The Barren Thorns: I Know You ✔️

Chapter 1.5: Swagger

Author's Note: Welcome! Before we begin, The Barren Thorns has a Spotify playlist that I suggest. For each chapter published, there is a track on the list that is the chapter title. Really it's just a great playlist of rock songs. Find it here: https://open.spotify.com/user/lilyfedorko/playlist/0CQIXOMPlBEiYe6Wa6xGzM?si=pzkoHmUJTIKNuoI7xW4p5Q - it's titled The Barren Thorns if you are to search it.

Please don't forget to vote and share if you enjoy it and I love comments! Whenever you find any typos, please let me know!

Let's rock and roll...

"Come on," I heard Leo beckon from the next room. I'd just finished dressing and after giving myself the once over I walked out into the sitting room of the suite we were staying in. I sighed at the dwindling prospect of having any quiet time to try to write tonight. I knew by the fact that Leo had ordered more booze than Nero's örgÿ planner that he had plans for a party.

"Alright I'm ready. Can you promise to keep the party out of this suite tonight? You've got the whole bloody hall for Christ's sake." I grumbled.

"You have to meet new people sometime, mate. I have given you a good long while to mope about and now it's time for re-entry into your former life." Leo argued sternly, his resolute tone causing me to consider what he'd said.

"I just don't feel like it, to be frank. Every city we meet the same bitta fluff. Have the same gargle in us. Laugh at the same shïtë jokes. I'm bored of it more than I am afraid of meeting someone and getting hurt." I admitted with a shrug. The thing about writing music with your best mate is that there are no secrets or hidden emotions. We were forced to talk to each other about our vulnerabilities. It made for an ability to speak freely about things we might otherwise hide because we were men (or whatever shïtë blokes say).

"Just think about it ok? You never know, any 'bitta fluff' could be the love of your life. Don't just walk by because you suspect she'll probably be boring." He urged and I took this in. He wasn't wrong then, was he? If I didn't give anyone a chance to be interesting, how would I know for certain no one was? But was I ready for that? I'd always hoped to meet a girl and know but history suggested that was just some fairy tale tripe your parents tell you, until one runs off to have a new family, of course.

"I'll think about it. Where's Phil?" I glanced around noticing Gabe, Genesis, and Bridget weren't there either.

"Oh bullocks. They're waiting in the car," Leo groaned grabbing his coat and heading for the door. I rolled my eyes and pulled my hat tight to my head.

We stepped out of the lift and into the lobby of the posh hotel. Around us, people turned and stared a bit but this was an expensive enough place that no one really had an interest in taking pictures or getting autographs. It'd look too common. As we headed for the door I saw something from the corner of my eye and did a double take. A woman with jewel-tone purple waves sat at a high-top table near the door to the hotel's restaurant. She was laughing, her head tilted back and her eyes shut. Her lips were a perfect merlot color that matched the glass of wine she was drinking. She wore a pair of black leather pants that appeared as though they were painted onto her perfect legs. On top, she wore a Pearl Jam singlet that I also had. Only hers was oversized and exposed bits of honey skin and black lace. The waiter moved between us but when he'd shifted I could now see the hazel eyes on her shining in the dim lighting of the restaurant. I was mesmerized.

"Desmond!" Leo shouted as close to my ear as possible.

"What?" I questioned with attitude, refusing to tear my gaze from the gorgeous girl in the bar.

"What are you doing? We've got to go?" He stated in an exasperated tone. After a short pause he pointed out, "ohh I see. Cute blonde?" Leo whistled and I tore my eyes away to lift a brow in his direction.