Page 35 of Under the Ink

Had to be because of the heat. At least the restaurant was blowing cool air overhead. Almost too cool, but Sage wasn’t about to complain. The warmth outside might be welcome after being in a controlled climate for an hour or so.

“What do we wanna drink?” he asked, running his finger down the drink menu. “If you thought the food was expensive, check out this twenty-dollar cocktail.”

“Is that such a good idea?” When Sage shrugged, she shifted her eyes back to him. “Weren’t we just talking about liver function?”

“Nobody’s gonna be eating my liver, Naomi.” When she shook her head, he added, “Hannibal Lecter’s not a real guy.”

“Who?”

Before he could ask any more questions, their waiter arrived. Despite her warning, Sage ordered a beer to go with their meal, because he couldn’t think of anything else that would taste better with wings and a cheeseburger. She just ordered water and drank it like she was dehydrated.

In this city, she might have been.

As he sipped on his beer and ate all but two of the wings, he wondered if he could allow her to be a good influence on him. The other roadies—most of them, anyway—were all about partying and having a good time. Living like there was no tomorrow.Carpe diem.

Naomi lived like she had a future—and maybe a past she was trying to run from.

If he could refrain from corrupting her…maybe someone like Naomi could help him be a better man.

He was intrigued enough by her to want to try. Even if she had no idea she was the reason.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

JUNE 10

Things were looking better with every day that passed on this tour. Naomi wasn’t what she’d considerhomesick—but she did miss Ginny and a couple of her coworkers.

Nother roommates.

But something she hadn’t expected to miss was the routine of her day to day before leaving.

She’d figure out to work with what she had now.

Before leaving Phoenix, Sage had tried to talk her into getting in that gorgeous swimming pool—an absolutenever—but shedidgo to the rooftop after the show last night to check it out and enjoyed looking at all the lights of the city.

And today they were deep in the heart of L.A. This city seemed to go on forever, and she didn’t know if that was because of the way the bus driver took them or if it was just huge in general. She was pretty sure L.A. was one of the largest cities in the U.S. but she wasn’t positive.

She could verify in person that it was gargantuan, though.

She’d walked the streets near the venue before the show and, aside from the city feeling a bit dirtier—although it really wasn’t based on what she saw—what also struck her was all the palm trees. And even though it wasn’t as dry as Phoenix, it even felt a little cooler.

Meaning her walk was nice.

But, as she headed back to the venue, she was already thinking Los Angeles wouldn’t be a potential destination. It was way too big. Although Kiefer, the band’s lead singer, had told her she’d love the beaches. “You gotta walk a beach at least once.”

“That sounds nice.”

Sage had been the bearer of bad news. “Unfortunately, we’re going the wrong direction after tonight. I promise I’ll get you to the beach somewhere. We can maybe go when we’re in Miami or—”

“We’re gonna be in Long Beach in August for that festival,” Kiefer said.

“There we go. We’ll have plenty of time then unless there are any bands you wanna see.”

Naomi wasn’t about to tell him she didn’t know any of the bands that would be playing the festival—well,reallyknow them. Not that she really knew Shock Treatment.

But she wasn’t going to advertise that.

A bit later, as was becoming the norm, she sat backstage with the road crew. Sippi had been bitching about maneuvering some of the amps but, now that Shock Treatment was on stage, they could relax for an hour. Sippi said, “I’m gonna light up if you guys wanna join me.”

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