Hell To Pay

Rubber Band

"Sam?" Someone approaches them from the side walk. "Hey. Umm Josh." She looks at Taylor and how crushed he is right now. "Josh, this is Taylor."
"Taylor, this is...." Before she can introduce Josh to him, he smiles and offer his hand to him. "Hi Josh. I'm Taylor."
"Hey. Nice to meet you. You're alone right here?" He looks around, trying to find someone besides them. "Oh, no. Umm. There's Dave in the car right there." He points out to a black car across the street. "I saw Sam on my way and thinking maybe she needs an umbrella."
"Oh, thanks for that. I guess." Josh is pretty much still a shy guy like he always was. All he can do is smiles and then turns to Sam and then to Taylor. "Umm... I bring this. Maybe you can use the umbrella for yourself. It's getting harder...the rain."
"Oh, yeah... Yes. I will. Umm.. I guess Sam can go home with you so... I'm gonna go to Dave. Take care." Taylor open his umbrella and then waves to him. "Once again, nice to see you Josh. See you later." He walks away, scared of looking back and see Sam holding Josh's hand. He knows she dates someone, but he doesn't expect to see him in person. He's such a sweet guy and there is no way he can hate this guy. He knows how perfect this guy for Sam, because she deserves better.

He walks straight to Dave's car. And he just get in without saying anything. Right when he step in, Dave looks at him, giving him all his sympathy to him. "I'm sorry to see that."
"No. I'm good. We know she dates someone. I should've seen that coming."
"Is he good?"
"For me? Yes. He's perfect." Dave then pat his back. "Should we go?"
"Yes."

••••••

"Chris! I'm back." Sam open the door with Josh behind her and then he close the door behind. "You need to dry yourself."
"Okay. Can you call out Chris? I really need to talk to him."
"Sure." Sam goes to her room and change her soaked clothes. There's a chill when the clean fabrics touch her skin. It feels good and somehow brings some relaxation that she needs right now. Looking at herself in the mirror, she takes a deep breath before she drop some sterile eye drop to reduce the redness from the rain and also her own tears.

After put a small towel on her head, she goes out and find Chris is already on the couch, with Josh. He quickly catches her presence and stands up. "You need me to maybe leave you two?" He offers, but she smiles to him. "No. You can stay. Can you go to my room for a moment?"
"Sure." Josh walks out and Sam sit on the couch, face to face to Chris.

"What are you doing Sam? You told Dave?"
"Yeah. He called you?"
"Yes. I told you not to...." She quickly cut him. "Don't worry, he and Taylor are fine. You don't have to drag your life to save any of us. I'm sorry to bring you into this mess."
"And how about you?"
"Me? Haha. A little bit nostalgic, I guess. But I'll be fine. I told Josh everything on our way here. And he understands. All that matters that I got him and we love each other. It's a good thing to have some kind of closure with Taylor." Chris looks up a little bit, and take a deep breath. "You think I should go back to the band?"
"Yeah absolutely. That's your place. But if only you feel comfortable enough to do that again."
"I'll... I'll think about it."
"Good. Now, next time these kind of stuff happen again. Tell me. Okay? I'm not here to make your life miserable. I don't want that. We are friends and that what friends do. We got each other's back. Promise?"
"I'm working on that."
"Good. Now go to rest. I'm sure you need that for the tour."
"I don't say yes, yet." He giggles to her words which makes her smirks. "I'm sure you will. Trust me."
"We'll see." Chris gets up and then hug her for awhile. "Thanks for everything Sam. I owe you a lot."
"No, you don't owe me anything. Now go to your fucking room and have a fucking rest." She smiles and then let go the hug. "Oh, and... Can I borrow your clothes for Josh? He's pretty much doesn't have changing clothes to stay."
"Haha. Sure. Just take whatever suits him."
"Thanks."

••••••

"How's Chris?" Josh takes his multilayer clothes and throw them to the basket. "Umm. He feels good I guess. I'm sure he will getting better by tomorrow."
"Good." He put Chris' black shirt which actually not really suits him and Sam finds it kinda funny. "It's so weird to see you only wearing a piece of shirt, no jacket, no sweater..."
"Oh really? Haha?" He laugh a little bit. "Yes. I'm getting used to see you like that. And well.... Sometimes without any..."
"Hahaha. That's for another case." He walks to the bed and then lay himself besides her. "Sam...."
"Yes?"
"Learning about Chris's case today. I wonder....What if I told you that.... John already quit the band?"
"Wait, what? Are you serious?"
"I am. And I getting messages from Chad and Anthony. Asking me to join the band.. I mean, you know John so well and you might know the band more than I do...."
"I...I don't know Josh. It's a shock to me. I mean, I heard about John wanted to quit but I don't know the part where they ask you to replace him."
"I know... I'm so scared to actually have some Chris situation. I mean, John will be forever their close friend and I get why he's their best guitarist. I'm afraid that if I accept it, someday John will actually come back. Not that I'm not happy about it, but I just feel very intimidated. You know..."
"I get what you mean. But I can't really suggest you anything. The only person who knows the best decision is you. If you... Think that you can contribute something for the band, go for it. But if all you are thinking is how to fit the shoes. Don't do it." She put her palms on his cheeks and then looks at him in the eye.

"Whatever you choose. I'm with you."