Times Like These

During dinner, the guys talked about the upcoming album. I could tell they were eager to get back into the studio, so I suggested that they head back to California in a few days. “Nikki, we can’t just leave you two here. Or your mom.” Johnny said, “You guys are our family and you need us.” “Johnny, while we really REALLY appreciate all of you being here for us through all of this, you guys have an album to make, which means you most likely have a deadline. You guys need to get back to work. Nikki and I will probably be back sometime next week anyway, we have work too.” Dani told the bassist, who nodded. “What about your mom?” Zack asked quietly. I looked at Dani, and then at Zack. “We’ve been talking about moving her to Cali, if she agrees with it. She stayed here so that Mark would have a place to stay while he was on leave, but now she really has no reason to stay.” I told him. “I don’t like the idea of her being here alone while we are on the other side of the country. I mean yeah her parents and siblings are here, but she’s alone. They don’t come around a lot.” Brian put an arm around my shoulder and squeezed, “I think it’s a great idea. She is definitely going to need her girls to help her through this. And who knows, she might find someone out in California.” “Any of your dads single?” Dani joked with a laugh, “Kidding, but seriously. She needs to get out of Georgia for a while. I think it would do her some good.” “Yeah, she can help out at the bakery instead of getting a shitty job like she has here. The only issue is where would she live? She can’t stay camped out on our couch all the time.” I mumbled, thinking out loud. “Actually,” Dani started, “I was going to talk to you when we got back home. Matt asked me to move in with him, so my room will be free.” “You will not take my cat, Daniel!” I told her, causing the guys to laugh. “Oh my god, Charlie! Zack, is Charlie okay?” I asked the green eyed man, totally changing the subject. “Charlie is fine, Nick. Erin is taking really good care of him, I promise. He’s enjoyed hanging out with Oliver, I think.” Zack said, referring to Erin’s orange cat. “Where in the hell do you guys get these cat names from?” Matt asked with a laugh. “Are they fucking cats or humans?” “Don’t judge me, Sanders.” I said, pointing a finger at him, “Charlie is my baby! Just ask Brian.” “Dude. She baby talks him and shit. And he follows us to bed like every night and curls up right beside her. It’s ridiculous.” My boyfriend said with an eye roll. We continued talking until our food arrived. Once everyone was finished with dinner and we paid our tabs, we were headed toward Dave’s.

Dave’s was pretty busy, since it was Friday. We had cancelled our dinner with dad and Lorie the other day, because of the funeral. But we rescheduled it for tomorrow, so hopefully we will have a good time out there. When Dani and I walked to the bar, Dave looked at us with sad eyes. “Hey girls, I’m so sorry to hear about Mark. He was a good kid. What are you two drinking tonight?” “Thanks Dave, I’ll take a Landshark, Nick what do you want?” Dani said, turning toward me. “Uh, I think I’ll take a Jack and Coke tonight. And a Jagerbomb please. No, make that six Jagerbombs.” I told Dave, who nodded and got to work making drinks. “I’m not drinking one of those, Nichole.” My sister argued. “Yes you are, Danielle. And you’ll like it.” I told her, taking the drinks to the table. “Okay, shot time!” I said cheerfully. “Yay shots! What are we drinking?” Johnny asked, looking at the glasses. “Jagerbombs. Mark’s favorite.” I explained, passing everyone a glass. Matt held his glass in the air, “To Mark.” We all held our glasses up, my eyes tearing up, “To Mark.” We all downed our shots and slammed our glasses down. “God that is disgusting.” Dani shuddered, taking a drink of her beer. I laughed at my sister and looked around the bar. There were some familiar people there, but no one I really wanted to talk to. I sat with the guys and Dani, drinking and talking about any and everything.

A little while later, the guys had all gotten up to either pee or get more beer, and I was standing at a table talking to my sister when I heard a voice behind me. “Looking good, Nikki. I see leaving Jeremy was good for you.” I turned around slowly and came face to face with my ex-fiancee’s best friend, Michael. “Ugh. Get the fuck out of here Michael.” Dani said with disgust. I rolled my eyes at him and turned back around. “So you’re not going to talk to me? That’s fucked up. I thought we were friends.” Michael said. I saw red and whipped myself back around. “You fucking thought we were friends?” I shouted, getting into his face. “You’ve lost your fucking mind. We were NEVER friends, Michael. You’re Jeremy’s friend. I was nice to you because I had to be. You’re a fucking pervert and a bum and I want absolutely nothing to do with you. So maybe you should do what Dani said and go the fuck away, before I lose my temper.” I growled. By now we had gained Johnny and Matt’s attention, who were standing at the bar talking to Dave. Michael grabbed my arm and jerked me closer to him, “Listen here you fucking bitch. You’re not going to talk to me like that and think it’s okay.” He growled. “Let go of me dick.” I said, jerking my arm from his grasp. “You need to leave, now.” Dani said, stepping in between us. “Go away, Danielle. This isn’t even about you.” He said, pushing my sister to the side. He went to step closer to me and when he did, Dani swung her fist and knocked him right in the nose. Michael stumbled back, clutching his nose. “Holy shit!” We heard Johnny say with a laugh. I grinned at my sister, who was shaking out her hand, then looked back at Michael, who had blood pouring from his nose and a furious look on his face. “I’m going to fucking kill you, Dani.” He growled. He stepped closer and was raising his fist to hit her when a different fist connected with his temple out of nowhere. “Get the fuck away from my girlfriend, prick.” Matt said, effectively knocking Michael out. “Holy shit!” Johnny said again. “That was awesome.” I laughed, wrapping an arm around Dani’s shoulders. “You okay, sis?” I asked, lifting her hand to check her knuckles. “I’m fine. You okay, you’ve got some marks on your arm.” She said, gesturing to the arm Michael grabbed. “Yeah, I’m fine. Man I’d really love to watch you punch him again, Matt.” I chuckled, looking at the bigger man. Just then, Brian and Zack came out of the bathroom. “Whoa, what the hell did we miss?” Zack asked, looking at the man on the ground. “Basically, Dani punched a dude and he was seriously going to hit him back when Matt knocked his ass out. You missed a good time.” Johnny explained, still laughing. “Who is that?” Brian asked, looking at Dani and I. “Jeremy’s best friend.” I sighed. “I guess he thought I was going to entertain him or something. But he was sadly mistaken. I hate that guy.” Brian noticed the marks on my arm and his face turned red, “He touched you? I hope he wakes up so I can knock his ass out again.” He seethed. I laughed and put an arm around his waist. “Easy, tiger. I think Matt did a great job. He and Johnny were keeping an eye on us.” “Aw come on girls. You two haven’t even been home a whole week and you’re already hitting people in my bar.” Dave said, walking up to the group. “Hey, he had it coming. He shouldn’t have put his hands on my sister.” Dani said with a shrug. “Okay, I’ll accept that. I fucking hate that guy.” The older man said. “Well, it looks like he’s coming to. Matt if you don’t mind helping me move him over to a booth, I’ll kick him out once he’s good and awake.” Dave chuckled, grabbing Michael’s shoulders. “So, do you guys punch people a lot?” Zack asked curiously. “Not me, it’s usually Nikki and Wilson. They like to start bar fights. Dave won’t kick us out because he’s our dad’s best friend.” My sister explained with a laugh. “There’s usually a good reason for it. I mean it didn’t happen a lot though. Maybe once a month or so.” I shrugged. The guys all laughed and Dave approached us again. “Are you two going to behave, or do I need to call your father to take your butts home like I used to?” He asked with a laugh. “We’ll be good, I promise.” I smiled innocently. Dave laughed and slapped Brian on the back, “Good luck buddy, she’s a handful.” Brian laughed loudly, “I think I’m finally starting to understand that.”

After the Michael drama, we sat back down with our drinks and continued talking. The more Johnny drank, the more he exaggerated the story of Dani punching Michael. We took a cab back to mom’s house, and she was still awake when we walked in the door. “Jan! What are you doing up so late?” Johnny asked, bounding over to the couch to sit beside her. “I wanted to make sure you guys got home safe. Did you all have fun?” She asked. We all looked at eachother and laughed, while mom looked really confused. “Jan. Dani punched someone tonight. Straight up knocked his ass out.” Johnny said through his laughter. “What? Danielle Grace you know better!” Mom scolded. “Chill mom, it was Michael.” Dani chuckled, “And I didn’t knock him out, Matt did that for me. But I did bust his nose.” “Oh, well if it was Michael then I’m proud of you. Someone needed to knock that little asshole out.” Mom said, which made the guys laugh even more. “So mom, since you’re still awake. Nick and I have a proposition for you.” Dani said, sitting on the coffee table. “How would you like to come to Cali with us?” I asked, sitting beside my sister. “You guys want me to live in California?” She asked. “Well, you can come for a visit first, and if you like it out there you can stay.” Dani suggested. “We don’t want you to be here alone, Mama. You’re in this big ol house all by yourself. We just want you to come with us.” I explained. “You don’t have to make a decision right now, just sleep on it.” Dani said. “The guys will be here until Sunday, and we will probably head back Wednesday. So just let us know Monday, okay?” Mom nodded and I stood up and stretched, “I’m heading to bed. I’m exhausted. Love you mama.” I said, giving my mother a hug and kiss on her cheek. “Love you too baby. Goodnight.” “Night Jan. See you in the morning.” Brian said with a smile. Once we got into the bedroom, we both stripped down to our underwear and I threw a tshirt over my head before climbing into bed and falling right to sleep.

Notes

Make sure you read 22 before this one! I posted two today! Thanks!