KISS THE RING ☆ Taylor Hawkins

38. I'll stand by you

Middle of the Road by the Pretenders played loud from the speakers placed on the patio, located in the back of the house. The record had been suggested by Taylor and Dave couldn't help but approve, jumping like a child next to the drummer who soon matched his energy. While Diane watched the boys from inside the house, through the glass door on the back, she waited for Claudia, right on the other side of America, to take the call. Nate was leaning on the table with his elbows, exchanging words and advice with the other bass player sitting next to him, Melissa, while Dave was busy on the grill, with Taylor always beside him who seemed to be keeping an eye on his meat, like if someone were to steal it from under his nose at any moment.

"If it's not important, I swear
that I'll kill you."

"I know for a fact you weren't sleeping."

"Of course I wasn't sleeping!
But that's not the point."

"Who's calling at this hour of the night?" Asked a deep voice from the other side of the phone and Diane had time to take a puff of her Blue Camel before smiling. "How you managed to get him to come to Los Angeles will remain a secret to me." The redhead laughed bringing the knees to her chest, continuing to watch the boys outside intent on settling into their seats, ready to dine. "I don't think you'll ever understand, you know..." - "Oh, fuck you Claudia!" Diane exclaims as Dave steps into the house, rolling his eyes as soon as he hears his ex-girlfriend's name. "You'll never change." She continued, watching her friend's expression turn serious all of a sudden. The dark-haired man walked past his friend with a brisk step, whispering "I have to get something from the kitchen." The singer just sighed at that sad scene, especially after her friend on the other side fell silent when she heard the voice of her ex-boyfriend. Taylor's head poked through the garden door, smiling broadly as their eyes met. "Cherry, dinner's ready." - "You better go." The brunette whispered from the other side of the phone, in a lower voice than usual. Although both had moved on, it was clear to Diane that they still felt something for each other, it would only be a matter of time before something would happen again. "Yes, I'll call you as soon as possible, say hello to Peter." As soon as the redhead hung up her phone, Dave revealed himself behind her, hugging her with his arm around her shoulders to walk together to the table. "You. We need to talk." The girl pointed to him, whispering her words to not be heard by the others. "Not now, not with her here." He gritted his teeth, referring to Melissa, before smiling at the boys sitting in a circle, proudly showing the pan he had brought with him from the kitchen. The two separated, taking their places next to their respective companions. "Who was on the phone?" The blond asked her before leaving a kiss on her uncovered shoulder, subsequently lifting his gaze to her face. "It was Claudia..." She whispered trying not to be heard by the others present at the table, intent on passing the trays between them. Taylor nodded, gently kissing her cheek before taking a container handed to him by Melissa who, trying to hint a smile at Diane, from her gaze she made it clear that she had heard their conversation. Taylor and the singer tried not to notice that tragicomic paragraph, passing the various pans to the others before starting to eat under the satisfied gaze of the grilled worker, Dave.

"Besides all, we need another guitarist for the live, and we all agree!" Dave exclaimed, putting his hands over his chest as he lay in his chair, while Melissa rolled her eyes, who had taken a seat between his legs as she smoked a cigarette. "Maybe I can convince Pat..." He added looking at an inaccurate point, looking down. "No." Nate immediately replied, shaking his head with a half smile on his lips. "Yeah, I don't think you can, Eric." Diane said, making the blond sitting next to her laugh too. "Hey! At least we need one as good as him..." Dave replied immediately, pointing at them with his forefinger before looking at each one in the eyes. "Let's take Navarro." Taylor, smoking his cigarette, glanced at everyone present to see their reaction to those words. Clearly the chill fell: Melissa looked down, Nate annoyed looked away, Dave widened his eyes and Diane burst out laughing. "Come on, I was clearly joking."