Love Bites

Chapter 18 - And I Love Her

- Lord, it's raving unbelievable we got there!

The night streets of LA outskirts were almost black without any streetlights, but even in the darkness Duff could see Charlie's eyes were glowing with thrill.

- Freaking Black Flag! I didn't know they were still playing! For real, never ever in my life I would have said I would be able to see them life. Too bad Kira wasn't there...

- She departed last autumn. Actually, I heard they are heading to Michigan now, - Duff remarked in an expressly laid-back way. He knew his acquaintanceship with Charlie's favorite musicians was going to impress her greatly, so he added casuality to his tone to increase the effect. - I've talked to the guys, and they don't seem to be getting along well inside the band, so I thought seeing them is an opportunity we can't miss...

Oh yeah, Duff liked how he used we in his last sentence. Like it was something more than just him by himself and Charlie by herself going to the concert.

Charlie's mouth dropped open.

- Have you just said you know Henry Rollins?!!!

He was expecting Charlotte to get pumped up, but definitely not to that degree. She was literally bouncing on the street, shouting.

- Well, we're...on nodding terms, that kind of thing, - Duff confessed honestly. He sorta wanted to romanticize the reality and to pretend he felt at home on the punk scene, while in fact he only got a foot in the door to it recently. He has never been a great liar, so he decided he better be honest with Charlotte.

- A-w-w, I see...Anyway, that was the best show I've ever been too...Black Flag...blimey! 

- Oh, I too say such things after whatever show I go to, - Duff was all smiles for Charlie, who tried to catch every single one of his words, - they just seem to be getting better and better.
- Heck, you took it straight outta my mouth! I spend all my dough for a Gene Loves Jezebel concert ticket when I was like, seventeen...

- Did they tour here? I don't remember...

- No...My class planned a school trip to London, and I figured out I would be able to go and see them while we're there...

- Did you?

- Our goddamn PE teacher caught pneumonia, and the whole freaking thing was cancelled, - Charlie spat out with hatred in her voice, - I never got the money back. It was like, twenty fucking bucks.

Duff suddenly stopped in the middle of the street. He looked around, took the bandana off his head, threw it down on the ground and stamped on it. Having noticed that, Charlie also stopped and stared at him in amazement.

- What the hell are you doing? You mad?!

- Fuck, tiny, I think I love you! - Duff let out a howl, - a girl who is cross as two sticks because she missed a Gene Loves Jezebel concert because of her PE teacher! Damn now you're one of kind, I'm telling you!

- What?!

Charlie stood still, gasping for breath. She was sure she has misheard what he said, and in fact, he has just told her she had a stain on her shirt, or that her bra strap was visible, or that she was an ugly annoying cow.

- I think I just told you I love you! - Duff took a step forward so they would be standing chest to chest and screamed in her face, - I fucking love you, tiny!

Well, so she hasn't misheard. Here she was, a nineteen-year-old corn-fed waitress-wannabe-painter, and Duff McKagan was standing right in front of her, telling he's wild about her.

- Fine...But what on earth is wrong with Gene Loves Jezebel? I know they're not very popular in States, but still...

Duff did not answer. He just took another step forward and kissed Charlie. She responded with pleasure, and he went on, so passionately he lifted her off her feet.

Nobody was passing by at such a late hour, so nothing disturbed them. Neither Duff, nor Charlie knew how long it has been before she finally broke away from him, mumbling something about how she needed to get on her feet.

- There's nothing wrong with Gene Loves Jezebel, Charlie, - Duff whispered, his hand going through his dishevelled hair and his eyes fixed on Charlotte, - frankly, there must be something wrong with me because I don't know what I'm doing.

- Oh, never mind...That was the right way of doing things wrong, - she replied, licking her lips. She didn't apply any lipstick, but it seemed like they tasted different after kissing Duff.

- You know, if it was any other band...The Damned, Pistols, the Stooges, or Guns N' fucking Roses...I wouldn't care, I think. But standing up for goth-looking identical twins...That's so you, tiny!

- Damn, that's not what I wanted to say...- Charlie didn't blush when he laughed at her behaviour or when he kissed her, but she did know, - you're great, and Guns is an awesome band...

- Don't worry, I get it. We use too little eyeliner, - Duff laughed, taking Charlie's hand in his, - come one, I will take you home.

- I can go by myself, it's not too far from home, - Charlotte tried to protest by telling a lie. She had no clue where they were, but she also didn't want Duff to think she was going to do whatever he wanted her to.

- Bloody hell, I can't leave you here. What if you get into a fight with some drunk Pink Floyd fans?

- I promise I won't. Gilmour rocks.

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♪ The Beatles - And I Love Her

Author's note: I know I should have picked something punk , but since it was John Lennon's birthday today, I decided to choose a Beatles song (even though it's written mostly by Paul, not John) for this chapter. Read, comment, vote!