A Shoulder To Cry On.

Chapter Thirteen

After Axl had left Everly and Nora had gone out shopping. They wanted to take their mind off of Axl. It was the first time he left since Nora and Everly had known him. They missed him. And what was worse was that Everly was worse then she had thought she would be. She didn't know she'd be so sad about him leaving for a few weeks. But when she cuddled up in bed without Axl pulling her to his chest and holding her tight, she cried. Her love for him was something speacial. She was the first to ever love her. Love her without conditions. 

While out, Nora and Everly got their nails done, got their hair cut, and bought Axl some shirts. Even though Everly knew she'd be the one wearing the shirts in about a month like she always did. They had fun. It was carefree. They laughed and joked. And they couldn't wait until Axl called so they could tell him about their day. Minus getting him the shirts because they wanted to surprise him. 

Axl called later that night but it was after Nora had gone to sleep. "Long day?" Everly asked. "Yeah," Axl sighed. He sounded very tired. "How are things?" Everly asked. "Bad," Axl said. "Why bad?" Everly asked. If he were to say bad because he was without her or Nora there would be a chuckled had the end or amusement in his voice but there wasn't any. He sounded sad. "It's Slash," Axl said. "Is he alright?" Everly asked. "I don't know," Axl said. "What do you mean?" Everly asked. "I found out he's on heroin," Axl said. "What? Do any of the guys know?" Everly asked. "Steven told me," Axl said. "How long has he known?" Everly asked. "He said he's know for a month. But he didn't want to worry me or any of the guys. So he kept it a secret. But he said Slash is starting to get worse and doing a lot more. So he told me," Axl said. "Oh, have you told anyone else? Does Slash know you know?" Everly asked. "I told Izzy and Slash only thinks Steven knows," Axl said. "Does he look bad?" Everly asked. "He looks tired. Skinnier. But not bad," Axl said. "He showed to the last show fucking drunk and we had to cancel," now Axl was mad. Everly heard the sheer anger in his voice. 

Everly's heart ached for Axl, Izzy, and Steven. She knew how close the band were to each other. And Slash and Izzy had made frequent visits to her and Axl's house. Everly saw how they laughed and joked with each other. She saw how they worried and asked how each other were getting along. She always loved watching them together. She loved the friendship they held. She knew how hard it would be for the band if they lost Slash. Espeically something that only Slash could chose to save himself from. How long would it be before Izzy, Axl, and Steven confronted him. Everly figured it wouldn't take Axl too long. The life of his friends is something Axl would protect. Everly found out that when Axl loved someone he held on to them. It took him years to get over his childhood betrayals. But as he found that his new friends wouldn't up and leave him he let his guard down. It didn't take long for him to completely trust Everly. And he always trusted Nora. She was only a child. 

"Are you going to confront him?" Everly couldn't help but asking. Axl sighed heavly. "I don't know," he said. "You should," Everly said. "How will he react?" Axl asked. "I don't know, but something has to be done before he gets worse," Everly said. "I know," Axl mumbled. "Do it calmly. Tell him you and the guys are there for him. Encourage him to get help," Everly said. "He doesn't know I know!" Axl said. "Know what?" Everly heard Duff asked from the other side of the phone. She heard shuffling and Axl saying 'Slash is on heroin.' Everly heard Duff gasp and question Axl but Axl told him to go back to his hotel room and wait. "Duff knows," Axl said. "I know. I heard. You and the guys should confront Slash. Remember calmly," Everly said. "Yeah," Axl sighed. "Well, I should go. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Tell Nora I love her. Bye, I love you," Axl said. "I love you too," Everly said. Axl hung up. 

The only thing Everly could think of was, uh oh.