this morning because you had a strange car in front of your house, and I saw her pretty sandals in your living room. And I know she didn’t leave because Cassidy caught you buying girly shampoo at the Pop In. So why on earth did you leave her at home?”
I glanced around. “For fuck’s sake, Scar, lower your voice.”
“Why are you trying to keep this from us?”
Damn it, she was going to make this a bigger deal than it already was. Half the bar was leaning closer, trying to pretend they weren’t eavesdropping.
I could tell Scarlett the truth—I trusted her—but I didn’t want to without asking Callie first. “I’m not keeping anything from you. I told you already, she’s just a friend. She’s got some stuff going on in her life and she needed a place to crash.”
“So you don’t like her?” Scarlett asked.
Goddamn, I really fucking do. “Yeah, I do, but that’s not—”
“See,” Scarlett squealed. “I can tell. I know you better than almost anyone, Gibs. I can see it in your face. I don’t care what you say, you’re sprung on this girl.”
Bowie was looking at me with a sly grin on his face. He and Devlin shared a meaningful glance. Cassidy had a very distinct I know the truth about you smile.
Grinding my teeth together, I clenched my fists. They were seriously pissing me off. Why couldn’t they just leave well enough alone?
“Look, it’s complicated—”
“What’s her name?”
“Maya, but—” I closed my mouth. Damn it. At least I hadn’t said Callie. Crap, I needed to calm down. I was getting too angry to think straight.
“That’s pretty,” Cassidy said. “Maya what? Or do you not know her last name?”
I glared at Cass. “Yes, I know her last name. It’s Davis. And I don’t appreciate what you’re implying.”
“I’m not implying anything,” Cassidy said.
“But really, Gibson, what bar were you at last night?” Scarlett asked. “I didn’t think y’all were playing out of town again this week.”
“I didn’t pick her up at a fucking bar,” I said. “She works for a record company in L.A. And whether or not she’s my secret girlfriend is none of y’all’s business.”
Damn it. Now I was making it worse. I needed to cut my losses and get out of here.
“Just stay out of it,” I said and stomped back to the stage to grab my guitar.
Without bothering to look back, I muscled my way through the bar and out the door. Fuck, I was stupid when I was angry. I hadn’t meant to say anything. I should’ve canceled tonight’s gig and stayed home. Made it up to Hung and Corbin somehow.
I got in my truck and put my guitar case on the passenger’s seat. My tires squealed on the pavement as I tore out of the parking lot, headed for home.
By the time I got back to my place, I’d calmed down. I parked in front of my house and let my head fall back against the headrest. I’d screwed that up pretty good. Now they really thought I had a girlfriend tucked away in my cabin. And it wouldn’t matter how many times I denied it—especially as long as Callie was still essentially in hiding.
I had a feeling she wasn’t going to like this. I’d just have to go in there and tell her I’d made a messy situation that much messier.
11
MAYA
A nudge to my leg and a quiet voice woke me with a start. I gasped, blinking, trying to see in the dim light. For a second, I had no idea where I was.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” Gibson whispered.
Right, I was at Gibson’s house. I’d fallen asleep on his couch, waiting for him to come home.
“It’s okay. What time is it?”
“Almost eleven.”
I sat up and stretched my arms overhead, the blanket I’d grabbed sliding down to my lap. “It’s not even late. I must still be jet-lagged. How was your night?”
He lowered himself to the edge of the couch next to me. “Okay, I guess. But there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
His tone made me a little nervous. He sounded so serious. “Sure, what’s up?”
“I told you people were gonna talk, and they were.”
“About your secret girlfriend?” I reached over and poked his arm.
He scowled at me. “Yeah. Scarlett’s convinced of it. She was asking me questions and I think I might have made it worse.”
“What did you say?”
“I don’t even remember, now. I said your name’s Maya and you work for a record company. And I tried to