Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Cynda…
Wrath was funny. I didn’t expect it, and his stories about some of their early gigs were hysterical.
I was laughing so hard I got hiccups, and then he started laughing too.
He thought it was funny shit, at least that’s what he said.
Holding my breath and drinking water I tried to stop them.
Of course when I looked away from him my eyes met Chaos’.
No matter how hard I tried, I was drawn to him like a bear to honey.
He looked pissed off, but then it seemed like he always looked pissed off when he was dealing with me.
He was great when he was talking to anyone else, well except dickman.
I guess the two of us fell in the same shitty category.
I should be happy to be away from him. When our hands touched all I could think about was kissing his lips, tasting him, running my hands over his chest, feeling the washboard abs I knew were under his t-shirt.
Shit. Michelle would tell me I’ve got it bad.
Although she really couldn’t say jack since she was drooling all over Flame.
If she leaned down any further her boobs would be in his lap.
“You okay now?” Wrath asked with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It happens to me every time I laugh too hard. It’s just one of my weird things.”
“Got it. Listen, I know you’re not happy about being on tour with us but it’ll be fun.”
“Well it’s not like Chaos gave me much choice. I have to do my job, right? I know you want your own songs and I’m going to try to work in as much of his stuff as possible, but he has to work with me, not against me.”
“That’s not going to be easy. His music is his life and the songs are our stories. It’s personal and Symmetry sending you or anyone else is like fucking us.”
I understood what he was saying and I already knew how much of Chaos was in his songs from listening to them for the last couple of years, but I wasn’t their enemy. “I understand more than you know. I’m not a real big fan of the record company either, and I loved your first album.”
“You did? So you know our music?”
“Of course, doesn’t everyone,” I answered laughing. They were all over the radio and TV, they’d even played a few of the morning shows. I doubt there were many people who hadn’t heard of Raining Chaos in the last year.
“Yeah, I guess. I don’t think it’s really sunk in for any of us yet. We still think of ourselves as trying to make it. Fuck. We’re opening for Avenged Sevenfold tonight.”
“Yes you are. I can’t believe you’re all so calm right now.”
“Shit, it’s because none of us really fucking believe it,” he yelled. “Fucking hell yeah, we’re playing the Garden.”
It set off the rest of the band and they all cheered, except Chaos, he was still sitting on the couch and staring at me.
What was it between us? We’d just met, I knew he didn’t want me there, and I didn’t want to be there, but we couldn’t keep our eyes off each other.
Groaning under my breath, I prayed I’d have some ‘personal’ space on the tour bus or this was going to be even harder than I figured.
I tried to get Michelle’s attention but she was so focused on Flame a bomb could have dropped in the room and she wouldn’t have moved.
I didn’t bring her with me, so she could drool all over the guys.
I’d been hoping for some moral support. At least Wrath was being nice.
None of the others said a word to me yet, and one of the girls, Sweets, I think, was shooting daggers at me with her eyes, good thing they weren’t real.
“What’s up with the girl over there?"
Wrath turned to see where I was looking. “You mean Sweets? Don’t mind her she’ll be fine, she’s working through some shit. I think she and Chaos got into it yesterday.”
“They’re a couple?” Just saying the words felt like a kick in the stomach, although it shouldn’t have. He was nothing to me, just a hot guy. I’d never fall for a rocker, how could I after all my father—sperm donor—had done to mom and I.
“Oh fuck no. They’re like sisters to us, but she has a crush on Chaos and has for a long time.”
“So why does she look like she wants to rip my head off?”
“Don’t sweat it. She’ll be fine. I think we’re all a little over the top right now. Hell, it’s our first fuckin’ tour. Plus I think she’s worried he might like you.”
“Why would she even think that? Didn’t she see how he treated me yesterday?”
“Yeah but she also saw how he looked at you. We all did.”
“I think you’re imagining shit. I just hope I can get through the next two weeks without killing him.”
“Good luck.” Wrath laughed. “It’s going to be crazy fucked up as we all get used to the tour, but it’ll be great, you’ll see.”
“I’m sure it will for you, but I’m not so sure.”
“It will, and as for Sweets, if she gives you any shit just let me know and I’ll talk to her or have Chaos do it.”
“Thanks but I can fight my own battles. I’m tougher than I look.”
Wrath laughed as he walked away and I could have sworn I heard him say, “I sure hope so.”
Everyone was chilling, eating, and drinking but no alcohol.
I thought it was kind of strange since there was a shit ton of it on the table, but the only person I’d seen with any was Rod and it was only a beer.
Definitely not what I expected, I thought for sure they’d be drinking and smoking pot or worse doing coke or something, so to see them sitting and watching baseball was crazy.
Looking for an excuse not to sit next to Chaos—the only open seat in the room—I decided food might be a good idea.
I’d been running around like crazy since yesterday and hadn’t eaten anything yet.
Between clothes shopping with Michelle and getting our hair done—I’m still not sure why I let her talk me into blue streaks—it had been nonstop trying to get ready since I’d gotten back home yesterday.
I grabbed a bowl and filled it with some fresh fruit salad. Holding the bowl of watermelon and blueberries made my mouth water and my stomach grumble, but I couldn’t find a spoon. A moment later a spoon appeared in Chaos’ hand.
It surprised me since he’d been sitting on the couch. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. It looked like you and Wrath were getting along okay.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty cool. Not what I expected. Is there a problem?”
“No not at all, as long as you weren’t talking about me. If you have questions ask me don’t go behind my back.”
“You know, you need to chill out, it’s not always about you. I know they all look up to you,” I said, pointing to the band with my spoon, “but I’m not one of your little groupies. I don’t think you walk on water so back off. I’m here for one reason and one reason only. Got that?”
“Yeah, I do, and you fucking need to remember it too.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure you won’t let me forget it. Will you? So does this mean our truce is off? It sure didn’t last long.”
“Damn it. You’re right. Fuck. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just all fucked up over tonight.”
“You should be happy, not acting like an asshole.” Shit, Michelle must be rubbing off on me, but it’s true he’d been an asshat since I’d met him.
Looking at him now though, all I saw was a hurt and lost little boy.
I wanted to reach out and hug him, thank God I stopped myself before I did it.
That’s all I’d have to do—the shit would’ve hit the fan for sure.
“Sorry. Maybe we should just start over?”
What would it hurt? If we could get over this hostility maybe we could actually work together for the next two weeks. “Sure.”
He held out his hand, “Hi, I’m Chaos. The lead singer/songwriter and guitar player for Raining Chaos. How’s it going?”
I giggled. He’d made a complete three sixty, and so fast my head was spinning. He was so freakin’ sexy when he wasn’t being an ass. “Great to meet you, Chaos. I’m Cynda, Cynda Pearson and I write songs. I’ve heard your album and it totally rocked.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. Why are you all surprised by that? Wrath was too.”
“I don’t know. I guess I just don’t expect people to know about us yet.”
“Well you need to rethink that whole thing. You guys must get swarmed wherever you go.”
“Nope not really yet, but I’m sure by the time we’re done with this tour it’ll be happening. At least that’s what Rod keeps telling us.”
“Oh yeah, dickman.”
“Dickman?”
“Sorry, my pet name for him. He just seems like a total dick to me.”
Chaos snorted, then laughed out loud and so hard he doubled over. Everyone’s eyes were instantly locked on him, and I’m sure wondering what the hell was so funny. No shit. I didn’t think it was as hilarious as he did, but maybe it was just a release of all of his built up tension.
“Sorry…but it’s fuckin’ classic. I’m going to have to use it too. The guys will fuckin’ love it.”
“Sure go ahead, I don’t own it.”
He was still chuckling when the dork popped a grape in his mouth and started choking for real.
Shit. Pounding him on the back a few times fixed it, but his face was all red and tears were streaming from his eyes, whether from laughing or choking I wasn’t sure.
“Damn. Are you okay? You can’t die before the big show tonight. ”
He cleared his throat. “I don’t plan on it,” he answered but his voice was all scratchy. I wondered if it would affect his singing later. They only had a few more hours until they were going on stage.
“Do you want some tea and honey? It’ll help your throat so you don’t get hoarse. At least that’s what my mom used to give me when I was young.”
“Good idea, my foster mom used to give it to us when we had sore throats too,” he answered, smiling at me as he wiped the tears from his eyes. “Hey, Rod, can we get some tea and honey?”
“Yeah, just pick up any of the phones and press pound zero and you’ll get the concierge. I’m sure they can bring you some.”
Chaos winked at me. “I should have said hey dickman.”
Giggling, I shook my head. Oh he was bad, but I liked this side of him, it was more like what I’d expected. Everyone in the band looked up to him as their leader, their older brother I guess, and I was finally seeing what they saw. “If you start laughing again you’ll make it worse.”
“Okay, Mom. Just kidding. I know you’re right and I don’t want to sound hoarse tonight.” He picked up one of the phones and ordered. “They said I should have it in about ten minutes. Not too bad I guess.”
“Nope, but keep drinking water, it’ll help too. Or wait, I have a better idea.” I remembered the butterscotch candy I had in my purse. Rummaging through the overstuffed bag I finally found it. “Here, suck on this.”
“Shit, really? You don’t want me to laugh and you say something like that? Besides, isn’t that supposed to be my line?”
My cheeks got warm. Shit, I’m such a dork. I walked right into that one. At least he was teasing me instead of giving me grief though.
“Yeah, well, not this time, buddy,” I answered while handing him the wrapped candy.
He winked and popped it into his mouth without even asking what it was, which kind of surprised me. He didn’t know me, what if I was giving him something bad?
“Oh wow, butterscotch. I love this shit, oh my God I haven’t had it in years. I used to keep a bag stashed in my room. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, it’s my favorite too. Hey, we have something in common, imagine that?”
“Yeah and something tells me it’s not the only thing.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. Our backgrounds are pretty different, but we do share a love of music.
” Talking about my childhood brought back memories of my father.
I tried to push them back into the dark hole they came out of before I got pissed off again or worse.
Things were going better between us and I didn’t want anything to change it.