Like Loving A Lion (SEQUEL to I'm Not That Perfect)

“You are such a piece of shit, Radke!” Austin exclaimed.
My head had never felt so much pain. I wanted to get up and stop the fighting that was happening between Ronnie and Austin but I could barely see, much less move.
“You stay the hell away from her! If I even catch you near her. . .” Austin was so angry he couldn’t speak. “I’ll end you, Radke. You know I can, and you know I will.”
I spat blood on the ground. “Austin?” I asked, trying to lift my head up.
“Don’t move it too much. Shit. Hold on, Avery. I’m going to take you back to my bus, okay?” He said slowly.
I didn’t comprehend what was happening; I just went with flow. Austin lifted me and carried me back to his bus just like he promised.
“Can you guys move that stuff off the table?” Austin asked.
“What the hell?” Alan asked, looking at me. I fought the blackness.
“Stay with me, Ave. Come on, don’t fall asleep. Avery!” Austin exclaimed. “Why didn’t Cher and Christian get together in Clueless?”
That woke me up a little. “Because he. . . was gay. Duh.”
“And when did she realize that she loved Josh?” He asked.
I sat up on the table. “Um, whenever Tai wanted Josh.”
Austin smiled hugely. “That’s my girl.”
“Does anyone know why Radke’s outside screaming about how Austin is a poser who should be thrown in jail?” Vic asked, walking onto their bus. He saw me and laughed. “Oh. I should have known it’d have something to do with you.”
Austin explained what happened.
“How do you feel?” Vic asked.
I groaned. “Like someone just ran me over with a bulldozer.”
“You might have a concussion. Let me clean up your face, okay?” Austin asked, walking into the back to get a first aid kit.
“Why didn’t you call the cops?” Phil asked me.
“Can you imagine the news? I’m not trying to ruin the guy’s life. Besides, I think we all know I’ll get back at him before long.” I shrugged.
“Yeah, you are a stone cold bitch, Ave, and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s probably one of my favourite things about you.” Vic said.
Austin returned and gently dabbed at my eye. “Where’s your bitch?” I asked.
“Do you have to call her that?”
“Yes.”
He sighed. “Fuck if I know.”
“Isn’t that part of being in a relationship? Knowing where the other person is?” I said slyly.
“Ave-”
“Sorry. I couldn’t help it.” I bit my lip. “Really though. Now I’m curious.”
“We’re not really dating, Avery. Duh.” He said.
“So you were using her to make me jealous.” I said.
Austin looked at me closely. “Has it ever occurred to you that your life is not a Jennifer Aniston movie?”
I thought for a second. “I’m more of a Jessica Lange fan. But please explain.”
“It’s more like an on and off thing. I didn’t even know she was flying in until twenty minutes before she landed.” He continued.
“Mm. Hit it and quit it? Not your style, Mr Carlile.” I remarked.
“Avery?” He asked, wiping the blood that had fallen from my nose. “How many times did he do this to you? And be honest this time.”
“Seven.”
“And why did you stay?”
I opened my mouth but an interruption saved me."Austin!" Chloe banged on the door. "Austin! Is Avery here?"
Vic opened the door while Austin put bandaids on my scraped knees.
"Avery! Is it true?" Chloe demanded as soon as Vic let her in. "Everyone's saying Ronnie tried to beat the shit out of you but Austin was there.
"Yeah. Yeah, that's pretty true." I said.
"Why are you so calm?! Why didn't you call the police?!" She yelled.
"Chloe, please. Do you really think I haven't taken care of it? I have pictures. He'll get what he deserves later. Also I'm kind of high." I said.
"Your eye is bleeding again." Austin said, wiping it carefully.
I laughed, thinking of the first time Ronnie had ever hit me. "Haven't we done this before?"
"Hi, Chloe." Alan said.
"Hey." She smiled.
I looked at Austin. “Did you know about that?”
“Not until Alan asked me how violent you were when it comes to your family.” Austin replied.
“Certaines choses ne changent jamais.” I laughed throatily. “Do you guys have any liquor? My face hurts.”
“What did you say?” Alan asked. “What did she say?”
Tino slid me a glass filled with whiskey; I had a glass in one hand, cigarette in the other.
“She said some things never change.” Chloe translated.
“When did you start smoking?” Austin frowned.
“When I started hanging out with Ronnie.”
“That’s bad for you.”
“Hey, Austin?” I asked. “Shut up.”
“You look like Lana Winters. You know, from the second season of American Horror Story?” Alan asked.
“Jesus, Alan!” I cringed. “You have said on several occasions that you want to fuck her. Can you please not say hit on me if you’re trying to canoodle with my sister, for Christ’s sakes?”
Chloe and Vic went back to their buses when it was time to go.
Josie also came back. “What is she doing here?” Josie cried when she arrived.
Austin tried to stop me but I stood up. “Listen. I’m here because I had this man’s baby. I am here because I’m actually on this tour. I’m here because I’m not a gold digger. I think it’s time for you to go.”
“You must think you’re very clever.” She said.
“I do. I do think I’m very clever.” I smiled wryly.
“Bitch.” She rolled her eyes.
“Exactly. Josie babe, I’m the bitch around here and everyone knows it. Now I really don’t want to say this again; Why don’t you take your shit and leave?”
She did as she was told.
**
It was late. Austin and I were in the back lounge and he’d only just finished cleaning me up. Everyone was sleeping besides the two of us.
“Austin?” I asked quietly. “Thanks for letting me stay here. I really didn’t want to go back.”
“Don’t thank me. I guess I kind of got you into this, didn’t I?” Austin asked.
“Austin-”
“No, Avery. This is my fault. I pushed you away. I will never forget what my dad said when I told him what happened.” Austin said quietly. “He looked at me and he said, ‘Austin, do you have any idea how disappointed your mother would be?’ and I lost it. I fucked up so badly and you’re the one who had to pay for it.”
I didn’t realize I was crying until I saw that Austin was. “No, no, no. À quelque chose malheur est bon. Do you remember what that means?”
“Unhappiness is always good for something.” He answered.
I moved closer and sat crisscross between his legs, facing him. Using my two thumbs I wiped his tears. “Baby, do not cry. My mère always says that the worst things always happen to the best people. I am not angry. I will always forgive you no matter what you do.”
Austin smiled. A small one, but a smile. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“You don’t see how good of a person you are. Everyone else does. I do, your friends do, your fans do. I wish you could.” I said softly.
“Avery.” He said slowly. “One last time, okay? I am so sorry. So very sorry. I will never stop trying to make it up to you.”
“Can we go to sleep?” I asked, then laughed. “I’ve had a long day.”
Austin smiled again. “Goodnight, princess.
“Night, Austin.”

Notes

I made it long just for you guys xxxxx