I sat up and listened. I don’t know why I thought sitting up would make me hear better but it was a reaction to my attempt to listen. I still couldn’t hear it clearly but whatI could make out was haunting. Unable to resist the draw of the music I crept down the hall, being extra quiet as I passed the guys bunks and listened outside Chaos’ door.
He was playing, it wasn’t smooth, more like he was figuring it out, but it was beautiful. The music resonated within me and I could feel words forming in my head, complimenting the soulful tune. I’m not sure how long I stood there listening until he stopped playing and the music imprinted in my mind. When I got back to the couch I pulled out my notebook and jotted down the words that poured out of me faster than I could get them on paper. Finally I’d written all I could remember and I shoved the notebook back under the cushion of the couch. I’d put it away tomorrow, but now I needed to sleep. I could feel the headache pounding behind my eyes, I was over tired and if I didn’t sleep soon, I’d feel like shit tomorrow.
Lying down I closed my eyes and let the music play in my mind. The words I’d written escaped from my lips. I sang softly so I wouldn’t disturb anyone, singing for myself, the haunting melody and words came together to form a song so moving itbrought tears to my eyes. I sang until I had no words left. Wiping the tears from my eyes, the ice around my heart melted a little for him, even though I knew he couldn’t be more wrong for me. Chaos’ song resonated within me like a loving embrace, and unlike anything he’d ever written before. As I drifted off to sleep I wondered who he’d been thinking about when he wrote it.
Chapter Eleven
Chaos…
The aroma of coffee woke me, it’s definitely the nectar of the gods. I shook off the sleepiness in my head and stretched. As my brain turned on, yesterday came back to me—the gig at the Garden, Synyster and especially Cynda. Holy fuck. I must have been struck by lightning. I’d never been so affected by any woman like that. It’d be one of those banner days in my life I’d never fuckin’ forget. So much happened in a short time and most of it would change my life forever.
Everything came together at one time and it was topped off by the new song. Just thinking about it made me smile. I still needed lyrics for the music, but I’d get to them. They’d take longer. They always did. The tunes always came to me but the words—getting them exactly right—were always a struggle. I’d get them, then I’d share it and see what everyone else thought.
The only fucking black mark on the day had been Sweets. I wasn’t looking forwardto her fucking shit today and I was sure she’d start something. I told her last night she needed to stay away from Cynda, or she wasn’t going to like me very much.
Grabbing my favorite pair of jeans and an old Metallica t-shirt, I ran my hands through my hair and hoped the bathroom was free. It was the worst part about traveling but at least we were all guys, or we were until yesterday. I got lucky and brushed my teeth, splashed water on my face, and went in search of coffee.
The guys were huddled around the small table and at first I couldn’t figure out why. Then I saw Cynda. She was cuddled up on the couch and looked adorable. Her blue streaked hair was standing up in five different directions. I’m surprised they weren’t all laughing hysterically. It was a strange combo, the hair and the angelic expression on her face.
Wrath motioned for me to be quiet but when I grabbed a mug out of the cabinet it knocked the one next to it over. It didn’t make a huge crash but it was loud enough to wake her. I looked over in time to see her sit straight up like she was on springs, and blinkat us. She was totally confused at first, but as soon as she realized where she was pink colored her cheeks.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” Wrath said with a smile, and she gave him a big one in return. A pang of jealousy squeezed inside my chest. I didn’t want her smiling like at anyone but me. Fuck. I’d done nothing but kiss her, how could I expect anything at this point? And seriously why the fuck would I want it? I was the no commitment king, well maybe runner up, Fury was definitely the king. It didn’t stop me from wanting some alone time with her today, but we were in Philly and had a fuckin’ packed schedule. Sound checks, interviews, a signing and the concert. The first official stop of the tour and fuckin’ busy didn’t begin to cover it.
“Morning, Cynda, can I get you some coffee?”
I don’t think she’d even noticed me until then since I was over by the coffee pot. She groaned and ran her hands through her hair only making it worse and the guys chuckled.
“Damn. Yeah coffee would be great, but I really want to brush my teeth first.”
“No problem. How do you take it?”
“Cream and four sugars. Yeah I know you don’t have to say it. I have a huge sweet tooth.”
I made her coffee and left it on the counter, and sat down with the guys. Taking a big sip the heat and flavor infused me with energy and the cobwebs were finally gone. I was quiet for a few minutes as I went over the schedule in my head. We had interviews with two different radio stations and an appearance and signing downtown near the “Love” statue, after that would be the sound check, and then the gig tonight.
“Did you see the schedule for today?”
They nodded and I realized Flame wasn’t there. “Where the hell is Flame? Didn’t he make it on the bus last night?”
“Nope but he called, apparently he got tied up, literally,” Rage said. “Michelle was driving him down. He should be here soon.”
Wrath snorted and choked on his coffee.
“Holy fuck, really? He missed the bus. He’s lucky we were only going a few hoursaway. He’d have been really fucked otherwise.”
“Uh huh. Apparently she had him…” Rage stopped mid-sentence and looked behind me. I turned to see Cynda holding her coffee and listening to our conversation.
“Don’t stop because of me. What were you saying about Michelle?”
Rage actually turned red, I don’t think I’d ever seen him do that before and I had a hard time not laughing.
“Um, ahhh…help me out here, bro.”
Wrath was still coughing and laughing and I didn’t know the story so I couldn’t help.
Fury shrugged, and winked at me. “It seems Michelle had Flame tied up last night and he missed the bus.”
“She did what?”
