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

Chapter Fifteen

The next morning was busier than I ever expected. Right on 8am was when there was a knock at the front door, it was Slash, Duff, Gilby, Matt, Dizzy and surprisingly Axl. Did they come to see me? No. They were all over to see Izzy, including Axl. Now I knew there was a fair bit of bad blood between Izzy and Axl, but I also knew how much Axl was concerned about Izzy when I told him that Izzy was having a hard time. So I was surprised yet I wasn't when he came over.

I was pleased when all of the guys came around though, because they were here for Izzy. They were giving him some guy talk, which I think Izzy needed and appreciated. I also think that Izzy was surprised over Axl turning up for him, so I could understand why he was a little hesitant to give Axl a hug when he did. But when he did, the look of relief that casted over his face made my insides flutter. It was sweet.

"Hey, Shell." Gilby approached me with a frown. I could see the guilt he had when he looked at me, knowing well and good that he completely stood me up. "Can we talk? In private?"

Nodding my head, I gazed over to the group of men sitting on my lounge. None of them noticed Gilby and I except one and he was watching like a hawk; that just happened to be Duff.

Leaving the lounge room area, Gilby and I stopped just in the hallway, where I could see he was about to apologise.

"I'm so sorry, Shelia." He apologises. "I didn't mean for yesterday, I completely forgot." He frowned.

"Forgot? You planned it, how could you forget?" I asked curiously. Was I mad? No. But I was a little upset that he simply 'forgot'.

Gilby let out a sigh and looked down. "I got fucked up the night before and by the time I realised we had a date, it was hours after we were supposed to meet up."

"Fucked up?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"I did some coke and got drunk." He admitted.

Now that left a bad taste in my mouth. I hated the stuff, especially after when I caught Duff snorting it. "Oh okay, that's alright."

"Can we reschedule that date?" Asked Gilby, his beautiful blue eyes staring into mine.

I wanted to say yes, I really did. But I couldn't, not after hearing him snort cocaine, that was a complete deal breaker. I was disgusted, not that I would ever tell him that though. But I didn't want to bluntly say 'no' to his face, so I had to rapidly think of a way to say 'no' without being 'NO'.

"I don't think we can." I shook my head. "Not with Izzy like this and Duff."

Now, I knew he understood what I meant about Izzy. Especially since Izzy was staying with me at the moment, but as soon as Duff's name slipped out of my mouth, it caught his attention.

"What about Duff?" Asked Gilby.

"Duff was there with me waiting for you to show up." I admit. "And when you didn't, we spent the day together instead. Don't know how he knew I was there, but he did." I shrugged.

Right then and there, it was as if a light bulb went off in Gilby's head. His expression was a mix of annoyance and surprise, so I wasn't sure what he was thinking.

"Ah well, good for you Shell." Gilby forced a smile on his face.

"Thanks." I shrugged.

Gilby, with a frown, turned away from me and walked off. As he did, I heard him speak to himself. "That motherfucker."

Hearing another knock at the door, I was puzzled as to who would be coming over to mine? I pretty much had everyone I knew here, except for Steven, Ivory and of course Alison and the kids.