Don't You Dare

Hot water cascaded down Aubrey’s back as she rinsed the soap off of her body, praying that the heat and steam from the shower would relax the tense muscles in her back and ease her nerves. She had an interview for the assistant editor job at three o’clock that afternoon and for some reason, she was so nervous she could hardly stomach breakfast that morning.

As she stepped out of the shower and wrapped one towel around her torso and another around her wet hair, she heard her cell phone ping repeatedly in her bedroom. When she emerged from the bathroom, she hurried over to her phone to see she had received 13 text messages. All from Brian and Jimmy.

Brian H.
12:45 PM
Can you Skype before your interview? I want to see your pretty face and wish you good luck.

Brian H.
12:47 PM
Correction: WE want to see your pretty face and wish you good luck. Jimmy busted me trying to Skype you without him.

Brian H.
12:50 PM
Dear god please get on Skype before he loses his mind.

Brian H.
12:51 PM
He’s getting worked up. Sorry for the onslaught of texts you are about to receive from him.

Jimmy S.
12:52 PM
AUBREY FORD

Jimmy S.
12:52 PM
SKYPE US

Jimmy S.
12:53 PM
HELLO

Jimmy S.
12:53 PM
AC BLACK

Jimmy S.
12:54 PM
TODAY PLEASE

Brian H.
12:54 PM
Save me. SOS.

Brian H.
12:55 PM
He’s out of his god damn mind. Why is he so obsessed with you?

Jimmy S.
12:56 PM
I CAN’T HELP IT

Jimmy S.
12:56 PM
I MISS YOU SO MUCH

Aubrey cackled as she pulled Skype up on her computer, laughing so hard that tears stung her eyes. The call didn’t ring for long before Jimmy’s face filled her entire screen.

“AUBREY!” He screamed when she appeared on the computer.

She wiped the tears from her eyes as she laughed and waved.

“Hi my sweet Jimmy!” She greeted. “Where’s Brian?”

“Who cares? I’M HERE!” He yelled.

“I know and I’m so excited to see you, but I miss Brian too, you know!” She explained.

“Ugh,” Jimmy grunted as someone shoved him out of the way. He finally sat back in his seat to reveal Brian sitting directly next to him.
“Hey pretty girl,” Brian greeted with an adorable smile. “Ready for your interview?”

“Not quite,” she laughed, gesturing to her hair body and hair, both still wrapped in a towel.

“You should wear that to your interview,” Brian encouraged. “Hot girl shows up in just a towel - HIRED.”

“Blech, get a room,” Jimmy teased, making a grotesque face.

“I TRIED TO,” Brian retorted. “SOMEONE KICKED DOWN THE DOOR TO JOIN.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jimmy brushed him off. “Aubrey, if you get this job, you have to write an article about us.”

“I won’t be writing any articles for a while, Jim,” she laughed. “I’ll just be editing them.”

“Okay, well as soon as you get to write articles, write one on us!” He pleaded.

“You got it, babe,” she agreed.

“Sweet!” Jimmy pumped a fist in the air. “Do you miss us?”

“Only every second of every day,” she promised.

“We miss you too,” he replied then leaned closer to the computer so his face took up the whole screen again. He began to whisper. “The new merch girl suuucks. She’s not funny, she’s not feisty, she doesn’t suck Brian’s dick, and she fucks up the merch inventory every single night. There’s always shit EVERYWHERE. It takes her forever to get her shit counted and packed up.”

Aubrey laughed, though the news did make her feel a tad bit better. “I’m sorry she’s not as fabulous as I was.”

“I mean, I guess I forgive you,” Jimmy said with sass as he rolled his eyes.

“Can I get a word in please?” Brian asked.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jimmy groaned then the video on the computer got real shaky until Jimmy was out of sight and only Brian, who was smirking hilariously, was seen.

Aubrey chuckled.

“THERE,” Jimmy shouted from a distance.

“Did he just throw a hissy fit?” Aubrey asked.

“Yeah, but we’re alone now,” Brian smiled. “Show me your boobies.”

Aubrey laughed but quickly opened her towel and flashed him. His eyes widened; he was not expecting her to actually do it.

“Oh yeah, they’re gonna hire you,” he replied, nodding.

“Your turn,” she teased.

Brian quickly lifted up his shirt and showed her his chest.

She let out a loud laugh. “Not quite what I meant, but I’ll take it. I miss licking those tattoos.”

“Ugh,” he grunted. “Stop before I get a boner.”

“You started it,” she protested.

He shrugged.

“Okay, I have to get dressed,” she sighed.

“Call me after,” he requested.

She made a nervous face but nodded. “Sure will.”

“Hey, don’t worry,” he reassured. “Be yourself. They’re gonna love you. You’re gonna knock ‘em dead, babe.”

Her smile widened. “Thank you.”

He blew her a kiss then the connection ended.

A dreamy sigh escaped her lips. Before they went back out on tour, she and Brian texted every few days and talked on the phone probably once a week. But now that they were back on the road, it seemed like he wanted to talk to her constantly. He sent her multiple texts throughout the day and called her nearly every time they were both free and available to talk. It made her beyond happy to know she was still on his mind while girls were throwing themselves at him night after night.

Ø

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Aubrey sat in her car in the parking lot of the editing office, gripping her steering wheel with shaky, clammy hands. She glanced at the clock. 2:50 PM. She had ten minutes to compose herself.

Suddenly her phone began to ping and vibrate like crazy as it sat beside her in the cup holder. She glanced at it, she had six text messages.

Johnny S.
2:50 PM
GOOD LUCK, AC!

Matt S.
2:50 PM
You got this!!! Good luck!!!

Jimmy S.
2:50 PM
Game time! Show ‘em who’s boss, my girl!

Zack B.
2:50 PM
Good luck, AC!!

Valary D.
2:50 PM
You got this, girl! Deep breath, chin up, be yourself!

Brian H.
2:50 PM
Figured you could use a little coordinated encouragement - knock ‘em dead, babe!

She replied: Love y’all so much! I needed that! Here goes nothing...

Feeling a little lighter and more confident, she opened her car door and stepped out. She inhaled the fresher air and smiled.

“I got this,” she said to herself before she sauntered toward the building.

Ø

When Aubrey’s face appeared onto Brian’s computer a few hours later, his heart thumped in his chest with nerves. She was smiling but her eyes were red and it looked like she had been crying. He couldn’t read her expression right away, and he didn’t know what to say or do. He knew he would feel extremely helpless if she didn’t get the job and was upset, and he couldn’t be there to reach out to comfort her.

“Do you want to tell just me first?” He blurted out before even greeting her, not sure if she’d want to tell everyone right away if she didn’t get the job.

She shook her head, still smiling. “I want to tell everyone.”

He felt relief as a smile spread across his face, taking that as a good sign. “You got it?” He asked softly. “You got the job?”

She smiled and nodded quickly.

His heart swelled with pride as he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding in. “So fucking proud of you.”

She sniffed. “Thanks.”

“You look like you’ve been crying,” he pointed out. “Why are you crying?”

“Relief, I guess,” she laughed. “I didn’t expect to get it and when they immediately offered it to me, I was so relieved and shocked. As soon as I got in my car, I just sobbed. I don’t really know why.”

“I hate seeing you cry, but as long as they’re happy tears, I feel better,” he replied.

She smiled and blew a soft kiss.

“Want me to bring you to the front so you can tell everyone?” Brian asked.

She nodded again.

There was a lot of movement on her screen then she heard commotion.

“Hey guys,” Brian announced as he turned the screen around so she could see everyone. “Aubrey has some news!”

From the looks of it, the guys were getting ready to take the stage in a couple hours. Jimmy was stretching his arms. Johnny was putting on his shoes. Zack was cleaning one of his guitars. Matt and Val were sitting at the table looking at the screen on Val’s computer. An unfamiliar girl, who Aubrey assumed was the new merch girl, was sitting on the couch playing on her phone. Jason Berry was standing up in the kitchen eating a sandwich. She didn’t see Matt Berry anywhere.

The sight made her miss them immensely more than usual. Seeing them in their element without her made her sadder than usual too.

Collectively, the guys and Val all dropped what they were doing and glanced over at Brian and the computer then smiled and greeted her.

“What’s your news?” Johnny asked.

“I got the job!” She announced happily.

As everyone began shouting happy exclamations and words of congratulations, Brian was surprised to realize that he still felt helpless. He wanted to hug her and spin her around and celebrate with her, but he couldn’t. And it felt just as shitty as not being able to hug her and comfort her when she’s upset.

That night after the show, in the only way they knew how to celebrate with her, they all sent her pictures of themselves downing Irish Car Bombs in her honor. And though it wasn’t the same as being with them, she could feel their love even from far away.

Notes

I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who reads this story! Not only were you guys so understanding about the hiatus, but you were supportive and encouraging as well! I am truly thankful for the response and all of the kind messages! You guys are THE BEST!

This chapter isn't quite as long as usual but I figured it was a better update than none! And good news, my insane class ends next week so I hope to be able to make up for all the lack of updates soon!

Xoxoxo &*