Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train, #4)(27)

Brayden winked at me. “Of course, you’ll be coming with us. You and me are a package deal.”

My heart did its usual tap dance whenever Brayden made me feel so loved, especially in front of his friends. “How would you guys get around?”

AJ took a swig of his orange juice before replying. “My uncle owns an RV dealership in Guadalajara.” At what must have been my blank look, AJ said, “In Mexico.”

“Oh. I see.”

“He can get us a killer deal on an older model.”

Brayden snorted. “Older model as in a hunk of junk.”

AJ tossed his napkin at him. “Hey *, we can’t afford much better than a hunk of junk.”

“True,” Brayden replied.

When his cellphone started ringing in the bedroom, AJ ran to grab it. He came back out a few minutes later. “That was Jake. He said they would just meet us at Eastman’s at noon, rather than coming by here.”

Brayden nodded. “Guess we better get busy working on that set list.” When he started to rise out of his chair, he winced. “I’m sorry, babe.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“It’s your birthday weekend. I know we had planned on spending today with just each other and doing all your favorite things in the city.”

I smiled. “It’s okay, Brayden. You just got a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think I can entertain myself the rest of the day.”

AJ sighed. “Once again, you gotta marry her. Like if you don’t, I think I will.”

As I laughed at AJ’s comment, Brayden merely grunted. While the boys started working on their set list, I cleaned the kitchen up. Then I decided to do laundry. Thankfully, the boys had a washer and dryer in with one of the bathrooms. So, I did my clothes and then Brayden’s. In between bouts of folding clothes, I got dressed in jeans and T-shirt and did my hair and makeup.

I had had just about enough domestic bliss when Brayden came looking for me. “Hey, we’re about to head down to Eastman’s for rehearsals. Want to come with us?”

“Are you sure I wouldn’t be in the way?”

Brayden shook his head. “I want you with me, baby.”

My heart did a little skip at his words. “Okay then, I’ll come.”

***

Eastman’s was a small bar close to the Georgia Tech and Georgia State campuses. Apparently, it catered to a younger, college age crowd, especially on the weekends. One wall was made up of Georgia Tech black and gold paraphernalia while the other was blue and grey for Georgia State.

The inside was empty accept for two waitresses refilling salt and pepper shakers. “We don’t open until three,” one of them said.

Brayden cleared his throat. “We’re here to rehearse.”

The waitresses glanced between each other. “You’re the new house band?” the other waitress asked.

“Yeah, we’re Runaway Train. Well, we’re waiting on our other two guys to get here.”

As their gazes devoured Brayden and AJ, I moved a little closer to Brayden. At that moment, a middle-aged man came out of the side door. His face lit up at the sight of us. “So f*cking glad you guys could help me out.”

“It’s our pleasure,” Brayden replied, with a smile. Turning to me, he said, “Sean, this is my girlfriend, Lily.”

He gave me a warm smile. “Hey, I’m Sean Underwood, owner of Eastman’s.” He shook my hand. “Nice to see you guys again.”

“Again?” I questioned before I could stop myself.

Sean smiled. “These guys auditioned to be my house band probably about two or three weeks ago. But I was really stupid and went with another band.”

“Yeah, but we were meant to be the one and only in the end, right?” AJ said, with a smile.

“Exactly,” Sean replied. He then motioned for us to follow him to the stage. I noticed the waitresses continued to undress Brayden and AJ with their eyes. Brayden must have noticed my discomfort because he wrapped his arm around my waist and drew me to him.

“So everything is here that you need. Take your time setting up. I’ll need you back here by six, even though the set doesn’t start until seven.”

Brayden and AJ nodded in agreement. “Sounds good. We’ll just start setting up while we wait for the others.”

At the sight of all the chairs on the tables and nowhere to sit, I started to feel out of place. Sean motioned for me to follow him. I shrugged at Brayden and then started behind Sean down the hall next to the stage.

At the first room on the right, he opened the door. Inside was a cramped but cozy dressing room. “In case you want to take a load off while they get set up.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“I’ll tell Brayden to come get you when he’s ready.” He smiled and then left me. I walked around the room, taking in the somewhat lacking décor. It was pretty cool thinking that this was where Brayden and the guys would get ready tonight. They’re very own dressing room.

“Well hello there,” a voice said behind me.

Whirling around, I widened my eyes at the sight of the guy in the doorway. He was taller than Brayden and bigger built. An inviting smile lit up his handsome face while his deep blue eyes, that had an impish twinkle in them, seemed at odds with his dark hair.