It's Not So Easy

Chapter 18

*ring ring ring*

"ugh." I mumble as I roll over to turn off the alarm clock.

I'd rather stay in bed with my baby instead of waking up at 5:30 AM to fly back to L.A., but it's for the band.

I roll out of bed, change into a black t shirt, jeans, and my leather boots.

I never really got to unpack so I just stuff the clothing I slept in, back into my bag. I wake Alicia up to drive me to the airport because I really don't want to be in a car with her mother, that would just be awkward.

"good morning baby." I whisper into Alicia's ear.

"noo!" she says putting the covers over her face.

"you have to wake up, i have to fly back to L.A., remember?"

"yes, I remember." Alicia says as she gets out of bed.

she doesn't change her clothes or anything. not that I care, it's just strange because she usually always cares about her appearance.

"what? carrying your child isn't enough? do I have to look like a super model?" she says as she laughs.

I guess she must've noticed that I was confused.

"of course not, it's just odd because you usually always get ready for everything." I say getting up off of the bed.

"well not today!" she says as she presses a kiss into my lips.

---

we arrive at the airport, which is kind of bittersweet. I'm leaving my girl, to go back to L.A. with my band. I know we'll only be apart for a couple of days but I feel bad for leaving her. I feel like I'm not living up to my end of the deal. I told her I'd always be there for her, but my band also needs me.

we say our goodbyes, and the next thing I know I'm on my way to L.A.

about 4 hours later I arrive to my destination. I look through the large crowd of people to find someone with bright red hair, black curly hair, scruffy blonde hair, or slightly oily, messy black hair.

after a few minutes I spot someone with red hair. I make my way over to Axl, and he gives me a hug.

"hey man, how'd it go?" he says as he taps my shoulder.

"pretty good for the most part. anyway tell me more about what I missed, I was gone for a few hours and I get a call from Slash telling me how we're gonna do a music video, and how Appetite is doing really fucking great."

"well we were just setting around doing the same shit were always doing when the phone rings. so I pick it up, and it's Tom. he told me that the album was selling really well so the next step would be to make a video. also, apparently we're gonna open for Mötley Crüe next week. until then we're gonna play a few gigs at the bars on the strip like always." Axl says as we get into his car.

"I can't fucking believe this! this feels so unreal. we've been working so hard, and now it's finally happening." I reply.

"I know, I can't either. so how's Alicia?" Axl says.

"she's doing good, I just hate that I have to leave her for a little while. a pregnant woman, touring, and concerts don't really mix." I add while staring out the window.

"yeah I understand. I'm sorry for being a jerk to you guys. I shouldn't have acted that way, and I'm really happy for you." Axl says as we pull into the driveway.

we get out of the car, and Axl fumbles with the keys to unlock the door.

when Axl finally opens the door, I'm greeted with hello's from everyone.

"MY DRINKING BUDDY IS HOME!!!" Slash yells as he runs over to hug me.

I return his hug, and hear Izzy say "there's daddy!"

"okay.. that's true Iz, but that's a bit too far!" I say as I punch him on the shoulder, and he smiles.

"we missed you Duffy! we're not ever letting you leave us ever again!" Steven says as he pokes me in the head with one of his drumsticks.

"I'll try my best Steve!" I say as I give him a hug.

sometimes we fight.. in fact, we'll probably get into an argument tomorrow, but I don't know what I'd do without these guys.

"Are you guys ready to play The Viper Room tonight or what?!" Axl says as he sips his Jack.

"more ready than ever! our last club show before going on tour with Mötley Crüe." Steven says.

"kinda bittersweet." Izzy mumbles.

"yeah, it is." I reply.

---

we arrive at The Viper Room, and take our places on stage. we start with Nightrain, and everyone in the crowd knows the words. this is completely unreal. I remember when we played this club last year and people didn't even listen to us.

we finish our set and decide we should "celebrate." by now you'd think we wouldn't need to make excuses to party and drink, but apparently we do.

we go backstage and get out our vodka, Jack Daniels, beer, and other various types of liquor.

I had already drunk some earlier, so after a few drinks, I wouldn't even be able to tell you my real name.

"come here girls, set on my lap!" Axl says to two girls in tube tops and tight skirts, slurring his words.

and sure enough they obey, and do what he said.

probably girls from the show, or strippers.

Slash and Izzy were playing a game where they had to take their clothes off, I'm not really sure why, and Steven was beating his drumsticks against the wall.

before I know it, Axl pulls me down on the couch, next to him and his "friends".

---

I wake up in our apartment on the floor spooning with Izzy. Slash is on the couch, and Axl and Steven are missing.

the last thing I remember is me taking body shots off of Slash.. what the fuck?

I get up to go see where they are and sure enough I walk into Axl's room and see him and one of the girls he was with last night, naked, laying next to each other.

when I walk out of Axl's room, Steven walks out of the bathroom across the hall.

"I see you're up sunshine!" he says as he smiles at me.

"yeah yeah.. I don't remember a thing from last night." I say as I rub my head in a confused kind of way.

"I had a feeling you'd say that. isn't that what cameras are for?" Steven says as he hands me a Polaroid photo of me with a woman I have never seen before. or at least I don't remember seeing her.

in the photo, she's laid across mine and Slash's lap, with her skirt being the only thing she had on. how could I let this happen? how could they let it happen?

"why would you take a photo of this?" I yell.

"hey it's only my camera! Axl took the picture." Steven utters.

"I'm gonna kill that fucking bastard!" I scream as I march into his bedroom.

I knew we'd be in a fight not even 24 hours later.