Circles - Post Malone

Forty Six

Dahlia can hear Austin's loud laugh as she walks down a long passage backstage. It's so far removed from the pub life - in a good way. As she gets closer to a door that she can hear chatter and Austins laugh Paris' head suddenly pops out of it and he grins when he sees Dahlia. "Sounds like you guys are having a party in there," she says. Paris nods, "Austin was getting very nervous," he says. "So we got them to play spin the bottle," Orlando finishes Paris' sentence.

"What is it with you two and fucking spin the bottle?" Dahlia asks. "You will like this one. The only thing you have to do is drink if it lands on you... although they have been getting pretty truthful just because they are full of alcohol," Paris says. They are standing outside the room but she can see in. Austin has his back to the door and does not know she is here, she should probably tap him on the shoulder so she takes a step closer but one of Austin's band mates words stop her. "But seriously, Austin. That little number from Sweet and Sour is divine," he says. Austin shrugs. "I would tap that," someone else says and the rest all agree. Austin says nothing and shrugs again. "Think if I shoot my shot with her she will give me some loving?" another guy asks and thrusts his hips forward as if he is fucking the back of the chair in front of him.

"Don't do that and don't say shit like that, man," Austin says. Dahlia can hear he is angry. "Chill man. It's not like she is your girl...or wait are you banging her?" someone asks. "No, she is not my girl...yet. She is off limits though and if I was banging her I would not fucking tell you," he answers with clenched teeth and then takes a sip of his beer. "Austin's been pining after her since fuckng high school," someone else says. "What? Wait! That's a long fucking time. Does she know?" a bandmate asks. "No. But I am working on it. She will know soon. Don't any of you say a word - don't fuck me over this is my shit," Austin says. Of course he is working on it. He loves Gina and her beauty is clearly admired by everyone she comes across.

Dahlia's chest burns a little at the thought. She knew it was only a matter of time till he found the courage to talk to Gina but she would be lying if there was a piece of her that had hoped that Austin had changed his feelings slightly, maybe even found a way to love Dahlia. She can be so dumb sometimes. This is her own fault. She knew the rules of their relationship, well, non-relationship. She had made the fucking rules for fucks sake. But she was doomed from the start because no matter what rules she put in place a very simple fact remained steadfast - she was hopelessly in love with him. Fucking idiot.

"Hi. Took you long enough," Austin says walking toward her. Dahlia had been so lost in her thoughts that she had not noticed Austin had come out of the room and was now standing in front of her. "This place is big. Took me a while to find you. Why did you call me back here?" she asks. "Come," Austin says taking her hand and then pulling her away from the room and any people to a dark spot near the side of the stage. Without a word, he grabs her softly around the front of her neck and pushes her up against the wall. She instinctively grabs hold of his wrist with both her hands as he holds her against the wall. He is not hurting her but his actions are firm. He is looking at her in a way she has never seen before. A little bit of anger mixed with fear and vulnerability. Jealousy? Insecurity?

"You would not lie to me, right?" he asks, his voice a low growl. Dahlia has never seen this side of him. "Lie?" she squeaks out. "About our rules, Dahlia. You would not go behind my back and break any of those rules," he says sounding a little more fierce. Something has really upset him. Dahlia does not like to see him like this. She slides her hands down his arm and then cups his face. "I would never. Trust me, Honey," she says. Austin's brow raises at the pet name. Dahlia does not know where the fuck it even comes from or why the fuck she would ever say it. It had just slipped out. "You can't take that back," he whispers, the growl in his voice gone. "What? The promise or the weird pet name?" Dahlia asks. "Both," he says and leans forward then captures her lips with his. Her knees feel weak when he slides his tongue into her mouth and she has to let go of his face and cling to his shoulders just to stop herself from melting into a puddle of mush at his feet.

Just before she fucking dies he pulls back and looks at her with a smile. "Sometimes I think you will never break then you call me sweet little pet names, baby," he says. Dahlia rolls her eyes at him. "Don't get used to it. It was a moment of weakness," she says. But laughs as Austin pulls her into his arms. "I am sorry though. For neglecting your news about that agent. Tell me now," she says reaching up on her toes and kissing his cheek. Austin beams like he just came first in a cross-country race.

"Don't be. I was glad I was there for you, baby. Come," he says pulling her closer to the side of the stage and then peeping out at the crowd from behind the curtain. Dahlia crouches in front of him and also peeps out. "See that guy to the left over there with the comb-over and glasses," he says. Dahlia scans the crowd, she sees Nessy and her friends, Gina and Harry, the twins who have now joined Gina and Hary then she sees him - the agent. "The one dressed like a math teacher?" she confirms. "Yes! Well, that's the agent," he says. Dahlia pulls back and stands, and Austin follows her. "Well, what did he say at your meeting?"

"He said he saw potential in me. Said I was talented and that with the right changes I could carry this band far."

"Changes?"

"Yeah. He said we would need to make a few changes but told him that he gets what he sees. So that's why he is here tonight. If he likes what he sees he is going to sign us up. This is big, Dahlia. This is my big break!"

Dahlia cheers and jumps into his arms, "you are a fucking legend," she says and starts peppering his face with kisses while he laughs.