“Oh my, God!” Kellie sits up and starts bouncing on my bed. “You’re so calling in sick.”
“Why now?”
“4225 West is playing at the Roxy. Some new group is opening up for them Sin Disasters or something like that. We have to go.”
“Who?” I ask. It wasn’t until I started college that I started listening to other genres of music besides country. Still, it’s my fallback.
“Remember when you asked me about Liam Page? You said he played with Quinn?”
“Yeah, what about him?”
“This is his band. Do you know what that means?”
I shake my head.
“Quinn is likely to be at the Roxy because his dad’s the drummer, and maybe this is why open mic night is canceled. If 4225 West is playing locally, everyone will be in West Hollywood. I’m calling Carson.”
“Why Carson?” I ask as she presses her phone to her ear.
“Guest list, of course.”
I nod, remembering the connection this family has to VIP lists. Knowing someone here definitely opens tons of doors, but you have to know the right people. Kellie is on the phone with Carson for a minute. When she hangs up, her smile tells all.
Letting out a big sigh, I reach for my phone and text Zeke, letting him know that I’m not coming in. Thankfully, he tells me that’s fine and he’ll see me later. Thing is, he probably won’t. My plan is to leave as soon as Rhett gets here. I’m ready for my little adventure to be over, especially after the loss of Sofia. That’s going to hurt for a long time. I don’t have an emotional switch. I’m not someone who can easily shut off their feelings.
“I’m all set,” I tell Kellie, who dances a little jig in my room. She grabs my shoulders and gives me a little shake.
“I know you saw Liam perform, but just wait. The man is a sex god up on stage.”
“Okay, you’re scaring me. I think you need some help for your celebrity crush.”
“Just you wait. You’ll be a puddle of female goo when you see this band. Sex symbols. Each and every one of them.”
“And old,” I remind her. “Quinn’s older than I am so his dad has to be…”
Kellie grabs me once again. “Since when does age even matter?”
I push her away, so I can finish getting ready. “You better go put on your ‘come and get me’ outfit so the ‘sex god’ Liam Page will fall head over heels for ya.”
“It wouldn’t work, even if I tried. The men in that group are fiercely dedicated to their wives.”
“How do you even know this?” I ask.
“They’re very vocal about it and you never see them in the press having issues or even hinting that something could be wrong.”
“Loyal men, well there’s a novelty.” Kellie’s face falls. We haven’t spoken much about Roy, so I’m guessing she thinks I’m talking about Quinn. Maybe I’m talking about both, although Quinn doesn’t really owe me anything. We sort of went on a date, we kissed, and while it was the most romantic thing ever, it was just a kiss. Nothing more and the fact that I’m looking to make it such is ridiculous. Besides, I’m in no position to start anything anyway.
It doesn’t take Kellie long to get ready and being as I’m only going as her sidekick, the only thing I change is my shirt. I leave my hair up and brush on a bit more mascara and dab on a little extra eyeshadow to give me a smoky look.
Kellie all but drags me out of the apartment and into the waiting car. She tells the driver where we’re going and if I’m not mistaken, he groans. I’m going to guess, by the way Kellie speaks about this band, that the driver’s jealous and wishing he could go.
The line outside of this club stretches around the building and across the street. Kellie tells the driver to let us off by the door. He laughs and says something about having to walk a mile.
The vibe outside is something I’ve never seen before. People are dancing, singing, and are antsy to get in. Kellie and I walk right up to the bouncer, something the mass of people behind don’t care for. I’d feel the same way if I had to wait in line while others got to cut.
Inside, bodies are smashed together, and everyone’s dancing or jumping up and down. I take an elbow or two to the head, shoulder, and my side, already wishing I had gone to work. Kellie holds my hand, weaving us through the crowd. I have no idea where she’s taking us but am so thankful for her right now. I’d be lost in a sea of sweat and gyrating bodies.
Every so often, I get a glimpse of the stage. Liam Page is up there, singing and playing the guitar. From where we are, I can tell he’s sweaty and his white t-shirt coupled with the bright lights is doing nothing to hide his body art beneath the material. It’s easy to see why Kellie is fawning over him.