A Taste of Kaos Chapter 4

This one is for all my friends who put up with me. Big Hugs guys.

Chapter 4

Chrysalis pushed open the doors of the Irish Emerald Bar and Grill and headed straight for the counter. A large tea pot, teacup and saucer were the only things sitting on the dark wood. Her father Chase Kelly stood behind the bar cleaning glasses.

"Hey Dad!" She called out.

Her father turned and smiled at her. "Hey, little Irish. Get your butt over here and give your ol’ man a hug."

Chrysalis made her way over and around the bar, grinning. She jumped into her dad’s arms and said, "Butterflies don’t hug like this." She laughed as she gave him a bear hug.

He laughed then growled. "Yes, but bears do."

She buried her face in his neck and inhaled the familiar comforting scent of her father’s aftershave and sweat. When she was little and he had to work late, he would always come home; go straight to her room and give her hug. His scent made her feel safe and loved. A month after she was born, her mother took off and left her with her father. After realizing he was in over his head with a new born, trying to keep his job at an accounting firm during the day, as well as college and bartending at night, Chase Kelly called his mother to come help him out.

Up until the age of five, it was her grandmother, Grammy Kelly, who took care of her until her father could save up enough money and get a loan to start the Irish Emerald Bar and Grill. During her childhood she would go between the U.S. and Ireland, where her grandmother, grandfather and most of her relatives lived. She loved Ireland. She always thought of it as her home and the U.S. as her home away from home. In Ireland she felt welcome; in the U.S. she was reminded of the mother that abandoned her. Occasionally, when she remembered, her mother sent her a birthday card with a dollar bill in it.

Pulling back, she smiled at what she felt was the only parent she had. Her mother was just an incubator, who contributed an egg and carried her. Her father was the one who raised, loved and nurtured her. Looking into her Dad’s blue-green eyes, so like her own, she felt a sense of joy that she hardly experienced anymore. It was rare for the Ice Queen of Rising Sun Magazine to smile. It was rarer to hear her laugh joyfully. Her column ‘The Bitch is back!’ was really popular. People always loved to check it out to see who she was ripping into and who she chose to praise, which was an exceptionally rare event.

Chrys relaxed and pulled out of her father’s embrace. She headed around the bar, pulled up a stool and sat down, pouring herself a cup of Irish Crème Hot Cocoa. She savored the sweetness.
After she drank her first cup she looked up at her father and asked, "So what did she say this time?"

Her father didn’t pretend not to know what she was talking about. "She just wants to see you."
Chrys resisted the urge to roll her eyes; her mother always said she wanted to see her. Often, when Chrys went to meet her at the appointed destination, her mother didn’t bother to show up, citing an emergency. If she did actually make it to their meeting, she wouldn’t be alone, bringing her new boyfriend of the week along. Whenever she brought a boyfriend, it was like Chrys didn’t exist, barring introductions.

It pained her to see her mom like that. When she was younger, she imagined her mother as this wonderful person. Instead, her first meeting with her, slapped her back into reality. One disappointment after another was all she got from dear mother. If Chrys ever had children, the only grandparent they would need was their grandfather. It hurt her to see her father always being so nice to her mother and getting trampled on for his efforts. She had always felt that her father was still in love with her. When she was ten years old, she was introduced to her mother. Mom’s first words to her were, "You were a mistake, you know that. The condom broke and well, here you are."

Chrys remembered gripping her father’s hand tightly and trying not to cry. After that statement her mother wanted a hug. A hug! Like she hadn’t just said one of the most horrible things you could say to a child. Her father had tried to get Chrys to be nice and friendly to her mother. He always said, "You don’t want to grow up and realize you didn’t at least try, do you?"
In the beginning she made an effort for her dad, but after a few visits, Chrys dropped all pretenses and told her mother exactly what she thought of her, even going so far as calling her mother a heartless slut. That got her a slap in the face, but her mother didn’t try and contact her again, until now. Until after Chrysalis had been linked with football player Douglas Stormer.

"I’m not going, not this time." She held up her hand to stop her father’s next statement.

"Neela has proven that she doesn’t love me, nor does she actually want to see him. She just wants to seem like the maternal type, for whatever reason. I’m not gonna indulge her. I’m sorry daddy, I tried, but it’s for the best." Her father sighed and she knew he was disappointed, but he would have to deal with it. She poured herself another cup of cocoa and watched as a gorgeous woman approached the bar. She definitely looked like a model, all legs and large eyes.

The woman smiled shyly at her dad and Chrys had to hold back a grin. Even at 45 her father was still very handsome. He had reddish blond hair, cut short and styled in the, "I just got out of bed look" and engaging blue-green eyes that sparkled with mischief. She watched him move over to the woman, who couldn’t have been more than 25. He asked her what she’d like.

Chrysalis noticed the look that the woman gave her dad; she definitely wanted him.

Chrys held back a giggle. "I was wondering if the grill is still open. I just got into town and I’m starving."

Her father smiled. "Of course, what will you have?" The woman also placed her order, turned around and walked back to her table, putting a little extra something into her walk. Chrys looked at her father amused to see him watching the woman’s extra somethin’. He turned and gave the orders to his chef. He then came over to his daughter.

"You need to get laid Dad."

She ducked when he tried to take a swat at her head. "What!! She’s hot and wants you!" Her father seemed to dismiss her statement.

Annoyed Chrysalis slid off the stool. "Where are you going?" He asked,

Chrys smiled mischievously. "Bathroom".

She headed in the direction of the restroom, by way of the woman’s table. Papers were strewn all over the place. She looked busy. Chrys stopped by the table. "Excuse me, could I talk to you for a moment?" The woman looked up at her curiously. "It’s about the bartender."

Leaving her with that, Chrysalis walked to the bathroom, before she entered she gave her father a wink and pushed the door open.

Chrys began to wash her hands, but turned when she saw the door pushed open and the model woman walk in.

She grinned. "Are you his girlfriend or something? I saw the wink you gave him."
Chrys wasn’t shocked by her question. No one who met them thought that Chrys was really his daughter, even with the blue green eyes; they all thought that she was wearing contacts. She shook her head, "I’m his daughter."

The woman looked skeptical.

"Believe what you will, but I am his daughter. Look. My dad doesn’t really date…. At least, I’ve never seen him date. I want him to be happy and he’s certainly attracted to you. But he probably thinks he’s too old or something. How old are you?"

The woman at first didn’t seem to want to answer, but then said, "I’m 28."

Chrys thought for a moment. "He’s 45; hmm that makes . . . a 17 year difference. That seems okay."

The woman held up her hand. "He’s 45!?! He looks like he’s 30."

Chrysalis became defensive. "You got a problem with my dad being 45?"

The woman quickly shook her head. "No, no, I’m just surprised that’s all."

Chyrs let it go. "Yeah, he looks young for his age. He had me when he was 20, well my mom had me and he was 20."

The woman looked her over. "You’re really his daughter?"

She nodded. "What’s your name and what do you do?"

The woman smiled. "Kaitlyn and I work for a modelling agency in New York."

Chrys’ smile fell. Crap, if they did hit it off, it would be a long distance relationship, but if they did hit it off that would be great.

"What’s wrong?" Chrys waved it off.

"Nothing."

"He’s not married or has a horrible ex, does he?"

Chrysalis looked at the woman as if she’d gone insane. "Sorry, not enough neurons firing in the brain there. I doubt you’d try and set me up if he was married, but the ex thing?"
Chrys gave her a sad smile. "No actual ex. My mom wants nothin’ to do with him."
Kaitlyn seemed to sense that talking about her mother was a sore subject.

"So how do I win him over?" She said conspiratorially.

"Let me take care of it, by the end of the night, he’ll be asking for your number." Chrysalis grinned, dried her hands and walked out of the bathroom.

A Taste of Kaos Chapter 3

Dedicated to all the readers of this story. Thanks again Jan. Hugs.

Chapter 3

Kaos leaned on the doorway, studying the woman in front of him. She looked like Marissa, especially in the back. He could understand why for a second Remy would mistake her for his former girlfriend. But unlike Rissa, she had long hair that fell down to her shoulder blades. Her bangs brushed the tops of her eyebrows; she had red highlights, which Kaos believed weren’t natural. Her blue-green eyes studied him. The differences, other than her hair, that set her apart from Marissa, were her eyes and her walk; it was filled with purpose, a woman on a mission.

There was something about her that made him pause. She didn’t look at him adoringly like a groupie or an admirer. She glared at him with wariness and annoyance. How had he annoyed her? Kaos took in her outfit, skinny jeans, black boots; he assumed a black suede corset with ribbons that crisscrossed the front and a jean jacket. Her nails were painted black and a dark red wine color. He looked back up at her face. She wore dark wine-colored lipstick and her eyes were lined with black. Her skin was paler than Marissa’s but only slightly.

She was cute, but he doubted she would take that as a compliment.

Kaos stuck out his hand, “Kaos, it’s nice to meet you. I didn’t get your name.”

She didn’t take his hand instead she turned to Remy and said, “Call me.”

She then turned and brushed past him and out the door. Instead of confronting Remy about doing an interview without the band, he rushed after her. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor. Her steps were quick, as if she was in a rush to get out of the building. Her cell phone rang and she rummaged as she walked in her bag.

Finding it, she answered. “Hello? Oh, hey daddy.” She smiled. “Yeah, I’m on my way there now. I could really use a pick me up.”

“…… No, it went well, I think he’ll call me. Marissa should be happy about that.”
“Breakfast? Sure, what are you making?” She started to laugh.

Kaos thought she had a great laugh. “Um, if you want the building to burn down sure, why don’t you make French Toast?”

Kaos could tell she had a great relationship with her father. A hint of jealousy stirred within him. His own relationship with his father was always on thin ice.

“Yes, you can bring over some French toast sticks and I promise to wear my footie pajamas and act like I’m 5.”She laughed again.

Kaos found that comment odd, but all was revealed soon afterward.

“You just don’t like the fact that I’m too old to dance on your feet anymore and ask you for ice cream money. I’m too old to be grounded ya know.” She laughed again.

Her father was teasing her about her being all grown up, from what Kaos could hear.

“Daddy, come on, I don’t want to see her. I really don’t. I don’t care if she is my Mother. She wants to see me now, huh! Where was she, was I had to go the dentist or doctor or when I first got my period? …..Okay, yeah too much information. Sorry.” She laughed again.

“Okay, I’ll think about it, I promise. Look I see my car. I’ve gotta go now. Bear kisses and butterfly hugs. See you soon.”

He watched her hang up and walk to her car. She didn’t seem to notice that he had followed her to the parking lot.

That is until she got to her car and turned around; green ice in her eyes. “Why the fuck are you following me?”

Kaos snapped out of his reverie. Her eyes were now more green than blue. He thought for a moment, trying to decide how to respond to her question.

Finally he said, “I wanted to ask you why you want to interview Remy and not the entire band.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and said, “Marissa asked for just Remy, not the band.”

Kaos raised an eyebrow, “Marissa?”

Chrys went into a brief explanation of Marissa’s request. “So, you’re her cousin who is doing her a favor. What do you get out of the deal?” Kaos asked.

He had heard the venom in her voice; he couldn’t believe that she didn’t get something out of this arrangement.

“I get the explanation that my cousin has wanted to hear for the past two years. I get to prove to her that Remy Bane wasn’t worth all the tears she cried over him, plain and simple.”

Kaos took a step forward into her personal space. She didn’t back down from him. Not one bit. Reminding him of his brother’s girlfriend Calla, she glared up at him.

He guessed she was about 5'3 without the heels, with the heels she was about 5'6. Looking into her eyes, he wanted to see that look of anger and defiance turn into passion and desire. He had the biggest urge to kiss her.

As if reading his mind she growled, “Don’t even think about it, or you will be able to join the Vienna Boys’ choir too.”

Instead of cooling his desire, her growl inflamed him. He paused when he heard the word ‘too’. Had she kneed a lot of guys in the groin? He didn’t want his family jewels crushed, but for a split second the sick thought that it would be worth it, flashed through his head.

“Remy can be a bastard but, doing an interview with him, isn’t going to make things better. They need to see each other and work things out. Rissa needs to hear his explanation in person.”

She raised her eyebrow. “You would think that, but the truth is, she can’t be in the same room with him. She needs distance.”

Kaos leaned forward, “And why can’t she be in the same room with him?”

He knew the answer, if Marissa was in the same space with Remy she would forgive him and well, they’d have sex. It was how things always were with them. Everyone could see it.

They couldn’t stop touching or looking at each other. They just needed to be in contact with one another and that was enough to settle the other one down. Kaos had witnessed this pattern on many occasions. Remy would get nervous, start throwing up and yet one phone call from Marissa and he was fine. If Marissa was nervous about something, all it took was one word from Remy and she was ready to take on the world. Kaos had envied that connection. They belonged together. They were good for each other.

Chrys shook her head, “You know why she can’t be in the same room with him. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”

She turned, her hair slapping him in the face. He quickly stepped back to avoid getting hit by the car door. She was about to close it when he grabbed it.

“You know I didn’t get your name.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t offer it.”

She pulled the car door closed. Kaos just barely avoided getting his fingers crushed. She started her car, put it in gear, pulled out of the parking space and drove off, leaving Kaos standing under the parking lot lights, alone.

A Taste Of Kaos Chapter 2

Thank you so much Jan. You're the best. Thanks to my crew on the Hussy Brigade. You know how we roll, now tell me who threw the wild Orgy/Party at HQ while I was gone and no one gets hurt. lol. Hugs and I hope you like latest chapter.


Chapter 2

Chrysalis walked down the hallway, her long dark brown hair swinging from side to side. She was on a mission and wouldn’t be distracted until it was accomplished. Her cell phone rang and she stopped and rummaged around her purse for it. Finding it, she answered immediately.

"What’s up Rissa? Yup I’m at the Arena. I just got in, but before I head home, I’m going to do this. Okay, meet you for drinks tomorrow. Butterfly hugs and bear kisses hon, night."
Chrysalis pushed the end button and snapped her phone shut. She readjusted her press pass and walked down the hall.

Walking through the labyrinth that made up the backstage area, she now knew that Spinal Tap was not just a good comedy, it was true. If she did get on stage, she wouldn’t resist the urge to yell out, "Hello Cleveland!" Finally she saw two women walking down the hallway. They were dressed in groupie gear. Both were wearing halter tops that hardly covered anything and skirts that were more like band aids than clothing. Instead of judging, she decided it would be better to befriend them. After all, she was no threat to them; she didn’t want any member of the band. She just wanted an interview.

She brushed back her hair over her shoulder and approached them. "Excuse me. Hi, I’m trying to find the dressing room area. Could you please direct me there? Thanks."

The girls both gave her the once over. One was a redhead, with an hour glass figure and a deep tan. Chrysalis didn’t even know why the woman was wearing make-up. She didn’t need it. The other woman was blond and top heavy. Both women were beautiful. Neither woman needed the extra help that the war paint provided. She saw the redhead look at her journalist backstage pass and smiled.

Chrys could see the woman’s mind working. Finally she said, "Down the hall, take a right."

Chrys thanked her again and was about to follow her directions when she noticed her shoes.

"Oooh, are those the new Caravan New York Night Life stilettos?" Chrys asked as she gazed down at the deep red stiletto heeled sandals that wrapped around the ankle and half the calf, before tying off. The heel was thin and barely manageable to walk in, from what Chrys could see. But damn! They make the woman’s legs look good.

"You like?" The woman gushed. "I just got them 50% off at Macy’s. Tomorrow’s the last day of the sale, if you want some you better hurry or you can just get them on line. Are those the NYC Sidewalk Stomp Ankle boots, those are cute!" The woman cooed.

Chrys grinned and stuck out her faux suede black ankle boot, lifting up the hem of her boot cut skinny jeans.

"I had to fight off a woman for the pair. They were the last 6 ½ in stock. I swear she tried to knock out a tooth. Besides, they wouldn’t have fit her. She looked like a 7 to me." Chrys said conspiratorially.

The Blonde stuck out her foot and showed off one of her own pair of emerald green stiletto shoes from Caravan.

"The L.A. Woman Nightclub Stiletto. Last one in the store, everyone overlooked it; they all wanted the Candy Apple Red. Stole it right out from under everyone."

They all giggled. Designer Caravan shoes were all the rage now, right up there with Kate Spade, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanicks.

"I had to order mine online. I didn’t want to get in a tug of war. Oh, I gotta go. Thanks for the directions and the sale tip."

Chrys let her pant leg slide down; waved at the girls and walked off. Heading down the hall and turning right, she knew she was in the right place. Roadies milled around. Huge containers lined the walls and groups of women; all underdressed, were talking and laughing. She walked down the hall. The click of her heels was drowned out by the commotion.

A door opened to the left of her and out of the corner of her eye she saw the object of her disdain, appear. He looked tired. His red hair, streaked with blond and black, hung limply around his shoulders. His gray-gold eyes looked worn and lifeless. Chrys watched as the groupies started toward him. He held up a hand and gave them a small, but charming smile.

"Ladies, please, let me get some rest first. It was a draining show. Why don’t you let Kaos entertain you while I get myself ready to party?"

Chrys snorted silently yeah, she could think of a few ways that he would get himself "ready to party" and all of them were not good. She brushed back her hair and walked toward the door unchallenged. She could see out of the corner of her eye the girls and roadies all eyeing her with distrust. She didn’t bother to acknowledge them. Steeling herself, she knocked.

"Ladies please, I . . ."

His voice trailed off as he started down at the woman before him. His eyes widened and life blazed back into his eyes.

"Marissa, baby!"

Before she could stop him, he advanced; grabbed and kissed her.
She shoved him away. Once they separated, she wiped her mouth and stared at him angrily. He looked at her; feeling surprised, shocked and hurt. Instead of correcting his assumption, she shoved him into the dressing room and shut the door.

"I’m not Marissa!" She informed him as she looked around.

The room was neat, lots of bottled water, but there was no scent of alcohol; no lines of cocaine, nothing at all. Just water, a pack of cigarettes, along with some clothes, bags and a stereo were evident.

"But . . ."

Chrys shook her head and noticed a small TV; the screen was frozen on a scene where a woman looked like she was giving a guy a blow job. Porn! That was how he was going to get himself ready for the party. She looked over at him and at the front of his pants. Well Mr. Happy most certainly hadn’t come out to play from what she could see. There was no telltale bulge of arousal. She shook her head and looked up at his face, which was a flaming red color.

"I’m Chrysalis, Riss’ cousin. Perhaps she mentioned me?"

Remy looked like he was thinking it over. Understanding dawned on him.

"Yeah, she did. Sorry about the kiss. You look like her only with…., well the eyes . . ."

He trailed off. Her eyes were a blue green, which was a gift from her Irish Father. She smiled fondly thinking about her father, who was undoubtedly waiting for her at the Irish Emerald Bar and Grill, with a mug of Irish Crème Hot Cocoa and willingness to lend her his ear as she told him about L.A...

"Yeah, her mother is my aunt." She said bitterly. "We look alike except for the eyes. Marissa is why I’m here."

Remy flopped down in a chair and ran a hand through his hair. He grabbed the pack of cigarettes, banged the bottom against his palm and slide out a slim tube of tobacco. He didn’t light it. He just toyed with it after putting the pack down.

"I suppose you want to yell at me too?" He asked, giving her the sad eye.

She ignored his expression and said, "She wants me to conduct an interview with you, to tell your side of what happened and then she’ll do an interview for the magazine, finally breaking her silence."

Remy looked shocked. Marissa hated the spotlight, but he guessed she was forced to react, especially after that report in the gossip column stated that she and Ben Tyron were more than just friends.

"So, she’ll respond to what I say in this interview. What paper or magazine are you from?"

"I’m from Rising Sun Music Magazine."

A dark cloud past over Remy features. "Look if you want to know what she’s thinking then you’re gonna to have to do the interview. That is, if you care anymore. I mean you’ve got all those groupies, creaming their panties at the sight of you. Perhaps you’d prefer them to Rissa?"
Remy stood up and got into her face. "None of them compares to her! Got that! You recording this? I’ll do your damn interview and prove that I still love her."

Chrys snorted. "Sorry, Jim Morrison wannabe, if you think one little interview will get you into her pants again, you’re wrong. She just wants to know why you screwed her over. And if I hadn’t promised her to play nice with you for the sake of this interview, your so-called bluesy growl would be turned into a voice that you could use to audition for the Vienna Boys Choir." Chrys shot back.

Remy sank back down into the chair. "Why the hell can’t I just talk to her?"
Chrys rolled her eyes. He was the densest lead singer she had ever met. If he didn’t know the answer to his own question, he needed to start drinking something a bit stronger to jump start his brain cells. She would suggest cyanide, but that would just kill him, not help him over the bleach blond moment he was having.

She hopped up on a stool sitting near the door and said, "Look, she’s still hurting and pissed. She walked on you fucking the lead singer of your opening act, like it’s the normal thing to do. You begged her to come to Buffalo to see you. Yet when she shows up, she catches your dick in the cookie jar. How’s she supposed to feel? She loved you, put up with the long absences and constant interruptions at dinner. Being the girlfriend of the lead singer whose band happens to be ‘the flavor of the month’ wasn’t easy. She was already feeling insecure that you were touring with the Flaming Banshees. Five cosmetic surgeries later and Deidre Maxwell looks half way to achieving her dream of being Angelina Jolie’s twin. Before all that crap, she was a gorgeous woman, who knew she was hot stuff! If you hadn’t noticed, Rissa doesn’t exactly have a lot of confidence in the looks department, especially when you have chat rooms already saying that you were going to leave her for someone ‘much more in your range’- Like Deidre! Rissa thinks that pleasing you is the way to get you to love her. She didn’t put too much stress on her looks. Rissa thought that was the reason why you stuck around."

Chrys held back her own tears. She loved her cousin dearly and hated her Aunt Delia for emphasizing a person’s looks over personality, when attracting a man.
Remy was quiet.

"She wants this interview to clear the air and figure out where you’re at. Since it was dragged out publically, then it will be finished publically. "
Remy looked up and narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

Chrys sighed. "I’m what Riss calls the ‘The Human bullshit meter’. She wants this interview with me to prove whether or not you’re sincere in your desire to start over and start fresh. Look I’m not going to lie to you. She has been seeing Ben Tyron; he’s an old friend from college. She doesn’t follow football too closely, so she had no idea how big he really is in the sports world. But the problem is you! She has no idea about you. Ever since that day, she’s doubted everything you’ve ever told her. She wants to move on; tried to, but dammit she still loves you. This interview will be either closure or a door opener. That’s all I can say."

Chrys hopped down off the stool and rummaged around in her purse. She pulled out a silver and black card and handed it to him.

"This is my business card showing my name, cell number, office number, and the number of my editor as well as my home phone. Don’t use the last one unless its emergency and you’re on fire. But even then, don’t call me; I’d probably throw alcohol on you."

Remy accepted the card. "So, exactly why are you talking to him and not the whole band?" A deep gravelly voice asked from behind her. The voice traveled up her spine and caused her legs to turn to jelly. She turned around and swore, knowing full well she was in trouble.

A Taste of Kaos Chapter 1

Thanks to my editor Jan and everyone who read TR. This is for you. Thanks again, I hope you like Kaos' story.

Chapter 1

I paint my walls black

So I reflect my blood on the inside.

I crave you.

Need you.

But I reach for you

And you're not there.

Where are you love?

Where did you go?

I bleed for you still.

I ache for you.

Please come back to me.

Don't leave me lying here in my blood and tears.

I'm on my knees love.

Please don't leave me

God I love you still.

Your smile, your laugh

Your taste, the way you walk to the bed.

Come back to me love.

Come back to me.

Please don't leave me like this

I'm dying without you.

Kaos watched Remy Bane slide down to the floor; tears in his eyes as he crooned 'Don't Leave Me'. Girls in the front row were screaming and waving their hands. Tears were in their eyes, but Remy didn't see them. He only saw Marissa Lewis, the girl that left him after she had walked in on him having sex with the female lead singer of their former opening act. That had been two years ago and still Remy cried about it. Kaos shook his head as he watched his friend tear himself apart yet again for the crowd. Although he couldn't blame Rissa for leaving, Remy had been stupid and out of control.

Kaos continued to play the acoustic guitar as Remy growled out the last line of the song. He rose and bowed to the crowd; his eyeliner ruined, forming thick black trails of tears down his cheek.
Kaos remembered when he had first heard and saw his friend perform the song. He too had been moved, but that had been two years ago. Now looking at his friend the only thing Kaos could think was, "If that's what love does to you, then I'm never falling in love, ever."

Kaos walked backstage after Remy. He smiled devilishly at some of the women who were of every shape, size and background. God he loved being a rock star. Remy ignored them, walking past the groupies and headed for the dressing room area.

"Where's he going?" Dane their drummer asked.

Kaos just shrugged. "He's probably going to call Rissa and jerk off while we get ready for the encore. You're up Dane." Spike said, smacking Dane in the back.

Dane grinned twirling his drumsticks in his hands. He gave the boys a salute, bowed to the ladies and headed on stage for his drum solo.

Kaos sighed. Marissa refused to talk to any of them still after two years. She continued to blame them for allowing Remy to get so wasted that night. They had tried to calm him down, but they failed spectacularly. He pissed them off so much that no-one wanted to deal with him. How were they supposed to know that he would end up fucking Deidre Maxwell in his dressing room, before the show? They had known that Marissa would be there; after all, Remy had been talking about her visit non stop since she agreed to come.

Remy hadn't just hurt her that day; he had hurt everyone in the band. They had to reschedule the concert, claiming a stomach bug. Their publicity machine went into overdrive, making it seem like Remy really did want to sing for them, when in reality he was too wasted to do anything.

The next day, they had to ‘drop’ one of their opening acts and find a replacement. Kaos sighed. Remy had never been the same since that day. He called Rissa, daily. Each phone call was dismissed. Kaos had recently seen her best friend, Callisto who interceded on Rissa’s behalf; enlisting Kaos’ help. Rissa wanted no further contact with Remy. His calls upset her too much. It was bad enough that some nosy reporter had leaked her name, after discovering that Rissa was the inspiration for most of Remy's lyrics on their new album ‘Torn Apart Again’. Now reporters kept calling her house, asking for all the juicy details of their breakup. Deidre made things worse by giving an interview with ‘Rising Sun’ magazine. She gave salacious insights into Remy’s prowess in the sack, as well as regaling the media with the real reason as to why her band had been kicked off the Torn Apart tour. She pretty much ripped the band apart in her interview. Now everywhere they went, they were asked to confirm or deny Deidre's claims.

Kaos started to massage his temples. Thank god this was the last stop on the tour before the break, otherwise he'd go mad. Instead of heading over to see his brothers, he decided to see Rissa and find out how she was doing. He remembered Callisto had told him that Rissa had gotten a new boyfriend. Everyone knew but Remy. If he found out, Kaos knew his friend would go ape shit.

Remy emerged from his dressing room about halfway into the drum solo. "Call her." He said, shoving the cell phone into Kaos' hand. Kaos rolled his eyes and dialled Marissa's number from memory. After the third ring the answering machine switched on and Kaos spoke. "Hey, Riss, it's the K-Man. Look, can I talk to you; it's about Rem? Call me okay!"

Kaos ended the call and switched off the phone. He handed it back to Remy and gave him a, 'Are you happy now?" look on his face.

"Thanks!" Remy said giving him a weak smile.

"Look just give her time, okay? She’s still hurting, it doesn't help that the media has been harassing her. And that Deidre interview didn't score you any points. How could you go there, you knew from the start that Deidre wanted to bang you and tell the world about it?"

Remy shrugged and Kaos rolled his eyes. The drum solo was over and Remy sauntered back on the stage followed by Kaos and Spike.