So… this was supposed to be part of my Bandward Contest entry. Then, the beginning of my Caveat Emptor: Maybe an HEA Contest entry, but yeah, that didn't happen. I was finally able to use it for the Meet the Mate Contest because it fit the prompt perfectly. Some people didn't like it, because they were expecting something fluffy, which means they probably didn't read the summary. If you haven't read it either, I'd suggest you do that now.

That is your only warning.

Inspired by Kings of Leon's "Revelry," and titled after a song by Editors, I present to you: "An End Has a Start."

ONE

When I was a child, I always dreamt of performing at the best venues in the world as an aura of grandness surrounded me while I mastered whichever piece I was playing. In actuality, the place where I was singing didn't remotely compare to those of my imagination.

No, Eclipse was a dive bar near Pioneer Square which allowed me to earn some cash and showcase my talent. It definitely wasn't ideal, but I didn't really have much to choose from and it paid $200 a night for just one set. The bar's owner had seen me playing at Pike Place Market when he offered me a gig on Friday nights. He presented himself as James Hunter and told me he'd heard about me, claiming I was exactly what he needed to set the mood at Eclipse. I wasn't too surprised he knew about me since I've gotten pretty popular for busking at Pike Place; however, I never imagined he'd hire me permanently.

I agreed, yet I told him that my buddy Jasper would play with me as my second guitarist and back-up singer. James didn't have a problem with it, but he didn't pay me more, telling me it would be up to me how much money I gave Jasper. That didn't stop me from asking Jasper to play with me, though. After all, he'd been the one who helped me when I hit the streets; therefore, I felt it was only fair to help him out, too.

So there we were on a Friday night, singing our cover of Kings of Leon's "Closer." Being a favorite, the crowd solemnly echoed the haunting lyrics of the song until we finished. Afterward, Jasper and I thanked everyone before saying farewell and heading over to James's office to collect our pay. We were halfway there when Alice, one of the bartenders, stopped us.

"Hey, boys," she said in a saucy tone, waving a small yellow envelope. "I've got your money right here."

I chuckled, reaching my hand out to her. "Thanks, Alice."

Alice put the envelope behind her back. "Nope, you don't get your money unless you agree to party with me tonight."

"You mean party with you at your house?" I asked, raising my brow.

"That's right." She nodded, stepping closer to whisper in my ear. "It'll just be you and me and Jasper."

Stepping back, I chuckled once again and looked over to Jasper. "What do you say, Jax? Are you in the mood for partying tonight?"

Jasper's eyes lit up with excitement, telling me all I needed to know. Still, he nodded and confirmed my suspicion verbally.

"Thanks for accepting my invitation!" Alice gushed. "I'm done with my shift in ten minutes, so wait for me in the back parking lot."

"I haven't agreed yet," I said.

"But you will," Alice taunted, smiling deviously at me as she threaded one of her hands in my hair. "I've got some H waiting just for you."

As soon as those words left her mouth, I could practically feel Jasper vibrating with anticipation. He was probably imagining the same thing as me since we'd been to one of Alice's "parties" before, making us aware of what type of debauchery waited for us.

There was no way I could deny her invitation, so I readily agreed.

Alice smirked. "I told you you'd say yes! I'll see you in ten minutes, so go get your things."

Without another word, Alice returned to the bar and began doing her closing duties while Jasper and I headed to the beaten up stage where we'd played. We packed up our guitars, passing by a small coat checkroom near the entrance on our way. Victoria—James's wife—was there, looking bored as fuck as she waited for patrons to come in.

Sometimes, I pitied Victoria when I saw her, wondering if she truly didn't know James fucked around in his office with Alice. Then again, I didn't think too much of it, knowing Victoria had been trying too hard to stay with James despite the fact that he didn't make her happy.

We've never talked about it, but it's glaringly obvious since it's written all over her face. It truly makes me wonder how people can be so selfless. I really don't understand it, yet it might be because I'm selfish as fuck, you know? That's the main reason why I've never been in a relationship which involves getting emotionally attached.

"What's got you thinking so hard, Ed?" Jasper asked from behind me.

Shaking my head, I continued on my course without turning back to look at him. "About how fucked up we're about to get," I lied, chuckling.

"Fuck, man, it's been a while since she invited us to her place," he observed.

I laughed. "Yeah, but I guess she's been too busy fucking James lately."

"So, what?" he scoffed. "Now she's slumming it?"

She would be if she were better than we were, but she's not; Alice is just another junkie who needs her fix. The only difference between us is that she has a home where she hides her vice.

"Oh," Alice moaned loudly as Jasper pounded into her.

We were all in her living room, high as fucking kites after snorting some lines. Jasper had her legs around his neck, gripping her hips as he fucked her roughly on her couch while I sat back and watched. Of all the shit we did together, this was my favorite part. I reveled in my high, enjoying the way Alice and Jasper slid against each other while their bodies created a melody with their groans and slapping skin.

All of us were slick with sweat, having inhaled adrenaline minutes before, and while they were already naked, I was simply shirtless. I leaned my head back against the couch, closing my eyes for a second before I felt Alice crawling over to me. She then straddled my lap and kissed me wildly while Jasper watched from his spot.

My hands immediately went to her breasts, kneading them eagerly as she began to unbutton my pants. When she had managed to push my jeans down along with my boxers, I lifted my hips for her to rid me of them. As she did so, she got off my lap and kneeled in front of me, sucking me deeply into her mouth which caused me to groan. Jasper moved behind Alice then, gripping her hips once more and thrusting into her from behind.

From that point on, all that could be heard were moans and muttered profanities while we called out to a God who we only remembered while we were enraptured committing sins of the flesh all night long. After all, what was breaking one more commandment? We were all going to go to Hell anyway.