Page 64 of All's Fair in Love & Vegas

“Whatnow?”Adrianasks in exasperation. “Can’tyour boy toy fix it?”

Icross my arms and glare at him. “Notwhen it’syourbruja ex-girlfriend cursing me all over again.”

Drumsticksthunk, clatter, and roll over his snare, and he scrubs his face with both hands.

“Whathappened?”Zakasks.

“Sameshit, different night, different window,”Ireply. “Idon’t know how she’s getting on the property unless she’s a lechuza, too.”

Adrianshakes his head. “She’snot, as far asIknow.”

“Well… fuckin’ deal with it.”Istart to turn for my guitar untilIpause. “Please.”

Zaksays something, butIignore it asIflip the locks on my case.Mydark greenEpiphonegreets me with a glimmer from the canned lights overhead, like it’s saying, “It’sabout time.”

Eventhough half of me is terrified to get this show on the road, the other half of me squeals in utter delight.

I’mback inTimeless, andI’mplaying guitar again.

Irun into a hard body on my way to an amp. “Babe!”

Grabbingthe neck of my guitar,Ilook up atZak. “Huh, what?”

“Isaid you need a limpia,” he says in annoyance. “Practicecan wait.”

Wavinghim off,Iskirt around him and begin hooking up to an amp. “Iwon’t go nearDree—I’llbe fine.”

Surprisingly,Zakdoesn’t argue.WhenIturn around,Ifind him hiding a smirk behind his hand.

Adriangrunts, grabs his sticks, and beats rudiments so hard that it sounds like his snare is about to snap.

Bitchcan be as moody as he wants.Rightnow, we’ve got practice—all that matters is my guitar and the notes that flow between me and my bandmates.There’sno room for boyfriends, sanchos, or curses here.

Iset up my pedal board and strum the first notes.Asurge of goosebumps overcome my flesh that makes me feel lightheaded.

Thisis what rock stars sell their souls for.

“Someone’sin their element.”

Istop playing and perk up. “Hmm?”

Zakeyeballs me with a smirk. “That’smy girl.”

Thesimper returns to my face.Adriansulks on his throne behind his shimmering black kit.

Thedoor swings open.Robbiesteps inside with a guitar case in hand.

Adrianimmediately stops playing, andShannonasks, “Whoinvited you?”

“Mysister,”Robbieresponds coolly as he preps his bass.

Shannonbriefly glances atZakbefore looking toAdrian, who nods his head once. “Yougonna behave?”Shannonquestions.

RobbiegivesZakan arched brow for a split second. “Aslong as theCountdoesn’t eat my sister.”

WhenRobbiefaces us,Shannonapproaches him and speaks in a low, quiet tone. “Yousure about this?Youcan get out of this scot-free.Bea family man and enjoy your little one without the devil knocking at your door.”

Robbieshakes his head slightly. “I’m…”Hetrails off, focusing on me for a solid moment. “I’malready in too deep.Ijust want my band and my friends.”

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