Free Seducing Wrath by Lynne St. James

so far? We want to promote on Social Media .”
    What should I tell him? About Joe or the engagement or Cynda’s father being Preston Mitchell? He needed something, but what would have the least chance of blowing back on me? Face it, T, you’re screwed once they see it .
    “Cyn Chaos engaged. Cyn’s father is Preston Mitchell of The Hurricanes.”
    “Good. Send more as soon as you have it.”
    “Will do.”
    There was a possibility they wouldn’t think it was me. There were a lot of people at the party when the announcement was made. Right? Ha. Who am I kidding? Wrath is already suspicious. Shit. I need to call Mom and figure out what to do about the car.
    Checking the time I figured I still had at least a half hour before he would be back and I dialed Mom.
    “Hello, sweetie. I’m so glad you called.”
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “What’s wrong? Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?”
    “No. Geesh. I’m fine. I’m twenty-three years old. Give me a break. You were already pregnant and following the Dead everywhere by the time you were my age.”
    “Yes, but those were different times.”
    “Not that different.” She was quiet but I could hear her sigh.
    “Fine but something’s going on or you wouldn’t be calling.”
    Okay, I had to give her that. She might be a hippie but she still had incredible mom-dar. “There’s an issue with the car and I don’t know what to do.”
    “Alright, tell me and we’ll figure it out.”
    “They towed the car somewhere and it was the starter. Maybe other things I don’t know. Wrath paid for it and they won’t tell me how much it was, but now they want to truck it back home and they want the address. If I tell them they’ll figure out who I am.”
    “Hmmm. I have a brother somewhere. We lost track years ago but maybe I can find him and he’ll take it for now. I think he’s in the Chicago area somewhere. Would they bring it there?”
    “Yeah, I’m sure but they’d never believe I’m from there since I hooked up with them in Philly.”
    “True. You’ve dug yourself quite a hole, Daisy.”
    “Yeah, I guess. Mom, stop calling me Daisy, it’s not my name.”
    “It should have been. I don’t know what I was thinking, stupid nuns in the hospital.
    “We’re off topic.”
    “Yes, yes. Let me think about it. I still have a few of my friends around. Let me see who’s still on the East Coast and I’ll text you.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, dear. Just because the Dead don’t tour like they used to and I’m old, doesn’t mean I don’t keep up with everyone.”
    “I’m sorry. You’re really not that old.”
    “Gee thanks, darling. I love you for that, I think. I’ll text soon. You be careful okay. I worry about you.”
    “Yes, Mom. I love you. Thank you.”
    *****
    Wrath…
     
    Joe was on his cell in the dressing room when I tracked him down. I grabbed a bottle of water, we’d decided no drinking before performances and so far we’d all kept to it. No one liked it much in the beginning, especially since every dressing room we went into was stocked with every fucking alcohol you could imagine, but we’d been good.
    He saw me and signaled to wait. I turned on the TV and flipped the channels without paying much attention. Maybe Chaos was right. Maybe I should just leave her here with enough money to get back home. I didn’t owe her anything and life was a hell of a lot easier when I didn’t have to worry about her. We’d been on tour three weeks and already all of our lives had changed.
    Flame was with Michelle, Cynda’s friend, although she wasn’t on the road with us. Chaos and Cyn were engaged and now I fuckin’ had Sapphire. She was different, Michelle and Cyn weren’t groupies, hell, Michelle was a fucking kindergarten teacher. I couldn’t make a life with a groupie. I’d always wonder who she’d leave me for to fuck next. The next band, next rock star. Nope, not my idea of a fuckin’ lifetime commitment. Screw that shit.
    “Wrath?”
    “Huh?