Dead Or Alive

Richie shivered and dug his hands deeper into the pockets of his jeans. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to walk back to the hotel after all; it was bloody cold! His fingers brushed over his cell phone and he briefly toyed with the idea of calling Jon and getting the car sent back for him. But he couldn’t be that far from the hotel and it felt so good to be outside.

“Hey, Richie! Wait up man!”

Richie slowed his pace, gritting his teeth. He did not want to see a fan right now, he wanted to be alone. He couldn’t help but think the voice sounded familiar though. He took a deep breath and turned around to face…

“Alec! Hey man, how you been?” He grasped Alec’s shoulders, taking a good look at him before pulling him close for a hug. “You look good.” He told him when they parted.

“So do you.” Alec grinned broadly. “What you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be installed in some cushy hotel room?” He raised an eyebrow as he teased his oliendiend.

“Yeah, probably. But…” he shook his head. “I just had to get outside. Walking back, you know how I get. What you doing out here?”

Alec smirked to himself ‘well of course you had to get outside, I’ve been calling you for long enough’ “I got a place nearby.” He gestured vaguely. “Just walking home after the gig.”

“The gig… You were there? Yhoulhould have said something, come backstage to say ‘hi’”

Alec shook his head. “Maybe… It was good to be there... You were good.”

“Thanks. You mean you wanted to be there cavorting with all the gorgeous girls. Pick up a groupie or two who still want a piece of Alec John Such?” Alec laughed, but it sounded forced even to his own ears. Richie frowned at the sad look on Alec’s face. “Al?”

“They don’t remember me anymore.” He shrugged. “But it’s cool,” he added hurriedly, cutting of Richie’s apology.

“Alec, I… I’m sorry about what happened back then, between you and Jon. It was shit and he…”

“… Did the right thing, Richie. We both know I fucked” Ri” Richie scowled and Alec tried to change the subject. “So, uh… how is Jon? How’re things between the two of you?”

“Jon’s good. The same as ever really.” Richie grinned. “Things are great and…”

“And you still haven’t told him, have you?” Alec laughed. “Jesus, Richie. It’s been what, nearly twenty years and you still haven’t told him.”

“No. No I haven’t.” Richie admitted. “How can I? Just pull him to one side and say ‘oh, by the way Jon. I think you should know that I…’” Richie laughed. “Ain’t gonna happen, Alec. Anyway, how are things for you?”

Alec nodded. “Yeah, they’re good. I got me a bike shop and I’m looking after a couple of local bands.” He glanced down at his watch. “Look, if you’re not in too much of a hurry to get back to hotel, I know a bar we could go to, catch up properly…”

Richie grinned. “Yeah, I’d like that.”