"Matt!" I looked around to see who was screaming.
I expected to see someone in the audience wanting me to come sign an autograph, but instead turned completely around and saw Brian standing by the stage motioning for me to come over. I excused myself from Rosie's side and walked over to him.
"Hey. Barbara just called and she wanted to let you know that they moved the shoot up. They need you there in like thirty minutes." Brian stated. "Fuck 'em." I laughed. "It's just a photo shoot. If I'm a little late, they'll get over it. Just let me introduce Mandy and say goodbye to Rosie after that, and we'll leave." "Sounds good to me." Brian laughed.
I walked back onto the stage with a couple seconds to spare. I got in position to where Mandy Moore was about to come out so I could introduce her.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, our next guest's CD came out December 7th--but she's only fifteen years old! Here to perform her first single off the album, ladies and gentlemen....Mandy Moore!" I announced when I was cued.
Immediately, the music started and Mandy came out from the curtains with a couple of dancers and began to dance, the music starting. Rosie and I were both impressed with how well the fifteen year old singer was performing. We were even more amazed when she began singing.
Give it to me Mmm oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Mmm oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah Give it to me Mmm oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Mmm oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah Give it to me
I'm so addicted to the lovin' That you're feedin' to me Can't do without it This feeling's got me weak in the knees Body's in withdrawl Every time you take it away Can't you hear me callin' Beggin' you to come out and play Ah yeah
So baby come to me Baby show me who you are, yeah Sweet to me Like sugar to my heart, ooh baby I'm cravin' for you I'm missin' you like candy
Sweet sweet lovin' Got me goin' to the extreme (you gotta know, oh) Can't go without it This vibe has got a hold on me, oh baby Satisfying baby Let me show you what I'm made of No doubt about it boy Got me feelin' crazy, can't get enough Baby baby baby won't you
So baby come to me Baby show me who you are, yeah Sweet to me Like sugar to my heart, ooh baby I'm cravin' for you I'm missin' you like candy
So baby come to me Baby show me who you are, yeah Sweet to me Like sugar to my heart, ooh baby I'm cravin' for you I'm missin' you like candy
Now give it to me...
You know who you are Your love's as sweet as candy I'll be forever yours Love always, Mandy
Boy I'm cravin' Missin' you like candy
So baby come to me Baby show me who you are, yeah Sweet to me Like sugar to my heart, ooh baby I'm cravin' for you I'm missin' you like candy
So baby come to me Baby show me who you are, yeah Sweet to me Like sugar to my heart, ooh baby I'm cravin' for you I'm missin' you like candy
"Wow! Ladies and Gentlmen....Mandy Moore!" Rosie announced as we walked up to her when the music stopped.
Mandy looked up at Rosie, then noticed me standing next to her. She looked at me like she had seen a ghost, and looked like she was actually going to faint. I grabbed her around the shoulders with both arms and hugged her, mainly to keep her from teetering over.
"She's sooooo cute." I laughed as I squeezed her. "Isn't she?" Rosie agreed. "Everyone stick around, we'll be right back!"
I let go of Mandy as soon as the cameras were off of us.
"Are you going to be alright?" I asked with a smile as I looked down at her. "I think so. Oh my god." She giggled nervously as Rosie and I stood by her. "I'm Matt." I smiled and extended my hand to her.
Instead of taking my hand, she grabbed me around the waist and hugged me. I laughed loudly and returned her hug. I didn't think she'd let go of me before the commercial break was over, but finally she let go and blushed.
"You did a great job." I congratulated her. "Thank you." She replied. "No problem. Now, I have to get going. I have to be at a photo shoot, Rosie." I sighed. "Ah, you don't have to leave do you?" Rosie looked disappointed. "Yeah, I have to be there in like fifteen minutes." I replied, looking at my watch. "Mandy, it was great meeting you. Call me Rosie and we'll go have dinner sometime, alright?" "Sure thing, take care Matt!" Rosie smiled as I walked towards the backstage area.
I walked around the corner towards backstage, and immediately spotted Brian waiting on me.
"You did great." He smiled at me. "No time for talk, gotta go to the photo shoot." I teased and grabbed his arm. "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner tonight. You know, a night on the town?" Brian asked quietly as we walked towards the backlot gate. "I've got a better idea. Why don't we order in, rent some movies and just stay at the apartment? I've had too many nights on the town lately." I laughed, making a compromise. "Sounds even better." Brian beamed as we reached the limo Rosie had provided us with. "I'll even let you pick out the movies after I get done with the shoot." "Well, aren't you just a sweetheart?" Brian teased as we got into the limo. "Where to?" The limo driver, whom I had already instructed on the "don't call me sir or act formal" rules I had, asked. "Do you know where the Out Magazine office is?" I asked. "I think so." He replied. "Thereto James!" I laughed.
The driver laughed and rolled up the glass barrier between the front and backseats and took off.
(Part 5)
"Good lord, I'm tired." I sighed as Brian and I walked into my apartment and I plopped down on the couch, exhausted. "It's a good thing you have the next month off, or you're going to be in the hospital like the last time you wore yourself down." Brian laughed as he sat down next to me. "Yes pappy." I smiled as I lit a smoke. "Call me DADDY!" Brian shouted. "You are so stupid." I laughed loudly and slapped him on the thigh. "I know, I know." He sighed with a smile. "I got an idea." "What?" "Why don't you take your little booty down to Blockbuster and get us some movies while I get a shower?" I cooed. "Why do I have to go alone?" Brian frowned. "'Cause you're cool like that. You can also get us something to eat while you're out." I smiled. "And what do I get if I do that?" He grinned evily. "My respect and admiration." I laughed. "Fine. Be that way." He laughed with me. "Where's the closest movie rental place?" "The closest Blockbuster is like five blocks that way, and then two blocks to your right." I explained, motioning somewhat with my hands.
I dug into my pocket and got my rental card out of my wallet.
"They'll let you use it, they know who you and I are." I explained as I gave it to him. "Alrighty. What do you want to eat?" He asked. "Anything. I don't care." I replied as I sunk further into the couch. "Okay, go get your shower, stinky. I'll be back in a bit." Brian teased as he stood up. "Like you smell like roses?" I laughed. "I smell pretty all the time." He replied innocently before opening the door and leaving.
It took me a couple minutes to pry myself off the couch, but I finally did it. I walked into my bedroom and stripped off the clothes that Brian had let me borrow. I grabbed a pair of my Joe Boxers and a tee and went into the bathroom. I turned the water on full blast and hopped in, slowly letting the water envelope me. Halfway through my shower, I heard the door open and close to the apartment, so I knew Brian had come back. I decided to prolong my shower, knowing he'd understand if I didn't hop out right away. I must have been in the shower another thirty minutes when I heard the buzzer go off. I heard Brian talking into it, so I turned off the shower and started to dry off. The door to the apartment opened and closed again, making me think someone else had arrived. I brushed my teeth, put on my deodorant, and put my boxers and tee-shirt on. I spritzed a little cologne on, and exited the bathroom with semi-damp hair and my towel around my neck. I walked into the living room, expecting to see a house full of people, but only Brian was sitting on the couch.
"Hey, who was at the door?" I asked as I took my towel and began to dry my hair some more. "Dinner." Brian replied. "What did you get?" I asked. "Pizza!" Brian beamed. "Oh lordy." I giggled as I sat down on the couch next to him. "Let me guess. Cheese pizza?" "Ofcourse, what other kind would I eat?" He smiled. "Well, let's hope you didn't do so bad on the movies." I teased. "I got 'South Park' and 'You've Got Mail'." He replied. "Oh God. I'd rather watch the Telemundo." "What's wrong with them?" "Nothing's wrong with 'South Park', I've seen it though. But 'You've Got Mail'??? What is wrong with you?" I teased. "Hey, I like Tom Hanks." "Yeah, I like Tom Hanks--when he's not talking or moving." I laughed. "Well, we can watch 'South Park' first." He punched me in the arm. "No. We can watch the chick flick first and get it over with." I leaned forward and opened the pizza box on the coffee table. "Are you sure?" He asked. "Yeah, I'm just giving you a hard time." I smiled as I pulled a piece of pizza out of the box and began to nibble on it. "Cool." Brian got up and went to the VCR as I ate the piece of pizza and threw my towel into the chair across the room.
As soon as the previews started to appear, Brian came over and sat down next to me on the couch, and pulled his feet up, yanking off his shoes. Somehow, I got through the whole experience of watching Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in yet ANOTHER sappy movie together without making too many gagging noises. Brian ended up laying his head on the sofa arm and putting his feet in my lap towards the end of the movie. I felt like slapping his legs away, but decided to be nice and not tease him. Finally, when the movie was over, I volunteered to get up and put 'South Park' in. I ran into my room and grabbed my comforter and went back to the couch and curled up at the other end, pulling the comforter over me. The very first preview got my attention immediately. I saw myself running down a corridor with Katie Holmes and Jonathon Taylor Thomas, being chased by a pack of stark-raving mad kids. The clip showed me screaming at the top of my lungs, pretty much looking like an idiot. Brian began giggling incessantly.
"Shut up!" I laughed and kicked him in the butt. "That is too funny!" Brian began laughing so loud he had to hold his stomach. "It's just one clip!" I defended myself with a giggle. "It's just too cute." Brian smiled as he turned around and came closer to me, laying his head on my stomach.
I didn't really think about it, I just lifted the comforter, and covered us both up. Brian laid there, his head on my stomach, and his arm on my chest as we laughed every time the opening song mentioned "Uncle Fucker". Halfway through the movie when Sadam pulls out the fake penis, Brian began laughing so hard that he almost shook both of us off the couch. I held onto him tightly to keep us from tumbling to the floor, laughing almost as hard as he was. Finally, when the movie was over, I reached over and grabbed the remote off the coffee table and stopped the tape, then pressed rewind. I shut the television off while the VCR did it's work. Brian laid there, looking up at me as the VCR made a slight "humming" noise. I grabbed the stereo remote off the table quickly and turned it on. I hit the play button, and Savage Garden's 'Affirmation' started.
"Matt?" Brian spoke. "Yeah?" I sighed contentedly. "I was just wondering..." He trailed off. "Wondering what?" I asked, locking my hands behind my head and looking up at the ceiling. "Nothing, forget it." He smiled at me before laying his head back down on my stomach.
We laid there for quite awhile before 'I Knew I Loved You' started playing on the stereo. Brian slowly sat up, pulling the comforter off of us both.
"Ready for bed?" I asked. "No." "Then why'd you get up?" I asked as Brian got off the couch and stood before me. "Dance with me." He looked down at me seriously, holding his hand out to me. "Huh?" I smiled, not understanding. "Dance with me, Matt." He repeated, and grabbed my hand. "Okay." I smiled nervously and stood.
Brian pulled me to the middle of the living room, where no furniture was in the way and locked his arms around my neck. I slowly lifted my arms and laced them around his waist. Brian slowly began to lead me in dancing as I looked into his eyes. He looked as if he was about to cry.
Maybe it's intuition But some things you just don't question Like in your eyes I see my future in an instant And there it goes I think I've found my best friend
I know that it sounds more than a little crazy But I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life
A tear rolled down Brian's cheek as we danced. I didn't know what to do, so I laid my head on his shoulder and held him a little tighter as we moved around the living room. Brian leaned down and kissed my neck lightly before putting his head next to mine.
There's just no rhyme or reason Only this sense of completion And in your eyes I see the missing pieces I'm searching for I think I've found my way home
I know that it sounds more than a little crazy But I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life
A thousand angels dance around you I am complete now that I've found you
I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life
As soon as the song was over, and 'The Best Thing' started playing, Brian stopped moving.
"What's wrong?" I asked, turning to look into his eyes. "Matt, I..."
Brian paused for a really long time, just looking me in the eyes.
"What?" I asked again. "It's all my fault." Brian moved away from me slowly and walked over to the couch.
Brian sat down slowly and hung his head in his hands. I didn't understand what was wrong, but I walked over and sat next to him, laying my hand on his knee.
"Brian, what's wrong?" "It's just...I mean, US." Brian spoke, leaving his face buried in his hands. "What about us?" I was confused. "How'd we end up here?" He asked, taking his head out of his hands and looking me in the eye. "What do you mean?" "The two people in the world that are actually meant for each other--how'd we end up like this?" "Like what?" "Broken up." He stated, finally telling me what he was getting at. "You dumped me." I said bluntly. "I know." Brian began to tear up and covered his face with his hands again. "I didn't mean to sound rude." I was about to cry with him as I laid my hand on his back, trying to comfort him. "It's not your fault. It's the truth." Brian sobbed. "Listen, it's alright Brian, it's not the end of the world." Words were failing me. "No it's not the end of the world. It's the end of MY world." He looked up with teary eyes to stare at me.
I didn't know what to say.
"Like the song says 'I've been waiting all my life'. I lived twenty-three years waiting for you to come into my life. And right when I found you, my life meant something. Then I threw it all away. I don't know why I let you go." Brian began to cry openly, not covering his face.
I laid my head on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him.
"I don't know why I did it, Matt, I really don't. I loved you then, I love you now. I love you more than ever NOW, actually. There's nothing more I need in my life than you. These last seven months have been hell. I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't want to tour, I didn't want to go out with the guys, I didn't want to see fans, I didn't want to do anything. And when Devon called to let me know that you guys were going to be at the concert, it was like I had hope. And, well I'm babbling, I know, but...."
I didn't know what else to do. I placed a hand on either side of Brian's face and pulled him towards me. I lightly kissed him, running my hands down his cheeks, over his shoulders and to his back. Brian seemed a little stunned at first, but as soon as he realized what was going on, he threw his arms around me, pulling me closer to him. We stayed in that same position, kissing for what seemed like forever before I pulled away. I just stared into Brian's eyes for a minute before standing, grabbing his hand.
"What does this mean?" Brian asked me, wanting to know where we stood. "This means you should follow me." I said lowly as I pulled him up and led him down the hallway. "Matt?" Brian asked as we came to the door of my bedroom. "It's alright, Brian." I smiled at him and pulled him into the room, closing the door behind us.
"So, Devon told you I'd be at the concert?" I asked lovingly as I laid in the bed, my head resting on top of Brian's bare chest. "Yeah. It was the weirdest thing. He just called me up out of the blue like two weeks before and told me you two were going to be there. No reason, he just called." Brian explained, running his fingers through my hair. "That little shit." I smiled widely as I nuzzled Brian's chest. "What?" "Nothing. Well..." "What?" "I have a feeling that Devon was playing "matchmaker"." I giggled. "Oh." I looked up to see Brian smiling.
We laid there for a minute, basking in the afterglow. I was thinking about Devon planning this whole thing. How proud he'd be to know it worked out.
"You know, we should get Devon for doing this." Brian smiled. "Yeah, get him a gift, maybe." I smiled and kissed Brian lightly on his chest. "That's what I was thinking." "We'll definitely have to thank him when we get back." I replied, squeezing Brian tighter to me. "So you DID write that song for me." It wasn't really a question. "Yeah, I guess I did. The song just came to me when I found out I was going to see you again." Brian looked down at me with a smile. "Just don't let Devon know he was right." I smiled at him and kissed him on the chest. "I have something for you..."Brian turned away from me and opened the bedside table drawer. "What?" "Well, I didn't exactly buy you anything new." Brian stated as he rolled back over and hugged me to him, his fist clenched around something. "What is it?" I smiled, looking at his clenched hand.
Brian didn't respond, he just brought his hand closer to my face and opened it up so I could see. In the palm of his hand were my rings that I had given back to him seven months ago. I looked at them with love, not knowing what to say at that exact moment.
"I want you to take these back." Brian asked tentatively. "I don't really want them back...."
Brian looked shocked and I knew that he was going to tear up.
"I mean, I dont' really want them back....as much as I want YOU back." I smiled up at him, placing my hand in his.
Brian began to smile immediately, and moved down to kiss me.
"Well, if you want me back, you have to take the rings, too." He laughed slightly. "I think I can handle that." I smiled, holding my hand out for him. "Just do me one favor..." Brian stated as he began to slip the first ring on my finger. "What?" I asked, looking up at him lovingly. "Stay away from Justin Timberlake, alright?" Brian giggled as the second ring was slipped onto my finger. "I think I can manage that one." I laughed, leaning up to kiss him.
Brian kissed me back deeply, wrapping his arms around me and hugging me tightly. As soon as he pulled away, I playfully stuck my tongue out and licked him on the cheek.
"You little shit!" He screamed and began to wrestle with me.
I began laughing loudly as Brian got the upper hand and rolled me onto my back. He quickly rolled on top of me, straddling my waist and holding my hands above my head.
"I'm not looking for somebody to love. I'm still in love with you. If we could put this car in reverse, would you drive it through? The wall around your heart that keeps us apart, each and every day. And if I walked down your side of the street, would you turn the other way? And I get a funny feelin', whenever I'm with you. I always end up dreamin', whenever I'm with you." I sung slowly. "What's that from?" Brian cocked his head. "A song called 'Funny Feeling'. It just came to me." I smiled. "Yeah, well I've got another funny feeling right now." Brian swiveled his hips, pushing his hardening cock into my stomach. "You ain't the only one." I stated as I kissed him. "Mmmmmm, I love you, Matt." Brian moaned. "I love you more. HA!" I laughed, leaning up to kiss him again.
I'm not looking for somebody to love. I'm still in love with you. If we could put this car in reverse, would you drive it through? The wall around your heart that keeps us apart, each and every day. And if I walked down your side of the street, would you turn the other way? And I get a funny feelin', whenever I'm with you. I always end up dreamin', whenever I'm with you~Jim Ellison/Material Issue.
Well, I guess that's it kiddies. It's time for the "thank you's" and whatnot's. So, let me get started here. I want to thank: Jon(why can't you take that trip??)-you're a great friend, and a great person. It always means alot to me when I get to talk to you. Love you. Sierra(sorry we didn't whoop ass better at Euchre!)-you're a pretty cool guy, and I promise to put some of those poems to music when I have time. OR when I learn to play the guitar. :-) Dennis(get online more often, boy!)-you know I love ya'! Tell Matt I said "Shut up, bi-otch!" :-) Gene(Miss talking to you)-you're a cool guy, and I always love hearing your funny anecdotes. Keep in touch. Anonymous(you'll know if this pertains to you--I really hope all is going well, and continues to go well with all that you do)-I love you muchly, and hope that things begin to make sense for you, and you can come to terms with the way you've been treated lately. However, remember, not all things are spontaneous. Sometimes we bring 25%-50% of our troubles on ourself--and although I'm not blaming you for what's going on, remember that you didn't just wake up one morning and have all this shit thrown your way. Living in "You're-Not-Being-Fair-To-Me Land" isn't exactly a scenic place to be. Think about it. You're a great person and friend. And remember, sometimes your friends will say or do things that will piss you off greatly, but as a good friend, you have to remember that it is usually said or done out of frustration. Sometimes you have to just take things with a grain of salt, instead of the whole can of Morton's. Love you! And finally, MindPieces. Although he will probably not be reading this, he was very instrumental in this story in several sections. And although he really didn't contribute to any ideas or thoughts used in this section, he's still someone I remember when I write any part to it. That's it. Hope you all enjoyed it! Write me at worknprog@yahoo.com if you have ANYTHING to say. Much love to the continuous supporters/fans of this story. Take care of you, Lep.