"We have practice today." Those were the first words Gwen heard.
"Mmm...okay." She rolled over in an attempt to relieve the sun shining in her eyes.
"You said you wanted to make a nice little spread for everyone. If you want to accomplish that, you need to get up soon." He pushed the curtains open. Large beams burst into the room. The walls were painted with light. "I'm up!" She groaned, tossing a pillow in his direction. "If you break my new lamp I'm sending you straight to hell!" He flung the pillow back onto the bed.
-
A knock on the door interrupted her last-minute preparations.
Whomever it is, they're early.
When she opened the door she was greeted by John Paul Jones. He was holding his bass, sans case, in one hand. "You're not James." He commented.
Her laugh flowed through the air. "No, I'm not," She paused to let him in, "But he's here somewhere."
She took notice of John for the first time. Sure, she'd had conversations with him, but never really saw him. His hair was light brown and thick. A side bang sat over the right side of his face. His beauty was understated and more subtle than Jimmy's. He was strikingly beautiful in a masculine sense.
"Always nice to see you." He gave a short bow after his polite words. "The others aren't here yet, but I'm sure you know that," Gwen laughed, "But you can have a seat in the living room and get something to eat from the kitchen if you'd like."
He enjoyed her presence; she was the nicest girl Jimmy kept around. And seemed to make him happy. Which John appreciated. Seeing his friends happy was always a lovely sight. She attempted to talk to him and appeal to what he liked. Not many people were sociable in a way that he could keep up with. She was breezy and refreshing.
Her hair was heavy and long, trailing down her shoulders and back. It was a lovely auburn color, John noticed. The sun shining through the windows illuminated the copper tones he hadn't seen before. Thick bangs sat over her eyes. He took notice of their appearance. He hadn't noticed during their initial meeting, but they were a lovely shade of forest green. Her pupils were pushed wide to the edges of her lenses.
She and old Jim had shared some flowers before he arrived. It must get his juices flowing. Her long limbs seemed to match Jimmy's; they are a lanky couple. If they have kids they're going to look like little spindly spiders.
"Where's Jim?"
"He's upstairs getting ready still. I didn't tell him you were here yet. I enjoy seeing him all embarrassed that we've caught him in the middle of his primping." They shared a laugh.
She couldn't help but notice the way his lips curled into a smile. His teeth were crooked and she found that cute. His laugh was a beautiful sound; one she wanted to hear more of. "While we wait for him, would you like me to keep you company? I was just about to have some tea." He took note of her friendly tone. She seemed to be in high spirits. "Oh, yes, that would be nice." He went on to tell her exactly what he thought. "You know, I think you're the nicest girl Jimmy has kept around. You're hospitable." She was taken back by his honesty.
"Thank you. I think you're the nicest out of all of his friends. Well, bandmates, I guess." A short laugh was shared between the two. Their words settled into a comfortable silence. The only sound to be heard was the clinking of teacups on the plates resting in their hands. She turned to catch a glimpse of admiration. Her gaze occupied the space under his brow. She took notice of the way his lids rested just above his irises'; he had sensual eyes.
His wife must be a lucky girl.
Their eyes connected and her face flushed with a blush. He had caught her! A knowing glance was shared.
Jimmy wouldn't be fond of the way she is looking at me.
"I finally got a chance to see the photos you took of us. They're lovely. You've got a real talent." His voice rattled in the back of his throat, pushing its way through clenched teeth. "Oh, thank you! I didn't think it was my best work, but I tried." An earnest smile brushed her face.
"Well, I thought they were lovely. And you were very charming. Most photographers are in your face. Very mild approach. Much appreciated." He held up a thumb and closed one eye. She giggled at his silliness and mirrored his actions.
"I would love to have another shoot with you. I'm sure the guys agree. Hopefully, Jimmy would. But with him, you never know what you're going to get. A toss-up, that one." His words made her laugh once more.
Jimmy's steps bounded down the stairs as he buttoned his shirt. "Love, I think they'll be here soon. Can you set out the t-" When he reached the bottom of the stairs he was met with Jonesy and Gwen looking at him. "I see you've already done it. I'll go get the rest of the food."
She trailed after him into the kitchen. "John said he liked the photos I took. He wants me to work for y'all again." Her smile was toothy and wide. "Well, that's great! I would love to work with you again." When the two returned to the living room they were met with Robert. He was sitting in a chair next to Jimmy's fireplace. His hands were crossed in his lap.
-
"Jimmy told me you and Bonzo have a Pisces moon. I do as well!" A smile latched to her face as she spoke to the enchanting singer. "Well, isn't that lovely? Pagey keeps a certain type of company, doesn't he? She couldn't help but blush at his attention. Safe to say, Robert understood that women (and men) were eating from the palm of his hand. The second he got his hooks in you, you were done for.
"Do you enjoy a bit of poetry, then? I've heard us Pisceans are very...romantic." He gave a side smirk. "Yes, I do, actually. I like reading it more so than writing. I don't think I'm a very good writer."
"If you have anything you've written I would love to read it. I'm always in the mood for an enchanting song from a beautiful soul." His charm wavered slightly.
"I couldn't impose before rehearsal. But in the future, I will share some of my writing. I don't want to make Jimmy upset or foil any of his plans. You know how particular he can be." She leaned in, whispering the last bit.
"Oh, yes, I am quite aware of how moody he tends to be. That's the gentle artist in him, I suppose. We can all get that way from time to time." He was comforting. Friendly. Gwen didn't see his actions as inappropriate. It seemed natural for him to be whimsical and wonderful.
Jimmy didn't seem to mind either. He was less upset by Robert calling his woman a beautiful song than by John simply looking at her. But this was on account of Gwen's obvious intention. After rehearsal ended, the guys stuck around to enjoy each other's company. She shamelessly held a prolonged gaze and laughed at every word from John's mouth.
It began with an innocuous grabbing of his arm after a joke he told. But when she saw the look on Jimmy's face when she did this, an evil seed sprouted in her mind. She had been coming around to the game of cat-and-mouse Jimmy played with his feelings. And now she was starting a match. John didn't even need to participate for her actions to be loud and clear. Her care for his reaction was left behind. This game was only for Jimmy to be affected.
To John, it was nothing. It was cute. A bit of good old flirting never hurt anyone. He was surely a fan of the attention. She's a pretty girl. And he understood her reasoning. It became obvious after each time she touched him that she would look at Jimmy. Who, at this point, was seething in anger. Words didn't need to be expressed when John could see his eyes. Their intensity was raised tenfold. He shot daggers at the couple. His distance from Gwen was noticeable.
His feelings weren't helped when Gwen pulled out her camera and began snapping photos. This was another ploy to upset him. She understood his discomfort being photographed. He stood with crossed arms, a deep grimace on his face. "Well someone's not a happy camper." Robert leaned to whisper in Gwen's ear. She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop her cackle. "If he hears you we're all dead." They continued to snicker.
By the time his bandmates left, steam was coming from his ears. If she played her game before rehearsal, she most certainly would have gained the moniker of "Yoko", because Jimmy would have smashed his Les Paul over John's head.
"What was that?" He spoke before the hinges on the door could shut.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy, you know exactly what you were doing. Touching his arm, laughing at all his jokes, staring at him. Were you trying to upset me?" His eyes were wide and dark. Anger was rooted deep in his voice but he wasn't yelling.
A simple laugh was all she offered.
"You're laughing? This isn't funny! I'm seeing a side of you I don't particularly care for, love. One I don't want to see again. Because you won't want to see how nasty I can get."
She turned to him now. "You were bothered by my actions?" She raised a brow.
His brows shot up to his forehead. "Obviously!"
She giggled again.
"What is so bloody funny?"
"You. You're funny. Coming in here all angry. Just because I took interest in someone else. If I had that right idea, I would say you don't want me with anyone but you."
"This has all been a game to you, hasn't it?"
"Now you're using your head."
"You- you can't just play games to get a point across!" He stammered in an extinguished anger. It was a stain, a ring around his mouth, still present but lessened now. "Well, you don't seem to be forthright with your feelings. So why should I have to guess? I figured I would have a bit of fun." Her tone was heating him back up. He wished she would just come out and say how she felt, rather than riling him up. Bringing his friends into it was immature, he thought, and to interrupt the creative flow was downright inappropriate.
"If you want to know, just ask." His teeth clamped around his words, putting them in a heavy-handed hold. She continued her game, feigning innocence and dodging her role in his feeling. He continued to boil, his anger turning to frustration. "I don't like these tricks, love. Please, I want to be honest with you. Just ask me when you're feeling confused. I would rather be productive than waste time with all these useless games." She nodded, still not convinced he meant what he said.
He could feel her apprehension and decided to play into her game. "Well, your tricks haven't worked. I've only realized now that I think you and John would be a better couple. I'll ring him and tell him the good news. He's been asking about you." A cheeky smile was now on his face.
"You're joking, right?"
"No, no! He said you would be a perfect step-mum to little Jacinda. And I think he's right. He's even a Capricorn too, y'know? Perfect for you."
"Okay, okay, very funny. But really, you don't want me with anyone else, do you?"
"No, I don't want you with anyone else. And maybe that's not fair of me. But I don't."
"You're right, it isn't fair. But I don't care about fairness. I care about us."
"Well in that case, why don't you agree to be mine? Just mine. And I'll be yours. And then we can belong to each other." Their fingers worked to find each other, dancing to an embrace.
"I think I would have to say yes. I may be crazy if I don't." She leaned forward. Their words were only whispers now as their lips came closer with each word.
"You'd be absolutely mad." Their lips met in an electrifying kiss.
She understood that Jimmy being hers was not in a literal sense. He was hers in a celestial way. He was elusive. Hard to tie down. His body did not belong to her. She gave hers up so willingly. He could fill all the cracks in her skin like ink to paper. But how much space she held in his mind was a mystery to her. Of course, his words were an indication, but men are often liars. It is in their nature and she also understood that. The uncertainty of her footing was aiding in the anxiety ever-present in her chest.
The chances of him tossing her aside were high, in her mind. She did not know the depth to which Jimmy would go to keep something he held dear around. And to him, she was the grail. A sight to behold; a woman you couldn't look at once. There was always a second glance. It was a marvel she had such a keen eye for photography, for she was so suited to be the subject.
Jealousy is a dangerous drug. And for someone like Jimmy, that was a bet he was willing to take. Risk always excited him. But to him, Gwen was not risky. She was a sure thing; she was loyal as the sky was blue. A true Taurus. There was no doubt she'd be waiting for him when he returned from tour. And he wanted something to hold onto.
"I know just the perfect way to spend tomorrow." She smiled.
"Oh yeah? What have you got in mind?"
"James, would you do me the honors of accompanying me on a date tomorrow?"
"Hmm... Depends on what the plan is."
"You don't get to know. Just say yes."
"Alright, yes, I would love to join you on a date tomorrow." I followed her lead, making my words dramatic.
"That's perfect."