I didn't know what had happened, but after a while, I started to feel sad. Yeah, Nikki was back, but the guys were once again busy writing and recording their new album, Shout At the Devil. They were already making waves with their management over the name, which, Nikki had insisted, had no Satanic meaning whatsoever (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Lately they had been recording demos at some guy's apartment, and when they played them back to me, I could hear someone screaming and freaking out. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when they said it was one of their friends that was way too high. The poor bastard was tortured by Vince- which was confirmed by his drunken cackling on the track- who started playing with cockroaches and talking about the devil.

Once again, I was left home alone as they went to tweak and toy with the new songs. I cracked open a bottle of Jack and took a huge swig, grimacing slightly at the first taste.

I needed something to do tonight. The apartment was somewhat clean for once, so there wasn't really much for me to do around the house. I decided to go out to see some newer bands play... namely Faster Pussycat.

I knew it probably wasn't my best idea, but what did I have to lose? Not a damn thing. I grabbed my jacket, slipped on some boots, and headed for the venue, mentally cursing myself for even taking the time to go down and see them.

°°°°°°

The first thing I saw when I walked in the door (already a little more than half drunk, I might add), was Taime, wearing white patterned spandex pants and a baggy button up shirt. His dark hair was teased up and showed bits of bleached blonde. A thick ring of eyeliner and purple eye shadow surrounded his hazel eyes, and he appeared to be wearing lipstick as well, which was slighty smeared for what ever reason.

His eyes widened at the sight of me, a gesture to which I responded with a sugary sweet smile.

"S-Sadie! Wow, holy shit, crazy seeing you here," he said excitedly, hardly sounding nervous.

"Long time no see," I commented, finally seeing his nerves crack slightly.

"Yeah, hey look, I'm really sorry 'bout that. You left and we got noise complaints; they wanted us out an' Kelly was freaking out, so we thought it was best. We didn't mean to just disappear like that," he explained as he swung a sweaty arm over my shoulder.

I shook my head.

"I've been drinkin' already and I'm here to have a good time- why are you sweaty?! Your wet pit is on my shoulder!"

He began to laugh, shaking his head before saying, "We just got off stage."

"Gross! You're wet, and I missed it all." I fake pouted.

"You missed out, for sure; it was a good set; sexy stuff," he joked, wiggling his eyebrows. "Probably the best energy we've had in a while."

"Taime," a familiar voice shouted, "I know you're busy picking up chicks, but what do you want to drink?"

"I don't know, some kind of whiskey will be fine. And if I'm picking up chicks, your ex is definitely on my list," he joked.

We turned to face Kelly, and of course the first thing I noticed was his soft brown eyes, followed by his lipstick stained lips, which loosely hung on to a cigarette. I lowered my eyes to the floor out of instinct, but also as an attempt to look him up and down.

"Well, well, Miss Sadie. Good to see you," he mumbled.

"Hey," I replied sheepishly, blushing slightly.

"I'll leave you two alone," Taime mumbled, quickly excusing himself and heading to the bar.

"How have you been?" he asked, his lips curving into a slight smile as he took a drag of his cigarette.

"Uh... up and down, I guess. Not too bad. You?"

"About the same." He nodded as he exhaled the smoke cloud. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened. It wasn't-"

"Hey, I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Taime: I'm not here to pick fights or reconcile anything. I'm here to hang out an' have a good time. We can leave the past where it is."

He looked me over, thinking for a moment. "Okay, fair enough. Where's Nikki and the guys?"

"Recordin' the next album- I'm not really sure where they're at, to be honest," I shrugged. "It's jus' me tonight."

"Nice... so, uh... are you and Nikki together?"

I smirked slightly, hearing a tiny bit of jealousy in his voice.

"Mmm... not at the moment."

"The moment?"

"Yeah. Off and on, but mos'ly off lately. He's a busy guy."

"Hm. So busy he doesn't even notice you're here with me?"

"He doesn't know you're in town. 'S'fine."

"Gotcha, so I'm safe?" he asked, stepping slightly closer.

I nodded, watching his eyes narrow slightly as he thought.

"Well then I hope you don't mind if I do this," he said before abruptly kissing me, resting his hands on my hips as he pulled me closer.

Okay, so it was out of the blue... so I liked it way more than I should have. I didn't feel bad about it. Nikki and I weren't together presently- I wasn't lying about that. I missed Kelly, I was drunk, and I was sad. What better things did I have to do tonight other than kiss my hot ex?

"Wanna get out of here?" he asked, breathing against my lips.

I nodded, not even realizing what I was in for.

°°°°°°

Three hours later I was laying face down on the floor, sobbing like a pathetic, drunken mess.

I held my breath when the door opened, but hearing the scrape of Nikki's shoes, I let it out again.

"Uh oh, why are we upset?" he asked, half teasing me as he approached, tossing his .

"We are not anythin'. Mind your own bid'ness."

He sighed heavily before kicking off his shoes and laying down on the floor next to me.

"Go home Nikki, you're drunk."

"Excuse me, last I checked, I am the one that lives here-"

"I live here, too, fucker!" I sobbed.

"- and you're the drunk one!" he continued, ignoring me.

"I am not!"

"Baby, I could light your breath on fire. Yes... you are."

"What are you callin' me 'baby' for? Stop it!"

"Alright, you're clearly heart break-y upset right now, so tell me what's bothering you."

His green eyes burned into me, making me shake slightly.

"I... I went out an'," I sniffled, trying to think of what to say, "an' I slept with Kelly."

His smile slightly faltered, but he quickly perked up again.

"So, the two of you finally hooked up? Hm... how was it?"

I glared at him, sniffling.

"Okay, then who was better?"

I shook my head. "I don't know! I just feel so fuckin' bad about it."

"Why?" He tilted his head slightly.

"I feel like it was wrong... I shouldn't have."

"I get that, but why? Sex is sex. It feels great; get it where you can."

In his response, I heard his voice crack slightly, like he was hiding something.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled as he wiped my tears.

"Hey, don't be sorry... Are you upset because of me?"

"Sorta."

"Oh, honey... don't feel bad. I've been busy. We're not together, y'know? But I guess I've been neglecting you," he said softly, running his fingers along my cheek. After a moment went by he stood up and held his hand out to me. "Come on."

"W-what?" I asked.

"Come on." he moved his hand for emphasis.

"What are we doing?"

"Well, I'm reclaiming what is mine, and you're gonna relax."

"Do you just wanna know who is better in bed?" I asked with a teary eyed chuckle.

"Eh, a little."

He quickly scooped me up into his arms and carried me to our room.

°°°°°°

Just as we were about to nod off to sleep, I mumbled, "you're better," causing him to smirk and wrap an arm around me.