CupidRocks (7 page)

Eddie scowled. “What do you mean?”

“Do you know who you sound like?”

“I sound like me.”

“Nope. Not even close.”

“Then who?”

“Grandfather.”

“My father never had to raise any bitch pups. Daughters are
different.”

“No, I don’t mean Gramps. I mean Grandfather Redwolf.”

“Carly’s old man?”

“Yep.
Just
like him. Same arguments.”

“I’ll admit he hated me, but he didn’t talk about me around
you.”

Mandy laughed. “How quickly you forget. We visited a lot
before I was ten and only a few times after you quit drinking. He set you off
and you went on binges when we went to Atlanta. I was eight when he spouted all
this same garbage to Carly.”

“Were you hiding somewhere?”

“Daddy, it was at breakfast on the veranda. Mom’s old flame
James Goldwolf had chosen a mate. Grandfather went on and on about how much
better off Carly would have been with James. James had a business. He wasn’t a
drunken, no-good, no-account
rock
musician.” Eddie winced. “You went off
on a three day bender.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah…oh. Carly cried all three days you were gone.”

He sighed, pulling her close to hug her. “I don’t want that
for you. I don’t want you to mate someone like me.
Please
baby. Just
walk away”

Mandy hugged him then leaned back to look up into his eyes.
“It’s too late, you know. He’s my True Mate and we can’t undo it. You know
about True Mates better than anyone.”

Eddie groaned. “
Carly
knows it better. I hurt her
so
bad for so long. It’s a wonder she still loves me.”

“Love doesn’t go away just because someone screws up. You
taught me that. You and Carly both.”

He nodded. “I’m not happy about this.”

“You don’t have to be happy…yet. But you had better
never
blackmail me with threats about going out to get hammered again or I’ll kick
your ass.”

Eddie chuckled, kissing her forehead. Then he looked into
her eyes and she saw the pain buried there. “I need a drink, honey. Bad,” he
whispered.

“Then call your sponsor, Kyle. He’ll make time for you.”
Eddie looked away, shuffling his feet. “What is it?”

“Kyle cut me loose years ago.”

“You don’t have a sponsor?”

“I’ve gone through several.”

“
Several?
You aren’t working your program, are you?”

“Damn it, honey. It’s hard when we travel so much.”

Mandy shook her head. “That’s an excuse. If you want to work
on it, you can. And if you had, this shit about me being with a musician
wouldn’t be an issue anymore.”

“Musicians suck as mates.”

“That will be between me and Joe.”

“Joe. Damn him for taking advantage of you.”

“You sound like I’m a teenager, Eddie. I know what I’m
doing.”

“I hope so.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “God, I need
a drink.”

“Then go get hammered if that’s what it takes, but know
this. If you take a drink today it’s on
you
, Eddie.
Not
on me.
Or
Carly. And
especially
not on Joe. It’s
your
choice. Every single
day.”

“I don’t
want
to drink.”

“Then deal with it. Do you have a local contact?”

He nodded. “I’ll call. I need help.”

“Then get it. We can worry about setting up the recording
studio tomorrow.”

“Oh, the studio. I forgot. I’ll call later.”

Mandy growled, “Later?”

He sighed. “I’ll call now.”

“Good. Staying dry is more important than the studio.
Twenty-five years dry is worthy of celebration, but I hope you start working
the program so we can celebrate your
sobriety
, too.”

“I will.”

“Enough of the promises. I’ll believe it when I see you set
up with a sponsor and
really
following the twelve steps. Until then…”

“You’re one tough little wolf bitch.” He grinned. “Punkin,
you’re definitely Daddy’s favorite.”

She laughed. “I’m Daddy’s only.”

“Still my favorite though.”

She could hear Tom relax as she and Eddie walked to the
house arm in arm.

Chapter Seven

Joe patted Carly’s shoulder as Eddie and Mandy approached
the house. She turned into his arms to give him a hug.

“It may take Eddie a while to warm up to this, but I’m glad.
For Mandy
and
for you. You’ve both been alone for too long.”

“Thanks.” Joe smiled when she kissed his cheek.

At least Carly welcomed him into the family, but Eddie’s
reaction really stung because he hadn’t expected it. He’d told Mandy that he
thought Eddie might want to beat the crap outta him, but he hadn’t really
believed it. From the minute they’d met when Joe walked in to audition, he and
Eddie had been friends. They clicked in a way he never had with any other
musician. Eddie had become like an older brother or a surrogate father because
of their age difference. In tune because of their kinship through the guitar.
Eddie taught him rock-music history and Joe taught Eddie rock-music future.

Joe’s audition with The Pack had been a blast as he traded
guitar riffs with Eddie. It turned into a game of cutting heads—back and forth
for almost an hour. Testing each other to see who played better. He’d been sure
Eddie would be pissed when he finally played a riff Eddie couldn’t duplicate or
better, but instead Eddie had laughed in delight and said “he’s the one”. From
that moment on, Joe was in. The band had cancelled the three remaining
appointments for the next day and hired Joe on the spot. Now Eddie wanted to
rip out his throat. It hurt to think he might lose Eddie’s friendship.

When Mandy and Eddie came inside, Eddie ignored him and
approached Carly tentatively. Apologetically. Mandy crossed to Joe’s side to
hug him in sympathy as they watched Eddie drop to his knees in front of Carly.

“I’m sorry, babe. I hurt you…again.”

Carly tugged him to his feet and held him tight. “You hurt
yourself too. I love you and I always will.”

“I don’t deserve you. I never did.” He buried his head in
the curve of her shoulder.

“You sound like my dad.”

“That’s what Mandy said.”

“She’s right. About your reaction to Joe too.”

Eddie’s jaw clenched as he looked into Carly’s eyes. “I know
what lousy mates rock musicians are. I stink as a True Mate.”

“You’re
my
True Mate. Good or bad, and I don’t want
anyone else.”

Eddie rubbed his eyes and Carly kissed him. Joe swallowed
hard. Was it envy he felt or wishful thinking? His parents were True Mates too,
but they were never as openly affectionate with each other or as forgiving of
the flaws of others as Eddie and Carly. He was a disappointment to his parents
and now he disappointed Eddie.

It’s not you, Joe.

It is. He thinks I’ll be a lousy mate for you.

Only because he feels like he was a lousy mate for Carly.
He needs to work through this. Once he thinks about it he’ll realize that when
he and Carly found each other he was twenty to her eighteen. You’re forty and
I’m thirty-five. We’re almost twice as old as they were and we’re definitely
twice as mature. We can do this.

Joe kissed her forehead as she hugged him tight. He hoped
she was right. She deserved a good mate, he just hoped he was the right one.

You’re the only one. I don’t want another. True Mates are
made for each other.

It should be easy. I should be able to make you happy.
Give you a good life.

Life isn’t easy. But we can face the hardships together
and together we’re twice as strong.

Joe sighed, turning to Mandy to cuddle her close. She was so
strong. Wise too. More than him. And so filled with hope. He needed some of that
hope.

“It’s yours. Now and forever,” she whispered in his ear.

He lifted his head to look down into her bright eyes.
“Thanks, angel.”

Someone cleared their throat and he turned his head to find
Eddie glaring at him. Damn it. What happened to the guy who was becoming a
buddy he could depend on? Mandy patted his back.

“You have something to say to me, Eddie? Then say it.”

“Hurt my daughter and I’ll rip out your heart and feed it to
you. Clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Good.” He turned to gaze into Carly’s eyes. “I called my
local contact as Mandy and I walked in. Dave is going to meet me at the coffee
shop downtown. I think I’ll walk. I need the air.”

“Can I walk with you?”

Eddie smiled. “I’d like that, babe.”

They went in search of coats and boots then left through the
kitchen, walking hand in hand.

“He’ll come around you know,” Tom said quietly.

Joe shook his head. “I don’t know, man. I thought he liked
me. We’d gotten to be friends. Now…I don’t know.”

Tom clapped him on the shoulder then pulled him in for an
abrupt hug. “I’m happy for you and I believe in you, bro. Eddie does too, he’s
just forgotten for right now. He’ll remember.”

“Would you have freaked if I’d matched up to Dee?”

Tom cocked his head. “At first, maybe. But I know you’re
solid. Hell, you’re a better manager than Red ever was. He was having a hell of
a time lining up gigs, but you search the internet and bam, we’re booked.”

“It’s not that hard. You guys could have done it.”

“Don’t count on it. Eddie and me…we’re dinosaurs. Neither
one of us wants to deal with the internet much and we’ve learned from you. Both
for promotion and keeping up with the new music scene. Hell, without you we
wouldn’t have started to make our own CDs or gotten a web site. You even
introduced us to social networking.”

“You guys could have gotten CDs made years ago and the
social network stuff is free.”

“But we didn’t think about it. We come from the vinyl days,
my friend. No record contract, no vinyl. Promotion was every gig we played, but
times have changed.”

Joe smiled. “Yeah, they have.”

Sharon walked over to hug him too. “You’re family, honey.
I’d have been happy if you and Dee had matched. But I’m happy for Mandy. You’re
a good guy. Carly was thrilled until Eddie freaked, but he’ll come around. Give
him time.”

“Time’s all I got. I can’t let Mandy go now.” He took her
hand and kissed it.

“We’re going to be staying over at Sam’s while we’re in town
recording. Call if you need anything. We’ll get our stuff off The Beast. Sam is
driving over for us.”

Mandy frowned when she heard a knock on the back door. “Come
on in, Zach.”

“How did you know?” Joe growled, she better not be hearing
two males.

She grinned at him. “It was the pattern of the knock,
silly.”

“Oh.”

She kissed him and he pulled her close as Zach came in the
back door. “Mands, time to pay back some of that karmic debt you owe me.”

“Now what?”

“I got a frantic call from the lead singer of Castle Eagle
this morning.”

“The band you have booked for the Valentine’s Day weekend?”

“Yup. Their drummer went skiing this morning and wrapped
himself around a tree.”

“God, is he okay?”

“Yes, and no. He’ll
be
okay…but…he broke an arm
and
a leg. He’s not going to be drumming until he heals.”

“So what’s the payback?” Joe asked.

“Well, let’s see. I’ve got a hot band with a great draw
standing right here.”

Joe smiled. “Well now, let’s see.” He shook his head,
putting a serious expression on his face. “Last-minute booking like this will
cost you extra.”

Zach’s lips quirked. “How much extra?”

Joe’s eyes narrowed. “Another thousand.”

“Ah, but you’re not booked anywhere. Two hundred and fifty
more.”

“If not us, what are your options? Seven-fifty.”

“Shit.” Zach thought a minute. “Okay. Five hundred.”

“Five hundred plus another percent on the gate.”

“Five hundred plus another half percent.”

“Done…pending approval from the band members.”

“Good. You’ve got my cell number right?”

“Yeah. We’ll get back to you later today.”

“Just remember, your True Mate owes me big time.”

“I’m in favor but Eddie runs the band. If he vetoes…”

“Then remind him his daughter owes me huge. See you guys
later.” Zach walked out the door whistling.

Tom laughed. “Nice.”

“You don’t mind performing next weekend?”

“Hell we usually do at least one local gig when we’re
recording. All the free time felt weird so I’m all for this.” He glanced at
Sharon, raising his brows. She nodded. “We’ll stop at the coffee shop when Sam
picks us up and take it up with Eddie. He’ll go for it.”

“You’re sure?”

“Oh yeah.”

A car honk sounded and Sharon and Tom hugged them both then
rushed out the back door to load up and go home with their eldest son.

“Just us.”

“Yeah.”

“Hungry?”

He licked his lips looking down at her unbound breasts under
her t-shirt. “Hell, yeah.”

She grinned. “I meant for breakfast.”

“So did I.”

Her stomach growled and he laughed. “I guess food comes
first.”

“I think so. Sorry.” She headed for the fridge to look for
something to eat. “So what are you hungry for?”

“Other than you, you mean?”

“Yeah. Food, Joe.
Focus
.”

“I was.”

She swung around, hands on hips, and he lifted his hands in
defeat. “What we had last night was good. Eggs, bacon, toast and juice.”

“Okay, I’ll dig out the food and get cooking.”

“Let me help. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long
time.”

Together they got to work. While Mandy cooked the bacon, Joe
scrambled eggs. They worked in companionable silence, both lost in their own
thoughts until Joe’s pocket started to play
Ride of the Valkyries
.

“
What
is that?”

“Wagner.”

“I know that. Why is your pocket making music?”

“Cause I’m happy to see you?”

“Funny.”

“It’s my father’s ringtone, okay? I’ll get it later.” Damn,
he didn’t need another round of disapproval this morning.

Mandy studied him, just waiting. He shrugged and took the
eggs off the heat to dish them up. As she kept watching him the bacon started
to smoke.

“Angel, I like my bacon crisp but not black.”

Mandy jumped, lifting the bacon out to drain on paper
towels. Again his pocket started to play. This time it was the nuns of the
abbey singing the musical question, how do you solve a problem like Maria?

“Okay, who’s that one for?”

“My mom. Damn. He isn’t giving up. I have to take this.” He
pulled the phone out and flipped it open. “Hello?”

“Hello, Joseph?”

Joe sighed as his father’s deep tones resonated in his ear.
“Yes, Father.”

“You ignored my call?”

Joe winced, glancing at Mandy. He knew she could hear his
half of the conversation. He wanted to block her from hearing his father, but
she’d know if he did.

Damn straight.

“I didn’t ignore you, Father.”

“You did not answer
my
call but you answered your
mother’s. I would call that ignoring me.”

“I answered the second time because I knew you were calling
back using Mother’s phone. That’s all.”

“You knew?”

“I guessed. So what’s up?”

“Language, Joseph. Proper English is important.”

“Yes, Father.” Joe counted to ten mentally. He knew that as
an Austrian immigrant Leopold spent years perfecting his English, even though a
faint trace of accent remained. Cut the old man some slack, he told himself.

“Good. Now, what are your plans for Valentine’s Day?”

“Valentine’s?”

“Yes, you remember that it is your mother’s birthday.”

“Uh… Yeah. Absolutely.”

“Your mother would like you to visit. Your brothers have
finally settled in Denver and she wishes the family to be together.”

“Um…right. Well, I’m not sure that’s going to work.”

“And why not? You said you would be off the road for a few
weeks in February…surely your
musical
friends have not been booked
somewhere.”

“My band.”

“Yes, your
band
. Ah, Joseph, I grieve.”

Joe winced. He knew what was coming and he was tired of
hearing it.

“Father…”

“You could have played Carnegie Hall.
Carnegie.
Such
classical guitar skills you possessed. I even arranged a private meeting for
you with the master. He said you showed promise.”

“Father, it was an honor to play for Maestro Segovia, but
classical isn’t my thing. It never has been.”

You played for Segovia?

Once. For all of five minutes. Father conned him into it
when I was seven and we were in Spain.

Wow.

Joe shrugged. “Are you there, Father?”

“Yes, my son.” He cleared his throat. “Your mother is most
insistent on a visit.”

“Mother or you?”

“Your mother misses you. Surely it is not so difficult for
an eldest son to visit his parents?”

Joe rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Well, I kind of have
plans.”

“A one-night stand is not plans.”

Joe glanced at Mandy. She scowled at him. Damn she’d heard
his father’s dry comment. “It isn’t a one-night stand.”

Tell him we could visit today, if they’re free.

“Mandy…” he growled.

“
Who
is Mandy?”

Joe winced. He’d said her name out loud. Shit.

Are you embarrassed by me?

No. Hell, no. You just don’t know what you’re letting
yourself in for, angel.

I want to meet them.

“She’s my True Mate,” he admitted.

“And when did you meet this True Mate?”

“True Mate? Joe has a True Mate?” He heard his mother’s
voice in the background. Shit. He was screwed now. There was no getting out of
this.

“Yes, Maria. Evidently so.”

“Leo let me talk to him.”

“I will finish first, my dear,” his father said and Joe knew
his mother obeyed—just like they all did when the old man barked. “Now, my son.
Were you ever going to share this news with us—
your family
?”