A Rock & Roll Romance

Chapter Three

"Happy Birthday to Johnny... Happy birthday to you." The large congregated group sang. Johnny blew some candles out on a large cake and thanked everyone before holding his hands together. People began to make a fuss over him and hand gifts and as Meghan began to approach, she saw the woman who had been introduced to her as Gina come stand next to her. "It's wonderful isn't it, everyone celebrating him?" "Yes it's so good, and to think he didn't want a fuss." Meghan smiled. "I got some photos of you and your husband with him earlier, if you would like copies?" "That would be great. I'm usually behind the camera and never in any of the photos with him." She said giggling. The pair swapped numbers and Meghan happily shared her photographs with the woman as the party got under way.

Eventually Meghan found herself alone so grabbed the small gift bag and headed to the bar where Johnny was stood with some friends. "Sorry to interrupt I just wanted to give you this before I shoot back to the hotel. Happy birthday Johnny!"she said sweetly. The man in question turned and smiled, slipping his cigarette in his mouth he took the bag and hugged her with one arm. "Doll I don't know what to say, you shouldn't have." "Oh please don't worry, it's not much just something to make you smile on your special day." He excused himself from the men he was speaking to moments prior and the pair wandered to a nearby table, he delved into the gift bag like a child on Christmas morning and pulled out the card, he opened it swiftly and found a photograph inside of him jamming out from the very first sound check of the tour. He looked happy, care free. It was candid like he didn't even know the photo existed. As he flipped it, he saw hand written on the back in beautiful writing

The Right side of the Roaring Rapids ~ The Summer of 2023.

He smiled appreciatively at the woman. "Wow, thank you." "I loved it and thought you deserved a copy of the photograph that millions are swooning over online currently." When she saw his blank face she added "it's the photo the band's profile have released to celebrate your birthday." He nodded and smiled before grabbing the beautifully wrapped gift. He opened it and found a tour tee in his size, but this one was different, it had signatures and messages all over it from the band, and the crew of the tour wishing him well on his birthday. It was very arty, as the pens used were silver and gold on the black tee and almost looked like some of his tattoo designs. "Wow... this is amazing." He said still reading some of the messages. "Some might call it... cute?" Meghan said giggling. "Yes cute." He said smirking realising she was teasing him. "Seriously that's so thoughtful thank you Meghan." She smiled and leaned in accepting his grateful hug. As she pulled back she said "I thought what with this being a new start you'll want new memories so here's to that." She clinked her glass with his before finishing her drink. "You said you were going?" "Well yeah I'll leave you guys to have fun, I don't really know anybody, I appreciate the invite though and thank you for dinner. It really was very kind of you to pick up the tab for everyone.." "How about one more drink? Please? It is my birthday and I've hardly spoken to you tonight I feel like a terrible host that you want to go." "Ok one drink.." she said smiling as he led her to the bar. "Whiskey?" "As always.. but make it sour." She smirked before he ordered a round of drinks.

"I thought we said goodbye to you an hour ago?" Alice said approaching putting his hand on his niece's shoulder. "You did, but then this one wanted me to stay for a birthday drink and now look at me." Meghan smirked before Johnny handed her another full glass. It was then she felt her phone vibrate, it had been going off a few times but she was enjoying the company and conversation of the various different people she had met to care. Eventually she pulled it out her bag and answered it.

"Hello!?"
"Oh you are alive then."
"Yes I'm alive Alex. I told you I was going to a birthday party.."
"I know you did but you also said you didn't know anyone so I assumed you would be texting more."
"Oh sorry. I just got chatting you know what it's like.."
"Yeah I do, sorry.. ok,how is it?"
" yeah it's good fun. I'll be heading back to the hotel in an hour or two."
"Ok text me when you get back safe yeah?"
"I will. I love you Alex."
"Love you too baby girl."

Meghan stuffed her phone back in her bag before resuming the conversation. "Sorry.." she muttered embarrassed. Gina waved her off "don't be, if I had some hot guy waiting for me back home I would take all the calls I could get." "Umm..." Meghan responded. "I follow you on insta. I saw the photo you posted a while back." "Oh right I see.." Meghan said. "Well Johnny mentioned you were handling the social media so naturally I wanted to check your stuff out." Meghan nodded smiling, she was so happy a woman of Gina's talents was interested in her "I've followed you for ages, I love what you do." Meghan said returning the compliment before the conversation continued.

The evening went on and Meghan found herself having a wonderful time and couldn't believe she almost left straight after dinner. She found the duo Johnny and Tommy hilarious, and the more drinks she had, she found they were laughing at her wittiness too. Gina was super friendly, and so very rock chic that she was desperate to be friends with her. "I hate to be that guy... but we are due on stage tomorrow." Alice said finishing his soft drink. "Yeah and I'm pooped, John, thank you for a wonderful evening." Joe said. The men stood and shook hands with the birthday boy taking it in turns to hug him. "Meg do you wanna jump in with us?" Sheryl asked. "Umm I think I'm gonna stay out a bit longer if that's ok with these guys?" Meghan said turning to look at Johnny, Tommy, his wife, and Stephen and Gina who enthusiastically nodded. "Sure don't worry I'll ensure she gets back ok." Sandra, who she had learnt was Tommy's wife said. Meg smiled to her Aunt "and failing that I am an adult you know I can look after myself." "I know, it just scares me, my baby niece on a rock and roll tour." "Hardly.. we are off to bed aren't we!" Alice said smirking making the girl laugh. "Another round?" Tommy said standing. "Sure thing!" Johnny said raising his empty glass.

It was the early hours of the morning when Gina and Meghan with their arms round one another walked into the Istanbul hotel. "I had so much fun. Thank you Gina." "Don't thank me, you're a hoot. Thanks for making me feel so young!" "Oh please I'm not a baby you know." "I know.. you've just got a young face. It's cute. Trust me, one day you'll be grateful for it." Johnny and Stephen weren't far behind as they all piled into the elevator. Meghan turned to Johnny and said "Thank you so much for inviting me tonight, and happy birthday..." "Anytime doll." "You are Alice's family, which means you're part of the Vampire family now." This made her smile, clearly their little accidental moment from earlier in the week was long forgotten about. They all piled into the long hotel corridor and headed off to their respective suites. Stephen and Gina who were giggling disappeared rather quickly, and as Meghan put her key card to the door she saw Johnny struggling. She smiled before deciding to help. She walked down the corridor to the end where his suite was and took the key from his hand. She opened the door on the first try. "Man I miss actual fucking keys." He smirked. It was then she noticed he was carrying the gift bag she got him. He saw her gaze and smiled "It really was a thoughtful gift. Thanks doll." She smiled and kissed his cheek gently. "You're welcome. Good night."

As she entered her own suite and kicked off her heels, she slumped down on the couch and grabbed her phone that was vibrating once more.

"Hello."
"Home safe then?"
"Oh Alex it's you."
"Course it's me, it's what nearly 3am your time. Who else would it be?"
"Sorry I'm just tired and have had a few drinks."
"Ok, look I get that you're having fun over there but would it kill you to let your boyfriend know you're ok?"
"I know, I'm sorry I promise it won't happen again."
"So you had fun?"
"A lot. Everyone is so lovely and remember I told you about Gina? She's amazing."
"Ah good, somebody to bounce ideas off?"
"Yes very much so."
"So I've been looking at flights.."
"Oh amazing. Let me know when you're thinking and I'll speak to Alice, I know Sheryl is heading back at some point so maybe you can fly back out with her or something?"
"Yeah we will sort it, I miss you!"
"Miss you more babe."
"Talk to you tomorrow? Get some rest."
"Ok. Love you."
"I love you too darling."