“No. It definitely wasn’t planned,” I answered.
She looked up at Bryce then her expression changed. Curious, I tilted my head to glance at Bryce too. However, whatever had prompted her strange form was lost on me, because he peered down into my eyes displaying nothing but love and happiness, filling me with butterflies.
“So you’re both happy?”
We both answered her simultaneously, without removing our eyes from one another. “Of course we are.”
“Well, in that case, congratulations.”
With impeccable timing, a waiter appeared next to us with glasses of champagne on a tray. Carly grabbed two glasses and went to hand me one. She paused at the same moment Bryce opened his mouth and objected.
“Uh uh.” He grabbed the slightly pink coloured glass that was still sitting on the tray. “You, my love, get this one.” He handed me the drink. “The pink glasses are yours. All waiting staff have been briefed and know only to give you these ones.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” I furrowed my brow at him “What is it?”
The buzzer to the apartment sounded again, and the door was opened to allow the members of Live Trepidation in. Bryce began to make his way over to them when he answered my question. “No. I’m not kidding. I never kid where you are concerned. You, my love, are drinking non-alcoholic rose wine tonight.” Ah. Shit. Crap. Balls.
Carly shrugged her shoulders, and rather than put one of the two glasses she had picked up back down, she happily took sips from them both.
“Suffer,” she said, with a childish grin.
I squinted my eyes at her then smiled over to my newly arrived guests. Carly quickly tilted her head down and lowered her voice, speaking into the glass. “Who the fuck is that sex-on-a-stick?” She took an inconspicuous sip.
I followed her line of sight. “That is Derek, Bryce’s best mate. He’s also the lead singer of the band. He was at the pub in Shepparton, remember? When the band played “November Rain” and Bryce performed the guitar solos for me.”
“Is that him? Oh my God, he looks different.”
“Well you were slightly occupied with the barman. Plus Derek has shaved his head since then, maybe that’s why you don’t recognise him.”
“Fuck, Lexi. He is beyond hot. His hotness factor is through the bloody roof.”
I laughed at her choice of words. “It’s funny you should say that, because he is a firefighter.”
She grabbed a hold of my arm and pretended to go weak at the knees. “Please tell me he’s single, Alexis, because I have a fucking ferocious fire in between my legs that he needs to put out.”
I cracked up laughing. “Yes, Carls. He is single...as far as I know.”
Derek was extremely good looking. He was the same height as Bryce, approximately six foot five. He had tanned skin and clearly defined biceps which by memory were artfully decorated with a few tattoos. His eyes were a bright blue and his once upon a time caramel coloured hair was now closely shaved to his head.
Bryce and the rest of his band, which consisted of Derek, the lead singer and guitarist; Matt, the bass guitarist; and Will, the drummer, all made their way over to where Carls and I were standing. As they got closer, she squeezed my arm tighter and dramatically said under her breath. “Quick! Quick! My vagina in burning, please come to my rescue.”
I laughed again and murmured back, “Mr. Firefighter Derek, please douse my friend’s fiery hole with your fire hose. Nobody likes a burnt burger.”
Carly nearly spat her champagne—she was good at that. With great difficulty, we both managed to subdue ourselves and act like the adults that we were by the time the men reached our position in the room.
Bryce placed his arm around my waist securing me to him. “Alexis, you remember Derek, Will, and Matt.”
“Yes, of course I do. It’s nice to see you all again. Thanks for coming.”
Carly giggled at my choice of word, forcing a childish giggle from me too. Carly Josephine Henkley, stop that.
“Happy birthday, Alexis.” Derek handed me a small package. Oh God, a present. How embarrassing. I really don’t need presents.
I sheepishly took it from him. “You really shouldn’t have.”
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Bryce looked at him in wonder.
“Is it your birthday, Lexi?” Carly asked, knowing it was. “Because I didn’t get you jack shit.”
I gently shoved her shoulder. “Sorry, this rude bitch here is my best friend Carly. Carly, this is Will, Matt and Derek. They are members of the band Bryce plays in.”
“Yes, I know. I saw you guys in Shepparton. You were all fantastic.” She pointed her glass at Derek. “And you, have a voice to die for.” Oh God. Carls the epitome of obvious.