FicWad

When we returned to the bus I was surprised to see Christa sitting next to Ray. We hadn't known she was joining the tour. The last time I'd talked to Ray he'd said she wasn't going to be able to meet up with him until the last two dates. As Gee and I walked onto the bus they both looked up. No smiles greeted us and I had a sinking feeling something was wrong.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Gerard asked.
“Just fine.” Ray answered standing up. Christa also stood and they made their way towards the door of the bus. As soon as they were out of ear shot Gerard turned to me.
“Is it just me or did they seem upset?”
“It wasn’t just you.” I confirmed. “Wonder what’s wrong?”
Before Gee could answer Mikey and Alicia came from the back of the bus. We talked a few minutes before I asked.
“So when did Christa get here?”
As we all took seats then Alicia answered, “Last night when we got back to the bus from the party Ray got a call from her. He picked her up at the airport early this morning.”
“They seemed upset when we walked in.” Gerard said.
Mikey nodded, “Yeah, I’m not sure what’s going on but Ray was in a great mood before he left. When he got back it was obvious he wasn’t happy.”
“Think they had a fight?” I asked.
“No, I don’t think so.” Alicia answered. “They seem pretty tight.”
I could tell by the look on his face that Gerard was worried. I tired to lighten the conversation. “So what did you kids do after the party?”
Alicia smiled, “We came back here, grabbed our stuff then stayed in a hotel too but we got back early this morning. My boy here woke up and needed his Starbucks so we stopped on the way back so he could have his fix.”
Gerard was still dwelling on what was wrong. “Maybe I should go talk Ray.” He said more to himself than anyone else.
I put my hand on his arm, “Hey, maybe you should let him and Christa spend some time together.”
“Yeah.” Mikey agreed, “Besides we got the Meet and Greet in less than an hour. Think you should change clothes, maybe?” He laughed. Gee and I were still wearing the clothes we’d worn to the awards ceremony.
“I guess.” He turned to me, “I’m gonna take a quick shower then head over to the venue. You still tired?”
I nodded. I was very tried and a nap sounded like a good idea. “I’m gonna lay down.” I turned to Alicia. “Wake me up before the concert?”
“Sure.” She smiled, “No problem.”
I stood, went back to the bunk and slipped into my sweats. As tired as I was I had trouble falling asleep. Something was definitely up with Ray and Christa and I hadn’t missed the angry look they had both given Gerard as they’d left the bus.

"Hey Laura time to wake up." Alicia said poking me in the ribs until I opened my eyes and laughed.
"Stop." I giggled. "I'm awake."
"Good cause I'm bored and need someone to talk to." She kidded in a whinny tone.
I sat up and yawned, "Couldn't you talk to Christa?"
Alicia rolled her eyes, "Not likely. She and Ray are stuck together like glue. Shit, even during the Meet and Greet she sat in a chair behind him."
I was very surprised. It was rare that girlfriends of wives appeared at the Meet and Greets. I had because I'd run them but for Christa to sit behind Ray, well, that was weird. "So what's up with them?"
Alicia stood back so I could get out of the bunk. "Don't know. Mikey said that Ray is acting really weird. I saw Gee try to talk to him but Ray must have said something that upset Gee because he had a strange look on his face when he walked away."
Immediately I was worried about my husband. "Gee's backstage?" I asked popping into the bathroom to brush my hair.
"Yeah, I told him I was gonna come get you and he thanked me." She waited until I slipped on my shoes then asked, "Hey, I gotta tell you something before we head over there."
I didn't like the sound of her voice. "What?" I asked holding my breath.
"Eve is here for the concert."
"What?"
"Yeah, I saw her heading back stage with a bunch of record people."
"Well shit." I said grabbing my hoodie. "What the fuck is she here for?"
Alicia shrugged, "Probably here to annoy Gerard."
"Why the hell can she get backstage?"
"Cause she has so many friends at Reprise." Alicia answered with a sigh.
"Let's get over there." I said with determination. I didn't want that woman anywhere near my husband.

We quickly crossed the parking lot and entered the arena through the backstage door. There was a large group of people milling around.
"These California concerts are always like this." Alicia said loudly so I could hear over all the noise. "One big party."
I noticed that liquor seemed to be flowing freely. My eyes immediately sought out Gerard. He and Mikey were standing against a wall talking to some people I didn't recognize. He smiled as we neared the group.
"Hey, Sugar." He said putting his arm around my shoulder.
I smiled into his eyes, "Hey, yourself." Mikey wandered off with Alicia and Gee introduced me to the three men he has been talking with. They all worked for Reprise.
Suddenly I spotted Eve across the room. She wandered over smiling and it was hard for me not to growl but I smiled sweetly and placed my arm around Gee's waist.
Eve joined the group and as I looked at her closely. It was obvious she'd been drinking. Oh hell, this could turn ugly. I glanced at the clock on the wall wishing it was time for the concert to begin. I really wanted to get Gerard out of here.
"So Laura, good to see you again." She gave my sweats a look of distain. Shit I should have changed but I’d been in too much of a hurry to get to Gerard.
I gave her a fake smile, "Eve, it's so nice to see you." Damn woman looked beautiful.
Gerard's arm tightened on my shoulder.
"You know I have to admit I miss this." Eve said with a slight frown.
"This?" Gerard asked.
Eve shook her head, "Yeah, traveling on tour, backstage, you know...this."
The three other men excused themselves leaving just Eve, Gerard and me. Gerard waited until they turned away to speak to Eve. "You know you always hated traveling on the bus. You hated going on tour with me."
Eve blinked. "That's not true, Gee. I loved it. Maybe I just never told you but it's true."
Okay it wasn't ladylike but I snorted. I remembered very well the conversation I'd overheard in which she bitched about the tour bus and the tour.
Eve took a drink while keeping her eyes on my husband. She didn't need anymore to drink and she most definitely didn't need to stare at my husband. I could feel my anger rising. I didn't know what she was up to but whatever it was we didn't need this shit.
"Gee, remember that time in New York when we went shopping and got caught in the rainstorm? I thought about that the other night when I came across that volume of poems you bought me."
"I remember." Gerard said in a low voice.
"Good times." Eve took another drink. "You know we had a lot of good time, Gee. I miss them."
"Well all good things must pass." I said breaking in to this little walk down memory lane.
Eve just smiled, "Oh don't worry, Laura. I'm not trying to steal away your husband. Shit, someone like Troy would have a better chance at that."
Gerard's body tensed. So maybe I had been on to something thinking about a link between Troy and Eve. I spoke up. "You know about Troy, don't you?"
Eve's drink was gone and her eyes were looking around the room for another. "What?" She glanced over at me. "Of course I know about Gee and Troy." She laughed, "Shit, anyone who ever saw them together could see how close they are."
"Are?" I said looking at her closely. Was it possible she didn't know about Troy's death? Gerard's arm dropped from my shoulder and I gave him a worried look.
Eve was still looking around for another drink. I gave Gee a tight squeeze before speaking. "Eve, Troy is dead."
That got her attention. "What?"
I nodded, "He's dead." Judging by the look on her face she was either a very good actress or she was truly shocked.
"He's dead?" She was looking at Gerard not me.
Gee nodded, "Yeah, he is."
"When? What happened?" She sputtered.
"A few weeks ago." Gerard answered, "While we were on break."
"Shit." She muttered. "What happened?"
"He was found in his apartment. I think drugs played a part in his death." Gee's voice was low and I saw that she was straining to hear him.
"Holy shit." Eve said looking down.
I wondered why Troy's death seemed to upset her so much. I had a feeling she and Troy had been more than just passing acquaintances. "I didn't realize you knew Troy so well." I said staring at her.
She looked up at me and I saw a look on her face I didn't understand. "It's just a shock." She finally answered. A man I didn't know appeared at her side and handed her another drink. She thanked him and took a long swallow. He smiled at her then walked away. She waited until he was gone to attack. "Gee, I'm sorry for your loss."
Gerard's face showed no emotion. "My loss?"
Eve took another drink then smiled, "Yes, your loss. I know what Troy meant to you."
Okay, I didn't like this conversation. "Gee, we need to go." I said dropping my arm from his waist and grabbing his hand.
"Oh Laura, don't be like that. Come on I'm sure you knew about the relationship between the two of them. Hell, I'll admit it was pretty hot watching them fuck."
"Shut the fuck up." Gerard took a step towards her before I could stop him.
Eve laughed, "Well it's true."
"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about." Gerard spat.
"Oh, poor Gee. You mean you don't remember? " It was so fucking obvious Eve was enjoying herself. She looked at me, "See Laura I've known your husband a long time. Probably longer then you know. That time in New York we were talking about happened years ago. Gee was much more fun then. He liked to party a lot." She took a step closer to me and it took all my willpower not to slap her face. "He and Troy were fun boys together. I always liked watching how Troy would turn Gee into his bitch."
"Shut up." Gerard said loud enough for several people nearby to turn. “I was never with him while you were around.”
She laughed, “Oh Honey. You really don’t remember, do you? Man, I knew you were wasted back then but not to that extent. I can assure you more than once I saw you and Troy together. He knew just how to turn you on.”
I knew I had to get him away from her.
Eve finished off her drink and laughed, "It's true darling and you know it. I liked watching you go down on Troy." Her tone changed and the venom in her voice was loud and clear, "If only I could have gotten you to do some of the things to me that you did to Troy our relationship might have worked out."
I pulled on Gee's hand. "Let's go." I whispered.
He twisted his hand from mine and I was shocked by the anger I saw on his face. "What do you want?" He said to Eve. "What the fuck do you want from me?"
Eve smiled, "Want? I don't want anything Gerard except to see you squirm. It makes me happy."
"I never did anything to hurt you." Gerard said, "You knew I didn't love you. You knew the truth about our relationship."
His words made Eve snap. "Oh fuck yeah, I knew the truth." She shouted.
Once again I noticed people were turning to stare at us.
Eve's voice rose. "I knew the truth still I looked the other way. But what happened? Shit this little bitch comes along and takes my place."
Oh fuck my stomach flipped. I was going to be sick.
"Eve, sorry to interrupt but there are some fans outside that know you're here and want to meet you." Jenny said touching Eve's arm.
At first I thought she was going to ignore Jenny but suddenly she seemed to regain her control, "Fans?”
Jenny nodded, "Yeah, they said they love the songs they heard on the radio from your upcoming CD and would like to meet you."
"Oh, well that's nice." Eve absentmindedly touched her hair as if to make sure it was in place. I noticed she was wobbly as Jenny took her arm to steady her. "Lead the way."
Shit, Jenny's timing was perfect. I wondered if she'd come for Eve to stop what was going on. When she glanced back at me I saw the look in her eyes. That was indeed what she'd done. She led Eve across the room and out into the hallway.
"Fuck." Gerard muttered leaning back against the wall.
I stood in front of him and spoke quietly, "You've got to get your emotions under control. Lots of people are still watching."
He continued to look down not meeting my eyes.
"Gee, I'm serious. The bitch did this purposely to you hoping you'd react like this. She was trying to upset you. Don't let her win."
"Fuck I never realized how much she hates me." He said so quietly I had to move closer to hear his words.
"No, you're wrong. She hates me." I said softly. "She hates that you're mine."
He shook his head, "Why would she care? She's right. I was never a man for her."
I took his face in between my hands and made him look at me. "Gee, she hates that you're my man."
"Bro, time to hit the stage." Mikey said walking up to us. He stopped and looked at us. "You guys okay?"
I was still looking deep into Gerard's eyes. "We're okay, aren't we?"
He didn't answer. Instead his lips crashed down on mine. When we broke apart Mikey laughed, "Yeah, you guys are okay."