Family Values

Chapter 9

Sirens wail outside the tour bus as the police pull up.
Six policemen jump out of their cruisers. Three head for the house while three others meet Dad at the door of the tour bus and ask to come inside. He lets them in and they approach me, taking off their hats.
"Good afternoon, Miss Taylor," one says, stepping forward. Sid stands up hastily and moves out of the policeman's way. He was a younger guy, probably mid-thirties. His badge reads 'SHERIFF McCULLEN'.
He kneels beside me, taking Sid's place and pulls out a pen and notepad. "We just came to ask you some questions about Mr. Moody's attack. Is that all right?" he asks.
I nod slowly.
He smiles at me kindly. "Thank you. Now, how did this fight start?" Sheriff asks.
I close my eyes and sigh tiredly. "Um, it started when Mr. Moody and I were recording some lyrics for a song. I had screwed up the lyrics, and he was pretty angry about that. I had told him he could have changed the lyrics, but he wouldn't have it. He said something about getting a lawsuit if we changed the lyrics. After he said that, it seemed like he wanted to hit me then, but he didn't. I didn't feel safe there, so I went into the house and into the room where I was staying, and called my dad, Corey-" I gesture to him and he waves a little.
Then I continue: "So I called him and said that I didn't want to stay 'cus I felt unsafe and wanted to come home. So he said he would come pick me up, and we end the call, and then I pack my things and head to the front room." I pause for breath.
Starting again, I say, "When I got to the front room, Ivan was there as well. He came over to me and asked where I thought I was going. I told him I was leaving, and he scoffs a little, saying like hell I was... Then I told him to tell that to my dad when he came to get me... Then he got angry and slapped me. He said to give him some respect, and I replied, 'I will when you give me some' or something like that... Then he got really mad, and that was when he slammed me up against the wall and was about to start punching me..." I glance to the sheriff, who was carefully scribbling down my story.
Without looking up, he asks, "And what, to your knowledge, are the extent of your injuries?"
I blink. "Well, he... He slapped me twice, on the same cheek. I think he bruised my back, from slamming me against the wall, but I'm not sure." I shrug.
Finally looking up, Sheriff McCullen gives me another smile. "Thank you, Miss Taylor. That's all. I'm terribly sorry for your ordeal." He stands up, and puts away the notepad and pen. Tipping his hat at me, he ends with, "We will take care of Mr. Moody. Have a nice night." With that,  he and the other officers turn and exit the bus.
I sigh again, then look to Dad, Sid and Craig, who were sitting on the opposite couch. Their faces were tight and stony.
"We should have come earlier," Sid growls.
"We shouldn't have let her come at all," Corey snaps.
"Oh, now you say that?? Chris told us it was a bad idea, but no! You thought it would be a chance for her to have her own career! Well, look now, Corey. I don't think her 'career' is as successful as you painted it to be!" Sid retorts, turning to Corey.
"How the fuck was I supposed to know that that Ivan bastard would do something like this?" Corey says, his voice rising. "I knew nothing about the guy! Or his band!"
"Exactly! You went in with your head in your ass and you pulled Colleen in with you! You should have taken the time to get to know Ivan instead of letting her go without knowing that he's an abusive, psycho bastard!!" Sid yells angrily.
Corey gets up and Sid did as well, getting in each other's faces and start loudly arguing.
I wince in fear. This could not be happening.
The others come back before punches could be thrown.
Mick steps between them, shoves them apart, and says, "Okay, okay, that's enough!"
Neither Sid or Corey hear him and they continue yelling at each other.
"I said, THAT'S FUCKING ENOUGH!!" Mick roars.
I instinctively curl up into a ball, shut my eyes, and press my hands over my ears. My back flares painfully, but I ignore it. All I could hear was muffled arguing, which lasted for only a few minutes.
I feel the bus's engine begin rumbling, and the bus began to move forward. Then I feel gentle hands on my wrists, pulling my hands off my ears.
I look up at Craig's face. He gives me a small smile, then motions for me to sit up. I slowly comply. Then he sits and puts a pillow into his lap. He pats the pillow, so I lay back down. He tenderly strokes my hair as I look around the bus.
Sid and Corey sit on different sides, monitored by Shawn and Jim.
Mick, Jay and Alessandro were on the couch opposite mine, looking rather tired.
Chris was driving the bus with a grim face.
I sigh quietly and close my eyes again.
Corey was right. I should have never come here.

****AUTHOR'S NOTE****
So... That happened. Drama. Ew.
Anyway, how are you guys liking the story!? I know it's not as good as the first, and that there isn't much... *cough* chemistry between Jeremy and Colleen, but hey... Sometimes, as a writer, you've got to make things interesting. Tell me what you think of the story! Comments, questions, criticism, grammar fixes... I welcome all feedback! I think this will be the second to last chapter, though. Who knows.