A New Life (Roger Daltrey)

Chapter 14

Luca sat in the common area, amongst the  other addicts in residence. He was currently involved in a heated game of checkers with Jim, one of his newly acquired friends.

Luca makes a move, taking away one of Jim's pieces. He smiles evilly at Jim, while Jim lets out a big huff, and says, "Whatever."

While Jim is thinking carefully about his next move, Archie, another one of Luca's newly acquired pals, walks up to them both. He's holding some sort of gossip magazine.

"Hey Luc, I, uh, think you had better see this, man." Archie said, referring to the magazine.

Luca laughs. "C'mon now, Arch. What could be in some sleazy, false, magazine that would concern me?" Luca takes the magazine from Archie's hands.

"Check out page forty-four."

Luca hesitates but goes ahead to page forty-four. He stares at the picture, then his eyes move to the caption.

'Together again? The Who's Roger Daltrey and singing sensation Lena Davies were spotted outside the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, engaging in a loving hug. Sources say that they were last seen together at a party a few months back. One source claims that they both appeared to be 'in love'  with each other. With Lena's now ex-boyfriend Luca di Whatever out of the picture, Roger took advantage of getting his girl back.'

Luca closed the magazine, and looked back at the board.

"Oh man, Jim. Looks like you've beaten me yet again. Archie, why don't you sit here and try to give Jim a run for his money while I go make a quick phone call?"

Luca gets up from his chair and leaves his two mates, heading for the nearest landline that was in a space where he wouldn't be interrupted.

He picks up the receiver and dials the number to his and Lena's house.

Ring, ring, ring

...C'mon Lena...

The phone in Luca and Lena's home rang, but there was no one there to answer it. The sound of the phone ringing rang throughout the empty space. Suddenly, the front door opened. Roger and Lena walked in. Their arms around each other's waists. They seemed to have rekindled something.

They managed to make it to the couch, without breaking eye contact. Lena laid underneath Roger, who had begun kissing on her neck. He trailed the kisses down her chest, and began to unbutton her shirt further. Lena let out a happy sigh, then finally acknowledged the ringing phone.

Luca was desperate to talk to Lena. He knew Lena would never cheat on him, because she loved him. Right?

Lena managed to get Roger (and herself) calmed down, as she answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Lena, baby it's me."

Lena sat up, adjusting herself as if Luca could see her through the phone. She felt mortified, remembering what she and Roger were so close to doing. How could she betray Luca like that? Doesn't she love him?

"Luca! Hi sweetheart, how are you doing?"

She looked over at Roger, who looked as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Well, not too good. A friend of mine over here just showed me something in a magazine. Something that I...I thought I'd never see. Are you hanging around with Roger behind my back, Lee? Because that's what this magazine claims. It's got pictures of you two together. Says you two are in "love", is that true?"

Lena's face grew hot. Her mind drew a blank. She didn't know how to defend herself.

"Lena, they're saying that you and I have broken up. Now we both know that that is not true, right?"

Lena says nothing. She is struck with serious stomach pains. So sharp that she cries out in pain, dropping the receiver from her ear.

On the other end of the line, Luca hears Lena's cry of pain and also hears a man call out her name. It's Roger. Anger soars through him, but when he speaks he is calm and very concerned about Lena.

Roger picks the receiver up, puts it in his hand, and holds it up to his ear.

"Luca...are you still there?"

"How is she? Is she okay?"

"She's passed out and I-I don't know what to do. I'm so sorry mate, we didn't do anythi–"

"What do you mean you don't know what to do? Get her to a hospital, call 911 Goddammit!"

Luca was furious. First, he finds out that his girlfriend has been seeing her ex on the side, now this fool asks him a stupid question. He was seconds away from ripping his hair out.

"O-Okay."

Just as Roger begins to hang the phone up, Luca speaks once more.

"One more thing: stay the fuck away from Lena, Roger. She's my girlfriend now, you had your time with her but you fucked it up."

"You're right...I'm so sorry."

Roger ends the call, then dials 911. The ambulance rushes over and takes Lena to the hospital. Roger stays behind. He felt so guilty. Luca's words kept ringing through his ears over and over again...

"She's my girlfriend now...you fucked it up."

Those words stuck with him for the rest of the night. He didn't even go to the hospital to check on Lena. Instead, he decided that he would be catching a flight back to L.A. the next day. He knew this was a bad idea, but he didn't want to believe it.

He just wanted to see his love, not stir up a ruckus. Yet, that is just what he did.

• • •

This story is soon approaching its end...

But never fear! There is a sequel in the works :)