Lori a Fresh Start and a New Love

"Well, do you want to hear it?" Ban asked eagerly.

"Oh yes, please," Tina gushed.

Ben walked over to his desk, rotated the monitor speakers to face us and hit play.

Boom... there it was. I admit I was surprised. I expected it to sound muddy with everything bleeding into each other, but it was clear, and reasonably precise. It sounded fresh, new and very different to the sound I had in my head.

This was a hundred times better.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." Tina squealed as she jumped out of her chair, her hands covered her face hiding the joyous dismay. "It sounds incredible, like listening to records. Oh my god." She sighed. She glanced around the room trying to unlock our thoughts. Amber, Marla and Tab had all been in this situation before, so we weren't quite so overwhelmed.

Tina, though, was flying... "I can't believe it, we sound good."

"Better than good, babe." Amber said proudly. "This is really good." She turned to Ben. "Good job Cuz, this is choice as."

"We can do better when you're ready to record for good. I'll bring out some sound baffles, get better separation. It's a good start, though. My desk is digital, so I can add in some guitar affects if you want, Lori?"

"Maybe when we get to mix down, don't bother with this one."

What surprised me was how quickly Marla and Amber had found the groove, and even more bewildering was how well the voices blended. It was a mix made in heaven.

As we packed up, I went to hand the Tele back to Amber. She scowled, giving me a filthy glare. "I said it was yours, bitch. I swear to god, I will fucking end you if you insult me again."

So there I was, reunited with my favourite guitar. After all these years.

Driving back to Tab's, she said, "That was kind."

"Yeah, more than generous. I need to find a way to pay her back."

"Don't insult her, Lori, you know what she's like. You have to accept it as Koha. Repay her with love."

"It was special, it made me cry." Tina added.

Tab giggled cheekily. "My eyes are still damp."

The next day, Tina and I helped Tab around the house, met a few more of the young girls. Their stories were horrific. Abused by their fathers and families. As a species, we were certainly capable of atrocities beyond comprehension.

As we were getting ready to leave for rehearsal, Tab excused herself. "Sorry girls. There's a blues club meeting tonight. You'll have to do it without me," she said laughingly.

"How will we survive." Tina mocked.

Tina and I were having a cup of tea after another great rehearsal. We talked about the songs, laughed about some of the interactions. She was coming to grips with Amber's forthright approach. We were all gelling so well.

When Tab walked in, I noticed a hint of concern. I jumped up and made her a cuppa. As I slid it in front of her, I asked, "You look like somebody stole your last choccy bicky. What's up?"

She grinned at my remark before replying. "Well... It's one of those good news bad news situations."

"Go on," I replied.

Between sips of her Choysa tea, she said. "Depending on what side of the fence you sit, this is either going to be great news, or really bad news."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We get it. Come on spit it out."

"All right. Remember I said I would try and get you a gig at the club?" Tina and I both nodded.

"Turns out they're super enthusiastic, but there's a catch."

"Here we go." I muttered.

Tab frowned at me. "Here it is. They want you for at least one gig. For which they will pay two grand. If that one goes well, there's another, for which they will pay three grand."

"Wow," Tina gasped. "That sounds amazing."

"What's the catch." I spat out.

Tab quickly swallowed the last of her tea, and gulped before providing the last bit.

"They're only interested if they can promote it as Marylyn's return. They think there's a huge group of fans who would love to see you."

"No way, tell them to shove it up their collective arses. Marylyn is dead."

Tina looked crestfallen when she heard my response.

Tab sighed and with a little shake of her head replied. "Lori, there's no hiding from Marylyn. Once you step on that stage with a band, everybody will recognise you. Like it or not, people are going to say it's Marylyn. It is you. Why not make the most of it?"

"Because it's not about me, Tab. This is Tina's show. The only reason I'm here is to help her."

Tina jumped in straight away. "Lori, Tab is right. I don't mind, I'm happy for us to be called whatever people want. You are the star. None of this would be happening without you. I say we do it."

"No, sorry. Marylyn is dead."

"No she's not. She might have grown up. She might have matured but Marylyn is still in there, babe. She always will be. She got you in this mess. Why not let her help get you out of it?"

"Lets call Amber and Marla, they have to get a say as well." Tina gushed. Sneaky bitch, she knew as well as I did what they would say."

Tab walked around behind me, leaned over and kissed me, her arms circling down around my neck, her tiny kisses fluttered across my face. "You know it's the right thing to do. The girls are going to agree with Tina, and if I get a vote, it will be four to one."

"Fuck." I snarled flopping back in my chair. Peering up at Tab, I whispered. "Was this your suggestion?"

"No babe, it was a joint thing from the committee. I knew you wouldn't be happy. I tried to twist their arms, but they were convinced."

The meeting with Amber and Marla went as I expected. Overnight I had given it some thought. Maybe it was a chance to launch us. Yeah, use my name, but during the performance tell the crowd that this was a new venture, and promote the new songs.

The others agreed, but again Tab had her two cents worth to add. "You know you're gonna have to play all your old hits. You'll get thrown out if you don't. By all means promote the new stuff. Mix it in with the old, but you have to give them what they want."

Tina was quick to jump in. "We already play most of Marylyn's songs. We include them in our usual sets.

Amber and Marla were very familiar with my old stuff. It didn't take long to get them into some sort of shape. They were the old songs, but with a new inflection. They sounded fresh and contemporary.

We had two weeks to get them all ready. There was more to it than just the songs. Ben was generous enough to loan me his Vox, but we had other things to prepare. Sound, for one. Tab relieved some of my tension when she told me that the club would be supplying it's full PA and an engineer.

I was blown away once the promotion started in earnest. It was all over social media, the New Zealand Herald ran a huge article and dug up plenty of old photos.

A couple of women's magazines wanted to do interviews. At first, they baulked at the ten thousand dollar price tag, but were quick to come back with a contract. If they wanted to use me, then they could bloody well pay for the privilege.

When they came for the interviews, I made sure they included Tina, who was less than impressed. For all her desires to be in the spotlight, she had been overawed with the speed of how things had shifted.

In bed that night, at least we were back to separate beds, Tina said, "Bloody hell, it seems like two weeks ago we were sitting at home organising gigs at local clubs and pubs. Now it's like we're gonna be appearing in magazines, newspapers and it seems every time I turn on the radio, they're playing your old hits."

"Yeah, it's happened quickly, all right. Tina, if this is too much to quick. We can slow things down."

"No, I'm not complaining. It surprised me, I forgot how popular you were."

"Fame fades quickly, Tina. Remember that first night I sung with you? Nobody knew who I was. Here today, gone tomorrow."

"It's fickle, that's for sure. What's happening between you and Tab. Are you in love with her?"

I couldn't answer straight away, I needed to think. "I dunno what to say. Tab and I share so much history. She was part of my life before I was famous and she has always supported me. I do love her. This has been an amazing, reconnecting with her."

"She's really attractive, and I can see she loves you. She doesn't hide that."

"I know, but she's got her life here. I don't know what to do."

It was dark, I could hear her breathing from the other bed. I'm only human, I could feel the urges of arousal. My hands caressed my breasts, sliding over the firm flesh. My nipples were already hard and proud. I was appreciative that my boobs were still firm. Never having had children probably helped, and the fact they were nothing more than a handful. I was happy to go braless.

As my fingers slid south, I enjoyed the feel of my tummy. Say what you want about going to the gym. Working on the farm, carrying rocks, digging gardens, chasing animals and then good old fashioned housework. My figure was trimmer than it had ever been.

A little whimper escaped as my fingers worked into the slippery folds of my puffy little pussy. One of my indulgences was keeping my pussy smooth and shaven. I would've loved to have a wax, but that was money I didn't have.

I had done this a million times inside, quietly letting my fingers do the walking with somebody in the bunk across the room. Somehow, this was different, I felt embarrassed. I listened for the sounds, those little giveaway signs that Tina was doing exactly the same thing.

There were signs lately that she felt just as hungry for my taste as I did for hers. There in the darkness, my fingers sliding into the moist crevice of my sex. I listened closer, my breathing barely audible. There was nothing, her breathing was steady, quiet...

That's when I remembered, she snores when she's laying on her back... There was nothing, just steady breathing that was getting shorter, shallower, more controlled. Then it snuck out, a whimper... A purring moan.

I sniggered under my breath; she was as horny as I was. I eased my fingers into my gooey centre, taking time to pull and rub my lips. I had to stifle my moan as I found my spot. Hhhhhmmmm, god that felt good, my fingers curling and caressing, my thumb rubbing gently on my clit. It felt so plump, swollen and throbbing.

I imagined Tina biting and sucking it, her ruby red lips sucking it deep into her mouth. I heard Tina's bed creak, and I slowed to watch. She moved jerkily, rolling from side to side, her moans barely smothered by the blanket she had in her mouth. I imagined her biting my nipples the way she bit down on the duvet. Her hips twisting and bucking.

Her orgasm was noisy, the squishy sounds of her fingers in her pussy. No longer did she care if I was listening. She was lost in her moment, the slow death taking her.

My orgasm was sedate by comparison, her moaning covering my own little whimper, my legs rubbing my hand as it slipped in and out. I lay quietly, my breathing controlled, whereas hers was ragged.

The closest I had come to sex in over a year.

I slept soundly, the blankets pulled up high.

I thought the morning might be awkward, but Tina was her usual self, bubbly and full of energy. Tab noticed her brightness, and asked quietly, "What's up with her?"

"I think she got lucky last night."

Tab looked at me as if to say, 'You?' I sniggered. "No, not me, it was self-administered."

"Oooohhh," She said with a girlish giggle. "Shame on you for eavesdropping."

"Fuck off, I could hardly miss it. She was a little blissed out."

"Still, a little rude to listen."

"Oh yeah, and what would you have done?"

She smiled evilly and whispered. "Joined in."

"Dirty bitch, you've got the hots for her?"

"Oh, get real. You've been leching around after her like a horny kitty on heat."

I smirked playfully. "Yeah I knew it. Tramp."

The table filled with girls, and we had to focus on breakfast. Tina gave us a funny look. "What have you two been up to?"

"Nothing, just talking."

The day passed easily, but that night after rehearsal. Amber invited Tina over to her place for the night. On the drive home, Tab's hand slid over mine as I changed gear. She caressed me softly, her hand moving slowly up my bare arm, her head resting on my shoulder. When I pulled up at the traffic lights, she reached up and pulled my head down into a kiss. Soft and gentle, then warm, open and inviting.

Her tongue slithered into my open mouth. Heaven, she tasted just like I remembered, her lips full and succulent, firm but juicy, her tongue ever the ferocious hunting animal. I was lost in a moment of absolute utopia.

The sound of honking horns and somebody yelling out. "It's fucking green, arsehole," shocked me out of my trance.

I threw the Surf into first and did my best to roar away. It's a bit hard in a thirty-year-old Toyota Surf that's got more than three hundred thousand kilometres on the clock.

The offending arsehole sped by on the outside of us, his one finger salute followed by more obscenities.

Tab glanced at me and burst out laughing. I couldn't help but giggle along with her.

Once inside the door at her place, some of the girls were watching TV in the lounge. "Do you want something to drink?" Tab asked.

"Nah, I'm ready for bed."

"Want some company?"

"Do you think that's a good idea Tab, I mean I did say I can't commit to anything. I don't want to make the same mistakes all over again."

She pouted her face showed the hurt. "Was I a mistake?"

"No, god no. You were the one thing I got right. But I hurt you, and I'm scared that might happen again."

"We could just take it one day at a time. No promises, no commitments. Just two old friends having some fun. I'm up for that."

"We live so far apart, our lives are so different."

"Fuck all that shit, Lori. If it doesn't work out, at least we can say we tried. It's burning me up. I want you so bad right now. Having you back in my life has been incredible. To be honest, I needed it."

She was in my arms again, her gorgeous shapely body pressed tightly against mine. Her mouth opened, our kiss ignited the flame and there was no stopping this runaway. We heard the girls cheering from the lounge as our kiss exploded in pent up frustration and desire.

Her bed was soft and fluffy, the duvet cast aside as our naked bodies slid over the cool cotton sheets. Her hands were everywhere, her breasts rubbed frantically over mine, her nipples cutting like carbon, her pussy suctioned onto my thigh, and she fucked me, her wetness sliding up and down my skin, her heat like an inferno. I found her hip bone, and I was in a heaven of my own. Her thrusts I met with my own, we humped and slid our way to a wonderful orgasm.

I was barely recovered when her pussy smothered my mouth, juicy and swollen, her lips opened to receive my tongue. Not that I minded, her tongue was furiously doing an internal inspection of my salivating vagina.

Breathing was difficult as her pussy slid back and forth on my face. She fucked me, my nose slipping inside her as I lapped at her clit.

I had to wriggle out to get air. Apparently, she thought breathing was an optional extra. It was fast, furious, soft and gentle and it went on for most of the night. God the woman was insatiable, and I loved every wet squishy second of it.

"Holy mother of Christ, Lori. That was..."

"Yes it was." Her body melded with mine as we nestled into a cuddle that saw us through till dawn.

Waking in her arms brought back all sorts of wonderful memories. Throughout my career, she had been the one constant, the one person I knew I could trust. Having her back in my life was amazing, wonderful and yet scary.

Scary, because I had this constant fear that I would fuck up again and hurt her. That was the last thing I wanted.

She woke a little after me; when her eyes opened and saw me on my side staring at her, she frowned. "What's the problem, you look worried."

I leaned down for a sweet morning breath kiss, a kiss laced with the aftertaste of a wonderfully passionate night. "Tab, I was just thinking how much I love you."

She craned her neck, reaching for another kiss. "That's nice to know. I love you, as well."

"That's the problem, I've single handedly destroyed every relationship I've ever had. I have managed to make everybody hate me, and it scares the hell outa me."

"Babe, this is different. You aren't that person anymore."

"That's what worries me. What if I am, and Marylyn is just skulking under the surface."

She giggled as her fingers trailed down my cheek. "If that bitch ever appears again, I'm gonna kick her arse all the way back to wherever the hell it is you live."

"Yeah, and that's the other problem. I live in Pio Pio. It's two hundred kilometres away. How the hell can we ever make this work?"

"You've got a car right?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"So have I," she said with a smile. "If you went over a year without sex, surely you can go a week. Shit, I'll even pay for the batteries."

When she saw I was still unconvinced, she said, "We're getting way ahead of ourselves here, anyway. We don't know what the future holds. You might be a huge rock star again."

"Oh god, don't remind me."

She jumped out of bed. "Come on. Let's get showered and sort out some breakfast."

We were just finishing up when Amber, Tina and Tina's girls came bursting in. The kids were all over Tab, who was their godmother. Auntie Tab, set about finding them some biscuits.

"What did you two get up to last night?" I asked.

"We got shit faced, talked a bit. It was nice, I wanted to get to know Tina a little. We cool now. Mates. I like that."

What about you?" Tina asked. I'm sure I blushed, my throat constricted and word wouldn't formulate.

Tab, who had settled the girls in front of the TV with cookies and milk, walked in behind me and wrapped her arms around my neck. The sweet kiss she gave me highlighted her words.

"We spent all night making love and catching up."

Amber reached out and gave her a sneaky high five. "You dirty bitch. Congratulations, it's what you wanted, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I feel blessed," Tab said with a wistful sigh.

Tina sat at the table, her mouth hanging agape. If words were hard for me, they were impossible for Tina. Tab recognised her discomfort and stood behind her. It started with a shoulder massage and then her arms circled her neck and she leaned down and kissed her.

"I'm sorry, Tina, I know this is a bit of a shock, trust me. There's room in her life for you. She still loves you."

Tina looked up at me and I tried to unlock the look she gave me. Sadness, yes, confusion, yes. Jealousy, Oh my god there was jealousy as well.

"Congratulations. I'm glad you have found each other again."

Amber broke up the party. "I need some help. My ex has placed our house on the market. I don't know how he managed to convince the courts to let him do it, but there you go. I need a new place."

"Move in here," Tab stated loudly. "The girls love it, and it will be nice to see more of them."

Amber nodded and smiled, her words warm. "Thanks, Tab, we wouldn't be here long. Once the house sells, I can buy something else."

"Houses are cheap in Pio Pio." I threw in with a laugh.

"Hey bitch, I wouldn't laugh too loud. Once Tab gets sick of my brood, you were next on my hit list."

"You'll always be welcome in my Whare."

"Careful what you wish for, bitch."

We spent the day helping Amber move her stuff into a storage unit, then move her personal stuff, clothes, and kids toys into Tabs. Throughout the day, Tina looked disconsolate. I tried to talk to her, but she had closed off to me. We talked as part of the group, but when I tried to approach her separately, she found an excuse to move away.

It confounded the hell outa me. I knew she had some feelings for me, but I didn't understand this.

It was Tab who took me aside. "You need to give her time. She's got a huge crush on you, girl. Surely you knew that?"