Disclaimer: Okay you know the drill, droll/amusing reason why it doesn't belong to me.
Author's note: Okay just to clear it up, Ray is only suspended, it's just Neela worried that he might leave cos he's not happy at county anymore. Soz if that weren't clear.
Ray threw his bag in the general direction of the couch. He had felt relieved that Luka had only suspended him to start with but on the el trip home he had found his temper rising in him. It was Gates fault; he had earned that punch in the face, the asshole.
He really wanted to just get drunk and spend his two-week suspension partying, but partying on your own isn't really partying is it?
Abby had been unsurprised that he had finally lost it with Gates, saying, "It was only a matter of time" She'd shrugged nonchalantly as if she'd seen it coming. Hell she probably had.
She'd told him to use his time off to sort his head out and decide what he was going to do about the "whole Neela situation". He had reminded her that since Neela didn't want to speak to him or be his friend anymore there was really nothing that he could do about that situation. She had been weird when he'd said that and told him that he really should try to talk to her again.
He had to get his head straight though that much was obvious, he couldn't spend the rest of his working life at county arguing with Gates and he was pretty difficult to ignore when he spent most of his time reminding Ray that Neela was with him.
Impulse pushed him to pick up the phone; he could spend some time away from here to work a few things out.
"Hey Ray, it's been too long "Brett's voice was bright, genuine and it reminded Ray that he did still have friends that missed him even if they were the other side of the country.
"Hey man, yeah I'm sorry about that I've been really busy" He lied cheerily, he had been hurt by the bands decision to drop him and this was only his second or third call since then.
"How are tricks?" He asked realising straight away that it was a phrase he had gleaned from Neela at some point in their former friendship.
"Yeah pretty good" It was non-committal and Ray knew that meant they weren't as good as Brett would want.
"How's everybody there?" Brett asked cautiously despite not talking for a while Brett knew Neela had gone.
"Same as always" He didn't want to go into it now over the phone.
"So what's up Ray?" He had known Brett too long and knew he could tell that there was something wrong.
"I got some time off I was wondering if it would be all right to visit" He didn't need to go into detail now. He was sure he would spill everything when he got there and they went for the obligatory night of hard drinking.
"Hell yeah it'll be great man, how long can you come for?" Brett's sudden excitement made Ray smile; it felt good to be missed, to be wanted.
"A week, maybe a little longer" He answered happy that Brett was happy to hear from him.
"Sure when you coming?"
"As soon as I can" He couldn't stand sitting here in his own despair, he'd book the first flight out he could get.
They talked for almost an hour after that, it started off with the small incidental stuff, then moved onto more touchy subjects, Brett asked after Neela and Ray was typically noncommittal. He told Ray that they hadn't gotten a recording contract yet but they were gigging and they were becoming quite popular. He let it slip that Ray's replacement was not the comfortable fit they had anticipated.
When the call finally finished Ray wasted no time booking a flight and packing some stuff. The earliest flight he could get wasn't until the next morning but he figured by the time he got something to eat and had a nice long shower he could get an early night and some much needed rest.
Just a short one to make up for my recent tardiness.