“Want me to start a tab?”
I was about to answer when Mia laid a hundred-dollar bill on the bar. “I’ve got this round.”
We both stared at each other while Cherry went to get her change. I’d only seen Mia drink a handful of times since she’d joined the tour, but it was never anything hard.
“What are you doing?” I asked, hoping the music would drown out my voice so that no one else heard us. Instead of answering me, Mia viewed the dance floor.
Before I could repeat the question, Cherry returned to the bar. “Here you go, Mia.”
“Thank you. And this is for you,” Mia handed her a twenty for what I assumed was a tip. Then she tucked the rest into her purse.
“That’s extremely generous of you, Mia.” Cherry slipped the money inside her pocket.
“Good service requires a good tip.” Mia smiled. She glanced at me briefly then back at Cherry. “So, who’s the band?”
I followed Cherry’s eyes as she looked toward the stage. “Oh those guys. They’re a local band trying to get their start. They call themselves Fugitive Fang.”
Mia focused on what I presumed was the band. I saw her eyes light up, and the corner of her mouth lifted in a smile. “Do they have a manager or agent?”
Cherry’s brow dipped lower when she glanced at me. She appeared as stunned by Mia’s question as I was. “No. They’re pretty new on the scene. The drummer’s girlfriend has helped them find a few gigs and post flyers, but she’s nowhere close to being a manager.”
“Hmm.” Mia tapped her fingers on the bar then grabbed her drink. When she acknowledged us again, she pressed her lips in a thin line. Then she smiled. “You two catch up. I’m going to grab a seat and listen to the band.”
Mia’s words cut me deep. My face grew hot as anger swirled inside me. How dare she scout other bands while managing mine? She was supposed to be focusing her attention on Rebel Stone, not some new group fresh on the scene. What did she plan to do, replace us?
The instant she stepped away from the bar, I reacted. I had taken one step in Mia’s direction before Cherry grabbed my arm. Despite trying to jerk away, I couldn’t move. She had a death grip on me.
When I met her gaze, she narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m following Mia.”
“Oh no, you don’t.” Cherry jerked me back to the bar and fisted the front of my t-shirt. As she leaned her face closer, she stared in my eyes. “Sit your ass down, Darius. It’s time you and I talked.”
9
~Darius~
I folded my hands across the bar and jiggled my leg as I stared into a pair of dark green eyes. Cherry leaned on her elbows, near my hands, and studied my face. The longer she stared at me, the more uncomfortable I grew. It was like she was peering into my soul, reading me like an open book.
“What’s going through that thick head of yours, D?”
Great. Here came the questions. She and Boone should have been twins. They both hounded me the same way.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m just at a crossroads, darlin’.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
Shit. I didn’t expect to get into this conversation with her so quickly.
“You know you can’t get out of talking to me, right?” she asked.
“Is that a challenge, because I’ll show you how fast I can walk out the door.”
Cherry rolled her eyes and snorted. “I know where you live, and I will show up at your house if you leave. So, decide where you want to have this conversation because it’s happening.”
“Yeah, I know,” I admitted. “It’s kind of the reason I came.”
I took a long, steady drink from my glass. In truth, I needed something to calm my nerves. Having Mia on my ass was bad enough. I didn’t need Cherry to join her. I need her to be my friend.
Setting the glass back on the bar, I wrung my heads together and studied the black flecks in the marble. “I, uh…I’ve always heard people say that you shouldn’t give up on your dreams. That the people who do never realize how close they are to reaching their goals. But what if that’s a bunch of bullshit? What if some people chase a dream all their lives and never find success?”
“If we don’t chase our dreams, we settle for whatever life throws at us.” Her words stung because they were honest. “Let’s take a step back for a moment. Define success. What’s it like for you, because it’s different for everyone.”
I thought about her question before glancing at her. “Success to me is reaching the top of the charts and getting platinum albums. I’m sick of watching all these new bands passing us on their way to the top, especially the ones that don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. I’ve lived and breathed music since I was a kid.”
“Being at the top doesn’t mean jack shit, D. From what I’ve heard, it’s lonely up there. Don’t forget that.”
“You think so?” I asked. When she nodded, I shrugged. “Well, I’m going to be alone anyway.”
Cherry untucked one of her arms and pushed my shoulder. “No pity parties, fucker. You want to feel sorry for yourself, do it somewhere else because we both know you’re full of shit.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I won’t be at the top, but I’ll still be alone.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.” She pretended to punch my chin then lowered her arm back to the bar.
I glanced at my surroundings, remembering some of the better times I had inside this place. “Maybe I should give up on music and come home. I could open a bar like this one. Would you come to work for me?”
When I looked at Cherry this time, she shook her head. “Cut the bullshit and tell me the truth. What are you running from?”
My throat tightened. The words she wanted me to say were excruciating. “That’s the thing. I’m not running from anything. I can’t. Believe me, I tried, but there’s no escaping her.”
“Her?” Cherry jerked her head back. “Who are you talking…?”
Her eyes shifted to the tables behind me. I couldn’t be sure, but I assumed she was searching for Mia. She must have found her because looked at me once more.
“This is about Mia, isn’t it?” she asked.
“What makes you think that?”
“Don’t avoid the question by asking another.”
“Fine.” I gritted my teeth and huffed. “Yes, this about Mia.”
Cherry didn’t say a word as she grabbed two more glasses and the whiskey bottle she’d used for my drink. She filled both glasses, shoved one toward me, then downed half of the other one. I followed suit.
Once we returned both of our glasses to the bar, she leaned on her elbows again. “So, what’s the deal with you and Mia?”
“There is no deal. She was assigned to manage Rebel Stone as some kind of test. If she can help us find success, she’ll inherit Music Haven and become its next CEO.”
Cherry lifted a brow. “And if not?”
I took a drink from the new one Cherry made, enjoying the burn of the whiskey as it soothed my soul. “If she fails, Music Haven will shut down when Brandon Brooks dies. Mia’s father refuses to take on the family business.”
“Well, whatever she’s doing, it’s working. I heard one of your songs on the radio a few days ago. It was in honor of your performance in Jacksonville. They were giving away a pair of tickets to the show.”
“I know what she’s doing is helping. Boone swears we’re going to be on the charts next week. That’s not the problem.”
Cherry held my gaze as she cocked her head to the side. “So, what is?”
Her question spun in my head as I thought about the last few weeks. “I can’t work with her. She’s a woman.”
“Watch it, Stone.” Cherry pushed my shoulder again, but this time, there was no playfulness to it. She narrowed her gaze on me. “I’ve never known you to be a sexist jerk, so don’t start now.”
“Whoa, hang on.” I raised
my hands in front of me. “It’s not like that. Her being a woman is a problem because I’m attracted to her. At first, it was just a physical thing, but the more I’m around her…”
I was at a loss for words. Despite any hookups or previous relationships, I’d never been in love. Mia and I hadn’t known each other long enough for me to have such powerful feelings, but whatever emotion had a hold of me, it shook me to my soul.
“Dude, you got it bad for this girl, don’t you?” Cherry waited for me to answer, but all I could do was shrug. “Oh, it’s obvious, D. You can’t even look me in the eye when you talk about her.”
“It doesn’t matter what I feel. After all the shit I’ve done to her, she’ll never be interested in me. She’s out of my league anyway.”
“Oh, horseshit.” Cherry slapped her hands on the bar. “I get it. She’s rich as fuck and you’re intimidated. A lot of men would be. It doesn’t mean you can’t be together.”
“Trust me, Cherry, I’ve given her every reason to hate me.”
She leaned away from the bar and glanced at the tables again. “Maybe you have, Darius, but I don’t think she hates you. Why else would she be with you right now?”
I scoffed and took another swig of my drink before I answered, “I didn’t invite her along. She hopped on my Harley and refused to get off. Apparently, she scheduled a bunch of radio station interviews for the guys and me. She came with me to make sure I went to them, even after I told her I had things I had to take care of.”
“And you honestly think she hates you?”
When I nodded, Cherry laughed halfheartedly.
“Listen,” she said, “I don’t doubt you’ve been a shithead. It’s a coping mechanism to help you hide your real feelings. The thing is, Mia’s still around, doing things for you and your band. The woman has Rebel Stone’s best interest at heart, but it’s obvious she cares about you.”
This time, I was the one shaking my head. “What the hell makes you think that?”
“Because she just rode two and a half hours on the back of your motorcycle, at the start of a tour break, because she’s willing to help you however she can.” Cherry paused as if she wanted me to say something. When I didn’t, she scrubbed her face with her hand. “Mia stood at this bar and watched you kiss a woman she knows nothing about. Most women would lose their shit. Instead of getting jealous, she bowed out and went to focus on something else. She’s too classy to cause a scene.”
Both Cherry and I glanced at Mia this time. She had her phone in her hand, but her mouth wasn’t moving. A second later, she lowered it and glanced in my direction. Something about the way the light hit her eyes made me think she was on the verge of crying.
My conversation with Cherry ended the second I slid off the barstool and made swift strides in Mia’s direction. Only one thing mattered to me at the moment—Mia’s state of mind. I had to know what had upset her.
~Mia~
It had been obvious by the kiss Darius and Cherry shared that they had a past that went beyond friendship. That single thought had me gripping the glass in my hand and downing a few drinks of whiskey. It wasn’t my liquor of choice, but it would suffice. All I wanted was to relax and enjoy the music Furious Fang played.
To be such a new band, they had an amazing sound. Funky riffs from the lead guitar and a sensual rhythm from the bass blended with the deep thump of the drums. I wanted to go on the dance floor and lose myself in the music. Instead, I wiggled my foot and listen to the lyrics.
The vocalist’s gritty voice made my body heat. It killed me to think they didn’t have anyone representing them. They were too good to go undiscovered. Maybe I could invite them to…
Damn it. I shouldn’t be scouting a band when I already had one to manage.
Technically, I wasn’t working right now, and my grandfather expected everyone to always be looking out for new talent. Maybe if Dad heard this band, he’d come to Florida and arrange a meeting with them. Scouting was his main job, and he did it well. I only wanted to manage them.
Who knew? My schedule could possibly clear up by the time they were ready for a manager. Unless Darius continued his antics.
I released a sigh, disappointed in myself for allowing him to creep back into my mind. Maybe it was time for me to face facts. No matter what I did for Rebel Stone, I would never change Darius. He would never respect me as his manager, and any success I helped him achieve would be pissed away on women and booze. I should just give up.
Still, I couldn’t. I had a drive inside me that couldn’t be contained. It pushed me to succeed at everything I did, and I refused to experience my first failure. Perhaps I was being selfish.
No. That wasn’t the case. The thought of parting ways with Rebel Stone crushed me a little. It shouldn’t, because Darius made my job more difficult than any other band I’d managed. Yet there was something about him that spoke to me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d come into his life for a reason.
Fate had its own set of rules, and we were all at its mercy.
Grabbing my cell from my purse, I found my list of contacts and tapped my father’s name. Once I pressed the phone to my ear, I plugged my other ear, hoping to drown out some of the noise so I could hear.
Three rings later, my dad answered, “Hey princess. How’s it going?”
“Everything is good, Dad.”
“Where are you? I thought you guys were on your first break.”
“We are. I’m at a bar in Cocoa Beach, listening to a new band. They’re fresh on the scene, unknown and unsigned. I think you should listen to them.”
“All right,” he answered.
I pulled the phone from my ear and aimed the speaker toward the stage. The lead guitarist took his solo and played some riffs that caused the patrons to cheer and whistle. The bass and drums joined back in for a few chords, then the vocalist belted out the chorus.
By the time the song ended, I rejoined the call. “So, what do you think?”
“You said they’re new?” Dad asked.
“Yes. The bartender I spoke to seemed to know enough about them to confirm they don’t have an agent or manager.”
“Then I think it’s time we changed that.”
I pumped my fist in excitement. “I knew you would like them. Do you want me to give them a card and set up a meeting for you?”
“You definitely need to give them a card, but this one is on you, sweetheart.”
His words made my stomach drop. I gripped the phone tighter and focused on the floor. “What do you mean?”
“It’s your discovery, Mia, and I’m glad you found them. Get them under a contract and bring them back to Music Haven.”
“Seriously?” How could he ask me to do that? Just because Rebel Stone was on break didn’t mean I had nothing to do. Quite the opposite.
“I’m serious, Mia. Andi can contact our pilot and send the jet for you. It will be great having you home. I’m just glad you’ve come to your senses.”
My insides shook. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, don’t be offended, princess. We’ve all taken on a project that was doomed from the start. I commend you for your efforts with Rebel Stone, but they’re a lost cause. It’s my fault you got stuck managing them anyway.”
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat but it constricted. “Excuse me?”
“I’m the one who insisted your grandfather make you their manager. He didn’t want to send you, but I convinced him it would be a good lesson for you. Some bands aren’t worth our time.”
I’d never been angry at my father to the point that I wanted to cuss him, but his words incited me. All this time, I thought I’d been assigned to Rebel Stone to prove my worth as the next owner and CEO of Music Haven. Instead, my father was teaching me a lesson, and a poor one at that. The worst part of all, he’d expected me to fail, and I was close to proving him right.
“I, uh…I gotta go, Dad.” I didn’t wait for him to reply. As soon as I pressed the end call button, I
turned off my cell phone so he couldn’t call back.
He didn’t serve another conversation with me, not after the confession he’d made. It sounded like he thought I called him about this band because I’d given up on managing Rebel Stone. He couldn’t be further from the truth. I was nowhere close to giving up, but I couldn’t deny how much his actions wounded me.
Sensing eyes upon me, I turned to look at Darius to see if he and Cherry were still talking. I wasn’t surprised to see him staring in my direction. It was a coincidence though because he couldn’t know about the things my father had just told me.
Or had he? Had my father arranged this whole thing with Darius’s help? Perhaps that was the reason why Darius was sabotaging everything I did for his band. Maybe Dad promised to help them out if Darius went along with his plan. I didn’t know what to think at this point, and the fact that I was fighting back tears made me angrier.
When Darius left the barstool and advanced in my direction, I gripped the edge of my seat. He was the last person I wanted to speak with. I had to figure out if he was part of this game.
“Hey,” he said once he reached me. “Are you okay?”
“Like you care.” I stood from the table and pushed the chair in before I pivoted toward the door. Just as I stepped away, Darius grabbed my shoulder.
“What the hell is your problem?”
“You are, Darius. I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Is this about me kissing Cherry?”
“I don’t give a shit who you kiss or bang or throw your career away for. Just leave me out of your games.”
“Wait, Mia—”
Storming toward the door, I ignored the sound of his voice and the concern within it. He should give himself some credit for his acting skills. They rivaled his singing ability because he had me fooled into believing he was a decent guy.
Love Defined Page 9