Believed (My Misery Muse) (2 page)

Chapter 2

Jules

“No,” I said adamantly.

“Jules, it’d only be for a few weeks.  Just until
the police find him,” Devi said.

“Or we do,” growled Max while he glared at me.

I looked down and fidgeted with the sleeves of the
long sleeve shirt I was wearing.

“No,” I said quietly.

“Why not, Jules?  You’d be safe, he won’t be able
to get to you there.  It would give everyone time to get the situation under
control without you getting hurt.” I could hear the again she’d left off.

“I’ve already caused enough trouble,” I said
quietly, “just let me go.  I’ll go someplace on my own, I don’t want to drag
you into this more,” I said and looked up at Devi pleading.  “I don’t want
anyone to get hurt because of me.”

“He’s not going to hurt any of us,” Cris said
staring at me.  “He’s just going to keep coming after you to get what he wants,
though.”

I swallowed and rubbed my hands against my face
bringing them up into my hair and tugged. “Why do I always fuck up?” I murmured
to myself.

“This isn’t your fault,” Devi said fiercely.

“I knew he was in trouble and I stayed, that’s my
fault.  I could have left before it got this bad.”

“Oh Jules,” Devi murmured and sat down beside me pulling
me into her hugging me.  “You didn’t do anything wrong, you wanted to help
him.  What he’s doing and what he’s done isn’t your fault.  It’s on him, he
made his own choices.”

I wiped the tears from my face. “Are you sure
they’re really okay with this?  I don’t want them to do this as some sort of
pity or something.”

“I’m sure,” Devi said smiling at me, “and you even
have a job while you’re with them.”

“Okay,” I said knuckling away my tears. “What’s my
job?”

She smiled brightly. “You’re the official Xavier
babysitter.”

I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. “Is
this your way of punishing me?”

Cris laughed. “Just think about the experience
you’ll come back with.”

“Watching X trying to get an STD does not qualify
as an experience I need,” I moaned.

“Think of how the travel can inspire your work,”
Devi cajoled.  “You’ll also get to pick apart the minds of four men for your
men’s line.”

“Are these supposed to be selling points?” I asked
looking over at her.

“You’re going,” Max said resolutely marking the
end of the discussion.

“Fine I’ll go, but this isn’t going to end well,
and I plan to tell each of you I told you so when I get back.”

“It’ll be fine,” Devi said. “I’ve gone with them
on tour before and it’s fun.”

I looked at her like she was crazy.

“Really,” she said with a smile on her face. “It
can be…” she paused and her smile turned wicked, “educational.”

I groaned, I wasn’t sure what kind of education I
would gain stuck on a tour bus with My Misery Muse while they were on tour, and
I wasn’t sure if it was an education I wanted.

“Where are they?”

“Last I heard on the road,” Devi said eyeing me.
“You’re flying out in the morning; you’ll meet them in Las Vegas.”

“Vegas?”

She nodded. “This is the west coast leg of the
tour.”

“So California, Oregon, Washington?”

“Yeah and some other places near there.  Sam sets
up their tours; he’s gotten it down to a science.”

“What am I going to do about clothes?” I asked no
one in particular.

“Already talked to the detective, you can go to
Sam’s and pack a bag.  Only he’s not sure how much of your stuff is
salvageable,” he said quietly.

“Or we can go shopping,” Devi said excitedly.

“I’m broke, Devi.”

She just shrugged. “X’s babysitters are paid
well.  You going is really a relief for me, with Drake being here, that boy
needs someone to watch out for him.  I know he’s already driving Seth crazy.
There was talk about tying him to the top of the bus earlier.”

I giggled imagining that. “Think they’ll let me
help?”

“Oh I’m sure they would.”  She sobered and looked
at me. “You’ll be safe there, Jules.  They won’t let anything happen, plus
there’s security around them all the time.  I don’t think there is anything to
worry about, or that he’ll follow you, but just in case.”

I nodded. “I get it, so let’s go shopping.”

She clapped. “Yay, where do you want to go?”

“Let’s start at Pandemonium, then hit up Buffalo
Exchange.”

“Then Hot Topic,” she said grinning.

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, yes.”

After spending hours digging through thrift
stores, then the mall we finally made it back to Devi’s.  I took Cait from Ash
and snuggled with her while Devi tore through the house like a tornado.  She
was busy packing for me, and I was amazed as I watched.  How she got all of
those clothes into the duffle bag was beyond me.  She somehow managed to get
every article of clothing we had bought along with toiletries into two medium
sized duffle bags with room remaining.

I watched as she stuck a laptop, notebooks, pens,
condoms, and snacks into the space remaining and zipped it up.  She sat back on
her heels looking at everything and smiled up at me.

“How?”

“I pack for Seth.”

I nodded slowly. “Okay.”

“The guys are only allowed to bring two duffle
bags with them for six weeks.  I’ve learned how to fit a lot into these bags. 
It’s not like they ever stop and do laundry, so unless I want my man smelling
like old sweat and dirty socks when he gets home I have to make sure he has
enough clothes.”

“The condoms?”

“I packed some things for the guys, hope you don’t
mind?”

“Not at all.”

“The condoms are for Xavier, Eli, and Sam, stuck
some peanut butter crackers in for Eli, some notebooks for Seth and you, also
some gummi bears for him.  The peppermint sticks are for X, and the peanut
butter cups are Sam’s.”

“Wow.”

“There’s a third bag with more stuff for them. 
They always forget the simple things and I’ve already gotten phone calls asking
for things.  The ones in your bag though, ration them out and you’ll have them
eating out of your hand.”

“Even the condoms?”

“Yes, especially those, I’ve put some in the other
bag, but they’ll be gone quickly,” she said smirking at me.  “If you’re the
holder of the last condoms on the bus they will do anything for you and that is
not a bargaining chip to be taken lightly.”

“Good to know,” I said reeling from that piece of
information. “Why don’t they just go get this stuff?”

She sighed. “Last time Sam tried that he was run
into the break room of the grocery store.  Fans somehow found out he was there.
Since then, they’re all a little weary about going out while on tour.  Since
they’re manager isn’t with them, they’re getting desperate.”

“How is Drake?”

“He’s doing better,” she said looking down the
hallway to where I knew his and Mags’ room was.  “He’s at rehab right now. 
Between physical therapy and speech therapy he’s pretty busy.”

“I’m glad he’s getting better.”

“Me too,” she said quietly. “Well you’re packed
and ready to go in the morning.”

Sam

“Devi thought it would be a good idea to get her
out of town for a while,” Seth said quietly.

“I can’t believe that prick was hurting her,” X
said angrily.

“I agree with Devi, get her out of town until the
police can find him,” Eli said.

“So everyone’s okay with Jules coming on tour with
us?” Seth asked.

“Yeah,” X said.

“Of course,” replied Eli.

“Devi also strongly suggested Jules would be more
comfortable if she had a job.”

“Did she suggest a job?” asked Eli.

A grin tugged on Seth’s face. “She did.”

“What job?” asked X. “Merch table?”

“No, her idea was being X’s official babysitter
since Drake isn’t here.”

X scowled and flipped Seth off while Eli chuckled.

“Whatever,” X growled standing up and walking to
the back of the bus where the television was set up, Eli followed suit.

“Sam, you okay with this?” Seth asked eyeing me.

“Yeah, of course I am,” I said quietly still
trying to digest that Jules’ ex had been hurting her.

“Need to talk about anything, man?”

“No, just a lot to take in.”

Seth nodded sadly. “Yeah, I want to go find him
and show him what it feels like to be on the receiving end.”

“Me too,” I said quietly clenching my fists.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nodded. “I’m fine, just a lot going on.”

“Well I’m here.”

“Thanks,” I said and I watched as Seth went back
to where X and Eli were trash talking one another while playing Grand Theft
Auto.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly,
repeating it over and over trying to let go of the anger that was pushing at
me.  I cracked my neck but still the tension remained.  What I wouldn’t give
for my punching bag, I knew an hour of working the bag would help relieve the
anger.  Why someone thought that they could touch her like that; put their
hands on her in such a way. I wanted to find him.  Only I wasn’t sure I would
be able to stop once I did get a hold of him.  It was probably a very good
thing hundreds of miles separated him and me, or else I wasn’t sure what I
would do.

She was safe I had to remind myself, or she would
be once she met up with us in Vegas.  I’d always been attracted to Jules, but
wouldn’t let anything come of it.  Max had had a thing for her for years and
you didn’t do that to your brother.  Plus I wasn’t interested in having a
relationship with anyone, from everything I’d seen, they rarely worked out.  I
didn’t need the added stress in my life, random hook ups when I felt the need
for another person in my bed had always worked well for me.

I’d keep my distance from her, but I’d keep an eye
on her make sure nothing happened to her.  I could do that; I’d do that for my
little brother.  I shoved the thought that I wanted to protect her, but not for
Max’s sake down deep.  Jules wasn’t one of those girls that I usually used, she
was a fairy tales and a forever kind of girl and I was most definitely nobody’s
Prince Charming.

Chapter 3

Jules

I took the printed e-ticket from Devi and hugged
her tight.  I still didn’t think this was necessary; I could have taken care of
myself, but I realized that they would never allow that.  I didn’t want to
cause them any more stress than I already had, so I agreed.  I let Devi go and
headed over to Max, he pulled me close and hugged me tight against his body.

“Can’t breathe,” I gasped.

His grip loosened slightly. “Take care of
yourself, don’t take any of their crap, and I’ll see you soon.”

I nodded against his chest.  He let go, kissed me
on the forehead, and then turned and left.  I looked over at Devi who was
looking just as confused as I was.

“I don’t know,” she shrugged.

“Boys,” I groaned.

She nodded. “Boys.”

“I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Take care of yourself and my boys.”

I smiled. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise I won’t
leave a few bruises.”

“I just ask they come home breathing, everything
else is just gravy.”

“Bye.”

“Bye,” she said watching me sadly.

I turned and headed to the security check-in.

An hour later, I remembered why I didn’t like
flying: security.  It’s not that I don’t understand its purpose, it’s just that
every fucking time I fly someplace I’m pulled to the side.  So now I get to
stand around while they look at me like I’m a criminal because I have tattoo
sleeves, a ring in my lower lip, a labret, my eyebrow pierced, and gauged
ears.  I’m waiting behind a guy that’s dressed, tatted out and pierced similar
to me.  We give each other that look, the one that says
“fucking seriously”.
 
He’s pulled forward and I watch as they slowly scan the wand down his body, it
beeps at his chest, then his belly button then his crotch.  I couldn’t help it,
I giggled. He looked up at me and smirked while explaining his body piercings. 
Luckily though they seemed nice enough and didn’t require him to go into one of
the discreet rooms and strip.  Hopefully they will be that nice to me.

I finally go forward and watch as the TSA guy
slowly waves the wand around me it beeps as it hits my facial piercings.  Then
beeps again when it hits my tits.  He quirks an eyebrow at me and I shrug, it
beeps again at my navel, then once more when he scans my crotch.

“Nips, navel, and clit hood,” I stated.

He looked at me and nodded then scanned my legs,
then up around the back of my body.  Luckily not causing the wand to beep
again.  I looked over at the guy currently going through my messenger bag, and
sighed.  It was going to take me fifteen minutes to get all of that stuff reorganized
when he was through.

The guy with the wand handed me back my ID.
“You’re free to go.”

“Thanks,” I said and smiled at him taking my bag
with my belongings shoved back inside and slipped my feet into my flip-flops. 

I walked back into the airport proper and found
the guy I saw before me standing there leaning against the wall.

“Clit hood, huh?” he drawled.

I smirked, gave him a finger wave and walked off. 
I was done with men; they weren’t worth the trouble.  They only wanted to use a
girl until there was nothing left, then they either beat her or left her with
nothing.  Sometimes both.  I found my terminal and sat down in one of the
uncomfortable plastic chairs, looked up at the board and saw my plane was on
time.  That left me with an hour to kill before it was time to go.

I dropped my bag and wasted time reorganizing
everything the way I wanted it, when I was finally happy with it, I pulled out
my phone and sketchpad.  I searched through my varying playlists finding one
that looked intriguing.  Popped in my ear buds and started listening to
Justify
by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus bobbing my head and flipping open my sketch book
to a clean page.  I quickly lost myself in the music and designing a new
piece.  I glanced up and noticed the line of people waiting to board. I jumped
up shoving everything back in my bag.  I stood in the back of the line waiting
my turn to board when I felt someone tap my shoulder.

I tried hard not to flinch from the unknown touch
but when I looked over and found tattooed boy standing there with confused look
on his face I knew I hadn’t succeeded.   “Yes?” I asked trying to sound casual
as my heart tried to beat out of my chest.

“Vegas, huh?”

I nodded.

“Business or pleasure?”

I thought about that for a moment. “Not sure
actually.”

“How do you not know?  It’s Vegas.”

“Going to meet up with some friends.”

“Want to meet up with me while you’re there?” he
asked wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

“Sorry, we won’t be there for long.”

He sighed. “Worth a try.”

I finally made it up to the desk, collected my
boarding pass, and went to find my seat on the plane.  Once I was seated, I
pulled out my sketchpad, popped in my ear buds, and went back to work.  Before
I knew it, the air attendant, or whatever they called themselves, was tapping
me on the shoulder and I nearly screamed.  I looked up quickly and noticed that
most everyone had already gotten off the plane.  I pulled my bag from the
overhead compartment and walked out heading to baggage claim where someone was
supposed to meet me.

Sam

“Lo,” I mumbled into the phone that had once again
woken me up.

“Are you sleeping?”

I grunted an affirmative.

“Bro, it’s like two o’clock.”

“I was up late,” I grumbled. “What do you want?”

“Just calling to tell you Jules is on the plane
heading your way.”

“Mmm kay.”

He let out a deep sigh and I knew I wouldn’t be
getting any more sleep so I sat up once again hitting my head on the bunk above
me.   “What’s wrong, Maximillian?”

“Nothing, Sampson.”

I growled at the childhood nickname Max had used.
“It’s going to be like that, huh?”

“You started it.”

I let out a low chuckle. “Fine, I’ll stop, now
what’s going on?”

“Just worried about her.”

I let out a deep sigh of my own. “I know.”

“You’ll watch out for her. right?”

“Of course we will.”

“Who’s picking her up at the airport?”

I lay back down and looked up at the photos I’d
put up above me. “Our P.A. Ian is picking her up.”

“Since when do you have a personal assistant?”

“Since the label wanted someone here to spy on us,
but they say it’s because our manager isn’t here.”

Max laughed. “How rough are you being on this
guy?”

I shrugged then realized he couldn’t see it.
“We’re ignoring him, which is pissing him off.  We give him menial jobs to do.
I think X took him to a strip club last night.”

“Why is that a bad thing?  X is fun at titty
bars.”

“Ian’s gay.”

Max laughed loudly. “Oh god,” he gasped out, “that
had to be hell on the guy.”

“Knowing X, I’m sure he had an eye opening
experience.”

“Knowing X, I’m sure he had a few lap dances while
X tormented him on not getting it up.”

“Probably, but it’s Xavier.  He’s not taking it
too well that the label that we’re leaving is spying on us like this.”

“Keep her out of trouble,” he murmured but I knew
he was really saying keep her out of X’s bed.

“She knows too much to go there.”

“I hope so.”

“How’s Dad?”

“He got a new home healthcare nurse.”

“I know, I hired her.”

“I know,” I could hear the smirk in his voice,
“Mom is pissed.”

“She’ll get over it.  She needs help, she can’t
take care of him by herself anymore.”

“You’re right, she can’t, but she doesn’t see it
that way.”

“Once she gets used to having help she’ll realize
it’s for the best.  I wanted to hire round the clock care but didn’t want to
push it too much.”

“Good plan, since having someone come in five
nights a week set her off on a rampage, I don’t want to imagine having someone
there twenty-four hours a day would do.  She still believes that he’ll pull
through this.”

I stared up at the photo of my parents before this
all began. “I wish he would, but in all reality, he’s not going to.”

“Yeah,” Max said softly.

I cleared my throat. “Let me know how the new
nurse works out.  I will get her more help once she gets used to the idea.”

“I’ll let you know, the nurse is a real sweetheart
by the way.  Dad likes her a lot.”

I smiled. “I’m glad, if Dad likes her Mom will
come around quicker.”

“Jules knows.”

“Of course she does,” I muttered.

“I take it you still haven’t told the guys?”

“I will after the tour is over,” I said thinking
about how hard that conversation is going to be.  Especially when it comes to
Xavier.

“I get it, I won’t say anything.”

“Does Devi know?”

“She does, but she’s going to let you tell them. 
She understands, she found out and has been helping Mom with what she can.”

I grinned. “That has to be interesting to watch.”

“Oh it is. I think Devi may be slightly more
stubborn than Mom.”

“I’d believe that.”  Smiling thinking about Seth’s
wife, she’s always gotten her way.

“I need to go, my shift starts soon.”

“I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Can you text me when she gets there, I just need
to make sure she’s safe.”

“Yeah, little brother, I will.”

“Thanks,” he said quietly then hung up.

I flung my arm over eyes and sighed, five more
weeks and this will be over and I’ll be back home.