Love is a Broken Window | Cricky [C]

16 | Orphan

| Chris' POV |

Some days I do have to sit back and say, how did my life end up like this? I'm sitting in an IHOP at one in the morning, in the middle of upstate New York, with my keyboardist, drummer, and one night stand. These kind of situations don't happen to normal people. The guys kept asking Shiloh questions too.

"So are you a fan of the band?" Balz asked.

"I've heard of you guys, but I was at the show to see New Years Day. I liked your set though." He smiled shyly.

"Oooh, okay. So were you there alone?"

"With my friends, Sara and Jason. I'm staying on their couch right now." Shiloh said.

It perked my ears. "You're homeless?"

"Um, at the moment." He muttered. He wouldn't look at me when he said it.

"Well... I-I'm sorry, about that." I said.

I was half tempted to offer my place to him. Scranton was only a two our train ride from here. Should I welcome a stranger into my life like that though? I don't want to jump the gun. I just met him.

"Where are you parents?" Vinny questioned.

"They... passed away when I was sixteen. I lived with my grandparents for a few years, but I can't go back to them. I was a burden."

I put my hand over his, which rested on the table. "You aren't a burden."

Shiloh opened his mouth to respond, but he instantly closed it when his eyes landed on someone that walked into the restaurant. The man yelled his name, and he squeezed my hand when it happened.

"SHILOH!" This six foot, bald man shouted.

The waitresses all turned and stared at him as he approached our table. I watched, as Shiloh suddenly became even smaller. If he was a turtle, he'd be deep into his shell right now. The man, who looked like some wanna-be wrestler, came behind his chair. He pulled Shiloh's chair over, until it fell straight back, with him in it.

"Whoa, whoa! What the fuck?" Balz spoke, standing up with Vinny.

I stood up as well, with my fists clenched. "Yeah! What the fuck?!"

He grabbed me by the front of my vest. "This doesn't concern you." The man pushed me back against the table.

"Now boys, whatever this is, please, take it outside!" The older waitress called from across the diner.

The man picked Shiloh up by his jacket. He held Shiloh a few inches off the ground, growling. "I warned you."

"James, I gave you what you asked for!" Shiloh replied.

"Some of it was missing! I'm getting sick of this!"

"I promise it was all there! It always is! Derek must be taking some!"

"Bullshit." The man spat.

"Excuse me." I interrupted. "I believe you would be wise to put him down. Incase you didn't notice, there's a cop sitting across the parking lot. I can go get him if you'd like."

The man stared at me with anger. He glanced our the window, realizing I was right. Then he threw Shiloh into the table, walking away. I shook my head at that man's moronic behavior. Then I helped Shiloh up.

"Are you okay, Sweetie?" I asked lovingly.

"N-no, my head hurts now. I think I hit it really bad." Shiloh mumbled.

"The urgent care clinic is just down the road. I saw it when we were driving here, but you have to tell me what all that was about first."

"I'll tell you, Chris, but um, I-I don't feel comfortable talking about it when the whole diner is staring."

I looked around, sighing when I realized he was right.

"Take him to the urgent care clinic." Balz said. "We'll get the bill here, and meet you back at the hotel."

"Okay, thanks, Josh." I responded. Then I looked at Shiloh. "C'mon, let's go."