I turned to where Bailey stood near the bar’s door, scowling at me.“Just a sec!”
“Whoa!Wait!”Bailey ran across the still warm blacktop.“What the hell are you doing?”
“Uh, putting my phone in the van.I don’t want to lose it.”
“Why the hell are you in the parking lot alone?We have a system, remember?”
I shrugged.“I got a call and needed to hear the other end.Besides, we haven’t played yet.It’s not like anyone in there knows who I am.”
“Doesn’t matter.You’re a pretty woman alone in a bar parking lot.The buddy system is mandatory, at the very least.But you should be using the security that we negotiated for.Pretty sure they’re cutting our rate compared to other bands anyways, might as well get our money’s worth.”
My phone vibrated in my hands before I could come up with a comeback.
Unknown:This is Noah btw
I was confused for a second.I forgot I’d told him I’d hook him up with a special viewing.
Me:Sorry, I haven’t looked yet.We’re playing Lush tonight but I’ll let you know after our show.
“Who are you texting?”Bailey asked teasingly.
She knew more than anyone that I didn’t have a man in my life.
I rolled my eyes.“No one like that.”
“Okay, hurry up and stash your phone.We need to get back inside.Apparently Lark wants to go over the setlist.Again.”
I groaned but hustled around the side of the building with Bailey hot on my heels.
The show went about how I thought it would.Lark was kinda frantic at first but relaxed as we settled into our set.Once we got to our original songs, she was smiling and playful with us like the last few hours hadn’t happened.
I shrugged when Bailey turned to give me a look.It was pointless to hang onto grudges.If we wanted this band to be successful, we had to let go of the petty shit.
“All right, Lush!”Lark spoke over the cheering audience.“You’ve been awesome.We’re going to take a little break, but we’ll be back in fifteen with more amazing music.I’ve got to have one of those margaritas.They look delicious!See you in fifteen.”
I grinned at the way that Lark slipped in her drink suggestions.There was no point ordering anything.In about five minutes, the bar will be lined up with margaritas her adoring public would send over.
One margarita wouldn’t kill me.I had to do my part after all.
Bailey and I had just settled up at the bar in front of six margaritas (so far) when Lark bounced over with a short, thin, bald man shuffling after her.He looked sixty if he were a day.Which meant I probably wasn’t far off with my last generation comment.Maybe he was a big name two generations ago.Ouch.
“Guys, this is Joe Fisher.”Lark beamed.
I suppressed my shudder as his eyes ran up and down Bailey and me.No way were we signing with this asshole.He clearly saw us as eye candy first and—at best—a band second.
Hard pass.
But still I picked up a glass and gave him a cheers.“Nice to meet you.”
Joe’s eyes lingered on my chest.“Nice to meet you.”He held out a hand.
Mentally groaning, I stood up and shook his hand.His moist, sweaty hand.Ugh.
“Alice Rose.”
Bailey did the same song and dance before quickly regaining her barstool, putting as much distance as possible between her and Joe.I didn’t have to ask her opinion of the man.
“So how many songs have you all written?”Joe asked as he grabbed one of the free margaritas on the bar.
