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I clenched my jaw, and pulled the number I’d found up in my phone.
“Is there a problem, sir?”A new voice interrupted and I turned to see a man about as tall as me, but a bit broader in the chest.SECURITY was stamped across the front of his shirt.
Classy.Subtle.Not.
“There is a problem.I was enjoying the concert, and now they can’t keep playing.I was about to call the owner, and talk to him about it.”
Security scowled.“I need to ask you to leave.”
“Why?”I hitdialon my phone, and put it to my ear.
“Sir.Please.”Security didn’t make it sound like a request.
The call went straight to voicemail with a generic greeting, and I snarled.I could leave a ranty message, but that didn’t hold the same satisfaction or chance of getting things done.Especially not immediately.
I hung up.“I’m not breaking any rules.I’m looking to resolve an issue.”
“Sir.”
I stared at him, my irritation shifting closer to anger with each breath.This was ridiculous and infuriating.Rebellion whispered inside—the same itch I’d had for weeks that was extra potent tonight—what would happen if I punched him?
Reality screamed into my brain.I didn’t know how to fight, and I suspected he’d hit harder.It was unlikely the police had all left the building.
I clenched my jaw.Threatening to leave a bad review of this shitty place hardly seemed effective, and it definitely wouldn’t be satisfying.
Security took a step forward.
“Fine.I’m leaving.”I hated the way the resignation tasted.As I walked toward the nearest exit, I texted Danny to let him know I’d be outside.Security followed me the entire way.
Danny’s reply came through as I stepped through the door.We’re by the SUV.
They must not have had any more luck than I did.
Reese’s contract only applied to her, but when she and Danny made things right about seven years ago, he started singing with her again.Neither of them performed the same without the other, and he wasn’t in it for the fame or money.He just wanted to write and play.
Despite everything, there were times when I envied Reese.She made up her mind as she went along.She chose things because they called to her.Other people’s expectations seemed to be the last thing she considered when she made a decision.She probably would’ve decked Security.Regretted it after, but still…
And I doubted she ever sat down at the piano and asked herself if she was too old to learn to be spontaneous.I doubted she plucked out a few chords and then stopped because it sounded the same as every other piece I’d composed for the video games I wrote music for.
My composer’s block had grown to infuriating levels over the past few months, and some days I felt like calling it quits as far as work was concerned.This burnout needed me to break free and do something new.
Unlike Reese, I’d spent most of my life picking up the pieces for a family who chased whims and discarded the rest.I was the responsible one.
Maybe when we were done for the night, I’d do something wild and drop a grand at the tables.It wasn’t that I was wealthy, but a stable job, savings, and Christmas bonus meant I could afford things like that sometimes.The carelessness might scratch the impulsive itch.
Except that Reese was hurting for money.She was too proud to accept any help, but dropping that kind of money in front of her, on something so frivolous, would be beyond rude.
And there was my sense of obligation again.Damn it.
I’d find a way to let loose while we were here.Somehow.Somewhere.
I found Danny and Reese waiting next to my Explorer.They didn’t have any of their gear on them, so it was either loaded up, or they had to leave it behind.If the casino had Danny’s Les Paul, I was definitely picking a fight to get it back.
“We’re ready to go.”Danny nodded at the back of the truck, meaning their stuff was packed away.
Good.But also a teensy bit disappointing that the performance was over.“No luck with Todd?”
“What do you think?”Reese asked flatly.
