Page 37 of Luci’s Lullaby

He immediately picks up the tone in my voice. “Yeah, anything.”

“Why in the hell didn’t y’all tell me Rae was Charlee?”

His mouth twitches. “I mean, her name is Charlee Rae, and I suppose I was thinking she didn’t want you to know her real name. Once we got home, Emerson explained it.”

“Explained what, exactly.”

He lifts his shoulders in a half shrug. “She told me that Charlee had a crush on you in high school and didn’t want you to know who she was. Em suspected she was still interested, you know, like she protested you too much.”

“Well, she got one over on me.” I bob my head.

“What do you mean? Is she okay?” His forehead creases.

I wave my hand in front of me. “She’s fine. Reese walked in on us; I had no clue they knew each other.”

“So she’s mad because you slept with Charlee?” He raises his brow.

“That and the fact I’m an asshole.”

He chuckles. “You’re a horn dog, everyone knows it. Charlee is no exception.”

“I’m not so sure about that, she’s different.” I chew the inside of my lip.

“Are you alright?” Aksel lowers his voice.

“It’s all good.” I grin. “Just gotta get back in the saddle.”

He holds up his fist. “I hear ya.”

“Gentlemen, how are you today?” Sam interrupts us. She’s gorgeous, and I believe she knows it by the way she’s wearing that red pencil shirt and white shirt.

“Doin’ good. How are you?”

She drags her eyes over me. “Better now that we have you signed.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

“Aksel, I think he needs the schedule for the fest.” She doesn’t even look at him. I shift my feet as a wave of uneasiness comes over me.

Aksel cuts his eyes at me. “Sure, I’ll go grab one.”

“Take your time, Alden and I are going to get to know one another.” She smiles, and my skin crawls. “Walk me to my office.” She snakes her arm with mine.

“I appreciate this opportunity, I will do my best to not let you down.”

She leads me toward a door with her name on the side. “I have no doubt you’ll do amazing things. In fact, I believe will do them for each other.”

I reach for the knob and hold the door for her. She withdraws her arm to walk in front of me. “Thank you.” She lays her hand on my chest and lets it slowly fall.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

She turns, wiggling her finger as she leans against her desk. “Tsk, tsk. There will none of that, Alden. Come sit.”

I look down the hall and find it empty. I swallow hard and allow the door to shut behind me. There are two chairs in front of her, and I pick the one furthest away.

She slides across her desk, facing me. “My understanding is you’re a player.”

“I wouldn’t say it that way.”