Chapter 68

Shannon stood in the hall stewing for a full two minutes. He was snorting coke? He was doing hard drugs to deal with not having Mel around? Didn't he know that could kill him? And Jon, Why would Jon agree with Doc? If Jon knew how much Richie really needed Mel.... Jon would have a fucking cow if he knew about the coke.  So would Mel... Oh god Mel cant find out, she'll kill them ALL.

Shannon stomped her foot in anger, "God Damn fucking Rock Stars!" she yelled as she slammed Richie's door open again. Eye's flashing fire she swiftly crossed to where he was perched on the edge of the bed inhaling a line. She reached out and swiped the lined powder off the table. "That's enough of that SAMBORA! No fuckin' way in hell you're killing yourself on MY watch!"  She grabbed the half full baggie out of his hand and stalked to the bathroom dumping it in the toilet before pulling the flusher in one swift motion. Crossing her arms she stood and challenged him. "Now sober up!"

He was off the bed in a flash, crowding into in the door. "You fuckin' flushed? YOU FUCKIN' FLUSHED? Shit you think that’s all there is?" 

He turned to stalk to the door, "I'll just go see Vince. There's more to be had. You aren't my fuckin' watcher. Go back to pansy ass. Go be with your husband, he shit us all over for you."


As he reached the door the knock sounded, his hand reaching out to open it as a grin floated to his lips. Nodding at the waiter, he signed the slip of paper and grabbed for the bottles before slamming the door. "You wanna be sober? Go play with dickhead."

He grinned even wider, "Hell maybe Sabo has some, his is usually better."

Now that she knew he was strung out, his nasty verbal barbs didn't hurt quite as bad. She knew he was just drunk AND jacked up. "You really think drugs are the way to deal with this? What would Mel say Richie? Huh? Think you big fucking brute, pot brownies are one thing but this?" She tried reasoning with him.

"Mellie would get it." He just knew she would, it was coke or broads. He was pretty sure she'd go for the coke over him finding a broad to ease what was hurting. "Yeah, Mellie would be cool with it. She's not a nun for all you and fuckhead thinking she is."

Shannon raised an eyebrow, "Oh she would get it?" she moved toward the door once more. "Ok, if you say so... don't say I didn't warn  you." with a shake of her head she silently left the room one more time. 

He glanced down at the bottle then the door. Vodka or Sabo? Vodka or .... Sabo would have girls around, he was pretty damned sure of it. Shrugging the thought off he unscrewed the cap and upended the bottle.

Shannon slammed the door to her and Jons room and ran her hands thru her hair as she paced. What the actual fuck was going on? Richie using cocaine? Jon would absolutely flip over this shit! She sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her neck as her mind flailed. What should she do? She couldn't tell Jon. Not only would that be akin to being a little tattletale, but it would set her husband over the edge. As much as she loved him, no matter what anyone else thought, she was not blind to his shortcomings, and right now, he had ALOT of them. He was so stressed, overworked, his throat was constantly sore, almost raw, they just didn't understand! He was always butting heads with Doc about what should or shouldn't be done concerning the band. She had a sinking feeling that this whole fiasco with her and Mel had more to do with Doc's decision than Jon's. Jon had told her weeks ago he didn't care one way or the other if Mel came along. 
She stared out the window, her needed nap long forgotten now. She had to do something.  Richie couldn't do this, not with a show the next night. Did Mel really mean that much to him that he would risk it all, even his own life to numb the pain of being apart from her? That was insane! Mel wouldn't stand for it! Mel would slap the stupid right out of him! She glanced down at her wrist and rubbed it gently while  fighting back the tears. He always seemed so happy, so, silly, goofy...a ... well a dork like Mel said. So why was he acting like this?

She sighed as she sat there. Maybe the pressures of the road were different for Richie, but whatever it was, she could smell a rift forming between the two men, and this decision of Doc’s that Jon had went along with wasn’t helping it one bit.

 She pulled her sleeve down to cover the slight bruising he'd left in his anger.  Thank god Jon’s just a yeller! If he ever got like THAT I think I'd die! She looked at the bedside clock, Jon wouldn't be back for another hour or so. Doing a quick calculation in her head she decided Mel should be awake and at home. She picked up the phone. She was calling her sister, even if Mel was angry with her for the whole wedding fiasco, Shannon knew she would forgive her everything if she helped her stop Richie from drowning himself in drugs. Even if Jon got angry with her for going behind his back, she had to do it. If Mel loved Richie as much as she herself loved Jon, it was only right.... She picked up the phone and dialed.