“Awesome.”

“When can you come in to train? I’m usually here in the mornings.”

“What time?”

“Like four. I know, sucks,” he says when I make a face of disgust, but I know that time will work. I’ll come here, work, and then head to hockey. Yeah, I’m losing two hours of sleep, but it can work.

“Okay, I’ll be here tomorrow.”

“Cool,” he says just as the strum of a guitar catches my attention. Looking at the stage, I see Avery standing there in all her beautiful glory. She’s in a pair of tight jeans and a white tee that hangs off her shoulder. Her hair is in wild curls down her shoulders with a big, floppy black hat on her head. She looks so small in that shirt since it hangs off her so much, and then add in the guitar that looks huge in her small, delicate hands. But she looks so fucking hot, I can’t stand it. It’s like I forgot how attractive she is in the little time we were apart.

She must have felt me staring at her because she looks up, her eyes sparkling underneath all the makeup she is wearing. Her lips are painted a dark red color, and I’m unsure if I can handle how drop-dead gorgeous she looks. As she gives me a sneaky little grin, my lips curve and she looks away, putting her guitar on the stand and heading offstage. I think she is coming to me, but then she goes to the back and I’m confused.

Shouldn’t she be greeting me or something?

Just then my phone dings and I look down to see a text from her.

Avery: I would come say hi, but the way you’re looking at me, I’m pretty sure my lipstick would be smeared.

Grinning so hard I feel like my face is going to break, I nod as I text her back.

Me: You are positively correct. You look super hot.

Avery: …

Me: You beat me.

Avery: Ha. I was studying and caught the first act.

Me: Judging the competition?

Avery: Of course.

Me: That’s my girl.

Avery: Your girl?

Me: What? The memo went out. Did you not get it?

Avery: Um, no, and we might need to discuss that since I don’t date.

Me: You didn’t date, then you met me. Big difference.

Avery: Wow, I’m not sure if I should be impressed by your giant ego or disgusted.

Me: Just admit it, you love it.

Avery: No comment.

“Gag,” Markus says from behind me, and I look back at him, grinning.

“Shut it,” I demand before meeting Chase’s gaze. “I’m gonna go get my seat. Thanks, though.”

He smirks. “Of course, enjoy. And please remember this is family establishment.” He gives me a knowing look and I laugh.

“Yeah, sure, with you as the manager? I’m sure you’ve defiled this whole place.”

He shrugs. “I haven’t made it to the couch, though,” he says with a wink and I shake my head.

Chase and I had some fun when we were younger. I think my mom used to call us lady-killers, and she was dead-on. But right now, there is only one lady I want to have a chance at.

Taking my spot in the front, I lean on the table, checking out the scene before pulling out my phone.

“Why are you getting a job? I thought your dad just gave you all that money,” Markus says as he sits next to me.

“He did,” I say simply as I text Jude and Jayden in a group message. “But I want to get Jude and Jayden off my back.”

“Oh, true. You gonna be able to handle it?”

“Yeah. I’ll figure it out.”

“Cool,” he says as I look around. More people have shown up, and the place is pretty packed. That excites me. I want this to go well for Avery; I want her to succeed. Leaning back in my chair, my phones dings with a text message.

Me: I got a job.

Jude: Good.

Jayden: Awesome. Where at?

Leave it to Jayden to want to know where. Jude doesn’t care as long as I have a job.

Me: The coffee shop. Chase Miller owns it.

Jude: No shit. Cool.

Jayden: So you’re a barista?

Me: Yeah.

Jayden: Man, are you sure? You have to think a lot when you do that.

Jude: No shit, and we all know you don’t know how to think without your momma doing it for you.

Me: Fuck off.

Rolling my eyes, I turn my phone on silent just as another text comes through.

Avery: Texting your girlfriend?

I laugh.

Me: Stalker.

Avery: Oh…deflecting. Maybe I pegged you wrong. You are a player?

Me: Ha, I’m single and ready to mingle.

Me: But should I be on the lookout for your boyfriend? Don’t want to get into a fight for ogling while you’re onstage.

“Why did you invite me if you are gonna text her the whole time when she’s behind that wall?” I look up to see Markus looking bored and little frustrated. “No girls are checking me out here.”

“Aw, do you want a slice of crybaby pie to go along with that whine of yours?”

When he flips me off, I grin and then my phone vibrates. Looking down, I see another text from Avery.

Avery: Single also…which means one thing…

Me: We can hook up as much as we want.

Avery: Um. Well. Yeah, but I was going with the fact that I answer to no one.

Me: That too, but the hooking up part is funner.

Avery: Funner is not a word.

Me: It is to me.

Avery: Okay, well you have lots of funner and I’m gonna go put on a show.

Me: Really? Cause I’m here to see some hot chick perform. Maybe you’ve heard of her.

Avery: Shh…can’t swoon when I’m about to sing.

Me: What if I flash you?

Avery: I will cut you.

Me: Show you my nipples, or maybe just one.

Avery: Don’t you dare.

Me: Can’t stop me.

Avery: omg…

Laughing, I look up as she walks out, and her face is bright red, matching her lips. Not meeting my gaze, she picks up her guitar and the shop lights lower as a spotlight comes on only her. Tapping her foot onto something, she starts to play without looking up or even introducing herself. But I guess it doesn’t matter because when she starts singing, everyone is watching.

I made sure.

And hell, I’m so impressed. Her voice is so smoky but also so mesmerizing, and her fingers move naturally along the strings of her guitar, the melody matching her voice perfectly. I think I know the song; it’s some stuff that Claire likes by that ginger dude. But I’m thinking Avery could outsing that dude any day of the week. When she starts to bang on the guitar, for drums, I guess, I’m completely imprisoned by her. Then her voice is playing in the background and she is singing, and crap, I feel like I’m spinning, she is so fantastic. Looking at Markus in amazement, I find him rocking out, singing along with her, and I can’t help but smile.