“I really want you to say yes. You’re good, and I don’t say that lightly. When I heard you play before my show I knew. Then, at Gunnar’s, you nailed it. You can do this. You should be doing this. Not bartending.”

Wow. I’m just about to thank him for his compliment when Gwen limps through the open door. “Did you forget about me?”

Aw, crap. “I’m sorry. I got caught up.” I turn around to face Latson. “I came in here to tell you that Gwen needs to go home. She’s in a ton of pain.”

He nods, his eyes never leaving the paper in his hands. “Let me know if you can make it in tomorrow,” he says.

“I will. Thanks.” Gwen looks at me. “Maggie is covering for us, so ...”

“I’m right behind you,” I say and start to leave. I glance at Dean. “I’ll let you know soon. Thanks for the opportunity.”

“You’re welcome.”

As soon as I’m out the door I hear Latson’s voice snap. “Thanks a lot, asshole. You could have told me you were going to ask her.”

Dean’s voice bites back. “She deserves it.”

“I agree, but we just started –”

“Jen.”

My eyes jump to Gwen.

“Come on.” She waves me forward. “Maggie’s going to kill us.”

I nod and pick up my pace.

~~~~

The ride home with Latson is quiet. He seems lost in his own world, so I don’t say anything. I know he’s not happy with Dean, but it’s not my place to question him. Especially since I overheard what was said.

With nothing else to do, I stare out the window and contemplate going on Dean’s tour. I imagine accepting his offer. I have to admit it gives me the good chills. It also makes me nervous as hell. I have to be the least qualified person to round out his band. What makes him think I won’t embarrass him?  I guess if I’m terrible at rehearsals he could let me go. The idea of being fired from a job I was handpicked to fill makes me feel a little leery. Trying and failing would be a nightmare.

But, then again, at least I could say I tried.

By the time Latson pulls into our building I’ve decided on one thing: to read Dean’s email. Talking in circles is useless, and I need all the facts before making a decision. When Latson parks and turns off the engine, I reach for my bag, then the door handle. “Thanks for the ride home.”

He gives me half a smile and then holds out his hand. I set my bag down and thread my fingers through his. “Thanks for letting me pout.”

“Why are you pouting?”

“Because you’re going to say yes.” He runs his thumb over the back of my hand. “You’re going to leave.”

I tip my head and scrutinize him. “What makes you so sure?”

“Because I won’t let you stay.”

I frown.

“C’mere.” He pulls me closer by pulling on my hand. I slide over next to him, but it’s not good enough. With some maneuvering, I end up sitting in his lap, facing him.

“You have too much talent to let this pass you by,” he says. “Didn’t you say you were tired of tending bar?  It’s time to be a rock star.”

I laugh. “That’s stretching it a little, don’t you think?”

“Nope.” He runs his hands over my arms. “You’ll be great.”

I lean forward and hold my face inches from his. “I still think you should go.”

“Jen, I –”

“I understand about Oliver,” I cut him off. “I do. But, other people tour, and they have families. It’s five months.”

“Remember that when you’re missing me.” He gives me a gentle kiss, then rests his forehead against mine. “I have more reasons than Oliver for saying no.”

“Such as?”

He sighs and lets his hands fall to my thighs. He leans back against the seat and looks out the window. “Audrey.”

I set my palms against his chest and wait for him to explain.

“I won’t put myself in a position to re-live the past,” he says. “Too many things would be the same.”

He looks like he wants to say more, but changes his mind. I wonder if he’s talked to anyone about his sister. I doubt his past comes up when he’s hanging out with Pete and the guys. I lean forward to get his attention and softly ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”

He runs his fingers in circles on my legs. “What’s there to talk about?  My sister died on our second tour. I can barely escape the memory without my music. It would be impossible to shake if I went with Dean.”

My breath catches. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Don’t be.” Latson’s sad eyes find mine. “What happened has nothing to do with you.”

My gut tells me he’s wrong. “I think it does.” I sit up straight. “We’re together, right?”

He nods, yet looks confused.

“Then your hurts are mine. Just like if I were upset. Wouldn’t you want to make me feel better?”

“I would.”

“See?” I lean toward him and set my hands on either side of his face. “Listen to me. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what losing Audrey was like for you and your family.”

Latson sighs and gives me another soft kiss. “Thank you.”

“Any time.”

He covers my hands with his and moves them to his chest. “I wish I could go back,” he says. “There are days when I question everything. You should know that about me, for when I act like an ass again. Because it’s going to happen, just like it did at the hospital.”

I squeeze his fingers. “Not if I can help it. What are you second guessing?”

He lets out a sarcastic laugh. “You don’t want to know.”

“I do.”

“There’s no fixing the past.”

“True, but you can feel better about it.” I decide to share my own revelation. “Take my ex, Derek, for example. He was a massive mistake. Huge. But I feel better about what happened because he led me here. Had things not happened the way they did, I’d be four hours away dating a lying bastard. You and I would never have met.”

Latson raises an eyebrow. “Is it wrong to be happy he was a lying bastard?”

“Not at all.” I smile. “Now, tell me one of your regrets.”

He gives me a resigned look. “I don’t think –”

I bring my face close to his. “Tell me.”

“Okay,” he concedes. “Fine.” He looks at our hands. “I regret asking Audrey to manage the band.”

My stomach knots. “Because of what happened?”

“Because she had a degree in finance and was headed to New York City. If I hadn’t asked her to manage us instead of money, Heidi wouldn’t have introduced her to Levi. She wouldn’t have started using, and she’d be here right now.”

My eyes grow wide. “So, yes, then.”

He sighs. “She should have gone to Wall Street. Instead, she got in Dean’s beat-up Chevy with me.”

“Hold on,” I say and sit back. “Did you force her into the car against her will?”

“No.”

“Then it wasn’t your choice. It was hers.” I tip my head. “You guys were successful. You got a record deal. That’s nothing to regret.”

Latson looks like he doesn’t buy it. “It’s not that simple. There’s more to it.”

“I’m sure there is. Maybe you should tell me.”

He grimaces. “Not today.”

Just then, his phone sounds. I pull my hands from his and shift my weight to the side so he can get it out of his pocket. “It’s Dean.” He reads the message: “Tell your woman to check her email.” His eyes light up. “I like the sound of that. Your woman,” he repeats.

I try not to smile, but fail. I like being called his. However, I wish Dean wouldn’t have interrupted us. I want Latson to share more of his past, to get it off his chest. I feel like he hasn’t talked about it enough.

“Where’s your phone?” he asks and grabs my ass, feeling around the pockets. “Let’s see what Dean sent.”

I twitch and laugh. “Hang on.” Leaning over, I find my bag and pull it up on the passenger seat. I root around for my cell. “You seem excited about this. Or are you faking?”

“It’s a great opportunity.” Latson doesn’t answer my question. “You deserve to play, and people deserve to hear you.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not so sure they should pay to see me. What if I embarrass Dean?”

“That won’t happen.”