SCORE

(unedited sneak peek)

Chapter 1

Buford

“What has you looking so glum?” I ask Banger. The guy ought to be on the top of the world. He’s crazy talented, fans throw themselves at his feet, and he’s as nice a guy as you’d ever want to meet. Not particularly much of a drinker, he’s currently jotting stuff down in a notebook—although there doesn’t seem to be a lot going on there—and nursing a beer at my bar, The Hive. I’m temporarily tending bar, though I’m in need of another bartender so I can get back to my regular work—managing this place and promoting musicians.

“Oh, you know. Stuff,” he says with a shrug.

“Want to talk about it?” The bar is almost empty because we’re getting near closing time, and I’m not at all busy. The other bartender has already announced last call, and he’s starting to clean up. No one can hear us down here at the end of the bar where Banger likes to sit. He always has a pencil and a notebook with him, so I assume he’s writing songs while he ignores his beer.

Banger sighs. “Mostly it’s that I need to move out of my place because the owner is selling it to someone who doesn’t want to rent it out, and so far, I haven’t been able to find anything I like. I want to stay here in town because I love living in Honeybee Hollow, but there isn’t much available now.”

“How soon do you need to be out?”

“Three days. He kind of dumped this on me, and I’m starting to feel kinda desperate. Money isn’t an issue; it’s that there isn’t anything I can move into.”

I look at him and think to myself. I’ve known Banger for several years. He’s an incredible drummer and a terrific songwriter. I was happy when he and Levi Spencer got together with the other guys and formed their band Wildflower Whiskey. I was instrumental in that alliance, and I’m pretty proud of introducing them all. For guys who aren’t interested in touring around the country, they’re doing an amazing job of making a name for themselves. Banger and Levi collaborate on songs, and they both sell their own personal compositions as well. I imagine they make some good money at it because their work is picked up by some seriously talented people.

Now, for myself, people would say I’m friendly but in my heart, I’m a bit of a loner. That’s why I’m not as happy behind the bar as I am back in my office where I don’t have to listen to everyone’s story all the time. But for Banger, I’ll make an exception. He’s good people. Even so, I amaze myself when I tell him. “I’ve got a spare room you can use until you find something.”

Banger gives me an inscrutable look for a moment and then asks in a low voice, “Is that your way of asking if you can get into my pants again?”

I laugh softly and wink at him, “Only if that’s by invitation. Again. No, this is just a friendly offer to a buddy in need.” I will admit to a certain “stirring” at the thought, though. I haven’t pursued many men in my life, but Banger has this sexual appeal that is off the charts, and he flaunts it constantly. He knows both men and women are hot for him. I’ve never actually been clear on how he actually floats, or if he’s just one of those people—like me—who’ll try anything now and then. “So, is that all? Just your housing problem? That’s easy to fix if it is. What else ails you?”

“Fuck. It sounds so dumb to say it out loud.”

“Try me.”

“I’m lonely. I have chicks all over me after we have a show, and I’m so sick of ’em. I look at Levi and his marriage and think sometimes, ‘Wouldn’t that be amazing?’ And now they have Sammy. I’ve never seen anyone who seems as happy as Levi, Skyler, and Brooke.”

I laugh at that. “Except maybe for Juni, Asher, and Jack.” He joins me laughing. “So is that what you want? A ménage?”

“No. Yeah. I dunno. They always seem so happy, and I just feel empty.” He gives me a look. “What about you, Buford? Don’t you get lonely? You’re around people all the time, but have you ever been in a real relationship?”

I try not to bristle at the question. He means well, and I’ve never opened up about my past to anyone here in town. I moved here after it all went down and bought this bar from some jerk who was losing his shirt by pissing everyone off and making poor decisions left and right. It was the best decision of my life at a time when I was in desperate need of something positive. “Well, sort of. It was complicated, at least,” is all I’m willing to say on that subject. “So, do you want to move your shit over to my place tomorrow?”

Banger gives me a long look, and answers, “Yeah, I think I do. Thanks, man. That would be great. I’ll try to get out of your hair as soon as I can though.”

“No rush. It’s okay. Do you have a lotta stuff?”

“My clothes, books, a few personal and kitchen items. The big stuff is my keyboard, guitars, and practice drum kit. The full set is over at Levi’s place. Most of the furniture I’ve been using belongs to the landlord.” 

“Great. I’ll come over with the van and we’ll get you moved.”

“Wow, thanks. It would’ve taken me a few trips with my car.”

“How does ten AM sound?”

“Perfect. You’ll be able to get your beauty rest that way.”

“Aww, I didn’t know you thought I was pretty.” I bat my eyelashes at Banger, who winks at me. This might be more fun than I expected.

“Will it bother you if I practice and compose? I do have headphones for the keyboard and a silent practice set of drums, but I’ve been known to sing, and I can’t silence that,” he says with a laugh.

“Of course not. What do you take me for? An old fogie?”

Banger’s look turns quizzical. “Buford, I’ve always wondered, and you’ve never said. How old are you anyway?”

I let out a bark of a laugh. “Everyone always thinks I’m at least in my fifties because of the gray hair, but I was one of those people whose black hair started going gray when I was in college. I’m forty. What about you?”

Banger nods and gives me a thoughtful look. “I’m thirty-five.”

“Still young enough to have a family and old enough to know better.”

He gives me a look. “I wasn’t aware you were so cynical.”

I shrug and step away. “I’m gonna go close up shop. See you at ten.”

Banger drops some cash on the bar and wanders out the door looking more energetic than he was while sitting at the bar, so I’m happy I’m going to be helping him out. Looking at him now, you’d never think he was the same guy who gets so worked up on stage, he gets too hot and flings off his shirt in the middle of a set after a grueling drum solo. He appears to toss it out to the audience blindly rather than targeting anyone in particular. It sure makes for some interesting audience reactions, though. I’ve seen women practically tear the shirt in half when they get into a squabble about who grabbed it first. Once in a while, though, someone gets grossed out by having a sweaty piece of clothing land on them, and they heave it off to a much happier recipient. Banger goes on playing the rest of the night shirtless, and that always makes folks notice. He has a body like Adonis and a face to match. His big brown eyes look right into you like he sees your soul, and he has this amazing head of wavy brown hair that falls into his face and curls around his neck when he gets hot. It’s his pouty mouth, however, that gets to me. I give an inward shiver just thinking about what he does with those lips—and I don’t just mean when he sings, although that’s pretty amazing too. He seems totally unaware of his vocal ability.

I must admit the way he exudes sexuality captured me the first time I watched him do the taking-off-the-shirt act, and I was a goner. Once I figured out he was interested, we had a night to remember. That young man has stamina to burn and more enthusiasm than a litter of puppies. I felt like his toy for most of the night. God…I loved it! I just don’t know if he’s into a repeat performance. It’s been a while since we went at it, and I haven’t wanted to be unprofessional or pushy without getting the green light from him. We’ll see. I would never be dumb enough to kick Banger out of bed—that’s for sure.

It's going to be interesting having him around a lot.