“What do you dofor a living?” she asked.
“You might notknow it by looking at me, but I’m currently Melody Morgan’s touring guitarist.”
Melody smiled.“Okay, but what about when you’re not playing with that psycho bitch?”
“Just so youknow. If I ever heard anyone else call you that, I’d hand ’em their teeth. Youare not a bitch and you’re only half psycho, at best. So how about you treat myfriend Melody with the respect she deserves?”
“I’m yourfriend?” she asked.
“I’d like tothink so,” I replied.
“Okay, friend tofriend. What’s your job?”
“I don’t have ajob per se. I own several rental properties in the Portland area which pays mybills.”
“Does that alsopay for brand new motorcycles for the crew?” she asked.
“You’re verydirect, aren’t you?”
“Only withfriends.”
I smiled. “Ilike Ant. He’s a good kid and he works hard. I guess I see a little of myyounger self when I look at him. Plus, I enjoy having buddies to ride with.”
“So, you boughthim a ten-thousand-dollar Harley?”
“It came with acertain set of conditions,” I replied.
“Such as?”
“That’s betweenme and Ant.”
“Look, I’m nottrying to be nosy…” She shook her head. “Okay, I’m totally trying to be nosy,but after what happened with Gill—”
“It’s okay, Iget it. You don’t know me that well, and you’ve recently been burned.”
“Yes, and I alsohave the uncanny knack of welcoming chaos into my life.”
“Do I seemchaotic to you?”
“No, youseem…too good to be true, which is what freaks me out so much.”
I laughed.“Don’t think I’ve ever been called that before.”
“You saved myass, and I’m grateful, but I have to be honest. I’m still afraid to trust you.”
“I’m gonna tellyou something about myself that very few people know.”
“What?” Melodyasked, leaning closer to me.
“First, you haveto promise not to get mad.”
Melody crossedher heart.
“I wrote a pieceof music ten years ago that ended up being quite lucrative. It’s what madebuying real estate possible and it’s what’s made Ant’s gift possible.”
“What’s thesong?”
“Remember you promisednot to get mad at me?”
