| December 1 | Friday |

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited for tonight.

Even though I was supposed to be off this weekend, I had no problem coming in and helping out because tonight we would be putting on our first concert, and I was more than ready.

"Yeah, Max is supposed to be coming in around eight to sound-check the band, but Franki will probably be running a little late," Danna informed over the phone. "Bands are rarely ever on time."

"Is there anything I need to do before the sound-guy gets here?" I wondered as I let myself into Jinx.

"There should be a stage plot and input list on the office desk. Make sure you give that to Max," Danna said. "Who will be at the door collecting the cover?"

"Either me or Jas."

"Good. I'm bummed I can't be there, tonight."

I let myself into the office. "So am I. It's gonna be a good time. I heard they're really good."

"They've played here in Baldwin and packed the house," Danna said. "Make sure you don't overcrowd the place."

"Yes ma'am," I teased.

"Alright, I'll let you go and get set up. Please tell Franki she's not allowed to break anything onstage, alright?"

I laughed. "I'll... try? No promises, though."

"Good luck!"

I stared at the documents Danna had told me to hold onto.

I nodded. "I think I'm gonna need it."

* * *

"So, you've never dealt with live sound before?" Max, the sound-guy, asked.

"Never." I observed as he plugged in multiple mics. "How long have you been doing this?"

"All through college plus some... so, almost six years?"

"Do you like it?"

He faced me with a smile. "Love it. Plus, I'd like to think I'm pretty good at it."

Well, I sure hope you are, I thought to myself.

Max checked his watch. "They should be here by now."

"Danna said they might be a little late."

"True," he agreed. "Bands are rarely on time. Especially a band like Franki's."

I laughed. "So I've heard."

After setting up, I realized there was nothing left to do but stock the bar and wait for the band to show. It was still early, about nine-fifteen, and showtime wasn't till ten. I just hoped the band got here in time because people were already starting to show.

Ten minutes later, when I was behind the bar talking with Jas, an eccentric woman busted through the door.

She wore black-on-black as her neck was wrapped with layered necklaces and chains. I studied her further as she talked with Max and shimmied out of her leather jacket, exposing her sleeve-less tank. One of her arms was covered with tats, and her choppy, bleach-blonde hair barely touched her slim shoulders. She was smaller than I had imagined, but I couldn't help but think everything else had pretty much met my expectations.

I decided to introduce myself.

When I made it over to them, her dark eyes seemed to swallow me. Her aura was strong, almost dominating, but I had to remind myself it was all part of her image.

I reached out my hand. "You must be Franki. Danna's told me a lot about you."

She took my hand with a shockingly delicate grasp. "Did she? Hopefully she didn't scare you too much."

Sensing the flirtatious tone, I released her hand a little sooner than planned.

"No. Just asked me to make sure you didn't break anything," I joked.

She laughed. "Yeah, we had an incident back in Baldwin she wishes not to relive at her new bar."

Jas joined next to me and introduced herself as well, telling Franki that she would be the one manning the door for the cover, along with a bouncer if anything got complicated. After that, Max became urgent.

"Alright, we're behind schedule and I have a job to do," Max said with a handclap. "Let's get the band up there."

As Franki and her band stepped up on the stage, Jas looked at me.

"She's... something."

I laughed. "Yeah. Danna definitely didn't mention how... out there she was."

"She has a strong personality," Jas decided.

"Agreed."

"Kind of like you."

I gave her a "really?" look.

"In a good way," she defended. "I should get to the door."

She left me and I joined Max at the mixing board we had yet to use here. Luckily, Max wasn't shy with sharing his knowledge.

I learned the basics of the knobs and faders. He showed me where the inputs went and what instrument or mic it was hooked too. Then he explained what an EQ was, which took me a minute to wrap my head around.

"Franki, can you sing for me a little?" Max asked.

Franki did as she was told, her dark eyes locking with mine intentionally. I forced myself to look away and watch Max tweak the faders on the equalizer. It was amazing the sound he was pulling out of her mic.

"Wow," I said. "She sounds amazing."

"A little EQ can make the biggest difference," he informed.

Then I spotted Megan, Blair and Tony walk through the door. My heart somersaulted as my girlfriend's eyes found mine.

I hopped down from the mixing box and joined them within the growing crowd.

"I'm so glad you came," I said to Megan.

"Any excuse to see you at work is appreciated," she teased.

"Woah, the singer is kinda hot!" Blair exclaimed. "No offense, Tony."

He laughed. "None taken. I didn't know you were into rocker chicks?"

"Musicians are always hot."

I just rolled my eyes at my best friend.

"The show is about to start, so I gotta get myself behind the bar to help Quinton and Sara," I said.

Megan squeezed my hand before I disappeared back into the crowd. As much as I wanted to enjoy the show, until Jas got back from collecting the cover money, I had to help out. After, I would be able to enjoy the company of my girlfriend.

Once I was behind the bar, Franki stroked a chord on her electric guitar, eliciting a roar of response from the crowd.

"Are you lovely people ready to have a good time tonight?" she asked through her mic.

The crowd responded manically.

"If you haven't already, grab yourself a drink from one of those fine ass bartenders..." She lifted her drink and winked at me. "And don't forget to tip."

I looked away when I realized she was still being super flirtatious. Not that it bothered me. I was used to it after working in a bar for a few months, but just because I was used to it didn't mean I liked it.

I flipped drinks as the show started and helped Quinton and Sara stay afloat. If I had to admit it, I actually enjoyed being a bartender more than a manager, but luckily, I could be both sometimes. It was less stress and way more fun.

"Hey! Fine ass bartender!" a familiar voice shouted.

I looked over to Megan who was leaning casually on the bar.

I played along. "I'm gonna assume you were calling me?"

"Who else would I be referring to?" she flirted.

"Do you want a drink?" I asked. "Gin and tonic?"

"I would love a drink." She brought her face closer. "But I would love it even more if you came dance with me once you got the chance."

The show was off to a great start. The audience was engaged and the music was awesome. There was nothing I wanted more than to go dance with my girlfriend.

Then Jas joined me behind the bar. "I'm going lock the money in the office, then I'll come and relieve you."

I nodded her off as I faced Megan.

"I'll make your drink and then come find you?" I asked.

She leaned in and captured my lips with hers.

"I'll be waiting."

My body heated up in response as she disappeared back into the crowd. Sometimes Megan could be such a tease, but I loved it. She knew how to keep things interesting, not that she had to try hard. Being her girlfriend was interesting enough.

I quickly mixed her drink just in time for Jas to reemerge from the office, giving me my cue to leave.

Megan's long curtain of brown hair swayed as she stood next to Blair and Tony. I approached her from behind and put the drink into her open palm.

She turned and fell into me.

"Finally," she complained.

"It wasn't that long," I countered.

"Yes, it was."

Her lips crashed into mine. I figured the upbeat, electro-pop rock had a hand in getting her into this type of mood. I didn't mind one bit.

We listened to a few more songs as Megan sipped on her drink. Soon enough the bar was flowing with an energy I had never felt before. It was intoxicating. It was electric. This band really knew how to work a crowd.

But soon the show was coming to an end as Franki announced their last song of the night.

"It's been fun, guys, but unfortunately this will be our last song," she said breathlessly. "A huge thank you to Jinx for allowing us to play tonight. We had a blast."

Her band fell into their final song that had a kicking bass line that echoed throughout the bar. Everyone cheered and moved to fill the empty spaces between the tables.

Megan grabbed my hand. "Dance with me?"

She twirled into me as her back pressed against my front. There was something about tonight that just made me want her even more than usual, which was a miracle that I never thought was possible. I buried my face in her neck as I took in her smell. The way she swayed against me caused my body to heat up in response.

Then Megan turned to face me. Our bodies stayed pressed together as my hands snaked around her waist.

"Tonight was really fun," she said.

"Agreed."

I rocked with her to the last few seconds of the exiting song and appreciated the moment. Soon I would have to return to the bar and help everyone with the last rush of the night.

When the song ended, Megan leaned in and kissed me.

"After you help them, can we go home?"

I raised my brow. "Already?"

She just nodded, but I already knew what she had in mind.

"Sure, babe," I agreed.

Then I reluctantly left her side to help my coworkers as some of the crowd began to disappear towards the bar or out the door.

I quickly helped Quinton and Sara defuse the last rush as Jas distributed the bands payment for their gig. All in all, I had labeled tonight as a huge success and couldn't wait to call Danna.

It wasn't until I was walking out of the storage that an image threatened to ruin my night.

Franki was talking with Megan, and by the look on her face I knew what the singer had in mind. My veins burned with adrenaline as I tried not to rush over there. I had to remain professional, but after deflecting her continuous flirting, I knew how the conversation probably sounded with Megan.

"Looks like the hot singer is puttin' the moves on your girl," Sara said as she nudged me.

"Like hell she is," I said as I exited from behind the bar.

Okay, so maybe I was just a bit overly protective of Megan. And I knew she could handle herself. But I knew Franki's motives, and that wouldn't fly with me.

When I made it closer I could see Franki's hand on Megan's waist and nearly lost.

Okay, maybe I was really protective. Sue me.

"Hey babe," I said as I basically shoved myself in between Franki and Megan. "Franki, awesome show. Seriously. You're amazing."

The singer could sense the underlying hostility radiating from my calm tone. She seemed to get the hint without further explanation. She moved back.

"Thanks, we had a ton of fun," Franki answered. "We hope we can come back. Soon."

"For sure," I agreed. "We'll contact you for possible future show dates."

It was as if I was experiencing a completely different person as Franki's confidence dwindled. My arm snaked around Megan's thin waist as I stood tall. She could be flirtatious with anyone in this bar, except with Megan.

Franki dismissed herself as I tried to calm myself down. I could practically feel Megan's grin that was plastered on her face.

"You're so hot when your jealous," she teased.

"I was not jealous," I defended. "I'm protective. There's a difference."

"Whatever you say..." Her lips kissed my neck. "It was still hot. You practically flew over that bar when you saw her talking to me."

"I'm glad you thought that was hot." I kissed her lips. "Now let's go home."

"Franki gave me a free CD," Megan continued as we made it to the parking lot. "She signed it for me."

"I'm glad."

"Sam."

I continued to stalk towards my car in silence.

"Sam," she repeated. "Don't be mad."

My hand fell on the passenger side of my car and I opened it for Megan.

She stood in front of me. "Samantha."

"Are you gonna get in the car?" I asked, unenthused.

"Not until you stop being bitter."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not being bitter."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

She stepped closer to me. As much as I was trying my best not to be upset that Franki had come onto my girlfriend in a bar full of other potentials, I couldn't. I didn't want anyone to jeopardize the happiness I had found. It still scared me. Every day. Today was no different.

Megan pressed her body against mine as I rested against my car. Her hands gripped my waist as she brought her face close to mine.

"I love you," she said. "Nothing will ever, ever change that."

My eyes met hers.

She smiled. "You should know this by now."

"She's just so much more interesting than me," I admitted. "She's a phenomenal singer. She's hot. I mean... I'm sorry. I'm just having a moment."

"I know."

I didn't have insecure moments often, if ever, but when they happened, Megan never failed in making me feel better.

"You, Sam Carson, are the most interesting person I've ever met," Megan said. "And I would never chose running away to be a roadie for Franki and her band over coming home to you every day."

My eyes found hers.

"Understand?" she asked.

I took in a deep breath and nodded. Then, Megan leaned in to kiss me.

When she pulled away I could see something in her eyes that excited me.

"Now, let's go home," she said. "Those gin and tonics have me wanting to show you how much I really love you."

My face flushed with color as I complied, then I realized nothing would ever tear Megan and I apart.

Not even Franki and the Broken Heart Army.