A Rock & Roll Romance

Seventy Nine

Johnny was sat on the couch in Meg's home, he pushed his hair back off his face and sighed. He understood what his girlfriend was saying but he just wished it was different. "I get it doll, I really do. I just wish I could take it all back and keep you hidden." "Hey we were never to know it would be this crazy, I just think I need some time to adapt." Meg said sincerely sitting down next to him. "I know. I guess it's because I have such a beautifully stunning woman they won't leave us alone hey!" Johnny said trying to make light of the situation. "You don't hate me?" Meg asked nervously. "Hate you! Never! I knew you weren't part of this life when I met you, I could never expect you to be on show if you feel this bad about it." Meg nodded before Johnny lifted his arm and she snuggled into him. It was late, and they had spent the majority of the evening discussing their next move. After being harassed, stalked, and even chased on a run, after being constantly trolled in the papers and online, Meg could barely leave the house with fear of paparazzi appearing. It had taken a while but she had come to the sad conclusion she just wasn't ready to be in the public eye. Maybe in the future but not now, her and Johnny had only known each other a year and been dating a little over 6 months, this was all still so new to her.

"I love you Meg, and I'll do all I can to protect you. I think we need to keep Mark by your side for a while though ok?" Meg nodded gratefully. "I love you too Johnny." They kissed softly before pulling back. "So you're ok if I go to the festival still?" "Course Johnny I don't want you to stop working, I just don't need to be at every event. Of course if you're winning an award or it's one of your films premiering then I would love to support you, maybe not red carpet but I still want to be there for you." Johnny smiled and nodded. "I'll miss you." He said with a smirk. "Johnny it's only Palm Springs, you're only going for two nights." She giggled. "Well we better make use of the time we have.... Bubble bath?" He questioned knowing how stressed his girl was after the tense conversation. She nodded with a smile standing and holding her hand out to him before they retreated up to the master bedroom.

A short while later, Johnny was sat in the luxury roll top bath, that was filled with bubbles. Meg was sat in between his legs, with her back pressed against his chest as his toned arms wrapped around her. He was whispering in her ear making her giggle, she threw her head back gently as she laughed, allowing him the perfect opportunity to place his lips on her neck. Her fingertips ran up and down his forearms tenderly. "Is there any spot left on you that's not inked?" She smirked running her finger over the Jack and Sparrow tattoo. "There's a few gaps..." he murmured against her skin. "Why? Got an idea?" "Noooo" she giggled. "I could get you inked.." "Johnny!! Never. Look how well the last one turned out." She said gesturing to his amended ink on his knuckles. He shrugged before resuming kissing her neck. "This is gonna be ok isn't it?" She asked nervously. "Us?" She added. Johnny pulled his lips off her neck and lifted her on his lap, turning her so she was facing him, he didn't care that a wave of water fell over the side of the bath. "Of course. Darling, it's ok. I don't know how many times I have to say to you, it really doesn't matter to me. Hell I don't like the posing, the photographs, the constant attention so I would never make you be a part of that circus." Meg nodded before kissing him. "Thank you." She whispered after pulling back. "For what?" He smirked. "For protecting me, for loving me." She said with a smile.

A few days later, after spending the night apart due to the children being with Johnny and Meg insisting that she didn't need to be present all the time they were there, she donned a black sports bra and cropped leggings and headed towards Johnny's. After all, running wasn't an option so he had kindly offered the use of his home gym until the press attention died down. She was extremely grateful, but put it down to him liking how often she visited and how good she looked in work out clothes. She approached the house and knocked on the door, there was no answer so she walked in quietly, and headed down the large foyer to the basement stairs. All of a sudden she heard "Look I don't care what you have to do, just fucking sort it, at this rate she's not even gonna want to go out for dinner with me. Jesus we can't even fucking fart without them reporting on it!!!" Johnny was clearly irate and speaking rather loudly. She heard a muffled response before deciding she shouldn't really be listening. "I don't give a fucking flying fuck, I'm pulling out of every event that's not contractual obliged to the film. Don't ask stupid questions, I agreed to the stupid press junket when I thought I'd be spending the back end of the year with Meg!" Her eyes went wide. She knew her pulling out of the events and public engagements would be a little frustrating for his management team but she never knew that by doing so, would encourage Johnny to do so too. "Who am I?! I am Johnny Fucking Depp.. I can choose what I want to do. That's why I've worked so hard for thirty fucking years, taken jobs I didn't want, and played roles I shouldn't to ensure I can be the one who calls the shots." There was another muffled response before she heard Stephen Deuters ask "And the tour and album?! Alice mentioned maybe another next year? What happens then? Meg won't be as incognito to take on tour next year if you're still dating." "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Alice will wanna protect her as much as me!" "Johnny, are you sure you wanna pull out of these events, you're just getting a clear reputation again, do you want the headlines to be troublesome again?" "Gina... I am not fucking off for the best part of two months if my girl won't come with me. It's bad enough doing it without the kids. End of conversation." Meg bit her lip, she didn't know what to think and certainly should not have listened to the conversation, she quickly rushed down to the gym closing the door swiftly behind her and putting on some music. She just wanted to block out everything for a while so hit the treadmill.

A while later, the door opened and Johnny caught a glimpse of his sweat clad girlfriend pushing herself hard on a the treadmill. "I thought we could hear you." He smirked. She panicked and he obviously could tell by her eyes before he added "The music." He gestured to the speakers in the ceiling. "Ahhh." She said before slowing the machine. "So enjoying yourself? He asked leaning against the opposite wall. "Yes thank you.." she smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "The kids were wondering if you wanted to come over tonight, I'm grilling out." She smiled before nodding. "That sounds nice. Thank you." "No sweat.. they won't be home until four.. that give us a whole afternoon." Johnny said slowly approaching and leaning on the machine to kiss her. She kissed him back before wiping her glistening face with a towel. "Shall I come by around 5?" She asked as she started stretching. "Why not just stay here?" He asked confused. "I umm I promised Poppy we would have lunch." She said. "Oh ok.. sure I'll see you later then?" Johnny said disheartened. "Yeah see you then." She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently before kissing him and rushing up the stairs and all the way home.