Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Axl Rose)

16: A Minor Disagreement, A Major Issue

"I want you to come to the show," Axl told me. "Backstage, with me." Our hours had shifted slightly, staying up later, waking up in the afternoon instead of the morning. To be fair, I didn't mind it much of anything. The fact that Guns N' Roses were playing a midnight show at the Roxy wasn't too much of a shock, either. The fact that Axl wanted me to tag along with all of the rest of the groupies who stayed backstage was infuriating. 

"You just want to get off real quick before you hit the stage," I accused him. "Your heart isn't in the right place."

"If you don't come, I'll get off anyways," He told me. "At least this way I wouldn't be fucking some random girl who looks at me the right way."

I tried to hide my hurt. "You're such a jerk!" I smacked his arm. "After everything I've done for you-"

"DONE FOR ME?!" He screamed. "I've fucking lost my damn life because of you." He put his hands against his chest. "I lost my bedroom, my drinking privileges, my drugs, my money, my clothes, all because of you!" He jabbed a finger into my chest. "You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do! I was just trying to be nice and invite you because you loved that other show so much! I thought you might want to watch from the stage!" He started walking away from me. "Don't fucking bother showing up. I know you wouldn't dare support the Devil's music anyways." He slammed the front door behind him.

A frightened Duff came out of his room. "Dude, that was a low blow." 

"Who asked for your opinion?" I crossed my arms, sitting at one of the stools. Then I put my head in my hands, tears coming to my eyes. "What've I done?"

I felt the bassist's hand on my back. "Give him time, he'll be back." 

"I really did wanna see your show. Why did I say that?" I didn't really feel that way at all, actually. I knew I was different, I knew I was special.

"I'd give you a bootleg, but Axl would beat the shit outta me if I did that," He joked. I chuckled a little, knowing that he was right. "Why don't you come anyways? Push your way up to the front of the crowd. Worst comes to worst, Axl'll call you out and make you leave." He shrugged a little. 

"Maybe," I sighed. Duff slapped down a ticket on the counter. "Presale. Show up if you wanna. I've gotta go make sure Axl actually bothers showing up, too."

I'd decided I was going to go to the show. The line was crazy long, even for a midnight show. The kids here were sleazier than the normal evening crowd, though. I was a little worried when I saw some of the faces of these people. I missed Axl's protective arm over my shoulder. I was able to get into the show though. There weren't as many people at this one as there were at the Poison show, so it was fairly easy to slither up to the front of the crowd. I forgot who was supposed to be the opening act, actually. 

When that band took the stage, I was fairly disappointed. They just didn't have that energy, that flair. It sounded too forced, not fun. Following them was the very impressive Guns N' Roses. Axl stepped up to the microphone. "Do you know where the fuck you are?!" He shouted. His focus faltered when he saw me. His showsmanship was still important to him though, so he carried on. I was singing every word back to him, I'd listened to everything front to back after all. 

He caught my eye and nodded towards the side of the stage after the show. He did this four times before I realized that I was allowed to just go backstage. Security did hold me up, but when I gave them my name, they told me I was alright. Axl was waiting expectantly at the door. "You came?" He asked.

"Of course. I couldn't miss your show. I felt bad for what I said. Can I make it up to you?"

He smiled lightly. "The guys and I are heading out for drinks. You can be my date."

"Will you be the only one there with a date?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"Nah, Duff's got his girl, and Izzy's found someone hanging around backstage." He put his arm over my shoulder. "C'mon."

I spent the time at the bar sitting on Axl's lap. At first, I didn't want to do that, it was too flashy. But after a few margaritas, I was talked right into it. I knew I'd had more than enough, but Axl kept pouring more down my throat. "Do you want me to be sick on you?" I asked him, giggling.

"Yes. I love it when you do my laundry." He kissed me, missing my lips. 

"I feel so used." I smiled lightly, resting my head against his shoulder. His arms were around my waist, and his knee bounced up and down lightly. His thigh kept digging into my groin, and to be fair it was hard to not grind against him a little bit, but I hoped he wouldn't notice that I kind of did want to be like all of those other sleazy people and get off back stage. Besides, that would defeat the whole argument that I'd made earlier. When I was sober. And not thinking with my hips.

I closed my eyes. "I'm tired," I confessed. "Can you take me back home?"

"Not yet, Angel-face." He grabbed my chin, opening my mouth while I opened my eyes. "I don't think you've had enough to drink."

I swallowed the shot of whatever he'd given me. "You're gonna give me alcohol poisoning."

"Nonsense. You're barely drunk." He asked the bartender for another round. "Besides, I've gotta get you to try some blow."

"Not tonight. I'm done." I struggled to get out of his lap. The room was spinning around a lot. "Whoa," I said, leaning back on Axl. "Slow the world down for me, baby." I closed my eyes, passing out against him. I could hear him laughing at me as I did so.