CupidRocks

by Francesca Hawley

“It’s gonna be okay, angel. I’ve got you.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  He chuckled. “I mean, I’ve got your back. I will never leave you hanging. No one will ever laugh at you while I’m around, okay?”

  She nodded, but she hadn’t been able to eat anything all day and now she felt a little lightheaded.

  “Damn it, Mandy.” He turned her around and met her gaze. “You haven’t eaten?”

  “How did you—”

  “We’re True Mates. I heard that thought. You have got to get something into your stomach.”

  “I’ll throw up.”

  “Maybe later, but right now you need to eat. C’mon.” He grabbed her hand and dragged her inside. “Hey, Zach,” he called.

  Zach came out from behind the bar. “Yeah, what’s up?”

  “Mandy hasn’t eaten all day. What have you got?”

  “Newly pregs, right?” Mandy scowled at him and he shrugged. “Well?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Something light. A burger?”

  “That’s not light.”

  “It is to me.”

  “Well,” she said as she wrinkled her nose, “it sounds horrid.”

  Zach rubbed his lips, considering the possibilities. “How about a grilled cheese?”

  Mandy considered. “I might be able to keep that down. For a little while anyway.”

  “Only a little while?”

  “Joe talked me into singing tonight.”

  “You?” He turned to Joe. “I’m impressed, man. The only times I’ve mentioned it to her she’s bit my head off.”

  “She’s good.”

  “I’m terrified.”

  “That doesn’t prevent you from being good, angel.” He pulled her close. “Get the sandwich for her, would ya? Oh and don’t let her leave the building. I’ve got to get back to set up.”

  “Sure,” Zach grinned. Joe walked away and yelled at Eddie when he set something down in the wrong place. “So, you’re a prisoner, huh?”

  She slumped into a chair. “Yeah.”

  “You’ll do fine, Mands.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  “Yeah, it is. I’ll go get you the food.”

  When Zach brought her the sandwich, it actually smelled good. Her brows rose as he set a glass of milk on the table beside the sandwich.

  “Milk?”

  “It does a body good.” He shrugged and she laughed.

  She wolfed it down along with the milk he gave her and paused. “Could I get some french fries too? With ketchup?”

  “You sure?” he asked and she nodded. Suddenly, her belly was growling and she was starved. It wasn’t long until he set the fries in front of her and she ate those too. Joe paused on one of his trips out the back door to get the instruments.

  “Good?”

  “Yeah. It is actually.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “I’m glad.” Then he got back to work.

  They set up and she watched Joe keep them on track with speed and efficiency. His parents and his brothers picked out a table and Mandy went over to join them. She pulled a deck of cards out of her pocket and dealt out a hand of poker. She explained the game and Leo and Maria told her to deal.

  “You two aren’t quite so unhip as you pretend to be, huh?”

  “Language, Amanda,” Leo commented dryly and she giggled then focused on her hand.

  They came out of the game when the band started the sound check. She listened. They sounded good.

  “Surprisingly good acoustics,” Leo said.

  “I think it’s the size of the room. There’s just something about it that makes it work well for performance,” Mandy agreed.

  “The domed ceiling above the stage certainly helps,” Julian mentioned, taking a swig of his beer.

  “Bounces the sound back down,” Jake agreed.

  “We’re gonna open,” Zach yelled. Mandy looked up and pointed. “Hey, grab that table there. Put some coats on the chairs.”

  “Why?”

  “Dee and Sam and their mates are coming to the concert tonight. They just didn’t want to hang out for setup.”

  “Then why did we arrive so early?” her father-in-law asked, sounding slightly aggrieved.

  Mandy smiled at Leo. “’Cause I needed company.” He snorted but they went back to the card game.

  Zach had his crew open the doors and start taking cover. From then on it was full out. People snagged their favorite tables and ordered booze and food. After the sound check, the band went into the back to hang out until the performance.

  “You can join them if you like. We’ll be fine out here,” Maria assured her.

  “If I go back I’ll just dwell on it. It’s tough enough now.”

  “Well you look lovely,” Leo sounded hesitant. At the moment she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

  “Don’t worry. Before I perform, I’ll change. I just didn’t want to show up all dressed up. Carly took my case back earlier.”

  “Case?” Julian asked.

  “Clothes and makeup. I’m not getting on stage bare faced. No way.”

  Mandy ate some more, pleasantly surprised that her stomach cooperated. When Sharon and Tom’s pups arrived, Mandy hugged them and introduced them to Joe’s family.

  “Hey, Mom says you’re preggers. Congrats.” Dee hugged her.

  “Females are bustin’ out all over.” Sam laughed, kissing his mate and pointing at his sister.

  “But none of us are named June,” Mandy teased Sam.

  “No, I guess not.” The Whitewolfs settled at the other table and ordered a pitcher of soda and food.

  As the time dragged by before the concert, Mandy grew more nervous. She didn’t want to perform, but she knew that she was stuck. They were counting on her to help out. But if she could escape, she would have. Slowly the time ticked away to nine o’clock and the beginning of the concert. Her hands got clammy and she quit eating. Food started to taste bad again. She sipped at some ice water, but that’s all she could force down.

  Zach stopped at their table and dumped multiple packets of saltines in front of her. “Try these.”

  She grimaced, but opened a package and nibbled, pleasantly surprised when the crackers helped to settle her stomach some. Then it was time and Zach mounted the stage.

  “We have a great band for you tonight. You may have caught them right before the holiday, but they’re back! Please help me welcome…The Pack!”

  Mandy grinned as they ran onto the stage accompanied by cheers and screams from the crowd. They started as they always did and she smiled as Joe launched into the familiar guitar riffs of Sweet Child of Mine.

  She screamed as Joe began and Eddie joined in. Maria patted her arm and she leaned over.

  “Don’t scream, dear. You’ll ruin your voice.”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  Maria winked at her as Joe started to sing, then she turned to watch her son perform. From the first note. The first word. Everyone was rocking with the band, cheering and flowing onto the dance floor to move to the music. When Joe launched into a solo, Mandy refrained from screaming. Instead she whistled and clapped.

  “God, he’s so good.”

  “Yes, he is. Isn’t he Leo?”

  Mandy looked at her father-in-law, expecting to see an expression of pain. Instead, he looked contemplative.

  “He is quite…adequate.”

  Mandy began to bristle but Leo chuckled, winking at her because he knew she’d rise in defense of her mate. As they ended the song the crowd cheered and the band segued into Joe Fabulous. She’s always loved this song, but there was just something special having a guy named Joe singing. It fit.

  For the next few songs Eddie took lead on the guitar and Joe stepped back and let Eddie rock out. About halfway through the set, Mandy slipped into the back and changed clothes then sat down to put on her makeup. As she finished up her look the band piled into the room, high fiving each other.

  “That was fucking aweso
me!” Joe howled.

  Eddie laughed and slapped him on the back, then he caught sight of her. “You look good, punkin. Very Grace Slick.”

  “I was going for Pat Benatar, but Grace will do.”

  Mandy grinned at Eddie as Joe turned around and caught sight of her. His eyes widened as he took her in from top to toe. She was a little nervous because he’d never seen her as a rocker chick before. She wore black high-heeled leather boots, tight black silk pants, and a sparkly red bustier that pushed her boobs up. Over that she wore a black leather jacket. She’d teased her hair to the sky and her makeup was fierce. Her lips bright red.

  “Holy shit,” Joe breathed.

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “You’re so fucking hot I don’t want you to leave the room.”

  “Good. Then I did it right.”

  Joe stared at her for a minute then he turned to Eddie and Tom. He waved in her direction. “This is how she used to dress to perform?”

  “Yup.”

  “How old was she?”

  “That competition happened when you were eighteen, right?”

  “Yeah.” As if she really needed a reminder just now.

  “You let her dress like that when she wasn’t even of age? Were you nuts?”

  “Let her?” Carly laughed. “It wasn’t a case of letting her. She dressed the way she wanted and if we didn’t like it, what did you say, honey? We could go fuck a duck?”

  Joe’s mouth dropped and Mandy blushed. Eddie laughed. “You were always Daddy’s little girl. A real wild child.”

  “I shocked you with that one though.” Eddie nodded.

  “Then he started to laugh. He was no help whatsoever.” Carly rolled her eyes.

  “She and Dee were terrors.” Sharon laughed. “What one didn’t think of, the other one did.”

  “Sam was just as bad,” Mandy said.

  Joe walked across the room to study her. “You’re amazing. Gorgeous. But I want to tell you to cover up and take half that makeup off.”

  Mandy laughed. “You better hope you father boys then. Otherwise you’re screwed.”

  Joe slumped into a chair with a groan while everyone else laughed.

  “I’m going to go back out to sit with your folks for the second set. I want to see you perform.”

  “What do they think? Did they say?”

  “Your mom said you were good. Your dad said you were…um…adequate.”

  Joe began to grin. “That’s all right, angel. I know what that means now and I’m okay with it.” He paused, looking at the others. “You know, I’m not sure about the second set. Maybe we should—”

  “Your brothers are already set to play on the second song, Joe.”

  “It’s just so sentimental. And…” He trailed off, red lining his cheeks.

  “Your father will be touched,” Eddie reassured him while Joe shrugged, uncomfortable.

  “What are you performing?”

  “We always start the second set the same way. My Father’s Eyes followed by Leader of the Band. The crowd expects it, bro.”

  “Ah, I understand,” she said softly.

  He frowned at her. “I just don’t know. It might embarrass him.”

  Mandy crossed over to Joe. She sat on his lap. “It won’t embarrass him. But it will tell him how you feel about him.”

  “Probably a bad idea.”

  “I think he might like it.”

  He looked at her. “You sure? What if he hates it?”

  “You mean what if he hates having you sing it, right?” He shrugged again. “Give him a chance, Joe. I think he’ll surprise you.”

  “I sure hope so.”

  Mandy slipped back out the door and sidled up to the table. She lowered her voice a bit and leaned in. “Mind if I join you?”

  Leo glanced at her and looked away, dismissing her. “We are saving that seat for our daughter-in-law there are plenty of other places available.”

  She pulled out the chair, flipped it around and straddled it. Leo turned to blister her then stopped. His mouth open. “Amanda?”

  Mandy chuckled. “Hey. What do you think of the transformation?”

  “You perform like that?”

  “Yeah, Leo. It’s expected.”

  “Carly and Sharon don’t look like that.”

  “They’re also around sixty years old now. But they used to go glam or go home.”

  Leo shook his head. “I don’t think I will ever understand the rock-and-roll mindset.”

  “Probably not, but that’s okay. I’ll never get the classical one, either.”

  They shared a smile as the band members filed back onto the stage. Joe took up his guitar and looked at Eddie. For the first time, he looked uncertain on stage. Eddie stepped up to the mike.

  “Hey, everyone. Welcome back for set two. We’re going to start like we always start set two. Clapton and Joe. Let’s rock!” Whistles greeted him.

  Mandy leaned over to Leo. “Listen to the words.”

  Leo raised his brows then turned back to watch Joe, whose eyes rose from his guitar when he sang the lyrics “How will I know it? When I look into my father’s eyes.” Leo sat forward, clasping his hand together, paying close attention.

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Leo and Maria exchange looks and Maria reached over to set her hand on top of his. Leo swallowed as he watched Joe make his Les Paul sing, the crowd swaying.

  At the end of the song, Leo brushed away a tear. Jake and Jules exchanged a look as the crowd cheered. “Joe needs us for a minute. We’ll be back.” They made their way to the stage and climbed up. Eddie handed Jules his trumpet and gave Jake a mike.

  Joe cleared his throat. “You all know what the second song of the second set is, right?” The crowd yelled out Leader of the Band. “Right you are. And it’s extra special tonight because my brothers are going to join us. Julian and Jacob. It’s special for another reason too. Our father is in the audience. Papa, this one’s for you.”

  “Damn, I should have waited to put on my mascara,” she muttered.

  “Why?” Leo asked.

  “You’ll see,” Mandy told him as Joe counted the band off and started the song.

  Joe looked up briefly as he sang the opening lines. Then he looked down at his guitar. She heard Leo gasp softly. The room was silent but for Joe. Then his brothers joined in, singing in harmony. Leo reached out and took Maria’s hand and she sniffed.

  When Jules began to play his horn part, Leo sighed. Mandy wiped her eyes when Joe thanked his father for letting him go and finishing the verse with “and Papa I don’t think I said I love you near enough.”

  Leo had tears running down his cheeks and Maria did too. Mandy wiped away her own tears as the crowd rose to their feet at the end of the song. Leo rose too and almost stumbled to the stage. When he reached it he paused, and all three males stepped down to face him. He shook his head for a moment and enveloped all of them in an embrace. Kissing each one. Then he leaned close to Joe and spoke in his ear. Her mate looked thunderstruck for a moment then he wrapped his arms around his father in a big hug. Leo patted his head.

  What did he say?

  He said “That wasn’t adequate, son, it was superlative.”

  “Oh wow,” she breathed. Joe leaned close and spoke to his father. Leo looked surprised then nodded. Joe helped him onstage.

  “Now everyone, you’re in for a treat. We often play Dust in the Wind for you.” The crowd cheered. “But tonight, we have some special instrumentation. My father is a gifted violinist. I hope you enjoy it.”

  Eddie handed Leo his violin. Mandy leaned over to Maria. “He knows Dust in the Wind?”

  “Earlier this week, Joe and Leo had a discussion about rock versus classical music. I think it was during one of our voice lessons. Joe taught the song to him as a dare. Leo takes dares.”

  Mandy wiped more tears off her face and leaned back to watch as Jake and Jules joined them. Maria stood and hugged both boys. “That was truly wonderful.
Thank you, sons.” Jules and Jake blushed. Then watched as Joe and Leo performed together.

  “Leo sings?” As they sang in harmony.

  “He has a nice voice,” Maria agreed. “But it’s not his specialty.”

  “No, that is.” Mandy agreed when Leo began to play the violin solo while Joe continued the guitar line.

  As the song ended, again the cheers were deafening. They took their bows and Leo left the stage.

  “Now, I’m going to play Yngwie style. This is Malagueña.”

  As he shredded the electric guitar Yngwie Malmsteen style, the crowd shrieked, whistled and cheered.

  “They appreciate classical?” Leo asked.

  “Oh yeah. Especially the way Joe plays.”

  Leo smiled as Joe tore into the song. Riffing on it. Improvising. Showing off his talent for everyone to see and hear.

  “He’s quite capable, isn’t he?” Leo asked.

  Mandy grinned. “Oh yeah. Superlative even.” Leo laughed. Again the crowd hit their feet with cheers.

  “And now for something completely different,” Joe growled into the mike.

  The set completely changed and as the set wore on, the love songs took her by surprise and it was obvious Joe meant them for her. Amanda. Angel Eyes. Faithfully. So many of her favorites. Then he finished the set with Mandy’s Song and she cried.

  She followed the band into the back and walked into Joe’s arms. He leaned down to kiss her.

  “I love you, Joe.”

  “Love you more.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  She looked calm. Joe wasn’t sure though. She went into the bathroom and washed off her eye makeup and reapplied it. She kept swallowing. Joe grabbed a glass and poured her some ice water. She chugged it so he refilled it.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Sure,” she squeaked. Mandy never squeaked. Then she started to hyperventilate.

  “Paper bag.” Eddie grabbed one and Joe held it over her mouth for her to breathe through.

  “Oh God.” She ran into the bathroom and they all winced as they heard her retching.

  “Can she do this.” He whispered to Eddie.

  She came back out the door, and although she was green around the edges, she looked better.

  Joe went over and pulled her into his arms. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe he should forget all about this. He didn’t want to hurt her. He opened his mouth to let her off the hook when Eddie spoke.