Page 23 of Broken Harmony
“I don’t know what to do.” I sigh heavily, flopping back onto the bed. “Other than to fight her on it any chance I get. I told myself I wasn’t going to be a sellout. And Becky agreed that having you guys be a band with me was the best choice. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Julia has never worked with a band, only solo acts. Maybe she just needs time to get used to it.”
“We’re going to be at the press conference. It’s for Rage Against the Heart. Not Ally Cat.”
My gut sinks as guilt hits me. “I’m sorry.” My eyes well with tears.
Skyler lets out a sigh. “Hey now, Spitfire. No crying. I’m not mad at you, okay? Just pissed off at her.”
“If she doesn’t lay off, I’m going to talk to Becky. I know Julia is good at her job and all, but there are some things I won’t budge on.”
“I say, for now, we remind her who she’s working for, huh?” he says, and I can hear the cheekiness in his tone.
A smile takes over my face. “Yeah. I like that. I’ll see you at one, okay? Are you at the hotel?”
“Nah, we’re out shopping. But we’ll be back.”
“Without me!?” I gasp, and he chuckles.
“You want a new car?”
“Ahh, on second thought, have fun.” I don’t like cars. Don’t care about them. But the guys? It’s all they talk about. I’m not surprised the first thing they're buying with their signing bonus is a car.
I’m perfectly fine with the teal Volkswagen Beetle my dads had shipped out for my birthday. Not that I get a chance to use it much. I only managed to stay with my uncle for two weeks before the tour started, and I’ve been traveling pretty much ever since.
Needing to pass the time, I turn the TV on and flick through the channels. I can’t remember the last time I just sat down and watched TV. I’m never on my phone unless it’s to post for social media. I’m too busy writing or recording.
Sadly, the hotel has shit-all for channels, or maybe it’s just the time of day, because there’s nothing good on TV.
Giving up, I leave it on a random channel as background noise and go over to the little kitchenette to make myself a coffee. I’m going to need one, or three, to get me through today.
Coffee has become my new best friend. So have soft blankets to wrap myself up in when I get lost in my head during writing sessions.
After I make my coffee, I go to my makeshift nest in the corner.
The downside of travelling so much is that I haven’t been able to build a proper one. I hate hotels, they’re too big.
Most of the time, I’m able to get put into an Omega-approved room, but it’s not the same. The sad little space they have for nest building smells too sterile, like cleaning products.
It’s why I bring my own blankets and other things the guys have gotten me. Like a travelling nest kit. It’s been working for the most part, but I know in a few years, when I start having heats, it’s not going to be enough.
Julia says she plans on getting us a tour bus with a place for my own nest, but until then, I’m going to have to make do. We’re not set to go on tour until the end of the year, after we get some good buzz on this album.
Curling up in a blanket, I take a sip of my coffee and play a game on my phone.
“Live from the courthouse, I’m Mave Temple. Today is hopefully the end of the trial between Lucinda Carter and Pastor Don Welsh.”
My eyes widen, snapping up to look at the TV. My ears have got to be playing tricks on me because there’s no fucking way they just said Lulu’s name.
Scrambling to my feet, I rush over to the TV, eyes glued to it while I try to find out what the fuck I’m watching.
“Lucinda was seen this morning with one of the Omega Center staff members entering the building.”
“What the...” I whisper in horror as a clip of Lulu pops up on the screen. Her face is covered, looking away from the camera as they rush into the building and away from the press.
“With the charges against Pastor Don, it would be a shock if he wasn’t convicted on all counts."
Pastor Don? As in the creep who runs the church that Lulu’s parents go to?
“What the fuck is going on?” I breathe out in horror. With shaky hands, I pull up the search bar on my phone and type in Pastor Don’s name.
