Hell To Pay

Screwed

There's this huge pressure on his shoulder from all of this. He's almost positive that he can't compete this man anymore. For fuck sake, it's Pat Smear. He tried his best to keep positive but, from each day, even though he's in for the tour, but something just really not in a good phase for him. "Umm... I'm gonna take a break for awhile, is that okay?" Chris feels the need to get his mind relaxed or either way he can't fucking play this show. Each member nodded and let him have the break that he needs. "Take your time, you can come back at 4." Dave says while also take his guitar off of his shoulder and sit near the drum kit, looking at Taylor. "Did we pressure him by bringing Pat back on tour?"
"I don't know Dave. It's not like we kick him or something. But I kinda get why Pat intimidated him. Pat was here before anyone else. Along with you and Nate."

••••••

"I'm not sure wether he likes the pasta with cheese or not." Sam giggles and keep flipping through the cooking book which makes Josh kinda laugh a bit. "What's so funny Josh?"
"Nothing. Just...you make cheese such a huge deal." Sam goes smirks and then throw a spoon to him. "Come on, it's not like Chris likes so muh cheese like my boyfriend over here. I don't see him eat cheese that much." She looks at Josh, like in a mocking manner. "What? More cheese is better."
"Naaah. I'm gonna call him first. How about that? You can add more cheese later if you want. I need to make sure he wants any cheese or not." She tries to take her phone but Josh quickly grab it and raise his hand, knowing that Sam isn't tall enough to get that.

"I know I'm short okay? I get it. Now give me my phone." She giggles and it all turns into a jumping session while Josh easily just stand there laughing. "Ah come on!"
"What should you say?" He's teasing her into say some sweet things to him which very cute in his opinion. "Alright alright.." she stop jumping, take a breath and smile. "I love you..."
"And....?"
"Okay. Okay. Umm... I love you Josh."
"Now that's the magic word. Come here." He turns her over and put his chin on her shoulder while his arms linger on her waist. "Call Chris. I'm not going anywhere." Josh is always a sweet guy when it comes to affection and that what makes her likes him a lot.

••••••

"Where's Chris? It's almost 4." Dave ask both Nate and Taylor but they don't seem know where he is. "Hey Hawkins, call his phone."
"Alright." Taylor calls his phone which turns out is right on the table. "Shit. That's his phone. Better wait then."

"Yeah yeah. I hear that. Now turn off the call Taylor." Dave says, noting that his phone is still ringing. "No. Not me. I already turn it off. It might someone else's call." He says, pointing his eyebrows to Chris's phone so Dave would pick it up. "Okay. I'll get it."

Dave see the name on it and he looks to Taylor. "It's Sam."
"What?"
"I should pick it up..."
"No, better not. Maybe it's an important thing." Taylor insists that Dave shouldn't pick it up but Dave won't listen to him. "That's exactly why we need to pick this one up." He then hit the answer call but not having a gut to say a thing. But Sam is the one who start talking.

"Hey Chris. Will you back home tonight? I'm gonna cook some pasta and I don't know if you want some cheese on it or not. There's no cheese in our refrigerator so I'm gonna buy some, if you want the cheese. What do you think?" Dave is still trying to figure out what he just heard. It's not like he want to think in a negative way, but it sounds like they live together in one place or something. "Hello? Chris? You're there? Hello?" Dave looks at Taylor and then the phone back and forth. Like someone who lost all of his words. "Hey Chris, you're okay? I'll... I'll call you later then." She hang up before Dave can say anything. But from the look of his face, Taylor can tell that Dave is likely to be angry about something.

"Okay, would you tell me what happened?" Taylor then walks to him and assure him to talk . "I think... I think they live together."
"Who?"
"Chris and Sam."
"What? You're kidding right?" Taylor laugh, assuming that Dave is pranking him. "No I'm not. I swear. I know what I was hearing. It sounds like that they live at the same place."
"But Dave, there's no way... Not even Chad knows where she live, remember?"
"I know. Absolutely. But have you ever think how the fuck Chris was the first person who knew that Sam quit the job? Or how he wasn't surprised about her job in MTV? Even Jordyn didn't know that before we all see her on that meeting. We were all surprised. But not him. Don't you think it's suspicious? And how about how close they are lately?"
"Dave, that's enough. I'm not buying that..."
"Then ask Chris. How about that?"

Just when Chris walks in and Dave is about to ask him, one of their crew told them that they need to go on stage. So Dave wrapped his questions and safe that for later. They all go out and joined by Pat later.

But in the middle of Monkey Wrench, Chris's strings start to getting out of tune, which Pat quickly back it up, leaving Dave looks at Chris but then turn his focus on Pat. Chris knows something start to feel intense. Something isn't right. It seems like Dave makes a scene out of his guitar malfunction and indirectly telling him that Pat is a better player, which kinda pissed him off.

When it's time for 5 minutes break, Chris go to him and carefully ask him. "What was that? You looked mad to me on stage."
"Nothing. It's just now I know bringing Pat is a probably a good thing to do." With all the pressure, Chris just can't hold it any longer. "Seriously? Over a guitar malfunction? I know you guys are happy he was back and else. And I tried to positive on that. But each day, I feel like you just really want to replace me with Pat. Why not kick me out then?"
"Kick you out? No. I'll never kick you out for any reason, even when you're stabbing your fucking friend in the back."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh? You sure don't know what I'm talking about? What about... Live together with Sam for a start? You want to deny that?" For a moment, Chris forget all the rage, he's stoned and lose his words. It's like he's been swallowed by the air.

"No? I knew it. You can't deny it. You really live with her. Geez. Have you ever think how Taylor feels about that?"