As the party grew larger, Total Breakdown split up to cover as much of the party as they could. Jen was floating around near the front door, hoping to greet the new comers and ensure the paid the entry fee. It sounded restrictive when Crystal first said it, but was remedied as being the center of the action. Sure, the drinking games were near the backdoor and in the basement, areas with more space for play, but Jen was left in control of the socials and the music. All she had to worry about was finding that perfect balance between party goer and party hostess. Besides, one text message and she could swap with someone. So what if the system wasn't completely foolproof?
Unfortunately, the job got more complicated when she laid eyes on that distinctive red and blue Mohawk atop a Sex Pistols T-shirt, freezing Jen in place with her mouth agape. It seemed unfathomable, but Luke, the bassist for Aborted Crisis, had crashed the party. By itself, this was no big deal. While boisterous and nasty on stage, in real life Luke was very withdrawn and polite. The hairstyle was his bandmate's decision, and he actually went out of his way to ensure there were no hard feelings between him and Jen, even treating her to a quick - and silent - lunch, before she joined Total Breakdown. This was the last place Jen ever expected to see him, and that was the big problem. The logic was simple: If Luke was at a party and wasn't the musical performance, then he was dragged here by his bandmates. The rest of the band was here as well.
Jen almost threw in with Aborted Crisis before Luke joined. She was invited by Josh, the drummer of the band and, at the time, her boyfriend, and she jumped at the chance. The practice sessions kept cutting in on their time together, and Jen was usually helping Josh alone anyway. Jen had always wanted to join a serious band, and they'd proven in the past that they could work together without serious conflicts ruining things. Plus, they knew each others' bedheads flawlessly, so pre-concert styling would be easy. Even now, calling him an ex was too hard, and the two could still talk like they were a couple, once they overcame the initial awkwardness. But Aborted Crisis proved to be the iceberg that tore them apart, and subsequently turned Total Breakdown into its rival.
It was all because of the guitarist. Rhythm was covered by Toby, and Jen loathed talking to him. He wasn't very good, nor was he well informed on music. He pretty much just played whatever he was told in hopes it would bring him fame, money, and women. The last one he wanted desperately. In spite of being the oldest member of the band, he acted like his balls had just fallen and he was hopped up on meth. All he wanted were the groupies and the right to sign a girl's tits. Five minutes of conversation with him, and Jen was ready to puke.
However, Toby was tolerable. He was a pig, no question, but Jen had learned to deal with guys like that years ago. The big problem was Zack, lead guitarist and lead vocalist of Aborted Crisis. Listening to him sing and strum a guitar made everyone weak kneed, and the two pink fins in his hair only drove the girls wild. For all her hated of him, even Jen had to admit she had a strictly physical attraction to him even now. The problems started when he began to peel back his layers and show the world his true self.
When he arrived at Jen's tryout, the first thing he said was, "'Nother groupie here for a party?" And to punctuate this statement, he helped himself to a grab of Jen's boobs. Normally, Jen would have smacked him through the ceiling, but this time was different. Then, making things worse, Josh stepped up, not to protest the groping, but to identify her as an auditioning bassist. Zack's exact words: "This slut can play?" Jen stormed off outraged, and it was a later conversation with Josh that led to their break up. The worst of it, however, was a secret she swore to take to the grave.
The reason she didn't put Zack in his place during any of this was her own embarrassment. Zack's hands were magic! It took every ounce of willpower, and probably a little of the disgust, to hide the fact that him fondling her breasts made her orgasm. She was thankful it was light, but her own disgust at enjoying it made her hate the misogynist and herself even more. In spite of this, it only fueled Jen's attraction. It was a twisted feeling, but Jen couldn't deny that she wanted to feel more, and it would be fine as long as she could place some duct tape over his mouth. And it's not like Jen had ever done more than fantasize.
However, that was personal. Outwardly, Jen was the most vocal hater of Aborted Crisis. There were times she convinced Crystal to take time away from the concert to highlight Zack's treatment of women and encourage fans to boycott his performances. He didn't take it lying down, though, and neither did the rest of the band. It seemed juvenile, but the two bands were determined to crush each other until either Total Breakdown shut up, or Aborted Crisis gave Zack the boot. But that would be decided another day.
Today, Jen had to make a choice. With their history, it didn't seem likely the two bands could be under one roof, and the roof did belong to Aimee. Josh and Luke could be little problem if Jen asked nicely, but only if they were here alone. Instead, they're here with Zack; she couldn't prove it, but she knew it was the only way Luke would join the party. Jen would have to convince Zack to leave. Only then would the rest of Aborted Crisis leave as well. But was there a method to get that bastard out without ruining the party? And what if he started getting handsy again? Between the alcohol and some arousal, Jen might not be able to get rid of him. And in the corset and tight jeans all but guaranteed Zack would try something.
Then again, there was Josh. He may have turned a blind eye in the past, but maybe he had more of a backbone now. Maybe he could convince Zack to hit another party, or even call it a night. It was a gamble, but he was the only member of Aborted Crisis likely to openly admit Zack was scum. And is it really any worse than betting that she can keep her own sick fantasies in check?
Of course, maybe confrontation was the wrong approach. Do any of them even know that Total Breakdown is hosting this party? If Jen takes any approach and fails, that might be the trigger to the problems instead of the solution. Maybe they could handle this civilly if neither side made contact and denied being aware of each others' presence.
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