Page 72 of The Twisted Beats

“I’ll be right down.”

I shut the door and shake my head. It’s never locked during the day. But then again, they live in a gated community, and a ten-foot iron fence, which requires a code for access, surrounds the property. Motion detectors are all around the house.

Not only that, but the neighborhood has a security team that patrols the area. I’d be shocked if anyone got in without getting noticed.

“Hi, love.” Livianna bounces down the circular staircasewearing black skintight jeans, a ripped gray Tennessee Whiskey T-shirt that shows off her cleavage, lace up platform ankle boots with a maroon high heel, and a black leather jacket.

She’s got the rock goddess look down in spades, making my heart thunder in my chest. I’d love to take her back upstairs, but she wants a date, so she’s gonna get one.

“Hey, Lily. You’re as sexy as ever.” I gesture to her messy bun. “I see you didn’t forget to wear your hair up.”

“Nope.” She steps to me and gives me a quick kiss. “What’s this disguise I’m wearing?”

I reach into my back pocket, pull out a platinum blonde wig, and show it to her. “Put this on with some big black sunglasses and we should be good.”

“My only day off and you’re making me wear this?” She laughs and takes it from me. “Just kidding. I’ll put it on in the car.”

I smile at her seemingly good mood. “Then get ready to have the time of your life.”

“I’m already having a great time.” She grabs my hand, weaves our fingers together, and leads us out to my car. “This is my first real date. What could go wrong?”

Well, you could get caught calling in sick.

I open the car door for her with a zing of nerves firing off. “Let’s just hope I pull this off before you go on about things not going our way.”

She slips inside. “Right.”

I close the door and round the car. This day has to go well. It’s all I want since I asked her to lie again to the director of her show. I cringe at the hypocrisy but excuse it away since I’m not the one doing it.

I get inside and we’re off moments later. “How did the studio handle you calling in again?”

“They were okay, but said they can’t keep switching things around. We’re so close to wrapping the season, I thinkeveryone is just barely hanging on.” She adjusts the wig over her hair. “I’m so ready for the break.”

“How long do you have off?”

“Two months!” She bounces up and down in her seat. “That means we’ll have a lot more time for each other.”

“If my uncle would quit scheduling concerts all over the state.” I shift gears, pull out onto the main road, and head to our destination.

She turns my way. “About that.”

“What?”

“I’m coming to your show tonight.”

I glance at her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. If anyone finds out, I’ll just say I started feeling better.”

“Look who’s making her own decisions.”

“Hey, I make decisions. Just take today, for instance.”

I reach over and squeeze her knee. “Thanks. I won’t let you regret it.”

“You better not.”

“You’re gonna be flying high once you figure out where we’re going.” I place my hand back on the gear shift.