Beating The Odds[Chapter 10, Pt. 2]

Chapter 10, Part 2.1

"The name's Jack, Jack Wright," some man says, extending his hand as we enter Simon's office. 2

"You're point?" I reply, reluctantly shaking his hand.3

"This is your new P.R.," Simon adds, sitting calmly in his chair.4

"P.R. huh?" Matt says with a slightly unimpressed look, "what's so special about you?"5

The dude turned to Matt with a way-too-confident smile. The kind that makes you cringe. 6

"I'm one of the best. I guarantee you'll have a hell of a time finding someone better," he answers. Matt just scoffs and sips his beer, avoiding anymore glances. I figured we barely know the guy; it's too early to write him off just yet. 7

"Sometimes it takes some time to get used to working with new people. I'm sure in a couple days things'll be fine. C'mon, I’ll introduce you to the rest of the group," I offer. 8

Caleb, David and Matt follow silently. I know they probably aren't comfortable with it just yet, but we could use a bit of a boost promoting our band, so they'll just have to get accustomed to it. 9

Taryn and Jess were waiting patiently, as always, rising from their seats as we join them in the waiting room. 10

"Ladies, this is Jack Wright, our new P.R. manager," I inform, making it obvious that I was talking about the random dude behind me. Taryn, trying to be friendly, shakes his hand.11

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Wright." 12

"Call me Jack," he replies. First name basis already? Maybe he's more comfortable around here than I thought. 13

After a few arrangements, we get ready to leave, but Jack halts us. 14

"Oh, no, you're leaving in this my friends," he says as a limo pulls up, "You want to be rock stars? You got to arrive in rock star fashion."15

Once we arrive, I give Taryn a quick kiss and go to do my thing. I soon find myself and the band behind a couple signing tables, signing a couple CDs we gave out at first so we can be heard (even though it only contained a few songs), shirts, people’s arms, and taking pictures, etc. I had no idea how popular we had already become. It's not like we're global yet or anything, but hell, just having the cities around us know who we are felt good. 16

I can see Taryn sitting with the other girls, no doubt chatting women nonsense of some sort. No offense, it's just for the most part a foreign language to me. She looks happy though...that's all that matters. Out of nowhere, some random chick get's in the way of my view. 17

"You guys are so hot," she complimented, "will you sign my body?" She asks us all flirtatiously. 18

"Yeah, sure," Matt says immediately, "Where at?" She lifts her shirt a little and points at her stomach. I tried hard not to roll my eyes. Caleb chooses her back, and Dave and I sign both arms.19

"Do any of you have a cell? Hmm?" she questions.20

"Nope, next," I order, trying to get her out of there as soon as possible. She was just one of those "wants-to-date-a-rock star" chicks, it made me sick. 21

"You’re telling me you came here in a limo, and you don't have a cell?" She asks with a smile. Can't she take a hint...? 22

"Yeah, basically," I finish, staring over at Taryn. Finally she gets it. 23

"Well...if you're ever free, give me a call," she says with a wink, stuffing her number in the pocket of my jacket and slowly taking her leave. 24

Sitting back down, I threw it away along with the other numbers I’ve received that night. Funny how when you start becoming successful, they flock to you like you're some model or something.25

We had one more set to do, and when we were done, I walked quickly backstage, drenched in sweat and pushing the dangling strands of hair out of my face that kept returning annoyingly. 26

"Nice job everyone," I state to the guys as I head in Taryn's direction. You have no idea how much a person can sweat being on a stage in front of a huge crowd, lights beaming down on you as you scream your fuckin' lungs out, jumping around and head banging when needed. I get to Taryn just in time to spin her around and lay one on her as it hits New Year. 27

Damn, what a night.28

So far everything has been great since the day Taryn and I got together, and I’m not going to lie, I let it get to my head. I started thinking all of our problems were over and ignorantly thought it would stay like that. We wound up home quite late that night, and after a round of bed play, fell asleep.29

Morning, and hell yeah I’m going to announce it. It's been more than a joy waking up every morning, and there ain't a lot of people out there that can say that. The guys wanted to go find a bike for themselves and asked if I’d join them so we dudes could hang out. But even so, I asked Taryn if she wanted to come along. She said she'd rather stay home and relax. 30

"Alright babe, enjoy yourself, we’ll be back sometime tonight. You set for dinner? You want me to pick you up something'?" I suggest as I hold her close to me. 31

"Nah, I’ll just order a pizza and pig out while you're all out being macho and what-not," she teases, looking up at me with an adorable grin. 32

"I agree, you could use some junk in your trunk," Caleb adds, smacking her ass as he makes his way past her. If it was anyone but Caleb, he'd be one hand short. 33

"Hey, back off my woman. She's perfect, including her 'trunk'," I state, smacking him upside his head as he walks by again.34

He gives me a playful "wanna fight?" look and says, "I’ll let you cop a feel on Jess's tits sometime to even the score. All good?" he suggests. It might have seemed that he was trying to be fair, but I knew better than that. He was putting Jess on a pedestal and trying to say her rack was better than Taryn's, but hey, can't blame him for taking pride in his girl, although I was a hundred-and-twenty percent sure that Taryn's were better.35

"Nah man, I’ll pass. Don't get me wrong, Jess is a babe, but I have eyes for Taryn only," I add with a grin as I turn back to my girl. 36

"Alright Shakespeare, kiss her goodbye already and let's get the fuck outta here," Caleb blurts, throwing his jacket on and jumping off the porch. 37

I must've kissed her a good five minutes (partially because I love it, and partially because I wanted to irritate Caleb for the hell of it). I then finally said my goodbye and me and the impatient bastard got going. 38

It didn't take long to arrive at Bill's dealership, and once we did, Caleb came to me, no doubt to say something smart again. 39

"You notice how you two act like you're not gonna see each other for another five years every time you have to leave each other's side? It's like 'Oh Shane, these few hours are going to be morbidly painful without you, love' and then you're like "I know, there wont be a minute that passes without you in my head, I’ll bring back something for you, blah, blah'," he teased, "you're like a modern day Romeo and Juliet, its just...gross." 40

"Fuck you," I replied, practically pushing him over, "Faggot. Ain't my fault I love her like I do."41

"Ain't my fault I love her like I do," he mocked in an annoying voice. 42

"I'm seriously 'bout to fuck you up dude," I said with a grin, walking inside the building. 43

Bill arrives and greets us, and they spend an hour or two walking around and looking at the different bikes, never really buying anything. They said they wanted to wait for the opportunity to come up with their own unique designs, and so we left and took ourselves to a nearby restaurant. Nothing too expensive, but it had some kick ass food. 44

"I think I want an ATV. Four wheels, but not a car. Just for fuckin’ around," Matt added as we dig into our plates. 45

"Yeah, ATV's are pretty sweet, dude. I kinda want a luxury vehicle. Plus, Jess's been wantin' a dog for a while, she said she don't care what kind, as long as it's small. Any of you douches got a suggestion?" Caleb asks with a laugh. We must have spent 20 minutes discussing what kind of dog would be best. 46

"Pomeranian?" Matt adds. 47

"They shed like crazy though; I don't need live cotton balls running around the house."48

"Beagle, miniature pinscher, pug, poodle, just pick somethin', I’m sure she'll love it anyway," I stated, trying to focus on what I’d wanna get for Taryn.49

"Hmm...Maybe I will get her a Pomeranian. She likes fluffy things."50

"God, I’m outta here. See you guys at home, I gotta pick up something for Taryn," I announce, lifting myself and adjusting my jacket. Caleb gave me an odd look.51

"So you're displays of affection ain't gross, but I can't talk about gettin' Jess a pooch?" he jokes, throwing a fry at me, "Go on, get. Go get your girl somethin' nice."52

"I plan on it. Catch you later," I finish, returning to that more than useful Harley in the parking lot. 53

There were a couple stores I was planning on checking out that resided not too far from Lou’s. During this little shopping excursion, I bought myself some new fingerless gloves and a chain I could weave my dad's guitar string through. But nothing in that store compared to the importance of the thing I bought in the next one, Taryn's gift, which I spent an hour and a half getting.54

The smile wouldn't leave my face the entire trip back to the Harley as I fumbled with her gift in my pocket. I kept fighting with myself over if I should give it to her now, or later, but hell, who cares. I just wanted to get home. She's probably there pampering the hell out of herself since the rest of us were gone, which is good, cause that means she'll be relaxed and maybe up for some playtime tonight.55

That wide grin returned as I pulled into the driveway, and after turning off my bike, I placed the keys in my other pocket and quickly paced to the door, thinking. 56

"Hmm...Maybe I will give it to her now," I thought out loud, turning the door handle, slowly opening the door and peeking my head inside. It wasn't early, so I figured she was probably either asleep, or resting. My heart's pounding like crazy as I near the door, and I kept silently laughing at myself for being as nervous as I was. Pulling myself together, I took a deep breath and opened the door slowly incase she was asleep or something. 57

She wasn't...58

I don't think I processed what exactly was happening right away. All I know was that I wasn't breathing, I wasn't blinking, and she was kissing Jack, that scrawny ass, rat-looking bastard of a P.R.59

She was kissing him...he was kissing her, I wasn't sure, and it didn't matter. 60

Still holding my breath, I shut the door and couldn't seem to change the expression on my face as I turned to the hallway. My jaw was trembling, as were my arms, and I felt nauseous as hell, taking in a deep breath as I tried to refrain from barging into that room and literally shredding that son of a bitch to pieces.61

But my pain overcame my anger and instead I quickly pondered on what I did wrong. Why wasn't I enough? Why the fuck was that prick in MY room, kissing MY girl, and why the fuck ain't I doing anything about it?! I didn't know what to think, and so I did what I thought was best at the moment.62

I left. 63

Jumping onto my bike, I rammed the key in the general direction of the ignition. I couldn't see worth a damn, I don't remember if I’ve ever cried so hard in my life. Even now that I was no longer holding my breath, I still couldn’t breathe, and every gasp for air kept getting cut short. I promised myself I’d never get like this, but that was when I thought I found someone who wouldn't even think about hurting me to that extent. 64

I guess I was wrong. 65

Strange enough, I wound up at the park. I don't know why I brought myself here; it only reminds me of her threefold. But it didn't matter where I was at, my life revolved around her. There was no way of getting away from it. My life just wasn't worth it if I couldn't share it with her. But if she doesn't want me...what can I do? 66

I hated that I couldn't hate her. 67

And Jack...I wanted him dead. If I saw him again at all that night, he would have been. 68

Once I got to the bench, I practically kicked a chunk straight out of it, punching the tree next to it, scowling and throwing myself onto the bench. It's not often that I cry, so I don't handle it well when I actually do. 69

Eventually I just hunched over and half-assed an attempt to hide my face. I can't wipe the tears without smearing blood all over myself, so I let it go. My fist was throbbing, and I was hoping that'd capture my focus, but it didn't last longer than a few seconds.70

Some time passed, I don't know how long exactly. It's only worse when the tears subside, that only builds room for anger to form.71

Extracting the small box from my pocket, I examined it with disgust. I wanted to do everything possible to ruin it, but for some reason I couldn't find the strength to, so I put it back.72

"Shane!" A voice called from a distance. 73

The pain found it's way back to the surface in seconds.74

"Thank God I found you, are you ok?" Taryn questions and she steps closer. 75

How could she even gain the nerve to ask that...?76

I begin to tremble again as my eyes meet hers. The entire build up of emotions double the second I see her face. 77

"How could you?" I manage to snarl behind my teeth, bringing myself to my feet as I fluster about what to do next. She plays completely innocent. 78

"How could I what, Shane?” she asks.79

God, how I despised that.80

"I can't believe you! Don't fuckin' play stupid with me!" I yell, clenching every muscle possible in order to halt the tears that were dying to surface. 81

She still holds onto her act, even tearing up a bit. I didn't want to believe that she'd hurt me, but from where I was standing, it looked pretty clear. She tried saying something, but I've already had my breakdown, I'm not about to have another one, and so I interrupted. 82

"Just stop. Don't do this shit, Taryn, don't lie to my face. I SAW you!" I screamed, trying to force myself steady.83

"This is about Jack isn't it? Shane?"84

"Don't even say his name to me. I never thought you'd do this shit to me. You know what? It doesn't even fuckin' matter, I'm leaving. Hope it all was worth it Taryn." I practically choke on those last words. 85

Quickly mounting my bike, I started it up. I just wanted to get out of there. Everything was moving so fast already, and I felt like if I didn't keep up, I'd lose myself.86

I race down the icy streets, sliding around the turns before stopping in that same familiar driveway. I jump off my beloved Harley, throwing the front door open. But before I could get upstairs, Caleb stops me. 87

"Get out of my way," I order, trying to push past him without hurting him, but he keeps putting himself in front of me.88

"Dude, just sit down a minute," he suggests.89

"No, I don't have time. You don't even know what’s goin' on."90

"Yeah I do, just sit."91

"What? How the fuck do you know? You knew this shit was going on behind my back and didn't tell me?"92

"No, it ain't like that man...I'm serious, it's not what you think. Just let her explain before you fly off the handle!"93

I detour towards the kitchen. 94

"Explain? What's there to explain? Nothing, Caleb, I saw them with my own fuckin' eyes," I argued as David joins us, leaning on the counter with a slightly confused look on his face. 95

My body placed itself in a chair by the kitchen table and Caleb leaned over it, trying to explain everything to me, but the sight of her deafened my attention towards him. I didn't want all this drama and shit, I just wanted to get my shit together and leave.96

"Shane...you didn't see what you thought you saw," Taryn quietly adds, on the verge of breaking. 97

"I saw you and that bastard kissing, Taryn, and in OUR bedroom to top it off! That's what I saw," was my reply, accompanied with a pounded fist on the table. As hard as I hit it, I'm surprised I didn't break something. 98

Her intake of breath re-caught my attention. 99

"He came looking for you. I told him you weren't here and I was pretty sure he was just gonna leave, I didn't even see it coming. He kissed me out of nowhere and I tried, Shane, I tried to push him off of me. Please believe me. I wouldn't do that to you. I love you," she said right before she broke into a cry, shaking and 100

a bit weary. 101

What the hell was I doing? She's always been everything to me, not once has she ever lied to me. I'd rather shoot myself in the face over and over, live, and then shoot myself in the fuckin' face again than see her like she is right now. And it's my fault. How could I be so stupid? 102

So quick to accuse someone, the only one that's ever tried everything to make my life happy. I've never felt like more of a dick in my entire life. Regardless of what I was feeling, I immediately came to her and pulled her against me. I should have dropped to the floor and begged for her to forgive me, but I didn't think I even deserved that. 103

"Are you alright...? Did he hurt you?" I silently ask as a bit of emotion, other than anger, finally breaks its way through. She shook her head. 104

"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have accused you, I just...walked in and it felt like my entire world came down around me. It looked like....from where I was standing, I thought..." but before I could finish, she cuts me off. 105

"It's not your fault. It's ok."106

"No it's not, I screamed at you, Taryn. I made you cry, that's never ok. And it's definitely not ok that he did that to you or threatened you...forgive me..?" I begged, trying my best not to break again. 107

"Of course I forgive you...I love you, and it was all just a misunderstanding. It isn't your fault Shane."108

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I notice Caleb walking towards the door.109

"Where are you going?"110

"Don't worry about it dude, all you need to know is that fucker’s about to get his," he answers, grabbing a bat from the closet near him. A sigh escapes my lips. 111

"Just be careful man...he already threatened us with the band and shit," I warn.112

David joins in. "No worries dude, we got this."113

As they leave, I lead her to the couch. Now I was just scared shitless of losing her, since I went off on her for something she didn't even do. I pull her down next to me and half ass an attempt to hide the sigh and comment I make about how much of a dumb fuck I am. Her eyes gaze at me, as innocent as ever as she places a comforting hand on my knee. 114

"Shane...are you ok?"115

"No," I blatantly respond, "I feel horrible...I was a total fuckin' dick to you. You didn't even do anything, and I made you cry." 116

My eyes press my vision to the floor. 117

"Its fine Shane, you didn't know. No hard, no foul," she says. 118

Eventually she goes into detail about what really happened, telling me of the bath she took and how she laid down to read a bit when Jack came in. 119

"I had a bad feeling since the day we met him Shane," she informs. 120

"Well, why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have left you home alone if I knew he had his eyes all over you," I respond. 121

She just tells me she didn't want to put any additional worries on me incase it was unnecessary. She then continued explaining the whole thing between what happened with her and Jack. As she does so, I stand up and pace slowly, trying to take it all in. 122

"After I kept fighting him off, he eventually said 'fine, you can kiss your boyfriend and his band's dreams goodbye, you slut,' and then he spit on me..." she finished with a grossed out look on her face, wiping it off as if it was still there. Another eruption of 123

anger surged through me and I brought myself to a stop. 124

"He spit in your face?!"125

But before I could do anything else or get an answer, the door swings open to the three guys, bearing wide grins of satisfaction. Caleb smiles wide when he comes to me and props his bat on his shoulder. 126

"Hm, looks like he'll be takin’ the bus to work tomorrow," he says with a brief laugh. 127

Psychos...true friends. 128

That day had me worn out...majorly. And next morning, we informed Simon of what Jack had done, and then Jess asks Taryn about some shopping. 129

Then Taryn turned to my shyly, with a small smile. 130

"Um...Shane? Do you think that maybe I could have a few bucks for a pair of jeans or something?"131

"Babe, what makes you think you have to ask? What's mine is yours...how does two-hundred sound? More?" I question as I dig through my wallet, extracting the money and handing it to her, placing a light kiss on her lips. 132

I was kind of hoping that'd make me feel a little better about yesterday. She looks down at the money, confused. 133

Figuring I didn't get enough, I pulled my wallet back out, and she says, "You didn't have to give me that much," with a giggle as if she was only expecting twenty dollars. 134

"Take it, that cheap fucker never hands out money," Caleb teases, punching me in the shoulder as he walks by. 135

"Shut it, asshole. Hey, Tar? I was thinkin’ about going to the park today, or maybe Lou's? We didn't get to go that other day so...I kinda miss it."136

A few hours later, the girls return from their shopping trip to the local mall, laden with bags from their favorite stores. Taryn shows off her new jeans and I quickly remind her of our plans for that afternoon. And with that, we were on our way to those beloved places. 137

After a quick visit to Lou's, I led her to our favorite place and brushed the snow lightly off of the bench, sitting down and placing her onto my lap. 138

"Can't allow you to get wet, now can I?" I add with a grin. Her grin in return was even more devious. 139

"You never seemed to mind before," was her reply, forcing my grin to a smile. 140

Suddenly an idea struck my head. 141

She gave me a curious look as if to ask what I was thinking. 142

"You know...I was sort of thinkin' about gettin a tattoo today. Any comments?" I ask, wondering what her view on that would be. 143

"Really? Shane, that’s a great idea. What are you wanting to get?" she questions.144

And a good question that was, but I've already had my mind set on a certain design for some time. 145

"Well...I'm leanin' towards a tribal armband, on my bicep. Maybe I'll just pick one from the book...how about you? You want one? A tattoo?" 146

"If you're gonna be there with me, I guess...I could do it. I do want one, and I even know what design I want, so...yeah I suppose," she answers with gorgeous smile. 147

I'm usually a patient guy...but there are times I just can't wait. Immediately I jump up. 148

"Alright, let's do it then, c'mon. Forever Ink is two doors down from Lou's. I can see it from here," I blurt out excitedly, pointing the way.149

"W-what? Right now?" she replies, surprised. 150

With a playful grin, I grab her by the hand and lead her hastily to the tattoo parlor. Pushing the door open, we find ourselves introducing each other to the tattoo artist and explaining what we want. 151

I opted to go first, and forced my mouth shut incase it hurt more than I thought it would. I never did get a tattoo before, so I had no idea. Truth is, it wasn't that bad. Hurt a little, but nothin’ to send someone screaming and crying, and once I was done, it was Taryn's turn. 152

Turns out the design she wanted was her favorite flower, with a touch of tribal on each side, located on the small of her back. Surprisingly she took it well also, and by the time the man doing all the work was done, I paid him and helped her up, walking her back out the door and to her car. 153

"Hey, Taryn," I say, tapping her gently with the back of my hand on her arm to get her attention. 154

"Yeah?" she added. 155

Gently I pulled back the plastic covering on the fresh tattoo, enough to expose her name, intricately woven into the tribal design. 156

She gasped. 157

"You got my name on your arm?" she asks, once again, surprised. 158

With a quick kiss, I said, "Of course I did. Why so surprised? I love you. You're already in my mind and heart for eternity, and now you’re on my skin too."159

She rewarded me with a shy, thankful and loving smile. "I love you too, Shane."160

"So...you do know what this means right?"161

"Uh...no, what?"162

"You gotta get my name tattooed on your ass now."163

I finished that last statement with a quick laugh and she scoffs playfully, hitting my leg and starting the car up. 164

"You're such a nerd," she says with a giggle. 165