Page 208 of Rock Chick Rescue

“Don’t you worry ’bout a thing, darlin’. I know our boys aren’t the best of friends. We just need to get them both seconds. Keep the peace. Marcus has picked Smithie. I figure Lee’ll sit in for Eddie.”

“Daisy—”

Up came The Hand again.

“Too late, Marcus has already got the ball rollin’. He likes his water, he ain’t messin’ around. I figure Eddie should be gettin’ a call just about now. You just got to talk him into it.”

Wonderful.

I had no more chance to argue, Daisy was finished and glancing around. Her eyes locked on Mom.

“Is this your mama?” she squealed, in an abrupt change of mood and marched over to Mom, leaned over and gave her a big hug. “Oowee, been lookin’ forward to meeting you.”

Ada was staring at Daisy with huge eyes. Mom looked dumbstruck or perhaps her face had been frozen in place after coming into contact with Daisy’s super-hold hairspray.

“I like your boots,” Ada said.

Daisy turned blue eyes to Ada. “Well, ain’t you sweet? I’m Daisy.”

I left them to introductions and retreated to the espresso counter.

“I feel like I’m standing on quicksand,” I told Duke, Tex and Jane.

“That’s ’cause you are,” Duke shot back, scowling at Daisy. He stomped into the bookshelves and disappeared.

Shit and damn.

My cell was in my back pocket and I heard it ring. I pulled it out and the display said,Eddie calling.

I sighed then I flipped it open and said, “It wasn’t my idea. I didn’t have anything to do with it, I swear.”

“Chiquita—” Eddie started.

“You don’t have to do it,” I whispered so Daisy wouldn’t hear me. “I’ll think of something. I’ll get you out of it.”

“I already took the meet.”

I was silent.

Then I said, “Eddie.”

“Remember what I said about wantin’ you to see your next birthday?”

The quicksand slurped up my shoes and headed for my knees.

“Eddie—”

“Stay close to Matt. Don’t worry,chiquita, it’s gonna be fine. I’ll call you later.”

Then there was a disconnect.

I flipped my phone shut and looked at Tex. He was watching me.

“Eddie just took a meeting with his mortal enemy for me. Daisy cut off Marcus’s water. Duke broke a broom. Lee’s hemorrhaging money to keep me in bodyguards. It goes on and on and on. How is this happening? Why is it happening?” I asked, and I really wanted to know.

Tex laid a big, beefy hand gently on the top of my head. “What goes around comes around, Loopy Loo.” Then his hand went away and he boomed across the store, “Yo, Daisy. What’ll it be?”

I stood behind the espresso counter letting my second, far briefer lecture about karma wash over me.

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