Page 36 of Tortured Tones

My stomach cinched. What had I done?

After a minute, she handed me her phone. “It’s Hannah.”

Shit. “What? Why is she calling?” Hannah had April’s cell phone number; she was the best way to reach me if something was urgent. I never had my phone on me during a performance.

A chill ran down my spine.

Oh, fuck. What had happened?

Was Charlotte okay?

Chapter 9

COLE

I snatched the cell phone out of April’s hand and held it to my ear. “Hannah? What’s up?”

“Cole, I’m sorry to trouble you while you’re rehearsing. Charlotte has a raging fever. I’ve called your home doctor. He’s on his way but running behind schedule. I’ve got to take Paul to the specialist before he heads back to San Fran at the end of this week. You have to come home and take care of Charlotte.”

“What? I can’t. We’ve got another session to run through.”

“Paul can’t miss his appointment. Charlotte can’t be there in this state. She’s vomiting. She’s burning up. I’ve given her some Children’s Tylenol and I’m waiting for it to work. You have to come home and look after her.”

“But . . .”

“Cole . . . this is your daughter. Come. Now.”

“Fuck.” I clutched my hair and tugged on it. I didn’t need this shit.

April’s face blanched. “Cole? Is Charlotte okay?”

“No. She’s got a fever. Can you go to my place and look after her?”

“No.” Irritation flickered across April’s face. She was under just as much pressure as the band was for the tour. The time-consuming and exhausting task of coordinating all our promo and publicity, and our travel itinerary had her working overtime beside us. “Blake and I have a meeting with the tour sponsors in an hour. I can’t miss it.”

I glanced around at our road crew. Tia was still recovering from surgery; she was out. No one else had met my kid nor been to my house. Fuck...who else could help? I glanced at my watch. It was three o’clock. Shit! Mackenzie, my housekeeper, would be running around after her own children. I turned to Ava. “Can you go look after my kid?”

She hesitated for two seconds, then hardness set in her eyes. She tilted her head to the side and shook it. “Sorry. Not in my job description.”

The tension in my temples tightened and throbbed. “Come on. Please?”

“Your daughter needs you.” Her tone could have cut diamonds. Ouch.

“Cole?” Flint slapped me on the shoulder. “Go. It’s fine. We’ve had a great session. Lewis, Slip, and I can work on choreography while you’re gone. Ava’s right. Your kid needs you.”

“Shit.” Pacing in front of my drums, I put the cell phone back to my ear. “Should Charlotte go to the hospital rather than just see the doctor?”

“I’m sure it’s only a fever. But if she gets worse, yes, she’ll have to go to emergency.” The worry in Hannah’s voice didn’t ease the knots in my gut. “I have to leave in half an hour. Will you be home in time?.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I couldn’t believe I had to do this. “Fuck. Yes. I’m on my way.” I handed April’s cell phone back to her. “Thanks. I gotta go.”

She arched a saucy eyebrow at me. “I haven’t seen you rush off after a woman like this in years. Kinda cool that a three-year-old has you flustered.”

“Fuck off.” I stormed over to my drums and grabbed my bag, then waved at Ava. “Let’s go.”

Ava stood, straightened her jacket, and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Tanner.”

Oh, now she moved! And why did I like her calling me that?

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