Olivia eyed him suspiciously.

“Come on, Libby. Just the other day, you said how much you missed performing in front of an audience. This is the perfect opportunity. Even if you don’t want to get up on stage, at least come out with me and the guys tonight. It’ll be fun. I promise.”

Olivia searched his eyes. “I don’t know. I’m not so sure it’s a good idea.”

“Libby, you need to get over whatever it is that’s keeping you down. Staying locked up and playing piano all day is not the way to do that. You’re closing up again. Please. Come back to me.”

Exhaling loudly, she took a sip of her coffee as her eyes remained glued to Cam's. “Fine,” she said, caving in to his request. “But I’m not getting up on stage.”

“You don’t have to,” Cam said quickly, putting his empty mug in the dishwasher. “Gotta run, gorgeous.” He kissed her cheek sweetly. “Pick you up at eight.” He planted a more affectionate kiss on her neck, leaving her body wanting some form of release as she watched him walk out the door.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

GONE

THAT EVENING, CAM WAS at her house a few minutes before eight. “You’re on time,” Olivia said, opening the door. “You’re always on time.”

“I hate being late,” he replied, holding his hand out for her. She grabbed it and he led her down to his car.

He glanced over at Olivia as she sat there, her eyes void of any emotion. The spark was gone. He raised her hand to his lips, kissing it gently, reminding her of all the times that Alexander used to do the same thing. She still couldn’t get him out of her head, no matter how hard she tried. “You look beautiful tonight, Libby.”

She returned a half-hearted smile, sick of how empty she felt. Nothing worked. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Alexander’s green eyes and felt his hands all over her body. She felt lifeless without his touch, her heart aching at the thought of never feeling his hands on her again. She wanted to stop feeling that pain.

They headed west toward the downtown area and pulled in front of a local bar. Olivia scowled when they walked up to the old building. From the outside, it appeared rather rundown.

“I know it doesn’t look like much, but the drinks are strong and the music is good. I promise.” Pressing his hand to the small of her back, he opened the door and steered her toward a table. She recognized three of the guys from surfing a few weeks earlier.

“Hey, Olivia! How’s your head?” Benny asked as Cam held a chair out for her.

“Better, thanks,” she said, smiling. “Please, call me Libby.”

“This is my girlfriend, Elsie,” Benny said. Olivia smiled across the table at a tall woman in her twenties with raven black hair and bright red lipstick.

“Are you going to play anything tonight?” Elsie asked Olivia cheerily.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” she replied. She was happy to get out of her house and meet some new people. If this was to be her new home, maybe setting down new roots would help her forget about her old ones. But she didn’t know if she could get on that stage and pour her heart out through music. The pain was still too raw.

“Libby used to go to 'Open Mic' night every week up north before she came here,” Cam said.

Olivia shot daggers in his direction.

“She even used to sing in a band.”

“That settles it then,” Chris said excitedly. “You’ve got to get up there.”

“Go put your name on the list,” Jason chimed in.

She looked around the table, noticing how different all the guys looked out of their wetsuits. They all had that typical surfer look…sandy hair, tan skin, and a sparkle in their eyes.

“If you don’t do it, I will,” Cam said. Olivia stared back, ready to kill him. “It will make you feel better, I promise,” he whispered before signaling a server. “What would you like to drink, sweetheart?”

The term of endearment sent shivers up her spine. She was eager to feel something for Cam again. Hell, maybe if she got up there and performed, he would finally cave and give her what she needed.

She smiled at him. “Well, if I’m getting up on that stage, I need something strong. Sapphire and tonic, easy on the tonic.”

“That’s my girl,” he replied as Olivia got out of her chair, walked up to the small table next to the stage, and wrote down her name on the sign-up sheet. There were only about five people in front of her so it wouldn’t be too long before it was her turn. She just hoped she had enough time to down a few drinks. A little liquid courage never hurt anyone.

Olivia returned to the table, thankful that her drink had arrived. “I ordered you a double, just in case,” Cam said, bringing his drink to his mouth. Olivia’s heart rate picked up a bit as she watched him lick his lips after tasting his whiskey.

“Thanks. I’m going to need it.” She looked around the bar, noting that it was starting to fill up. No one had begun to perform yet so she assumed Open Mic didn’t start until nine. She looked at the large stage, lit with just a few key lights casting low ambient light on the various guitars. There was a full-sized keyboard set into the shell of a baby grand piano, as well as a drum kit. As the bar filled up and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, she actually started to look forward to performing.

After twenty minutes or so, an M.C. jumped onstage, warming up the crowd before announcing the first performer. Butterflies fluttered in Olivia’s stomach. Cam looked over at her, dropped his hand underneath the table and, finding Olivia’s, clutched it. “You’ll do great,” he said quietly, his breath warm on her neck. She held onto his hand, desperately wanting to feel something. Anything. But the spark that was there just a few minutes earlier was gone again.

After a few more performances, the M.C. walked back to the microphone stand. “Looks like we have a new one this week.” Everyone cheered enthusiastically. Olivia assumed the bar got a lot of repeat performances. “Miss Olivia Adler.”

“Good luck, Libby,” Cam whispered in her ear and Olivia felt a sliver of a tingle. Nothing like she felt when Alexander would whisper in her ear, but at least she felt something other than the dull pain. Maybe Cam was right. She needed to get back on stage and perform to help her rid herself of the hold Alexander still had over her. She desperately wanted to be free of him. As she walked up to the stage, she knew exactly what song she needed to sing.