Hell To Pay

Odd Stuff

"Would you tell me what happened? First you quit your job, then you moved in here. Please don't say it's only because you found a new job"
"Ughh how did I say this....umm...."
"Trust me, if there's something happened with you and Taylor, I will not say anything to everyone. I just can't let you move in here without knowing what caused that." She really feels wrong for saying this, but she knows Chris can be trusted since he's not really like to talk about personal stuff with the band so it might be fine with him.

"I broke up with him."
"I knew it! You know when you called me to..."
"Because he cheated on me. With Patricia." When Sam says that, his mouth shut, completely shocked. "W..what?"
"Yup. You know they have a project together, with Dave. And record everything in New Orleans. I went there one day just to find they slept together."
"Dave knows about this?"
"No. He was wasted that day. And I don't want him to know either. I don't want their friendship ruined by me. Same thing with Chad. That's why I was looking for a new place. I didn't know it would be your place. I never know you live here."
"I wasn't, I just moved in for a month and I didn't tell the band either." He sighs, seems like still can't believe that Taylor would be cheating on her. "Anyway, you're okay Sam?"
"A little bit mad, still. But so far so good. So... We're good about me move in here?"
"Absolutely. We're good. And I'm sorry you've been through this. I'm not gonna tell anyone about you moved in here. I promise."
"Thanks...." They caught in silence for a moment before Sam crack the ice. "Well, I see you bought some food for us, let's celebrate. Right?"
"Haha. Yeah. Right. I'm gonna put these on plate."
"Thanks Chris." He leaves her to prepare the food while Sam open her laptop to check the schedule that her boss had sent her.

There are shows, both on air and off air. And she's glad none of RHCP or Foo Fighters on the list. So she doesn't have to explain anything. "Ahh. That's relaxing. Please stay this way." She keeps scrolling to read the brief and everything when Chris calls her out. "Sam! Food's ready."
"Wait a minute!" After put her laptop back she goes out and take a seat. "Smells nice?"
"Really? I thought you don't like the smell of olive oil?"
"No, I don't. But somehow I don't mind right now. I haven't eat any healthy food for days now."
"Wait, what? Really?"
"Yeah. Junk food all along. From one cheap hotel to another. So this apartment is a winning solution for me." Chris giggling. "Geez, the way you said cheap hotel was hilarious."
"Why?"
"I don't know, just kinda was." Chris has trouble to chew his foods after his laugh. "If you really need some healthy food, I know where to buy it. Don't worry."
"Pfft. I know you love healthy food. It didn't surprised me that you know the place."

Chris eat his meal slowly while  watches Sam eat like a maniac. She really likes the fish that smells like olive oil even though she usually doesn't. "Is that enough for you?"
"What?"
"The fish. If you really like it, you can have mine."
"No. You gave me enough. Really. You need to eat yours. This is good."
"Haha. Yeah, sure."

They go from main course to dessert which absolutely Chris favorite. "I eat a lot of these as a kid you know." He open up a cup of caramel pudding and show it to Sam. "Chris Shiflett, there's always something new that I learn about you. I didn't know you likes caramel pudding." She smirks before continue her sentence, "Which is makes me feel bad because you know that I don't like olive oil. But I know nothing about you."
"That's not odd at all. I didn't tell much about me to people. People found out by themselves. Usually."
"So, why did you tell me then?"
"I don't know, because you're a very fun person to talk to."
"You mean Dave, Taylor, or Nate no fun?"
"I didn't say that, it's just Dave and Nate are in the band from the beginning. Taylor joins just 2 years after, and remain close with Dave. I'm more like some additional member. Like an outsider."
"Noo.. don't say that I know all of them trust you so much. And you did amazing job with the band too."
"You think so?"
"Of course! Geez! What's wrong with you?" She says, sarcastically with a loud laugh following it. "For example... John. He's a right example. He's not the original guitarist, he's the youngest, he left the band before, but yet they still welcomed him. They didn't see him as an outsider. Because he belongs in the band. Simple as that. And I'm sure same thing applied to you." It makes Chris smiles a little bit. "Right, I should start to appreciate my contribution."
"That is the fucking point. Why took so long though?" She says, while hand him her caramel pudding. "Why? I bought it for you Sam."
"You need more sweetness in your life. So you can appreciate yourself. Take it." She laughs, which makes him laugh as well. "Alright, alright. But don't blame me for missing a nice dessert."
"Naaaah. I'm good." Sam looks at Chris, eat another cup of pudding with a very funny attitude.

••••••

Dave is at the studio, to record the last material for the new album when Patricia came and tell him a goodbye. "Are you sure about that?" Dave can't believe that Patricia is really leaving the US straight to Ireland. He doesn't know anything about her affair with Taylor, so it's kinda a shock for him. The fact is, she just can't stand to face Taylor or Sam anymore. Which kinda impossible if she stays and keeps playing. Both Taylor and Sam are in this industry, and in this country so she leaves both the industry and the country. "Yes. I'm gonna leave very soon. And about the record, I trust it on you. I'm sure you'll do great on my last record."
"What? Are you kidding me? You worked hard for this."
"It doesn't matter. I stop playing Dave. I'll take my family's business, just like they always wanted."
"Is there any problem with me? Or Taylor? Just tell me."
"Nothing Dave. I just gave up. It's really exhausting."
"Well.. if you say so. There's nothing I can do." She goes to shake his hand before she pick her suitcase and enter the cab. Just right after the cab took off, Taylor arrives at the Studio. "Who's that?"
"Patricia." He silence for a moment, wondering what she told Dave earlier. "What did she say to you?"

"She's leaving, and stop playing."