I feel that this chapter is a bit choppy but it was fun to write.
Campbell had money. Thorne had more. Not only did he have Campbell pick out at least twelve albums, he tossed in his own recommendations. There were records, tapes, and CDs. Not to mention, Campbell didn't fail to notice at least two of Thorne's CDs in the basket and couldn't help but smile. He could respect self-promotion and pride. It was like when he stood outside in the city, yelling to the crowd to promote the station and got chased by the police.
He told Thorne the story as they left the store.
Thorne let out a shocked, playful, sound, “you, chased by the police? A sweet guy like you?” He grinned as Campbell seemed to swell with pride.
“We were creating a disturbance. I even got arrested at a different point.”
Thorne exaggerated his shock, “you're pulling my leg?”
Campbell shook his head, clutched the shopping bag to his chest, getting more excited as they walked down the street, “nope. Got arrested.” he said it like it was a badge of honor.
“What could you have done to be arrested?” Thorne was intrigued.
“We were trying to save the original station. Me, Rosalie and Eddie locked ourselves inside it, trying to raise money up to the last minute before the police dragged us out.”
Thorne had the brief image of Campbell with handcuffs and repressed an interested shudder, “how long did they hold you?”
“A few hours. Didn't get charged, let go with a warning. I think they felt sorry for me and Rosalie since we're loonies.”
Thorne steered them to a coffee shop's outdoor table and they sat in the little metal chairs while Thorne's manager (who had been following at a distance the entire time since they'd left the asylum) slipped inside with the instructions to get Campbell a real hot chocolate, Thorne a large mocha with extra cream and sugar, and then whatever he wanted. He was trying to be nicer to Barry. Man dealt with a lot. Made a lot of money off of him yeah, but he also dealt with Thorne so guy deserved a medal.
“Wish I got out in a few hours. Usually when I go its for a weekend or more depending.”
“What did you do?” There was a hint of wonder in Campbell's voice as if he'd never met anyone who'd been to prison for any length of time.
“Last time it was a bar fight.”
“Oh,” Campbell got thoughtful, “did you win?”
Thorne threw his head back and startled the couple at the next table with his laugh, “I knocked the fuck out if that's what you mean. Spent the weekend in there because Barry thought I needed to cool my heels. Might sober me up.”
Thorne shrugged. He still got drunk, he still did drugs. But he limited it now. Mostly to his own home and hotel rooms rather than seedy bars. He had even cut back on a lot of it. Mostly because he was tired of getting bitched at and/or arrested rather than his own personal well being.
He checked his watch, it was 1:50pm . He'd been Campbell a little over two hours. Almost three. His enthusiasm hardly waning in all that time. When Thorne had shown him the modest limo, he damn near bounced out of his seat as he slid inside. Tickled pink by the assortment of snacks and drinks, the fact that they could watch tv or movies, Thorne humored him by putting on a DVD he liked to keep in the car of a little cult movie Rock and Rule. Such a good movie for rock stars and stoners. If Campbell noticed his arm over the back of the seat, and his shoulders, he didn't seem to mind as he opened a bag of chips and watched the movie.
They talked on and off, swapping a few stories here and there, but mostly keeping the topics music related or lapsing into a few silences as Campbell or Thorne would get absorbed into some bit of shopping or another. Easy going, nothing really of substance yet. But Campbell was stern and stiff. He was an open book if given the chance so Thorne got the feeling he'd learn a lot more about him through out the week.
Campbell shifted in his seat, fiddled with his bag for a moment before saying, “thank you this.”
“Don't mention it handsome.”
“When the drinks come out maybe we should take them to go. I think that we've been here for a while, they're probably waiting for us now.”
“Tired of me already?” Thorne teased.
Campbell offered a small, maybe even shy smile, looking down at the table before saying a soft, “no. I don't mind you. I just think that we've been out here for a while. We watched the movie which was over an hour. Had us sit in the car park until it was done, I liked it by the way. Very dark but pretty good. And the music was really good. And then we walked around a bit, you got us lunch, and then we were in the music shop for a long time. They're probably already back at the hospital waiting for us.”
Thorne leaned forward, catching Campbell's eye, “if you're worth the wait, they'll wait. Even if they get pissed and trust me, Campbell, you're worth the wait.”
Campbell's cheeks got pink as Barry came out holding the drinks and a dozen donuts with a clipped, “I think that's enough lolly gagging Thorne. We should head back now and hopefully they'll accept donuts as a peace offering.”
Campbell jumped up then, taking his drink with a quick thank you to Barry, “right, Eddie will be mad if he's been waiting for a long time.”
Rolling his eyes, Thorne got up. He was enjoying this date. One of the longest and nicest he'd had in a while. Even if Campbell didn't realize it was a date.
“If he gets mad, blame it on me and celebrity eccentricities.”
He heard Barry mumble into his ear, “didn't think you'd know the word eccentricities,” and forced himself not to get petty. Barry was just ribbing him and he was trying to control his temper and ego.
He said, “oi, piss off,” trying to make it sound playful before ignoring Barry all together to focus on walking side by side with Campbell who was making his way back to the car at mach five.
