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

Chapter Twenty-One

Duff was quiet for all day after the beach, even if he stuck by us. He was simmering in his own thoughts, only adding a little bit to a conversation here and there. Even my brothers noticed his sudden change in behaviour and looked at me wanting to know the gossip. They didn't have to wait long either, because when we had drove back to my apartment building, Duff joined Izzy and I had all four brothers in the car with me, so I told them everything. They wanted to be in the loop, so I kept them in it. Were they mad at Duff? No, which was unusual. They were pretty quiet about the entire topic, that much that none of them seemed to have an opinion about it.

Izzy did though, he thought Duff was moving a little too fast for comfort. Yes he was clearly excited over being drug free, and that was something to be happy about, but he was jumping to far forward. We weren't at that stage, any stage for that matter.

Until I had some sort of trust back for Duff, we weren't going to talk future stuff. That could wait until he proved me wrong, or at least until we were officially together again. Right now we weren't together, we just seemed to be in some sort of limbo.

"The junkie-alcoholic is leaving now, see you all tomorrow for another piss test." Duff announced, his eyes scanning over all of us before he turned around and walked to my apartment door.

I exchanged a look with Izzy and he just rolled his eyes. "Let him go, Shell. If he wants to be a smart ass, let him." Izzy quietly says, watching Duff walk out the door.

Hearing the door shut, I let out a sigh. "He wanted you to chase after him, that's what that was. To feel sorry for him. Nah," Izzy paused. "He can fuck off and get over himself."

"Man, why couldn't you be our brother-in-law?" Xander whined.

"I still could be, you never know." Izzy winks before he brought his gaze back to me and he smiles.

"Oh yeah? You two gonna fuck too?" Mick's eyes landed on Sasha and Dominic who were on either side of Izzy, asleep.

"Mick!" I roused. "Back off."

"Why are you interested? Want a piece of me too?" Izzy had a smug grin on his face.

Mick's face scrunched up in disgust. "I don't suck or take dicks up the arse."

"Well I hate to break it to you sweetheart, I can turn any dude gay. It won't take long for me to change your mind on cocks, especially when you see mine." Izzy blew a kiss to Mick. He could have pulled off being gay, especially with the confidence he had to tease Mick. If no one knew any better, they probably would have thought Izzy was into men.

"Fuck you." Mick rolled his eyes. "And don't you fucking call me 'sweetheart'."

"Okay, darlin'." Izzy bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.

Dan, Xander and James were just about pissing themselves of laughter, watching how Izzy taunted Mick. Even I had to have a giggle at how Mick was reacting.

"Still want me to be your brother-in-law?" Izzy's eyes darted to Xander. "I'm a real shit stirrer if you haven't already noticed."

"You'd fit like glove in our family." Dan took a swig of his newly opened stubby of beer. "We are all just as bad, but good ol' Mickey, he's good at dishing it, but not taking it."

"I see." Izzy's eyes glistened and I could see the mischief in them. "Mickey, Mickey, Mickey; you gotta learn how to take a joke." Izzy clucked his tongue.

Mick rolled his eyes and got up to get himself another beer. "Beer anyone?" He walked over to the fridge, pulling out a stubby for himself.

"As much as I'd appreciate one, I gotta take these kids home." Izzy groaned, looking down at his two sleeping angels. "Which means facing my bitch of a wife."