Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 17

Bruce took a sip of his beer and sighed. He looked up at Alice and gave her a shy smile. She was as beautiful as ever. He had no idea why he had asked her to stay with him...or why she had agreed. But here she was, sitting across from him, enjoying a beer with him.

"Thank you for staying for a bit. I really appreciate it."

Alice smiled back at Bruce. She should've had Griffin drop her off at her place, but she decided to stay behind with Bruce. He still made her heart flutter. But, she was with Griffin now...she had to remind herself of that. And Bruce was back with Paddy....nothing was going to happen between them. This was her boyfriend's Dad. Nothing more.

"Of course. I'm happy that you and Paddy are back together. She's a wonderful lady. Griffin thinks the world of his Mum. I've noticed how much happier he now that she is back in his life."

Bruce nodded. "I want to thank you for making my boy happy. I'm sure you know how he was in the past. He struggled from depression and anxiety. He was an angry kid...always lashing out in class. Once he got together with his band, he was able to let out some of those aggressions in his lyrics and onstage. But now with you, he's much happier." he reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a soft squeeze.

Bruce stood up and walked to the mini fridge, grabbing a bottle of chilled wine and two glasses. 

"You're not in a hurry to get home, are you?"

Alice shook her head, "No. Griffin will be in Birmingham for a couple of days. I don't have anything planned until he gets back."

Bruce poured her a glass of wine, "Let's drink and play a game...."

"A game?"

"Yeah, let's play truth or dare. What do you think?"

Alice couldn't help but laugh. She hadn't played Truth or Dare since she was a kid. Every once in awhile her 5 year old niece would get her to play, but they were innocent questions, questions like "Is it true that you love chicken nuggets?" She wondered what kind of questions Bruce would have.

"Truth or Dare? Are you serious?"

Bruce laughed with her, "I know it sounds ridiculous, but why not? It'll be fun."

"OK. You go first though, I have no idea what to ask you."

"Alright. Alice, truth or dare?" Bruce gave her a smirk. This was going to be fun.

"Well. I don't want to do anything too daring, yet. So let's go with a truth."

Bruce sat quietly, sipping his wine. What could he ask her? "Is it true, that I am the best singer in the world?"

Alice smacked him in the arm, laughing as she did so, "I don't know about that. You're definitely the cockiest. You're one of my favorites."

Bruce acted shocked, "One of your favorites? What do you mean one of your favorites? How am I not your favorite?"

"Well, there's Dio, Halford, Gillan..."

Bruce puffed out his chest, "That's a good club to belong to. As long as I'm number one, I'll allow your answer."

Alice was really enjoying her time with Bruce. He was just as fun as she remembered. "Now it's your turn Mr. Dickinson. Truth or Dare?"

Bruce answered without hesitation, "Dare! Always dare."

"Hmmm....I dare you to jump in the pool, with your clothes on."

Bruce laughed. "Really? That's it?" he took his cellphone and keys out of his pocket and put them on the table. Looking back at Alice, he ran towards the pool and dove in. He swam a lap before getting out, shaking the water out of his hair. "That was easy. And now I'm cooled off, thanks."

Alice laughed at Bruce. "You're going to get cold, you know."

"Nah, I'll be fine. Now, back to you. Truth or Dare?"

Alice hoped she wouldn't regret it. She didn't know what Bruce had planned. "I'll pick a dare this time."

Bruce knew exactly what he wanted, "Alright. I dare you to kiss me.

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Griffin couldn't sleep. He knew he should try, especially since he had to wake up early to go to Birmingham. His band SHVPES had a pretty good following. Although he tried to not talk about his Dad, interviews usually veered down that path. He never flaunted his parentage, but he knew that part of the reason his band was successful was because of who he was. A lot of Iron Maiden fans checked them out to hear what Bruce Dickinson's son sounded like, and they either liked what they heard or hated them because they weren't Maiden. Interviews usually started off with "Griffin Dickinson, son of Bruce Dickinson..." As frustrating as it was, he couldn't do anything about it.

He thought of Alice. She was everything he had looked for in a girlfriend. She was smart, funny, sexy...he was in love. He was glad that his parents accepted her. Especially with everything that had gone on. Paddy seemed to be OK with her. Bruce wasn't allowing his past relationship with her interfere with their relationship....things were going well, finally.

He did have a nagging feeling though. Why had Bruce wanted Alice to stay behind...alone with him? Why had she agreed? Was there the possibility of something occurring between them? He hoped not. But....

"Fuck it. I'm going to go get Alice. I'll have her sleep over tonight. I may be knackered in the morning, but it'll be worth it."