Chapter 43
Brett looked up from packing away his things, too. "Honey, you're one of the best guitarists I've ever seen. You were born for this."
I laughed. "Why, thank you, Brett! Is that a compliment?"
He smiled as one corner of his lips curled into a smile. "Yeah, but don't get too used to it."
Laughing, I crossed the room to the door and waved over my shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't," I joked. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Same time?"
Noah looked up from packing his equipment. "Sounds good."
Everyone sounded their agreement. It was great to have a band of my own. I was curious about their story-if they had been playing together long, or if Craig had put them together-but, for now, I didn't want to over think it. I just wanted to enjoy the moment. They were the perfect band for me.
"Wait up, Alyssa," Craig said, bringing me to a stop. "I'll walk you out."
I sighed, but relented. Craig was becoming a bit too familiar. But I reminded myself that he was just my manager.
He grabbed his leather coat and slid it on as he rushed across the room to me. "You were great today," he said as he held open the door for me.
"Thanks," I said as we walked into the darkness of the night. "Those guys are great. Were they a band already, or studio musicians that you put together?"
Craig shrugged. "They're a backup band."
My eyebrows pulled together. "Why aren't they playing their own songs? I mean, these guys are great."
Craig shrugged. "I'm not sure. I think they're mainly musicians." Then, he looked over at me and smiled. "I guess they were waiting for you."
I looked away, smiling thoughtfully. Even though the smile was innocent, it felt too familiar. "They don't sing?"
Craig came to a stop. "Alyssa, you have to understand. Some bands are perfectly happy being a backup band, while others are headliners." He shrugged as he walked me to my car. "Like Westward. It didn't surprise me that they didn't want to be a backup band, even with the promise of a nationwide tour. Some bands just aren't meant for it."
I nodded thoughtfully, knowing that he was right. "Yes. If they would have gone on tour with me as my backup band, they wouldn't have been happy."
Craig stopped when we reached my car and shoved his hands into his pockets. "But thank you for introducing us. I'm sure they'll be a hit as will you." Then, he gestured toward my car. "Will you be okay driving home by yourself?"
I was taken aback by his question for a moment, but then reminded myself that he was just being nice. "Yes, of course." I popped the hood of my car and slid my guitar inside. "Thanks for everything, Craig. I'll see you later."
He smiled. "My pleasure. See you tomorrow."
My eyebrows pulled together in concern. "You don't have to be here for every practice, Craig. We'll be fine."
A smirk spread across his face. "I want to. Besides, I want to make sure that my money was well spent."
I laughed, in spite of myself, as I closed the trunk. "You mean the studio's money."
He smiled. "Well, you got me there. See you tomorrow, and drive safely."
I nodded and watched as he crossed the parking lot to his car. It was nice that he was concerned, but it seemed a bit overkill, being that he was just my manager. I slid into the driver's seat, turned the key in the ignition, and listened as the car roared to life. I knew that Craig could be a friend, if I let him. But, even though he hadn't made a move on me, sometimes his actions seemed too intimate. Too familiar. I wasn't sure why. It seemed that Craig wanted more from me than friendship. I made a mental note to keep him at arm's length and not get too close, not wanting to give him the wrong impression.
But I quickly pushed the thought of Craig aside, and thought of Logan, who I hoped was waiting at my apartment. I stopped at the nearest Walmart and quickly had a key made for him, and then hurried home, eager to see him as I pushed all thoughts of my band and Craig out of my mind.
When I pulled the car to a stop in front of my apartment, Logan was there, leaning against the hood of his car. He smiled when he saw me.
A thrill ran through me when I saw him. I pulled my car to a stop beside his. "Hey, stranger," I joked as I turned the car off and the engine settled to a stop.
"Well, it's about time you got here," he joked as he opened my car door. "I was just about to ask Richard if he would open up your apartment for me, but thought he might think I was breaking and entering."
I laughed at the thought of Logan asking our apartment manager for my key, and his reaction. "Sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?"
He shook his head as his lips curled into a sexy smile, causing my heart to flutter. "No; not long. But I have to give you a hard time."
I laughed. "Of course you do." I opened the door, and Logan held it for me so I could get out. Then, he immediately scooped me into his arms and his lips descended upon mine.
Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me up the stairs toward my apartment, never breaking the kiss as my heart pounded within my chest. I opened my lips for him, as a thrill rushed through my body. When we reached the door, I pulled back. "What about my guitar?"
His breath quickened in anticipation. "It's under the hood, right?"
I nodded.
"I'll come out and get it later, but right now, I need to be inside of you."
He moved his lips to mine, but I pulled back. "Well, in that case. Here." I held out the key that I had made for him.
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Is this mine?"
"Well, it wouldn't be anyone else's," I joked.
A smile spread across his lips as he slid the key into the door, using it for the first time.
