The Sweetest Thing (nikki sixx)

NINE

Nikki turned the shower on before running his fingers over his face. He looked in the mirror at his reflection, hardly recognizing the person who faced him. He watched as his cheeks went green with repugnance. The walls around him began to close on him as he felt his near empty stomach gathering remains to exert. The bassist lifted the toilet seat up and crouched beside it, freeing himself from at least todays demons.

He had no idea what time it was, only that he was on a schedule for their departure. He'd already said his goodbye to Brandi, but would still force out a coy public one. As he looked around the room he noticed how little damage he truly did. Although they were far from their worst antics brought on by hotels, they still tore something up. Whether it be the tables, the bathroom or the sheer feathers from the throw pillows. But Nikki's room went untouched, sparing the housekeeper of any stress.
His suitcase tumbled down the hall, meeting their guitarist in the elevator. Mick shared his familiar pleasantries while Nikki nodded only half listening.

Mick always brought him comfort in times like this. Being clueless to what Nikki was doing behind closed doors helped. As much as Tommy always suspected something, Mick stayed uninvolved and unbothered. The idea of him being in anyones business was just unheard of.

The two men stepped off the elevator in unison, meeting the rest of the band and his mistress in the lobby. Brandi looked up over tired lashes, peaking around Tommy's frame. She looked upset, had they been arguing? Was it about him?

Nikki adjusted the bag on his shoulder and shook the hair from his eyes.

"Everybody ready?" Doc questioned, standing outside of the car. Without a word, they gathered inside. "Must have been some party last night? I'm glad you were able to be found." Brandi spoke in Nikki's direction. "Yeah, once I got away from that piece of ass that chased me all night. Am I right, T?" Nikki nudged his friend who laughed with him. "Fuck yeah, dude. 'Wish you coulda came out last night, babe." Tommy knelt his forehead against the side of hers, looping his arm around her neck. "Me too, I'm still not feeling the best."

Brandi placed a hand on the back of her neck and rubbed before turning her attention to the window. She watched the busy city streets turn countryside until they neared the landing strip.

She watched the men load up their things in the undercarriage before Tommy turned around to say goodbye.  He picked her up, spinning her one time around before placing her on the ground. "I'll see you soon?"

"When are you coming home for a break?"

"Soon, we play Ohio this week and then break for Christmas. Be ready I got you some sick gifts." Tommy smiled with pride as the idea of the holiday made her shiver with fear. In all of this muck between the three of them, she hadn't even thought about Christmas. Would she send anything home for her father? Or get something for Jess? She thought about Nikki and if they were the type to buy for each other.

Tommy had appeared to be big on holidays and things of that nature, birthdays, anniversaries. But Brandi had only done the bare minimum for so long. It was hard to grasp the concept of excitement.

"Okay," She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck once more. They squeezed each other tightly, remembering the others fragrance. As she cracked her eyes, she saw Nikki staring her way and Doc trailing slowly behind. Her heart broke only a little for the man, why couldn't they have met at the party? Why did it have to be Tommy? Hell, he probably wouldn't have given her the time of day back then.

Brandi walked to the rest of the men, hugging them gently. "Bye, Vince."

"See ya, Barbie." He tussled her hair as she walked past him to the next. "Bye, Nikki."