Somebody To Love - Maylor/Deacury

10 - Tenement Funster

John's POV

The pub was moderately crowded when we arrived, and it was dark when we got out of the car. From the parking lot, I could hear the faint sound of rock music and people talking. 

"Who's gonna be the designated driver?" Roger asked, dangling the car key in front of Brian and I. I exchanged a look with the guitarist - neither one of us wanted the burden, but we both knew it would fall on one of us.

Brian suggested hopelessly, "I think it's your turn, Rog."

"Not when it was my idea to come here in the first place," Roger teased, tossing the key at the guitarist, "Sorry Bri." I gave Brian's shoulder a gentle squeeze as a way of saying thank you before following the drummer towards the pub.

Walking inside, we were hit by loud music and the smell of cigarettes. Brian, the tallest of the group, easily spotted the bar and led us there. As we passed by several groups of people, I tried to brush off the feeling that a few of them recognized us. It wasn't always obvious, but I could tell when someone did a double take or unintentionally stared us down trying to figure out why we looked familiar.

The three of us sat down at the counter and ordered drinks. We talked for a while, enjoying each other's company and our well-deserved break from working on our album.

When the next song played, it sounded so familiar and I didn't know why. Then I remembered; it was one of Freddie's favorite songs. I paused, viewing the room as if from afar. Good music, nice atmosphere, close friends - Freddie would love this. I felt bad for leaving him behind, but Brian had said he wasn't in any mood for going out. Still, it couldn't hurt to check in with him.

"Where are you going?" Brian asked when I got up from the barstool.

I grabbed my beer to take it with me, "I'm calling Freddie. I feel bad for leaving him behind."

"Deaky, he seemed really upset when I saw him," Brian told me, "I don't think he would have wanted to come."

"I'll just check up on him. Make sure he's okay." I left my bandmates and weaved through the small crowd of people until I found the back door. Stepping outside, I fished through my pockets for spare change as I looked around for a payphone. I found one, slipped a coin into the slot, and dialed the house's phone number.

I held the phone to my ear. I stood patiently as the phone kept ringing, and was met with disappointment when no one answered. There was a chance Freddie was already asleep, so I left the matter alone and went back inside.

When I returned to our spot at the bar, I found a small group of girls talking to my friends. Roger, always the ladies' man, seemed to have the girls in a trance whenever he looked their way. While Brian was also getting attention, he was clueless with what to do with it.

Brian's POV

I was glad when Deaky returned as that meant I wouldn't have to be alone in witnessing Roger hit on multiple girls at once. When there was a pause in the conversation, I turned towards the bassist, "Any luck?"

He looked disappointed, "No, no one answered. You were probably right."

I gave an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Deaks." Then I glanced at the drummer. Whatever pickup tactics he was using must have worked, as one of the girls in particular that he was chatting up was all over him. Deaky also noticed, and we exchanged a knowing look. I spoke quietly, "It's been what - ten minutes?" Deaky shook his head in disbelief and we chuckled to ourselves, earning the two of us a quick glare from our bandmate.

I have to admit, I felt slightly relieved that I didn't have to talk to Roger. I consider myself well-spoken, but I couldn't talk to him anymore without struggling to form a coherent sentence. I couldn't look at my bandmate without remembering the kiss. Thinking about it made me nervous - not because it had happened, but because I couldn't deny that I had enjoyed it. Maybe it had just been the alcohol.

But if it had just been the alcohol, why did the thought of kissing him still make me blush? It was as if someone had flipped a switch that completely changed the way I felt around him. All week I had been unable to keep my eyes off the blond while he worked with Freddie and John on 'Seaside Rendezvous'. Something about him was just so... attractive.

Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought that, as the girl Roger had his eyes on pulled him closer and kissed him. I looked away, a strange feeling bubbling inside me. Was I jealous?

I was still trying to make sense of my feelings, but I knew that I had to get over them as quickly as possible. I was scared of what affect they might have on my relationship with Roger and consequently the rest of the band if I allowed them to develop.

My thoughts were paused when the drummer stood up, helping the girl to her feet and wrapping his arm around her waist. As they snuck off, he whispered something that made her giggle and blush like mad. I felt a knot in my stomach as anyone with eyes knew what they were going to do.

"Is something wrong?" John asked.

My attention returned to the conversation, which now included only John and myself. "What?"

"You look upset."

I looked down, sudden hot tears stinging my eyes as my fingers traced the faint rings on the counter left by the condensation on glasses. I willed myself to get a grip on my emotions as I responded without looking up, "I'm fine."

"Brian," Deaky spoke gently, "You say that even when you're not okay."

"I am okay," I claimed. Pulling myself together, I cleared my throat and met his eyes, "I'm just tired. What were we talking about?"