Page 16 of A Duet of Darkness and Dreams

“No, but, if we were playing more often, or to bigger audiences, the money would be better. Becks’s tuition is expensive and I want to be able to help her with that. She’s already working her ass off and she doesn’t say anything but I know worrying about paying for her education stresses her out.”

While I haven’t had the desire to be in a relationship in years, I have to admit that I have huge respect for James with the way he takes care of his girl.

“Dude, we can all help pitch in on that, if need be. You know we all love her like a sister,” I say, placing my hands flat on the counter. I mean it too. I didn’t know what to think when I first met Rebecca, but after everything she and James have been through—we’veallbeen through—I’ve grown to adore her. “Besides, maybe things will pick up soon. Al could call any minute with some studio time.”

James offers a small smile and looks up at me. “Thanks, man. And I know that, but a few hours working in the afternoons won’t kill me.”

Taking another sip of my coffee, I close my eyes and swallow, relishing in the bitter taste and the burn on my tongue. My hand lands on my hip when I feel something hard. And notthatkind ofhard. Digging my fingers into my pocket, I pull out the little sun and cloud keychain from the bar last night.

“What’s that?” James asks.

I stare at the words etched in the plastic again.Dreams are forged out of darkness.“Found it last night.”

“The way you’re staring at it makes me wonder if it’s made of gold,” James says with a chuckle.

“Huh?”

He raises his eyebrows, glancing between me and the keychain.

“Oh, right.” I tuck it back into my pocket. “Thought I would turn it into lost and found last night, but forgot.”

Then everything goes dark, hands pressing over my face and a warmth closing in on my back.

“Guess who?” a feminine voice coos.

Fuck.Forgot about her. And I still can’t remember her name. “Uhh . . . sexy?” Better than getting it wrong, I guess. Apparently that’s good enough, because she giggles and lets go of my face to spin me around. She’s managed to tame her hair a bit and pull her clothes back on, but there’s still some remnants of blue eyeshadow and mascara smudged under each eye.

“I was so sad when I woke up and you weren’t there, pumpkin,” she says, then pouts while batting her eyelashes. I woke up feeling fine, but this display makes me suddenly nauseous.

“Oh, yeah, I thought, coffee . . .” I mumble.

“Coffee? That sounds great,” she says, cutting me off and stealing my mug from my hand to take a long drink. I hear a quiet laugh and glare at James out of the corner of my eye, watching as he hides behind his newspaper.

“Right, well, I guess I’ll give you a ride home, then?” I say, wanting to get this over with.

“You know,” she says, turning and plopping onto the chairnext to James, “I’m starving. You wouldn’t happen to have anything to eat, would you?”

“Uhh.”How the hell do I get rid of this girl?James meets my gaze over his paper and I throw him a pleading look. Mercifully, he rolls his eyes and lowers his paper.

“Sorry, we’re in a hurry. Have a meeting with our manager in fifteen minutes,” my friend says, hopping down and closing his paper.

“Shit, yeah,” I say, feigning disappointment. “Sorry, darlin’. Raincheck?”

She gives me a dramatic pout. “Fine. I’ll leave you my number and you can drop me off at Broadview and fifth.”

“Perfect,” I say, backing away and offering her a thumbs-up.

I brush my teeth, and five minutes later James, Blondie, and I are climbing into his black van and heading out to the main road.

“You know,” she says leaning over to James. “You’re seriously hot and exactly my friend’s type. You interested in a date?” she asks slyly.

James clears his throat but smiles politely. “No thanks, I’m taken.”

“Taken?” she says surprised. “That skinny blonde girl from last night?”

He nods. “That’d be her.”

“Hmph,” she huffs, folding her arms and sinking down into her seat. “Well, that’s no fun. How are we all supposed to go on a double date if you have a girlfriend?”

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