fic: April (Chapter 3)
Title: April
Author: Brainzz_Insanee
Pairing: David/Kelly(OC); David/Kimberly; eventual Michael J./David C.
Status: 3/?
Word Count: 6110
Rating: PG-13
Summary: David Cook has reached the feat everyone wants to achieve: He’s got a great girlfriend, a supporting and loving family, amazing friends as well as a continually booming singing career. So with all this going for him, what could jeopardize what he‘s strived so hard for? And could it be something from the beginning of his journey?
Author’s Notes: Chapter three of Cherrymaryberry’s April Showers Challenge. I found this chapter to be the hardest so far but I gave it what it could. Once again, feel free to tell me what you think of it. I appreciate constructive criticism.
Challenge Information / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
David shoves his phone into his pocket, shuffling his feet along the stone walkway. He looks around the neighborhood, and simply listens to the stillness in the evening. His ears pick up birds chirping and he can’t help his smile when drops of rain hit his cheek, sliding down his neck. He shivers at the coolness, and finds himself craving more. His skin was blazing and the weather answered his wish. It came down harder, beginning to drench his pale skin and flatten his spiky hair.
“David, do you want to wait inside?” David vaguely hears from the door, turning around and opening his eyes to find Richard leaning against the door frame with concern etched on his features. “I mean… feel free to, I’d feel awful if I was to blame for you catching a cold or something.” The rocker shook his head with a dazed smile though, raising his head into the light shower of rain.
He always found the rain therapeutic.
The limo he called minutes before honked, interrupting his reverie and he glanced back at Richard with a small smile. The man nodded and gave him a pleasant wave, clutching his wife in his arms. David released a shuddering breath, running a hand through his wet hair and getting into the limo seat. Thankfully it wasn’t heavy rain, it only wet his hair to shoulders but he still apologized to the driver. The man didn’t appear to mind, only asking for the address he needed and letting Dave relax in the back.
Like he could do that.
He sat at the very edge of the back seating area, against the cool window. His right hand shook involuntarily and he simply watched it for a second before grasping it with his left, tears welling up in his eyes again. A small whimper comes from his throat, unable to stop the sound and drags his still trembling digits down his face. Sucking in several deep breaths, he calms his breathing partly. He brings his head down to his knees, grabbing at his flat hair less than gently.
The comprehension process in his brain was on vacation.
The limo gets back too soon for his taste, and the five minute warning given to him had went right past him. He blinks several times, ruffling around his hair and wiping his cheeks to get him into a decent appearance. Dave coughs uncomfortably, paying the driver extra like he promised and making his way inside the hotel. The walk back seems too far, and he flashes the receptionist his VIP card robotically when he gets into the lobby because his mind is fried.
He tells himself to breathe, hearing each one in his head.
As soon as he gets back into his room, he leans against the back of the door and calls out for Kimberly. His brow scrunches when there’s no response and he jogs around searching for her, until he finds a note on the kitchen counter. It informs him that she has gone out for the evening, and that she’ll be back by at least the following afternoon.
He’d usually be relieved to be left by his lonesome, but it wasn’t one of those times.
David paced around, the room too quiet for him and he found he was having trouble relaxing without Kim by. His hand lunged for the phone, his vision blurring slightly and he punched in whatever number his fingers demanded. It rang twice, and he was about to give up but the voice on the other end froze him.
“Dave?” The familiar Australian voice questions, the voice full of hope, coming across the line. He can’t speak for the life of him. This was not who he wanted to call, he was expecting to hear his mother answer the phone and not Michael Johns. He’s afraid to say anything, he’s gone so long without interfering with the other man‘s life. They hadn’t spoken in god knows how long.
Michael must hear his shallow breathing. “I know you’re there mate…talk to me please” he pleads, his voice catching and it tears at his heart. “I miss you Dave, it’s been too long since we’ve talked…We never see each other anymore. I hate that the only time I see you is on television. That shouldn’t be the only way. Answer me…” David closes eyes, clutching the phone to his ear and his whole being wants to hang the phone up but his heart won’t let him.
David gulps audibly, meekly greeting the other. “Um, hi Michael…” He mentally curses himself because his voice sounds so frail and raspy. He mentally counts in his head when the other man will interrogate about it. He doesn’t have to wait long.
“What’s going on? God Dave… are you all right?” David shuts his eyes, the other man’s concerned drenched voice not doing good things to his already flattened brain. What’s he supposed to say? He’s tempted to tell him everything, but he‘s not sure if he can. He refuses to burden Michael with it. He’s got enough to deal with as it is, he muses sadly.
“Yeah… yeah. Fine” Dave realizes how abrupt he sounds after he speaks, and he quietly smacks his own forehead. He knows he should have just faked his feelings better than that and now he has no prayer of escaping the other man‘s inquiry. Before the Australian can speak, he continues. “I’ve got to go Michael… I’m sorry for calling, I must be-”
“Stop it now” His voice forceful, a rare sound to his ears. “Please don’t hang up on me. Just talk to me David, for once…Really now, am I that repulsive? Is that why you won’t speak… Did I do something to offend you? Whatever it is that I did or said…I’m sorry.”
“No… I‘m sorry…” He manages barely, and does the last thing he wanted. He cries.
The beginning silence on the other end drives him crazy, and he’s too busy attempting to wipe his own tears to put the phone down. He can’t stop his emotions, the dam he’s worked so hard to construct perfectly is crumbling down, and finds himself swearing under his breath without control.
“David? What’s going on? You’re scaring me...”
“I don’t want to burden you.” He whispered back, no longer caring how pathetic he must sound to Michael. Dave held his own head in his hand while sitting on the wood floor and back to the end of the bed. He let his head fall back onto the covers. His bare feet were cold on the wood, but he didn’t bother getting into socks.
“You’ll never do that. Nothing you do or say would ever make me think that.”
The words tug at his heart again, and he wonders how he’s gone so long without conversing with the Australian. His protective wall finally falls, and it’s the final push on his resistance. That sends him into delivering the words he’s still trying to comprehend himself with much failure.
“Michael… I’m still trying to wrap my head around this but…” He pauses suddenly, covering his mouth with his hand for a few moments to gather himself.
“I-- I‘m a father” David gets the words previously stuck in his throat out in the tiniest whisper that’s barely audible, his voice catching and trembling. He doesn’t even know his body is shaking too until the phone slips from his hands, catching it quickly and pressing it tightly against his ear. Saying it to someone, let along Michael, uproots his denial in some form and sends him into another whirlwind of emotion. He holds onto the phone as if it was his lifeline.
“Breathe for me okay…please?” Michael begs in a whisper. “Tell me from the start.”
“I’ll try…About a week before I auditioned for Idol, yeah the stone age… A girlfriend of mine at the time, her name-- Kelly. Her and I…we slept together one of those nights. We uh, we broke up shortly after…and I hadn’t heard from her in ages, not even during the show. We didn’t part that great…but um, her dad actually called me yesterday, and he tells me that someone…that they shot her--” David’s throat collapses, and he sobs loudly into the phone. “I--She didn‘t make it…” He coughs to attempt to clear his strained lungs. “Her father wanted me over to the house, said it was important… I go over there, you know…be the supportive ex-boyfriend. They-- I’m told I have a child Michael… a little girl… Kelly had her-- I never knew about… I never--I don’t know what to do…I’m terrified--” He can’t finish, bringing his knees up close and the floodgates completely coming down his eyes.
“David… oh god… I…” The Aussie is saying more, he thinks, but he can’t hear the man very well. The words are all coming out muffled and his own throat won’t work anymore. His ears feel deafened, as if he’s just come back from a rock concert minutes before. He can barely keep his eyes open, his stinging tears keeping them shut tight. He makes out Michael calling his name repeatedly, but language is failing him.
Somehow though, he gets out some. “I wish you were here…” Dave rasps through his tears. It’s not what he wanted the other man to hear, but they escape anyway because his barrier is shot with no immediate repair nearby.
“I’ll be there, I promise you.” The Australian replies immediately, no hesitation at all. His voice is pitched differently. Michael’s voice is shaking. The tone of the older man’s voice saddens him, the thought of Mike tearing up over him has him shaking his head.
“No... you can’t. Don‘t do that for me.”
“David… how can I not? You need someone there… and I want to be that person for you. Hearing you so upset like this… and for you to actually admit your fear to me-- That you’re scared…oh god, it chills me. You always bottle it…” He whispers, memories coming back for the two of them when David would eventually vent to Michael during stressful points in the Idol competition. “I can’t stand the thought of you hurting like this… it pains me so much. I wish I could take it away from you… to remove those weights from your shoulders.”
He’s upset Michael, and that alone hurts him more.
“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean-- I shouldn't have said… I told you that it would be a burden--You didn’t listen…please, I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve this…” His breath is quickening rapidly, similar to wheezing. He gets up from the floor unsteadily only to stumble along. The room is spinning around him and he grasps the doorknob to his bathroom so tightly that his knuckles are a shade or two lighter.
“David, you can’t--”
The rocker sways, trudging forward and grabbing hold of the sides of the sink. The cold marble jolts him just enough to reach inside his prescribed bottle of high blood pressure medication and pour his recommended few into his hands. He has to blink a couple or so times for his vision to clear to check to ensure that’s he’s got the right number in his palm. The last thing he wants is to send himself to the hospital. David puts them down his throat, closing his eyes as they went down slowly.
His pulse still raged against his heated skin.
“Don’t tell me what I can’t do…” He whispers in return. Dave swaggers back to his bedroom clumsily, ragged breaths still leaving him. He barely makes it back to his room before his vision gets worse, vaguely feeling the phone drop from his fingers, and his body is depleted of all it’s strength when it collapses onto the plush bed.
He groans when he feels something damp on his head but his eye lids seem too heavy, lead weights on them. Somehow his eyes flutter open, his vision partly blurred, and he sees Kimberly sitting on the bed by him. One hand shifts the wet cloth on his forehead occasionally, while the other runs through his brown hair. His eyes shut again, his head unconsciously leaning in her direction.
“David… what happened? The time you were passed out on that bed… I thought you were actually sleeping in for once. I landed up turning you over and your skin was so warm… your pulse wasn’t racing though, that’s why I didn’t take you to the hospital.”
He snuggled his face into her lap, mumbling incoherent words.
“I’m not letting you off that easy. I left you be, but answer me now… please?”
Dave opened his eyes again, but this time kept them open. His mind was foggy, unsure of the reason however. He knew he didn’t drink the previous day. He finds himself turning to his side and away from her, his back facing her lap. The memories come back in flashes. Everything from answering the phone early yesterday, meeting his child and the rest is unclear to him at first.
Michael.
He shoots up in the bed, and his eyes shoot over to the phone on the hook. He’s beyond confused and glances over at Kimberly for answers.
“Mike… I was-- We were talking… I don’t remember when…” He trails off, lost in the manner of a child looking for something they were playing with. Kim is confused and instead reaches over to him, laying him back down on the bed. “I found the phone on the floor when I got in earlier…I put it back” She slowly says, leaning down to kiss his forehead gently. “You must have dropped it when you fell asleep?” She questions lightly.
“I need to call him…” Dave mumbles, but his body gives out and falls back down.
“You haven’t talked to him in forever, why do you need to call him? What’s so important that you have to speak with him before you rest up. You’re exhausted David, you’re hardly getting enough sleep…” She lets out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her blonde strands. She lays down next to him, resting her head on his chest. “Sorry…I just-- I worry about you sometimes.”
He smiles at her despite his own confusion. “No… I’m the one who should be doing that… I put you through enough, and yet, you stay by me.”
“Of course Dave, and nothing will change that.”
He pulled her closer then, bringing an arm around her waist and resting his head on top of hers. Her perfume drifts into his nose, and he takes it in deeply. The smell calms him every time it’s in the air. They relax by each other, or he tries to even though his mind is attempting to reconstruct the fog in his memory bank. “How about…you actually relax, and then I’ll let you call him back. In the mean time though, you’re going to get rid of those bags under your eyes. Got it?” Kimberly mutters against his cotton tee, and he’s able to interpret it by some means.
“All right… I got you.” He replied a few minutes later, a bit reluctantly. Kimberly gets up and tells him that she’ll make something to eat, leaving him to sleep. Dave couldn’t though, his mind was too absorbed in the thought of Michael and when he fainted exactly. He knew he told the Australian about the recent events happening but nothing was coming after that. He sucks in a breath when he realizes that he has to tell Kim about his new-found daughter, his heart clenching at the idea.
The truth is never a walk in the park.
David watches the clock periodically over the course of fifteen minutes, until he can’t stand the waiting anymore. He pulls the sheets away from him, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and getting up toward the kitchen. For a couple minutes, he watches her stroll around the kitchen as if she’s been there thousands of times. Her hair is in a messy bun while she’s dressed in jean shorts and a green blouse. She’s even humming to herself, and the last thing he wants to do is disrupt that.
“Kim?” His voice is small, yet she hears it.
She stops what she’s doing, turning around to face him with a smile. She cleans her hands off with a hand cloth and turns off the stove. She leans on the counter with a hand, facing him completely with sparkling green eyes.
“Hey, shouldn’t you sleeping?”
Dave shakes his head, gazing down momentarily then looking back at her. He knows his eyes show turmoil, and it shows on her face when she sees this. His hands clench together while he steps closer. “I couldn’t sleep-- There’s something you need to know…and I’m not really sure how to go about explaining it. It’s probably not the best thing you want to hear but you made me promise to be both honest with you and myself. Look…umm Kim…Can you promise me something?”
She presses her lips together, her brows scrunched tightly. “David, is this--”
“Kim…please. Yes or no?” Dave interjected, separating his hands and roughly dragging a hand through his dark hair, while the other made itself comfortable deep in his pocket. He never liked to interrupt people, anyone and everyone, but he was afraid of losing the will to tell her what was going on and would be going on his life soon. She frowned briefly, crossing her arms uncomfortably and keeping the distance between them.
“Yes… I can promise you whatever you want.”
He takes a shuddering breath, picking at his finger nails. “Kim…I need you to promise me that you won’t freak out from what I’m going to tell you.”
“David… god-- I won’t freak.”
“I hope so…” He mumbles under his breath. He shifts his feet around, unsure if he should go closer to her or keep the distance as it was. David takes the first option, walking toward her and clasping both of her hands. They’re small and soft in his grasp. He rubs the top of her hands with his thumbs, looking straight into her eyes.
“I’m going-- I’m a father Kim” Her mouth opens, and he continues before she can say anything. “When Kelly’s father called me and asked me to go over… He uh-- He told me that Kelly-- She had given birth to a little girl a year ago, not long after the Idol finale… I met that child yesterday. Since Kelly’s… passing, upon the signing I’m entitled to the custody…I didn’t want to tell anyone but I see it-- You needed to hear it from me.”
Her eyes look down and she slowly pulls her hands from his, facing away from him.
“Kim…say something?” She doesn’t say anything, and he takes the time to walk around her in order to see her face. Her green eyes are shut, a fist clenched against her chin and he reaches out to her. His hand barely touches her arm when she moves away, as if his fingers scorched her skin.
He thought honesty was a form of release, but it instead confined him. He felt like he was drowning in the tight air between them.
“Kimberly--”
“Stop… I-- I’m really trying not to freak out here.”
“Can I do anything to--”
She steps intensely close, putting her fingers on his mouth to shush him. “Is that why you called Michael Johns? Did you tell him about this?” Her voice is sword sharp, and her eyes are burning. David nods weakly, confused at her behavior.
“Are you going to raise that child?” She continues, at the same vocal pace and removes her fingers from his mouth. She’s studying him and his eyes. He suddenly feels bad for the insects that are put under a microscope, because he thinks he might understand what they go through now.
“I uh-- I’m not sure. I think I want to though.”
“You think? Have you given this any actual thought?”
“Of course not! This happened just yesterday Kim!” He bites back at her, getting annoyed with her attitude. “I’m no fucking philosopher! I’m not going to have this handled and decided in less than a day. Do you seriously expect that from me?” He runs a hand through his hair and lets out several breaths. He continues in a calmer tone. “What aren’t you telling me? I feel like I’m missing something because I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I just-- Honestly…David, It’s a serious responsibility that your life doesn’t and won’t acclimate for. I’m sure you know that you don’t have the time to raise a child. You can’t go through with this.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I just told you! That, and you’re hardly getting sleep as it is. If you agree to taking custody of this little girl, you’re likely not to get any. That fact alone will probably put you in the hospital. That child needs an adult that has enough time for her.”
“I’ll make time for her.”
Kimberly nods slowly with her eyes staring right through him, and heads in the direction of the bedroom. He watches her try to close the door, but it only goes half-way. He eyes the notepad on the counter, and grabs it abruptly. Before he realizes it, he throws it across the room and it lands ungracefully on the table. Dave sucks in a breath and walks for the bedroom, opening the ajar door silently more and peaking inside. His eyes find her sitting on the bed, hunched over and hands holding her head. He contemplates going by her, but she usually wants to by herself when she’s in thought. David goes for the door but she calls out to him.
“David… I-- I’m sorry that I flipped out on you.”
He sighs silently, “It’s all right. If you were completely fine with it then I’d be worried.”
There’s a hint of a smile on her face, and she pats down a place on the bed next to her. He walks into the room, and sits there obediently. Her fingers pry open his clenched ones, and they hold hands for a couple minutes in silence. The stiffness in the air has loosened, leaving him happy that they’re not yelling anymore.
“Dave… I-- I’m glad that you’re interested in this kid, honest… but what-- I think…David, the reason I tweaked out on you was…well…that-- I wish I could talk right now” She flatly smiles, not reaching her eyes. “I’m not ready to be any kind of motherly figure. I might have it in me… but I don’t feel it yet.”
“Oh…” Is all he can manage. It’s not the reason he expected, and the truth digs at him deep because if anyone would be a good parent figure to April…he pictured Kimberly. David couldn’t understand why she didn’t think so, but he found it intelligent not to push. He feels his eyes begin to moisten though, blinking the liquid back. “I thought you would…so um-- what are we then?” He turns and faces her, caressing her cheek. He knew he was desperate in hoping for the positive response. She closes her eyes against his palm, reaching up to hold his hand with her own.
“I can’t be that-- April’s mother figure… does that…” She trails off, looking down at the wood flooring. He brings his hand away from her face, rubbing her knee affectionately. She drapes a hand over his hand, rubbing her thumb against the side of his hand absentmindedly.
“We’re breaking up, aren’t we?” She says after a couple minutes.
David clutched her hand tighter at the words, licking his bottom lip. She rubbed his hand back. He couldn’t reply to her at first and his eyes found the floor more interesting than it actually was. The wood didn’t even contain a shine to be mesmerized at. All he could think about was Kimberly, and after everything between them, April was what cut their relationship. As cliché as it was, memories of the time they spent together flashed before his closed eyes.
“Yeah… I think so.” He replied softly, opening his eyes again.
“David, I’m sorry I can’t be here for you... I‘m sorry that I‘m not ready but I wish I was. You deserve this opportunity-- A child nonetheless, and I think well-- You‘d be an amazing father to that little girl if you take her in.”
“Kim, you said--”
“I know I said those things. I know that I sounded beyond disapproving… and fighting you on this decision…but what set it in for me was you really wanting to make time for her-- For you to be so passionate and adamant about removing time from your music career so that you can raise that child.”
Tears came to his eyes from her admission and he hastily wiped them away, smiling in pleasant surprise. “I-- umm, I don’t know what to say Kim. Thank you… It means so much to me that you’d say that…” His cheeks flushed up slightly, and he leaned toward her to plant a chaste kiss on her cheek. She simply smiled back.
“You really think I’d be a good father then?”
She raised both brows in astonishment, displaying an indignant expression. Without reply, she stood up and shoved him back. He fell back on the bed with a thud, a ‘what did I do’ look on his face.
“David, I care about you a lot but I will not hesitate to deck you if you doubt yourself and your capabilities of being a father one more time.” He was quiet from this, sitting up on the bed to twiddle his thumbs and look up at her with a meek smile. She crossed her arms, shaking her head at him.
“You’re not going to be a good father-- No, you’re going to be an amazing one. Seriously, you’re one of the greatest guys I’ve ever met. You’re responsible, respectful, kind, smart, very loving, thoughtful--”
“Okay…” Dave managed, flushing crimson. “Thank you but stop…” Kimberly smiled, leaning down to embrace him tight. He couldn’t help but smile, leaning into her arms. Just as she was going to pull away, he grinned and yanked her down onto the bed. She yelped, tumbling to the side by the pillows. They continued their battle, fighting for control over the bed until they both gave up and decided to lay next to each other. Their feet dropped off the side, and they chuckled when her sandals fell off.
“So… we’re okay? We can be…friends?” David questioned gently, more in a whisper. The words came from him suddenly, but he needed to hear it from her. They had spent their two years well; They never really had a fight. He didn’t count the little, silly squabbles they had once in a while though. She turned to him then and patted the top of his hand, “Yeah… we’ll be okay. I really think so, and definitely be able to be friends again. I’m not saying it won’t be awkward” To that they both chuckled, growing quiet after a couple seconds. “But… It’s possible, and I want to try because…well, you’re one of my best friends David and I refuse to lose that.”
He glanced over at her with deep gratitude in his green-hazel eyes. “Good…good. Thanks… I didn’t want to lose you either. You’re awesome, and I’m quite prepared for the coming awkwardness. Maybe if we talk about it being weird then it won’t be?”
She shrugged although a clear smirk was on her face. “I like that idea actually, the whole reverse psychology theory. And just this evening, we won’t talk serious. That kind of stuff is reserved for that whole life thing.”
“Right…because it’s not like that’s important at all.” He bounced back with a grin.
“Now we’re on the same brain wave… Lets--” David’s cell phone ringing cut her off, and both groaned at the life reminder. He looked in his pockets, but then his eyes found it on the desk across the room. With a groan, he was about to stand and get it but Kimberly was already there and picking it up for him. He smiled in appreciation, and relaxed back on the pillows. He furrowed his brows at her rapid change from interest to confusion though. “Well, do you want me to hand the phone over to him?” She replied, walking out of the room instead. David shrugged at this, closing his eyes and letting the soft fabric of the pillows lull him into a daze.
Dave couldn’t really make out what she was saying, though he was attempting not to listen. It wasn’t easy as she didn’t have the quietest voice. Instead of trying to wonder why she was talking about their room number, he put on his ipod and simply sank into the sounds in his ears.
Kim returned a couple minutes later, making him turn off the ipod and sit up. She tapped her fingers against the door frame and he asked who was on the phone.
“Oh um…” She paused a minute before answering. “Just an acquaintance of mine. They were wondering if I was free, and were going to stop over while I’m in the area.” David thought her tone was different, making him question if he wasn’t being told the whole story but he didn’t interrogate her about it. He figured if it was important, she’d tell him.
“When are they getting here?”
“About a half-hour. I hope you don’t mind.” David shook his head, his features calm.
“Don’t be ridiculous Kim. We can hangout whenever we want… besides, it’s not like we’ll be staying here forever so you might as well go have fun with them.” He sat up, and was kind of floored at her reaction when he made for the door.
“Where you going?”
Now he was perplexed, she was real adamant about him staying. “I was going to stop over to the malls for a while, get a few pairs of pants while you and your friend chill here… why? Something I’m missing?”
“No…no. I uh-- I kind of want you to meet them…their a huge fan of yours.”
David shrugged, taking of his shoes again and plopping down on the couch with his crossword puzzle book. She appeared relieved out of the corner of his eye, and she soon joined him on the couch. She reached down and pulled out a People magazine, flipping through the pages absentmindedly.
“You okay Kim? Did I say something weird…or uh, is this the whole awkward phase of breaking up? Something else seems to be the cause though.”
Again she paused, “Oh… I think it’s just the awkward thing.”
Not able to concentrate with his book, he tossed it on the end table by the couch and went toward the bedroom. He informed her quick that he was claiming the shower, and closed the door behind him. Once inside the bathroom, he stripped off his layers quick. He shivered at the chill in the room, rubbing his biceps briefly before practically rushing into the hot spray of the shower.
Once he was done with the shampooing and such, he let his back rest against the shower wall and titled his head up in the water. He was never thrilled about leaving the hot sanctum of the shower, as it was a separation from life. It soaked him down, the water cascading down his slightly trim form and along his thighs until it reached the floor.
He had to call Michael back sometime.
Dragging his hands through his drenched hair, he reasoned that he’d do it after the shower. After all, the Australian must have been worried sick when he stopped talking to him. He cringed thinking about it, remembering how blurry everything was before his surroundings went black.
It was obvious that he was dreading it, that he knew too well. It was something that had to be done however, because if he didn’t then Michael would land up trying to find him or something. He had to resolve it over the phone. With more struggle than probably necessary, he stumbled from the shower escape and dried off. Scanning through the dresser, he rummaged through it and managed to find one of his favorite pair of pants that tied on the sides. He grinned remembering the times he wore it on the tour, and the guys would make fun of him taking forever to tie it.
Smiling, he finished putting them on and slipped on a band tee of ACDC. Dave jogged back to the bathroom and feeling lazy for once, ran his hands through it roughly leaving it in a crazy spiky look. He liked it though, and was out the bedroom a few minutes later.
“So… I was thinking of pizza then?” He brought up out of the blue, during her channel flipping. She grinned from the couch, sitting up and heading over to him. Reaching around him, she pulled the menu from one of the drawers. They were in the middle of play arguing over which ones to order, between pepperoni and plain with green pepper, when a knock came on the door. She clapped excitedly, causing David to raise a brow at her uncharacteristic exuberance.
“Can you get that while grab some beers from the fridge?”
He rolled his eyes, pretending to mock her in a high voice. She smacked his shoulder in return. Shaking his head, he slowly made his way over. Light knocking came again, and he picked up his pace.
“Just wait a--” He opened the door and froze, knowing his mouth was hanging open but didn’t care because the person on the other end was not who he was expecting. Michael Johns stood in the hall, looking up from the floor and his eyes bore right through his own.
“Dave?”
David backed up, but Kimberly was right behind him and holding him in place. He turned around to face her, his brows so high that they were reaching the moon.
“I thought you--”
“Hey…I said that they were an acquaintance and that their a huge fan of yours. Plus, I figured in person talking was better than over the phone. He’s the one that called earlier, and I walked out of the room” David stared at her in silence, then back at Michael who had a pleading expression on his face. “Michael told me a little bit about your argument… and I thought this method best to resolve it." Kimberly glanced between them nervously, the tension and silence in the air palpable.
“I’m the one whose going to head out…you two talk, all right?” The room went deathly quiet, until they both mumbled in agreement. As soon as she left, Michael approached him and had all that concern on his face. David couldn’t look at it. The more he looked at Michael… the more those chained feelings came crashing back. His fight or flight seemed to kick in, making him want to bolt for the hills.
In his bewildered state, his thoughts heavily drenched in Michael; his touch and smell flooding his senses, he couldn’t flee from Michael’s arms coming around him tightly. The other man pulled him flush, head resting against his own. David could hear him mumbling words, but they didn’t reach his ears very well because Michael’s right arm was around his waist whilst his left hand cradled the back of his neck.
Nothing questioned his sense of reality more though than not feeling that cold wedding ring, supposed to be on Michael‘s left hand, against his neck.
This did nothing for his denial.
He was frozen in Michael’s warm embrace, finally realizing that he had no chance winning the war in the first place. He had lost it before it even began.
Author: Brainzz_Insanee
Pairing: David/Kelly(OC); David/Kimberly; eventual Michael J./David C.
Status: 3/?
Word Count: 6110
Rating: PG-13
Summary: David Cook has reached the feat everyone wants to achieve: He’s got a great girlfriend, a supporting and loving family, amazing friends as well as a continually booming singing career. So with all this going for him, what could jeopardize what he‘s strived so hard for? And could it be something from the beginning of his journey?
Author’s Notes: Chapter three of Cherrymaryberry’s April Showers Challenge. I found this chapter to be the hardest so far but I gave it what it could. Once again, feel free to tell me what you think of it. I appreciate constructive criticism.
Challenge Information / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
David shoves his phone into his pocket, shuffling his feet along the stone walkway. He looks around the neighborhood, and simply listens to the stillness in the evening. His ears pick up birds chirping and he can’t help his smile when drops of rain hit his cheek, sliding down his neck. He shivers at the coolness, and finds himself craving more. His skin was blazing and the weather answered his wish. It came down harder, beginning to drench his pale skin and flatten his spiky hair.
“David, do you want to wait inside?” David vaguely hears from the door, turning around and opening his eyes to find Richard leaning against the door frame with concern etched on his features. “I mean… feel free to, I’d feel awful if I was to blame for you catching a cold or something.” The rocker shook his head with a dazed smile though, raising his head into the light shower of rain.
He always found the rain therapeutic.
The limo he called minutes before honked, interrupting his reverie and he glanced back at Richard with a small smile. The man nodded and gave him a pleasant wave, clutching his wife in his arms. David released a shuddering breath, running a hand through his wet hair and getting into the limo seat. Thankfully it wasn’t heavy rain, it only wet his hair to shoulders but he still apologized to the driver. The man didn’t appear to mind, only asking for the address he needed and letting Dave relax in the back.
Like he could do that.
He sat at the very edge of the back seating area, against the cool window. His right hand shook involuntarily and he simply watched it for a second before grasping it with his left, tears welling up in his eyes again. A small whimper comes from his throat, unable to stop the sound and drags his still trembling digits down his face. Sucking in several deep breaths, he calms his breathing partly. He brings his head down to his knees, grabbing at his flat hair less than gently.
The comprehension process in his brain was on vacation.
The limo gets back too soon for his taste, and the five minute warning given to him had went right past him. He blinks several times, ruffling around his hair and wiping his cheeks to get him into a decent appearance. Dave coughs uncomfortably, paying the driver extra like he promised and making his way inside the hotel. The walk back seems too far, and he flashes the receptionist his VIP card robotically when he gets into the lobby because his mind is fried.
He tells himself to breathe, hearing each one in his head.
As soon as he gets back into his room, he leans against the back of the door and calls out for Kimberly. His brow scrunches when there’s no response and he jogs around searching for her, until he finds a note on the kitchen counter. It informs him that she has gone out for the evening, and that she’ll be back by at least the following afternoon.
He’d usually be relieved to be left by his lonesome, but it wasn’t one of those times.
David paced around, the room too quiet for him and he found he was having trouble relaxing without Kim by. His hand lunged for the phone, his vision blurring slightly and he punched in whatever number his fingers demanded. It rang twice, and he was about to give up but the voice on the other end froze him.
“Dave?” The familiar Australian voice questions, the voice full of hope, coming across the line. He can’t speak for the life of him. This was not who he wanted to call, he was expecting to hear his mother answer the phone and not Michael Johns. He’s afraid to say anything, he’s gone so long without interfering with the other man‘s life. They hadn’t spoken in god knows how long.
Michael must hear his shallow breathing. “I know you’re there mate…talk to me please” he pleads, his voice catching and it tears at his heart. “I miss you Dave, it’s been too long since we’ve talked…We never see each other anymore. I hate that the only time I see you is on television. That shouldn’t be the only way. Answer me…” David closes eyes, clutching the phone to his ear and his whole being wants to hang the phone up but his heart won’t let him.
David gulps audibly, meekly greeting the other. “Um, hi Michael…” He mentally curses himself because his voice sounds so frail and raspy. He mentally counts in his head when the other man will interrogate about it. He doesn’t have to wait long.
“What’s going on? God Dave… are you all right?” David shuts his eyes, the other man’s concerned drenched voice not doing good things to his already flattened brain. What’s he supposed to say? He’s tempted to tell him everything, but he‘s not sure if he can. He refuses to burden Michael with it. He’s got enough to deal with as it is, he muses sadly.
“Yeah… yeah. Fine” Dave realizes how abrupt he sounds after he speaks, and he quietly smacks his own forehead. He knows he should have just faked his feelings better than that and now he has no prayer of escaping the other man‘s inquiry. Before the Australian can speak, he continues. “I’ve got to go Michael… I’m sorry for calling, I must be-”
“Stop it now” His voice forceful, a rare sound to his ears. “Please don’t hang up on me. Just talk to me David, for once…Really now, am I that repulsive? Is that why you won’t speak… Did I do something to offend you? Whatever it is that I did or said…I’m sorry.”
“No… I‘m sorry…” He manages barely, and does the last thing he wanted. He cries.
The beginning silence on the other end drives him crazy, and he’s too busy attempting to wipe his own tears to put the phone down. He can’t stop his emotions, the dam he’s worked so hard to construct perfectly is crumbling down, and finds himself swearing under his breath without control.
“David? What’s going on? You’re scaring me...”
“I don’t want to burden you.” He whispered back, no longer caring how pathetic he must sound to Michael. Dave held his own head in his hand while sitting on the wood floor and back to the end of the bed. He let his head fall back onto the covers. His bare feet were cold on the wood, but he didn’t bother getting into socks.
“You’ll never do that. Nothing you do or say would ever make me think that.”
The words tug at his heart again, and he wonders how he’s gone so long without conversing with the Australian. His protective wall finally falls, and it’s the final push on his resistance. That sends him into delivering the words he’s still trying to comprehend himself with much failure.
“Michael… I’m still trying to wrap my head around this but…” He pauses suddenly, covering his mouth with his hand for a few moments to gather himself.
“I-- I‘m a father” David gets the words previously stuck in his throat out in the tiniest whisper that’s barely audible, his voice catching and trembling. He doesn’t even know his body is shaking too until the phone slips from his hands, catching it quickly and pressing it tightly against his ear. Saying it to someone, let along Michael, uproots his denial in some form and sends him into another whirlwind of emotion. He holds onto the phone as if it was his lifeline.
“Breathe for me okay…please?” Michael begs in a whisper. “Tell me from the start.”
“I’ll try…About a week before I auditioned for Idol, yeah the stone age… A girlfriend of mine at the time, her name-- Kelly. Her and I…we slept together one of those nights. We uh, we broke up shortly after…and I hadn’t heard from her in ages, not even during the show. We didn’t part that great…but um, her dad actually called me yesterday, and he tells me that someone…that they shot her--” David’s throat collapses, and he sobs loudly into the phone. “I--She didn‘t make it…” He coughs to attempt to clear his strained lungs. “Her father wanted me over to the house, said it was important… I go over there, you know…be the supportive ex-boyfriend. They-- I’m told I have a child Michael… a little girl… Kelly had her-- I never knew about… I never--I don’t know what to do…I’m terrified--” He can’t finish, bringing his knees up close and the floodgates completely coming down his eyes.
“David… oh god… I…” The Aussie is saying more, he thinks, but he can’t hear the man very well. The words are all coming out muffled and his own throat won’t work anymore. His ears feel deafened, as if he’s just come back from a rock concert minutes before. He can barely keep his eyes open, his stinging tears keeping them shut tight. He makes out Michael calling his name repeatedly, but language is failing him.
Somehow though, he gets out some. “I wish you were here…” Dave rasps through his tears. It’s not what he wanted the other man to hear, but they escape anyway because his barrier is shot with no immediate repair nearby.
“I’ll be there, I promise you.” The Australian replies immediately, no hesitation at all. His voice is pitched differently. Michael’s voice is shaking. The tone of the older man’s voice saddens him, the thought of Mike tearing up over him has him shaking his head.
“No... you can’t. Don‘t do that for me.”
“David… how can I not? You need someone there… and I want to be that person for you. Hearing you so upset like this… and for you to actually admit your fear to me-- That you’re scared…oh god, it chills me. You always bottle it…” He whispers, memories coming back for the two of them when David would eventually vent to Michael during stressful points in the Idol competition. “I can’t stand the thought of you hurting like this… it pains me so much. I wish I could take it away from you… to remove those weights from your shoulders.”
He’s upset Michael, and that alone hurts him more.
“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean-- I shouldn't have said… I told you that it would be a burden--You didn’t listen…please, I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve this…” His breath is quickening rapidly, similar to wheezing. He gets up from the floor unsteadily only to stumble along. The room is spinning around him and he grasps the doorknob to his bathroom so tightly that his knuckles are a shade or two lighter.
“David, you can’t--”
The rocker sways, trudging forward and grabbing hold of the sides of the sink. The cold marble jolts him just enough to reach inside his prescribed bottle of high blood pressure medication and pour his recommended few into his hands. He has to blink a couple or so times for his vision to clear to check to ensure that’s he’s got the right number in his palm. The last thing he wants is to send himself to the hospital. David puts them down his throat, closing his eyes as they went down slowly.
His pulse still raged against his heated skin.
“Don’t tell me what I can’t do…” He whispers in return. Dave swaggers back to his bedroom clumsily, ragged breaths still leaving him. He barely makes it back to his room before his vision gets worse, vaguely feeling the phone drop from his fingers, and his body is depleted of all it’s strength when it collapses onto the plush bed.
He groans when he feels something damp on his head but his eye lids seem too heavy, lead weights on them. Somehow his eyes flutter open, his vision partly blurred, and he sees Kimberly sitting on the bed by him. One hand shifts the wet cloth on his forehead occasionally, while the other runs through his brown hair. His eyes shut again, his head unconsciously leaning in her direction.
“David… what happened? The time you were passed out on that bed… I thought you were actually sleeping in for once. I landed up turning you over and your skin was so warm… your pulse wasn’t racing though, that’s why I didn’t take you to the hospital.”
He snuggled his face into her lap, mumbling incoherent words.
“I’m not letting you off that easy. I left you be, but answer me now… please?”
Dave opened his eyes again, but this time kept them open. His mind was foggy, unsure of the reason however. He knew he didn’t drink the previous day. He finds himself turning to his side and away from her, his back facing her lap. The memories come back in flashes. Everything from answering the phone early yesterday, meeting his child and the rest is unclear to him at first.
Michael.
He shoots up in the bed, and his eyes shoot over to the phone on the hook. He’s beyond confused and glances over at Kimberly for answers.
“Mike… I was-- We were talking… I don’t remember when…” He trails off, lost in the manner of a child looking for something they were playing with. Kim is confused and instead reaches over to him, laying him back down on the bed. “I found the phone on the floor when I got in earlier…I put it back” She slowly says, leaning down to kiss his forehead gently. “You must have dropped it when you fell asleep?” She questions lightly.
“I need to call him…” Dave mumbles, but his body gives out and falls back down.
“You haven’t talked to him in forever, why do you need to call him? What’s so important that you have to speak with him before you rest up. You’re exhausted David, you’re hardly getting enough sleep…” She lets out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her blonde strands. She lays down next to him, resting her head on his chest. “Sorry…I just-- I worry about you sometimes.”
He smiles at her despite his own confusion. “No… I’m the one who should be doing that… I put you through enough, and yet, you stay by me.”
“Of course Dave, and nothing will change that.”
He pulled her closer then, bringing an arm around her waist and resting his head on top of hers. Her perfume drifts into his nose, and he takes it in deeply. The smell calms him every time it’s in the air. They relax by each other, or he tries to even though his mind is attempting to reconstruct the fog in his memory bank. “How about…you actually relax, and then I’ll let you call him back. In the mean time though, you’re going to get rid of those bags under your eyes. Got it?” Kimberly mutters against his cotton tee, and he’s able to interpret it by some means.
“All right… I got you.” He replied a few minutes later, a bit reluctantly. Kimberly gets up and tells him that she’ll make something to eat, leaving him to sleep. Dave couldn’t though, his mind was too absorbed in the thought of Michael and when he fainted exactly. He knew he told the Australian about the recent events happening but nothing was coming after that. He sucks in a breath when he realizes that he has to tell Kim about his new-found daughter, his heart clenching at the idea.
The truth is never a walk in the park.
David watches the clock periodically over the course of fifteen minutes, until he can’t stand the waiting anymore. He pulls the sheets away from him, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and getting up toward the kitchen. For a couple minutes, he watches her stroll around the kitchen as if she’s been there thousands of times. Her hair is in a messy bun while she’s dressed in jean shorts and a green blouse. She’s even humming to herself, and the last thing he wants to do is disrupt that.
“Kim?” His voice is small, yet she hears it.
She stops what she’s doing, turning around to face him with a smile. She cleans her hands off with a hand cloth and turns off the stove. She leans on the counter with a hand, facing him completely with sparkling green eyes.
“Hey, shouldn’t you sleeping?”
Dave shakes his head, gazing down momentarily then looking back at her. He knows his eyes show turmoil, and it shows on her face when she sees this. His hands clench together while he steps closer. “I couldn’t sleep-- There’s something you need to know…and I’m not really sure how to go about explaining it. It’s probably not the best thing you want to hear but you made me promise to be both honest with you and myself. Look…umm Kim…Can you promise me something?”
She presses her lips together, her brows scrunched tightly. “David, is this--”
“Kim…please. Yes or no?” Dave interjected, separating his hands and roughly dragging a hand through his dark hair, while the other made itself comfortable deep in his pocket. He never liked to interrupt people, anyone and everyone, but he was afraid of losing the will to tell her what was going on and would be going on his life soon. She frowned briefly, crossing her arms uncomfortably and keeping the distance between them.
“Yes… I can promise you whatever you want.”
He takes a shuddering breath, picking at his finger nails. “Kim…I need you to promise me that you won’t freak out from what I’m going to tell you.”
“David… god-- I won’t freak.”
“I hope so…” He mumbles under his breath. He shifts his feet around, unsure if he should go closer to her or keep the distance as it was. David takes the first option, walking toward her and clasping both of her hands. They’re small and soft in his grasp. He rubs the top of her hands with his thumbs, looking straight into her eyes.
“I’m going-- I’m a father Kim” Her mouth opens, and he continues before she can say anything. “When Kelly’s father called me and asked me to go over… He uh-- He told me that Kelly-- She had given birth to a little girl a year ago, not long after the Idol finale… I met that child yesterday. Since Kelly’s… passing, upon the signing I’m entitled to the custody…I didn’t want to tell anyone but I see it-- You needed to hear it from me.”
Her eyes look down and she slowly pulls her hands from his, facing away from him.
“Kim…say something?” She doesn’t say anything, and he takes the time to walk around her in order to see her face. Her green eyes are shut, a fist clenched against her chin and he reaches out to her. His hand barely touches her arm when she moves away, as if his fingers scorched her skin.
He thought honesty was a form of release, but it instead confined him. He felt like he was drowning in the tight air between them.
“Kimberly--”
“Stop… I-- I’m really trying not to freak out here.”
“Can I do anything to--”
She steps intensely close, putting her fingers on his mouth to shush him. “Is that why you called Michael Johns? Did you tell him about this?” Her voice is sword sharp, and her eyes are burning. David nods weakly, confused at her behavior.
“Are you going to raise that child?” She continues, at the same vocal pace and removes her fingers from his mouth. She’s studying him and his eyes. He suddenly feels bad for the insects that are put under a microscope, because he thinks he might understand what they go through now.
“I uh-- I’m not sure. I think I want to though.”
“You think? Have you given this any actual thought?”
“Of course not! This happened just yesterday Kim!” He bites back at her, getting annoyed with her attitude. “I’m no fucking philosopher! I’m not going to have this handled and decided in less than a day. Do you seriously expect that from me?” He runs a hand through his hair and lets out several breaths. He continues in a calmer tone. “What aren’t you telling me? I feel like I’m missing something because I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I just-- Honestly…David, It’s a serious responsibility that your life doesn’t and won’t acclimate for. I’m sure you know that you don’t have the time to raise a child. You can’t go through with this.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I just told you! That, and you’re hardly getting sleep as it is. If you agree to taking custody of this little girl, you’re likely not to get any. That fact alone will probably put you in the hospital. That child needs an adult that has enough time for her.”
“I’ll make time for her.”
Kimberly nods slowly with her eyes staring right through him, and heads in the direction of the bedroom. He watches her try to close the door, but it only goes half-way. He eyes the notepad on the counter, and grabs it abruptly. Before he realizes it, he throws it across the room and it lands ungracefully on the table. Dave sucks in a breath and walks for the bedroom, opening the ajar door silently more and peaking inside. His eyes find her sitting on the bed, hunched over and hands holding her head. He contemplates going by her, but she usually wants to by herself when she’s in thought. David goes for the door but she calls out to him.
“David… I-- I’m sorry that I flipped out on you.”
He sighs silently, “It’s all right. If you were completely fine with it then I’d be worried.”
There’s a hint of a smile on her face, and she pats down a place on the bed next to her. He walks into the room, and sits there obediently. Her fingers pry open his clenched ones, and they hold hands for a couple minutes in silence. The stiffness in the air has loosened, leaving him happy that they’re not yelling anymore.
“Dave… I-- I’m glad that you’re interested in this kid, honest… but what-- I think…David, the reason I tweaked out on you was…well…that-- I wish I could talk right now” She flatly smiles, not reaching her eyes. “I’m not ready to be any kind of motherly figure. I might have it in me… but I don’t feel it yet.”
“Oh…” Is all he can manage. It’s not the reason he expected, and the truth digs at him deep because if anyone would be a good parent figure to April…he pictured Kimberly. David couldn’t understand why she didn’t think so, but he found it intelligent not to push. He feels his eyes begin to moisten though, blinking the liquid back. “I thought you would…so um-- what are we then?” He turns and faces her, caressing her cheek. He knew he was desperate in hoping for the positive response. She closes her eyes against his palm, reaching up to hold his hand with her own.
“I can’t be that-- April’s mother figure… does that…” She trails off, looking down at the wood flooring. He brings his hand away from her face, rubbing her knee affectionately. She drapes a hand over his hand, rubbing her thumb against the side of his hand absentmindedly.
“We’re breaking up, aren’t we?” She says after a couple minutes.
David clutched her hand tighter at the words, licking his bottom lip. She rubbed his hand back. He couldn’t reply to her at first and his eyes found the floor more interesting than it actually was. The wood didn’t even contain a shine to be mesmerized at. All he could think about was Kimberly, and after everything between them, April was what cut their relationship. As cliché as it was, memories of the time they spent together flashed before his closed eyes.
“Yeah… I think so.” He replied softly, opening his eyes again.
“David, I’m sorry I can’t be here for you... I‘m sorry that I‘m not ready but I wish I was. You deserve this opportunity-- A child nonetheless, and I think well-- You‘d be an amazing father to that little girl if you take her in.”
“Kim, you said--”
“I know I said those things. I know that I sounded beyond disapproving… and fighting you on this decision…but what set it in for me was you really wanting to make time for her-- For you to be so passionate and adamant about removing time from your music career so that you can raise that child.”
Tears came to his eyes from her admission and he hastily wiped them away, smiling in pleasant surprise. “I-- umm, I don’t know what to say Kim. Thank you… It means so much to me that you’d say that…” His cheeks flushed up slightly, and he leaned toward her to plant a chaste kiss on her cheek. She simply smiled back.
“You really think I’d be a good father then?”
She raised both brows in astonishment, displaying an indignant expression. Without reply, she stood up and shoved him back. He fell back on the bed with a thud, a ‘what did I do’ look on his face.
“David, I care about you a lot but I will not hesitate to deck you if you doubt yourself and your capabilities of being a father one more time.” He was quiet from this, sitting up on the bed to twiddle his thumbs and look up at her with a meek smile. She crossed her arms, shaking her head at him.
“You’re not going to be a good father-- No, you’re going to be an amazing one. Seriously, you’re one of the greatest guys I’ve ever met. You’re responsible, respectful, kind, smart, very loving, thoughtful--”
“Okay…” Dave managed, flushing crimson. “Thank you but stop…” Kimberly smiled, leaning down to embrace him tight. He couldn’t help but smile, leaning into her arms. Just as she was going to pull away, he grinned and yanked her down onto the bed. She yelped, tumbling to the side by the pillows. They continued their battle, fighting for control over the bed until they both gave up and decided to lay next to each other. Their feet dropped off the side, and they chuckled when her sandals fell off.
“So… we’re okay? We can be…friends?” David questioned gently, more in a whisper. The words came from him suddenly, but he needed to hear it from her. They had spent their two years well; They never really had a fight. He didn’t count the little, silly squabbles they had once in a while though. She turned to him then and patted the top of his hand, “Yeah… we’ll be okay. I really think so, and definitely be able to be friends again. I’m not saying it won’t be awkward” To that they both chuckled, growing quiet after a couple seconds. “But… It’s possible, and I want to try because…well, you’re one of my best friends David and I refuse to lose that.”
He glanced over at her with deep gratitude in his green-hazel eyes. “Good…good. Thanks… I didn’t want to lose you either. You’re awesome, and I’m quite prepared for the coming awkwardness. Maybe if we talk about it being weird then it won’t be?”
She shrugged although a clear smirk was on her face. “I like that idea actually, the whole reverse psychology theory. And just this evening, we won’t talk serious. That kind of stuff is reserved for that whole life thing.”
“Right…because it’s not like that’s important at all.” He bounced back with a grin.
“Now we’re on the same brain wave… Lets--” David’s cell phone ringing cut her off, and both groaned at the life reminder. He looked in his pockets, but then his eyes found it on the desk across the room. With a groan, he was about to stand and get it but Kimberly was already there and picking it up for him. He smiled in appreciation, and relaxed back on the pillows. He furrowed his brows at her rapid change from interest to confusion though. “Well, do you want me to hand the phone over to him?” She replied, walking out of the room instead. David shrugged at this, closing his eyes and letting the soft fabric of the pillows lull him into a daze.
Dave couldn’t really make out what she was saying, though he was attempting not to listen. It wasn’t easy as she didn’t have the quietest voice. Instead of trying to wonder why she was talking about their room number, he put on his ipod and simply sank into the sounds in his ears.
Kim returned a couple minutes later, making him turn off the ipod and sit up. She tapped her fingers against the door frame and he asked who was on the phone.
“Oh um…” She paused a minute before answering. “Just an acquaintance of mine. They were wondering if I was free, and were going to stop over while I’m in the area.” David thought her tone was different, making him question if he wasn’t being told the whole story but he didn’t interrogate her about it. He figured if it was important, she’d tell him.
“When are they getting here?”
“About a half-hour. I hope you don’t mind.” David shook his head, his features calm.
“Don’t be ridiculous Kim. We can hangout whenever we want… besides, it’s not like we’ll be staying here forever so you might as well go have fun with them.” He sat up, and was kind of floored at her reaction when he made for the door.
“Where you going?”
Now he was perplexed, she was real adamant about him staying. “I was going to stop over to the malls for a while, get a few pairs of pants while you and your friend chill here… why? Something I’m missing?”
“No…no. I uh-- I kind of want you to meet them…their a huge fan of yours.”
David shrugged, taking of his shoes again and plopping down on the couch with his crossword puzzle book. She appeared relieved out of the corner of his eye, and she soon joined him on the couch. She reached down and pulled out a People magazine, flipping through the pages absentmindedly.
“You okay Kim? Did I say something weird…or uh, is this the whole awkward phase of breaking up? Something else seems to be the cause though.”
Again she paused, “Oh… I think it’s just the awkward thing.”
Not able to concentrate with his book, he tossed it on the end table by the couch and went toward the bedroom. He informed her quick that he was claiming the shower, and closed the door behind him. Once inside the bathroom, he stripped off his layers quick. He shivered at the chill in the room, rubbing his biceps briefly before practically rushing into the hot spray of the shower.
Once he was done with the shampooing and such, he let his back rest against the shower wall and titled his head up in the water. He was never thrilled about leaving the hot sanctum of the shower, as it was a separation from life. It soaked him down, the water cascading down his slightly trim form and along his thighs until it reached the floor.
He had to call Michael back sometime.
Dragging his hands through his drenched hair, he reasoned that he’d do it after the shower. After all, the Australian must have been worried sick when he stopped talking to him. He cringed thinking about it, remembering how blurry everything was before his surroundings went black.
It was obvious that he was dreading it, that he knew too well. It was something that had to be done however, because if he didn’t then Michael would land up trying to find him or something. He had to resolve it over the phone. With more struggle than probably necessary, he stumbled from the shower escape and dried off. Scanning through the dresser, he rummaged through it and managed to find one of his favorite pair of pants that tied on the sides. He grinned remembering the times he wore it on the tour, and the guys would make fun of him taking forever to tie it.
Smiling, he finished putting them on and slipped on a band tee of ACDC. Dave jogged back to the bathroom and feeling lazy for once, ran his hands through it roughly leaving it in a crazy spiky look. He liked it though, and was out the bedroom a few minutes later.
“So… I was thinking of pizza then?” He brought up out of the blue, during her channel flipping. She grinned from the couch, sitting up and heading over to him. Reaching around him, she pulled the menu from one of the drawers. They were in the middle of play arguing over which ones to order, between pepperoni and plain with green pepper, when a knock came on the door. She clapped excitedly, causing David to raise a brow at her uncharacteristic exuberance.
“Can you get that while grab some beers from the fridge?”
He rolled his eyes, pretending to mock her in a high voice. She smacked his shoulder in return. Shaking his head, he slowly made his way over. Light knocking came again, and he picked up his pace.
“Just wait a--” He opened the door and froze, knowing his mouth was hanging open but didn’t care because the person on the other end was not who he was expecting. Michael Johns stood in the hall, looking up from the floor and his eyes bore right through his own.
“Dave?”
David backed up, but Kimberly was right behind him and holding him in place. He turned around to face her, his brows so high that they were reaching the moon.
“I thought you--”
“Hey…I said that they were an acquaintance and that their a huge fan of yours. Plus, I figured in person talking was better than over the phone. He’s the one that called earlier, and I walked out of the room” David stared at her in silence, then back at Michael who had a pleading expression on his face. “Michael told me a little bit about your argument… and I thought this method best to resolve it." Kimberly glanced between them nervously, the tension and silence in the air palpable.
“I’m the one whose going to head out…you two talk, all right?” The room went deathly quiet, until they both mumbled in agreement. As soon as she left, Michael approached him and had all that concern on his face. David couldn’t look at it. The more he looked at Michael… the more those chained feelings came crashing back. His fight or flight seemed to kick in, making him want to bolt for the hills.
In his bewildered state, his thoughts heavily drenched in Michael; his touch and smell flooding his senses, he couldn’t flee from Michael’s arms coming around him tightly. The other man pulled him flush, head resting against his own. David could hear him mumbling words, but they didn’t reach his ears very well because Michael’s right arm was around his waist whilst his left hand cradled the back of his neck.
Nothing questioned his sense of reality more though than not feeling that cold wedding ring, supposed to be on Michael‘s left hand, against his neck.
This did nothing for his denial.
He was frozen in Michael’s warm embrace, finally realizing that he had no chance winning the war in the first place. He had lost it before it even began.