Chapter 27

Richie stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower to wash the sweat and grub the show had left on him, he told em he be right out , shimming out of his jeans , they pooled on the floor , along with his shirt,  Shit my stash ,better get it out before Em finds it .  He bent over , picked up his jeans digging for the small bag,  “Where the fuck ? “ he practically shouted “I know I put in this pocket , now where the fuck is it ? “ panicking he searched through all the other pockets , even his shirt.  “FUCK!! “ he shouted then yanked the door open and quickly passed a dumbfounded Em , not even shooting her a passing glance , picked up the phone and dialed Alec.


“Hey man , you know earlier when we talked ? “

“Hey bro what’s up , Yea I do what’s goin’ on “

“It’s missing can’t find it anywhere ? “ Richie rambled

“What you mean you can’t find it I saw you stick it in your right pocket. I have no more til I can get a hold of Brian “ Alec replied

“I can’t believe its fuckin’ gone , I didn’t do anything other than -- “ He paused turning slowly as he recalled Em’s sudden urge to play kissy face then her rush to the restroom “Look Al gotta run I got something to take care of “ Richie hung up then faced Em

“Did you do what I think you did ? “ His voice dark filled with anger

Emmie stood near the dresser, watching Richie's every move since he’d come rushing out of the bathroom. Oh he was angry, she almost cringed but kept her face a cool mask of innocence. “I’m sorry? What do you think I did Richie?”

RIchie tried to remain calm , as he slowly walked over to her “ Did you reach in my pocket and take something out of it ? “

She gave a light hearted little laugh as she quickly changed into her comfortable sweat shirt and pulled her hair back at the nape of her neck. “Why would I do that Richie? Did ya get me a surprise or something?” Just play dumb Emmie, Just play dumb and he’ll never know. She silently prayed. She knew he’d be upset it was gone but she didn’t think he’d be this upset! His eyes were dark pools and getting darker by the minute. She paused and pretended to look at him as if seeing for the first time how upset he was. “Is something wrong? What’s wrong Richie?”

“Em , don’t lie to me ! IT had to be you , I know how you felt about me having my pick me up . so it could only be you ? What did you do with it ? “ Richie’s spoke calmly but the tone was anything but calm.

Emmies eyes narrowed. He had the nerve to tell HER not to lie? Her foot started tapping a fast cadence while she willed herself to think before she spoke. “So, who is lying to who then?”

“Don’t change the subject, but to answer your question yes I did , I see nothing with a pick me up for fucks sake ! I tried to do it for you but this life is fucking hard so I use it now and again so the fuck what !! Who are you to come in and try and change me ? “ Richie shouted

Her shoulders slumped and she sighed. She knew he couldn’t see what it did to him, he thought he was just fine. But, she could see how different he was with it. The mood swings, the constant go , go , go then the sudden crash. Hell that's how she became suspicious that he was using again! The last time he’d crashed he’d scared her near to death. He wouldn’t wake up. She’d been just about to run down the hall to get Jon he had her that scared. But then he’d come out of it. “I don’t know... I don’t know Richie who am I, why don’t you tell me!” she said a bit harsher than she intended.

RIchie shook his head “ Fuck if I know , you come in my life , try and change me . I didn’t expect that from you but then I should have known . A snooty girl from the Rodeo Drive . Next thing you know I’ll be not doin’ what I love and shuffling paperwork for the Senator  “ He spat each word with such a venomous tone.

Emmie huffed. As if she’d ever ask him to do such a thing! “You know what you big spoiled jersey brat, Fuck you!” She felt her anger rising. Her profanity shocked her but she couldn’t hold it any longer. “Fuck you and your God Damn drugs! I’m sorry if I CARED enough to try to keep you from KILLING yourself, it’s obvious to me that you don’t give a damn so why should I?!?!” She crossed her arms defiantly in front of her and prayed the tears threatening would just stay back.

Richie glared , stormed over to his bag , shimmied into his jeans , snatched a shirt and slid it on “ You knew comin’ here what life was like I warned you . YOU  said you could handle it ! Did you lie then too ?? I Knew you were too young -- why couldn’t you just leave things the fuck be ! You know be seen and not heard “ He growled as he slid into his shoes , grabbed his key .  “Fuck you too babe ! “

He stormed to the door , whipped it open so hard it , Em could swear it was gonna come off its hinges then slammed it just as hard “Doc for once may have been right “ He yelled as he made his way down the hall and to the elevator.

Emmie stared after him, the slam of the door resounded in her head. Her mouth hung open. Did he really just SAY that? Seen and not heard? What the hell was that? too young? She was too young? He was the one acting like an insolent teen with anger management issues! She frowned then bent down to pick up her high heel and slammed it at the closed door. “Bite me Sambora!” she growled to no one but the empty room. She walked over to the door and threw the slider lock into place. Just try to come back in here tonight babe, just try I dare ya.

With the drama over she let her anger fade and the tears fell softly, silently. She made her way to the big empty bed and slid under the covers. It was a long time before sleep finally found her.

Richie sat at the bar, waving the bartender over for another round, of the burning auburn liquid sustenance that was totally numbing his mind to the fact , Em and He had just had a major blowout , Damn her anyway , why the fuck she try to change him ? Was he that bad now ? Questions swirled around his head , as he quickly downed another glass. No girl in his life complained before about his extracurricular activities . IF he didn’t love the girl so much , he would have told her to leave but needless to say he did .

After a few more glasses , he threw some cash on the bar , unsteadily made his way back upstairs, knowing he probably be better to crash somewhere else  he walked on the elevator. where could he crash , Jon wasn’t in -- he was the only one to know , he was skipping out for those two days--so he was off the list . Alec thats where .

Once off the elevator , he drunkenly stumbled to Alec’s door and knocked . He may not have his pick me up but he’s liable to have something to numb the pain and anger he was feeling right now..