In the last couple of weeks I had inadvertently set into a routine. I woke up, fed Harmony, dropped her off at day care, went to the studio and started recording. I'd spent like three days on a song taking a break on Fridays and weekends. I didn't realized how much fun I would be having actually recording my own songs. I was always sort of petrified of it but I was pleasantly surprised when I wasn't afraid. I just went all out, one song at a time.
Timothy, Raymond and Kevin were recording with me. I don't know if I could do it without them. They made the whole transition easier. I didn't really pre-record each song like I normally would so I let them use their creativity after we set down a baseline for the music.
I've been in touch with Kelsi. I sent her a recording of a song that I think would be amazing if there was like an orchestra playing behind me. She was going to compose and come down in another week or so to show it to me. I've only recorded about four songs already. I had four more ready to go.
Troy was still working on himself. He didn't get checked back into rehab but he seemed to be around more at night. He helped me with Harmony if I needed it. On weekends we would do things as a family. We went to the park and museums and other fun stuff. We even went out a couple of times, just the two of us. Things have been nice and I starting to trust him again.
Troy and I were on our way to the studio. We were going to record a song that I wrote. The song was one of the newer ones. Chris trusted me to record a good amount of songs and we would pick the best 10 to 12 songs. Depending on if we agreed or not. He squeezed me hand as I drove. I smiled over at him.
"I like this song." He said. "It's different, they way you were playing it."
I nodded. "I think this album is going to be really random." I said. "There's a little bit of something for everybody."
He kissed the top of my hand gently. "You are amazing."
I smiled at him. "I'd be nothing without you."
He grinned. "Well that's not true, you've done a lot without me." I rolled my eyes. "Really! You write all these amazing songs… you gave birth without me…" Troy trailed off.
"That wasn't really up to me but whatever, Troy.." I said, playing with his fingers. I pulled into a parking space and turned off the car. Troy was staring at me. "What?" I asked, confused.
"Nothing, nothing." He said with a small smile, shaking his head.
I climbed out of the car. Troy met be by the trunk. He wrapped his arms around my waist. I pulled him closer to me, resting my butt against the trunk of the car. He leaned down and kissed my lips slowly. "Mmm, what's all this for?" I asked, leaning in for another kiss. "Not that I'm complaining."
Troy laughed, pulling away from my lips. "I just love you, so much. I don't know if I told you how much I love you lately."
I smirked a little. "Not lately." I teased.
"I know I've been an ass lately and I'm sorry." He said, looking at me. He held my waist, pressing his stomach against mine.
"You're getting better babe and that's all I can ask for." I looked up at his eyes. They were clear and bright, they way they should be. I kissed his lips slowly, running my fingers though his hair. "I hate to cut this short, but we're going to be late for work."
He kissed my lips gently. "You're right. Let's go." He slid his hands from my waist and laced his finger with mine. I held onto his arm and leaned my head against his shoulder as we walked in. We made our way up the elevator and into our usual recording room.
Grant Wesley was in the studio along with his people. Troy and I looked at each other, confused. I shrugged. I walked over to a man named Jon. He was a producer. "Hey Jon." I caught Grants eye and he waved to me. I waved back to him.
"Hey Gabi, we're almost done." He said.
"No problem." I said, giving him a small smile and a pat on the shoulder. Troy and I sat on the couch. I cuddled up against Troy. I looked up at him. "Babe?"
"Yeah?" He asked, rubbing my knee.
"When do you want to get married?" I asked, looking up at him. It's been over a year since we've been engaged, almost a year and a half.
Troy scratched the back of his head. "I'm not really sure. I still want to wait a bit. You're in the middle of recording your album, then were going to go on tour."
I nodded and sighed. "That's true. After the tour?"
He gave me and grin and nodded "After the tour."
"Promise?" I asked.
He chuckled quietly. "I promise. We can plan the wedding on the road."
I smiled brightly. "I'm excited." I leaned my head against his chest.
"Me too baby." He said, kissing my hair. "Me too."
"Alright, I think were done." Grant said after he stopped singing.
"Great job Grant." Jon said, pressing the button to talk to him.
Grant and his band filed out. The boys came in a couple minutes later along with Max. We had a little chat about how we were going to record the song. Once we all agreed on what we were going to do then we got set. Troy and I stood in the main recording area. I put the headphones on and looked over at Troy. He was just watching me. He put his on and I cleared my throat.
"Max, can you hear me?" I asked, I looking over at him through the glass.
He nodded, putting a thumb up. "How does it sound?" Troy asked.
"It's good," Max replied. "Guys, are you ready?"
We looked back as the guys started playing for a second. "Sound good." I said, smiling. The boys started playing again. Troy started singing first.
"There I was at the bus stop begging you just to stay.
Can we work this out?
Baby we can work this out.
A dust trail from a greyhound headed for the west coast
As I watch you leave, I find it hard to breath
No this ain't how it was supposed to be.
If you're out chasing all your dreams,
Tell me where does that leave me?
What about the plans that you left behind
The little white house by the railway line
The one we picked out, we even put the payment down.
What about the promise that you made
To stay with me till your dying days?
Said you'd never go away
Are they just things that people say?
Are they just things baby?
The preacher stopped by the house last Tuesday,
Asked if I was fine
Sat and talked awhile, tried to make me smile.
It's so hard to show my face round lately in this small town.
I guess they heard the news, about me and you.
It's 3 am and cant sleep at all.
Wonder where you are tonight and if I ever cross your mind.
What about the plans that you left behind
The little white house by the railway line
The one we picked out, we even put the payment down.
What about the promise that you made
To stay with me till your dying days?
Said you'd never go away
Are they just things that people say?
Well my mama won't stop crying
She wonders what went wrong.
Could I have loved a little deeper
Or did I hold on too strong?
What about the plans that you left behind
The little white house by the railway line
The one we picked out, even put the payment down.
What about the promise that you made
To stay with me till your dying days?
Said you'd never go away
Are they just things that people say?
Are they just things baby?"
Troy and I kept contact throughout most of the song. He did great for not recording in quite a while. He was a natural though. After finishing up for the day, we went and picked up Harmony from daycare. Harmony and Troy were playing in the room and I was laying on the couch, relaxing.
I flipped though channels and I stopped at a familiar movie. I sat and watched it for a minute. "Hey baby, what're we hav-" He stopped in his tracks and I looked up at him. He smiled a little bit, I watched him walk over to me and sit down. "It's funny how one little thing can remind you of someone."
I nodded. "I know." I pulled my knees up to my chest. Troy and I watched Forrest Gump for a little bit.
"MAMA!" Harmony screeched. She toddled over to me and smacked my knee getting my attention.
"Hi baby." I picked her up and sat her in between Troy and I. She started climbing on my lap. She pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and sat back down, playing with my phone. I watched her swipe the screen of my iPhone. She grunted, lifting up the phone to me. I typed in the pass code and gave it back to her.
"I don't understand how she can be this smart." Troy said, watching her work the device.
"Well she definitely takes after me." I said smirking. Troy laughed, turning his attention back to the movie.
"Mama!" She pressed the button and one of Troy's songs started playing. "Dada! Mu."
He looked at her confused. "What?"
"Mu!" She started rocking side to side, dancing.
I giggled. "music?"
"Yeah! Mu!" She changed the song. I watched her play with the phone.
"You're silly Harmy." I kissed the top of her head, cuddling with her.
"What are we having for dinner babe?" Troy asked, looking over at me.
I shrugged. "Do you want to go pick up something?"
"I can do that." He said, started to get up. "What do you want?"
"You can pick, you know what I like. I'll feed Harmony something from here." I held my arms out for him. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing his lips slowly. "I love you."
"I love you more." He said, giving me another kiss.
"Ewwwwww!" Harmony said, looking at us.
I laughed a little, kissing him quickly. "Be back soon."
"Don't miss me too much." He said, winking at me.
"Oh, I will." I said, smirking at him. I picked up Harmony setting her on my lap. "You want to eat, Harmy?"
"Yeah!" She said, dropping my phone on my lap. I put my phone back in my pocket.
Harmony and I were watching a movie after she ate when she fell asleep. I took her up to bed and tucked her in. I looked over at the time. It felt like it was only a half hour since Troy left. It had been two and a half hours. I furrowed my eyebrows and called Troy's number as I made my way back down the stairs. I heard Troy's phone ring from the living room. I sighed and found it in the couch cushion.
Where the hell was he? I ran my fingers through my hair. I started calling around to people from the studio Joey, Molly, Max, Chris or even Grant hadn't seen or heard from him either. Molly was going to drive around town before she came back here to worry with me. I paced my living room for the next twenty minutes. There was a knock at the door. I rushed over to it and opened it.
"Hey! I couldn't find him. I went driving down drunk row but I didn't find his car." I frowned. "I'm sorry Gabi."
I nodded. "Do you think you can stay here with Harmony while I go out and look for him?"
"Of course. What should I do if she wakes up?" She asked, looking up at the stairs.
"She shouldn't but just give her the pacifier. She hasn't been using it lately unless she was having a really rough night." I said sighing. "I'm so sorry about this."
"No problem Gabi. What are friends for?" She gave me a tight hug. "You just go out and find him."
I pulled on my hoodie and nodded. "I'll call to check in." I said. I picked up my purse and keys and I walked out of the door. I hopped in my car and headed out on my way. I drove around town, looking at parking lots, in bars, around familiar places. I was about ready to give up when my phone rang. I pulled over to the side of the road. "Hello?"
"G-aaabi" I heard somebody slur their words. I looked at my phone and it was a random number. "Gabi! It's me! Jar-rod." He let out a burp. "How're you doing?"
"Jarrod? Why are you calling me?" I asked, rubbing my forehead.
He hiccupped and then there was a burst of laughter in the background. "FUCK YOU TRENT!" He yelled. "Gabi?"
"Still here." I said impatiently.
"We're at my buddy's house. He passed out in the bushes." There was some rustling on his end. "Where the fuck is Bolton? Is he still in the bushes?"
"Troy's with you?" I asked, sitting up immediately.
"He was, now he's on the sidewark." He burst out laughing. "Sidewark."
I rubbed my forehead. "Where the fuck are you Jarrod?" I asked, annoyed.
"Hendersonville. Fourth street white house." Jarrod said.
"I'm going to pick him up alright?" I asked him. "I'll be there soon."
"Peace!" He said before hanging up.
I groaned in frustration. I turned my car around and drove north towards Hendersonville. I called Molly, catching up with her. Harmony hadn't woken up. After we hung up I set up directions on my phone and they lead me to fourth street. I drove slowly down the small street. I stopped when I saw a small white house with all the lights on. There was, indeed, somebody on the sidewalk. It had to be Troy. He was laid on the side. I pulled up to the drive way and got out of the car, holding my purse.
"Troy." I rushed over to him. He didn't move. I crouched next to him. "Troy, come on, get up." I smacked his cheek a couple times. He stank like marijuana and whiskey. He didn't respond. My heart stopped for a split second. "Troy, come on. Please. Get up." I bit my trembling lip. I pressed two fingers in his neck. He did have a pulse but his breathing was shallow. "Troy, wake up." I let out a sob.
I got up and walked over to the door. I banged my fist against the door. "Hey!" Jarrod answered. His bloodshot eyes were barely open.
"What the fuck did you do to him?!" I asked, pushing him back. The tears were streaming down my face. "This is all your fucking fault Jarrod! I'm going to call the fucking cops on your bullshit drug party. Help me get him to the fucking car."
"Alright, alright, alright." He said. "Calm down babe."
"I am not your babe." I hissed. "Help me. Now."
He set his beer down and walked out with me. Jarrod got him up and I helped him walk him to the car. We laid him across the backseat after I put the car seat in the trunk. I closed the door and turned to Jarrod. "Your welcome."
I blinked at him. "You need to stay away from Troy. You're doing nothing but hurting him and his family. I don't give a flying fuck what you do, just don't drag Troy into it." I shoved him again, getting into the car. I threw my purse on the passengers seat and slammed my door.
I drove Troy back to Nashville. I took him to the ER at a nearby hospital. I ran in quickly and got somebody to help me with him and get a wheel chair. The strong male nurse set him in the chair. He was still unresponsive. They took him in while I filled out some paperwork. I gave it back to the receptionist and sat down, waiting impatiently.
"Miss Montez." I saw the man who helped me with Troy, standing in front of me. I stood up quickly. "We're doing a lot of blood tests, they just got sent to the lab. He's very dehydrated so we set up an IV and he's starting to become more conscious. You can go see him, if you'd like. My suggestion is keep a vomit bucket beside you because that will probably be the first thing out of his mouth."
I nodded. "Thank you. I'm going to go call my sitter than I'll go see him." He gave me a sad smile and I walked outside. I saw my reflection in the hospital window and I wiped my face off. It was about one in the morning. I called Molly quickly, letting her know what was going on. I didn't know when I was able to get back to Harmony and It was frustrating.
I made my way back inside and one of the nurses walked me to his room. I took a seat beside him and I touched his hand gently. I ran my fingers against his palm and watched him. Troy's mouth twitched slightly. I looked around and found a small bucket. I saw his stomach lurching, he sat up and I put the bucket under him. He released the contents of his stomach and I ran my fingers through his hair. He laid back against the bed a while later and groaned. I wiped his mouth gently, pushing his hair back.
"Gab?" he asked quietly.
"Shh…" I wiped the sweat off his face, he didn't look good. "I'm here, just relax."
I wiped the tears that were dripping down my cheeks. He didn't open his eyes, he just let out another small groan. He sat up again and held the bucket while he vomited. A woman doctor walked in with a folder. Troy sat up again and I wiped his face before moving out of the way of the doctor.
"Troy, I'm Dr. Reed. Can you hear me?" She asked, wrapping a blood pressure cuff around his arm.
"Yes." He croaked.
"Good." She said, writing down the results and ripped the cuff off his arm. "Do you know how you got to the hospital?"
"No."
"Do you know why you are in the hospital?" Dr. Reed asked.
He coughed a little bit. "I drank too much. I smoked… it was laced with something. I didn't know until after I was high. I blacked out."
"Right, well you're blood tests are back. There are traces of Ecstasy and PCP in your blood stream along with alcohol." She explained. "If Gabriella hadn't have found you or taken you too the hospital, you could have died within the next couple of hours."
I covered my mouth to keep the sob from coming out. I turned away and wiped the tears from my face. "Is he going to be okay?" I asked quietly.
"Yes, he's very lucky he has somebody like you. We're going to keep him for a while and monitor him for the next couple of hours." Dr. Reed said turning to me. "I'll be back soon to check up on him."
I nodded, watching her as she walked out. "Gabi." Troy said quietly.
I walked over to him. "Do you want some water?" I asked quietly. He nodded. I poured him a small cup of water. I helped him drink it and I put the cup back on the tray. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit." He said.
I ran my fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry." I said quietly. "Try to go back to sleep alright?"
"okay." He said. I pulled up his blankets and he rested against the bed. I watched him sleep for a little while before I closed my eyes, letting sleep take over me.
Yikes. Lemme know what you think. What do you think Gabi's gonna do? Don't forget to review! :)
Song:
Things People Say- Lady Antebellum
