Brian woke me up with breakfast in bed, something I hadn’t had in a very long time. I was a messy eater and it always worried me that I’d spill something in the sheets and have to change them right away. In Brian’s eyes, it was an excuse to have messy sex, which was undoubtedly my favourite, as it meant I didn’t have to sleep in the crusty remnants of it. I guess my phone buzzing early this morning woke him up. I didn’t hear it go off, but he told me my boss left a message. I made a mental note to check it when I got the chance, but he wasn’t about to let me get up and start my day until I finished my breakfast and cuddled for an hour. Usually we saved this ritual for a lazy Sunday. I enjoyed spontaneity.
He seemed a little more tired than he did at first, I noticed, when I really started waking up. I caught him dozing off several times while we were cuddling. “Rough night?” I probed. “You seem preoccupied.”
“Nah, fucking Matt called me at two thirty…babbling on about some kind of song piece he wrote. Not really too sure. If it’s really important I’m sure I’ll be hearing about it later. I wonder why your boss called you.”
I shrugged, being careful not to spill my glass of juice I hadn’t yet set down on the bedside desk. “Probably some kind of editorial he wants me to do. Probably nothing of significance, knowing how it’s been lately. I’ll check and find out.”
“Who knows? This might just be your big break, Liss.”
Again, I shrugged. Lived that dream for far too long. It seemed more and more unrealistic every day. “Maybe he’s finally responding to when I asked him about doing an article on you guys. Of course that was a long time ago…”
Brian gave me a funny, cocked-eyebrow stare. I knew that look. It was his ‘you’re overthinking it’ look. “Call him and find out. And while you’re at it, I’ll call Matt. Now that I’m actually awake and relatively ready to give a fuck.”
We kissed and I leapt out of bed to find my phone plugged into the wall by my dresser. I had two missed calls and a voicemail from my boss. Listening to it, and slightly annoyed with what little detail he provided, I called him back en route to the bathroom. It was a quick conversation. More or less, he had a new story for me to cover. A sponsorship from the Travel Channel. Something about going to Las Vegas for a week. He said he’d email me the rest of the information if I wanted the job. We agreed that I’d let him know by the week’s end, in three days, whether I’d take it.
Surely Brian wouldn’t mind a trip to Vegas.
I crawled back into bed with him once I used the bathroom and washed up. “So, I guess I was offered some kind of sponsored trip to Las Vegas by Travel Channel. Not sure what that’s all about. We’d be gone for a weekend. Perhaps a day or two more. What do you think?”
He didn’t have to think twice, as I expected. “And did you take it? When are you supposed to go?”
I sighed. “Not sure about the finer details yet. He told me to come down to the office if I was interested. So I figure I’ll shower and head over there.”
“But babe, it’s Sunday. Sunday is usually our day.”
I sighed and smiled, leaning into his chest. “I know my darling, but the assignment might start tomorrow. Call Matt and ask him about his stuff if you haven’t already and I’ll hop in and out of the shower. I only really have to wash my hair so five minutes, tops.”
He grunted in acknowledgement while kissing me, reaching in his pocket for his phone simultaneously. I turned the water on and climbed under the stream, letting the steam hit my face. When my hair was washed and conditioned, I climbed out again and toweled myself off. Brian was still talking on the phone when I made for the bedroom, and I was sure my half-nakedness caught the corner of his eye, so I anticipated his unexpected appearance.
He rounded the corner and entered the room, wrapping his arms around my waist, burying my breasts in his hands. “Better get dressed quick, Matt’s coming by. Figure if you’re going downtown anyway we could discuss our music shit. Rather get it over and done today and tomorrow, since Paul wants an update by Thursday. Oh and Matt also said Benji and Joel are here. Mentioned something about a collaboration.”
“Well that’s interesting. You’ll have to tell me all about it later.” I tossed my towel to the floor by the door and pulled a loose shirt over my head. I didn’t care about a bra. Lazy Sundays had a special protocol and I was sure the sweater I was going to wear over it would cover my nipples. Wouldn’t matter anyway, since my boss was the very definition of gay.
Brian kissed me goodbye at the door and I took his truck, seeing as my car was low on gas and I didn’t feel like stopping to fuel up. Whatever my boss wanted to say to me couldn’t wait for tomorrow, or couldn’t be discussed over the phone. Better be worth my time, worth getting out of my lazy nakedness. When I pulled up to the office he was waiting at the front door. Odd, since I usually found him inside at his desk. “Hello, Ms. Melissa. I’m sorry to ask you to come all the way down here on such short notice. I want to offer you a week-long contract. It’s a little heavier than normal and I would rather talk about it in person, since there’s a lot more to it than just writing a paper. Come in, we’ll talk more inside.”
I raised an eyebrow and didn’t make a sound as I followed his awkward walk to his office. He sat behind his oak desk and clasped his hands together. I could have sworn I saw my reflection on his bald head. “So, I mentioned travelling to Vegas. All expenses paid by Travel Channel. You’ll be escorted by a group of three young, handsome men who are going to be filming what they call ‘paranormal excursions’”—he even did the quotes with his fingers—“inside old hotels they believe to be haunted. It’s Hollywood. It’s good press. What do you think?”
“You know I’ll do anything aside from TMZ articles.” I joked. He scoffed, acknowledging my wit. He hated TMZ with every fibre of his body. “Plus it sounds interesting. Although my boyfriend might be interested in coming too. If it’s anything creepy it might come in handy for album composition.”
“Oh right, your super sexy band member beau. Of course, let him join you. Don’t take all the Vegas fun for yourself. But I don’t trust Travel Channel to pay for his expenses.”
I shook my head. “No, of course not. So when do I leave, anyway?”
“As soon as you can. I’ll give you the producer’s number, you can get in touch with him and they’ll let you know all the arrangements. This will be a bonus paycheque too, darling. You’ll be paid by me and by Travel. And they’ll pay well, if your article is up to par.”
Right. I had to figure out how the hell I was going to make an article about a freaking television show. It wouldn’t be the first time, but I wasn’t used to it. Plus most reality TV isn’t real at all. Not like people. I said goodbye to him, took the information, and left. When I got to the truck I dialled the number on the paper he gave me and waited for the line to connect.
Normally I didn’t have any phone anxiety, but this was a huge step in my career. I never travelled for an article before. The receptionist of the network answered after four rings, just before I was about to hang up. “Thank you for calling Travel Channel Network hotline, how may I help you?”
I paused for a moment, not sure what to say, or even where to start. “Um, hi, I’m calling because I was assigned to cover one of your shows in Las Vegas this week.”
“Oh, you must be Melissa Sanders. We were looking forward to hearing from you. I’m gonna pass you off to the man in charge, his name is Zak and he’s the main producer of the show.” I thanked the receptionist and heard the line go dead, followed by the droning sound of classical music. Within a moment or so the line picked up again. And my phone anxiety came flooding back.
His voice was dark and ominous and he had some weird drawl in his voice. Likely Tennessee or Louisiana, hell I wasn’t sure. “Go for Zak Bagans.”
I cleared my throat, feeling a bit of dry mouth taking over. “Hello, my name is Melissa Sanders, I was told I’d be doing a story on the Travel Channel in Vegas this week.”
“Oh! Right, I was actually wondering if you were interested. I’m actually in Los Angeles right now if you’d like to arrange a meeting.” Crap. Crap, crap, crap. “If…that’s where you’re living. That’s all I was told, was your name and where you were living. I’m supposed to pick you up and bring you with us anyhow, you know. The more details the better.”
“Uh…” I began. “Well, a meeting in person would be nice, yes. Absolutely. We could do it in a couple hours, I’m not so professional-looking right now.”
“Oh, even tomorrow would work. We’re not looking to head back to Vegas for another day or two at the most. My guys want to see the city for what it’s worth. Maybe do lunch tomorrow? I’ll give you all the details, everything you’ll need to know. Some background information. You can meet my crew. It’ll be great.”
I sighed with relief. “Perfect. Well, originally I wasn’t planning to go alone. My boyfriend actually wants to go to Vegas for a week or so. Gambling, seeing some old friends. You know. So he could shadow us, not necessarily travel together. Don’t need someone crashing the party. But anyways, tomorrow works for me. Uh, can I give you my number?”
“Of course, yeah.” I listed off my number and ended the call. He seemed nice enough, a little spacey but I was used to spacey. Bottom line was my week was booked. Truthfully, I had no fucking idea what to do next. I’d be meeting him tomorrow sometime. Never got the details about when or where or whether I’d be leaving right away. Yeah, spacey was right. Or maybe he was just busy.
When I got home, Brian was watching television on the couch. I hung my jacket up and joined him right away, for a moment forgetting about having to leave for a week. What had I to be worried about? We were going to Vegas. Vegas! I’d never been there before, and frankly I was more excited about the lights and all the sightseeing than the actual job.
I rested my head on Brian’s chest and listened to the combination of his heartbeat and the droning from the television. “So?” he asked. “How’d it go? I wasn’t sure how long you were gonna be. Took a while though.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. But I got some details about my assignment. Meeting the crew tomorrow at lunch. I think the guy I talked to was too busy to really talk about all the details so tomorrow I’ll get a better idea of what’s happening.”
He inhaled sharply and released a short but loud burp. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Usually that meant he drank a beer or two before lying down. “So I told Matt and everyone about going there, I think everyone is interested. They kind of wanted to tag along…if that’s okay. We don’t really get to go unless we’re there on tour so it would be a nice change. I mean, again, unless it’s not okay.”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t want to stay in a hotel alone anyway. I think Zak said he’s taking me with his crew to get me used to them. So you guys will have to find your own ways there.”
“I got my bike. And my sister is taking Pinkly again. I mean, I didn’t have to ask her or anything. I guess she was planning on stealing her away anyhow. So all we really gotta do is pack, right? I don’t think we’re bringing any equipment.” He burped again and I laughed in retort. It was gross but always funny.
I stroked his chin and the little patch of hair that grew over it. God he was handsome. “Anyone you guys know gonna be there?”
“Dunno yet. Maybe the Maddens. Maybe the Berrys. Though I heard there’s a few groups playing in the area. I could show you what it’s like to be behind the scenes finally.”
“Mm, that’d be cool. Alright well you guys work out your own stuff. Harry coming too?”
Brian rolled his eyes. “I’d imagine. Which means we probably won’t see much of Matt.” He sat up and stretched his back before hugging me close. “More booze for me, anyway.” I scoffed with a short laugh and pushed him back on the couch to initiate sex.

Notes

Cuz this is filleeeerrrrr, filler night