“I’d like to thank my fans…”

Nick stared bleary eyed at the golden statue in his hands as the crowd went absolutely wild.

“For this award.”

He leaned toward the busty blond pop star who was presenting.

“What’s the award for, doll?”

She said something and he made a face, unable to hear a word of it over the crowd.

“Well, I can’t hear a fucking word you said. So, thank you for this award for the biggest fucking cock in rock and roll!”

He held it up and the crowd exploded. He grabbed his shaft through his leather pants and tugged on it. The screaming got even louder, if that was possible.

The lights dimmed and he started to wander offstage until he felt someone take his arm. He stumbled offstage and followed the signs to the greenroom.

He needed another drink.

“Here love, would you do something with this for me?”

The girl standing by the velvet rope gave him a dazzling smile and accepted the statue.

He grabbed a shot of tequila from the VIP lounge bar, dropping a fifty for the bartender. Drinks were free, but he always tipped the help. He grinned, throwing the lemon over his shoulder.

Slow clapping from the corner caught his attention. Fucking Bruce. The biggest pain in the ass alive and one of his best friends.

Hell, he was one of his only friends. His band. His mates from school. Kendall and Bruce.

Everyone else was just a walk-on.

“Well done.”

Nick tipped his drink, sloshing most of it down his forearm. He licked his hand and chugged the rest of the shot. He held his hand out and the glass was magically refilled.

“Thanks, mate.”

He swaggered across the room. Bruce watched him, an amused look on his handsome face.

“Congrats on the prize. The speech, not so much.”

“What are you so happy about, you smug bastard?”

Bruce’s expression cleared and Nick kicked himself mentally. Bruce was not happy. They both knew it.

He hadn’t been happy in a long time.

Nick knew he had his reasons, but to be that rich and famous and such a sourpuss… what a fucking waste. Still, Bruce had been famous longer than any of the three friends, and Nick knew it was wearing on him.

Nick had his own way of handling the stress and strain of megastardom. Mostly alchohol and female companionship. He slapped Bruce’s back, determined to cheer his friend up.

He just needed a little… perspective.

“You know what your bloody problem is?”

“What?”

“You need to drink more.”

He downed his shot and waved for another.

“Bring two!”

“I’m not drinking tonight.”

“Right, right. More for me.”

“Drinking isn’t the answer to anything, Nick.”

“You’re such a mother hen.”

Bruce just raised an eyebrow, cool and collected as always.

“If you don’t want to drink, at least pop off with someone. You need to get laid, mate.”

That was the wrong thing to say apparently. Bruce stood to go.

“Hey wait mate, I didn’t tell you about Kendall.”

“Okay, tell me.”

“He’s got this bird, mate. Fit. Not one of us.”

“She’s not in the biz?”

“She’s a civilian, mate.”

“We told him to keep it to the industry. Everyone else is just a fan.”

“He doesn’t think so. He’s moved her in with him.”

Bruce exhaled.

“Is he happy?”

“As a lark.”

Nick made some whistling sound, like a couple of love birds.

“Then leave it alone.”

“Yeah, yeah. I have no one to go out trolling for chicks with now.”

Bruce laughed, shaking his head.

“You always said the women come to you.”

“They do. Course they do.”

Bruce held out his hand and Nick stood to shake it.

“You know, some people actually want more out of life Nick.”

Nick had no idea what to say to that. His friend was getting deep as the years rolled on. They used to get wild together. Now Kendall was settling down and Bruce was turning into a Buddhist Monk or something.

“You’re fucking wise, mate.”

Bruce just shook his head.

“No. I’m not. I’m just tired. Enjoy your night.”

Nick grinned.

“Always, mate.”

Nick partied the rest of the night with a couple of girls he met at one of the after parties. When he woke up at three o’clock the following day, he couldn’t even remember their names.