He sighed, trying a sip again of his coffee, taking the time to blow on it this time, still hot but manageable when not gulped down.
"I didn't go voluntarily, I got picked up and shipped back." he told her simply. "So, I get to Chicago and I'm ready to have the whole thing swept under the rug... like always." his voice was matter-of-fact, that's how it was done, how it had always been done. "But..." he took a deep breath. "I did some things Bee. You know how when I first came to New York I had vandalized Jer's restaurant? well.. that was probably the... lamest of the things I've done... in Chicago I had some friends and we.. well we didn't do the best of things."
He was quiet a moment, looking down at his coffee. "I couldn't move on with my life if I just didn't take responsibility for those actions too ya know? So, instead, I took the time. I only spent a bit of time in jail really, between the formal charges and the sentencing, Richard made everything go pretty quickly, but I got house arrest and with it came restrictions. And between house arrest, the community service and the counselling." he paused, looking a little embarrassed to mention that last part. "anyway... I wasn't really in a tell everyone mood... and I didn't know..." he shook his head.
"I'm sorry Bee. I'm sorry that I flaked and left like that. I know that doesn't excuse it. I really did a shitty thing. I just.. I wanted to tell you in person now." he looked up at her face, wincing slightly.
"I.. I don't want to like, mess up what you got going on now, with the band or life... I just.. I wanted to tell you.. you that I'm sorry." he took a deep breath in and held it a moment, yeah, he knew he didn't have an excuse, hell, he barely had an explanation, but it was all he had.