Since I Don't Have You (Guns N' Roses - Duff McKagan)

Chapter Four

Two days had passed since brunch with Izzy, Alison, the twins, Slash and of course Duff. After Duff had left the table to go into the café, we barely uttered a word to each other when he returned, for the entire time. It was awkward, but I don't think either of us knew what to say to each other. We were both just as spun out as each other. Knowing that Alison had something to do with it, as Izzy came and visited me alone that night, apologising profusely for Alison's behaviour, I did find myself wondering if Duff knew what he was walking into when he came out for brunch, or whether we were both just as clueless as each other.

Walking down the street after a long shift at work, I was still wearing my dirty overalls and boots and looking for a shop to grab some dinner from. I wasn't cooking tonight, not with how tired I was feeling. My mind hadn't rested since that brunch. It was hooked on going over the kiss I had with Slash and my first greeting with Duff for over two years. So I really was mentally exhausted and Bobby and Jason noticed as soon as I turned up at work.

Stopping just outside subway as I determined if that was what I wanted, I heard a yell from a distance which caught my attention, but before I could look around to see what was going on, a huge force knocked me back and caused me to land backwards onto the hard concrete. With my head hitting the concrete with such force, I noticed everything go black for what felt like a few seconds. By the time that I came to, I realised that a big dark dog was standing over me and licking me to death. But it was hard to focus on anything at this point, I was sure when my head hit the concrete, it knocked me unconscious for a bit.

"Harley!" Roared a voice.

Slowly blinking, just trying to be able to focus my vision, I stared up to see that the dog was ripped away and someone with blonde hair was hovering above me. But I was a little out of it still, I had smacked my head pretty hard. I was off with the fairies.

"Shelia?" The voice spoke, gently clapping their palm against my cheek.

I really wasn't good, not for the next couple of minutes. I was barely able to respond, let alone realise what was going on around me. So when I did come to and actually comprehended what was going on, I had a shock to see Duff hovering above me with a very worried expression.

"Shelia, it's me." Duff continued to slap his hand against my cheek, trying to bring me back to reality. "Please, you're scaring me."

I opened my mouth to speak, but I really couldn't find the right words on what to say. I really didn't know what to say to him. Thanks? What are you doing here? Don't touch me? I really didn't know what.

"Can someone call a fuckin' ambulance!" Duff shouted out, in hopes that someone would help him.

"N-No, don't do that." I finally spit out.

Duff gazed down at me relieved, for a little while he really looked scared. "Oh Shell." He breathed, leaning down and resting his face in the crook of my neck as he hugged me. "Don't do that again." He pleaded.

"What was I doing?" I asked, completely lost.

Duff raised his head and peered down at me, instead of being completely sat up, his face was inches from mine. "You've been in and out of consciousness for the last few minutes."

"Is she okay?" A stranger asked, peering down at the pair of us.

"Yeah, thanks dude." Answered Duff with a nod.

"So, can you take your dog back? I'm late to go and see my family."

Duff nods and moments later, the same dog that had been above me a while ago was back. It was the same blue/brown eyed mastiff I got for my 22nd birthday from Steven. It was Harley.