Hell To Pay

It's Started With J

"What category?" Dave chuckles, he knows how ridiculous it would be, soon as Sam said the 'new category'. "Umm.. it's like old music videos that should've got an award but somehow didn't get one."
"Ahh... I see. Which of our video?"
"Everlong."
"Pffft." Dave almost burst a laugh. "What the fuck, that's old."
"I know. That's the whole idea, basically. That's a funny one though." Sam then grab those invitations from her bag and gives each of them one.

"The point is... You guys need to come. For the sake of my poor co-worker Daniel. He was frustrated from this job so I'm helping him out with these invitations."
"We'll come. Don't worry." Nate flips around the invitations before reading the details. "Do we need to play or something?"
"I think not. They didn't told us about it. Just an invitation, wether you win the award or not."
"Alright... Oh, by the way. We bought some foods to celebrate Chris's comeback before we went here. Have you eat something? You can eat with us."
"Ah... Honestly I promised Josh to have a dinner together. But I didn't know you guys would be here. Maybe I will join him to eat outside..."
"Why not inviting him here? Join us."
"I don't know if it's a good idea...."
"I'm sure everything will be fine. Right Taylor?" He step on Taylor's feet, almost makes him squeak from it. "Yupppp. Uh... That is totally fine." Sam smiles slightly and then take out her phone. "I'll call him then."
"Sure."

She gets up and walks to her room to make a call while Nate is staring at Taylor. "Don't do anything bad. No insulting, no sarcasms, no intimidating. Understand? We want to befriend Sam again."
"Yeahhh. I know. No need to stomp my feet."
"Good."
"Umm... You think he's a good person?"
"Who?"
"Her new boyfriend..."
"Taylor, please..."
"Yeah, yeah, sorry. I can't help." When Taylor and Nate are talking, Dave pokes at them. "Sssh. She's coming. Get your shit together."

Sam coming out from her room and back to her seat. "He will be here in 8 minutes."
"Great." Both Dave and Taylor say it at the same time. Nate chuckles a little bit before turn to Sam again. "He lives around here?"
"No. His parents not from around here. He currently lives alone with one of his friend. Sometimes stay at John's too."
"Oh, I see. He's close with John, isn't he?"
"Yeah. They got a collaboration before. And he was the touring guitarist for the band on their previous tour. And well... Now about to replace John."
"What? He quit?" It's kinda shocked both Taylor and Dave. They remember to went on tour with Chili Peppers for their first album after John rejoined the band. "Yes. He planned it quite a while though, but recently being official. I kinda feel that Josh feels the pressure all over his shoulder and. That's a big shoes to fill in."
"Yeah. People love John. But if the band choose him, there must be a good reason."
"Yes. I hope so. He's so timid, I feel like he doesn't really believe in himself."

For the next minutes, Sam keep looking to her phone while they are chit chat with each other. She's kinda afraid that Josh will not get along with them. Then someone is knocking on the door which is obviously Josh.
"Sam, it's me." She stands up and leaving the band to open the door.

"Hey, umm... Sorry I changed the plan. They asked me to invite you so..."
"No, that's fine."
"You're really okay with this? I mean if you don't want to..." Josh cut her and smile, "Sam, don't worry. I'm good ."
"Okay then. Just...come in.."

Both of them walks in and meet the band, while Chris is serving the food for everyone. Right when Josh see Taylor, he gulps a bit and accidentally squeeze Sam's hand. "What happened?" She whisper in his ear as he's constantly looks down. "Nothing... It's just, he's cool and else. I'm not going near....."
"Stop it Josh. You're good. Look at me. You're good. Trust me." She put her arm and lingers to his waist, let him know that she's with him.

"Everyone, this is Josh. Josh...this is Dave, Chris, Nate, and Taylor."
"Hi. Nice to see you." He smiles shyly and then looks at Sam. "I'm...here because Sam told me you guys invited me..."
"That's right. Please sit down Josh. You did it with us for quite a while. Don't worry about these guys." Chris welcomed Josh with a warm smile and let him to sit along with Sam.

After he's getting comfortable, each of them start to take the food. "How's day Josh?" Dave get into the conversation so it's not always Chris who's talking to Josh. "Umm.. great. Jamming and else."
"I heard you play with Chad and the boys. Is that true?"
"Ah, yes. It's kind of... A big challenge. John is great." He humbly praise his predecessor with a huge smile. He's genuinely loves John's musical works. "I'm sure they choose you for a reason. Look at Chris, we choose him for a reason." He says, makes Sam and both Chris giggles.

"Yeah right... But almost kicked him out because of Pat Smear."
"Alright, alright, but we didn't." Dave smirks, and scratch his head. "The point is, you might feel the need to compete the person before you. But you don't need that. Just bring the best you cold get. That's all."
"Yes. You're right. Thanks Dave."

"Oh, wait. Actually, I think I once heard you playing.... With PJ Harvey." Nate suddenly remember after thinking for awhile. "You're good at what you're doing. Keep it up!" Josh is kind of blushing from Nate's words. "You recognized me? I'm truly flattered. Thanks."
"No, no, no. Don't thank me. You deserve that. Talent speaks."
"What did I told you?" Sam now smiles widely to Josh and pinch his cheeks.

Below the table, Dave is kicking Taylor's feet. Because he's the one who hasn't said a thing to Josh. "Uh, yeah, unm... You did a great job." Taylor is trying hard not to be jealous on how Sam place her palms on Josh's cheeks. "Thanks, Taylor. And all of you. Really... Josh is always kind of shy and I always try to tell him that he's good at what he's doing but he won't listen. Maybe if it's someone who's in this music industry for so long, Josh will somehow believe it."
"Yeah, I know how it feel though. Dave really taught me how to value myself." Taylor then looks at Josh, with a sincere vibe. "Trust me, sometimes you just don't know how you get all these opportunities, but the truth is, we deserve it because we're better than what we know."

"That is actually pretty convincing. I trust you." Josh smiles and then looks at Taylor, directly. "Thanks. I really appreciate that."