The Speed Of Pain

Worth The Wait

Chapter Six

February 15th 1998

Johnny

We're backstage at some last-minute gig for Manson. He's out doing his third encore, so I'm chatting up his beautiful girlfriend in the meantime. From what she has been telling me, they've been very domestic since I last saw them together in Vegas. I was also very surprised when he told me he was taking a couple of weeks off.

Hearing that Ozzy's daughter is the reason was even more surprising. I can't remember the last time he kept a girl around so long. I see the appeal, though. She isn't his usual type, but what a knockout. Long natural blonde hair, equally long legs that lead up to a tight ass, big bright blue eyes... On top of that, she's smart, funny, and one hell of a good time.

He's a lucky man.

"Three encores... He is going to be tired as hell tonight," she says while stretching.

Nodding, I tell her, "Once we get some absinthe in him, he'll be alright."

She frowns as what I can only describe as her "worry wrinkle" shows on her forehead. This is what I don't want. I get the worrying, but this could end up with her "nagging" her way right out of his life. We can't have that.

"Just some advice," I start, trying to be as nice as I can. "Don't try to change him. I understand your concerns, but he doesn't like it. He'll check out quickly if he feels like that's where you're going."

I've seen it more times than I can count, with women that he was fully invested in no less. He will not compromise in that area.

"Inwardly, there isn't a single thing I'd change about him," she says, tapping her chin. "It's just his eating and sleeping habits I worry about. He needs to eat more, and that is something I won't bend on. I need him healthy. The drugs and alcohol... He's a grown man, and as long as partying isn't getting in the way of his responsibilities, then I can live with it."

I don't stop the smile that forms on my face. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I say, "Good to hear he's in such good hands."

"I try. Not sure how much influence I'll have when we're both buckled down on our projects though..." She sighs out, clearly not looking forward to being apart. "If I can get him to eat two meals a day while I'm gone, I won't have any complaints."

The more she talks, the more I question how Manson got such a good woman in his life. Damn, I miss being in a relationship. She is exactly the kind of person I hoped would come into his life. Someone to keep him grounded.

It's then that the man of the hour comes barreling into the dressing room after his third encore. His eyes land on us, and he comes pouncing over like a predator.

"I see you have your arm around my girl," he says with narrowed eyes. "I may have to fight you now."

I pull her closer and land a sloppy wet kiss right on her cheek. "Looks like she's switched sides, mate."

I chuckle at the spectacle, and the next thing I know, I'm at Marilyn's side, and he's wiping my face with his towel. "Hold still, I gotta get his essence off of you."

"I haven't got my essence on her just yet," I quip, smirking into my glass of rum, and Charlotte giggles uncontrollably.

After humoring him for a few more moments, she pushes him away. "Go shower, you're all sweaty."

"Wash my back, honey?" he asks, puckering his lips.

Rolling her eyes, she says, "If I go in there with you, Johnny will hear you moan like a girl. Don't make it weird."