Devastation (Petal 2) Chapter 4 - The Disk

[itztigress3]

Chapter 4: The disk

POV:  Gabby

Word Count: 3551

February 22, 2008

 I was wondering if these very late nights and early mornings were normal for them, we’d gotten home last night at 10 and it was just 8 and we were already at the studio and had been since 7. The three of them were wide awake and arguing over what songs to really include or exclude. I’d heard this exact same conversation yesterday for four hours. I logged into my e-mail and found three more from Simon, three more pictures from back then. He hardly included words, usually just “pic” in the subject line and a picture. I was shocked that some of them were of me during those lost years.

“Earth to Gabby, come in Gabby.” Ike said.

I glanced up over the top of the screen. “I don’t think so, no way. Don’t even ask.”

“Come on, please?”

“No. You dragged me into this conversation yesterday and not a single one of you listened. Not doing it.”

I got three puppy faces and Zac was bad enough as it was, throw in Taylor and those blues and then Isaac? I was doomed and they knew it.

“Fine. What is your question?”

“Should we include I am or not?” Taylor asked.

I stared at them blankly, not having a clue what song that was or what it sounded like. Zac played it.

“I am father and son? None of you have children, or are there mini-versions that no one knows about?”

“Just a reference, sounded like it flowed better with that and one day we will be.” Ike said.

“Include it. It sounds good.”

“You’re just…”

I kicked Taylor’s shin. “Don’t even go there. You asked me for an opinion and I gave it to you. You should include the song and it’s not because Zac sings the lead, it’s because the song is good.”

He rubbed his shin but he didn’t say anything else and Zac and Isaac just sat quietly.

“You should include Need You Now also but I am bias on that one.”

“Don’t you play the drums?” Isaac asked.

“I do. Oh! That reminds me.”

I pushed the laptop back and picked up the drawing pad and handed it over. “I finished that guitar one you asked for. Critique.”

The three of them crowded around that one picture.

“We don’t have to worry about flipping pages do we?” Taylor asked.

“I wouldn’t recommend it…”

“It’s black and white.”

“Yeah, she doesn’t do color that much. I like it.” Zac said.

“Is it possible to get a color one?” Ike asked.

“Just like that or different?”

“Like this one.”

“Yeah, but it may be a while. I didn’t bring anything but black pencils.”

“No problem. So, now that we know I am is included.” Ike said.

That started them another debate about the other songs they had ready. About ten my phone beeped and I picked it up.

I know you’re upset with Max. But…are you pissed at me too? I’ve been knocking for like 30 minutes!

I’m not home Abby, I’m at the studio with Zac. Why are you even there? Were we suppose to hang out?!

No, there were no plans but I know you leave soon for another few months. Wanted to just see if you wanted to get lunch and hang out.

No Max?

IDK where he is, it’s just me.

I looked up at them arguing about another song and considered it, sure she was more on Max’s side but the last few times we talked she hadn’t said anything cross or negative to me about anything.

Do you know where 3CG is?

Somewhere in the Brady district right? You mentioned it before.

209 N Main St. text me when you get here.

She said okay and I shut things down, I’d have to take the laptop and tablets with me when I left and while they were totally arguing about that next song Zac stopped and looked at me.

“Gabby?”

“Abigail asked for lunch, I told her to pick me up. She can just take me back to the apartment and then I wouldn’t be there alone either.”

“No. You know she’ll tell Max and he’ll be there.”

“She said Max wasn’t with her. If he shows up then I’ll tell them both to leave.”

“He won’t.”

“He won’t have a choice, he can leave or the police can make him leave.”

“Don’t forget your duffle.” Taylor said.

I had forgotten it and I went down the hall and got it, came back and checked the contents. Zac didn’t seem happy but he also knew that I couldn’t ignore it all forever. I laid the contents out but even when the bag was empty I could feel something in the bottom. It took me ten minutes to find the place that had been sewn shut and they all looked when I ripped it. The object was there in the side, a square piece of plastic.

A floppy disk.

I stared at the grey piece with the bright red little sliding part and I could clearly remember blonde asking about this, repeatedly. Screaming that I had it, that I needed to give it up. I needed to turn the plastic over right then and there. This is what they were looking for. I slipped the disk back down and put everything back in the bag. If the detective was right then I couldn’t tell anyone that it was here.

Abby sent a message when she parked and Zac walked me to the front.

“Baby are you okay?”

“Yeah, any special request for your bags?”

“Underwear, I tend to never take enough with me.”

“You’re going to choose the stage clothes when you get home, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Let me know if you’re going to be midnight getting home.”

“I hope it’s more like six...”

I smiled and he held the door, more to view the car and make sure she was alone than because I needed it. But he made it a point to kiss me before I got past him well. I then walked to her car and I know he followed me because the door didn’t close until I was seated and had the seatbelt on.

“Bring enough with you?”

“Well, I had to bring the tablets and stuff home, Taylor brought me the duffle bag back and my laptop had to come home.”

“Laptop? I didn’t know you had a laptop.”

“It’s what Zac got me for Christmas.  He said I deserved my own and Shawn got a bunch of graphic programs so I’ve been dabbling with those. I have e-mail now also.”

“About time! I can e-mail you while you’re on tour.”

“Yep. Well, when it’s connected to the internet I can check. Texts and calls would still be quicker.”

“Of course. So, Mexican for lunch?”

“Sounds fine.”

She went to Mexicali’s, close by and we had a very pleasant lunch. Conversation didn’t revolve around Zac and I or even Max. She talked about school and what she wanted to do for the future. Made me realize mine was pretty blank. When we were done she took me back to the apartment.

“Looks like you kind of live here now.”

“He told me to do whatever, all I basically did was change the curtains. Framed a few drawings from us both and added some pictures.”

She looked around. “I don’t remember this one.”

The picture was the one I’d taken on New Years, the kissing one. “I took it New Years, I just didn’t add it to Twitter or anything.”

“It’s a good one.”

“He wanted it up. Only one he absolutely required I print.”

She paused at the larger one, really good picture from Vegas. “Wedding picture?”

“Yeah, despite being drunk we did fairly good for the pictures.”

I unpacked the duffle bag and put the books up and assorted items. “I’ve got to pack do you want to come help me pack mine?”

“You don’t mind me seeing the bedroom?”

“Well, it’s clean just no pictures.”

She giggled and followed me to the bedroom. “Damn, it’s simple and clean.”

“All I did in here was well, nothing. Just added a few pictures and the towels that Stella got us for Christmas I put them up.
Closet’s this way.”

She followed me.

“Shit, he has a Jacuzzi tub?”

“Oh my god, that tub is awesome. I finally got to use it after like the middle of January. Was quite nice.”

“Have you gotten to do a lot more in the tub?”

“Not talking about that.”

I went into the closet and she gasped.

“I expected him to have…more?”

“Not really. Most of his everyday stuff is in the drawers or folded up. The stuff hanging is the more nicer things and in this case most of what he’ll be wearing on stage. I’ll pack his everyday stuff but he’ll pack those.”

“What are you packing then?”

“What I need, I can’t really do much this time though. The arm is healed but the doctor doesn’t want me to do much for a few more months.”

“So, you’re just going to be going?”

“Zac won’t leave me behind, um the detectives think the people were professionals. He’s afraid they’ll come after me again.”

“They don’t know who it was?”

“No.”

I got my suitcase from the space in the back and opened it, began to pack clothes. Pants because the weather where we were going wasn’t going to be warm. Although, just in case I did include 2 pair of Capri’s, and two pair of shorts with appropriate shirts. She raised her eyebrow at the new bras and panties.

“I don’t remember those.”

“Zac got them when I cleaned out of the drawers and got rid of the underwear and t-shirts he had with holes and I did the same with mine. Some of the stuff was because Simon loved them. So, he took some bras out too because they were stretched badly.”

She was quiet for several minutes as I finished packing the one suitcase, which I packed with suits, laying them together and then I used another suitcase for the same thing. My now third suitcase would contain pajamas and my carry on duffle.  I was now understanding why Taylor had like ten. I got Zac’s from the side and began to chose his.

“I’m sorry.” She said.

I paused holding a stack of t-shirts confused.

“For what?”

“Not being up front about Max, not telling you. I wanted too I just knew how you felt about him and I didn’t want to upset you more when he left.”

“When he left?”

“Come on Gabs, you’ve figured it out by now.”

“I figured you dated a lot more than you said.”

“We were then, I knew he was leaving because I was his girlfriend. But, he didn’t tell me he was still meeting you. It’s why I left him actually. He was suppose to have cut that tie months before, I didn’t realize he didn’t.”

“Because he didn’t think it was a big deal.”

“I just wish I had told you.”

“Doesn’t matter anymore. It’s not likely he wants to be around me anyway.”

“He does.”

“Well, until he can accept this then he just won’t be. He hit me Abby, you sat there in March and heard how pissed he was at Simon and yet he’s telling me that was good? He hit me and it’s not something I’ll be fine with.”

She frowned. “He’s never been that way. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

“It doesn’t matter, he made the choice. He’s the one that has to deal with me being married. I’m not divorcing Zac just because he thinks he can’t change. He waited months because I couldn’t do anything, if he was so incapable he would have already called someone.”

“Who says he hasn’t?”

“Me. Because his phone isn’t locked to me. Nothing is. He will answer any question I ask. He is aware of what he did before but he’s also committed to this relationship.”

She smiled. “I’m glad he is. He seems to really care about you.”

I put plenty of t-shirts, pants, some shorts in his bags.

“No underwear? Are you trying to get easy access?” She asked.

“I wasn’t going to pack that with you here, he might have a slight issue.”

She giggled and closed her eyes. “Go ahead. I wouldn’t want you to forget those.”

I quickly threw more than enough and then covered them with pants. She even reminded me that we both needed socks! When the bags were packed we went to the living room. I was about to sit down when the doorbell rang, I wasn’t expecting anyone but walked over and checked.

“Did you call Max and tell him I was here?”

“No. He asked where I was and I simply said out shopping.”

I opened the door but blocked his path inside. “What do you want?”

“To talk to you.”

“If you are here to do anything but apologize then you’re wasting your time. I told you, this is my choice and you have to accept it, there is nothing else for you to do.”

“Gabriella, come on.”

His tone of voice was one he used so long ago and I just shook my head. It was his tone when he wanted sex and I’d refused.

“I’m not falling for that. Deal with it.”

He still moved quickly but I knew all his little tricks so even though his intention was a kiss, he only landed his lips on my cheek and then I pushed him away.

“Maxwell!” Abby said.

The look on his face said he totally did not expect her to be here, I had no idea what he thought he’d get out of coming anyway. If he anticipated me having sex with him now, he was fucking crazy.

“I think you need to go Max.”

Abby got up and she looked pissed, she’d seen him and there was no denying that I had nothing to do with that.

“You want to explain this Max? Because from my position it really looks like you think she’d just accept that you’re here and do what? Have sex with you?”

“She was never really able to tell me no. I know all the little weak points.”

He really hadn’t moved away and the familiar memories were there, that second time when he came onto me, the third time, and all the ones after that. Fuck, he was right, I’d never said no to him. Didn’t matter what I felt or if I really wanted too, I’d never said no.

“Max. She isn’t your girlfriend, I am.”

“Come on Abigail, you knew the whole time that we were together that we were too. It’s nothing new, I would have eventually pulled her to my room anyway.”

“Max…” She said.

I could smell his cologne the familiar scent that I use to smell when Simon was at his worse, because I’d think back to the days where I was happy. But, that was years ago and before I was married to someone. I moved away from him, that scent didn’t feel the same.

“Gabriella.”

“You need to leave Max.”

“Gabs.”

“No. I’m married to someone, he is the only person I’ll be having sex with. You need to leave or I will call the police and they’ll make you leave. I’m not some 16 year old seeking comfort in someone who cares, I’m an adult. One you think is stupid and a whore, so leave.”

He didn’t seem thrilled with that but he did agree to leave on his own and Abby followed, surely she was pissed off that he just felt it was fine to come here. Once they were both outside the door I closed and locked it, then sat down. Abby had pretty much said they were dating then and he’d still come to me. It could explain Max’s feelings the last few months if he thought he could have us both. When Abby text I picked up the phone.

Fuck what an ass. He seriously thinks it was okay to be dating me and sleeping with you. But, I am proud of you Gabby because you rejected that. I broke up with him. That’s not how relationships are.

I wouldn’t have slept with him even if I was still at his place, it’s not what I want. You two are good together but he needs to grow up a bit apparently.

I do love him but you are right. He needs to grow some and realize relationships are one-on-one. He was headed home, do you want me to come back?

It’s okay. I need to make a dessert for family dinner tomorrow and fix dinner for us, Zac should well, hopefully be home soon.

Okay – you didn’t mention Simon…is that done?

I considered telling her but ultimately I told her there was no change. Despite the e-mails, calls, and texts that he was doing I just felt like it wasn’t her problem. I went ahead and laid out Zac’s suitcase for his tour clothes and made sure I had packed everything I needed and he would. I left the suitcases there because they exceeded my 10 pound limit. I fixed a cake for tomorrow and then used a bunch of leftovers to create dinner. We hadn’t shopped this week because we knew no perishable items could be left. I cleaned out the fridge as I waited and he got home at seven.

“Did you guys settle on five or six songs?”

“Yes, five. The membership kit was sent to the manufacturer. They should be ready by May and we’ll mail when we get home. Did your time with Abby go well?”

“Yeah, but Max did show up.”

He glanced up from his plate. “Anything bad?”

“Apparently he thought it was okay to date Abigail and come on to me, I turned him down and she yelled at him and then broke up with him. I guess his actions the last few months really were him being jealous of us. I guess he knew I don’t cheat on people and that with us being together it ruined his chances.”

“It’s possible that was his thoughts and reasons. Did he serious try to come on to you?”

“Yeah. You know there were a lot of times when Simon was at his worse that I resorted to those years of memories, because they were good ones. But it’s not right that he lead Abby on or thinks that I’d fall that easily now.”

“It’s possible that he was just jealous of you being with someone. You were living there and I was assuming that your friendship then was on good grounds?”

“Yeah. He was very accommodating when I showed up and he was nice and helped. But um…that duffle bag Taylor brought.”

“Yeah, the one he took home. Sorry it took so long, he never unpacks unless he has too.”

“There was a floppy disk inside the lining of the bag. It’s why I ripped it earlier, I felt something in the bag. It was a floppy disk, just like the one they were looking for.”

He laid the fork down and looked at me. “Just like it?”

“Yeah. Grey disk, no writing with the red sliding part. I didn’t even know it was there. I used it for the books and stuff and that was it.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Nothing really, I’m not going to tell Max or Abby or anyone else that it was there but you need to know. I took the disk out and put it in the bottom drawer in the closet, where my gowns are.”

“Okay. Did you try to see what was on it?”

“No. I don’t have a floppy drive on the laptop and neither do you. I’ll have to find someone that does.”

“I think one of the computers at the studio does. But it’s closed up now.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Should we tell the detectives?”

“I will when we get home, but right now I can’t answer their questions and leave. It seems no one is coming after me or anything, so maybe they just lucked out or whatever.”

“Maybe. What is this? It’s really good.”

“I have no idea, I tossed a little of everything in there. The fridge is cleaned out, my bags are done, yours are almost done, just need to check I covered everything.”

“Okay.”

When he finished eating dinner we both cleaned up and he made sure the bags had everything we needed. He then sat the bags by the hallway door so nothing would be forgotten. We were originally going to fly, but apparently we were now riding to Nebraska while everyone else was meeting us there. Demetrius and Andrew however were riding with us. It was a good thing because they were all cool. We made use of that tub again before going to bed too, because after an all day family fest we probably wouldn’t have time tomorrow night. As I fell asleep I wondered what could be on the disk, but it wasn’t important right now.