“How did you meet my sister?”
“Oh, I stopped by her bakery when I rolled into town.” He smiles at her, and both their eyes go soft as they gaze at each other.
I could tell Annabelle that it’s a bad idea to get involved with a musician who isn’t even local, but maybe she just wants to have fun tonight.
A guy out of breath stops in front of our booth. He looks frantic and smells accordingly. It’s funny how human emotions have different scents. His heart is beating faster than normal too.
“Nathan, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Guys, that’s Tony, the drummer,” Nathan introduces his bandmate, not acknowledging his distressed state.
“Hi, Tony. Where’s the fire?” Parker jokes, and I feel like kicking him under the table.
“We lost Hub.”
Nathan sits straighter, losing his carefree facade. “What do you mean, we lost Hub?”
“He had a fight with his girlfriend and took off. I think he went back to Boston.”
“That spineless wanker.” Nathan pulls his hair back. “We’re supposed to start our set in ten minutes.”
“I know.” Tony throws his hands up in the air.
“Can’t you go on without him?” Parker asks.
“No, we need a bass player. The songs will sound off without it.”
Annabelle and all her friends turn to me.
Shit. I know what they’re thinking. Nowmyheart is racing. I miss playing in a band, but to go on with musicians I know nothing about isn’t my idea of fun.
“Vaughn plays bass. He can replace Hub,” Annabelle suggests.
“I don’t know their set,” I argue.
Nathan’s eyes widen. “Bloody hell. That’s brilliant! Mate, you gotta do it. Don’t worry about the set. We’re only playing popular songs tonight, and you probably know all of them.”
“Come on, Vaughn. We miss seeing you on that stage,” Daniela chimes in.
Parker and Denise pile on, urging me to accept the gig. There’s no way I can get out of if without coming across like an asshole.
“What the hell. Fine, I’ll do it.”
Eleven
SOPHIE
My heart is beating like a stampede. I can’t believe how quickly I unraveled when that guy touched me. At first, I was stunned, but then a wild emotion surged within me. It wasn’t bloodlust, but similar. I was seconds away from ripping his heart out with my bare hand. I guess when he grabbed me, he inadvertently triggered something I had buried deep. I entered survival mode. His saving grace was that he backed down quickly and apologized. His green eyes seemed sincere, and his reaction gave me pause.
I don’t move from the spot as I watch him cross the street. For a strange reason, I want to follow him, though I don’t know if it’s to kill him or apologize for my over-the-top response. Both options are out of the question, so I run away instead, hiding in an alleyway between two buildings. No one is around besides a few mice that scurry away in the dark.
“Are you okay?” Tish sticks her head out of my purse, where she’s supposed to remain hidden.
“I don’t know.”
“You snapped at that poor guy. Maybe you need more time.”
“I’ve been cooped up in my father’s house for two months,” I retort. “I can do this. Ineedto do this.”
