Believed (My Misery Muse)

by Betzold, Brei

  “Money?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Why would he need money, Miss Shoals?”

  “For his addiction.”

  “Thank you, Miss Shoals,” he said quietly. “If we have any more questions, we’ll contact you. Unless you’d like to file a report on him?”

  I shook my head quickly.

  He sighed. “Okay, but if you change your mind here’s my card,” he said handing me a card with his information on it.

  I took it and shoved it into my jean pocket.

  “I called Cris,” Max told me walking up when the detective left.

  I sighed in defeat, and tugged on my shirtsleeve.

  “You going to press charges against him this time?”

  I shrugged.

  “I think you should.”

  I shrugged again.

  “Damn it, Jules,” he snapped, “he’s not going to stop.”

  “I know,” I whispered.

  “So will you file assault charges?”

  I nodded.

  He pulled me in and hugged me, “Good,” he breathed against my hair. “We’ll work this out, sweets.”

  I nodded and followed Max when he went in search of the detective once again.

  Sam

  A sudden screeching noise had me jerking awake, I sat up quickly smacking my head on something above me. That’s when it came back, tour bus bunk, I was asleep in my bunk. The noise came back and I recognized my ring tone. I reached over onto the ledge and grabbed my cell phone noticing it was my brother calling.

  “What. The. Fuck. Do. You. Want?” I growled. Then I fully woke up, my brother was calling at who knows what time. “Is Dad okay?”

  “Yeah, Dad’s fine,” Max said and I could hear the strain in his voice.

  “Max, what is it? What’s wrong?”

  He sighed. “Your apartment was broken into tonight, Sam,” he said quietly.

  “Okay what? I thought you had some friend staying there.”

  “I did, she came home and found the place trashed.”

  “Did you call the police?”

  “Yeah, they should be calling you later.”

  “Okay good,” I cleared my throat. “So you going to tell me who’s been at my place now? You know, in case the police ask.”

  “Jules,” he said quietly.

  “Wait, Jules was at my place? Doesn’t she have a place of her own? I know she does, that little rat hole apartment over by where Devi and Seth used to live.”

  He cleared his throat. “She was living there with her ex, but she needed some place where he couldn’t find her. So I stashed her at your place, only he found her.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah mostly, she wasn’t there when he broke in.”

  “Mostly?”

  “Long story, I’m waiting at the police station now for her. She’s filing a report then I’m taking her to Cris’s until we can figure out what to do next.”

  “Max,” I growled.

  “It’s not mine, brother.”

  “Fine, I get that.”

  “I just wanted to call and let you know what happened. I’m taking care of everything, but you’ll want to contact your insurance company. I don’t know what all he took.”

  “Are we sure it’s him and not some crazed fan?”

  “The police are looking into all possible scenarios, but yeah I’m pretty sure.”

  I rubbed my eyes and looked up at the photos I had taped to the bunk above me. “I’ll call them after I talk to the police.”

  “Okay, look man I got to go but I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah okay, talk to you later. Oh and tell Mom and Dad I love them.”

  “Will do.”

  I hung up and lay back down in my bunk, looking at the picture that was above me. There was nothing I could do on a tour bus who knows where, it was another thing to add to my ever growing to do list. I tossed the phone back on the ledge and covered my face with my pillow hoping to drown out the voices in my head enough to sleep.

  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 sid
e. 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.