“Yeah, please don’t make a big deal. That’s why I didn’t want Joe to say anything. It was just a stupid thing.”
Chaos looked at me like he wanted me to stand up so he could examine every inch. Mmm now wouldn’t that be nice, my inner sex fiend whispered. Shit, if I didn’t put a lid on my sex drive I was going to jump him yet. I needed to keep thinking about the fucktard sperm donor, he’d kill my desire for any musician in a heartbeat.
“Okay, but maybe we should think of other sleeping arrangements for you.”
“Yeah, what are you going to do, strap one of the guys on the roof?”
“If I thought I’d get away with it I might, but I was thinking maybe you could sleep in my bed.”
“With you?”
“Yeah, it’s big enough for two, I wouldn’t touch you.”
“Oh yeah, like I’m supposed to believe that? What about Sweets? You may not think anything’s going on between the two of you, but she has a huge crush and isn’t letting go. Are you trying to get me killed?”
“I told you don’t worry about Sweets.”
“Easy for you to say, or maybe that’s your ulterior motive, she can kill me then you don’t have a songwriter. Uh huh, I could see you trying that.” I stuck my tongue out afterwards so he’d know I was teasing, at least I hoped he would.
He rolled his eyes and pulled me off the couch and into his arms. His breath tickled my ear. “I don’t need you in my bed to have you.” Dropping a quick kiss on my lips he released me. It’d happened so fast that for a minute I thought I’d imagined it. Quick or not my body sizzled from his touch. Heat raced into my cheeks and I wondered what Joe thought, but when I looked over he was gone. When had he left us alone?
Chaos yelled for the guys then said goodbye. I watched from the window as theygot into the waiting limo and drove away. Sitting at the table, relieved to be alone, I dropped my head into my hands and knocked the notebook onto the floor. Oh shit, I wonder if he’d seen it. Nah, he’d have said something, wouldn’t he? I needed to be careful around him in more ways than one. My lips still tingled where he’d kissed me and made me wonder what it’d be like to live out last night’s dreams, lying in his bed and making love all night long.
Shit. Thinking about any of this would get me nowhere fast. I got up, poured another cup of coffee and got my stuff together to take a shower while I had the bus mostly to myself.
I dried my hair and put on some mascara and blush. I didn’t see the need to do full make-up just to sit around the bus. Putting everything back in Chaos’ room I saw his acoustic guitar laying in the open case by the bed. His music was there too. I hesitated, but only for a second. He said they’d be gone at least two hours to do both interviews and get back with time to relax a bit before their sound check at four.
Reaching for the guitar and his music, I sat on the edge of the bed. Spreading out the sheet music, I pulled the guitar into my lap and strummed a few chords to check for tuning. Of course it was perfect.
I hadn’t held a guitar since mom died four months ago. I couldn’t bear it, but here I was caressing it like a long lost love. Seeing the notes on the paper, I’d been humming along with last night, brought tears to my eyes. I stumbled over some of the chords in the beginning but then my fingers flew across the fret board nailing it. After playing through twice I started again, singing my lyrics this time. They melded together like they were written as one, at least for me. I liked it, more than liked it, and I’d have to show it to Chaos soon.
As the sound of the last note faded away, I closed my eyes to hold back the tears. I’d sung of love and heartbreak and starting over, all the while picturing myself with Chaos. A sound in the doorway interrupted my thoughts and I opened my eyes. Joe leaned against the doorframe, tears in his eyes, and slowly clapped his hands. “Oh my God, Cynda, that was amazing.”
I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “Thanks, but I shouldn’t have done that. It’s Chaos’ song, I heard him writing it last night but I couldn’t resist putting words to it.”
“Why not? Aren’t you here to write the songs?”
“Yeah but…”
“But nothing. How could he mind? You turned his music into an amazing hit song. I know these things.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.I do.”
“But you’re a bus driver, sorry no offense. I appreciate you like the song but...”
“No offense taken. Since we’re keeping secrets, I’ll tell you one. I used to scout for a record company, but I hated the way they treated the artists, so I quit. For a while I was going to try to go independent but then Marge got sick, and I started driving buses.”
“Oh wow.” He looked so sad it broke my heart. How wonderful it must have been to have a love like theirs. I put the guitar down and hugged him tight. “I’m so sorry, Joe.”
He hugged me back and we just held each other for a few minutes, accepting each other’s support. I imagined it must be what it was to have a father. Sniffing a bit to hold in my tears, I stepped back and smiled.
“Why don’t you go back into the music biz now? You know Marge would approve.”
“Yeah she would, but it’s been five years, I wouldn’t even know where to start. It’s changed so much.”
“Yeah it has, so you could sign a small act and help them produce their stuff.”
