Read Razor's Edge (Afflictions) for Free Online

it, but damn. There would go all my interaction with the audience. Emily liked the way I worked the crowd. Can’t hold a mic, bob across stage, slap hands, and play a guitar all at once. What the hell are we going to do?
     
    Shay
     
    “Did you see this?" Bebe yells from the front desk of my shop.
    Her shrill voice bites into my head—it’s been pounding all morning.
    With a bright smile, she looks at the computer screen. "Stones of Rage is looking for a new guitar player."
    Like I care. Their band was pretty good, but after the look of pity on Morgan's face when he saw me bawling in the alley, I'm off metal bands. God, that was so embarrassing. Face to face with a sexy rocker and I look like The Walking Dead . Awesome.
    Tryst looks up from the desk in the corner, where he’s giving Ben an art lesson. With narrowed brows, his brown eyes focus on Bebe. He looks back at my son. "More shading," he points at a spot on the picture, "along this line, so the snake has a shadow." He leaves Ben to finish it, and heads to the computer.
    "And we care why?" He leans over Bebe.
    She stiffens. "You should try out." She glares up at him. “Then I won’t have to look at your ugly mug all the time.”
    Ha ha ha. Bebe doesn’t know what she’s asking. Tryst is really good, but my cousin lacks confidence in his talent. It’d be funny to watch him try out. He won’t do it though.
    I make my way across the shop’s black-and-white tiled floor. They had a guitar player last night. Why do they need a new one today?
    Bebe’s eyes scan the screen.
    Tryst leans in closer and stares at her. My cousin can be very intimidating. The tatts that cover his body and his deep gravel voice are mild in comparison to his death vibe. With his height, the muscles he earned during his time in the marines, and his cold facial features, he screams “badass.”
    She squirms in her seat. “Jesus, Tryst. Quit hogging my air space.”
    Tryst lifts a brow. “Making you nervous, Shortcake?”
    "Mom!" Ben runs over and skids to a stop before he runs into us.
    I cringe at the sound. Damn headache. I turn toward him, and lean on our circular desk. Way too much JD last night. I rub my temple. "What, Ben?"
    "Can I tatt this on you?" He holds up the drawing of a snake winding around a rose.
    It’s a great picture and has an awesome amount of detail. He’s a really good artist for his age and it would look hot as hell on my calf. But it takes time helping him hold the gun. And time I don’t have. I shove off the desk.
    "I’m booked until eight, sweetie. How about you go play your DS? When I’m done with my appointments, I’ll let you do it while we wait for walk-ins or..." I lean in so that only Ben hears. " Bebe and Tryst are appointment free."
    Ben’s blue eyes sparkle and he looks over at them. “Hey, Uncle Tryst. Can I tatt this on you?”
    I grin and cross the room to my station. My appointment’s going to be here any minute and I need to set up.
    Tryst says something about how he has an audition to go to.
    Yeah, that picture was kinda girly. Probably needs an excuse not to stick around. I begin wiping down my chair and glance back at all three of them.
    Bebe rises from her chair and takes the picture. “A snake and a rose.” She looks down at Ben. “You can tatt it on the top of my foot.” She smirks at Tryst. “It’s a reminder to stomp on the snakes who try to enter my garden.”
    Tryst glares at her. ”Don’t leave the gate open and the snakes won’t enter.”
    Ben looks back and forth between them. “You don’t have a garden, Aunt Bebe.”
    And this convo needs to end. Pulling out a fresh pack of needles, I glance over my shoulder at Tryst. “I thought you were going to an audition?”
    “I am. Be back by five,” Tryst growls and grabs his coat. He turns to leave and bumps into Oz, my appointment. “Your General Tso chicken gave me heartburn last night.”
    “Sorry, man.” Oz cautiously moves past him. “Next meal’s on