Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
T his day can’t get any worse.
Since leaving her parents’ place, Nyla had one issue after another pop up at the club, but this one was the worst.
She propped her elbows on the small oak desk and buried her face in her hands. Her head was pounding despite taking ibuprofen, and at the rate the night was going, it wouldn’t be letting up anytime soon.
The only highlight of the day was that it was Friday night, and she had the next two days off. It had been awhile since she’d had the weekend off, and it wasn’t a moment too soon. Anything that could’ve gone wrong today had, and it started when one of her crowns fell off her tooth. Thankfully, she’d found it stuck in a piece of taffy that she’d been enjoying.
No more sticky candy for her. Not only did she have to go in for an emergency appointment at the dentist. She’d also had to dig into her savings to pay for it. Which was the last thing she’d wanted to do.
Now she just found out the trio that she had booked for tonight’s performance cancelled. It wouldn’t be a big deal if it weren’t for the fact that they were a popular, local group with diehard fans and a huge following. They drew a large crowd wherever they performed, and she was counting on the club being packed tonight.
Sighing heavily, she mentally searched her mind. Where was she going to get another group on such short notice?
“I take it that they canceled.”
Dropping her hands, Nyla sat back in her desk chair and glanced across the tiny room. Jamie was leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded across his chest. He’d been the one to transfer the call to her a few minutes ago.
“Yep, they did. The club is going to be packed with their fans, and I’m going to have to tell them they aren’t coming. Worse than that, they were the only performers for tonight.”
Some Friday nights, they had a lineup that included as many as three performers, but tonight, she hadn’t needed to book anyone else. The leader of the trio had assured her that they could perform three hours with a twenty-minute break in between.
I should have booked an additional group .
“What the heck am I going to do? I know I can’t perform all three hours,” she said and glanced at the closet door where she had a pants suit hanging.
Since she’d been expecting a large crowd tonight, she’d planned to dress up a little. It looked like she might have to perform, which was something she did on occasion when there was no one else available. Nyla just hoped she didn’t get booed off the stage since the customers were expecting a band.
“And even if I could do the whole set, I don’t have time to go home and get something more appropriate to wear.”
She always carried an extra change of clothes with her. Usually, casual or workout attire. She hadn’t brought anything jazzy enough to be on stage.
Nyla pouted and laid her forehead on the desk. “What am I going to do?” she whined.
“I have an idea. Let me make a call. In the meantime, get dressed. If my plan works, you might still have to perform the first hour, but at least you won’t have to do all three.”
Nyla lifted her head and frowned. “What’s your idea?” she asked skeptically.
Jamie was an advertising agent by day. Maybe one of his clients was in the entertainment industry. But even if she was willing to pay someone, performing for two hours was a lot to ask, especially at the last minute.
“Even if you found someone else, we still have a problem. I can’t perform in that stuffy-looking suit,” she said.
Jamie waved her off as he headed for the door. “Just wear the jacket and the pants. Leave off the shirt. Then you’ll be fine.”
Nyla’s mouth dropped open as she stared at his retreating back.
The suit was too low-cut to go without the blouse that went with it. Then again, she did have on a red satin bra. If she kept the top button of the suit jacket unfastened, a little of the red would show, and her 36Ds were guaranteed to make the outfit look sexy.
Sighing, Nyla resigned her fate. She was playing tonight.
She groaned in frustration but went back to the computer monitor where she’d been reviewing the liquor inventory. But then she remembered she’d forgotten to ask Jamie about today’s shipment. The numbers were off, and he’d been the one to accept the order.
I’ll just ask him later .
When she started scrolling down the inventory list, the computer screen suddenly went black, and Nyla froze.
“ Okayyyy . What’s going on?”
She moved the mouse several times before checking to make sure the computer was still plugged in. When she confirmed it was, she started punching keys on the keypad, silently praying the computer hadn’t really died.
Nothing.
It was as if the black screen was taunting her, and it took everything within her power not to push the old desktop computer to the floor.
“Gawd! Can this day get any worse?”
Just then, a loud crash came from the kitchen, and she leaped from her seat and ran out the office.
God, please! Don’t let anything else go wrong tonight.
After playing a few numbers on the piano and singing, Nyla was grateful for the applause. She thanked everyone and told them the next act would be up shortly, then left the stage.
Just as her foot landed on the last step, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Harrison. At least she was pretty sure it was him. The man standing in front of her was a sexier version of him if that were even possible.
On his head was a black fedora, tilted slightly and pulled low over his gorgeous eyes. Eyes that were no longer hidden behind black wire-rimmed glasses.
As her gaze traveled over him, she took in the black leather jacket opened to reveal a dark gray T-shirt. Her eyes went lower and noted how good he looked in black jeans that hugged his muscular thighs. But it was the bottom of his pant legs that gave her pause. They were stuffed into untied… combat boots.
Combat boots?
Harrison owned combat boots?
Good Lord . Where was her buttoned-up, conservative, IT guru who was slow to speak and rarely smiled? Then again, she might like this version of Harrison better. His footwear, the hat, and the leather jacket had him giving off serious bad boy vibes, and she was totally feeling it.
His disguise, for lack of a better word, seemed to wipe away his usual guarded persona. In its place was a tall, confident man who oozed sex appeal and was sure to turn heads tonight. He definitely had turned hers, and all her girly parts stirred with need.
Her heart fluttered wildly, and heat charged through her body at the way Harrison was watching her. The sexual tension that usually pulsed between them whenever they breathed the same air was back. She felt it to the soles of her feet, and with the heated lust shining in his eyes, she sensed he felt it too.
Why now, though? Why had he been ignoring her when…
Her gaze suddenly took in the two instrument cases he was holding, and her eyebrows shot up.
“Wait.” Nyla rushed to him. “ You’re who Jamie got to perform tonight?” Her shock dripped from each word. “I didn’t even know you played an instrument.”
A slow smile kicked up the corners of his luscious lips, and her breath stilled in her chest. That small gesture lit up all his handsome features, and her ovaries quivered at the sight.
Harrison set the cases down, reached for her hand, then pulled her close, and Nyla didn’t object.
“I’m full of surprises,” he said and boldly kissed her.
Her eyes drifted closed, and though part of her knew she should pull away and get some answers, she didn’t. Instead, she fisted the front of his jacket and took what he was willingly giving.
The kiss had started sweet but quickly heated up as they got lost in the moment. It helped that there was no one in the dimly lit hallway. Just the two of them with their tongues tangling as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be doing.
Nyla had never experienced this type of lure to anyone, and though she didn’t want this to end, it had to. She needed answers.
Reluctantly, she slowly broke off the kiss. They were both panting, and Harrison didn’t release her. Instead, he lowered his forehead to hers.
“Hi,” he said simply, and Nyla couldn’t help but smile. He truly was a man of few words.
She leaned back and met his eyes. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
He eased his arms from around her. “Getting ready to do something I haven’t done in a long time.” He picked up his instruments. “We’ll talk in a couple of hours,” he said and then jogged up the three stairs to the stage.
Okaaay. She had questions. Lots of questions.
Though she was exhausted and had planned to hide in the office for a little while to get rid of her nagging headache, she made a beeline for the bar. As she approached, Jamie, the sneaky snake, flashed her a grin.
“ Harrison ?” she said, unable to form any other words.
“Yup, he plays the saxophone, the bass, and he played the drums in college. I guarantee customers will be asking for him to return to the stage after they hear him.”
Nyla glanced at the stage. “I had no idea.” It looked like he was going to start with his bass guitar. The shiny silver instrument looked extremely expensive as it gleamed under the fluorescent lights.
“Of course you didn’t have any idea. He doesn’t talk about himself, and very few people know how musically talented he is. Which is something else you two have in common.” He sighed loud enough for her to hear him over the chatter around them. “I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but I like the idea of you and Harrison together. Granted, in most areas, you guys are opposites. He’s ridiculously neat, and you’re…not. He likes order and typically follows a routine. You don’t, mostly.”
“Hey!” she shoved him with her elbow even though he was telling the truth. Yet, she didn’t need the reminder that there were areas in her life that needed some attention.
“Still, you two are just what each other needs. He’s wound too tight, and you can loosen him up. As for what he can do for you? He can ground you. Be that stability you need…like an anchor, but without weighing you down. Get to know him, Nyla. You won’t regret it.”
“ I’ve tried! ” she snapped. “Jamie, I can’t force someone to open up to me. I like Harrison, and I know the feeling is mutual, but I refuse to throw myself at a man.” Even if she felt deep in her soul that he would be worth the effort. “The ball is in his court as they say.”
Nyla returned her attention to the stage. Her senses came alive when Harrison introduced himself as Dark Knight Rider, and he started playing the instrumental version of “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie.
He looked so relaxed and comfortable on stage, but Nyla noticed he had pulled his hat down even lower, shielding his eyes. Was he really trying to hide himself? Or was the look, the fedora and him dressed in black, just part of his stage persona?
Whatever it was, it worked. The place was packed, maybe even over capacity, and he definitely had the women’s attention. The way he was playing the bass, he was owning the moment. Especially when that song rolled into the next, and he started playing and singing Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
Nyla’s mouth dropped open. And he can sing?
So caught up in his rendition of the song, it was easy to forget they weren’t the only ones in the building. Nyla felt every note, every chord, and every word to the depths of her soul while his deep baritone carried the melody with such precision.
“Oh. My. God. He’s amazing.” If she hadn’t already been interested in Harrison, this new revelation would’ve done it.
Jamie laughed. “I wouldn’t have asked him to do this if I didn’t know how good he was. He used to play in a few clubs while we were in college. He also wrote music. Once he started his career in IT, he didn’t play as often, but he still dabbled around a little. He has an impressive music room in his home. You should get him to show it to you.”
Nyla glanced at Jamie. “Seriously?” Hell, she could barely get him to talk. What made Jamie think she’d ever get an invite to his house?
Jamie nodded, that cocky grin still firmly in place. “Yeah, I’m serious. Don’t give up on him yet. I have a feeling things between the two of you are just getting started. Be open to the possibility.”
Nyla didn’t respond as she watched Harrison. Him being on stage was a good start at letting her see a different side to him. She also couldn’t forget the way he’d greeted her a few minutes ago. Now that? Had definitely caught her off guard. She might be concerned about his mixed signals, but she absolutely couldn’t deny the connection that pulsed between them.
“Why hasn’t he participated in open mic nights?” she asked. “He’s unbelievable.”
Jamie’s grin slid from his lips, and he shook his head. Whatever he was thinking probably had something to do with what Harrison had admitted the other night.
“A few years ago, he went through some shit, Nyla. I’m talking serious shit. Even after he made it through, he refused to play anymore. He had even mentioned selling his instruments because he didn’t think he’d ever have the desire to play again.”
“I guess that changed,” Nyla said, glancing at Harrison. What a waste of talent it would’ve been if he’d given up music.
“Yeah, over the last few months, he’s been slowly coming back around. Before that, he refused to play in public. I honestly wasn’t sure he’d do us this solid, but once I told him you needed him, he agreed.” Jamie shrugged and walked away to fill an order.
Nyla’s heart melted. Harrison was doing this for her despite vowing to never play in public again. She didn’t know how she’d ever repay him because this was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for her. Playing on a stage in front of strangers was no easy feat even if you were talented.
Yet, he was doing it anyway.
For me.