, “Last one in the pool is a chunk of front poop!”
I laugh, then roll my eyes, as I stand up, removing my cover-up, and race off the porch, into the pool. When I come up I hear Comrade shout, “Cannonball!” just before he lands on me, sending us both under the water, eyes wide in shock.
As we emerge he quickly paddles over to me and says, “Oh my God! Are you okay, Blade?! I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
I laugh him off, and say, “You? Hurt me? Never. I’m fine, Comrade. No worries.”
He nods, and we start playing Chicken with the others. I was on top of Comrade’s shoulders, as Andy was on CC’s, and we were trying to knock one another off. The others cheer for who they want to win, and finally, I end up in the water, with everyone laughing at me.
I smile as I emerge from the water again, and stick my tongue out at Andy and CC.
I’ve missed this so much. I was recently cooped up in a studio not too long ago, with only my band mates and John Fledmann for company. Not that I really minded that, but still, I missed the outside world. Then I was usually stuck with my band every day after that, working on perfecting those songs for our up-coming tour. I’ve missed just having fun, and being able to take a time out from time to time. I’ve actually almost forgot how to have fun, but after today, I couldn’t ever forget again.