Carrie and Keith 17

Keith posted the note on his front door before he left.

"Take your shit home. I'm out of the band."

He limped down the stairs, got in his car, and drove away.

When he got back home, it was well after midnight. Justin's car was still out front. Keith groaned as he pulled into the driveway. He leaned his head against the headrest and closed his eyes. His choices were to leave again, sleep in the car, or go in and let Justin have his say. He bowed his head and got out of the car.

Slowly, he limped up the stairs and into the house. He found Justin sitting on the sofa, listening to the radio.

"What?" Keith asked wearily when Justin stared at him.

"You look like hell. Are you not sleeping? Or not eating? Or both?"

Keith sighed. "I'm fine." he said and sat in the chair across the room from him.

"Yeah. You look fine," Justin sneered and looked away from him. He took a deep breath. "I don't know what you think she did, but you're wrong." Justin turned and gazed intently at him.

"She admitted it to me! And she said she did it for all of her clients!" Keith leaned forward.

"What? That she rubs their feet?"

"What?"

"Yeah. She rubbed his feet after she finished the massage."

"Yeah. I bet." Keith snorted and sat back in the chair.

"You dumbass!" Justin's voice was rising. "You have no idea where she works or what she does. You're basing everything on Ruffalo's -- fucking Ruffalo's -- comment! You value his word that much?" Justin was now standing, waving his arms wildly.

Keith stared at him, dumbfounded. Oh shit, he thought.

"Shit," he said and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.

"Did you get in a fight with her over it, too?"

Keith nodded numbly without looking up.

"Good job! You've broken up the band and lost Carrie over a god damn foot rub." Keith could hear Justin pacing as he yelled. "Now what? Are you going to let yourself hit bottom like you did after you lost Vickie? Are you going to make me watch you die a little everyday again?

"Here's some advice. Apologize to both of them and hope they can forgive your sorry ass." Justin walked out and slammed the door behind him.

I am a dumbass.

***

Keith listened to the phone ring and took a deep breath.

"Hello?" Joey answered.

"Hey, Joe. It's Keith."

"Hey man."

Keith cleared his throat. "Listen. I'm sorry about last week. I'm a little touchy about her, I guess."

For a moment, there was silence.

"Ya know what, man? It wasn't your fault. I just like giving you shit. I didn't realize how serious you were about her or I wouldn't have said that. Don't worry about it."

Keith heaved a sigh. "So, do you want to come back and sing?"

"Yeah. Sunday night?"

"Yeah. See ya then."

"Alright." Joey said and hung up.

Well, that was easier than I thought.