Don't You Cry

Chapter 8: And the Love we Shared

Izzy, Axl, Slash, and Steven left for the Whiskey about an hour ago, which leaves Makenna, Duff, and I at the apartment. Honestly, I'm relieved with this arrangement because I don't even know what I'd say to Axl after our last conversation.

Duff assured me that no one could actually make out what we were saying to each other, just that we were arguing. At least now I don't have to worry about an awkward confrontation with Izzy tonight.

As the three of us meet the other four in the bands dressing room, my nose is bombarded with the scent of cigarettes and booze, but that's not what surprised me. What did is the sight of a topless brunette draped across my brothers lap. And by the time he even separates himself from her to look up, Axl is already off his chair, ushering me out of the room.

I know Izzy has been with a countless amount of girls, but knowing and seeing are two totally different things. I'm not naive in the sense that I'm oblivious to what goes on behind my back. It's just uncomfortable to see my brother in that state. I guess maybe his reservations about Axl and I make sense...

Axl whisks me off to a dark corner behind the stage where I can barely make out his silhouette. He places both hands on my shoulders. That touch alone causes a shiver to run down my spine. God, I miss him so much.

I'm still pissed at him for acting like I can't handle myself, but the truth is, I can't. Sure, I've done some things they don't know about, but not to that extent. I know his anger at me comes from a place of caring. I just wish he'd talk it through and stop ignoring me.

Slowly, I bring my eyes up to meet his and ask, "what the fuck was that?"

He musters a deep chuckle and briefly explains, "that? Oh that was Desi."

I like the way he's joking around, even if his explanation doesn't give me much information. I want to continue the lighthearted conversation we are having so I say, "well Desi sure isn't shy."

He smiles at my remark and for a moment all of the built up tension from the past few days fades away. It's just us. Two best friends from their small town who have known each other their entire lives. The us that went on ice cream dates at one in the morning, sneaking around so my older brother, his best friend, doesn't find out. This is how it's supposed to be.

We both stay their for a moment, not wanting to break the calmness each other's company brings, until he says, "I'm sorry, but I've got to go. Shows about to start." I nod and within seconds he's running off to join the rest of the band.

Makenna and I make our way out to the crowd. I decide to be on my best behavior to hopefully gain some trust back from Izzy. I can't say the same for Makenna who already is swaying in her heels.

The boys open with Its so Easy and the next few songs go off without a hitch. Once again, they capture the attention of the entire building. Everyone here recognized that this isn't just some shitty hair band that plays a part to hopefully make it big. These guys were real. Everything they put out on stage is truly them, not a facade. Five guys, all with completely different personalities, merge together as one to produce a song so intense that you can't help but fall in love with their music.

After Mr. Brownstone, Axl pauses and his beautiful pale green blue eyes rest on mine.

"This is a new song I wrote the other day. We haven't practiced it much, but it's important that we play it tonight. It's about a girl, we've had some ups and downs lately. I have only one question to ask her; where do we go now?"

I turn to Makenna who looks just as confused as I am, when slash behind the opening riff. Axl is doing his usual snake-like dance with his eyes never leaving mine. I mouth to him, "what is this," but all he does in response is shrug his shoulders before belting out the lyrics, "She's got a smile that it seems to me, reminds me of childhood memories."

His words rush over me like a wave reaching the sand, sucking me into the whirlwind of an ocean that is him. Suddenly, the anger I felt leaves my mind and one thought replaces it. I love him.

He smiles at the look of shock that I can guarantee is shown quite obviously on my face and continues the song.

"Now and then, when I see her face, it takes me away to a special place. And if I stared to long I'd probably break down and cry. Woaoh, Sweet Child o' Mine. Woaoh-oh sweet love of mine."

I can't help but tear up at his words, while Makenna nudges my shoulder as if to say, that's you he's singing about. But in this moment, she doesn't faze me. All I can focus on is Axl's words. All I want to do is jump onto the stage and apologize.

After a powerful guitar solo from Slash, the song begins to shift. It changes from Axl professing his true feelings to a never ending question, where do we go now? A question I wish had an easy answer for.

Do I want to be with him? Yes, of course. Do I know where we stand? No, not even a little bit, but this song brings me hope that it'll be okay.

After about six minutes, the song ends and Axl grins at the crowd. "Well, I hope someone will answer that question for me later tonight," he says, which causes the crowd to erupt into a fit of cheers and laughter. It looks like they're about to play another song, but then Slash grabs the mic and slurs, "Good-fucking-night assholes." And with that, the whole band leaves the stage.

As if Makenna could read my mind, she grabs my hand as we race through the crowd to the band's dressing room back stage. Once we reach the door, a security guard stops us from entering.

"This room is for band members only," he shouts. This is strange. We've never had an issue getting back here before.

While I'm confused, Makenna is just pissed off and she yells back at him, "Well sir, in case you didn't know, she's the guitarist's sister and I am the bassists girlfriend. So unless you want them to both come and kick your ass, I suggest you let us in."

I was impressed with the confidence she held, even if it was partly behalf of the alcohol she was downing earlier. The security guard, however, was not bothered by her threat and all he does is chuckle in response.

Then, a cheery Steven whips open the door that the security guy is blocking.

"Makenna, Nat! Get in here!"

Now, the security guard is the one to be confused, "You know these girls?"

"Well yes of course I do. We're besties!"

Besties wasn't a term I'd use with Steven, considering we've barely spoken to each other since their last show. Nonetheless, I appreciate his infectious happiness.

Steven pulls both Makenna and I into the room, but before closing the door, he says "okay, now can you leave us alone?" Without waiting for his response, Steven slams the door in the security guards face.

I search the room for red hair, but all I see are girls sprawled out on the couch giving the band members attention, which they don't seem to mind. The only two missing seem to be Duff and Axl, which I'm sure Makenna appreciates.

After a few minutes of us standing near the doorway awkwardly, Duff makes his presence known by shouting, "Look what I got," while holding to bottles of vodka in the air.

So that makes four out of the five band members, but what about the frontman. Axl, where did you go?

Authors note: Hi guys, thanks so much for 100+ reads. I really appreciate all the comments you guys have left. I know sweet child o mine is overused in these books but I couldn't help myself. Anyways, hope you enjoyed it and keep reading, commenting, and voting!