*Nikki*

This girl is pretty cool. Kind of sucked how she was living at first.

Shit job. Shit home. No family.

I guess we have a lot in common.

I offered her to live with me and Tommy so she won't have to worry about rent so much, and she agreed. She's also thinking working at a local club nearby as an exotic dancer or waitress, since she's worked at a few of them before during college before dropping out.

She does have a great body, but for some reason I felt a bit upset with the idea.

I only just met this girl more than a week ago, though... Why am I always worrying about her like that? What she works as shouldn't even be my concern. I have to focus on getting this band together.

Though of course, I'm glad Mallory, or Mal as I call her (Tommy calls her MJ), is around to help out while she looks for work.

"Woah woah woah," I said as I stopped everyone, the music coming to a halt.

"What the fuck, dude? That's not what I showed you, man," I said.

Right now we were practicing with the guitar play who was auditioning, but part of me thinks he's not gonna make it work.

"Yeah, I know, but its not like anything I ever played before, man," he argued.

I sighed. "That's the fucking point, man... Let's take a break."

I put my bass aside as Mallory got up, tossing me a beer.

"Well I could..." the guy said as we left.

"Tommy, outside," I said, having Tommy follow as the three of us stood outside.

"Well... He has a rhythm," she said as she lit her cigarette, then handed Tommy the lighter to light his.

Tommy shrugged and nodded before looking at me.

"I'm just not feeling it, man," I said. "I can't put my--"

"Well, look, MJ has a point. He's a rhythm guy. We'll sound better when we have a lead," Tommy assured.

"He has a point. You're still waiting on that 'loud, rude aggressive lead guitarist' you called?" She chuckled.

"He should be by soon," I said.

As soon as I said that, a car suddenly pulled up downstairs, blasting loud music as it skid to a stop.

"Holy shit," I said.

"Check this dude out," Tommy chuckled as he pulled his cigarette out his mouth.

We watched as a dark haired older guy climbed out of the car and went to get a large amp out but seemed to be having trouble.

"Tommy, go help him?" Mal asked.

He nodded and ran down to help the guy as me and Nikki came downstairs.

"Looks like he's seen some years," Mal said, blowing smoke in the air.

"Does mean more experience," I said.

"Well at least you guys have someone to look after you on tour," She said, making me laugh.

"Aside from you," I chuckled with a smirk.

She laughed. "That's right. By the way, you like the crusts cut off your PB&J's, right?" she joked with a smirk, making me laugh and slightly nudge her.

She smiled as as we see Tommy and the guy pulling out the amp.

Man... She has an amazing smile....

"Well, I'm Tommy," Tommy introduced himself as they carried the amp.

"Mick Mars," the guy said.

"I'm the drummer," Tommy added.

"Scrawny for a drummer," Mick said.

"I used to be in Suite 19, so..." Tommy added.

"Shitty band," Mick sighed..

"Hey, man, did you ever even see us play?" Tommy asked as he stopped.

"Suite 19?" Mick asked.

"Yeah," Tommy replied.

"Don't need to," he said. "Bands with shitty name, ten times out of ten, shitty band. Hey," Mick said, then greeting us.

"Hey, man," I replied.

"Hi," Mal softly said.

"What the fuck do you know?" Tommy grumbled.

"Been in a lot of bands with shitty names," Mick added.

"Mick, anything else we can get in your car for you?" Mal asked.

"The guitar, but be careful," he said.

"I got it," Mal said to me.

"Nah, let me get it for him. Go make sure Tommy plays nice," I said.

She chuckled and nodded as she went upstairs behind them.

***

*Mallory*

"So, you think you got it?" Nikki asked Mick as he got plugged in.

"Let's just fucking play it," Mick snapped.

Well, the paper got rude and aggressive right.

Mick then began to play the song, which was a lot better than the other guy.

I nodded my head to the beat as I sat on the couch drinking my beer and watching the guys as Tommy started to beat the drums.

Man, he's amazing!

When things sped up was when the other guy stopped.

"Whoa, whoa, hold up!" he shouted, making everyone stop. "Hey, mind turning it down a little bit, old timer? I can't hear myself... Jesus..."

I raised an eyebrow, looking at Nikki as Mick leaned over.

"Fucking hippie ain't gonna make it," he told him.

"So tell him," Nikki nodded.

Mick was quiet as he looked at him then at me before turning around to the other guy.

"Listen to me," Mick said. "There is only room for one guitar player in this band, and that's me. So why dont you, uh, pack up your toys and go home?"

The other guy hesitated. "Okay, I was here first, alright?" he scoffed. "Tommy, tell him."

Tommy then pretended to drop his drumstick and went to get it.

"Nikki? Come on," he begged, making Nikki look away.

"Mallory?" he asked me.

"Uhh... Not my band, not my say," I shrugged.

He seemed shocked.

"Really?! You're gonna listen to this old dude over me?!" he asked.

He scoffed when we said nothing, kind of avoiding eye contact.

"Well then fuck you guys, man!" he snapped, unplugging his guitar and storming out in tears. "And your shitty fucking band."

The door slammed shut and it was awkwardly quiet.

"I'm gonna get started on lunch," I said, getting up. "Mick, anything you want on your sandwiches, or anything else you want to eat?"

"I'm fine with whatever," he said.

I nodded and got up, heading to the kitchen.

"So how old are you, Mick?" Tommy asked curiously.

"Fuck you, you fucking teenager," Mick snapped.

".... What did I say?" Tommy asked Nikki as I stepped out.

***

After practice I served the guys their food, and Mick told us about his health conditions.

Ankylosing spondylitis. A form of deteriorating arthritis that affects the joints and ligaments of the spine, limiting movement as time passes. Throughout the lifetime, there's pain sometimes unimaginable, and stiffness, and bones practically turn to concrete. There is no cure, but there is treatment.

I remember having to do a report on it in Anatomy class my first year of medical college.

What Mick is going through right now can easily just be put as pure fucking hell.

"Yeah, you're god damn right I'm old," he scoffed.

I walked over, handing him an open beer before handing another to Tommy and Nikki.

I went to sit on the ground next to Nikki when he quickly stopped me by grabbing my arm and pulling me up to sit on the stool he was sitting on.

"You know we got roaches. Just sit up here," he said quietly.

I nodded. "Thanks," I whispered before sipping my beer as he patted my back.

"Old enough to know better than to waste my time fucking around with a bunch of rug-monkeys," Mick continued. "I'm paying child support and sleeping on park benches, so I need to know you're not pulling dick here, 'cause I'm looking to go the distance."

Mick then got up.

"And if that's not you guys, let's not waste the fucking time," he added.

I looked over at Tommy and Nikki, and Nikki just smiled.

"I fucking love this weird little guy," Nikki said as he and Tommy high fived, making me chuckle quietly and shake my head a little, and then Tommy went to high-five Mick, who only looked at him with his regular glare.

Tommy pursed his lips and put his hand down. "Sorry," he said as he sat back down to eat.

"Welcome to the band, Mick," I nodded.

He nodded at me. "So.... someone mind telling me who does the singing in this band? Mallory?"

I laughed softly. "No, I... I'm just living here and helping you guys."

"Its not a bad idea, though," Tommy shrugged. "Lot of girl lead singers, I wouldn't mind it."

"Nah, I'm better side stage if anything," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "Besides, its up to Nikki here."

"I like the idea, to be honest... But I do have a different image for this band. What we need is a dude that looks like David Lee Roth, with a vibe like fucking Bowie," Nikki said, sitting on his amp. "And I'm not about to settle for some regular looking, normal sounding asshole."

Tommy and I nodded our heads as we looked at Mick.

"So... We're looking for a skinny blonde fucker with moves," Mick summed it up.

"We can put ads on the paper like Mick did," I said to Nikki with a shrug.

"I guess," he said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

That's when Tommy went a bit still and looked like he realized something.

"Wait," he said. "I think I know our guy, dudes."

~~~~~

Here is the second chapter! Hope you all like the story so far! 🌻

I remembered seeing the name of the guy who auditioned before Mick somewhere, but I couldn't find it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

🎙 Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Ladyhawke "Dangerous"

♡~ sapphire.