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- 05/14/2013
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Nemesis: Because I Want You - 19. Epilogue: Bright Lights
No one can take it away from me. No one can tear it apart. It may be an elaborate fantasy, but it's the perfect place to start. Because a heart that hurts is a heart that works.
EPILOGUE
Bright Lights
Nick stuck his head out the bathroom door. ‘Mel!’ he called down the corridor. ‘Where’s your eyeliner? The black one?’
‘Why d’you want to know?’ Mel called back.
He stepped back inside. ‘Need to borrow it.’ Nick poked through the medicine cabinet. Mascara, lip gloss, three shades of eyeshadow, hand cream . . . but no eyeliner.
‘What’s in it for me, then?’ said a voice behind him, and he turned around a little guiltily. Mel stood in the doorway, arms crossed, leaning on the doorframe. Her dyed brown hair was tied back in a ponytail and one eyebrow was raised above the rim of her glasses.
‘Oh, come on, please?’ Nick begged, folding his hands before him. ‘Just need it for the gig tonight!’
‘And I repeat, what’s in it for me?’
Nick rolled his eyes and sighed. ‘Yes, you can borrow my leather jacket for your next date with Brendan,’ he said.
‘Thank you!’ Mel squealed and hugged him. ‘Eyeliner’s in my room, top of the dresser. You know, you really should get your own. Not sanitary, sharing eyeliners.’
Nick shrugged. ‘I only ever wear it for gigs.’
‘Yeah, and you keep getting more of those, so just buy your own bloody make-up, won’t you?’ Mel laughed. Nick stepped out of the bathroom and Mel followed him down the corridor towards her room. ‘When’s Dave coming home?’ she asked.
‘He’s at the library, studying,’ said Nick. He entered Mel’s room and found the kohl pencil on the dresser. ‘He’ll meet up with us at the Students’ Union tonight.’ He turned to the mirror on the wall and applied the eyeliner around his eyes, smudging it slightly. ‘How’s that?’
‘When did you get so vain?’ asked Mel with a giggle.
‘The life of a rock star is one of vanity, narcissism and plain arrogance, my dear Melanie,’ said Nick, examining his reflection. ‘Ow!’ he squeaked as Mel slapped his arm. Then he grinned at her. ‘Cheers for the eyeliner. Will I see you tonight, and is Brendan coming?’
‘Stop saying his name like that!’
‘Like what?’
‘With that . . . tone. Brendan.’ She blushed.
‘But you’re so cute when you’re in love!’ said Nick with a smile.
Mel rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, we’ll both be there. Now, get out of here! Go soundcheck!’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ said Nick seriously. He kissed her forehead. ‘See you tonight!’
* * *
Dave glanced at his watch and closed his anatomy textbook. He brushed a strand of blonde hair from his forehead and stood up, placing his books and notes into his bag. He wanted to get to the Students’ Union in good time before the gig.
The walk from the library to the Students’ Union was very short. Dave made his way down into the basement of the building, which was where the club was located.
Nick was up on the stage when he got there, his white Telecaster strapped on, playing a riff. He wore tight, grey jeans and a loose, light blue t-shirt. His brown hair was styled in a messy I-just-rolled-out-of-bed do, and his eyes were heavily lined with kohl. He looked every bit the rock star he was becoming.
‘Could I have a little less reverb in the monitor, please?’ he said into the microphone. Then he saw Dave and smiled, giving him a little wave.
‘Some vocals next,’ said the sound tech, and Nick sang a couple of lines from one of his songs. His voice seemed to go straight to Dave’s heart, or perhaps his groin, and Dave smiled. Nick on stage was like Nick in private—confident, charismatic and flirtatious. So very different from the quiet introvert he normally was in public.
‘Have you got what you need?’ Nick asked when he’d finished the chorus, and the sound tech gave him the thumbs up. He pulled the guitar over his head and set it in a stand on stage, then jumped down and ran towards Dave.
‘Hello, Gorgeous! You’re early,’ he said, wrapping his arms around him.
‘Wanted to see you before the gig,’ said Dave. He took a deep breath. Even now, Nick’s scent made him feel lightheaded. ‘Still can’t believe you guys are playing a gig here.’
‘It’s not that big,’ said Nick. ‘We’ve played big venues before. It’s no big deal.’
He sounded like he was really trying to convince himself of that. His voice was slightly shaky.
Dave took Nick’s face in his hands and kissed him. ‘You’ll be amazing,’ he said. ‘I know you will.’
Nick smiled at him and kissed him back, pulling him closer. Dave put his arms about Nick’s waist.
‘Are Mellie and Brendan gonna be here tonight?’ asked Dave when they parted again.
‘Yeah, she said they would,’ said Nick. ‘And she took the Diesel jacket hostage for her eyeliner, too.’ He rolled his eyes.
‘You’re just jealous because that thing looks so good on her,’ said Dave with a smirk. Then he leaned in close and whispered, ‘Of course, it looks even better on you, and so does the guyliner…’
‘Nick!’ Matt called from over by the stage. Then he spotted Dave and waved. ‘Oh, hi, Dave. We need to borrow Nick for the full band soundcheck now.’
‘I’ll be right there!’ Nick called back. ‘Duty calls,’ he said, turning back to his boyfriend. ‘I’ll see you in a bit, okay?’
‘Yeah,’ said Dave, releasing him reluctantly. ‘Go. Do your thing.’
Nick just stood there for a moment, head cocked slightly to one side and hand on his hip.
‘What?’ said Dave.
‘Nothing,’ Nick replied. ‘Just . . . four years. It’s a long time.’
Dave nodded. ‘It is,’ he said. ‘I can’t wait to get you out of here and back home tonight,’ he added softly, unable to help himself. ‘You look so fucking hot like this.’ He smiled happily at the way he could still make Nick blush by complimenting him. ‘Now, get your sexy arse up on that stage before I tear all your clothes off!’
Nick smirked and looked him square in the eye. ‘That a promise, Thompson?’
‘It’s a guarantee, Davis.’
END
Well, that's all folks. Or, almost, anyway. The short story collection Hubris, about the story's supporting characters and antagonists, is in the works, with two completed stories that will be up soonish and more to come. I also intend to start plotting the sequel very soon, though you might have to wait a while for that. After all, this novel was ten years in the making. Hopefully the sequel won't take quite as long.
Epic thanks to everyone who's read, commented, given me their (sometimes very) honest opinions, encouragements and love, and to everyone who's welcomed me to the GA community with open arms. You are absolute stars! I love all of you.
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