Play for Keeps (The Devil's Share #6)(26)

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The Pier was packed and the crowd was singing along with every word. Nothing felt better than that. It was a high, and something I’d loved and craved for as long as I could remember. I looked over at my dad and M Kat and couldn’t help but laugh. My dad had his hands on her ass and his mouth at her ear. See? Horn dog all the way.

No wonder I behaved the way I did. Speaking of… I looked out into the crowd, searching for a girl to take home tonight. This was how I worked. Every show. Every time. I’d scan the crowd and someone would inevitably stand out. Then I’d send one of my people to bring her backstage and by the end of the night I’d take her home with me.

Of course I’d send her packing with a smack on the ass in the morning. But for one night, it was just me and her.

It was fun. And I’ve never had any complaints because I was honest from the get-go. They knew the score before the clothes came off. No long term, no commitments, and no whining in the morning.

“I have a favor to ask of you guys tonight,” I said into the microphone, and the crowd got even rowdier. “My dad is here.” I waited for all the females in the audience to cream themselves before I continued. “With his beautiful wife.” I winked. “He made me learn to play this next song the second he realized I far surpassed him in artistic talent.” I smiled a devilish grin that the girls always seemed to like. “I was seven by the way.” I waited ’til the laughter stopped. “So I’m going to play it for him right quick. It’s an old one, so don’t feel bad if you don’t know the words.”

When I played the first couple of chords, my dad started jumping up and down like some crazed fan-boy, making me laugh and shake my head.

Hey kids rock and roll,

Rock on, oh my soul

Hey kids boogey too, did ya

Hey shout summertime blues,

Jump up and down in blue suede shoes

Hey kids rock and roll, rock on

I played my guitar like a champ, the chords to this song as familiar as the way the ranch smelled during the dead of winter.

This was my dad’s favorite song and I loved playing it for him even though I gave him a hard time. He had his arms around M Kat and he was singing her all the words. If I didn’t want a repeat of last night, I needed to find a chick to take home. I searched the crowd, looking for the perfect short-term love affair.

And where do we go from here?

Which is the way that’s clear

My eyes landed on a gorgeous girl with long brown hair who was actually singing along. That hot-as-hell chick wearing a midriff tank and cutoff blue jean shorts knew this ridiculous song? Yep. That was the one.

Well, the one for tonight anyway.

Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen

Prettiest girl I’ve ever seen

Well, it looked like I found her, David Essex. You’re welcome. Too bad you weren’t the one enjoying her tonight, bro. She was all mine.

See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean

James Dean, rock on

I called one of my roadies over and whispered the girl’s coordinates and description in his ear. He’d get her backstage, say she won something or whatever she needed to hear to feel good about it. And then after the show I’d work a little magic.

I finished up my set with another three original songs of mine then shouted “Good night” to the crowd. I walked straight over to my parents and fell into their hug. “Well, what did you think?”

“You know we loved it. You were great out there.” M Kat grabbed my face and placed a motherly kiss on my forehead.

“Thanks for the song, punk.” My dad clapped me on the back. “And for announcing that your old and less talented father was here tonight. It’s going to be chaos trying to sneak out now.” He looked around backstage like he was already planning his exit.

“I have tons of security and a no-access back entrance, we’ll be fine.” I slung my arm over his shoulder and pulled him close. “I just need to grab a little midnight snack and then we can get out of here. Feel me?”

He laughed. “I think this is exactly the kind of behavior Katie says I should discourage.” Then he shrugged. “But who am I to make you keep it in your pants? I never did.”

I turned to go find my little blue jean baby and stopped short. There she was. Talking to M Kat like they were besties. Well, isn’t that just convenient as fuck.

I sauntered over. “M Kat, you going to introduce me to your friend?” Please for the love of God introduce me and then walk away so I can get this one home and under me.

“Mason, this is Peyton. Peyton, this is my stepson Mason.” M Kat looked between us, her eyes narrowed and suspicious. Yeah, she knew me well enough to see the excitement in my face. “Peyton did a rotation in the ER a few months ago.”

Mmmmmm sexy nurse and the prettiest girl I’d ever seen? Could this night get any fucking better?

“Peyton, it’s nice to meet you.” I took her hand in mine and held it for just a beat longer than necessary. Not long enough that it was creepy, but long enough for her to know I was interested. “We were about to head out and get something to eat, would you like to join us?” I know what you’re thinking. That’s his game? Seemed lame. And you’re right. But I didn’t need my game. Not tonight. M Kat was going to do all the heavy lifting; she just didn’t know it yet.