Love and Leather

Chapter 42: Time for Change

*this chapter is pretty much the whole time spent in rehab*

I woke up the next morning in Nikki's bed, fully clothed and with a headache. I have done too much crying the last twenty four hours.

Nikki's spot was empty, as every bad thought started running through my mind. Naturally, I looked in the closet first, but he wasn't there.

"Nikki?" I called out for him as I walked out of the bedroom and too the stairs. I peered over the banister, but I didn't see him.

I walked to the doors that lead to his backyard, "Where the hell is he?" I mumbled to myself. I walked into the kitchen, stopping in my tracks when I saw a dozen red roses.

I exhaled when I walked over, seeing there was a piece of ripped out notebook paper with my name on it:

Hey doll,

I left early this morning, you were sleeping hard so I didn't want to wake you. I'm heading to rehab with the boys, we're going to Betty Ford. Alice Cooper fucking went here! How sick is that!

I rolled my eyes, but wiped the tears away. Why couldn't he just wake me up to say bye? I continued reading the note.

I left my house key hanging up by the car keys. I'd be less stressed if you stayed, or consider staying while I was away. To make sure the house is taken care of. You don't have too, you can just pop in every couple of days if you wanted too...

I don't know how long I'll be gone. It's not gonna be a thirty days thing that's for sure. I'm gonna get better for myself, the band and for you. I'll see you when I get out of Hell. I'll call in a few days after I get situated.

I love and miss you already, Van.

-Nikki Sixx

I sighed, tossing the letter back onto the counter. What am I suppose to do in this big 'ol mansion without him? And why couldn't he just wake me up so I could say goodbye to him?

*a week later*

I plopped down on the couch after almost two hours of trying to clean his place up. Eight bags of trash, multiple bottles of cleaning solution and I don't even know how many rolls of paper towels, his house still wasn't clean. Who knew one guy living alone could destroy such a nice house, but then again...it's Nikki Sixx we're talking about here. I closed my eyes for a quick second, groaning as I was interrupted by the doorbell.

I walked over to the door, my smile fading away when Slash stood on Nikki's doorstep. I noticed under his black sunglasses and curly hair a smirk was playing along his lips as he looked at me up and down.

"Is Sixx home? Or is he um...is he dead?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck. I stared awkwardly, remembering the last time I saw him, I was on the brink of orgasm before Nikki came in like a bat out of hell.

I shook my head, leaning against the front door, "No, he left for rehab a few days ago."

"He's alive? It isn't just a rumor?" He seemed skeptical, I nodded in reassurance,
"Yeah, no he's alive. The paramedic was apparently a fan and wouldn't let him go so easily." I explained as he became quiet, I think he was taking it all in since Nikki did say he was at the hotel room when he overdosed.