Disclaimer: I own nadaaa! :)
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews on the last chapter. This one is a bit short, but it's to the point. I'm good, folks, I'm good. ;)
Chapter Fourteen:
"You did what for my sister?" Shannon Moore yelled wildly into the phone as Jeff sat in a gas station bathroom. Back in North Carolina, Shannon paced. "A recovering cocaine addict, Jeff? Man, what the fuck does she have you on, man?"
"Relax," Jeff replied calmly, running a hand through his hair, while looking in the mirror. "I'm not a moron, man. I've got this under control. Coral knows I trust her and I don't think she'd disrespect that."
"I'm not worried about Ms. Bitch-a-lot, Jeff! I'm worried about that damn drug addict you got with her. What if she's a past user? Did you ever stop to think about that? Even if she isn't, Jeff, addicts, they're unstable; they fuck up at the least bit of freedom, they—"
"Shan," Jeff stopped him. "In case you've forgotten, I know what someone on drugs is like. I don't need you trying to school me on this shit, man. I'm telling you, and trust my judgment, everything will be fine. I'll be home soon with her and they'll both be intact. I'm not an idiot, man."
It was silent on the other line in Carolina. Finally, Shannon sighed, "I just hope you're right."
"I'm right."
"Alright, fine. I'll talk to you soon then, okay? If she does anything sneaky – I don't give a fuck. My hands will be around her neck."
Jeff rolled his eyes. "Bye Shannon."
"Bye Jeff."
Jeff exited the gas station bathroom, waving at the person behind the cash register with a smile. He then went back to his car, where Coral and Mike were talking. She had the biggest smile on her face as Mike talked excitedly, using his hands. Jeff had to wonder, though, was he making a mistake? He trusted his own judgment, but Shannon's words wavered in his mind. What if?
-
Two hours later, Jeff found himself at a Virginia amusement park, hounded by fans as Coral and Mike rode the rides and played games. As he signed another autograph, he wondered why he let them convince him into going there. "I'm in hell," he muttered, waving goodbye to a five-year-old girl who looked like she was ready to pass out.
-
Across the amusement park, trouble had a name. Mike was talking behind a bathroom to a dealer, whispering so that Coral couldn't hear from the front of the bathroom.
"How did you get out?" the man asked, slipping some powdered cocaine into his pocket.
"Coral," Mike smiled, leaning against the wall. "She and some fucking creep got me out for the day."
The man laughed. "Good for ya, bro. Just be careful with that shit though. They'll test ya for traces of it back at the place."
Mike shrugged. "Oh, like I care. It's not on me, bro. It's on the rainbow freak. He promised to keep me from—"
"Mike?" a voice asked.
Mike nearly collapsed, seeing Coral coming up behind the bathroom. Her eyes were narrowed as she jogged up, seeing Mike's old dealer. "Coral—"
"What is this?" she asked lowly, pointing at Pedro – the dealer. "What are you doing?" Mike didn't answer, yet looked to the floor. "I try to help you, help you and Jeff even gets you out for one day and this is how you repay him? Repay me?" she cried, shoving him into the wall.
"Coral, please, let me—"
"NO! You damn prick! You're not better than that trash on the floor. I trusted you! How could you do that? You were all I had left. I don't have—"
"Coral, shh," Mike whispered. "You'll get us caught and we'll all be going to jail."
Coral abruptly stopped wailing and crossed her arms. She pulled the cocaine from his pocket and shoved it into his face. Then, in a hoarse, quiet voice, "If this is how you want to live your life, then by all means, go ahead. Just – just don't expect me to stick around anymore. I loved you Mike, I still love you. You gave me some of the best times of my life. But this – this life – I can't have. I don't want to go back to this, so if you do, go right ahead, but you're going to live it alone. I'm done."
Coral then went to leave. Pedro said, "Damn, you got a bitch there, bro."
She stopped, turning back around. Coral slapped Pedro on the face and smiled sweetly. "I've always wanted to do that to you," she said sweetly as he rubbed it and then, with her sneaker heel in the dirt – stomped away.
A/N: Sorry again, for the wait. I think I love this chapter. Coral has a heart! Who knew? And Mike... how will Mike tie in later? Lalala. Okay, READ AND REVIEW AND UPDATE I SHALL!!