“Cello,” I corrected.
“Listen, I’d learn the fracking harp to stay here.”
I set the bag on the floor and knelt to rummage through it. As hungry as I was, I was desperate for comfortable clothes. Starched pants were fine for a performance but there was no give to the waistline, and I was about to eat my weight in cheese and crackers.
I almost cried again, tears of relief this time, when I spotted my favorite pair of yoga pants (which were, incidentally, never worn for yoga).
“Thank you so much guys. Oh yes, you got my favorite moisturizer too! You’re everything a girl could ask for.” I held up a cotton T-shirt that said, “Baby got Bach” and rubbed my face into it like the Snuggle bear. “Mmm.” It smelled like home and comfort and lazy days. Another outfit, a better bra, thank God, and—
“What’s with the baseball bat?” I lifted out a heavy Louisville Slugger.
Gretchen winked with a knowing nod. “I gotchu, boo.”
“We’ve been concerned,” Roxy added. As always, she was dressed in all black, including heavy black eye liner and a leather coat covering her tattoos. She had been the last to leave the Wraiths and the life that came with Jethro Winston. She was the sharpest-edged but easily the most fragile of all of us. “We heard there was weirdness last night after your concert and suddenly you’re off the map and this random number is texting us. I don’t like this shit.”
“Someone texted you?” I asked, placing the bat back into the bag and taking out a fresh outfit.
“The number was unknown but mentioned the meeting with a time and address. We figured we’d check it out,” Suzie said.
Blithe grinned as she grabbed a batch of grapes. Her almost-see-through eyelashes fluttered with excitement. “We were stoked that you were being assertive and taking the lead for the next meeting.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t me.”
“That’s what I said.” Roxy made a told-you-so face at Gretchen, her dark rimmed eyes squinting at her. “Didn’t sound like you. You’re never that decisive.”
“That feels sort of judgey,” I said.
“I didn’t mean it that way. You’re very go-with-the-flow. It’s a compliment,” Roxy amended.
The words were out there though, stuck in my mind like burrs in socks where I’d be picking at them hours from now. I didn’t think I was indecisive. Was I? I was careful. Was that how they saw me?
“Anyway, we knew there was a risk because it was all very cloak and dagger. We all came together just to be safe.” This from Suzie. “Anybody that chooses to mess with us gals is planning their own funeral.”
“And I have reinforcements in the car.” Gretchen made the shape of a gun with her fingers.
“Where they will stay,” Blithe said pointedly.
I smiled and warmth spread through me again. No time for overthinking. I was so happy to see these ladies and have some non-music time. No ruining it by being a grumpy Gretchen. Plus, we already had a Gretchen. I couldn’t believe Devlin would do this. I had only mentioned the SWS meeting a few hours ago, and he had somehow managed all this.
“This is Devlin’s house,” I explained.
“The Devil of the Symphony,” Blithe gasped.
“Your conductor?” Gretchen raised an eyebrow.
The girls all looked at each other like this information made no sense. To be fair, this information made no sense.
“Okay, you have got to tell us what is going on.” Blithe sipped some pink wine and did a shoulder shimmy of happiness.
“Of course,” I said. “But first, stretchy pants.”
* * *
I walked in to find the girls had created a pile of blankets and pillows in front of the massive fireplace that was the centerpiece of the luxurious room. I filled up a plate with a little bit of everything I could fit on it.
“Okay, so if a dolphin is such a lame choice, what animal would you be?” Blithe snapped.
“A shark, obviously,” Gretchen said without delay. “Everybody knows sharks are awesome.”
