Like a Dream Come True

“Good morning,” Lianna answered her desk phone on Monday morning in a great mood. She had spent the whole weekend with Joseph. They had joked and laughed, as well as spent plenty of time talking about their future and their relationship. Lianna really felt deep down like things were going to work out this time. “Lianna Long speaking. May I help you?”

“So you are alive,” Eddie’s voice greeted her cheerfully from the other end of the line. “I haven’t heard from you in over a week. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Immediately, Lianna felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She knew that she had been avoiding Eddie, because she didn’t know how to tell him that she and Joseph were back together. “I’m sorry about not calling, Eddie,” she said sincerely. “Listen, are you free for lunch today? I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Uh oh,” Eddie laughed, but it sounded a bit thin. “That sounds serious. Should I be scared?”

Biting her lip, Lianna didn’t even know how to respond to that. “No,” she finally said. “Not scared. I just want to talk to you… face to face.”

“Then why don’t we meet at the diner near your work around one?” Eddie asked Lianna, a touch of nervousness in his voice unable to be hidden completely. “It’s small and usually pretty quiet. We should be able to talk with some privacy there.”

“That sounds perfect,” Lianna replied, dread washing over her. “So I’ll see you at one.”

“One it is,” Eddie responded. “Bye, Lianna.”

“Bye, Eddie,” Lianna replaced the receiver of the telephone. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say to him exactly during lunch. After all, Eddie had been an amazing friend over the past few months when Lianna was going through some of the worst times of her life, and she really didn’t want to hurt him. At the same time, she couldn’t just go on ignoring him. “I guess I’ll just tell him the truth,” she said to herself, letting out a sigh and turning back to her computer to work.

-----

When Lianna arrived at the diner, Eddie was already waiting at a booth. She slid into the seat opposite him and gave him a smile. “Hey. How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Eddie told her, returning her grin. “Actually, that’s a lie. I’ve been freaked out all morning, wondering what it was you wanted to tell me. So, as a favor, can you just spit it out now?”

Taking in a deep breath, Lianna let it out slowly as she nodded. “I’ve decided to try a relationship with Joseph again,” she said quickly. “The tour is over, and he’s back in town now until January. We got back together after that Broken Dynamite show I went to with Tavian last Saturday, and so far, things seem to be going well.”

Raising his eyebrows, Eddie said nothing for a moment. “So that’s why I haven’t heard from you in over a week,” he said softly, nodding slightly to himself as if confirming his suspicions. “Well, at least it wasn’t something I did wrong. I was getting sort of concerned that I’d insulted you or made you uncomfortable with something I said...”

“God no,” Lianna reached out and grabbed Eddie’s hand on the table. “I don’t know if you… you know, have feeling for me or not still, but I wanted to tell you the truth. You’re one of my best friends, Eddie. I hope that doesn’t have to change because I’m back with Joseph.”

Searching Lianna’s face for a minute, Eddie cracked a small smile. “Of course we’re still friends,” he told her. “I’ll always be your friend, if you want me to be. And in regards to Joseph… I just hope he treats you right this time. But you’re a smart woman; I think you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Feeling tears stinging her eyes, Lianna squeezed Eddie’s hand. “Thanks for being so wonderful,” she shook her head in amazement. “The girl that ends up with you is going to be so lucky, Eddie.”

“Thanks,” Eddie said, forcing another smile at Lianna. However, silently to himself he thought that, between lesbians and rock starts, his chances of finding someone to share his life with were looking grimmer by the day.

-----

“I have every intention of getting you as drunk on your birthday as you got me on mine,” Lianna said as she handed a vodka cranberry to Madison. She, Joseph and Tavian had taken Madison out to a trendy nightclub to celebrate her birthday. Lianna had also invited Eddie because of how well he got along with Madison and Tavian, but she hoped things wouldn’t be awkward. Tavian had invited Sin so that she could finally meet Madison. As everyone had expected, Sin and Madison were a riot together.

“Like I’m going to object to letting you get me drunk,” Madison replied to Lianna with a grin. “Just be ready, honey,” she warned Tavian. “You may be carrying me home.”

“Lovely,” Tavian replied dryly.

“Please, just be glad she’s nice enough to go home with you at all,” Sin grinned at Tavian. She was glad that she and Madison got along so well. Sin loved Tavian like a brother, and wanted him to be happy. He clearly was with Madison, and she with him. “You’ve got to let the girl have some drinks if you actually want her to sleep with you. I mean, really… look at you.”

“Ha ha,” Tavian rolled his eyes while everyone else chuckled, but then he grinned as he slid his arm around Madison’s shoulders. “I know Madison is not with me for my money or my looks. It’s my style and finesse that keep her around.”

“And your penis,” Madison grinned. “Don’t forget about that.”

“Oh, believe me, I never do,” Tavian replied. “So how about you, Sin? Did you go ‘down under’ with anyone in Australia?”

“You’re twelve,” Sin rolled her eyes. “And yes, I was seeing someone there, but he turned out to be like every guy I’ve ever dated – an asshole. Speaking of assholes – Joseph, can you tell Zip to stop calling me? It’s getting really fucking annoying, and he won’t listen to me.”

“Sorry,” Joseph shrugged. “I don’t think it would do any good. There’s something about you that makes him…”

“Horny?” Sin supplied. “Yes, it’s called my pussy. He seems to like those very much, and mine in particular for some reason, probably just because it’s not offered freely anytime he wants it and that drives his egotistical self nuts. Okay, I’m just realizing there’s someone at the table I don’t know at all while I’m talking about my sex life and my vagina. Hey, Sport, how are you doing over there?”

Eddie looked up from his drink, aware there was a blush on his cheeks. “Oh, I’m doing fine,” he lied as everyone looked at him. It was hard enough for him to try to act normally with Lianna and Joseph there, but now some strange tattooed girl that he had just met was talking about sex AND making everyone focus on him. “I, um, I’m going be right back. I need to use the men’s room.”

Sin watched with a perplexed expression as Eddie rushed from the table. “Did I say something wrong?” she asked. When Joseph shrugged but Lianna, Tavian and Madison looked down at the table, Sin decided she should just drop the subject. “Well, will you at least mention to Zip how fucking annoying girls find guys who don’t take no for an answer?”

“I’ll try,” Joseph promised. “Now, who needs another drink? I’m buying.”

Everyone started talking at once, and by the time Eddie returned from the bathroom, the subject had changed to more comfortable topics. He settled in and, after some time, he started taking part in the conversation. In spite of himself, he had to begrudgingly admit that Joseph seemed to be a nice guy and to really care about Lianna. He also realized that while Sin was definitely odd and vulgar, she was also incredibly funny and very intelligent.

Watching Madison and Tavian, Eddie chided himself for the bit of envy he felt when watching two people so deeply in love. But mostly, he kept sneaking glances and Lianna and realizing, although he didn’t want to, that her happiness was very important to him, and that she was happy with Joseph. All in all, it was turning out to be a night of acceptance for Eddie – acceptance that he would never have Lianna, and acceptance that he might have no one at all.

-----

“I have to pee,” Madison announced a little later that evening. The group was still all hanging around a table in the trendy club, which was just getting more crowded as the night went on.

“That’s my girl,” Tavian grinned. “All class.”

Sticking out her tongue at him, Madison shrugged. “What? Everyone has to pee.”

“Including me, right now,” Sin replied. “Come on. I’ll go with.”

“So, how long have you and Tavian been together?” Sin asked after the girls had used the bathroom. They were washing their hands in the sink and looking at the other’s reflection in the mirror in front of them. “You guys seem really happy together.”

“We are,” Madison grinned. “We’ve been together for about six months, I guess. We’ve actually been talking about moving in together at the end of January, when my lease is up. Any word of warning from a girl that used to live with him?”

A smirk on her face, Sin was about to open her mouth when the door to the bathroom opened. Both girls looked at the mirror and were shocked to see who had entered the room with them. “What the fuck,” Madison spun around. “Do you stalk Joseph and Lianna or something?”

“Please,” Frankie drawled with distaste. “I really couldn’t care less about that soon-to-be wash-up, and his pathetic little girl-toy. All I care is that he keeps strumming those guitar strings and making me rich.” She looked up and down Madison’s outfit. “Unlike some people, I enjoy the finer things in life.”

“Yeah, being a hooker pays well, I hear,” Madison shot back. “I guess an apartment on Park Avenue is worth pimping yourself out.”

“Listen, you little nothing,” Frankie took a step towards Madison. From the close proximity, it was obvious how much taller Frankie was than the presently pissed-off redhead. “I am one of the best managers in the business, and I do what I need to in order to make my clients stars. Of course, a useless nobody like yourself couldn’t possibly understand that.”

Feeling her blood boiling, Madison was about to shoot back another insult at Frankie when she felt a hand on her arm. “Don’t waste your time on her,” Sin said. “She’ll never understand what it’s like to value self-respect over money.” Knowing what Tavian had told her about Sin’s wild side and temperament, Madison was surprised to see the girl talking to her in such a calm voice and telling her to relax. Suddenly, though, Sin turned, and Madison watched gaping as Sin’s fist connected with Frankie’s jaw, sending the skinny woman stumbling back a few steps. “Just fucking hit her.”

“You little bitch!” Frankie said, holding her jaw. “You… you’re nothing. You were just Zip’s fuck toy. Yeah, I remember you. You were a fucking groupie.”

“Oh no,” Sin shook her hand a little from the pain of the punch, but she was just as calm as she had been before hitting Frankie. “I wasn’t a groupie. I didn’t care that he was famous. I just wanted a good lay – which is something both Zip and Joseph told me you are DEFINITELY not. So get your head out of your ass, you anorexic whore, and stop thinking that because you have money, you’re worth something. Because you are, hands down, the most worthless person I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting.” With that, she walked to the door of the bathroom and left without looking back.

With wide eyes, Madison started laughing at Frankie’s shocked expression. She added nothing more as Frankie turned to look at her with her eyes slit in anger. Madison just followed Sin into the hallway outside the bathroom. “Oh my God, you’re my hero!” Madison told Sin when she saw her. “Watching you hit her – that was, like, the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten!”

“Glad to oblige,” Sin grinned. “But don’t tell anyone about this, okay? This is just between you and me. I don’t know how well your boyfriend or Joseph will take it that I committed assault in the bathroom. I haven’t even been drinking hard liquor - yet. And Lianna and that Eddie guy both seem a little skittish. I don’t want them to think that I’m any more nuts than they already do. Besides, Frankie’s not going to say anything, because she’d have to admit what she was saying to us.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” Madison promised, linking arms with Sin. “But, still – damn! That was awesome.” The girls dissolved into giggles as they worked their way across the club and back to the group, which was none the wiser about Sin’s smack down of Frankie, both verbally and physically.

-----

Rushing around her apartment early one morning the following week, Lianna couldn’t find her black boots. If she didn’t leave soon, she would be late for work. “There they are,” she said to herself with relief as she pulled them from where they were wedged under the coffee table. Sitting on the couch, she started pulling them on, barely listening to the news on the television screen in front of her.

“In other news,” the well-coifed reporter was saying. “Twelve arrests were made last night at the Sliding Door nightclub by undercover agents in a sting operation involving controlled substances. Included in the arrests were club owner Jack Valentino, movie actor Vincent Miller, and music manager Frankie Reeves. More news after a word from our sponsors.”

Dropping the boot she had been sliding on, Lianna just stared at the television screen in amazement, although it was now playing a Starbucks commercial. Did I just hear that right? Lianna thought to herself. Did Frankie get arrested last night? Before she could think any more about it, Lianna was roused from her stupor by the telephone ringing.

“Hello?”

“Morning, baby,” Joseph’s voice came warmly over the line.

“Is it true?” Lianna knew that Joseph would not be calling at 7:30 in the morning to make idle chitchat, considering that he was rarely even awake at this time. “Did Frankie get arrested?”

“She did,” Joseph confirmed smugly. “Apparently, this girl in a nightclub bathroom that asked her for some cocaine was only sixteen. So they not only got her on possession, but distributing to a minor.”

“Holy shit,” Lianna said, feeling a tiny bit guilty for the sense of justice she was experiencing. “Do you know what’s going to happen?”

“Well, I’m not sure exactly,” Joseph told her. “Even with a great lawyer, she was giving coke to a sixteen year old. There are strict punishments for that. And no matter what happens, she’s done with Broken Dynamite. The president of the label called me right after the arrest was made public and told me that much. He doesn’t want parents associating our music with giving drugs to teenagers.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Lianna didn’t want to sound too excited. She felt like that would seem petty. “I can understand that.”

“You’re allowed to be relieved,” Joseph told Lianna with a chuckle. “In fact, you’re allowed to be ecstatic. Frankie is a really horrible person, and she’s finally getting what she deserves. You’re not evil for feeling vindicated in some way. I know I do. And it’s not going to hurt the band, I’m sure. We have managers sniffing around all the time. There’s actually this guy that reminds me of Ari on ‘Entourage’ that has been hinting about managing us every time we run into him.”

Letting out a giggle, Lianna felt her shoulders relax. “I don’t know what I think of that, but you’re right,” she told Joseph. “I didn’t do this to Frankie; she did it to herself. And she is going to get what’s coming to her. Even if she doesn’t do any jail time, it’s going to be hell for her to not be managing the band anymore.”

“It will, but it’ll be heaven for me,” Joseph sighed happily. “Anyway, I was actually calling because I want to take you to dinner tonight. You don’t have to consider it a celebration if you think that’s too crass, just a date with your boyfriend. But know that I’m going to be viewing it as a celebration.”

“That sounds great,” Lianna laughed. “But I have to go now. I’m already going to be late for work. Just call me later and tell me where and when to meet you.”

“I will,” Joseph promised. “And Lianna? I love you.”

“I love you, too. Bye,” Lianna grinned and hung up the phone, feeling lighthearted and content as she began pulling on her boot again.

-----

Joseph decided to have a party a couple weeks before Christmas, saying that he wanted to get everyone together since most people were traveling for the holidays. The condo was packed wall-to-wall with people drinking and laughing, having a great time.

“Holidays blow enough,” Sin took a seat beside Eddie on the stairs. “And holiday parties fucking blow twice as hard. They’re just a reminder that everyone seems to have somebody to be with except me.”

“And me,” Eddie gave Sin a self-deprecating grin. “So at least you’re not alone in Loserville.”

“Cheers,” Sin held up her beer bottle and tapped Eddie’s glass. She watched as his gaze moved across the room and rested on Joseph and Lianna. It was hard to miss the way his face fell when he watched them, Joseph’s arm around Lianna’s waist as he kissed her temple tenderly. “Shit, I can’t believe I missed it.”

“Missed what?” Eddie quickly dragged his gaze from Lianna to look at the loud girl beside him. Sin wasn’t anything like anyone Eddie had ever known, and he still felt a little nervous around her. She cursed nonstop, she seemed to have a temper, and although she was definitely beautiful, her clothes, hair and tattoos were something Eddie rarely saw on women that weren’t on MTV.

“Your crush on Lianna,” Sin said. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice the night of Madison’s birthday.”

“Could you keep your voice down a little?” Eddie said with annoyance. “The whole party doesn’t need to know my business.”

“Calm down, Sparky,” Sin roller her eyes. “No one heard me, and Joseph and Lianna are all the way over there. So how long has this little covet-fest been going on?”

Something about this girl was really getting on Eddie’s nerves. “Not that it’s any of your business,” he said through gritted teeth. “But I’ve liked her for years. She never felt the same way, though, and I’m glad she’s happy now, even if it’s not with me. Is that enough sharing on my part for you, Dr. Phil? Are you ready now to tell me why you keep looking at that Zip guy like the devil when he’s looking at you, and like a Marcia Brady looked at Davey Jones when he’s not?”

“Did you just reference a ‘Brady Bunch’ episode?” Sin asked, her forehead crinkled in amusement.

“Nice dodge,” Eddie looked away. “You know, you don’t have to sit here. I’m not so pathetic that I’m going to off myself or something.”

“I know,” Sin started to feel uncharacteristically bad for the preppy guy next to her. “I’m sorry I pushed. And just so we’re even… Zip is a small part of my past – a mostly unimportant part – but I sometimes wonder if it’s better to be with anyone than it is to be alone. Even if it’s just for one night.”

“I wonder the same thing,” Eddie told her, cracking a very small grin. “Not that women are beating down my door with the offer.”

Laughing, Sin bumped Eddie’s shoulder. “Come on,” she grinned. “You’re not completely hideous. I’m sure there is some woman out there that would take pity on you.” At his fake look of appall, she started chuckling again. The truth was, Eddie was really cute, although he wasn’t Sin’s type at all. Sin like sarcastic, dangerous, cocky guys – which probably explained her lack of long-lasting relationships. A guy like Eddie was just too preppy and reliable and… well, nice.

“Thanks a lot,” Eddie replied sarcastically. “Maybe I’ll find a nice girl with a peg-leg that will have me, or one with a mole that covers her whole forehead.”

“That’s the spirit,” Sin laughed. “And me, I’ll find myself another asshole who will treat me like crap and leave before the condom’s been flushed.”

Blushing a little at her bluntness, Eddie wasn’t sure how to respond to Sin. “Well, as long as we’re both setting our sights high enough,” he finally told her.

Rising, Sin nodded. “Exactly,” she replied. “Well, I’m going to get myself more alcohol to drown my sorrows. You good?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Eddie nodded. “Thanks. And thanks for talking to me.”

“No problem,” Sin gave him a small smile. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too,” Eddie said. He watched as she walked over to the cooler on a table, and he immediately saw Zip make a beeline for her, coming up behind her and sliding his hands around her waist. Immediately, Sin elbowed Zip in the gut, and Eddie almost choked on his drink with surprised laughter. Zip didn’t seem bothered by the action, though, and actually seemed to be turned on by her rebuttal. Eddie hoped she didn’t get too drunk and give in to Zip that night, for her own sake. Sin was a strange one to Eddie, but she was definitely a nice person and deserved to be treated well.

-----

Around midnight, the party was in full swing. Most of the guests were tipsy and having a great time. It was at that moment that Joseph turned off the stereo, to the collective groan of the party. “I’m sorry,” he told the guests who looked at him questioningly. “My friend has asked me to get everyone’s attention. Madison, would you please come here?”

“I didn’t ask you to do this,” Madison said with confusion as she walked over to where Joseph stood. “What’s this about? Where’s Tavian?”

“I’m right here, Maddy,” Tavian said from the top of the stairs. “And I have a surprise for you.” With that, Joseph reached over and hit play on the stereo. As some awful Bon Jovi song started playing, Madison watched with huge eyes as Tavian started dancing as he walked down the steps. Suddenly, he reached down and began undoing his pants, trying to step out of them without falling down the stairs.

“Tavian, how much did you drink?” Madison started laughing. “Why are you stripping?”

Tavian didn’t answer. At the bottom of the steps he slid off his socks ungracefully and then unbuttoned his shirt in a ridiculously overacted show of sexiness that was anything but sexy. Taking a few steps forward toward Madison, he was left in only his boxers. As he stood in front of Madison, he grinned widely. At the same time, Joseph stopped the music.

“What is this about?” Madison looked completely lost.

“Oh, this,” Tavian turned around. On his back was written the words “Will you marry me?” When he turned back around, he came face-to-face with Madison’s shocked expression.

“Don’t forget about this,” Joseph reached over and handed Tavian a velvet box.

Dropping down on one knee, Tavian looked up at Madison as he opened the box. Inside was a simple diamond solitaire on a white-gold band. “Madison,” Tavian looked at her with tenderness. “We’ve been talking about moving in together at the end of next month, and it’s made me start thinking. I don’t just want to share an apartment with you; I want to share my life with you. I love you, Maddy. And we don’t have to get married right away. I don’t even finish school for eighteen months. But I want to be engaged to you – I want to know you’ll always be with me. So, Maddy, will you marry me?”

Tears had filled Madison’s eyes as she listened to Tavian’s speech, but she unexpectedly burst into laughter. It suddenly occurred how ludicrous Tavian looked, in the middle of a huge party, on one knee, with a ring, pouring out his heart – all in his underwear. “I’m sorry,” she giggled. “It’s just that you look so… ridiculous right now.”

“Too ridiculous to marry?” Tavian joked, although it was clear to those who knew him best that he was nervous to get an answer.

Shaking her head, Madison smiled. “Just ridiculous enough,” she told him. “Of course I’ll marry you, you freak.”

Jumping up, Tavian threw his arms around Madison and kissed her as the whole party hooted and clapped. He slid the ring on her finger and kissed her again before turning to the crowd. “She said yes,” he yelled with a huge grin. “I can put on my clothes now!”

Everyone burst into laughter, and Lianna looked over at Joseph near the stereo. She had no idea that this was going to happen tonight. Tavian and Joseph must have cooked it up in secret, which explained the real reason why Joseph wanted to throw the party. “I love you,” Joseph mouthed to Lianna across the room as she caught his gaze, his green eyes sparkling like emeralds.

“I love you, too,” Lianna mouthed back. God, I really do love him, Lianna thought to herself as she watched Joseph embrace his best friend in congratulations.

Lianna was not jealous of Tavian and Madison’s engagement; their love was unquestionable, their future quite certain. Lianna wouldn’t want to make that kind of commitment to Joseph yet. She still had to see how things went while he was out on tour. But if the last six weeks had been any indication, things looked like they were going to work out after all.

-----

THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED THIS STORY. I REALLY ENJOYED WRITING IT. THE REASON THAT I’M NOT WRITING MORE CHAPTERS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN LIANNA AND JOSEPH IS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE MAKING GUEST APPREARANCES IN MY NEXT STORY, WHICH WILL FOCUS ON EDDIE AND SIN. I’D LOVE TO HEAR ANYONE’S THOUGHTS ON HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THAT STORY, OR WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THIS ONE. THANKS!