Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
Cherry and I decided to wait a few days to settle in and make sure we still wanted to start a life in Charming. We discussed how it felt for her to be here where Kip Snr had died but at least she could take their son to his grave here. She wasn't ready to visit it yet until Kip Jr was with us. I had been in contact with Travis so that we could meet up and pick our bags and Kip up. Strange things started happening in the following days. I had reported the video clip on YouTube and it was removed but they weren't able to find any information on who uploaded it. Happy was pissed becaused they used to have someone who could help with this but he was shivved to death, he didn't like feeling useless. I had asked Travis when I spoke to him but he didn't know who it could have been since there wasn't anyone on tour that I didn't get along with. I had pissed off a lot of people during our travels but none of them should have been able to get backstage to my room.
                          
I then started receiving messages from an unknown number. They were harmless at first but they became threatening the longer I didn't reply. Beep. Another one came in. I only wanna do bad things to you. I left the room, searching for Happy. I found him under the carriage of an old pickup truck. He rolled out and licked his lips as he had an unimpeded view up my skirt. He lost his playful grin when he saw my face and jumped up. I just held out the phone and turned away playing with my hands to keep them busy. "Don't worry about this punk, Violent, we can protect you." He reassured me and wrapped his arms around me, placing a light kiss to the nape of my neck. I turned in his arms, running my hands over his smooth head. "I know, but my number is private, very few people have it so there's someone close that can't trust. And, they had to be at the concert in Oakland." The look he gave me prompted me to explain, "That was the first time Col and I played Bad Things to anyone else, the text message is my line. Other than that, Col and I only wrote and played it in private."
                          
After still drawing a blank as to whom it could be that's trying to hurt me, we headed inside to get a beer and some lunch. I flopped down on the couch beside Cherry who has settled back into life here seamlessly. "When are we going to pick up Kip? I miss the little man." I asked her. Tig threw his arm over her shoulder with an appalled gasp, "you had a little sack and didn't think to mention him!?' She shrugged, "I didn't want to bring him around unless it's going to be a permanent thing. He's had enough upheaval in his few years already." Tig nodded in agreement before frowning down at his beer. After finishing his beer he headed out without a goodbye, very unlike the happy Tig I have come to know.
                          
About an hour later Tig came back in the club with a suitcase and a couple of knapsacks. "Venus finally kick you out eh Tig?" Chibs ribbed at him. "Real funny man, but nah this is the last of my stuff from my house, I'm going to put it in the storage unit. Cherry baby, catch!" The silver glinted in the air and jingled as she caught it holding up a set of keys. "You and little sack can have the place. Venus has been begging me to move in officially with her. We need family, now more than ever. It'll be good to have a kid hanging around again. Keep us young." He almost sounded like he was gonna cry. Trying to lighten the mood it yelled, "ain't no keeping you young, old man." The sadness faded and his signature flirt returned, "oh baby, I'm like fine wine, I only get better with age." He winked before carrying his bags out the back.
                          
Since I only had a Harley, I rode it while Cherry borrowed the tow truck to go and pick up Kip. The tour was now in San Fransisco, just over an hour away, so we set off hoping to be back before dark. Kip was excited to finally go to a real school and meet kids his age. He packed his bags quick while Cherry checked nothing was left behind. I packed my suitcases into the truck and buckled Kip in when I saw the guys hanging out the windows of their bus. "Holy shit Tom, what did you eat!" Mark gagged out the window. Oh I did not miss that. Tom loved a hot curry, but the curry did not love him back. He was always stinking the place out, like even Shrek would be sick. I told Cherry to head out and that I was going to hang out with the guys for a bit. I waved her and Kip off before walking into the bus hoping the odour has dissipated.
                          
"What's up bitches! How are you handling life without me? Do I need to prescribe some anti-depressants? I can just see how torn up my absence has hit you!" I laughed along with them. Travis saddled up beside me, "you say that jokingly but really, I have missed you. No one can get these fuckers into line like you can. And don't get me started on Colson, he's like a lost puppy without you. Moping and howling into his pillow, ok maybe a slight exaggeration. Only slightly.'
                          
I ended up staying all afternoon until it was time for them to hit sound check so we said our goodbyes and parted ways. I hadn't seen Colson yet so before I went to leave I thought I'd try finding him to have a proper good bye. After all, at one point he was more than just a friend. I had just left the bus when I heard someone say, "looking for me?" Smiling as I turned, I felt something whack into the back of my head. My vision went black before my body hit the ground.