“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?”
