Tiger Teeth - Terms & Conditions // Book Two

Chapter 3

I rushed through my set.  I couldn't help it.  I wanted, no needed to get back to Chroi.  She had been fine during her performance but I knew she wasn't alright and I felt like I was the only one who knew that.  I said goodbye and I practically ran off stage, my guitar still hanging off my shoulders.

I ran like I was trying to win a marathon, my lungs burned with each breath into them.  She needed me.  I knew it.  I could feel it.

My feet slowed to a stop until I halted altogether when I saw Chroi's head thrown back in laughter while she fell against Myer.

The rage that flowed through me was instant.  God, I hated that son of a bitch. 

How on earth had the girl I'd just seen on stage, all innocent and needy and unsure be this girl who was laughing like nothing had happened?  It occurred to me then, I'd done to her what Anna had done to me.  I'd taken a relationship she thought she was sure of and I made it trivial and unimportant.  And rather than let anyone know how badly it had affected her?  She was acting. 

I marched towards her, my fingers wrapped around her elbow,

"We need to talk."  I ordered as I led her into her dressing room.

I closed the door behind me and locked it knowing full well she would be seething when I turned around.  I wasn't wrong.

"What the fuck?"  She fumed.

I held my hand up,

"What the fuck? I can't do that.  I'm an asshole...yadda yadda...Anythin' else?"

I could see her hands ball up into fists.  I wasn't trying to be rude - well maybe a little - I just wanted to get past the boring part of the conversation where we go back and forth about how she doesn't wanna talk to me when I know she does.

I'd caught her off guard though.  She didn't answer. 

I took that as my opportunity to continue,

"What is goin' on?"  I asked it with as much compassion as I could muster but it came out sounding demanding.

Her arms folded over her chest in defiance,

"What?"

"You are gettin' worse.  Ya think you're hidin' it...But I see it.  And if ya don't get it under control other people are gonna start t'see it too."

For a split second I saw fear pass over her features.  She quickly recovered, tightening her arms over her chest,

"You don't know what you're talking about?"

"Don't I?"  I stepped towards her.  My earlier trepidation and lack of confidence were gone, "I know what I saw before we went out there.  What I've seen at every show this tour.  You are terrified to go out there."

Her eyes softened a bit and I saw her bite the inside of her cheek, most likely to keep from crying.  She turned away from me, her head shaking,

"You can't say anything."

Out of everything I just said, I couldn't believe that was her response,

"Te- I can- Who am I gonna tell?  Everyone on this fuckin' tour hates me!"

She flopped down on the couch, her elbows on her knees, her hands covered her mouth for a moment before she took them away.  She stared forward,

"I'm working on it."

I was again shocked.  Was she talking to me?  Finally?

"What can I do?"  I asked. 

I instantly regretted it when her eyes narrowed as they fell on my frame,