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Shannon Brooks had been their agent back before Skylar quit. Once she was gone, Shannon wasn’t far behind. Ever since then, they’d been mostly agentless.
“Oh, yes. Hello…”
“Johnny. Johnny Lundy.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Lundy.”
“Oh, please, call me Johnny.”
Elena smiled, but her mind was running wild trying to figure out why Johnny Lundy was in a rundown bar in West Texas, of all places. He must have sensed her question as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card.
“I’ve been wanting to hear you all live again for a while. When I heard you all were coming to Texas, I made it a point to stop in at a few shows. You all still sound great.”
A few shows? Johnny had been to a few of their shows in Texas? They’d easily done a dozen shows in the Lone Star State over the last few years. Exactly how many had he been to? And why?
“My wife died a couple of years ago, and she always wanted me to get back out there and tour again. She knew how much I loved it, but I quit when she became sick. I promised her I’d find a new band and get them on tour. And then I found one of your albums in her chest of drawers, and an idea hit me.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yep,” Johnny’s chuckle was coarse, probably from tobacco if Elena had to guess. “I think Maine Event needs to do a reunion tour.”
“What?” Elena couldn’t contain her shock. There was no way he just suggested they get their old band back together for a reunion tour?
Sure, back in their prime, Elena wondered what it would be like to one day do a reunion tour with her bandmates years down the road. But once Skylar left the band, she assumed they’d never all get back together. Like, ever.
That was until now.
Elena mulled over the idea. She knew Gordon and Andy would be on board. And Erica and Michael would probably come back as bassist and piano. But Elena knew Skylar wouldn’t come back. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t seen her in nearly a decade. Elena knew Skylar. Or, well, she used to know Skylar.
“I was thinking we take the show back on the road. We can get you all into venues all over the country, and we can even do a recorded album with your hits. I’m sure we could add some of your solo songs on there as well. Reunion tours are big right now, and Maine Event has stayed in the charts on some level all these years.”
“Most have been my singles.” Elena was proud of her solo career, and she wasn’t going to let that be diminished. “Gordon, Andy, and I have worked hard these last few years. I’ve written several hit songs, some even for other artists. I’d want those to be included on the tour and record, assuming we do it.”
“Ahh, so the great Elena Cruz is interested in getting back to bigger venues.” Johnny laughed as he looked around the bar. “Bars are great for small bands, but Maine Event was always destined for more. You know that I know that, and most importantly, your fans know that.”
Elena bit her lower lip.
“You’d never get Skylar on board,” she flatly stated as she picked up her martini glass.
Even nine years later, Elena still knew people speculated about her and Skylar and the true reason behind their breakup. The formal statement had been that the band decided to go their separate ways. Over the years, Elena had dodged questions from fans and interviewers about if she still had contact with Skylar. The last Elena had heard, Skylar was back in their hometown teaching guitar and piano lessons to kids. It was a noble job, but Elena knew Skylar wanted more.
“Assuming I could get Skylar,” Johnny paused, seemingly for dramatic effect, “would you be interested?”
Taking a sip of her drink, Elena tried not to show any interest in Skylar being back with the band. She shrugged nonchalantly despite the fact her heart was fluttering at the mere possibility of seeing Skylar again.
“Sure.”
Chapter 2
Skylar
There was no place in the world that Skylar would rather be than in Moonflower Cove, Maine. Growing up, she hated how small her hometown was. Everyone knew everything about everyone, and it always annoyed Skylar she couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone she knew. But now, at thirty-two, Skylar loved it. The Cove was her home, the place that had raised her into the woman she was today.
Walking down Main Street, Skylar took a turn onto Third Street toward the record store.
Set the Record Gay had been in her family for decades. Or, well, Set the Record Straight had been in the family for years. But when Skylar came out to her dad, Steven Ford grabbed a bucket of red paint, a paintbrush, and a ladder and changed the business name.
At sixteen, Skylar had been extremely embarrassed by the gesture. However, it grew sweeter with each passing year. Her dad had stood by her through every up and down in her life, and he never made her feel as if she wasn’t completely and totally loved. Hell, Steven even helped organize the Pride events held every summer in the Cove. He was the best dad, and Skylar was thankful to be able to spend her time with him.
