La Pantera

Ch. 44 Time to Move On

Stevie's current look

Song for Chapter: Saving All My Love For You by Whitney Houston

It was two nights before Stevie embarked on the tour with Mötley Crüe. She was excited but nervous, unsure of what to expect. She'd always wanted to be on a rock tour bus, hanging with musicians and talking with them about whatever rock stars talked about. She had found her social group and it felt liberating. She was staying at Tommy's house, currently laying on his couch as he sang along obnoxiously to the radio. "I'm starting to think they made you a drummer for other reasons.", she groaned. "I can't be that bad!", he called playfully, smirking as he made them dinner. Well, attempted one would call it. Stevie walked in and immediately said, "No no no! You're Greek American how do you fuck up pastitsio?!", she pushed him out of the way to save their meal. "I didn't realize you actually conformed to the stereotype of Italian women being good cooks.", Tommy teased, his hands in the air for surrender. "Believe me, it's one of the only things I'm good at Italian wise.", she furrowed her brows as she tested the béchamel sauce, making sure it was thick enough. "You can sing opera too?", he asked, snickering as she whipped her face to look at him fiercely. "No. But I can beat your ass with a wooden spoon and make it look like suicide.", she snarled. "Come on Stevie I was kidding.", he smiled. "Out of my kitchen before you fuck up anything else.", she barked. "But we're in MY-.", Tommy tried. "OUT!", she shouted. Tommy scurried to the living room, putting on Jeopardy so he wasn't beaten alive.

He had almost dozed off after a long while when she yelled "Dinner's ready!". He bolted up from the couch, scrambling into the kitchen. "Oh that smells good!", he cheered. He wrapped an arm around her, kissing her head. Stevie wasn't too shocked by the gesture, but it was hard still to allow herself to be comfortable. Why am I tense around him? He's not that bad., she wondered to herself. She set everything up for them, smiling halfway. "Let it sit for a minute. Still hot.", she reported. "Aw come on. We both know I lost that sensitivity thing a long time ago.", he cackled. "Is that so?", she teased Tommy. "You a methhead?". Tommy looked at her when she asked him the question before laughing loudly. "No baby I'll never touch that shit. You ever see Deliverance? That's what happens when you use that shit.", he rambled. Stevie laughed loudly, her eyes crinkling as she pictured the disturbing movie about hillbillies that went after outsiders. "Yeah meth is awful.". She shivered. Tommy made sure she was looking as he inhaled a cigarette through his nose before blowing smoke rings out his mouth. He smiled as she laughed, those cute crinkles by her eyes forming again. "You wanna try?", he offered. Stevie nodded her head, smiling as he handed her his cigarette. "Alright, is it in?", he asked. "Yep.", she stood still with some worry. "Inhale big. It'll sting but it's okay.", he watched her to make sure she'd be okay. Stevie smirked, knowing her nose was gonna be fine after all the cocaine she'd done in her life. She inhaled, wincing slightly before blowing out a big puff of smoke into the air. "Atta girl.", Tommy praised, rubbing her arm happily.

They enjoyed their meal together, eating in comfortable silence. "You can cook a good meal.". Tommy grinned. "Gotta learn to do so when you're poor.", Stevie chuckled dryly. He cocked his brow, observing her closely. "Yeah...that shit sucks. You have to go on welfare or whatever?", he asked. "At one point when my father was away in Vietnam. We didn't need it after a bit.", she stabbed her food bitterly. "And then people judge you for being on it. Assume you're a lazy ass. Not really seeing the bigger picture.", she growled. "It's no one's business why you had to be on welfare. They should just say 'How can I help?'. That's it.", Tommy smirked in disgust. "I've just learned you're never gonna make everyone happy. You have money, you're a rich asshole. You're poor, you're a bum. I wear makeup, I'm a fag. You have muscles, you're a cross dresser. We just need to be ourselves Stevie. Cuz there's people who clearly like what we're doing. And it'll impact others in the future.", he gently rubbed her knee. Stevie nodded her head, tentatively looking in those hazel eyes of his. Vulnerability wasn't her thing, but Tommy was one of the only people who could draw it out of her.

The radio grabbed both of their attention, Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love For You" crooning to them. "This is gonna be so weird, but I actually took dance growing up.", Tommy smirked. "You? The fuck did you take?!", Stevie asked in shock. "Tap and ballet.", he grinned cockily. "There's no fucking way you were a goddamn ballerina.". Stevie's expression was cocky, eyeing him intensely. "Well let me show ya.", Tommy stood up, reaching for her hand. "No no no. I'm not gonna do that.", she shook her head adamantly. "Why not?", he asked. "I haven't danced like this with a man in years.", her eyes showed sadness, remembering the last time she and Martin had danced. Sensing it was a touchy subject, Tommy left it alone for the moment. "Come on Stevie, let me do this for you.", he gently held her hand. Stevie took a deep breath, slowly standing as she placed her hands on his shoulder and other hand. A hand on her waist made her tense up for a moment. "It's okay baby.", Tommy whispered softly.

She took a soft breath, looking in his eyes. "Alright, show me a proper waltz.", she challenged. Tommy started slow, smirking as he occasionally nudged her on purpose. "Asshat I'll-.", she started. "Oh hush...", he smirked. She did have to admit he did know the proper steps. They moved in a slow circle, their eyes locked on each other. Stevie hated how her heart raced with excitement. This was a man who should make her run. Instead he drew her closer. He wasn't a safe choice like Matt. He was a man that gave her excitement. As the song built with excitement into the bridge, she felt their bodies sway with passion before he dipped her quickly to the ground, bringing her back up to move their bodies in a slow, sensual grinding rhythm. It wasn't sleazy at all, but rather a seductive and enticing gesture. Stevie's heart beat harder as they spun around the living room quickly now, their timing in sync. A soft smile came on her face, not having felt this excited or in love for a long time. When the final high note came, Tommy grabbed Stevie into a passionate kiss, his arms around her in a close embrace. Stevie closed her eyes, kissing him back with no hesitation. Her hand rested on his cheek, the other gripping his shoulder. Tommy had to admit he'd never felt this way about a woman ever. Stevie was a vivacious being he'd never find again in his generation. She was her own unique being and he didn't want to let that go ever.

He continued to kiss her until the song ended, letting go with flushed lips and a loopy smile. Stevie's face was red, her eyes dazed with happiness. Neither of them had to say a word, the connection between the two very clear. He began to kiss on her neck , his hands holding her sides. Stevie hummed softly, holding him close to her. This is where she belonged , with a man who understood her just like Martin did. Someone who could keep up with her lifestyle.

"You sure he's the right move?"

Stevie flinched, yelping in surprise. Out of all the times this was to happen, she was hearing Martin when she was about to embrace Tommy as her own. "You alright?", Tommy asked. "Did I hurt you?", he checked her over for any marks on her skin. "No no no...you didn't.", she ran a hand through her hair. "I just....thought I heard something that's all..", she rubbed the back of her neck angrily. "Is everything good?", Tommy asked. "Yeah..yeah it is.", she held onto him, staring ahead with worry. Wanting to silence everything, she kissed Tommy hard. She needed a good fuck tonight to pound the voices out of her head. She didn't want anything to do with Martin anymore.

Tommy was her new man and no one was going to take that away from her this time.