Page 9 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

His name wasn’t one of those in the pile of applicants, so why had Andi brought her here?

“We’re not here for work,” she scolded Andi, though it felt more like she was trying to convince herself.

They had a hundred more applicants to go through, she couldn’t just pick some guy out of a venue and offer him the job. Even if she knew he was talented…

But what if…?

Pushing the thoughts away, she shook her head and focused back on the stage. The brim of his hat cast his face mostly in shadow, but she could see his eyes were closed as he sang into the mic. He tilted his head to the side, baring part of his neck, and Lyric surprised herself as she imagined biting into the flesh.

Shuffling on her seat and willing the warmth away, she glanced at the tables nearest them, but the occupants were oblivious. Even though she took her daily suppressant to dull her own scent and those of others, she was paranoid her scent might still be a little… intense. But thankfully no one seemed affected, so she returned her gaze to Emerson just as he finished the first song.

He finished on a solemn note, sliding his pick across the strings and pausing his hand in the air as he let the note trail off.

Then he glanced up, adjusting the hat atop his head, and nodded at the crowd. “Thanks for coming to listen. I’m Emerson Lockly, and I hope you enjoy it.”

That was all he said, his voice rumbly and delicious before he put his fingers to the strings and began another song. It had the same moody feeling as the other, but it was still different, unique in its own way.

Listening to the lyrics, she lost herself in each song, in each story he told by weaving notes and words together in a quilt of memories that blanketed the audience. She was transfixed.

Lyric had been so focused on her own music, on the tour, the auditions, that she hadn’t given herself the chance to enjoy music as it was meant to be. And Emerson reminded her of why it was a necessary part of her life. Not just as a job. But as something to be proud of and to take a moment to just exist while it flowed around you.

Was this guy for real?

As she sipped her water and Emerson finished his show, she watched him take his hat off, bow to the crowd, and leave the stage. Only when he was gone from sight did she turn to Andi.

Andi waggled her purple eyebrows at Lyric. “Think he belongs on tour?”

Lyric nibbled her thumb nail and glanced around. He was talented. He had experience performing on stage. He was captivating, and the crowd loved him.

“Do you know who his agent is?” Lyric asked. Even though he hadn’t been picked up by a label yet, Andi had connections, she could make shit happen. At the very least, she could reach out and find out if he was interested.

Andi turned a droll look her way. “Or you could just ask him?” she suggested, and glanced over her shoulder.

Lyric turned just as he came from the back room, a new shirt in place, hat removed. It revealed a few tattoos inked into both arms, randomly placed, and he walked with his head down, hair falling forward to frame and hide his face.

He passed their table without looking up, and Lyric parted her lips before she could stop herself.

“Excuse me, Emerson?”

He paused, steps stuttering to a halt before he picked his head up and pasted a smile on his lips. Shuffling closer to their table, he leaned over the edge so his voice could be heard, and Lyric drew in a slow breath as her heart pounded. Lightning storms. That was what he reminded her of, both his scent and presence. Fresh rain and the promise of danger.

She crossed her legs.

“Emerson Lockly, that’s me,” he said, and then cocked his head to the side.

Recognition lit his hazel eyes, and she tried to push aside the mix of pride and embarrassment. Did he remember her from the scouting show? Or just from her recent rise in the charts?

“I just wanted to say I loved your set. You’re captivating.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.” He shuffled away as if he were going to take off, so she blurted the next thing that came to mind.

“I’m actually holding auditions for a touring band and was wondering if you’d be interested? You’d make a great addition, and I’d love to have you on board.”

Fuck. She hadn’t meant to put all her cards out there like that, but his nervousness was making her nervous.

His brows rose in surprise before he looked her up and down, then glanced to the stage and back. Something… unpleasant filled his expression, and it made her stomach tighten as he turned his attention fully on her.

“Sorry, but if you couldn’t tell, I’m just fine on my own.” He tucked his hands into his pockets. “I don’t want to be added to some spoiled omega’s collection. Have a good night.”