I stood at the window watching the post show interview that Casey was conducting. "You're absolutely beaming, you know that?" Oli said, joining me.
"I can't help it, I'm really proud of him." I all but gushed.
She looked out the window, they were just finishing up. "Me too. Of all of them. You know, that Casey really is hot." I laughed.
"Go get you some then!" I replied, "Have a little fun."
We stood, concocting more and more outrageous ways for Oli to cop off with Casey. We were crying laughing when the room erupted into cheers. I turned to see Brian and the others walking into the room.
I saw his eyes search the room, and smiled when they locked on to me.
He wove his way through all the people trying to crowd and congratulate him, quickly making his way to me. Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me so deeply, so passionately that my knees almost buckled. I was vaguely aware that the room had gone quiet but at that moment, I just didn't care. Brian rested his forehead against mine and whispered "thank you". I frowned, wondering why he was thanking me. He raised one eyebrow and smirked, and it clicked. I blushed furiously and laughed.
"You're very welcome." I whispered back. I was reluctant to release Brian and face the the rest of the room. He took my hands from around his waist and laced his fingers through mine.
"Ready to do this?" He asked. I nodded even though I really wasn't.
The second that we came out of our own little world, everyone started talking at once, trying to pretend like they hadn't been watching us. Somebody cleared their throat behind us. We both turned, and came face to face with Brian's parents. Oli had pointed them out to me earlier, so I knew who I was going to be introduced to.
"Hey ma!" Brian released my hand to embrace his mother. "Dad." His dad clapped him on the back and drew him into a hug.
"Proud of you, son." He said. "Now after that performance, I think it's time for you to introduce us to this young lady." He winked at me.
Brian ran his hand though his hair and looked at me, smiling. "Ma, dad, this is Shae. Shae, my parents Mary and Jim."
Jim shook my hand and Mary gave me a hug. We talked for a little while, asking me about the UK and what I did for a living. Brian slid his hand back through mine and squeezed. I gave him a small smile as we talked.
"So what's a lovely girl like you doing with someone like Brian?" His dad asked, with a glint in his eye.
"He bashed me over the head and stuffed me in his suitcase," I said laughing. "I had no choice in the matter."
Brian elbowed me in the ribs, causing me to laugh harder. "I like her." His dad said to him, as he led Brian to the bar.
I suddenly felt awkward stood with just Brian's mum. "Come on Shae, let's sit down. My feet are killing me." She smiled kindly. I followed her to the seating area and sat opposite her. "So how long have you and Brian been together?"
Now how was I going to tell Brian's mother that technically, technically we aren't "together"?
"Well erm, we met at the London show..." I started, twisting the bottom of my hoody around my fingers.
"Oh so you're a fan?" Mary asked, eyebrows raised slightly.
"Well I am now," I chuckled. "To be honest, I hadn't actually seen it. I just got dragged along to the meet and greet by my best friend." I nodded over to Oli, who was laughing with Sal and Casey. "Brian started talking to me about The Black Keys." I smiled as I remembered.
"Any excuse to talk about music, that one?" Mary laughed. "Or comic books. He seems to really like you..." She trailed off, gazing at her son and husband who were still talking at the bar.
I smiled. "I hope so."
Mary leaned forward and squeezed my knee. "You seem like a really nice girl, Shae. I really hope he can work past his old demons, because I love seeing him how he is with you."
"You know, I really hope he can too." I confided. Mary sat back as Brian and his dad came back.
Jim handed me my whiskey, "Nice to see a woman drinking a proper drink for a change. None of this cocktail rubbish. Can't beat a good bourbon."
"I'll drink to that," I replied, raising my glass to his.
We spent a little more time with Brian's parents before excusing ourselves. Brian had a queue of people waiting to talk to him, and I felt bad for hogging his attention.
I grabbed Oli and we went to the bathroom. I pushed her into the disabled cubicle so we could talk while I peed. I was just telling her how nice Brian's parents were when I heard his name being mentioned outside the door. Oli put her finger to her lips and we listened.
"I heard it was some girl he picked up in England. I bet she begged to come over. Pathetic." I raised my eyebrows at Oli, she pulled a face.
A second voice laughed "I mean it's not like you haven't seen him since he's been back. She'll be gone soon then he'll be all yours again."
"Yeah, you're right. It's not like he's ever been able to stay away. Come on..." The voices trailed off as they left the bathroom. I stepped back from the door and fell back down onto the closed toilet seat, confused at what I had just heard.
