“Who’s up for darts?” Drew asks, eyeing an open board.

“I am,” Dean says. “Five bucks says you lose.”

“Five?” Drew scowls. “At least bet me enough to buy another beer.”

“Fine. Ten.”

Drew looks at me and points. “You’re playing next.”

I smile. “You’re on.” I haven’t played darts in years, but my parents used to have a board in the basement. I was decent against my brothers.

Dean and Drew leave the table, and I take a sip of my Kamikaze. It reminds me of Latson and his party when we formally met. If I knew then what I know now, I would have jumped that man immediately and taken him up on his offer of a private tour. We would have had four more weeks together before I left. I sigh. Hindsight is always 20/20.

“Jen.” Paul gets my attention. “I’m going to go hit on that blonde at the bar.” He looks over his shoulder. “Will you be okay here for a minute?”

“Just a minute?” My eyebrows shoot up. “You think that’s all it will take?”

“You know it is.” He winks at me before he stands. “I’ll be right back.”

Sure, I think as he walks away. This isn’t the first time I’ve witnessed his moves. If she shows any interest I won’t see him until morning.

I’m just about to get up to watch Drew and Dean when my phone buzzes against the table. I lean over and read a message from Gwen: I got Dean’s video. You go girl!  So awesome!

I smile and reply: Thanks. It was a last minute thing.

Then, almost immediately, I get another text message from Jules: Holy shit!  Are you the headliner now?  Congrats!  Oh, and Pete says you were lip synching. Don’t worry. I hit him for you.

I laugh. I miss those guys.

Just as I’m responding to Jules, a smooth voice says, “Spectacular show tonight. I’m glad I caught it.”

A body slides next to me and into Dean’s seat. I look up and mentally groan. “Caleb.”

“Jen.” He flashes his perfect smile and raises his hand, calling over a waitress. “I’ll take a Dewar’s straight, please.” He looks at me. “What would you like?”

My eyes dart to my nearly full glass. “I’m all set. Thanks.”

The waitress leaves, and Caleb turns his body and attention toward me. He’s dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans; his dirty blonde hair left natural and un-styled. Unfortunately, I like this look on him. He appears approachable, more like a regular guy.

“I didn’t know you could sing like that,” he says.

I raise an eyebrow. “And I didn’t know you were stalking Dean across the fifty states.”

He laughs. “What if I am?  I’m just doing my job.”

“Really?” I skeptically glance around the bar. “I don’t see any other label execs. In fact, I haven’t seen anyone other than you since we’ve been on tour. Why is that?”

“Snare Records is Ariel’s label.”

“But Dean’s a free agent.”

He smiles. “Why are you giving me such a hard time?  Don’t you want Dean to get signed?”

“Sure I do. I’m just not sure you’re the best choice.”

Caleb loses his grin. “Because of what Gunnar told you?”

“Um, yes,” I say sarcastically and take a drink. I may need another one of these if he’s going to hang around.

“Look –”

The waitress interrupts him to deliver his scotch.

“Thanks,” he says before turning back to me. “I’m trying to right a wrong here. What happened before shouldn’t have happened, and I know that now. Gunnar isn’t performing anymore, so I can’t make it up to him. But I can try with Dean.”

“Why the change of heart?”

Caleb plays with his drink, turning it around with his hand. “Because time tells stories. I realize what I did wasn’t necessary.”

I get snarky. “Well, isn’t that big of you.”

Caleb crosses his arms and leans against the table top. “How much do you know?  What did Gunnar tell you?”

“He’s told me enough,” I say. “It’s your fault he lost his career.”

“That’s fair,” Caleb concedes. “But did he tell you he was there the night his sister died?”

No, I think and frown. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Because he was caught on the security camera leaving her hotel room before she overdosed. There was speculation when the footage was released; hell, his own father accused him of murder.” He moves closer to me. “I knew Gunnar didn’t put the coke up Audrey’s nose, but the bad publicity was impossible to ignore. It seemed the best thing for everyone was to let the band go.”

I remember reading the headline about Latson’s dad, but hearing it from Caleb still shocks me. As my mind wraps around his words, I say, “So, you’re telling me Latson ended his career before you did.”

“I’m telling you we’re both guilty.”

The man looks sincere. I can see where he’s coming from, but it’s undeniable Latson was a victim of circumstance. There’s also the issue of Levi. “Don’t you think your brother shares part of the blame, too?”

“That he does.” Caleb takes a long drink and swallows.  “That he does.”

I study him. Something doesn’t sit right. He flew all the way out to New Orleans for what?  To see the exact same show?  “Why are you really here?”

“I told you. Dean.”

I raise my eyebrows. “And?”

Caleb smiles and shakes his head. “Fine.” He places both hands on the table and sits back. “You.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. You intrigue me.” He leans forward again. “You’re the only woman in an all-male group. Someone who’s never played professionally, but performs like she has her whole life. Someone who writes her own music and saves the day at the last minute.”

I’m confused. “Saves the day?”

“Roxanne told me how you stepped up for Ariel. I wasn’t expecting that. No one was.”

Does everyone think I’m a bitch?  “She needed my help. I have a heart, you know.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Caleb shakes his head.  “No one was expecting your performance. It was good. Really good.”

I don’t want to feel flattered by his compliment, but I do.

“Have you ever considered recording a demo?  I could get you into the studio once the tour’s over. We could see where it goes.”

Is he serious?  “I’ve never thought about being a singer.”

“Why?  What’s your nine to five back home?”

I laugh and pick up my drink. “It’s more like a six to two. I tend bar.”

Caleb’s eyes light up. “Selling music would earn you more. A lot more.”

Of course it would. The idea is tempting, especially after tonight. However, there’s no way in hell Latson would want me to work with Caleb. Plus, there’s no guarantee my songs would sell. “Thanks, but I’d rather not get my hopes up.”

Caleb leans into my personal space. “What’s holding you back?”

I shrug, but don’t move away. He’s doesn’t intimidate me.

“I know it’s your boyfriend,” he says. “Are you going to let him run your life?”

My jaw drops. “Excuse me?  You don’t know anything about us.”

“I know the chance I’m offering is one in a million. You should take it.” He pushes a loose piece of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering on my skin, before he whispers my ear. “Do you know what I mean?”

Oh, I know what he means. My eyes narrow. “You don’t get to touch me. Ever. Is that clear?”

He pulls away. “Jen, I …”

“Don’t Jen me.” I stand. “This conversation is over.”

My phone starts to buzz against the table. I reach for it, but Caleb’s faster. He holds it out of my reach and says, “Don’t go. Let me explain.”

“Give me my phone.”

“If you would just wait a minute –”

“I said give me my phone.”

“You don’t understand what I meant.”

“No, I understand perfectly what you meant.” I try to grab my cell, but he stands and holds it hostage. “Damn it, Caleb!  Give me my phone!  I want to leave.”

“What’s going on here?”

I turn around to see Dean and Drew. Caleb answers, “Jen and I were just discussing the possibility of her starting a singing career. Weren’t we, Jen?”