Free Broadway Baby by Alexandra James

unless you want them to know.”
    Lily shook her head, “No, Mama. I don’t want anybody knowing you really spanked me.”
    “Alright, then let’s grab some of those tropical licorice bites you love so much, some water, and use the bathroom before we head back for act two.”
    “Mama, I’m sorry for pushing so hard tonight.”
    “It’s okay, baby. Come on, we only have about ten minutes left before we need to be back on stage.”
    The final curtain call brought a standing ovation for the cast and Lily and Shelby received the loudest applause as they held hands and bowed together. Leaving the stage the women relaxed as they hit the wings.
    “Nice show, ladies.” Cally came up behind them. “Great spanking by the way. I had no idea Lily could look so cute getting her tush warmed by her Mama.”
    “Knock it off, Cally,” Lily demanded.
    “Aw, is the little girl sensitive about Mommy warming her bottom in front of an entire audience?” Steve teased.
    Turning on her heel Lily punched the tall man in the gut causing him to gasp. “What the…”
    “Knock it off. No more teasing,” Lily demanded as she slipped from the crowd and tried not to run to her dressing room while it became eerily quiet back stage.
    Shelby rounded on Cally and Steve causing both actors to step back, “My dressing room, now.”
    “Oh shit, we’ve pissed off Mama bear,” Steve muttered as they immediately followed their older co-star.
    “Really? What was your first clue?” Cally snipped. “The eyebrow, the mom tone, or the fact that you made Lily punch you?”
    “Seriously, you’re gonna blame all of this one me?”
    “Children!” Shelby clapped her hands and motioned to her dressing room. “Enough, inside and shut it.”
    Both actors did as they were told and took a seat on Shelby’s worn couch as the woman paced in front of them. “I am going to go check on Lily. Do not move from the couch or from this room. We all need to talk, and damn it, it’s happening tonight.”
    Cally and Steve watched as Shelby left the dressing room almost slamming the door behind her.
    “Damn, we are so dead,” Steve ran a hand through his hair. “Who knew the kid would get so upset over some good natured teasing?”
    “You did,” Cally huffed and fell back onto the cushions. “Come on, you know she’s sensitive about that Mama stuff with Shelby. I don’t get it, but then again my folks are great in the grand scheme of things. Hers did nothing but fuck up.”
    Steve nodded, “Too true. You remember the first workshop we had with Lily? Her mom is never around and when she is, she’s a stage mother of the worst kind.”
    “Yeah, I guess living with Shelby has made them both protective of each other.”
    “Especially Shelby. She’s going to tear us a new one, Cally.”
    “I figured.” The young actress suddenly snapped her fingers and smiled. “I have it. Why don’t we invite Lily to do something with us tomorrow? You know, as equals. Not drinking, that’s for damn sure, but just something fun where we can make this up to her.”
    “And get Shelby off our asses?” Steve asked.
    “Exactly.”
    “What did you have in mind?”
    Cally’s reply was interrupted by Shelby opening the door. “She’s gone and the two of you are going to help me find her.”
    “What?” Both adults jumped up and stared at the brunette.
    “Lily is gone. Go get changed and meet me back here in no more than fifteen minutes.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Where would she go?” The worry in Shelby’s voice was evident and Cally and Steve had never seen the woman in such disarray.
    “Honestly, we’ve hit all of her usual hideouts.” Cally’s voice was soft.
    “What about…” Steve trailed off and shook his head. “She wouldn’t would she?”
    “What?” Shelby demanded.
    “Her mom got back into town a couple of days ago…” Steve stopped again as Shelby nodded her head in understanding.
    “Take me there.”
    The trio reached the apartment building in