“Macabre Maniacs?” Angela glanced at me from over her shoulder.
She and I both loved their music. It wouldn’t be her first VIP concert with the band. Several months ago, she and I had made a night of it before Viktor showed up and had stolen her away.
I tilted my head and looked at them.He really does love her, and she’s smitten with him.
They were happy, and I tried not to be envious. They’d both been through a lot and deserved their happy ending.
“Yes, Angel. The Maniacs.” He looked at me. “Why don’t you join us? I’m sure Kyle would love to see you.”
“Oh, so youdoremember his name.”
He had the decency to give me an apologetic glance.
Ithadbeen several weeks since Kyle and I had spoken, which had given me enough time to ensure I kept our relationship casual with no chance for heartbreak.
“What time?”
“In a couple of hours,” Viktor replied, tucking Angela into his side and resting an arm around her shoulders.
“What the hell.” I began sorting through the contracts and next week’s schedule, putting them away for Monday, ready to start the weekend. “I’m not teaching my next Jiu Jitsu class until tomorrow afternoon, so I’m in.”
After Pax left, I’d thrown myself into Jiu Jitsu. Ten long years, I finally earned my blackbelt. On the weekends, I taught Gi classes to the kids. It felt great to give back, to watch the kids come out of their shells and gain confidence.
Just like I grew and busted that box everyone had tried to keep me contained inside.
Ironic that Paxton, the boy who’d seemed so strong, ended up starting me on that path.
With a grimace, I blocked him from my mind and waved goodbye to Angela and Viktor, promising I’d meet them at their place in thirty minutes so we could ride together.
I shot a text to Kyle, letting him know I’d be there to watch his performance tonight, then handed over the station to Johnny, K-ROC’s late-night DJ, as soon as he walked in.
“What’s shakin’, Terri?” His long white hair had been pulled into a ponytail.
“Oh, you know. Just edits, bills, and dealing with Farrow.” Strapping my purse on my shoulder, I opened the front door. “The new intern in there”—I pointed to the studio Angela had just left—“needs to enunciate better. He sounds like he’s talking through a mouthful of shit.”
Johnny laughed as he passed me on his way down the hall. “Don’t be so hard on him, Terri. He’s just young and gets nervous. We’ll work it out of him.”
Sighing, I stepped through the doorway and locked it behind me, breathing in the dry, desert air, enjoying the dying light as it washed the cacti and dunes in pale hues of pinks and golds.
Maybe I should give Kyle a chance. He does seem happy to see me anytime we get together, and he never pushes me for more than I’m willing to give.
Chapter twenty-three
Paxton Ross
Present Day
“Isaidno.”Ipushed against Jay’s clenched hand, which held a small white pill.
“Trust me. This little baby will help you relax. We’re opening for the Maniacs...who are killing it right now, you know. You really want to face that crowd of twenty-five thousand with your nerves the way they are?”
I stiffened. “I can get it under control.”
Katrina sidles up, her blonde hair styled meticulously to look messy. “Stop being so uptight. The pill us just a downer, nothing crazy. It’ll quell those nerves you always get right before a show.” She slid a hand around my waist. “And this is our official big break, nothing like the bars and small venues we’ve been playing.”
Shedidn’t play anything. Katrina managed our bookings.
Jay pushed his palm closer, a smile on his lips.
