“Your boy seems a little stiff up there tonight.”
Broden Dallas stood on the other side of the merch table with a beer in hand.
“He’s just getting started. He’ll loosen up.”
Broden cocked his head to the left, “So, heisyour boyfriend?”
“No… no, he’s not.” Maggie shifted in her seat, trying to convey that she wanted to watch Chase.
“Well, in that case… There’s a rooftop party later tonight. There’s supposed to be a killer fashion show too. Wanna join me?”
A rooftop fashion show sounded intriguing, but Maggie was there for Chase and was still unsure of Broden. She scrunched up her nose. “Mmm… No thanks.”
“Let me know if you change your mind.” Broden winked at her and walked back toward the bar, unphased by the rejection.
As the first song ended, the crowd clapped. Chase let his guitar hang loose and approached the microphone. “Hey, thanks so much for coming. So, for this next song, I had a request for something a little different. Ya’ll up for that?”
A few people responded, “Yeah!”
“Alright, get your cowboy boots on because we’re going country.”
A chair screeched, amplifying an awkward silence.
Maggie called out, “Giddy up!” as Chase began to play.I really hope I didn’t mess up this chance for him. I should have told him he didn’t have to play country tonight.
As soon as Chase started singing, all of Maggie’s fears vanished.Oh my goodness, he’s doing it… he’s singing Sold by John Michael Montgomery!Maggie brought a hand to cover her mouth as she listened, astonished. The raw passion and tenderness in Chase’s voice reminded her of Blake Shelton. When he belted the melody, the grovel that emanated made her knees weak. Her breath caught in her lungs with each twangy note.Oh country was definitely the right choice.
Chase smiled her way and then sauntered down the stage stairs.Yes, I will be yours. Yes, you can do my bidding and yes please, be at my beck and call. Oh... wait… is he coming this way? What’s happening?
Chase stared her down as he sang, pausing amid a group of tables filled with women. Maggie’s heart thumped loudly in her ears. She was terrified and smitten at the thought of him singing to her in front of the crowd. Suddenly, a woman with long, perfectly curled brunette hair flowing over her well-endowed chest stood and put her arm around Chase. He made eye contact and sang the rest of the song to her in seamless fashion.Do they know each other? That seems perfectly planned.
But not as perfect as the kiss that the gorgeous woman proceeded to plant on Chase as soon as the song ended. Maggie felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. The crowd erupted and Maggie’s heart simultaneously imploded.Ada tried to warn me. Ugh, why am I so naive? Note to self: there are no good guys in LA… Screw it, might as well check some more things off my list.
Spotting Broden at the bar, Maggie strode over to him. “Hey, does your offer to go to the rooftop party thing still stand?”
“Yeah, definitely. I don’t play tonight, so we can head out anytime.”
“How bout now?”
“Now works.”
Maggie saw Arlo amid two scantily dressed women and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, I gotta run. Can you watch the merch table?”
“Ah yeah, sure.”
“Thanks.” Then, Maggie grabbed her purse, took hold of Broden’s arm, and led him out the door.
Chapter 17
Chase
“Dude,Ididn’tknowyou were freakin Garth Brooks.” Arlo pounded Chase on the shoulder.
Chase just laughed.
“Great set man. Looked like Leeland was into it, speaking of… heads up, here he comes.” Arlo ducked away as Leeland Banks approached.
“Chase,” Leeland said as he reached out his hand.
