Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Hello, Carmen. You’re right, it was amazing.”
I noticed another man with him. He looked familiar, but it wasn’t until he introduced him that I realized why.
“Logan, Charlotte, this is Bobby Hayes. He’s one of our artists.”
Bobby grinned. “You hope I’m one of your artists,” he teased good-naturedly.
Carmen laughed with him, not looking worried.
Bobby Hayes was an up-and-coming star. His music was all over YouTube. He was one of the stars Roadside Records was chasing. So were other labels, from what Carmen had told me. He was determined to sign him.
Bobby stepped forward and shook Logan’s hand. “That was fucking inspiring, man. Those songs, I mean…wow. I don’t have words.”
Logan looked shocked, but he acknowledged Bobby’s praise with a tilt of his head and returned his handshake. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Carmen clapped Logan on the shoulder. “Next week for sure, right?”
“It’ll have to be the evening or early morning. I’m teaching all week.”
Carmen nodded in agreement. “You name the time and place, we’ll be there.”
Logan frowned. “We?”
“I asked to be part of your meeting, Logan.” Bobby spoke up. “If that’s okay with you. I’m very interested in what Carmen has to offer you, and I’d like to get my two cents in.”
“It’s fine with me,” Logan agreed. “I’ll call you on Monday, Carmen.”
They shook hands again and moved back to their table. I watched them go as Logan sat down. I met his gaze with a grin. “I think they’d like to have that meeting right now,” I told him. “Bobby looked as if he was going to jump out of his skin.”
He hummed. “I know. Odd.”
I disagreed. “No. Inspired.”
He moved closer. “The only one I want to inspire is you. You ready to leave?”
I glanced over at Brianna. She was so deep in conversation with Trevor, she hadn’t even noticed Bobby and Carmen. He was so focused on her, he was oblivious as well. They had enjoyed Logan’s set, but once it was over, they only had eyes for each other. I knew she wouldn’t care if I left, but I felt bad since I came with her.
“You don’t have another set?”
“No, I only agreed to one. My voice won’t take two, and I need it to teach next week.”
“Okay.”
He sensed my reticence and caught Trevor’s attention. “We’re going to get something to eat. You good here, or you want to come with?”
“I’m good here,” Trevor replied.
Brianna winked at me. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I’ll make sure she gets home safely,” Trevor assured me.
Logan stood and pulled me to my feet. “Great.” He grabbed his guitar case with a grin. “Behave, you two.”
They laughed and waved us off.
We headed to the diner, Logan’s arm wound tight around my waist. I could feel the tension in his body. The controlled power of his muscles. It was evident in his grip, his long strides, and the way he held himself. We sat down in the diner, Macy bringing over coffee without being asked. She smiled at Logan.
“The usual, hon?”
He nodded and looked at me. I ordered the same, knowing whatever I didn’t eat, he would. He sipped his coffee and sat back with a sigh, his eyes shut.
I observed him for a moment, then rested my elbows on the table, tracing the back of his hand with my finger. “You don’t enjoy that?” I asked quietly. “Being up onstage, the attention?”
His lips quirked, but his eyes remained closed. “That obvious?”
“You were amazing. You are so talented.”
He hunched forward, opening his eyes and meeting my questioning gaze. “I love writing songs. I enjoy singing to a few people. I find larger groups overwhelming, if I’m being honest.”
“Do you always sing and leave right away?” I had noticed he only spoke with a few people, didn’t do an encore, and we had left out the back, avoiding most of the crowd.
“Usually.” He paused. “I can’t do two sets. Or, let me clarify. I can, but I would suffer the next day. I had throat trouble when I was younger and had surgery. There were some complications, and I’ve had to learn to live within the boundaries they recommended.”
I clasped his hand. “I’m sorry.”
He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it. “It happens. I’ve gotten past it. It left me with this rougher edge to my voice, which is great when I sing, but I can’t do it for prolonged periods or I risk losing it.”
I was horrified. “But you sing to me every night! You need—”
He cut me off with his finger on my mouth. “I croon, Lottie. It’s different from belting out song after song to a large room. I don’t overstretch my voice when I sing to you. That’s why I stand where I do. I use the natural acoustics in the station to let my voice carry. And that’s a short period. Not two-hour concerts.”