Page 19 of Ride or Dies

Conversation flowed easily between the three of us as we drank and chatted, and before I knew it, all three of us had empty glasses.

“My turn,” I said, getting up before either of the other two women could.

While I was waiting at the bar for our drinks, a tall, teenage brunette came up to me, a shy expression on her face. “Are you Evelyn Hayes?”

I smiled, hoping to put her at ease. “I am.”

“I thought that was you. I heard you used to live here, right?”

“I did.”

“I don’t want to bother you, but would it be okay if I got a picture with you? My friends back in Austin won’t believe me.”

“Of course.” I posed for a picture and then signed a napkin for her. Girls like her reminded me why I agreed to do things like the marketing and social media stuff.

“Did I hear her right?” The bartender set the three drinks in front of me. “You’re Evelyn Hayes?”

“I am.” I gave the middle-aged man a polite smile and really hoped this wasn’t going to turn into some awkward flirting situation.

“RJ Clifton.” He held out his hand for me to shake. “I own the place. Bought it off my Uncle Rocky when he retired a couple years back. I heard you grew up here.”

“I did.”

“Moving back or just visiting?” he asked, a shrewd look in his eyes—but not a hint of lust, which made me wonder why he was asking.

“Visiting for a while.” I kept it vague since I hadn’t decided on anything for certain. “I’m helping Jenna Bradshaw plan her wedding, and I’ll probably stick around for a while after.”

“Well, if you’re ever in the mood to play a bit, maybe work on something new, I’d love to have you on stage here,” he said.

“She thinks a place like this is beneath her.” Clayton rested his guitar on the stool next to him. “Only someone who hasn’t been as lucky as her would agree to play here.”

“You don’t have to play here,” RJ countered. “It’s not like you bring in any business.”

Clayton’s eyes narrowed. “We both know I’m too good for this shithole.”

“Watch yourself, kid.” RJ glared at Clayton, but the younger man had turned his attention to me.

“I heard rumors you were back in town, but I didn’t think they were true. I mean, you haven’t been back in all this time.” Clayton leaned on the bar and gave me the sort of once-over that made me want to scrub my skin raw…with bleach. “What happened? Did your record label finally realize that you’re more tits and ass than you are ability?”

My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

Clayton threw back a shot of something. “Come on, we all know the reason you got ‘discovered’ was because someone thought you had a decent voice and a hot body. It’s just too bad that there aren’t more people who believe that talent is more important. If there were, the industry would have more people like me than like you.”

“Hey, Evie.” Jenna appeared at my elbow. “We were wondering what was taking so long, but now I see you were distracted by a jealous toddler.”

Clayton’s face turned red and he sputtered, “Where do you—”

“Shut it, Clayton.” Jenna gave him a sweet smile. “Just because you’re still playing in your hometown bar instead of packing stadiums, there’s no need to be rude to a lady.”

“I don’t see a lady,” Clayton sneered at me. “Just the piece-of-trash daughter of the alcoholic town whore.”

I stared at him, unable to believe what he was saying.

“That’s enough,” RJ said, displeasure clear in his voice. “Your break’s over. If you wanna keep playing here, get back on stage. And I don’t wanna hear that kinda talk in my bar again. Got it?”

“Got it.” Clayton stomped away like he was the kid Jenna had accused him of being.”

“Sorry about that,” RJ said.

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