On Tour

Shock was clearly visible on Matt's face as he listened to the band’s lawyer on his phone, looking worse by the second. Karma had a bad feeling in her guts, and she couldn’t shake it off.

It was strange that Howard himself called a member of the band, mostly one of his secretaries contacted Larry and then Larry broke the news to the band, nothing else. Last time they ever needed him was when some shows had to be canceled due to Matt having laryngitis. That was almost two years ago.

Some fans wanted the money for their flights or train tickets, and then Larry let Howard handle all that. But now… Why would he call Matt? And only Matt?

The longer he remained quiet, the more anxious Karma grew. She tried to make out anything he said, but he was too far away.

"Yeah," Matt said finally, sounding... Karma didn't know. Regretful? It was the first time in minutes that he spoke, the first time ever since saying hello on the phone.
"But... No, Mr King, it can't be... I always used... yeah..." WHAT DID HE USE? Karma's head was spinning. What were they talking about? What did he use? I used.. I used, he’d said. What was it?

She grabbed his arm, feeling the warmth of his body for a second. Suddenly, he pushed her away roughly, anger in his eyes. Karma was shocked. What had gone into him? She flipped him the bird and got up to take a shower.

The warm water felt soothing on her skin, but somehow she couldn't take her mind off of Matt and his mysterious call. What on earth had to go wrong for Howard to personally call Matt? And so early? A lot, possibly.

Maybe that was why he acted like this. Karma thought that he didn't deserve the cold shoulder just because he didn't want her to eavesdrop. Maybe his dad died, or something as bad as that. She didn't know what was happening, so who was she to judge?

She needed to show him her support no matter what, not ignore him for some heat of the moment thing, after all. They were a couple, they faced their problems together. Right?

The shower didn't ease her thoughts, so she stepped out again and walked back into the room with only a towel around her body. Whatever it was, she could take those thoughts off him by just letting that drop. They had just enough time before their first appointment today, a signing at a CD store.

Matt sat there, staring into the walls like the ghost of Elvis was about to appear. Earth to Matt? Someone in there? Alright, she thought, I’m kind of starting to wonder if dropping that towel is really enough.

Karma cleared her throat. Matt jumped as if someone had just stabbed him with a gleaming needle. "Karma..." He uttered. Disbelief, but also pain were clearly visible on his face. Karma's insides twisted. She had never seen him like this before. Her instincts told her that something had to be terribly wrong, and she hoped that she as his girlfriend would be able to help him in any way she could.

She sat down next to him and softly placed her arm around him. His eyes watered. Okay, this gets worse by the second, can we not just fast forward to in a bunch of years when we’re super famous and have like 23 kids?

Matt's head landed on her shoulder for a brief second, and even though his massive skull felt uncomfortable against her small frame, she didn’t dare complain. But then he pushed her away. Gently, so he didn't hurt her, but firmly.

"What's wrong?" she managed to utter. Why is he pushing me away? I didn't do anything. Asshole, really, she thought. But he was her asshole.

"I don't deserve you," he stated, his voice telling her exactly that he didn’t want to say it, but felt like he had to. He got up from the bed. "I'm leaving."

What? Where? ME? “No, Matt, wait! You're not just walking out on my like that," Karma jumped after him. She saw him open the door, but managed to tug at his t-shirt before he disappeared through it fully.

A rasping noise sounded. Her butt hit the floor, and she stared at the piece of fabric in her hand dumbfoundedly. What was happening?

Quickly, she got up and ran after him, not caring that she was in nothing but her bathrobe still. She was his girlfriend. She had a right to know what was going on. And he had no right to treat her like this. Fucking asshole, she cursed under her breath as she ran after him, maybe it wasn't the best idea after all.

She caught him in the elevator, breathless from chasing him. "Matt," she stated, sounding angrier than she wanted. "Not now, Karma," he hissed, but she saw that he was holding back tears. "Please," she said softly. The elevator made a high pitched sound, signaling that they were on Matt's floor now.

"I can't," he screamed. The doors would open any minute. Her mind raced a mile a minute. She couldn't let him walk out of that elevator, not before knowing why he was acting like this and what that meant for them. Quickly, Karma pressed the stop button. It instantly turned dark inside the elevator.

She didn't know what was going to happen, but there certainly was enough time to get it out of him. "Just fucking great," Matt remarked sarcastically.

"You're gonna tell me what's up with you now," Karma demanded. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, not that he saw it since it was dark. She heard as he slumped down on the floor, and so she did the same on the opposite side of him. No-one said anything for a long time.

Karma tried to count her breaths, to count the seconds of silence passing, but she did not succeed. There were too many things going on in her mind. Why was he acting like this? What could have possibly happened that would upset him in such a way?

"Can I kiss you?" he suddenly sniffed. She smiled for a second. "Once you told me what's up, you can kiss me all you like." She heard him rummage in his pockets, then blow his nose. Mhhh sexy sound. Not.

"You don't understand," said he, "I want to kiss you before I tell you. Just... just one kiss. Please. I might not get one after that.“ She swallowed at his remark. She felt his hand land on hers as he slid closer, almost like he had to ask for permission to kiss her. His girlfriend. He... might not get a kiss after he tells me? What?

"Matt," she heard herself say. Her voice sounded off and breathy, almost like it didn't belong to her. "Did you... did you cheat on me?"

"What? No," his voice sounded immediately, „I told you I wouldn't do that to you. I love you. I'm a changed man. I know that... so many people say that and don't mean it but... fuck, Karma, I do!"

Karma took in his words, soaking them up like a sponge. They were so soothing. She was in deep, and this strange situation was not going to change it. Or so she thought. Karma took a deep breath. She was ready now. He more than earned it, and in this moment he was feeling miserable. And it might help him. It was true, after all.

"Matt, I love y-"
"Don't," he hissed, suddenly sounding angry. "Don't you understand?" By now, his voice was so loud that it left Karma's ear tingling once he stopped for a second. "I don't deserve to hear that, Karma. Right now I wish I'd only cheated! This is so much worse! Fucking... God what do I do..."

Even though she didn't see him, she knew he was cradling his head in his hands. His words echoed in her mind. I wish I'd only cheated. This is so much worse. Wish I'd only cheated. Only cheated. Worse. So much worse.

"One kiss," he rasped. Karma didn't say anything. "Please don't make me beg, Karma, I just... I really need..." He sounded so desperate. In the dark, it wasn't exactly easy to find his head, but she did. Her hands pulled him closer slowly.

She felt his heavy breath against her mouth for a second before he brushed his lips against hers gently. Karma gasped from how good it felt. His tongue slipped inside her mouth easily. His hands cupped her face as it brushed against hers. She sighed against his lips, and he pulled away from their innocent, sweet kiss. Her lips felt cold and empty without his.

"Karma, I'm in deep," he whispered. Oh yeah fuckface, I believe you already said that once or twice today.

"Please, now," she said curtly. "I... I might have... I might be... I... shit, why is this so hard to say?" He took a deep breath.

"I might have a son. Some groupie is suing me for child support. I..."

It hit Karma like a punch in the gut. What? Matt might... have a... CHILD? WHAT? She was flabbergasted. Karma wasn't dumb, she knew how kids came. And with that came a terrible realization. That had to mean he didn't even use protection when boning that groupie. And then again, THAT meant he probably never...

Oh God... No. She felt her jaw clench, and hot tears of anger and betrayal stung her eyes at that realization. He slept with so many girls, the number had to be higher than what now, 500? At the minimum... All girls he didn't know. All girls that probably frequently picked up celebrities and those celebrities again had sex with many. And he never used protection. It's like russian roulette.

And then he slept with her.

"Matt... did you not...? YOU COULD HAVE SOME STDS FOR FUCK'S SAKE!" She screamed. It took all her strength not to slap him. She wasn't Sarah, no matter how much he deserved it.
"Karma, I..."

The door opened. Escape. That was all on Karma’s mind. He had a son. He had a love child. No, that was said too much. He had a one night stand child. That was still too much. He had a half a night, a couple of hours groupie child. And then he slept with her. After all these women.
Escape. Karma jumped up quickly, almost losing her balance.

"I can't believe I slept with you! You... You man-whore! You... disgusting piece of shit, how could you?"


He’d been acting strange this morning, and Karma didn’t like to be reminded of that Tulsa incident. They’d never really talked. But still, he was her best friend, and she wouldn’t know who else to turn to. Decidedly she walked into the direction of 203, his room. Brian time was desperately needed.

Notes

Hey guys, for those of you who asked: Howard King is the band's lawyer (also in real life).

Hope you liked the update, looks like more drama's coming up huh?