Like Loving A Lion (SEQUEL to I'm Not That Perfect)

I woke up in Austin’s huge, unbelievably soft bed alone and heard an angry voice coming from the outside balcony.
“First of all, we just got back from fucking touring. Second of all, there is no way in hell I’m playing if he’s there.” Austin said heatedly. There was a pause while whoever he was on the phone with spoke. “Of course she’ll be there! Is that relevant? Even if she wasn’t then I still wouldn’t want to be anywhere near him.” Another pause. “Why? Why? Ronnie Radke abused my girlfriend on several occasions, two of which I had to witness- I don’t care if there’s no police report! I’m not doing it! You are supposed to run all tour dates by me and the band for approval before you finalize them, so good luck explaining why Of Mice & Men don’t show up.”
I hopped out of bed and outside to see what was going on. “Austin?”
He sighed, visibly irritated. “Our tour manager booked us to play this music festival in SD next weekend and I checked the lineup. . . His band will be there.”
“Austin.” I murmured. “You shouldn’t refuse to show up just because of him.”
“I don’t want him anywhere near you.”
“You’ll be with me the whole time. Come on, baby. It’s going to be fine.” I soothed. “I would feel terrible if I knew you let people down because of me.”
Austin looked down at me and smiled. “What would I do without you?”
“What did you do without me?” I asked, answering myself before he could. “Oh. You did some D-list model and pretended she was me.”
“That’s exactly right.” He chuckled. “Are you positive it’s alright to play this show?”
“Yes! When is it?” I asked.
“Next weekend. You should eat something.” He said suddenly. “Come on.”
I followed him downstairs to the kitchen. “I should probably go home sometime, you know.”
“Home? As if.” He scoffed, then his eyes widened. “Jesus Christ. I’m talking like you!”
“Cute.” I laughed, sitting at the table and facing him.
“You don’t have to go home. You can stay here and be my little princess.” Austin said, rubbing my thigh.
“Are you sure you really want me around that badly?” I asked.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” He said softly.
**
“I miss you already!” Chloe wailed into the phone.
I sat outside as the sun set with my feet up on the table, smoking a cigarette and talking to my sister. Austin was inside cooking. “Move to America. It’s what the cool kids do.”
“I should totally apply to UCLA. Could I live with you for a little while?”
I shrugged. “I’m getting rid of my apartment.”
“Why? It’s beautiful.”
“Austin wants me to move back in.”
“I thought you were taking things slow this time, Avery.” She said.
“Je seum cette voix!” (I hate that voice) I said, not wanting Austin to hear or understand our conversation. “Pensez-vous vraiment que je suis une sorte de jeu d'enfant?” (Do you really think I’m some kind of pushover?)
“Oh, do you not want him to hear?” Chloe snapped. “Maybe Ronnie was right.”
I was pissed. “Excuse me?”
Austin came back outside and was watching curiously, sitting beside me.
“Ronnie always said you’re a different person when Austin’s around. I think he was right.” Chloe said.
“Are you fucking retarded?” I hissed. “Listen to yourself, Chloe. You’re siding with Ronnie’s opinion?”
I hung up, fuming, and explained what had just happened.
“She’s just looking out for you.” Austin said. “Are you. . . Do you think we’re going too fast?”
“I wouldn’t have said I’d move back in if I thought it was a bad idea.” I smiled tentatively. “You make me happier than anything in the whole world and she just doesn’t understand. But when she brought him up-”
“She crossed a line there.” Austin agreed.

Notes