Book 2: She's Out To Please (Duff McKagan FanFic)

Ch. 29: Rockstar

Disclaimer: I don't own the lyrics used.

"You look like shit," Margot commented, her voice barely audible over the raucous party goers.

"Thanks," I muttered, shouldering passed her and over to my amp. I was busy tuning my bass and setting up for the gig, and Margot wouldn't leave me alone.

The band had just hauled the entire contents of our rehearsal studio from the bus stop to Margot's house about six blocks away. I didn't think anybody would look good after the walk I just had. Well, except for maybe Izzy, but he was always in the background dressed to the nines and never breaking a sweat. The bastard.

As much as I didn't mind helping Margot score with Slash, she was starting to get on my nerves. She kept following me around like a lost puppy, too nervous to go speak to Slash herself, and yet too stubborn to give up on her venture altogether. So, rather than just leave everyone alone, she'd hang onto me, hoping Slash would somehow find his way into one of our conversations and eventually, find his way into her pants.

Right now, I was focusing on getting the music started up so I'd have an excuse to kick Margot off of the stage. There's only so much pestering a guy can take.

"How do I look?"

The question made my ears perk, and I turned to give Margot a confused stare. Had she really just asked me that after insulting how I looked only moments before? I had half a mind to get her back with some snarky remark, but something made me pause long enough to rethink my initial response.

Margot pouted up at me with juicy red lips, her eyes shrouded in heavy make up. She looked so perfect, any teasing I may have given her would obviously have to be a lie. Still, despite the perfection of her face, I could see the hints of worry in her eyes. Worry that she wasn't good enough, that she didn't look good enough. A sense of self doubt that I knew all too well, mainly because I had carried it around in my back pocket with me ever since I'd hit puberty.

Pulling my eyes from Margot's face, I took in the rest of her. It was obvious that she had spent quite some time curling and teasing her hair into a voluminous cloud of platinum blonde, and the tight black dress she wore left almost nothing to the imagination. Not to mention, she was normally very pretty anyway, but she had definitely amped things up for tonight. Slash would love it, and he'd have to be crazy not to.

"You look great, Margot," I said honestly, swallowing my pride.

The worry faded from her face a bit, and a pleased smile reached her lips.

"Now get off my stage. We're about to play," I ordered her, pushing her playfully-but actually kind of seriously-towards the crowd nearby.

As she headed off the 'stage'-really just a patch of open space for us to jam in-she passed Slash. Although his face was hidden by his hair, I knew that he was checking her out as she walked by.

"Hey," Slash stopped the blonde, his finger poking at his cheek as he leaned in towards her.  "Gimme' a kiss for good luck?"

A sultry smile appeared across Margot's face and she batted her eye lashes innocently. I was impressed, considering how nervous she'd been only moments before. I hoped my compliment had given her some courage.

"Play well for me tonight and I'll give you something real nice after the show."

My eyes widened at her suggestive remark. Yup. Definitely gave her some courage.

With that, she waltzed to the front of the crowd, her eyes never leaving Slash's. The guitarist tensed the slightest bit, and didn't take his gaze off of her until Axl roamed onto the stage. The redhead nodded to the guitarist as he passed, signaling the beginning of our show.