Sam's Town

I sucked in my breath as I stepped out of my bath tub, careful to not bend or extend my knee more than need be. I had physical therapy this morning on both my knee and shoulder, and my knee felt like it was on fire. Every time I moved it, pain shot up my entire right leg. Since time was going by, the dosage of oxy that I was taking was becoming smaller and the amount of ibuprofen I was popping to help combat it was growing. I stood on the fluffy rug in my bathroom and let out a shaky breath, then took a sat on the closed toilet seat. I closed my eyes for a moment and ran a hand through my wet hair… I hated this.

“Everything alright?” Mike spoke up, probably standing in the doorway.

I just shook my head and breathed deeply, trying to not break down in front of him. I was so tired of being in pain and not being able to function properly. I just wanted to be back to normal. I just wanted to go to work and live a happy life. I felt Mike’s hand brush away my wet hair from my face and tuck it behind my ear. He rubbed my cheek with his thumb and sighed. These small actions were enough to trigger tears, and I opened my eyes and looked at him through the watery blur. He was crouched down in front of me, a sympathetic look in his eyes.

“My knee just hurts a lot,” I said softly and un-did my towel to wipe my eyes. “I’m just going to have to get used to the pain.”

“It was your first day of physical therapy, babe. You haven’t really moved it around that much. It’s going to hurt,” he frowned and then leaned in, pressing a small kiss on my lips. “You can handle it, you’re a trooper.”

“I just want more drugs,” I laughed, realizing how horrible it sounded for me to say that. “Maybe I can talk them into giving me medical marijuana.”

Mike laughed at my idea and moved his hand from my face to my thigh, rubbing it lightly and then giving it a squeeze, “My girlfriend the drug addict.”

I rolled my eyes and leaned forward, kissing him on the cheek, “I am not a drug addict… yet.” I licked over my bottom lip, “Help me out of here while I’m in a better mood, please?”

“Only if you promise me that you will stop crying,” he stood up and held my hands in his.

I stood up slowly, holding onto his hands tightly. Once I had felt balanced, I let go of his hands and exited the bathroom, walking slowly to my bedroom. Mike followed right behind me and took a seat on the bed, ready to help when needed. I had told him what underwear and bra I had wanted before I stepped in the shower, so it was waiting for me on the bed and I wouldn’t have to dig through my drawers. I dropped my towel and pulled my bra on with no issues. I then grabbed my underwear and sighed, this was always difficult. I held them in my hand and leaned against my bed and bent down slowly, pulling them up my legs as best as I could without bending my knees. I had been trying to get dressed on my own more and more lately, trying to get things back to normal, but I had yet to master putting anything on my bottom half without bending my knees. Usually it wouldn’t hurt too bad, but after physical therapy this morning and the pain I just felt getting out of the shower, I did not want to move my knee.

I looked at Mike with a pout, my cheeks crimson red when I saw the smirk on his face. It was so embarrassing to ask for help pulling up my underwear, even if he was my boyfriend. “Help me, please…” He just smiled and pulled them up past my knees and onto my hips. I adjusted them to the way I liked them best, then smiled and thanked him. I walked over to my vanity and grabbed my hair brush, trying to detangle the wet mess growing off my head.

“So we have a mandatory band meeting in two hours. It’s at my house,” Mike spoke while coming up behind me, looking at me in the mirror. “Should only be two hours maximum.”

I nodded, “I think I’ll be okay on my own for two hours… Maybe I’ll see if Mia can come here on her lunch break and keep me company again.”

Mike frowned and took my brush from me, running it down the back of my head so that I wouldn’t have to stretch my shoulder in a weird way. I handed him my detangler and he spritzed it a few times to get rid of all knots. He set my brush back down on my vanity and wrapped his arms around my waist, placing his head on top of mine and looking at me, “I want you to come.”

“I really just don’t feel comfortable…” I sighed when he cut me off.

“It’s my house just as much as it is Vic’s house, Rae. You are welcome there no matter what is going on between the two of you. I would really appreciate it if you came with me,” he rubbed my stomach and licked over his bottom lip, probably waiting for an answer from me.

I leaned back into his embrace, “He hates me. I know he doesn’t want us together anymore.”

“I don’t care what my brother wants. I’m in love with you, babe, and I trust you. Just because you did something in the past doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again in the future. Plus, I don’t think he will say anything because of the situation you are in.”

“If I go will you take me out to dinner? I want to go to Friday’s,” I smiled as he nodded like a mad man, “And the tattoo shop.”

“For what?” He raised an eyebrow.

I smirked and pressed my lips to his arm, “You’ll just have to wait and see.”



The ride to Mike’s house was quiet. It was the perfect time for me to reflect on everything that had happened, and what was going to happen today. Mike stayed quiet for the whole ride, he must’ve known that I just wanted time to think. Right before the accident happened, one of my worst fears came alive… and as much as Mike wanted to blame himself for it, there was really no one to blame but me. We had all gone out - all of us - Mike, myself, Vic, Alex, Tony, Steph, Jaime, Jess, Casey and Mia. We had all gone out to the bar. We hadn’t gone out as one big group in a long time, but we felt like it needed to happen. We had all been wrapped up in so many things, work, music, ourselves, etc. we just needed out together. The night started off great, really great. But that didn’t last for long. Josie, Mike’s ex-girlfriend, my twin, was there at the bar. She kept her distance for the most part, but finally grew balls and approached me. Ignoring her was something that just wasn’t working out for me, not when she got the entire attention of everyone in our group.

I guess I had expected more out of Mike when we had gotten into that huge tiff, making us stop talking. I hadn’t expected him to go ahead and blab to Josie about how I had cheated on my ex-boyfriend numerous times, had a relationship behind his back, and lied to all of my male friends about it. I was mortified as she told every inch of my personal business to those who hadn’t known about it. She walked away feeling so glorious as I literally collapsed into Mike’s arms unable to stop myself from crying. Mia, Mike and Alex were the only ones that comforted me. Tony and Casey were dumbfounded. Jaime was disappointed in me. Vic, well, Vic was on an entire other level. He was full of rage, words of hatred spilling from his mouth in not only my direction, but Mike’s. Mike admitted to knowing about all of this and Vic flew off the handle, telling him that he was dating nothing but a no-good-whore and that I was just going to do the same thing to him as I did to Charlie. That was literally the worst night of my life.

Things had picked up from there, though, with the other guys at least. Vic had disowned me as a friend - he despised me. Jaime, Tony and Casey visited me while I was in a coma. The minute Mike told them what happened, they dropped everything and just wanted to be by my side. Once I had woken up, I had Jaime stay with me for hours. I confessed everything to him. He was still disappointed in me for lying, but our friendship was still great. I loved him for that. I loved Tony and Casey as well, because all three of them forgave me for my mistakes. They knew how much I loved Mike and that I would never do anything to hurt him. I wanted to marry Mike one day, there was no doubt about that. They could see how much he meant to me. The way I looked at him when he would walk into my hospital room - like he was fucking Jesus and the only person I saw. Vic didn’t visit me once. He didn’t care. Mike said he cared, but I begged to differ.

Mike cut the engine off on the Escalade and I felt my breath catch in the back of my throat. I looked up from my lap and stared at the house in front of me. Vic’s house. Mike’s house. Mike and Vic’s house. I hadn’t been here since the incident. I didn’t want to be here. I just planned on going upstairs and crawling into Mike’s bed, sleeping until he was done with this mandatory meeting.

Mike’s hand squeezed my thigh lightly through my leggings, “Babe, it’s going to be alright. I love you, okay? And no matter what he says nothing is going to change that.”

I nodded and looked at him. He had a sad smile on his face. I leaned over and caught his lips with mine, “I’m just going to say my hello’s and go up to your room if that is alright.”

“Whatever you want to do,” he sighed and let go of my thigh. “It’s now or never, Rae. Let’s go.”

Mike got out of his side and then helped me out of mine. He grabbed onto my right hand and squeezed it tightly, pulling me up to the door and into the house behind him. The familiar voice of Tony filled my ears as Mike opened the door.

“What’s up, man?” Tony’s voice spoke loudly as we entered the living room. “Hey, Rae. How are you feeling?” Tony smiled when his eyes met mine.

I gave him a small smile as I leaned into Mike’s side, “Pretty shitty. I had my first day of physical therapy and my knee is really killing me.”

“Glad to see you up and mobile, though,” Tony said while walking over and embracing me in a hug. “Steph and I gotta come by some day soon.”

“I’d like that a lot,” I said while hugging him tightly. “I miss you, you know? I haven’t seen you since I got out.”

“Got out of the damn looney bin,” Jaime chuckled as he approached us. “I tried to talk Mike into putting you in a wheelchair and letting me take you to Disney, but he’s not budging.”

“The fuck if you think I’m getting in a wheelchair. I’m injured, not disabled!” I laughed and practically flung myself into his arms. “I’m glad Mikey has a brain and said no to you.”

Jaime rolled his eyes and ruffled my hair. He then looked down at me with a big grin. I looked up into those eyes that I missed so much. He really was one of my best friends. “You both used to be such fun people and now you’re all conservative and boring. Injured sminjured, my Rae would’ve been like let’s fuckin’ rage who cares if my knee is broken.”

“Your Rae grew her big girl panties and wants to take care of her broken knee before killing her liver again,” I laughed. “And plus, we’re not boring. Mike voluntarily made himself my caretaker! He can go out and have fun, I’m fine sitting in the house sleeping with Diablo.”

“Absolutely not,” Mike pulled me from Jaime. “Don’t even try to say that. I’m not leaving your side until you’re better.”

“Boring people, boring people, boring people.” Jaime repeated over and over and over again. “You’re all in love and grown up now. Next you’re going to be married and have stupid little Mike’s running around.”

Mike stiffened next to me, but I shrugged it off as I felt him get the chills and his whole body shake. Tony punched Jaime lightly in the arm, “Stop it. You’re making them uncomfortable. They’re not used to this anymore.”

“Because they are boring!” Jaime cackled, “The minute you are healed up you are coming out on Warped and raging, Rae. I’m not taking no for an answer. And there will be no loverboy stopping you because loverboy will rage with us… and then you guys can go have drunk anal sex or whatever it is that you do.”

My cheeks burned red with embarrassment, remembering that the guys did in fact know about how Mike and I experimented in the bedroom from time to time prior to the accident. But even though I was completely embarrassed, I also wore a smile on my face. I was happy at this moment. Happy to have my friends. Happy that even though they learned my deepest, darkest secret, we were still able to act like this. It was a really good feeling, but as we all know, good feelings don’t last forever.

“If you guys are done with this discussion, I would really like to start this meeting,” Vic interrupted the laughter that was coming from the four of us, turning the room completely silent.

I pulled on Mike’s arm a little, signaling that I was going to head elsewhere. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine and mumbling an “I love you”. I let go of his arm and walked as fast as I could with a fucked up knee, past Vic, through the kitchen and out on the back patio. As I passed Vic I felt his eyes burning into my back. He probably wanted to blow up on me, but he wouldn’t do that, not with Mike around at least.

I closed the back door behind me and plopped down in a chair, sighing. As happy as I was that I saw Jaime and Tony, I would have really liked it a lot better if I had just been able to stay home. But I was injured and under Mike’s 24/7 watch and care, and there really was no reasoning with that. I pulled Mike’s cigarettes out of my purse and placed one in between my lips, lighting it and then taking a long drag. I hadn’t bought a pack in months. Mike refused to purchase cigarettes for me. He wanted me to quit, but I really didn’t want to. I had way too much stress in my life, so I just stole his whenever he left his pack near me.

I leaned back and relaxed, closing my eyes and letting the warm spring sun shine down on my exposed skin. It was nice to be outside. Listening to nature and feeling it around me was relieving. It sucked being cooped up in a one-bedroom apartment with artificial lighting and stagnant air. Maybe I could have Mike take me to the beach soon. I wouldn’t want to wear a bathing suit or anything, I probably wouldn’t fit in any of the ones I had since I’ve been nearly immobile I have been gaining a little bit of weight. All I do is sit on my ass and eat. The minute I was back to normal and Mike was back on tour I was going to be a total gym rat again. I missed the feeling of working out.



I sat outside for a couple hours, chain smoking Mike’s pack and just thinking about everything. It was actually a really peaceful time out here by myself, granted in the back of my mind I knew the minute I walked into the house I had to face Vic and his hatred for me again. It was nice to get away from Mike. It was nice to be by myself. I stared out onto the busy road that was visible from the guys backyard, bringing my cigarette to my lips every so often, my mind finally done running and just sitting on blank. I was so focused staring at that road that I hadn’t heard the backdoor open and someone come outside.

“You know, I’m glad you’re alright, Rae,” a voice sounded from my right side.

I nodded and exhaled smoke. There was a moment of silence as I butted my cigarette out in the ash tray that sat on the small table next to me. I still had yet to turn around and look at him. He was probably just waiting for the guys to stop listening to our conversation, then he would freak out on me.

“Do you love my brother? Like honest to god love him?”

I still didn’t answer him. I wasn’t in the mood for a fight. If they were done their meeting, I just wanted to leave.

“Mike loves you with every bone in his body. Never have I seen my little brother so torn up over anyone, a girl, a family member, nothing, as much as he was when you were in the hospital. He would do anything for you. I cannot remember the last time I had a conversation with him where your name hasn’t popped into it. He loves you, Rae, and he trusts you. For some strange reason he really does trust you.”

“People make mistakes, Victor,” I replied, flatly.

Vic stuffed his hands into his pockets, “He’s giving up a lot for him to be taking care of you. We should be having band practice frequently. We should be doing weekly video chats as an entire band. There’s a lot of sacrifices that he is making with the band and himself just to cater to your needs.”

“I’ve told him that I am fine on my own. I’m not forcing him to do anything.”

“I just hope you’re genuinely thankful for everything he does for you. Most girls would kill for a man that treats you the way Mike does.”

I brushed myself off and stood up, “Is there something you’re getting at here? Or can I leave?”

Vic opened the backdoor and stood with his arms showing the way. I walked right by him, not saying another word and grabbed Mike’s hands. I bid my goodbyes to Tony and Jaime as we walked out of the front door and down the sidewalk to Mike’s Escalade. Mike opened the door and helped me in the giant SUV, then got in on his side. We didn’t say much as he drove to TGI Friday’s, the place that I had asked to go as payment for sitting in “his” or as I called it, his brother’s, home. We were seated and our orders were taken before either one of us really said a word.

“What did he say to you?” Mike asked as he sipped on his Coke. He had cut back on drinking a lot lately. It was weird to see him without a beer in his hand, he just didn’t look like himself.

I played with the straw that sat in my glass of water, “He just kind of gave me a lecture on how much you love me and are sacrificing band stuff for me. And that I should be really thankful. And that for some reason you trust me.” I sighed, “At least he didn’t scream, but I just wasn’t in the mood to even speak to him.”

Mike nodded, “He literally made Jaime and Tony hold me back so I couldn’t stop him from going outside and talking to you. He told me that he wanted to apologize. Did he say anything of that sort?”

“Nah,” I shrugged. “He had started off by saying that he was glad I was alright, but if that was so he would’ve visited me while I was in a fucking coma on my deathbed for two months. He doesn’t have to try to make himself seem like a better person by acting like he cares, I know he doesn’t.”

“He does care, babe,” Mike sighed and leaned back as our waitress set our plates down in front of us. “Thank you,” he smiled at her then looked back at me. “I don’t condone him for lecturing you about my love for you. He really needs to keep his nose out of our relationship, but part of me really does think that he wants to patch this up.”

I rolled my eyes, “You were never the smartest, Michael.”

“Rae, I’m serious,” he grabbed my hands from across the table and held them in his own. “He knows that sooner or later this issue needs to be resolved. I’ve told him multiple times that you are sure as hell not going anywhere, ever.”

“I’ll believe it when I hear it come from his mouth, not yours,” I pulled my hands from his. “Now, enough of this talk. I have been craving this all damn day.” Mike laughed as I began to dive into the plate that sat in front of me. I loved TGI Friday’s and he never understood why. I didn’t really understand why myself, but I sure as hell loved it.

After dinner, we went to the tattoo shop as planned. I still hadn’t told Mike what I had up my sleeve, because honestly I was scared I was going to wind up backing out the minute I got inside here. I have never gotten a tattoo ever in my life. Ever. I never really planned on it. But something got into me and made me want to get one, so it was happening, and it was going to happen right now. Vic was right earlier when he said everything that Mike’s done for me. He really has done a lot and made a lot of sacrifices just to make me happy, and we haven’t even officially been together for an entire year. Yeah, we’ve been sleeping together for a year now, but that’s really it. I was really appreciative for all that he has done for me, and I think he knows that, but I knew that I wasn’t the best at affection. I wasn’t the best at being supportive all the time. I had an attitude a majority of the time, and I was usually wrapped up in my own thing. I wanted to do something to let him know how much I really did love and care for him. Something permanent, like how my love for him was permanent. Our relationship was permanent. I wanted him forever.

“What’s going on?” Dominic, Mike’s usual tattoo artist, smiled as we walked in.

“I have no fucking idea,” Mike laughed. “Rae wants something. Won’t tell me what it is.”

“I’m not telling you until it’s done,” I laughed and kissed him on the cheek.

Dominic laughed as Mike rolled his eyes, “Well, my little cripple, come on back and we can chat about it.” I walked back into his designated room and took a seat, explaining to him what I wanted done and why. “I think that’s a good idea, and is very easy to hide for your job,” he smiled. “And since your Mike’s little lady, I’ll only charge you $6o for it.”

“Ugh, you’re the best,” I smiled. “This is my first, and probably the only, tattoo. So let’s get it over with while I’m still in this mood and not nervous.”

Dominic smiled, “Alright. Just give me one minute to set up.”

Twenty minutes later, the tattoo was done. I was extremely happy with how it turned out. I handed $70 to Dominic and told him to keep the change, then walked out into the main lobby to find Mike sitting down on a bench, staring at me with an eyebrow raised.

“That was fast,” he commented. “So what is it? A line?”

I rolled my eyes and brought my hands up to my face, pulling down my bottom lip to reveal “MIKE” in all capital letters. A grin automatically formed on his face as he approached me. I couldn’t help but smile and let go of my lower lip.

He leaned down and kissed me softly, “That’s so cute, babe. Like really, really cute.”

“Good, I’m glad you like it,” I blushed. “You know how weird I am about the idea of tattoos, having something permanent on my skin. But like you said earlier, I’m not going anywhere. I want to be with you forever and I just really wanted to prove that to you. I love you, Mikey.”

“I love you too, princess. Now come back there with me.” Mike yelled, “Dominic! I want Rae’s name in my lip!”

Notes

So there's some drama and cute shit for you!
I can't believe I've had so many updates in one week.

Who would've ever thought that Josie would come back into the picture?
How do you guys feel about her and Vic not being friends, what are your thoughts?

I don't know when the next update will be, I need to work on Running.
But I'll try to get it out soon!
xoxox
Feedback makes me go faster & faster & faster, remember that.