Page 2 of Rock On

“No!” I exclaimed before I could stop myself. She startled, taking a step back and almost running into a pair of crew, who were rolling past the tall chest filled with my guitars. Leaping over the rope, I pulled her out of the way.

I couldn’t let her walk away now that I’d seen her. How many years had I waited for her to show up?

None, actually. I’d hoped but not waited. Because fate and visions and déjà vu and destiny and all that gobbledygook was bullshit. But I still wasn’t letting her go.

“I meant… I’m done here. Can I take you to lunch?” I looked at her hopefully. “Or maybe, you can show me around town. I’ve been looking for someone to introduce me to the best of Spring Harbor. I always like to get an insider view of the places we travel.”

My God, that sounded like some pick-up line and not even a good one. It was a total lie, too, but I’d say just about anything to keep her from walking away. Hell, I’d fake a medical emergency if I had to.

She looked around. “Don’t you have to work?”

I shook my head. “Nah. Just had to supervise this crap getting put here.” Half true. “Let me report in, then you can show me the town.”

I flashed her my winning smile that almost always got me what I wanted—except from Marley. I hoped Sky wasn’t like her sisterin that regard. I genuinely thought Marley disdained me in all ways other than for her paycheck.

Pulling out my phone, I shot off a text to my brother, the other Waterstone in the band.

Jerrin:Get your ass over to our equipment setup. I got called away.

Stone:To what?

Jerrin:Destiny…

Stone:WHAT????

Jerrin:Just do it. I owe you.

Ignoring the buzz of his reply, I shoved away my cell and took Sky’s hand.

“Lead the way, beautiful.”

“Did I say yes?” she asked, but I noticed she didn’t pull away.

“You didn’t say no.”

And I wouldn’t take no for an answer, anyway. Fate had finally delivered, and I wasn’t fucking it up.

Two

Sky Presley

You came out of the blue

Jerrin was hot. Like one of those TikTok thirst trap videos hot.

I’d never been much for guys with long hair, but my fingers literally itched to take down that man bun and bury my hands in his silky hair. I hadalwaysbeen one for muscles and tattoos, though. Jerrin had those in spades, his arms covered in both. A little ink showed at his collar, too, making me long to see the art beneath the cotton.

So…did I let him take my hand and lead me right out of the backstage area and out into the field where I’d parked? I sure did. Maybe, it wasn’t the smartest thing I’d ever done. I didn’t know anything about him beyond his first name and that he worked forWaterstone, just as my sister did. However, for some reason, I felt safe with him—maybebecause of the connection with my sister.

Which reminded me… Was I a bad person to be taking off with this guy when I was supposed to be finding Marley?

“So you know Marley?” I asked as we paused in the field where several dozen cars were parked. I knew from experience thatevery available field for miles would be packed just days from now when the festival started.

“Know her?” Jerrin scoffed. “Yeah. She’s busts my ass all the damn time.” He side-eyed me as if he were sharing a confidence. “No offense—your sister is great at her job, but damn, she can be a bitch.”

A giggle burst from me.

“Don’t tell her I said that,” he added.

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