Looks Can Be Deceiving

Pandora’s POV-
Austin and I talked for a few minutes before five older women walked over to our table. Austin smiled up at them, obviously knowing who they were.
“Hey!” He stood up and hugged each of them before stepping back and standing next to me. “I haven’t seen you guys in forever!”
“Maybe if you’d allow yourself time to breathe, you’d see us more often!” the first blonde he hugged, suggested. “You’re always touring.” The other four girls nodded and sipped on their drinks. It wasn’t until now that I realized all five girls had shirts with a bunny logo on them. They were all Playboy Bunnies.
“I know, I know,” he put his hands up, guilty, before wrapping one around my waist. “Blame my father. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“Who’s your friend?” The blonde standing in the back nodded to me.
“Oh,” Austin laughed, “I’m sorry. Ladies, this is my girlfriend, Pandora,” he smiled down at me as the girls gave cold smiles. “Pandora, these are a few friends of mine.”
“You forgot to mention ‘Playboy’ in that sentence, Austin,” One laughed before tipping back her drink. I could feel the muscles in Austin’s back tense up.
“Nice to meet you guys,” I grinned at them before tugging a bit at Austin’s suit coat. He looked down to me as I smoothed out his shirt. “I think I’m gonna go grab something to drink, do you want anything?” I asked softly.
“No I’m good, but I’ll go with you.”
“Stay here and catch up with your friends, Austin” I smiled. “I can manage on my own,” I giggled. He smiled and leaned down to kiss my forehead before I walked to the back of the large room, towards the bar. I pulled at my dress a bit, adjusting it as I gently pushed through the large crowd of people dancing and grinding. As I made my way up to the bar, the bartender smiled at me.
“What can I get you mam?”
“Um,” I scanned the menu that hung above his head. “Do you guys have green tea?”
“We do,” he nodded. “Would you like ice with that?”
“Sure.” I took a seat and spun around to look at the crowd. I was excited to spend the night with Austin in a nice hotel room. The only time alone we had was at his house when his band mates weren’t around. Now, we had the whole night to be together. I felt a hand on my shoulder as I looked up to Ryan.
“Pandora!” he yelled, opening his arms. He wrapped them around me and smiled. “How have you been girl?”
“Good,” I smiled.
“Where’s your man?” he looked around, squinting in the dark.
“He’s over there,” I nodded my head to where Austin was standing with the five girls. He sighed as the bartender slid a glass over to me. “Thank you, sir.” I sipped my tea through the straw before cupping the bottom of it in my lap.
“Don’t worry,” Ryan flashed a grin. “Austin has no interest in those ladies.” I giggled.
“I’m not worried at all. Austin’s a great man. I’d trust him with anything.”
“Really?” he raised an eyebrow. “So you guys are pretty serious?”
“It’s getting there,” I looked down. “I’m not sure what Austin’s perspective is on it though.”
“Oh,” he chuckled. “I think he’s got the same mind set as you, Pandora.”
“Really?” I looked up to him.
“Yeah, I’m sure. To be quite honest, whenever he’s around Tally and I, all he does is talk about you.” I blushed a bit and looked down, smiling. “I’m glad you gave him a second chance.”
“Me too.”
“I see Ryan found you!” Austin shouted as he walked over to us. He did the guy handshake thing before standing next to my barstool with his arm around my waist. “Sorry about that back there,” he frowned. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“No worries,” I smiled up to him and held up my glass of green tea. “I needed to get a drink anyways. Ryan kept me company.” Ryan gave Austin thumbs up.
“Have you guys seen Danny yet?” Ryan asked.
“I saw him earlier over by the girls, but I haven’t talked to him yet.”
“Well he wants to meet Pandora.”
“Me?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah,” Ryan laughed. “He was talking about having a weekend down at his house in Malibu with the crew.”
“That sounds fun,” Austin smiled. “A guys weekend, or?”
“No, he was thinking of having all our girls come too. Would you guys be interested in coming down with everyone?”
“What are we doing?” I asked.
“Danny’s having a… couple’s vacation down at his house in Malibu. He wanted you and Austin to come too,” Ryan explained. I shrugged.
“It’s up to Austin. If he wants to go, then I’ll go too.” Austin chuckled and gripped my hip before pressing his lips to my temple.
“We’ll be there,” he muttered.
“Cool! Danny will be so stoked!” The bartender leaned against the bar as Ryan swayed around to the beat of the loud music.
“Would you like anything to drink sir?” he asked.
“He’ll take a Jack and Coke,” Ryan yelled, now sipping on his own drink.
“Eh,” Austin panicked a bit, looking down to me. I giggled and nodded.
“Have a drink, Austin.” He looked over to the bartender who was waiting for his answer.
“Sure, Jack and Coke, please.” I pulled at my dress a bit, hoping Austin handled his alcohol well.
“You pregnant?” Ryan laughed.
“What?”
“You never hesitate to order a drink, man!”
“Oh,” Austin laughed, “No, Pandora doesn’t drink.” Ryan looked to me.
“Don’t like the taste?”
“No,” I shook my head. “Just bad memories, that’s all.” He frowned and looked down.
“Now I feel like an asshole for asking. Plus I’ve been drinking the whole time I’ve been standing here with you guys.” I laughed.
“No worries, Ryan. You’re fine.” The bartender handed Austin’s drink to him over the counter in exchange for two dollars. Tally showed up next to Ryan with a shorter man who had dreadlocks and was wearing sun glasses.
“Dingo!” Austin shouted, “Happy birthday man!”
“Thanks dude. How have you been? I haven’t seen you in forever!”
“Yeah, it’s been a while,” Austin agreed, taking a drink.
“This must be your lady friend, Pandora!” He yelled, leaning over to pull me in for a big hug. “I’m Danny.”
“Nice to meet you, Danny,” I smiled.
“Damn, Carlile, she’s even more beautiful then you described her to be. Are you a model?” I couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious. When Austin burst out laughing I assumed he was serious.
“No, but thank you for the compliment,” I blushed, leaning closer to Austin. I inhaled the sweet smell of the cologne he put on before we left his house.
“And she’s polite too?” Danny’s mouth fell open. “Man, where can I find me one of these? The only things hanging around here lately are hookers and dime a dozen girls,” he joked, causing everyone to laugh. “Just kidding, but seriously, I’m glad you found someone Austin. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve someone great.”
“This one’s more than great,” Austin smiled down at me. “She’s amazing.”
“Did you tell the two lovebirds about the room across the street?” Danny asked, looking to Tally.
“Yeah,” he nodded.
“Well,” Danny pulled off his sunglasses. “I had my assistant rent all the rooms, but I rented that one personally just to make sure you two got the best room they had. So, the celebrity suite on the top floor complete with rooftop access is all yours,” he smiled.
“That’s amazing, Danny. I’m sure we’ll enjoy it,” Austin said.
“The guys and I might be stopping in later tonight to check it out,” Ryan laughed.
“Yeah, so keep yourselves decent,” Tally added. Austin rolled his eyes and put his empty glass down on the bar next to me.
“Wanna go dance?” he raised an eyebrow. I nodded, taking his hand.
“I’d love to.”

Notes