Page 16 of Conquest

“It’s really great to see you too, Carrie!” Jesse squealed, mimicking her high, bubbly voice.

Carrie flipped him off.

Kenny put his arm around Carrie’s waist and headed toward the door. “Hey man, you know what? I’m going home with Carrie. You can load all this on your own, right?”

Jesse nodded, recognizing his punishment. “Sure.”

He watched them disappear around the corner, then stood in the middle of the break room looking at all the equipment; three guitars, his bass, his keyboard, his synthesizer, their own mics, backup wires, his bag of extra clothes he always brought in case he wanted to change outfits before a show or put on clean clothes after. He sighed and shook his head.

Evan Arden. He had just met Evan Arden and let him walk away. He should have offered to buy him a beer, asked him more about what he thought of the show, anything, but what did he do? He stood there like a star-struck idiot. Now it all seemed like a dream that less than five minutes ago, Evan had stood right beside him. Jesse’s mind lit at the thought. It had been less than five minutes, which meant if he was lucky Evan might still be in the bar.

Jesse dashed out of the break room. He burst through the door leading to the public seating and walked a few paces toward the bar. His eyes scanned for him, disappointment filling him with each face he saw that wasn’t Evan’s. He should have known. A guy like Evan wouldn’t hang out in a place like this any longer than he needed to. Jesse lowered his eyes. He had missed his chance.

The delicious cologne he smelled before graced his nose. Heat from a body standing behind him warmed his back. He stood motionless, feeling as though he had slipped into a dream and didn’t want to disrupt it.

Evan leaned closer to him, his breath wisped past Jesse’s ear as he said, “Looking for someone?”

Jesse’s breath fled at Evan’s husky timbre. Slowly, he turned toward him, making sure to not take so much as a fraction of a step back that would increase the space between them. He gazed at him, noticing Evan stood only about an inch taller than himself. “I was looking for you.”

Evan wet his sensual smile with a slip of his tongue. “Is that so? And why would you be looking for me?”

Jesse fought down the urge to close the meager distance between them and lay his hands on Evan’s chest. Instead he smiled, keeping his eyes on Evan’s. “I wanted to talk to you about my performance and see if you could offer me some tips to be better.”

“Your performance, huh? Well, I suppose I could help you with that. I saw your guitar player leave with a girl. Did he ditch you to get laid?”

Jesse chuckled softly. “Yeah, and he’s pissed at me because he thinks I blew it with that Greg guy.”

Evan took a drink of his Guinness, his eyes never leaving Jesse’s. “I wouldn’t worry about it. You should hear some of the stupid shit I’ve done and said. Greg doesn’t hold stuff like that against artists, especially artists with talent.”

“That’s good to know.”

Evan tapped his beer bottle against his thigh as he contemplated Jesse. “Do you want to get out of here?”

Jesse nodded quickly. “Yeah. I just have to load my equipment.”

Evan started for the door leading to the back of the bar. “I’ll help you.”

Jesse walked beside Evan, trying to control his smile from growing overly large. As it was, it took all his energy to keep from sprinting down the hall and jumping for joy in the air. Maybe Kenny thought this turned out to be a bad night, but he thought it just might be the best of his life.

CHAPTER FIVE

Jesse slammed the tailgate closed on his Ford Ranger pickup and leaned back against it, smiling at Evan standing in front of him. “Thanks so much for your help.”

“It was fun. I never got to do stuff like this when I was on the road. I had staff handle everything for me.”

“Well since you think it’s such a novelty, you’re more than welcome to help us set up and break down for every gig. You can be my first roadie. It’d be ironic, don’t you think? You striving to tend the needs of the next greatest singer in the world. It’s a level I bet not even you dared dream to achieve.”

Evan burst out laughing. “Not only are you a cocky little punk, but you’re delusional too!”

Jesse listened to Evan’s laugh, amazed even it sounded clear and musical. He found in his short time with Evan, the sight of his smile, the sound of his laugh, left him incapable of doing anything but the same, and he couldn’t help but study every move Evan made. He wasn’t used to being around another guy who he felt was more attractive than himself. Having watched Evan’s videos, read articles and interviews about him, he always thought Evan was beyond beautiful. Now standing close him, able to see each of his exquisite and refined features, he saw Evan was more stunning than all the cameras and photographs allowed for.

Jesse’s mind drifted back to Evan’s comment. “There’re no delusions about it. I will be the next greatest performer to take the stage.”

“Then I guess you don’t need any tips from me since you’re so confident.”

Jesse laid his hand on Evan’s arm. “No, I do need tips from you.”

Evan looked at Jesse’s hand.