Finding the Way | 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿

Chapter 16

John wasn't quite pleased as he entered her flat, once he came back from the tour and saw her sleeping sitting on the floor and with her head over the coffee table in the living room. Bottles of beer scattered all around the place, and the ashtray was full. She was hitting bottom now, and he knew it as he heard her snore softly and mumble something in her sleep.

They came back earlier as Brian felt sick, probably a Hepatitis case as he was as yellow as Audrey's favorite dress.

He didn't want to wake her up yet, so he cleaned in silence the whole living room with his thoughts filled with worry and regret. Did he go fast with the marriage? He stared back at his cousin as she didn't move, not even a muscle, but he knew she was going to be sore from sleeping at that position.

Deaky gasped at the sight of the fridge, which was empty as hell and shook his head. Would it be right to look after her again? She was a full-grown adult, but he knew things were never easy for her, since her family background and her lack of real friends in school. Would she be upset if he told the boys about it? Maybe Freddie would overreact and Brian would try to speak her out from whatever was going on, but he didn't trust Roger that much, not after he saw how lovingly Roger was looking at her and his heart grew even bigger in worry.

Did something happen between them? -No way!- he thought while sighing and ending his cleaning duty for the morning. 

He went to Audrey and nudged her softly. "Hey, Aud", he said in a low voice.

"What?", she wasn't in the mood, and the hangover made her feel sick whenever she opened her eyes. It would feel like a living hell.

"Wait, don't open your eyes yet", he said and then stood up to run upstairs and bring her some sunglasses he found on her night table. "Here", he put it on her face, and then she opened her eyes with a big frown on her face. 

"Don't ask", was everything she said about the state he found her.

"Just came by to ask you if you were coming to the studio today, we start today, remember?"

"Ah, yes", she said nonchalantly as then she moved her neck, and it made a cracking noise. "FUCK!"

Deaky giggled. "You have your own bed, why sleeping here?", he then saw the pages full of writing and blots on it. But she pulled them out of his sight and awkwardly stood up, her body sore from the position she slept in.

"Bloody hell—", but she soon was okay as she was out and eating breakfast with her cousin in their usual coffee shop, they remembered the old days, when they were new around there and laughed at it.

"I remember the first time you ate a waffle and hated it but then on the next day you asked for it again", Deaky was having the time of his life, remembering things. They talked a lot about their U.S experience and how everyone enjoyed the true life of a rockstar. She remembered the pictures she got with Mott the Hoople and she was so glad she could at least make it for the local shows.

Audrey stared at Deaky with loving eyes, knowing that she loved her cousin so much that most of her good memories were filled with him and his old awkward self. "I'm so happy for you, John", she suddenly said, startling John as he felt it weird that she said his name instead of Deaky or Deaks being sober. "I really am, I mean, look at ya! Having a rising band and marrying someone you love - you make me jealous, mate"

"You shouldn't be jealous, Aud", he said and sipped his coffee, burning his tongue and making her laugh at him. "These things don't come easy, every good thing comes with a compromise"

She rolled her eyes and drank her orange juice. "Why would the songs and books lie to me? I haven't ever felt anything for anyone", but she knew she was telling a white lie as the ocean eyes filled her mind once again. Deaky sensed some self-distrust in her words and raised an eyebrow, teasingly.