Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
She huffs.
Does this woman not know what’s good for her?
Then I look to Brianna.
She hasn’t said anything, and she’s looking down at the table.
She doesn’t want this.
My sweet little sister really did talk her into it.
I can’t wrap my head around any of this.
“So, ladies,” Zane says, “tell me about yourselves.”
I’m no lady, but I reply anyway. “Maddie is my little sister. She’s twenty-two, and she’s missing her last semester of college to be here on the tour with me.”
Maddie scowls at me.
“And Brianna is our neighbor. She’s been a friend of Maddie’s since we moved to the western slope of Colorado, which was a while ago. She’s a cowgirl. A rancher. Works with her father.”
“I got that vibe from the boots.” Zane smiles.
“I think he asked us, Jess,” Maddie says.
Again, Brianna says nothing.
“I’d rather hear about you,” Maddie says to Zane.
“Sure. Most of what you read in the gossip rags about me has no merit at all. I trained as a concert pianist. Jett and I went to grad school together. That’s where we met. He’s a classical singer. When neither of us got anywhere in the classics, we decided to try rock and roll, and we were discovered by a woman who became our benefactor.”
“That’s exactly how it was for Rory,” Maddie says. “She wanted an opera career too, but it didn’t work out for her.”
“And you?” he asks me.
“I’ve always been a rocker. A true rocker.” I can’t help puffing out my chest a bit.
I don’t know why we’re having this discussion. Zane knows all of this. We talked about it when they first discovered us at that little bar in Utah where we played.
The devil and angel on my shoulder taunt me again. Emerald Phoenix can make or break us…and I’m not being very nice to Zane.
Then again…he’s trying to fuck my sister and Brianna.
At the same time.
In his room.
My jaw is clenched so tight I may crack a tooth.
The server brings our drinks, and Zane hands her a credit card. “Run a tab, and anything these three want, put it on there.”
“You got it.” She runs the credit card through her handheld machine and hands it back to Zane.
Once she’s gone, Zane stands. “I’m afraid I can’t stay, but please, have whatever you want on me.”
“I’m sorry,” Maddie says.
“No problem, little lady. I have a big day tomorrow, as does your brother.” He nods to Brianna and to me, and then he whisks away.
The yoke lifts from my shoulders.
“Thanks a lot, Jess.” Maddie sulks.
But it doesn’t escape my notice that Brianna looks visibly relieved. She takes a sip of her bourbon.
“Do I really have to have this talk with the two of you?” I ask.
“Not with me you don’t,” Brianna says.
I ignore Brianna. “You, Mads? You’re better than this.”
“Oh, come on. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you blew it for me. Zane will never come near me again, and neither will the others.”
“Works for me. What would Callie and Rory say?”
Maddie crosses her arms. “They’d be a lot cooler than you’re being.”
I turn to Brianna. “Did you really want to do this?”
She meets my gaze. “As a matter of fact, yes I did.”
“Really.”
This woman just lost her virginity two nights ago. I feel badly enough about that, but she’s clearly not easy. Not that I ever thought she was, but I didn’t figure she was a virgin.
“Yeah, really,” she asserts. “Like Maddie said, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Are either of you even attracted to Zane Michaels?”
“Of course,” Maddie says. “He’s gorgeous.”
He’s kind of a pretty boy, but whatever. Long blond hair, which is obviously colored.
“And you, Brianna?”
“Sure. It’s not like I have a type.”
Her emphasis on the word type is not lost on me.
What the hell? This is completely insane. The thought of my little sister… I’d like to pummel that pretty boy’s face.
And Brianna?
I’d like to throw him into next week.
I’m not sure which of them upsets me more.
My little sister…or Brianna.
Brianna shouldn’t bother me at all.
Maddie downs her sidecar quickly and rises. “I’ve had about all I can take of this brotherly talk. I’m going back up to the room, Bree. Stay and finish your drink if you want. See you in a few.”
She huffs and walks away before Brianna can stop her.
Then Brianna sighs. “I’ll finish my drink quickly.”
“Hell no. Have one or two more. It’s all on Zane. Besides, we’ve got a pizza coming. You hungry?”
“Not especially.” She takes another sip of her bourbon. “I don’t know what this is. Zane ordered the best bourbon they’ve got here. It could be expensive, and it’s delicious. I’d like to take my time with it.”
“Go right ahead. I’m not going anywhere until I finish my pizza.”
She nods, not smiling, and then takes another sip.
Oddly, I don’t feel weird being with her.