It drains me.
Cleans me out.
I don’t need a drink.
Don’t need a fight.
Don’t need the gym.
Just this.
Just the guitar.
Just the stage.
It’s the only place I’m not trying to be anything for anyone.
I’m just… me.
Between sets, I grab a water.
And there she is.
Emily.
From last time.
Trouble in lip gloss and denim shorts.
She grins when she sees me.
“You’re ridiculous,” she says. “Is this, like, your thing? You play here?”
I point at her. “Baby, you’re trouble. I already got one in my life.”
She laughs. “I have a friend who manages?—”
“Stop,” I say, smiling. “This is just for fun.”
“Tomorrow too,” Mike calls from behind the bar.
I turn. “What?”
“Six to eight. Crowd liked you. You busy or something?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s two hours. You want the slot or not?”
“…You paying double?”
“We’ll talk. Just show up. Tell your girl you’re at the gym or something.”
I laugh. “Don’t say a word to Tony.”
“Your secret’s safe,” he says, then smirks. “But Tony already told me your broad’s got you on a leash.”
I glare. “Tony needs to shut his mouth.”
