Page 25 of High Note

More’s the damn pity.

“But on the album it will be Lucie, right?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Well, I guess that depends on how fast Lucie recovers and how much work we do while we’re here.”

“She’s a bar monkey, honey, and not exactly honkytonk material.”

“You did not just say that.” Thank God Kirsten was not in the house at the moment.

She was about to redneck up a bit.

“I sure as shit did. She’s got a tattoo on her neck. She’s got piercings. She’s a bit of a butch...”

“So? She’s a hell of a player. You’ve never even heard her.” Her toes were starting to tap, and she crossed her arms under her breasts.

“Fine, whatever, but she’s not a professional studio girl. I’m just being?—”

“An asshole? Come on. I’m not stupid.”

“No, but you’re on some sort of mid-career crisis. Slump after the sophomore album. It happens all the damn time. If you want to find yourself, I’m not sure you need to do it with her.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Jesus, Andi. Pot and kettle much?”

“This pot isn’t the cash cow.”

“Moo, motherfucker.” She yanked a sweater on over her silk long underwear top, then stomped into her boots. She did not need this shit. She knew she was more valuable as a boss than a friend, but that didn’t mean she always wanted to be reminded of it.

“Hey. You know that we’re just looking out for you. And Lucie.”

“I know.” Except she didn’t know that now, did she? She felt like Andi didn’t trust her to make good decisions. Which made her want to go all say I won’t and make super bad ones. “I’ll just tell her we don’t need her.”

“Sky…”

“What?” She whirled around, throwing her hands up. “I just wanted to jam today, not fight about shit. I figured we could all use some stress relief. But fuck it. I’ll just go into the studio and lay some vocals and then no one has to worry about it.”

“Don’t be a drama queen, now…”

“Don’t make me fucking fire you,” she snapped, and it was Mich who slapped her hand on the table.

“Enough. Andi, go to our fucking room. Skyla, you aren’t firing anyone. Everyone is hungover, and half your band is headachy from the altitude. Please, can we have a couple of days and lots of water?”

“Sure. Y’all get acclimatized and call me if Lucie needs anything, okay?” She headed for the door, grabbing her parka and gloves. She would text Kirsten and tell her she would meet her at her place. Or something.

There was a wait of the three dots, then.

She just needed out of the house. She knew she probably wasn’t being any more reasonable than the band, but she just couldn’t even right now. Too much stress in too short a time. So yeah. They could all take a breather.

The bumper-stickered Subaru pulled up in about three minutes, and she hopped in. Geoff was heading out the door as they pulled away. She waved at him, and he nodded, but she wasn’t wanting to stop and talk.

“You okay?” Kirsten asked.

“Just tension. Everyone is tired and stressed out, and I’m the odd one in the group. I’m their friend, but I’m their boss too, so it gets some friction.” She sighed, rubbing her neck.

“Oh, I bet. We’re going to this place—M&M Outfitters. They have a bunkhouse and my friends Kiley and Britt are there, along with a few others. We jam sometimes—super crazy casual. Think silly karaoke.”

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