AllFreeNovel
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“I asked you a question,” she says.
“What?”
She rolls her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I own the place.”
Apple tilts her head. “I thought the club owned it.”
I smirk. “Same thing.”
“Right.” She lowers her arms to her sides and straightens. “Well, I’ll be outta here in a few minutes so you can keep your insults to yourself.
She turns to walk away, but I grab her arm.
“Don’t go,” I urge. Her eyes lower to my hand, and when she slowly lifts them to stare at me, I yank my hand away. “I, uh… You’ve got a helluva voice. I didn’t know you could sing.”
Just call me Smooth Operator… or fucking idiot works too.
“I told you I’m a singer and songwriter.”
“Yeah, I know. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good at it. And you are… good at it, I mean.”
Her forehead creases. “Um, thanks.”
I open my mouth to speak, but the speakers that normally pump music through Purgatory begin thumping with the southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and it becomes damn near impossible to think, let alone have a conversation.
Apple’s eyes widen when I lean close, and I can’t stop the chuckle that escapes before pressing my mouth to her ear.
“Can I buy you a drink?” I ask.
She pulls away from me and looks at me with suspicion, but after a few seconds, she nods.
I grab her arm to guide her through the crowd. Several people stop us to tell her how good she was on stage, and the way her cheeks flush at the praise gives away her own self-doubt.
Fuck that.
I might be a temperamental asshole, but I know a great voice when I hear it, and it’s borderline painful to know she doesn’t see herself the way others see her.
Or is it hear her?
When we reach the bar, Skye is taking care of other customers, so we wait. The silence, such as it is, is deafening. Thankfully, Rogue seems to appear out of nowhere and puts me out of my misery.
“Apple, you were incredible,” he beams. “You’ve got a gig here any time you want one.”
She smiles. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“And I appreciate the business you drummed up.” He glances at me, as if he’s going to say something I’m not gonna like, but he seems to think better of it. “So, what can I get you to drink?”
I hand him my warm beer. “I’ll take a cold one.”
He tosses the bottle into the trash before looking at Apple. “And for you?”
“Water’s fine.”
“Water?” I arch a brow. “That’s no fun.”
Apple shrugs. “I’m still on antibiotics so… water. Please.”
