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

“Avery, babe, I’m driving. I don’t have time to blow you right now.” Austin said when I started taking my clothes off in the car on the way to the festival he was playing.
“I’m changing, idiot. I’m not averse to the idea though. You really expected me to be ready at seven?” I rolled my eyes, slipping into my dress. “Stop turning. It’s hard to put on eyeliner when you’re all jerky.”
“We’re almost there.” He remarked. Sure enough, we made it into San Diego before long and met with the rest of the guys.
“You look perfect. Like, too good.” He said. “I like your dress.”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t make me look too skinny?” I asked.
“Of course not. You look incredible. Won’t your feet hurt?” He asked, looking down at the heels I had on.
I waved my hand. “No way. I’m used to these.”
**
I waved to Vic as he walked past to go soundcheck. He grinned and waved back. Austin was currently on stage and I was sitting in a lounge backstage.
“Aw, look who it is. Did your daddy leave you already?” Ronnie and his drummer Ryan sat down on the couch across from me.
I looked at Ryan. “Yikes. You haven’t fired him yet? The band won’t do so well when everyone finds out the lead singer’s still a criminal.”
“I miss you too, baby. I think about you all the time. Mostly at night.” He added. “So, did you download my mixtape?”
“If I wanted to listen to shit then I would listen to Escape the Fate before they kicked you out.” I said coolly.
“Refill?” A waitress asked, noticing my empty glass.
“Scotch blaze.” I said without looking away from Ronnie’s eyes. I looked down to light a cigarette. “Is there a reason you’re pestering me?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to meet your replacement.” He said. “You know, my new woman.”
“Not if she’s got the sense to hang around with you.”
“I like the sass, baby.” Ronnie leaned forward and put his hand on my knee. I slapped him, rolling my eyes. “So how’s Carlile?”
“Perfect, not that it’s any of your business.” I said.
“Mm. Doubt that. You look hot today. How’s that anemia?” He asked.
“Getting better.” I said thoughtfully. “As fantastic as this conversation is, are we almost done with it?”
“Avery, Avery, Avery. Why don’t you just leave him? We all know he doesn’t know you like I do. Don’t you remember all the things you told me in the dark? Is he really as good as you pretend he is?”
“Shut up.” I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to ignore him.
“And then there’s the sex. Can you honestly say he can work you better than I can? Come on, Avery. You’re deluded. He’s brainwashing you.”
“Excuse me?” Austin was back. “Is there a reason you’re here?”
“Just talking to my girl. What’s up, Carlile? How’s it going?” Ronnie grinned. “Hey, Ave, I meant to ask how Chloe is. She never returns my calls.”
“You need to leave.” Austin said shortly.
“Avery doesn’t want me to leave, do you baby?” Ronnie asked.
I froze for a split second. “You should get the hell out.”
“Fine, fine.” Ronnie shrugged. “Good to see you, Ave. Let’s do this again sometime.”
Austin grabbed Ronnie by the shirt and dragged him outside. “You stay the hell away from her. You stay away from her or you’ll have me to answer to.”
My body was shaking uncontrollably. I could feel the guys watching me as Austin came back in. “Why the hell were you talking to him?” He demanded angrily.
“He was talking to me.” I said coolly. “Can you stop yelling please?”
“Are you listening to me?” He asked, voice raised. “He could have hurt you! Do you not remember what happened two months ago?”
“You’re causing a scene.” I said quietly.
“It would have caused a pretty big scene if Radke decided to bash in your head in too, but you sure as hell weren't worried about that!” He cried.
I stood up. “I was scared, okay? Last time I tried to run away from him he knocked me out! Stop yelling at me!”
“Do you want him back, is that it?” Austin asked furiously. “You’d rather be with him than me?”
“Listen to yourself!” I screamed, turning and walking away.
“Where are you going?” He yelled after me.
“Home!”
“I drove you here!”
“I’ll take the fucking train if it means I don’t have to be near you right now!” I yelled. And I did. I took the goddamn train home and hated every moment of it.

Notes