"From the top uh-1, 2, 3, 4!"

Sticks strike the drums; picks pluck the guitars... PU Fish rock out all morning in the living room. The four-man funk-rock band is preparing for the final gig of their successful three-month tour. The session flows with a few remarks, "Hey, play that chord again?" "Now try it without the first low D" "Like this?" "Yeah, that's the one." "We changing the major 5th too?" "Yeah, just break it down there... but on 'They close in on me' we transition into 'Goody two-shoes let it out'"

They have the jam session in a beach home they've rented for a couple days. A bit out of the way, it is a great place to relax and feel inspired--from the sun shining over the palm trees to the array of torch poles down to the beach. And best of all, they had the whole place to themselves. No entourage, personnel, paparazzi, or anybody else -- just the same four bandmates who formed a bond in Chaz's garage.

Chaz is the lead singer, guitarist, and main songwriter. He is a charismatic, outgoing, and fearless leader. He is said to be a man of many hats. Some days it's fedoras, but today he wears a ball cap. He is 29 years old, 5'11" and 175 lbs. he has short red hair buzzed on the sides, emerald green eyes, and a neatly trimmed goatee.
Beau is the bassist, an occasional songwriter, and Chaz's best friend since childhood. He is the big guy of the group at over 6' 2" and 190 lbs. He is known as the laid-back, quiet one, but comes out of his shell when around his best buddies. He has a dark skin complexion, and is very low-maintenance with his clean-shaven head.
Amman is the drummer and the eldest member at age 33. Thus he is known as the mature one, although he certainly has his goofball side. He is also the smallest member at 5' 8" and 150 lbs, has a light-medium skintone, a dark brown undercut and a short thick beard.
Diego plays the keyboards, sings the harmonies but often sings lead as well. As the youngest member at 26, he is the silliest and most spontaneous member. Sometimes his unusual ideas prove useful. On stage, he especially enjoys the adulation of their fans. He is 6' even, 160 lbs, has olive skin, and a jet-black spiky fade.

Their setlist is almost ready but their management insists they perform at least one cover song per show as agreed in their contract.
"Under The Bridge?" Chaz suggests.
"We always do that one," Diego laments, "We should do something different, like 'War Is Coming!'"
"Mmph, too risky," Amman chimes in, "Pete would never approve. 'You Really Got Me?'"
"Been done many times," says Diego.
"It's a crowd pleaser," Amman argues.
"What do you think, Beau?" asks Chaz.
"Huh?"
"It's your b'day. You choose."
The other guys finally agree on something.
Beau sits there thoughtfully, and plays the song from his phone. It's not as well known, but quite fitting with its title ... 'Getaway.'"
"Mmm, not a bad choice," says Chaz.
"Thanks bud."
They unanimously agree and resume their jam session. Chaz plays around with the chords, lowering the key a step. Beau puts in a few unique chord progressions here and there. Diego plays with the vocal parts, and Amman experiments with different tempos.

After the session, all four take a well-deserved break relaxing on the beach. Getting into the vibe, all four sport colorful Hawaiian shirts. Their love for this vibrant attire is something else that all four have in common. Chaz wears a green jungle print; Beau wears red with white hibiscus; Diego wears blue Aloha sunset; and Amman wears a beige Tapa print. They lie back on their beach chairs, sip their pineapple mimosas, and bask in the warm breeze while the sun sets. The sounds of the waves gently crash in the distance.

Beau, who just turned 30 today, couldn't be more content. He gets to spend his special day with his pals in one of the most beautiful locations he has ever visited. He has never been one for big celebrations. However, Chaz really wants to make his birthday his most memorable yet! Just then, his cellphone rings.
"Y'ello?" He steps a few feet away to take the call. He listens carefully to the other end. "Cool, I'll be right there."
"Who's that?" asks Diego.
"Pizza's here," Chaz grins.
"Right on, man! I'm starved!" Diego jolts up from his chair, and he and Chaz race back to the beach house.
However Beau and Amman, who are all pizza'ed out from the tour, are in no hurry to follow...
"We can join them later," Beau says as he watches the seabirds soar over the waters.
"Good call, my man. Cheers." They clink their glasses again and relax.

After an hour or so, the two retire back into the living room. The stereo sound system is playing; of course Diego turned it on. No sign of pizza though--Chaz and Diego must have wolfed it all down.
Instead, Amman and Beau have sandwiches as the four of them sit at the round dining table. They have lively conversations about the tour. Diego is a ladies' man through and through and often claims he got the most "Will you marry me?" posters. Amman always has to advise and caution him about dating.
"You ready for your present?" Chaz turns to Beau.
"Huh, y'all got me presents?"
"Of course bro!" says Diego patting him on the shoulder. Beau reacts confused and a bit surprised they had time to give him a present on such short notice. He opens his gifts from Amman and Diego. Some brand new bass guitar picks and a new wallet. Inexpensive but still items they knew he wanted to replace.
"Thanks guys!" They bring it in for a group hug.
Chaz puts his hands over Beau's eyes, "There's one more surprise." He guides him to the kitchen. Diego and Amman eagerly follow right behind awaiting his reaction.
As soon as they step in the kitchen, it feels like plastic tarps on the floor. The sound from the stereo is softer, but is still loud enough to be heard. After a few steps, Chaz uncovers Beau's eyes.
"For you..."
Why it's a giant cake! Seriously, the largest cake he's ever seen! It takes up nearly half the width of the kitchen, and almost reaches the ceiling. The thick coating of creamy white frosting is accentuated with blue and green-dyed patterns on the edge of each layer. "Happy 30th Birthday Beau" is written in vibrant neon blue icing on the front side. And they finally didn't misspell it as "Bo."
"We got you the biggest cake they had," says Diego.
"Thanks fellas, you shouldn't have."
"Ha, what're friends for?" says Amman as he goes around to cut a few slices.
"I doubt we could eat all this," says Beau, staring incredulously at the cake. Chaz leans in and places an arm around his buddy's shoulder.
"I'm sure we'll find other uses for it, my man," he says.
"Like what?"
With a devilish grin, Chaz suddenly moves his hand behind Beau and SLAMS his head into his own birthday cake! His head submerges halfway in, his arms reflexively slam down into the cake too. A few pieces from the top fall of his bald head as well. After a few seconds, Beau slowly rises back up. The large imprint left is still a fraction of this giant cake. His face is completely obscured by the sweet creamy white frosting with streaks of blue and green swirl from the top off his bald head down to the tip of his chin. Amman looks on in shock, as does Diego who's trying and failing not to laugh.
"Man, what you do that for?" Beau is in disbelief but he can't help but crack up at himself either. Throughout all this, the coolness of the cream against his skin feels strangely nice amidst the warm temperature. He tries not to revel in the sweet aroma of his messy state.
"As tradition, the birthday boy gets it first."
"This actually tastes pretty good," Beau says as he swipes some cream from his frosting facial to taste it. Chaz swipes a bit off Beau's cheek and tastes it as well.
"Yeah you are very tasty, man."
Beau then grabs a fistful of cake with his large hand. "Have the second!" he exclaims as he quickly throws it in Chaz's direction. However his quick reflexes are at the expense of Amman standing right behind him. Upon impact, the white and green frosting land all over his slick brown hair, covering his entire forehead, and lingers on the bridge of his nose.
Beau's brief moment of regret for hitting his unintended target is short-lived.
"Man, you're gonna get it now!" says a vengeful Amman, as he runs to the cake and grabs two chunks with his fists.
He aims for Beau, who ducks as well, and thus Diego takes the double hit. His face becomes almost as covered and creamy as Beau's. The cake crumbs and the thick frosting go all over his face and shoulders, and onto the top of his collar.
"Ohh, I'm sorry," Amman says in a half-sarcastic tone.
"Sorry doesn't cut this cake!" Diego proclaims. He and Amman each grab fistfuls of cake, throw it at each other, but most of it hits both sides of Beau's head.
The three of them pause looking at each other and notice someone is missing... Where did he go? Next thing they know, Amman gets ambushed from behind. Chaz sandwiches his face between two chunks of cake, rubbing it in thoroughly while Amman's mouth is agape with shock.
Diego, Beau, and Amman chase Chaz into a corner. The three of them grab him by the arms and legs, carry him back to the cake, and THROW him into it face first! The landing is soft but instantly super messy for Chaz. Beau gets his sweet, tasty revenge by shoving his best friend's head in deep for good measure. Chaz emerges with the entire front of his body completely plastered in creamy frosting from head to toe.
Slowly the cake topples over and falls on top of Diego! His entire front and back are completely covered. Amman cannot hold his laughter in anymore and bursts. Diego and Chaz run up and pick the little guy up and lightly toss him face first into the cream.
He rolls out of the way as Beau voluntarily dives belly first into the fallen cake. He rolls around until he gets fully covered from head to toe. Chaz extends an arm to pull him up, but Beau pulls him down on top of him. They playfully wrestle and roll around in the slop. They rub it all over their heads, completely engulfing their faces, their backs, their clothes, down their legs, and right down to the tips of their shoes. Doing so in a way so any bit of hair, skin, and clothing is completely engulfed. Ultimately, the coverage on all four of them is so thick that they could easily be mistaken for snowmen.
Throughout their messy play, heavy rock 'n roll music has been blaring from the living room as the befitting soundtrack. Each of them picks up any remaining fistfuls of slop, chasing each other around the kitchen, throwing it at each other, then returning for thirds, fourths, fifths...

Suddenly, the music stops. The kitchen door swings open and it is their manager Pete. A professional man in his mid-40s, he has made a lucrative career as a manager for many wealthy clients. He is always the sharpest dressed in any room he enters. His hair is slicked back under his bowler hat, and is currently outfitted in his tailored suit, light blue shirt with dark blue tie, leather belt, slacks, and shiny black loafers. He looks on in horror at the band throwing cake at each other. "What are you guys doing?!"

SPLAT!

Two large chunks of cake hit him squarely in both sides of his face. The impact is enough to make his hat fly off his head. The band immediately stop to see they have freshly caked their uptight manager. With as much calm as he can muster, he swipes his eyes then vigorously flicks his fingers in downward motions to get the cream off of them. Caught in the act, the band still can't help but grin mischievously through the creamy frosting plastered all over themselves.
"Sorry, Pete," Amman apologizes but even he can't suppress his amusement.
"What are you... why did..."
"It's just a cake fight!" Diego declares.
"For my bud's birthday," adds Chaz.
Beau simply waves back with his creamy fingers. Pete, in too much disbelief to wish him a happy birthday, composes himself.
"I have come to remind you all that the final show tomorrow will be professionally filmed. And yet I find the four of you horsing around. As grown men, you need to show a bit more professionalism. Everything rides on the success of this final show." His words trail off in their minds. His tone is stern, but it's difficult to focus on the words of a man covered in cake. The guys zone out and in. "Have I made myself clear?"
"Crystal," says Amman.
"We love you, Pete-ster. Bring it in!" Diego opens his arms wide signaling for a group hug.
"No... no, don't bring it i--" Before Pete can object, the band closes in and hugs their stunned manager from all four sides. They squeeze him nice and good. As they step back, much of the cream from their bodies sticks to him, from the collar of his suit to his splattered shoes.
He grabs his hat on the floor, and as he puts it on his head it makes a squish sound. His expression is solemn as he realizes he got more cream in his hair.
"Have a good evening," he sighs in a deadpan tone.

As he leaves the kitchen, he finds Dottie--a woman in her mid-30s who is the stage coordinator.
"What's the update, Dottie?" He asks. She is visibly shocked to see him but gives him the update.
"Everything is set for tomorrow. PU Fish are going to play a fantastic concert!"
"Great."
"Sir, you have a bit of--."
"I'm aware," he says curtly. A "bit" is quite the understatement. Pete tries to take a handkerchief out to wipe the frosting, but unfortunately for him it is slopped up as well.
"I turn my back for a moment, and any modicum of decorum is lost," he tersely whispers to her, "What if the press catches wind of this?"
"Well, they must be under immense pressure," she adds thoughtfully, "I'm sure they got the kinks out of their system."
"Well they really got me." He outstretches his arms and looks down at his trashed suit. To imagine what his dry cleaner will think?

Just then, Amman and Diego, still covered in cake, emerge from the kitchen. Diego carries two large scrunched up balls of plastics under each arm. Amman carries out a paper plate with one of the few slices left intact.
"Hi Diego and Amman," Dottie greets them warmly.
"Hey I thought I heard you Dottie," he says as he hands the plate of cake to her.
"Why thank you, Amman, you're so sweet."
"As sweet as ever," Diego alludes to his literal state.
Pete rolls his eyes.
"Yo Pete, you want a slice too?"
"No thank you, I've already had my fair share," he snarks.
"Suit yourself," says Amman.
"It did too," Diego snickers into Amman's ear as they head outside.
"Stop it," he chides grinningly. He removes the lid from the trash can, Diego throws both trash bags in and they're each a perfect shot. Amman slams the lid and the two high five each other. The impact of their still creamy hands create a light splatter around them. They pass by Pete and Dottie, who are on their way out.
"Goodnight Dottie," says Amman.
"Goodnight Amman!" she calls back. Pete waits until they are out of earshot.
"They're out of control," Pete confides to Dottie. She barely listens as she takes a bite of her slice.
"Mm! This cake is really good! No wonder these guys went crazy for it."
Pete sighs in frustration. Has everybody around him gone crazy or is he the insane one? He wonders to himself as they head back to the resort hotel.
Upon arriving, Dottie offers Pete again.
"Are sure you don't want to finish the rest of it? It really is good!"
It was a rather large piece and she didn't want to overdo it. Without a word, Pete in his defeated state, takes the plate, smashes the cake in his own face, smears it around, and hands the plate back to a bewildered Dottie as they step inside the hotel.


Meanwhile, the band settles in for the evening before their big day tomorrow. The house has only two bedrooms so Diego crashes on the couch.
"You old men need the beds more than I do," so he jokes.
Amman, as the eldest bandmate, gets a bedroom to himself.
Chaz and Beau have agreed to share the larger master bedroom, which boasts a breathtaking view of the ocean. The two have been best friends since kindergarten. They have only gotten more comfortable around each other over the years--especially on the road.
In the master bathroom, the two childhood buddies take good, long looks at themselves in the mirror. The creamy coverage all over their bodies is not as thick as earlier, especially after hugging Pete, but still quite apparent.
"Come here, birthday boy," says Chaz slyly. They embrace each other each patting each other on the back. Next, Chaz slides his creamy hands down Beau's back while Beau puts his frosted hands on Chaz's waist. Their green and brown eyes stare back at each other. They forego using fingers and use their tongues to lick the remaining cream off of each other's faces from their heads to their cheeks. Eventually, their lips meet one another's. They pause, look at each other, then proceed to kiss. Their kisses are combined with the sweet taste of the cake. After they unlock lips, they hug each other again.
"Happy birthday, bud." Chaz whispers into his ear.
"Thanks for everything, man."
Suddenly there is a knock on the door. They hear Amman's voice. "Yo guys, everything ok in there?"
"Yeah we're just sharing hot steamy kisses with each other," Chaz replies facetiously.
"OK cool, just try not to use up all the hot water like last time!"
After they've finished tasting each other, they both hop in the shower with their clothes on. The shower water hits their heads first and washes the remaining cakey mess off of them. As they each take turns standing close to the shower head, they go from messy to soaking wet. They feel their Hawaiian shirts and shorts clinging to their bodies.
They lather soap onto themselves. Chaz rubs the bar of soap onto Beau's bald head... good luck for the show tomorrow, he claims.
After washing their heads and faces, they unbutton their shirts, take off their shorts, and hang them over the bar. The removal of their attire and the mess somehow reduces their entrancing desire for physical closeness. They shower as they usual do, scrubbing each other's backs.

Dried off and boxers on, they climb into each side of the king-sized bed.
Chaz gave Beau the best birthday he could imagine! Beau always had this forbidden desire to get smashed in the face by his own birthday cake. He only confided this secret to Chaz back in high school, and he never forgot. Not only did Chaz fulfill that wish for him, but also gave him the full body experience and more. Even their two bandmates Amman and Diego had fun as well. Nothing could possibly top this week ... could it?

To be continued...


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I've also drawn the characters in their clean states (from top to bottom: Amman, Beau, Chaz, & Diego): https://www.deviantart.com/blueajax1986/art/4-man-tower-on-the-beach-778085435