Facing me, p.20
Facing Me, page 20
“You don’t think…” He doesn’t even have time to finish the thought before Aiden shouts for Mack to get to the hospital. Mack turns the curve at damn near racing speed, the engine roaring up the ramp to the highway while Aiden brings up the address for the nearest hospital on his phone.
“I don’t understand how anyone could have gotten that close to any of us.” Gray mutters, “It doesn’t make any sense, why Hunter? I thought Tad was after Daisy, maybe even me, but not Hunter.”
“How many times did Hunter go off hinge on Tad, Grasyon?” Daisy shouts, burying her face in her hands. “He stuck up for me time after time with Tad. Shit, he saved my life. If…”
“Nobody better fuckin’ say it.” I shout, unable to hear the words. I just tell Mack to floor it and to hell with the red lights. “If no one is coming, run the damn things. I don’t know what is going on but the police better get their shit straight.” I announce, grabbing my phone from my pocket to dial 9-1-1.
By the time Mack pulls up at the Emergency Room entrance, everyone in the car is frantic. Everyone except Hunter, who, no matter what we try to do, can’t seem to wake up. His breathing is steady, but still so shallow, though his pulse seems normal. Henry flings Hunter over his shoulder like a sack of flour, trudging through the doors while I try to keep up. “Help, I think he was slipped something at a club.” I blurt making it up to the desk.
The nurse jumps up, running around the desk. “Follow me sir.” She says to Henry, who says nothing. He just follows her through the double doors. I wrap my arms around myself, fear chilling me to the bone. At every turn, it seems everything is falling apart. Aiden’s strong arms surround me, his face diving into my hair, inhaling deeply.
“Hunter will be okay.” He whispers, but I’m not sure if he is saying it for me or himself.
Turning to face Aiden, I wrap my arms around his neck, drawing my comfort from him. Sending up silent prayers that he is right and hoping that if Tad is behind all of this, he is caught soon. None of us could handle losing someone in the group and this is way too close for comfort.
Daisy paces the floor in front of a couch where Gray and Mack sit when we walk into the waiting room. “Wildflower, sit down.” Gray pleads. “It’s not helping Hunter for you to pace a traffic pattern on the carpet baby.”
“I just feel so helpless.” She replies, gritting her teeth.
The sound of a throat clearing behind me makes me jump. Turning around, Aiden and I see two uniformed officers standing at the doorway to the room. “I’m looking for those accompanying Mr. Chesterfield.” One of them says. “I’m Officer Williams.” He adds before reaching out his hand.
“I’m Camaron Allen, Shaft’s manager.” I say, “This is Hunter’s brother, Aiden. Everyone else that was with us is over there as well, minus Henry, he’s in back with Hunter.” I explain.
“Do we know anything yet?” Aiden asks.
“No, Mr. Chesterfield, we don’t, not yet. We are waiting on the lab work to come back to know for sure.” Officer Williams replies. “I know y’all are worried about him, but we need to know what happened tonight. After Officer Ward and I take each of your statements, we can hopefully figure out what occurred. The doctor and nurses are with your brother now, we should know something soon.”
“Did you even go to the club?” Daisy huffs in frustration.
“We have an officer there now, ma’am. He is pulling security tape and talking with the employees, or anyone who may have seen something. If there’s anything there, we’ll get it. The quicker we get your statements the better.” Officer Ward chimes in. Daisy nods in agreement, leaving the officers to begin their questions with her and Grayson.
Aiden and I are last to talk with the police since we were filling out paperwork, while Henry is back with Hunter. Officer Williams sits in the chair across from us, leaving Officer Ward to stand behind him. “So, did you notice Mr. Chesterfied acting out of character?” Williams asks.
“No, he was fine. He had lemonade with his dinner, I only saw him with one beer the whole night.” I answer. “Then, not thirty minutes later, I found him in the bathroom. The ladies bathroom.” I emphasize. “He was mumbling, slurring, but hadn’t had enough time in my absence to get that intoxicated. I’m sure of it.”
“So, in the bathroom was he disoriented?” Ward asks, meeting my eyes.
“Yes,” I nod to drive the point home. “He was staggering, nearly fell once before he actually did.” Standing up, I throw my hands up in frustration. “I’ve seen the man down a bottle of Tequila and walk a straight line in a sobriety test. Never have I seen him so off-kilter. This wasn’t just alcohol and you all know it! You shouldn’t be here still questioning us. You should be out looking for Tad.” I shout. Aiden stands grabbing my shoulders in an effort to calm me but it does little good.
“After what everyone has said, that is what we are leaning toward ma’am, but we need proof. That’s what we’re hoping to get from the doctor and, hopefully, the club. The best thing for you to do is remain calm.” Ward replies, making me want to scream.
“Calm,” I huff angrily. “Tell me how we do that? That lunatic is getting too close! Damaging our bus, instruments, now Hunter. When is it going to end?”
A low growl rumbles in Aiden’s chest, encouraging me to push the issue further. “If this were you and your family, officer, is this how you would handle it?” I ask, hanging onto my calm by a thread. “Please understand our concern. This is my family; all we want is for this to be over. We’ve all shared everything with you. I’ll show you the text messages and everything. Besides, we’ve filed a report earlier today for the vandalism.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that Ms. Allen.” Williams says, standing. “Though according to the Highway Patrol, they didn’t believe it was Mr. Johnson who broke into your bus. We have to start from here. Is there anyone we can call for you?”
“No,” Aiden sighs, “Everyone that matters is already here.” He replies, sagging back to the couch, pulling me with him. We sit for a long time, no one saying a word. Williams and Ward take calls, and write things in their notepads, sharing nothing with us. After nearly two hours of waiting and going damn stir crazy, a doctor walks out of the double doors. I jump to my feet, along with everyone else. Aiden shakes his hand when he reaches us. “Is he okay?”
The doctor nods, “Yes, he should be just fine. He really had minimal alcohol in his system. The blood work, however, shows traces of Hydroxybutyric acid.” He says gauging our reaction. “By the look on your face, I assume one of two things, either Mr. Chesterfield was experimenting with the drug without your knowledge or he didn’t know he had received it.”
“Hydroxybutyric?” Mack asks, running a hand over his head. “As in G.H.B.? Some bitch slipped him the date rape drug?”
“Hunter has never touched drugs doctor.” Aiden says surely. “That’s something he just wouldn’t do.”
“Aiden’s right,” Gray adds. “We all live in such close quarters there is no way he could use without us knowing about it. He was drugged.”
The doctor nods. “Well, hopefully he will come around soon and we can see if he remembers anything. Chances are, though, he won’t.” He says, shaking his head. “Often times, there are severe memory gaps. I’ll let you know when he wakes up. If there are no lingering issues, we can clear him and see about discharge.”
Yanking my phone out of my pocket, I start to dial Tuesday so that we can cancel the show. I don’t see a way out of this. There is no real way that Hunter can possibly be on point tonight. “I’ll call Tuesday.”
“And tell her what?” Aiden asks, yanking the phone from my hand. “If something like this happens, you deal with it. We can’t just drop this and you know it Cam. What would Abby say if we cancel twelve hours before a sound check? ‘Hi Abby, we just signed with you a week ago, but can we get a sick day?’ Think that’ll work?” His brow arches when I don’t answer. “That’s what I thought. Now, we have back-up track of each of us when needed. Gray can sing if absolutely necessary.” Aiden says confidently, looking at Gray who swallows hard before nodding in agreement.
“Then it’s settled. If Hunter can’t go on tonight, we handle it. But, we all know he will be ready, come hell or high water. He will not miss show. That arrogant bastard won’t miss a show if he doesn’t have to, Gray and I can handle it with a little help from a soundboard and our ladies.” Aiden says, tossing me back my phone, putting an end to the conversation.
After deciding none of us want to leave, we settle in on couches and chairs for a rough night. I curl up against Aiden, while Gray and Daisy take the other couch, leaving Mack to position chairs together against wall. None of us will really get any sleep like this, but how much more sleep would we get on the bus while worrying about Hunter. At least here, Henry may come out eventually and tell us something. “Sleep, Cam,” Aiden says, pulling me tight against him. Forcing my eyes to close, I settle in and try to rest even if for just a few hours.
I toss and turn for the most part, only getting in about two hours sleep, off and on. Every time the doors buzz, I jolt thinking it may be Henry. The sky is dusky pink with the upcoming dawn when Henry finally comes through the double doors, looking worse for the wear. Walking into the waiting room, he shakes his head. “Why didn’t you all go back to the bus once the doctor said Hunter was alright?” He asks, slumping into a chair. Henry scrubs his hand over his face, blowing out a breath.
“We couldn’t just leave.” Daisy says, sitting up from her make-shift bed on a couch in the corner. “Is he awake yet?”
“Yeah, awake and flirting with the nurses already.” Henry chuckles. “He doesn’t remember anything much after eating and other than a really killer ass headache, he’s seems fine.”
Aiden sighs in relief, “Can we see him?” He asks, lacing my fingers with his.
“Yeah, c’mon you two.” Henry says, pushing to his feet. “I’ll walk you back, but then I’ll get Mack to take you all back to the bus.”
Walking us down the hall, Henry stops outside a propped open door. “Right here you two.” He says, shaking his head then opens the door.
Hunter is sprawled out on the bed on his stomach, his ass bared by the backless blue gown. His eyes lighting up the moment he sees us walk into the room. “Good morning spooners, you can call off the candle light vigil in my honor, I’m gonna make it.”
“I told you dumbass, this isn’t funny.” Henry says shaking his head. “You scared the shit outta all of us. Who knows what would’ve happened if Cam hadn’t put two and two together.”
“Cam?” Hunter says, kicking his foot back and forth off the bed while he thinks only making the gown slide off, baring more of his ass. “Yeah, I remember her screaming.” He says, his eyes going wide to match his grin. “Oh yeah, she was screaming alright.”
“Look at that, he’s still a jackass.” I say, even though I can feel the blush spreading across my face. “Of all the things you could remember, that’s it huh?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Well,” He says rolling to his side, nearly giving us all a shot of the front as well. “Well, it was unforgettable. When can I get outta here?” He says looking at the clock.
“I’ll see if the doctor thinks you’re up for it.” I reply. “As for tonight…” I start, but his eyes shoot daggers at me.
“Haven’t I been through enough?” He pouts. “Don’t take my chance for peaches away from me too. Have you no sympathy? I was damn near violated.” He says, puffing out his lip.
“The police seem to believe your ass was spared,” Henry interrupts. “Camaron stumbled on you before whoever drugged you could make their move. She may have scared them off, along with Aiden coming in right behind her when you scared her.”
“I’m sorry.” Hunter says, his expression softening. “I don’t remember, but I’m sure I was a mess.” Even though he had been joking around, I can see the mix of fear and relief in his eyes. As scared as we were, I can see in his eyes that he is worried about what is happening too. If this was Tad, and I have no doubt in my mind that it is, he has already been close enough to hurt one of us, if not all of us. It’s only a matter of time before he does.
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” I reply.
“Yeah, I guess until this shit is settled we’re not leaving the bus for a while.” Aiden says, “It’s the logical thing to do anyway.”
“The logical thing to do, would be to find the fucker and rip out his throat,” Hunter growls. “That’s just how I would handle it though.” He shrugs.
“Well, the police are handling it, not you.” Henry says, ending the argument before it can start. “Get your clothes on, it’s time to roll out.”
After fighting with Hunter for twenty minutes, about how walking out in just his boots and the hospital gown is a bad idea, we all climb into the ‘Burban, anxious to get back to the bus. The doctor assured us that Hunter will be fine, giving us a list of things to watch out for and explaining the effects the drug may or may not have, as it leaves his system.
The minute Hunter climbs into the vehicle, Daisy starts squawking and fussing over him like a mother hen; and damn it if that shit isn’t loving every minute of it. “Henry we need to stop somewhere, Hunter needs to eat something.” She yells from the back seat. Gray rolling his eyes, but can’t stop his grin from spreading.
“I think he’ll survive.” Henry chuckles. “Once I get you all back to the bus, I’ll send Mack out to get food for everyone so you can try and rest some before tonight.”
“Don’t be such a pussy, Big Man.” Hunter says, flipping through the radio stations. “After we drink a few pots of coffee and I jerk off, we’re golden.”
I smile at how normal the conversation is after everything that has happened in the last two days. Leaning back in the crook of Aiden’s arm, I relax. I force myself to forget all about Tad, the concert tonight, meeting Aiden’s mom tomorrow, and everything that could happen. Even if it’s just for right now, if everything goes to shit the minute the car stops, I take my moment of comfort. Aiden sighs, wrapping his arms around me tighter, making me feel unbelievably safe. I close my eyes and let myself doze.
Chapter Fifteen
Shaft Management
*Aiden*
The minute we pull up in front of the bus, I slide out, pulling a sleeping Cam into my arms. She doesn’t even flinch. The whole night, she held her composure. Doing whatever needed to be done, and the entire time she was ready to fall apart. Hunter nearly jumps up the bus steps. His deep sleep, as he calls it, really put a jump in his step. The rest of us have barely closed our eyes and are starting to drag. Walking up the steps, I turn down the aisle and give my bunk a once over before laying Cam in it. She shifts when I cover her, but she doesn’t open her eyes. I lean down and kiss her forehead before pulling the curtain closed. I’m too wired to sleep, and as much as I want to just lie there with her, I know it will just wake her up.
Yanking my sticks and my notebook from the shelf next to my bunk, I trudge up the aisle while everyone else sleeps, showers, or whatever they plan to do until the food gets here. Plopping on the couch, I’m determined to make some sense of the lyrics swimming in my head before we start recording. “Cam asleep?” Daisy asks from the kitchen, where she digs through the pantry for snacks. “I’m not going to last on pretzels and cheese in a can.” She grunts. “Mack better hurry up with some real food.”
Walking over she sits in Hunter’s recliner with a satisfied grin before shoveling a handful of cheese covered pretzels into her mouth. “Wow, I must be starvin’ ‘cause this is really good.” She mumbles, spraying pretzel crumbs onto her shirt. “You want some?”
“No, I think I’m good,” I mutter trying not to laugh. “You know, you’re looking a lot like Hunter right now.”
Daisy points a pretzel at me, shooting blue eyed daggers at me. “Hey, you and me, we’re fighting.” She snaps playfully, then launches the pretzel at my nose. “Hunter is like a junkyard dog, he’ll eat anything.” She snaps, before squirting the cheese onto another pretzel. “I, on the other hand…”
Hunter stumbles up the aisle in just a pair of shorts, drying his hair with a towel. “Oh, baby momma! You found the can-o-crack!” He yelps, yanking the cheese from her hand and squirting it straight into his mouth. “This shit is a food group!” He fumbles around her, before flopping onto the couch. “I would remove your ass from my chair, but I spent two hours looking for that cheese yesterday, so consider it your free pass. I can’t wait to squirt this on my bacon.” His words are barely understandable through the massive amount of cheese in his mouth.
“You are such a pig.” Daisy mumbles, spitting pretzels. “Have some manners.”
I look at Daisy then roar with laughter. “Yeah, nothing like him.” I tease with a wink before looking over at my brother. “So, you plannin’ to tell me what the hell happened with Chase?” I ask, making Daisy’s eyes perk up.
“Yeah,” Hunter says, running a hand through his shaggy dark brown hair. Looking anywhere but at Daisy or me, he blows out a breath. “Bitch told me she loved me.”
“I fucking knew it!” Cam shouts, barreling out of the bunk, scaring the shit out of all three of us. “I knew it! She finally admitted it and scared you stupid didn’t she?” Cam, perches on the arm of Hunter’s recliner, grabbing a handful of pretzels from the bag. “What’s the big deal, Hunter?”
“You don’t know me!” Hunter shouts, a possessive growl rumbles up in my chest. Looking at me, his shoulders slump in defeat, “Agh, shit. She told me she loved me; I was floored. No one, other than Daisy, has ever said that to me before. Then, when she fell asleep, some fucker named Mitch sent her a text. He said how excited he was to see her, how much he was missing her, and that he would be at the airport waiting.” Cam and Daisy both are stunned silent. “Yeah, and I had asked her to come with us to Macon just before she fell asleep, too. So, when she woke up I told her to go back to Vegas. That I had made a mistake asking her to come with us,” He shrugs, “Chase got upset, we fought, I said shit that I didn’t mean, and then she left.”
