Something Else
We're All Alright
MIKE POV
Once I spoke the thoughts that had been clouding my mind over the last few weeks, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I felt relieved for finally getting to tell her how I felt, why I was being a fucking asshole. I imagined that she felt the same way. I imagined that she was just going to jump into my arms, tell me she loved me back, then we would go on and live happily ever after. She had too. No woman has ever turned me down before, so I was expecting her to come back to me. What we had was special, and I knew she knew that.
All of those expectations shot out the window once she never said anything to me. Her brown eyes just stayed glued to me, her mouth open a little. She never said anything. And once she stayed silent for more than four minutes, I knew she didn't love me. I felt my face get hot and flush from it's normal color. There is no way this is actually happening to me right now.
She took a deep breath then spoke softly. "Mike, I don't know what you expect me to say?"
"Tell me that you love me back. That you're in love with me back." I answered matter-of-factly, because frankly, she should've loved me. I was nothing but fucking awesome to her.
Bonnie shook her head lightly, "Have you ever been in love before?"
My mouth opened to talk, but nothing ever came out of it. No, I never had been in love before. Not until I met Bonnie. "Has anyone ever truly been in love with you, Mike?" She asked afterward.
"I-I don't know? Maybe?" My mind scanned each and every girlfriend I had ever had and thought back to what went wrong with each of them. All being because of me. I either cheated, couldn't commit, wouldn't commit, or just got bored. A couple of them told me that they loved me, I just couldn't say it back. It never felt right until now. And of course, the girl I'm saying it too doesn't love me back.
"Being in love isn't expecting someone else to say it back. It's feeling it. And when they are ready, when they truly feel like they love you back, they will say it. I can't say that to you. And even so," She paused for a moment, adding a bite to her lip as she thought of what to say. "You can't fall in love with someone in two months." Her perfectly arched eyebrows furrowed together as she thought back to my confession.
I shook my head then stood up. "Yes, you can. You can. I'm telling you that I did. Bonnie, I'm not the guy that says that they love someone. I've never said it before. But I guarantee you can fall in love in two months. When that person becomes your life, you do."
Her eyes stayed glued onto mine, but I couldn't help but hear my heart shatter into a million pieces. She never loved me. She couldn't never love me. And maybe it was always like that. I was never going to be her future, or her present. I was just someone for the moment. And that truth fucking stung.
"Mike, I gotta go. I-it was nice seeing you. Have fun out there." She said lowly, standing up and adding a tap to my shoulder, then walking out of my dressing room.
I stared at the door and watched her leave, wondering if this was what was supposed to happen. Something was telling me it wasn't. She didn't love me, but I couldn't give up. It was clear that I needed her in my life; that she made it so much better the second she walked into it. Maybe I had to prove something to her. That her lifestyle didn't bother me. It just made me feel as if I could never give her what she wants, what she deserves. I'm a drummer, not a lawyer. That's all I'll ever be.
BONNIE POV
"Hey dude, where've you been?" Dani asked with a smile as I walked back into ADTR's dressing room.
I was flustered, my throat closing as the minutes passed. "Dani, I gotta go."
Her face fell with disappointment. "Aw dude, why? Are you okay?"
I nodded, "I just don't feel good. I'm gonna head out, okay? It was really nice seeing you, and meeting all of you." I looked over to Kevin and his band and waved goodbye to them before making a quick exit.
On my way over there, I noticed Vic, Jaime, and Tony all together and laughing. I had no choice but to walk passed them and my only wish was for them to pretend I wasn't there. I needed to get some air because the room felt stuffy and it seemed like the heater was on 105 degrees.
"Hey Bonnie!" Vic shouted with a grin, waving me over to him but I couldn't stop. For once, my feet weren't feeling like they were cemented into the ground because they kept going. I left out the back door and then found myself in an alley. I walked to the front of the venue building and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe this was happening. He told me he loved me, he told me he was in love with me. There's no way. I didn't feel like that. I've only ever been in love with one person and that was Steven.
I appreciated the gesture and the sudden confession, but c'mon now. This isn't how things go. I can't believe he thought he could just flip a switch and stop being a fucking dick and come at me with the 'L' word. Who the fuck did he think he was?
Later that night, I was thinking over some things as I waited for Steven to get back from his aunt's house. I sat with a glass of white wine, wearing black leggings and a grey boyfriend v-neck. When I had spoken to Nicole about it, she had asked me a very simple question, if I ever loved Mike. And honestly, I didn't. We weren't together long enough for me to love him. Maybe eventually I could've but, let's be real here, the one person I love more than anyone is myself and I wasn't wiling to give that up so quickly.
It had to be worth it in my opinion. And Mike wasn't worth it.
Moments later, the door wiggled open as Steven walked in. He looked exhausted but the second he looked at me, his blue eyes lit up and he smiled. "Bonnie, I am so happy to see you." He walked over to the couch, making me smile from his words, and he sat beside me. He kicked off his shoes and put his arm around me, bringing me into a soft kiss. "I missed you today."
"I missed you, too. How was your aunt's?" I questioned, handing him my glass of wine so he could have a sip or two.
He took a sip then handed it back to me before rubbing my thigh. "Eh, it was the average visit to Aunt Diane's house. They were all happy to see me, pestering me on why I didn't come for the holidays, and if I was ever going to settle down as if I'm a fucking bachelor or something. " He rolled his eyes, "So the usual."
I giggled, kissing him. "Well, next time you visit, I'll be there. I promise."
He grinned, his nose scrunching up. "There's nothing I would love more than that. How about when we get home, we tell our families about us again?" You could tell he was nervous asking that because his face got a little bit strained.
I sat up and faced him, my arm around his neck. "I think that would be a brilliant idea, Mr. Bohn."
A smile ten miles wide formed on his lips, "Yeah?"
I nodded positively. "I've been thinking about that, too. I feel like it's time."
"Me too. And because I'm not going to fuck this up again, Bon. I love you so much. More than anything. You know that right?"
When Steven said it, it felt right. It felt like he meant it. It felt like this was who I was supposed to be with.
"I love you, Steven."
He kissed me and smiled on my lips. "How was your day with Dani?"
"Um, it was good. A little weird, I guess." I looked down playing with the fabric on his pants.
"What happened?"
"Well, her boyfriend is in a band, Kevin. He's super awesome and his band is awesome. But, guess who they are touring with?"
He sighed, his smile falling. "Let me guess, Mike's band?"
I nodded. "So, I saw him and he starts telling me this bullshit about how he loves me. It makes no fucking sense. I just want him to leave me alone."
"Bonnie, can I ask you something?" His brows were furrowed in confusion.
"What's up?"
"Did you love Mike? Like, be honest with me."
"No. No. He and I were together for two fucking months and he was gone on tour for most of it. You know I'm not like that. I don't believe in that." I never did. I was never one to fall in love quickly, yet done fall in love. Like I said, only one person had got that out of me and it was Steven.
"You don't fall in love quickly, that's for sure. Bon, is he gonna keep getting in the way?"
"I don't think he's getting in the way. I think he's just being fucking annoying. Simple as that."
He nodded softly, not saying much. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. Anyway, enough with this guy. Now that I'm officially done with work stuff and family stuff, the rest of our time here is going to be spent together. It's you and me, Bonnie."
STEVEN POV
As much as I wanted to punch Mike in the face for, again, getting in the way of my relationship. I couldn't focus on him. I had to focus on her, this perfect woman in front of me. She's all I had, all I wanted. I still, even after two years of not being together, wanted to make her my future. I know she wanted to be with me. Bonnie is an upfront girl, if she didn't she wouldn't be with me.
"Alright baby, I'm ready." Bonnie came out of the bedroom, clipping her diamond earrings that I had got her for Christmas three years ago onto her ears.
Bonnie's hair was curled beautifully and she was wearing a grey dress that hugged on each and every one of her curves. Her makeup was flawless and she was flawless, nothing new. "Bonnie baby, you look so beautiful." I complimented her with a smile.
She walked up to me and kissed me softly, her hand resting on my cheek. "Thank you, darlin'. You are looking quite handsome yourself." She winked at me as she pinched my butt making me laugh.
"I gotta look great for my lady." I gestured out my hand and she grabbed it and we were off to our date here in the beautiful New York City.
There was a full moon out, stars pointed out here and there, and the view of the city was breathtaking. We had went to dinner at a nice restaurant, Central Park, and even walked into the Hermés store and I got her that beige Birkin bag she's dreamed about. Now were were on top of the Empire State Building. We were on the 102nd floor on the top deck, looking out into the city.
"God, it's so beautiful here." She said with a gasp as her eyes twinkled from the city lights.
"Isn't it perfect?" I asked, not expecting an answer but turning towards her, "Bonnie, I need to tell you something."
She looked up at me as she waited for me to continue. "What's up, babe?"
I cleared my throat, "I found out the other day, that your dad is thinking of sending me out here to run the New York division of the firm...as far as he knows, there's nothing keeping me in California."
Her expression was exactly what I was expecting. It was blank, but I knew exactly what she was thinking. She was internally freaking out.
"Wow, that's that's a huge opportunity, Steven."
"I know, I know. I haven't given him an answer, mainly because he says it's just an idea but he said that if I'm okay with it, the idea may become clearer for him. I wanted to tell you that day but today, he was saying that I could run this, baby. This would be mine. Not that he doesn't want me in California with him, because he does, but even if it's for a year or so just to get it off the ground, then I could make a return back to LA."
"My dad's got it all planned out, huh?" She wasn't smiling, she wasn't frowning. She was emotionless. "You've always wanted to run it on your own. What are you gonna do?"
I shrugged, "I'm not sure to be completely honest. That's why I wanted to bring it up to you. I want you to help me weigh some things about it."
"Why?"
"Because Bonnie, you're the most important person in my life. And this is the most important moment in my life right now, career-wise. I love you, Bonnie. I would love your expertise on this. You know I'm awful at making decisions."
Once I spoke the thoughts that had been clouding my mind over the last few weeks, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I felt relieved for finally getting to tell her how I felt, why I was being a fucking asshole. I imagined that she felt the same way. I imagined that she was just going to jump into my arms, tell me she loved me back, then we would go on and live happily ever after. She had too. No woman has ever turned me down before, so I was expecting her to come back to me. What we had was special, and I knew she knew that.
All of those expectations shot out the window once she never said anything to me. Her brown eyes just stayed glued to me, her mouth open a little. She never said anything. And once she stayed silent for more than four minutes, I knew she didn't love me. I felt my face get hot and flush from it's normal color. There is no way this is actually happening to me right now.
She took a deep breath then spoke softly. "Mike, I don't know what you expect me to say?"
"Tell me that you love me back. That you're in love with me back." I answered matter-of-factly, because frankly, she should've loved me. I was nothing but fucking awesome to her.
Bonnie shook her head lightly, "Have you ever been in love before?"
My mouth opened to talk, but nothing ever came out of it. No, I never had been in love before. Not until I met Bonnie. "Has anyone ever truly been in love with you, Mike?" She asked afterward.
"I-I don't know? Maybe?" My mind scanned each and every girlfriend I had ever had and thought back to what went wrong with each of them. All being because of me. I either cheated, couldn't commit, wouldn't commit, or just got bored. A couple of them told me that they loved me, I just couldn't say it back. It never felt right until now. And of course, the girl I'm saying it too doesn't love me back.
"Being in love isn't expecting someone else to say it back. It's feeling it. And when they are ready, when they truly feel like they love you back, they will say it. I can't say that to you. And even so," She paused for a moment, adding a bite to her lip as she thought of what to say. "You can't fall in love with someone in two months." Her perfectly arched eyebrows furrowed together as she thought back to my confession.
I shook my head then stood up. "Yes, you can. You can. I'm telling you that I did. Bonnie, I'm not the guy that says that they love someone. I've never said it before. But I guarantee you can fall in love in two months. When that person becomes your life, you do."
Her eyes stayed glued onto mine, but I couldn't help but hear my heart shatter into a million pieces. She never loved me. She couldn't never love me. And maybe it was always like that. I was never going to be her future, or her present. I was just someone for the moment. And that truth fucking stung.
"Mike, I gotta go. I-it was nice seeing you. Have fun out there." She said lowly, standing up and adding a tap to my shoulder, then walking out of my dressing room.
I stared at the door and watched her leave, wondering if this was what was supposed to happen. Something was telling me it wasn't. She didn't love me, but I couldn't give up. It was clear that I needed her in my life; that she made it so much better the second she walked into it. Maybe I had to prove something to her. That her lifestyle didn't bother me. It just made me feel as if I could never give her what she wants, what she deserves. I'm a drummer, not a lawyer. That's all I'll ever be.
BONNIE POV
"Hey dude, where've you been?" Dani asked with a smile as I walked back into ADTR's dressing room.
I was flustered, my throat closing as the minutes passed. "Dani, I gotta go."
Her face fell with disappointment. "Aw dude, why? Are you okay?"
I nodded, "I just don't feel good. I'm gonna head out, okay? It was really nice seeing you, and meeting all of you." I looked over to Kevin and his band and waved goodbye to them before making a quick exit.
On my way over there, I noticed Vic, Jaime, and Tony all together and laughing. I had no choice but to walk passed them and my only wish was for them to pretend I wasn't there. I needed to get some air because the room felt stuffy and it seemed like the heater was on 105 degrees.
"Hey Bonnie!" Vic shouted with a grin, waving me over to him but I couldn't stop. For once, my feet weren't feeling like they were cemented into the ground because they kept going. I left out the back door and then found myself in an alley. I walked to the front of the venue building and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe this was happening. He told me he loved me, he told me he was in love with me. There's no way. I didn't feel like that. I've only ever been in love with one person and that was Steven.
I appreciated the gesture and the sudden confession, but c'mon now. This isn't how things go. I can't believe he thought he could just flip a switch and stop being a fucking dick and come at me with the 'L' word. Who the fuck did he think he was?
Later that night, I was thinking over some things as I waited for Steven to get back from his aunt's house. I sat with a glass of white wine, wearing black leggings and a grey boyfriend v-neck. When I had spoken to Nicole about it, she had asked me a very simple question, if I ever loved Mike. And honestly, I didn't. We weren't together long enough for me to love him. Maybe eventually I could've but, let's be real here, the one person I love more than anyone is myself and I wasn't wiling to give that up so quickly.
It had to be worth it in my opinion. And Mike wasn't worth it.
Moments later, the door wiggled open as Steven walked in. He looked exhausted but the second he looked at me, his blue eyes lit up and he smiled. "Bonnie, I am so happy to see you." He walked over to the couch, making me smile from his words, and he sat beside me. He kicked off his shoes and put his arm around me, bringing me into a soft kiss. "I missed you today."
"I missed you, too. How was your aunt's?" I questioned, handing him my glass of wine so he could have a sip or two.
He took a sip then handed it back to me before rubbing my thigh. "Eh, it was the average visit to Aunt Diane's house. They were all happy to see me, pestering me on why I didn't come for the holidays, and if I was ever going to settle down as if I'm a fucking bachelor or something. " He rolled his eyes, "So the usual."
I giggled, kissing him. "Well, next time you visit, I'll be there. I promise."
He grinned, his nose scrunching up. "There's nothing I would love more than that. How about when we get home, we tell our families about us again?" You could tell he was nervous asking that because his face got a little bit strained.
I sat up and faced him, my arm around his neck. "I think that would be a brilliant idea, Mr. Bohn."
A smile ten miles wide formed on his lips, "Yeah?"
I nodded positively. "I've been thinking about that, too. I feel like it's time."
"Me too. And because I'm not going to fuck this up again, Bon. I love you so much. More than anything. You know that right?"
When Steven said it, it felt right. It felt like he meant it. It felt like this was who I was supposed to be with.
"I love you, Steven."
He kissed me and smiled on my lips. "How was your day with Dani?"
"Um, it was good. A little weird, I guess." I looked down playing with the fabric on his pants.
"What happened?"
"Well, her boyfriend is in a band, Kevin. He's super awesome and his band is awesome. But, guess who they are touring with?"
He sighed, his smile falling. "Let me guess, Mike's band?"
I nodded. "So, I saw him and he starts telling me this bullshit about how he loves me. It makes no fucking sense. I just want him to leave me alone."
"Bonnie, can I ask you something?" His brows were furrowed in confusion.
"What's up?"
"Did you love Mike? Like, be honest with me."
"No. No. He and I were together for two fucking months and he was gone on tour for most of it. You know I'm not like that. I don't believe in that." I never did. I was never one to fall in love quickly, yet done fall in love. Like I said, only one person had got that out of me and it was Steven.
"You don't fall in love quickly, that's for sure. Bon, is he gonna keep getting in the way?"
"I don't think he's getting in the way. I think he's just being fucking annoying. Simple as that."
He nodded softly, not saying much. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. Anyway, enough with this guy. Now that I'm officially done with work stuff and family stuff, the rest of our time here is going to be spent together. It's you and me, Bonnie."
STEVEN POV
As much as I wanted to punch Mike in the face for, again, getting in the way of my relationship. I couldn't focus on him. I had to focus on her, this perfect woman in front of me. She's all I had, all I wanted. I still, even after two years of not being together, wanted to make her my future. I know she wanted to be with me. Bonnie is an upfront girl, if she didn't she wouldn't be with me.
"Alright baby, I'm ready." Bonnie came out of the bedroom, clipping her diamond earrings that I had got her for Christmas three years ago onto her ears.
Bonnie's hair was curled beautifully and she was wearing a grey dress that hugged on each and every one of her curves. Her makeup was flawless and she was flawless, nothing new. "Bonnie baby, you look so beautiful." I complimented her with a smile.
She walked up to me and kissed me softly, her hand resting on my cheek. "Thank you, darlin'. You are looking quite handsome yourself." She winked at me as she pinched my butt making me laugh.
"I gotta look great for my lady." I gestured out my hand and she grabbed it and we were off to our date here in the beautiful New York City.
There was a full moon out, stars pointed out here and there, and the view of the city was breathtaking. We had went to dinner at a nice restaurant, Central Park, and even walked into the Hermés store and I got her that beige Birkin bag she's dreamed about. Now were were on top of the Empire State Building. We were on the 102nd floor on the top deck, looking out into the city.
"God, it's so beautiful here." She said with a gasp as her eyes twinkled from the city lights.
"Isn't it perfect?" I asked, not expecting an answer but turning towards her, "Bonnie, I need to tell you something."
She looked up at me as she waited for me to continue. "What's up, babe?"
I cleared my throat, "I found out the other day, that your dad is thinking of sending me out here to run the New York division of the firm...as far as he knows, there's nothing keeping me in California."
Her expression was exactly what I was expecting. It was blank, but I knew exactly what she was thinking. She was internally freaking out.
"Wow, that's that's a huge opportunity, Steven."
"I know, I know. I haven't given him an answer, mainly because he says it's just an idea but he said that if I'm okay with it, the idea may become clearer for him. I wanted to tell you that day but today, he was saying that I could run this, baby. This would be mine. Not that he doesn't want me in California with him, because he does, but even if it's for a year or so just to get it off the ground, then I could make a return back to LA."
"My dad's got it all planned out, huh?" She wasn't smiling, she wasn't frowning. She was emotionless. "You've always wanted to run it on your own. What are you gonna do?"
I shrugged, "I'm not sure to be completely honest. That's why I wanted to bring it up to you. I want you to help me weigh some things about it."
"Why?"
"Because Bonnie, you're the most important person in my life. And this is the most important moment in my life right now, career-wise. I love you, Bonnie. I would love your expertise on this. You know I'm awful at making decisions."
Notes
Alright, alright. We've had a lot going on the last two updates. First off, Bonnie realizes that Steven just may be the one for her, her soulmate even. Then, Mike goes and tells her that he's loves her; that he's in love with her. Afterwards, Bonnie makes it clear that she does not love Mike, but he is not going to give up. NOW, we are finding out that Steven may be getting relocated to NYC for work purposes.
What do you think about the predicaments that Bonnie is in between Mike on one hand, and Steven on the other. Would she leave her life, her family, her best friend, everything back in LA for Steven? Would Steven turn down a huge career opportunity that is really once in a lifetime, for Bonnie?
As always, thank you for reading and leave your questions/ comments/ concerns.
Happy Holidays :)
XO,
Ambs
@rebel_girl: I hope you enjoyed it :)
12/9/16