Just Breathe

chapter six:

Who are you?

Eddie snagged us both a beer as we headed back into the living room. We saw that the couch was empty so we wasted no time in occupying it. Eddie seemed to be getting lost in the song that was blaring from the speakers. Tapping his foot and swaying his head to the beat. I looked down at my red solo cup and thought about what he told me. Eddie was an upcoming rock star. I've heard people talk about them before in the coffee shop, having seen their performance or just buying their album and talking about it. It also made me wonder why a cool guy like him would even want a nobody like me?

"What's up?" Came Ed's voice, bumping me with his shoulder as I snapped out of my thoughts. "You look as though your deep in thought. Tell me what's on your mind."

I shook my head at him. "It's nothing." I smiled, taking a sip of my drink and forcing it down. Beer has never been my go to of choice.

"Sure didn't look like nothing to me." Eddie said, raising his brow and downing his cup. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and leaned over to kiss the side of my head. "Talk to me about it later. I wanna know what goes on in that pretty little head of yours."

I blushed at his affection and sweet words. Looking at him as he shot me a smirk in return.

"Well if it isn't Romeo and Juliet themselves. I wondered if you were ever gonna come back in." Came a voice I hadn't heard yet. I watched this tall man with wavy dark hair and goatee come up beside the couch. "I met up with Jeff earlier and he warned me about an ass kicking if I interrupted you two." He laughed as he drank some beer through a Budweiser can. "My name's Chris." He smiled down at me and I couldn't help but give him one in return.

"I'm Natalie."

"Well Natalie, thanks for coming to my party. Hope you've been enjoying it so far."

I turned to Ed and saw him get up from the couch and hug his friend. Greeting each other as if they hadn't been together for a while.

"It's great to see you Chris. How's the band coming along? I've been talking with the guys and we're pretty stoked about the collaboration you've been wanting to try." Eddie turned his head to me and reached out his hand for me to take. I slowly got up off the couch and joined them.

"Chris wants to do a few songs with us. Just a single album for fun." Eddie said. Cluing me in on their conversation. "We've came up with the name Temple of the Dog. It's different and we're all for it."

Chris started talking with Eddie about some upcoming gigs with his band. I didn't want to intrude in there conversation so I let my mind start to wander. I looked around the room, watching people randomly start to dance or head bang to the song that was playing. I'd just took another sip of my drink when I started to feel a little uneasy. I turned my head as I saw a woman staring at me. She wore an old war jacket over a black dress. Her dark hair perfectly framing her face but her eyes looked so cold. It made me nervous the way she looked at me.

"Natalies in the house!" Came a booming voice beside me. I turned my head and giggled as Jeff came stumbling my way with Stone, Dave and another guy and a girl behind him.

"Hey guys." I greeted them as Jeff came and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He bumped Eddie's arm for attention. Cutting off his conversation with Chris.

"Anyone ever tell you it's rude to hit on another man's girl?" Chris said looking to Jeff.

"Anyone ever tell you, you look like a chick." Jeff fought back playfully.

"Alright you're going down ass hat." Chris reached over and put Jeff into a headlock as they both started to rough house in the living room.

Eddie tucked me into his side as soon as the brawl started going on. I couldn't help but look up at him and laugh. He just smiled down at me and shook his head in return. I had a feeling this happens quite often with them.