Johhny had a shaved head and his tattoos started at his neck and, she assumed, went all the way down to his toes. Mac had a salt-and-pepper ponytail that reached almost to the middle of his back and full sleeves of tattoos on both arms so colorful she caught herself staring at them several times.

And when they saw Sebastian, they practically shoved each other out of the way to hug him.

Tru hung back as Sebastian was enveloped by the two men, but after everyone took a breath, he brought her forward again for introductions.

Johnny and Mac had big smiles for her, too, but they were so intently focused on Sebastian, talking over each other much of the time, that she finally got far enough away to let Sebastian have a little privacy with the men.

At the tap on her shoulder, she turned to find Dana smiling at her and nodding her head toward a sofa in the corner of the room, where they went to sit.

“So, how’d you meet Baz?”

The girl’s long hair had been dyed a really beautiful shade of purple, which complemented the topaz-colored eyes she shared with her dad. That was the only trait they shared, however. Dana was shorter than Tru and slim, as if she hadn’t quite grown into her adult body yet. Her features were adorable, definite ingénue material except for the tiny t-shirt that left absolutely nothing to the imagination and the tight jeans that looked painted onto her body. The girl had a few tattoos, one similar to something Sebastian had, and a nose ring that would’ve made Tru’s mom shudder, but Dana made it all work without looking trashy.

“He’s doing the score for a film the company I work for is making. We’ve been working together for the past several months.”

“So you’ve been dating all that time?”

“No, actually this is our first real date.”

Dana’s eyes widened. “Seriously? You must love music.”

“I have to admit I’m not really into music. Except Sebastian’s.”

“Yeah, the guy’s got a way with a guitar.” Dana smiled up at her. “But I guess you know that, huh?”

“The man certainly is talented.”

Dana laughed, shaking her head. “Daddy always said Baz was one of the most natural guitarists he’d ever met. He really loves him. The guys were like the brothers I never had. They could’ve been huge, stuck-up dicks, but they never acted like prima donnas, ya know? They were just always so happy to be playing.”

Tru didn’t want to pump the girl for information, but she loved hearing about Sebastian from someone who’d known him before.

“I’ve only seen him play with the band on video. I wasn’t really into music before I met Sebastian.”

“Oh, there’s nothing like live music.” Dana looked almost rhapsodic. “It’s just got so much energy. I’ve been at concerts since I was a baby and I think my dad is the absolute best guitar player in the world. But Baz has something special.”

Tru couldn’t help turning toward him and found him watching her, even as he continued to hold a conversation with Johnny and Mac. When their gazes met, he smiled, just a slow curve of his lips but it made her want to strip away all her clothes and climb him like a pole.

She felt her cheeks flame and wondered if he knew what she was thinking.

The heat building low in her body led her to believe he was thinking about sex. Just like she was.

She dragged her gaze away as Dana continued to talk but she still felt his gaze on her. Not long after that, she heard Sebastian laugh and her gaze sought him out again.

“How’s he doing? Really?”

Dana’s quiet question forced Tru to give the other girl her full attention. “I think he’s doing better than he gives himself credit for. He’s stable. I think he’s gonna be fine.”

Dana sighed. “I am so glad to hear that. He’s one of the good guys.”

She shared a smile with Dana, nodding. “He can still be a pain in the ass.”

Dana’s laughter rang loud and clear. “Preach, sister. They all have their moments.”

They talked for a few more minutes before Sebastian, Johnny and Mac joined them.

“So, Tru, we’re trying to get this guy to join us onstage for a few songs. Tell him you want to see him play so he’ll agree. I have a feeling that’s the only way we’ll get him on stage tonight.”

Sebastian held his hands up in front of him. “Hey, guys, it’s not my show. I don’t want to take up your time.”

“It’s just us tonight, Baz.” Johnny clapped a hand on Baz’s shoulder. “No opener, no band. Three hours to fill. And we want you to play with us for a few songs. You know the crowd’ll love it.”

Sebastian looked at her and she saw the indecision in his eyes. “Nah, man. I don’t—”

“I’d love to see you play.”

It was the God’s honest truth and she knew if she didn’t say it flat out, he wouldn’t go out there. He’d stay by her side all night. But she wanted him to play, wanted him to get back on that stage and be who he was.

And she wanted to watch.

He still looked torn. “Really? I don’t wanna desert you—”

“I promise not to leave her side the entire time,” Dana piped in, practically bouncing on the couch as she linked her arm through Tru’s and rubbed their shoulders together. “She’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“See?” Johnny wrapped an arm around Baz as he winked at Tru. “She’ll be fine.”

Finally, he nodded. “Okay. Sure. Just a couple of songs.”

Tru started to smile and couldn’t stop.

*   *   *

Johnny and Mac went onstage ten minutes later to thunderous applause that Baz felt deep inside.

With his arm around Tru as she stood on one side and Dana sitting on an empty case on his other in the wings, he watched Johnny and Mac sail through an hour of music he’d grown up with. Music that’d made him want to write his own so one day he could make people feel the same way.

Ecstatic. Electrified. High.

For the first half hour, he couldn’t take his eyes off the guys who’d taught him how to be a better musician and not just how to be a rock star. In his eyes, they were gods.

When he finally managed to tear his eyes away and look out at the crowd, he saw most of them looked the same way he felt. And when he looked at Tru, he found her watching with an intensity she usually had only when watching clips of Greg’s films.

Fascinated.

Would she be as fascinated at one of his concerts? He hoped like hell he’d get to find out one day.

About forty minutes in, he noticed Dana’s head whip around. Then she bounced off the case and disappeared. He didn’t think anything of it until he felt a hand fall on his shoulder.

He turned . . .

And found Nik standing behind him.

Adrenaline dropped into his system and his heart began to pound. How stupid was that. Hell, he almost felt like he was about to go on a first date.

“Hey.”

Nik nodded, no smile on his face, and Baz realized Nik was just as surprised to see him.

Torn between wanting to talk to Nik and not wanting to cause a possible scene, he held up one finger to Nik, who nodded. Then he leaned over to whisper in Tru’s ear.

“Nik’s here. I need to talk to him.”

She looked up at him with wide eyes then turned to glance at Nik before looking back at him and nodding, a sympathetic smile curving her lips.

“I won’t be gone long.”

“Take as much time as you need. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

He leaned in and spoke directly into her ear. “Yeah, but I wanna take care of you. And I will. Later.”

The look she gave him heated his blood. And made him feel surprisingly steady.

He bent to give her a kiss. No tongue, he just pressed his lips against hers and held her tight. When he took a step back, she blinked up at him, lips parted to draw in air. She looked a little flustered.

Good.

He looked up to find Nik watching them through narrowed eyes, arms crossed over his chest. Then Nik turned and headed back toward the green room.