I wondered what Avery had said to convince him, since he hadn’t seemed receptive when I pitched the idea.
“Yeah, she’s a pistol, ain’t she?”
“She sure is.”Taz rubbed the back of his neck.“So, your wife is Nikki Spencer?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s got an incredible voice, man.And as a songwriter, she’s top notch.”
“I’ll tell her you said that,” J.T.said, pointing at him.“She’s been talking you up too.Showed me those viral videos of yours online, said she’d love to get you out on the road with her, if her daddy will go for it.I know Luc’s already got big plans for you.”
I didn’t know if Taz felt overwhelmed by how fast things were happening for him, but I was getting a little dazed just listening to J.T., and it wasn’t even my future up for grabs.
“That would be amazing,” Taz said, seeming unfazed.“Like I said, I’m a big fan of her music.I look forward to meeting her.”
“Hey,” J.T.said, slipping his phone out of his pocket.“I just had an idea.You feel like singing a couple of your songs here tonight?”
“Uh...”His gaze slid to mine.“I don’t know.I don’t even have my guitar.I haven’t had time to put a band together, or?—”
“No worries, we’ve got a house band and you can use one of their guitars.Just about everyone has played here over the years, from by brother, Ty, to Trey Turner, Tori Warner, Nikki, of course, Mav?—”
“I get it,” Taz said, chuckling.“It would be an honor, if you think Luc would be okay with it?I guess I kind of have to run things by my label now, don’t I?”
His label.Sweet Jesus.I wondered if Taz had any idea how much his life would change?
“Yeah, let me fire off a text to Luc right now,” J.T.said, typing on his phone.“But I have no doubt he’ll think it’s a great idea.Give you a little practice on a small stage, some exposure—” Before he could even finish, his phone pinged, and he grinned.“He said it’s a go, he just wants to make sure someone sends him the video.”
“I can do that,” I offered, squeezing Taz’s hand.
“That’s great, Grace.Thanks,” Luc said.“I’m just gonna let the band know what’s happening.They’re set to take a break in about twenty minutes.And if you just want it to be you on a stool with an acoustic guitar, that’s cool too.Whatever you’re comfortable with, man.”
“Yeah, that sounds good,” Taz said.“Let’s do that.”
“Perfect.I’ll fill them in and set things up then,” Luc said, shaking Taz’s hand.“Great meeting you, and thanks for doing this.I love that you’re going to be making your first appearance in my bar.You may not know this, but people can’t stop talking about you.”
Taz shook his head, finally looking a little overwhelmed.“I appreciate hearing that, but I should be thanking you for the opportunity.It means a lot, J.T.”
J.T.slapped him on the back and winked at me.“Looks like you got it right this time, Gracie.Nicely done.”
He walked away before I could tell him Taz wasn’t my boyfriend.“He, uh, wasn’t a fan of my ex,” I said, feeling the heat creep up my neck.“He thought he was an arrogant asshole.”
Taz laughed.“Mav said something like that too.”
I wasn’t surprised my brother-in-law had been trash talking my ex.He’d never been his biggest fan.“Sorry I let J.T.think we were a couple.I was going to correct him but he rushed off before I could.”
He grinned, bringing our joined hands to his lips before kissing mine.“You really think I mind?”
I was really trying to remain pissed at him, but he wasn’t making it easy.“Are you nervous?”
“Only because you’ll be watching.”He shot a look at the corner table, where he’d been sitting earlier.“And my asshole friends.They’ll give me grief, no doubt.”
His buddies were all looking at us, laughing, pointing at Taz, clapping their hands, and shaking their heads.There was a lot of backslapping and beer chugging too, making me wonder what the hell they were talking about.
“What’s that all about?”I asked, nodding my head towards them.
He rolled his eyes.“They’re ten-year-olds trapped in thirty-something bodies.Ignore them.”
I tugged on the front of his t-shirt, drawing him closer.“Tell me.”
