“Nothing much, but some comments he’s made had me assuming he’s got a fractured past.”
“Dark and twisty. Fractured past. I’d say you’re right on point, Ella.”
“He’s not, I don’t know … dangerous, is he?”
She laughs. “Liam? Dangerous? He might have skeletons in his closet, but he’s one of the gentlest men I’ve ever known. They all are, even Garrett the playboy.”
“Good to know.” I breathe a sigh of relief, even though deep down, I’ve felt he’s one of the good ones.
The woman with black hair keeps staring at me. She’s been talking to someone wearing a headset. Someone important, by the looks of it. The man is directing everything and everyone, keeping things moving like a fine-tuned machine.
Bria sees me watching the woman. “That’s Veronica. Excuse me—Ronni.” She air quotes the nickname.
“Liam warned me about her. Said I should avoid her.”
“That’s good advice. The woman hates me. Has from day one. She gets along much better with the men.”
I eye Ronni’s long, thin legs, jet-black hair, and inviting cleavage. “Gee, I wonder why?”
The man wearing the headset calls Bria and the others over.
“Gotta go to work now,” Bria says. “Enjoy the show.”
“Break a leg.”
She chuckles, and my cheeks heat. I mentally smack myself. Is that just what you say to actors, or does it apply to musicians as well? I hope she doesn’t think I’m stupid.
Bria joins the others, and they huddle together. Then they shout, “Let’s get Reckless!”
Liam picks up his guitar, slinging the strap over his shoulder. He seems completely at ease. I’d be throwing up if it were me. I feel a little sick just watching. I peek out at the audience. The seats are almost full. I’ve never heard of the band they’re opening for, but I’m told they’re big in the state of Florida.
They start playing, and I’m mesmerized. I’ve heard all of Reckless Alibi’s songs by now, and I’ve seen them live. But somehow this is different.
Liam glances over at me and gives me a lift of his chin. I return the gesture with a thumbs-up. Then I feel stupid a second time. Who gives a rock star a thumbs-up? Don’t they do some rocker “I love you” sign with their hands? I guess I have a lot to learn.
“I wasn’t aware RA had groupies yet.” Ronni is standing next to me. The music is loud, and I’m not sure I heard her correctly.
“Hi, I’m Ella Campbell.”
Her eyebrows hit the ceiling. “Liam’s sister?”
“Actually we’re—”
“Jesus, please tell me that boy didn’t do something monumentally stupid, like get married.”
I step back. “It’s a coincidence. We’re not together.” I extend a hand. “Nice to meet you, Ronni.”
She doesn’t shake it, but she does give me a distasteful once-over. “You probably shouldn’t be back here.”
“I, uh … I’ve got this thing.” I pull the lanyard out from under my shirt.
“Those credentials are meant to be worn on the outside of your clothes, so people can see them.”
“Yeah, sorry.”
“Liam brought you here, but you’re not together?”
“That’s right.” I don’t offer her any more information than I have to. Based on what Liam, and now Bria, told me, I probably shouldn’t even be talking to her. “I’m really excited to hear them play. Excuse me while I watch.” I take two steps away. She doesn’t follow, but I can feel her stare boring into me. I try to ignore it and enjoy the show.
Thirty minutes and eight songs later, Reckless Alibi leaves the stage. Liam comes over and gives me a quick hug. “Thanks for coming.”
“It was incredible. You should have been the main act.”
He thumbs at the crowd. “Let’s hope some of them think so too, and buy our albums.”
We step out of the way to let a bunch of large men move their equipment off the stage.
Garrett slaps Liam on the back. “You were on fire, man. Really top-notch tonight.”
Liam smiles and turns back to me. “See, I told you. It’s not only the composing. You bring out the best in me all the time.”
He says it so matter-of-factly, as if he just said the sky is blue. If it weren’t for him being the perfect gentleman for the past twenty-four hours, I’d think he had ulterior motives.
“Score another one in the books,” a man says, joining us.
Liam steers me over to him. “Ella, this is our manager, Jeremy Halstead. He skipped out on us to take his mom to dinner.”
“Nice to meet you, Ella. I didn’t miss much,” he tells Liam. “Snuck