How to Fall For a Rockstar: a single mom, grumpy sunshine, small town, rockstar romantic comedy (Cas

Chapter 14

Girls’ night – an excuse to dig into your friend’s past

Leia

Iglance over at Isla as I swipe the page to the next chapter of The Sweetness of the Bottom of the Pie. I sigh in relief when I notice she’s asleep. We spent a good fifteen minutes arguing about whether she’s old enough for this book by Alan Bradley.

The recommended age is fourteen but my daughter was determined. Everyone she knows has read it. After reading the first chapter aloud to her, I sincerely doubt any of her friends have read this book.

The doorbell rings and I jump from my spot on Isla’s bed to rush and answer it.

“Girls’ night!” Indigo shouts when I open the door.

I step onto the porch and shut the door behind me. “Keep your voice down. Isla’s asleep.”

“Girls’ night!” Indigo whisper-shouts.

“Told you this was a bad idea,” Virginia says.

“You’re only saying it’s a bad idea because you don’t want to leave your house after eight at night,” Indigo claims.

“I was reading a book.”

“What book?” I ask. I wouldn’t have a clue about the book since I don’t have time to read anything other than pre-teen books for Isla, but it’s fun to tease Indigo by getting off track.

“A Court of—”

Indigo slashes her hand in the air to cut Virginia off. “No!”

“No what?”

“No, you aren’t going to distract me from my mission.”

I frown. “Mission?”

“Yes, mission. We can do it here or at the bar. Your choice.”

I haven’t known Indigo long but I’d be a fool not to recognize the determination in her eyes. I might as well get this over with now. Besides, my plan for this evening was to review some spreadsheets. This can’t be any worse.

“You can come inside to discuss whatever this mission is, but I’m warning you. If you wake Isla, I’m going to douse your panties in honey and sic a swarm of bees on you.”

Indigo grins. “Cruel. I love it.”

She pushes past me to traipse inside.

Virginia pats my arm as she passes me. “Don’t worry. We won’t wake Isla.”

“Do you want a drink?” I ask once they’re settled on the sofa.

“Would it be a girls’ night without drinks?” Indigo asks.

“I have juice or milk. I don’t have any beer or wine.”

“Not a problem.” Indigo pulls a bottle of red wine out of her bag. “I came prepared.”

I grab three glasses from the kitchen. I sit on the chair across from the sofa while Indigo pours the wine.

“To friends!” she says as she lifts her glass.

“What’s this mission?” I ask once I’ve taken my first sip of wine.

“Getting straight to business, are we?” Indigo asks.

“I have work to do, Virginia has a book to read, and you have a rockstar to get back to.”

“Nope. My rockstar is currently hanging with your rockstar.”

“I don’t have a rockstar.”

But you want to.

I ignore my inner voice. She’s unreliable when it comes to men.

“Why not?” Indigo asks.

“Leave her alone. She doesn’t have to spill her secrets to you,” Virginia says.

Indigo’s brow wrinkles. “But she’s one of my besties. Besties tell each other everything.”

“Why are we besties again?” I mutter.

Indigo wags her finger at me. “Don’t act as if you don’t love me. I know you love me.”

“I barely know you.”

She shrugs. “Your love for me will only grow from now on.”

Virginia sighs. “I apologize for her. Hanging around small children all day has clearly affected her ability to behave as an adult.”

“You can’t apologize for me. An apology doesn’t mean anything if it’s not sincere.” Indigo pauses. “And I’m not sorry.”

“Of course, you aren’t,” Virginia grumbles. “You won’t be satisfied until every single member of Cash the Sinners is paired with a woman you consider your sister.”

“I have a mission,” Indigo says.

I hold up my hand. “Count me out of this mission. I am not interested in any of the members of the band.”

Liar.

“Not even Fender?” Indigo wiggles her eyebrows.

“Especially not Fender.”

“Rumor has it he asked you out.”

I don’t bother asking her how she knows. I may not have lived in a small town before but I understand rumor mills after having been the object of the high school rumor mill. At least this rumor is true. The rumor I was probed by an alien and got pregnant was not.

“And I said no.”

“But why?” She pouts.

“Have you met Fender? He doesn’t merely live in Grumpsville. He’s been crowned the king of Grumpsville Land.”

“He’s not as grumpy around you.”

I roll my eyes. “Not as grumpy doesn’t mean not grumpy.”

“Who cares if he’s grumpy? He’s hot.”

“Being sexy doesn’t negate his grumpiness.”

“Aha!” She motions toward me and ends up spilling her wine on her shirt. “You admit he’s sexy.”

I shrug. I’m not going to deny the obvious. And, trust me, it is obvious how sexy Fender is. The expression tall, dark, and handsome was invented especially for him. What I wouldn’t do to dig my hands into those wide shoulders while he lifts me up and pushes me against the nearest surface.

“Earth to Leia!” Indigo cries.

Any sexy thoughts involving Fender disappear from my mind at how loud she was.

“If you woke up Isla, you’re the one who’s putting her back to bed and dealing with her in the morning when she’s snarly from not getting enough sleep.”

Sorry, she mouths.

I set my wine on the table and go to check on my daughter. I creep down the hallway. When I stop in front of her bedroom, Indigo bumps into me.

I glare at her. “What are you doing?”

“Checking on Isla.”

I place a finger over my lips before opening the door. Isla is curled up in her bed, cuddling the stuffed horse Fender bought her the day we went for a trail ride. I shut the door and creep back down the hallway.

“You are one lucky woman,” I tell Indigo once we’re settled back in the living room.

She grins. “I am. Have you seen my boyfriend?”

“Dylan is way sexier than Cash.”

They’re both wrong. Fender is the sexiest member of the band. The other four can’t hold a candle to him. Especially when he brings out the dimples. Sexy hot and dimples is one lethal combination.

Indigo clears her throat. “Leia thinks Fender’s the sexiest.”

I scowl. “Do not.”

“Liar.”

“I hate to agree with Indigo on pretty much anything,” Virginia begins. “But it is obvious you think Fender is hot. Why don’t you want to go out with him? Are you worried about him being a rockstar? I was worried about Dylan not wanting me since I’m a lowly librarian and he’s this big hot-shot rocker.”

“I don’t care if Fender is a rockstar. I don’t want to date him. End of story.”

“Sure, you don’t. What bologna excuses did you give Fender when you told him no?” Indigo asks.

“They’re not bologna excuses.”

“Let’s hear them.”

“He thinks I’m a crappy mom.”

Indigo narrows her eyes on me. “Anyone with eyes can see you’re a great mom. Did he actually say you’re a bad mom?”

He did.

And he apologized.

“He also thinks I work too hard.”

Indigo motions to the computer and papers on the coffee table. “He might have a point about the overworking thing.”

Virginia stands. “I believe we’re finished here.”

“We are not finished.”

“Leia explained her reasons for not wanting to date Fender. Mission accomplished.”

Indigo grabs Virginia’s arm and pulls her back down. “She’s making excuses. I want to know the real reason she said no.”

I consider fighting with her, but she’s right. The reasons I named are excuses. I can’t keep using them after Fender apologized. “I don’t want a relationship.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t have time for a man,” I hedge.

Indigo wiggles her eyebrows. “You can use him for sex.”

“I’m not the type of person who can use a man for sex.”

I’ve never actually tried it before, but I doubt it’s a good idea to use Fender for sex when I can’t stop thinking about the man as it is. If he rocks my world, I’ll probably become obsessed.

“Why don’t you go out on one date with him?” Virginia suggests. “You don’t have to have sex with him. Go on a date and let whatever happens happen.”

Good idea.

Oh, shush, Ms. Inner Voice of Bad Ideas. It’s not happening.

Why not?

Because.

Because you like him and won’t admit it to yourself.

Damnit. I hate when she’s right. She’s the worst gloater.

“And if the date turns into a relationship...” Virginia shrugs.

I scowl. A relationship? Nope. I don’t want one of those. Especially since relationships with men always end in heartbreak.