Misprinted Lies (Alice in Chains/Bruno Mars)

Outshined

I had a small get together at my house for the final NFL championship game. Seattle came back and won against Green Bay. I really wanted to go up to Seattle to watch the game live. Mike and Sean wanted me to go. Alice in Chains was playing the halftime show. They had a box up there for the whole season. I just couldn't do it; I couldn't see Jerry.

I was in the middle of taking a new pill when Bruno interrupted my thoughts.

"You goin' to the Superbowl now?" he grinned.

"Naw, I can't."

"Why not?" he asked.

I looked around to make sure we were alone; everyone else was outside. I didn't want anyone else to hear this conversation. "Jerry's going."

Bruno raised his eyebrows. "Really? Are you serious? Lily, do you know what the chances of bumping into him would be? I know you wanna wear your jersey and go to the game."

"I can't do it, Bruno."

Bruno got distracted by the pill in my hand. Oh great, another conversation that I didn't want to have.

"That pill is huge. That's a new one, isn't it?" He noticed everything.

"Yeah, it's new. That's another reason I can't go."

"Don't tell me you were in the hospital again."

I bit my lip and his whole expression changed. Once again, I hadn't told him I was really sick again.

"What is it this time?"

My voice got really quiet. "I uh, I had some ulcers."

He gave me a pout and puppy-dog eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay..."

"Are you going to make it to the Grammy's?"

"It depends. It depends how long I can go."

"What do ya mean?"

"I can't stand up straight without feeling like I'm gonna puke."

__________________________________

I pulled her into me. She was so good at hiding it. All her hard work, being nominated for these Grammy's and kicking ass and life comes back and kicks her right where it hurts.

Lily's phone started to ring and she smiled. It obviously wasn't Jerry, thankfully.

"Hey," she said. "Everything okay?"

There was a pause.

"Aw shit, really?"

Lily closed her eyes for a moment.

"Alright tell ya what I'll go back tonight and send them that other copy I have. They're totally wrong though. The one we did was so much better sonically."

She paused again.

"Call ya later, dude."

Lily hung up.

"Who's the dude?" I smiled.

"Ed Sheeran. I'm helpin' him with a couple songs."

"That's cool...good for you."

Jess came out of nowhere, wrapping her arms around me. "Baby we should get going."

I really wanted to stay. "Okay, sure."

Lily locked the door and walked outside with us.

"You're really going back to the studio right now?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.