Chapter 9
Iyawn.
It sure would be nice for that third coffee to kick in right about now.
Luckily, my strum hand has a mind all its own.
I continue playing my guitar; the sound filling the ballroom. There are plenty of perks to being in a band with a guy who shares a name with the hotel you stay at and one of them is getting to use some amenities for free — assuming no one else has booked them first. The ballrooms in Botsford Plazas don’t exactly have the best acoustics in the world, but for a band that’s used to practicing almost exclusively in the Botsford guest house, it’s more than adequate. No complaints.
Could really use a fourth cup of coffee, though.
I power through it as we speed-run through our set list for Denver’s show. No change from the Missoula show, so there’s not much for me to say or add to the conversation. I let my mind wander. I think of last night and how good it felt to finally breathe. To think with a clear mind, even if it only lasted an hour.
Tonight will be better.
Tonight is a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
When Jordan finally calls for a break, I push out of my chair and make my way out into the lobby to fetch some coffee. Before I even reach the coffee station by the front desk, I feel Katrina’s mousy gait behind me.
“Hey,” she says, reaching for her own to-go cup.
I fill mine to the brim. “Hey,” I say.
“How’d you sleep last night?” she asks with a curl at the edge of her mouth.
I release a loving sigh. “What is it with people and my sleeping habits today?”
“Oh, come on.” She grins. “You love it. Admit it.”
“Love what?” I ask.
“Harvey and his little crush.”
“No, I don’t.” I sip my coffee. “It’s annoying. I’m trying to work here.”
Katrina rolls her eyes. “Well, we both know Harvey Moon ain’t got nothing on the man who really left you so tired today.”
I pause. “What?”
“Richard,” she says. “That’s why you’re exhausted, right? You were up all night reading the book!”
“Oh.” I nod. “Yeah. You caught me. That’s why I’m tired.”
“Did you finish it?”
“Uh, no. Not quite. Still have a few chapters left.”
She hugs her coffee, looking swoony. “You’re gonna love it. The grovel is to die for.”
“Yeah, that’s what I want to read about,” I say dryly. “Some dude crawling on his hands and knees, begging me to love him.”
Katrina glares. “Oh, shut up and finish it so I can gush.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
We shift back as Knox plows between us and grabs a to-go cup.
“Um.” I cock my head. “Excuse you? We’re standing here.”
“And now, I am,” he says. “What are you two yapping about, anyway?”
“A book,” Katrina answers.
He makes a face. “Sorry I asked.”
She playfully slaps his arm. “I’ll make Harmony read it.”
“Harmony isn’t that dumb,” he says as he reaches for his phone. He turns it up and sighs, a fresh text lighting up the screen. “Ah, come on…”
“What is it?” I ask.
“Oh, just my new bestie.”
He shows it to us; a message thread from someone lovingly named ASSHOLE.
I chuckle. “Daddy Monroe still blowing up your phone?”
“You’d think he’d back off after I told him to go fuck himself,” Knox says, annoyed. “Paul Monroe is not a man who knows the value of taking the hint.”
Katrina frowns. “Can’t Harmony say something to him?”
“Like what?” I quip. “Sorry you fired me, but could you please leave my boyfriend alone?”
“It’s fine,” Knox says, dropping his phone into his pocket. “I’ve got plenty to worry about instead. But the dude is absolutely obsessed with Dade Connery and the BNB Fest.”
I nearly drop my coffee. “Dade Connery?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“What about him?”
“He’s gonna be there.”
“Why?” I ask.
The Bentons eye me curiously.
“He’s retired, right?” I say. “What’s he doing at some music festival?”
“Because he’s coming out of retirement and choosing some bands from the line-up for a comeback album,” Knox says, still glaring. “Jordan told us about it this morning.”
“She did?”
Katrina nudges me with her elbow. “You were talking to Harvey,” she teases.
“Oh.”
“Oh-ho-ho,”Knox says, his frown morphing into a grin. “Whadya know?”
“Knock it off,” I say. “Harvey and I are just friends.”
“Yeah. Sure, you are.” Luckily, Knox lets it slide. “Anyway, Asshole wants us to go for it.”
“It’d be an awesome opportunity,” Katrina points out. “Connery’s a legend for a reason.”
I say nothing.
“Honestly, I don’t care,” Knox says. “But if us getting on that comeback album means The Electrics don’t, then I’m willing to kiss a little legendary old man ass.”
“You think they’re going to cozy up to him at the festival?” I ask, sipping my coffee.
He nods. “I think Logan’s an opportunist piece of shit and will stop at nothing to knock us off the top — and getting in good with Dade Connery could fast track that.”
I shrug. It’s a decent point.
Still sends ripples through my stomach, though.
“Has anyone told Harvey?” I ask. “He’s a big fan.”
“I dunno,” Knox says, his teasing tone returning. “Maybe you can tell him over some pillow talk.”
I glare.
“What?”Jordan’s head suddenly pokes into our circle. “Pillow talk? Who’s pillow talking who?”
“No one,”I say forcefully. “Knox’s just being an ass, as per usual.”
“Well, stop it,” she spits. “Ain’t none of us got time for pillow talk right now.”
“Jordan,” Knox says. “Please… please… someday soon, for the love of god… get laid. Before you kill us all.”
“Knox,” Katrina scolds. “Don’t be crude.”
I laugh. “You volunteering?” I joke.
“If it prevents an atomic disaster, sure,” he says. “I’ll take one for the team.”
“Unnecessary,” Jordan says, unbothered. “But thanks for the offer.”
As she walks off, Knox deflates.
“Please,Jordan,” he says after her, then rolls his eyes. “A little dick would you do you good.”
“Little, huh?” I tease him.
Knox blushes. “No. I didn’t say my dick was little.”
I say nothing as I sip my coffee.
“Shut up, Addison,” he spits as he walks away.
I chuckle as Katrina cringes.