Page 53 of High Note

“Oh, I like that.” They bumped hips as she went to put her sweater on, then stepped into her boots. “Be right back.”

By the time she took Reba out and gave her a Milk Bone, Kirsten was ready, and they grabbed guitar cases to head out to the gig.

They drove down to Cherry’s, parked in the back, and then headed in. It was a full house, the scent of garlic and yeast and spices redolent in the air.

“Yum. Can we eat after we play?” She didn’t want cheese before the set. Bad for the pipes. But she could murder a pie all of a sudden.

“Hell, yes.” Kirsten held the door for her.

“Well, well.” Mama Cherry met them in the back hall. “Look who came to play.”

“Yeah…” Kirsten’s cheeks were pink. “I’ve been busy.”

“Busy. Is that what we’re calling it?”

“Yep.” Skyla winked. “That’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Is it okay if I sit in?”

She knew it was always good to clear it with the owner first.

“Of course. You’re welcome here, Ms. Bridey.”

“Skyla. Please.”

“Skyla. Break a leg.” Mama Cherry winked before heading to the kitchen, and they walked into the back dining room where the little stage was set up opposite the bar. She put her case down on the back of the stage, and butterflies danced in her belly. These were Kirsten’s friends. And she was nervous.

“Should we start with ‘What’s Up?’?”

Oh, 4 Non Blondes was always good.

“You got it, honey.” She tuned for the song, and they both ran a scale, which got a cheer from the crowd.

“You take lead,” Kirsten urged, so she closed her eyes and hit the first line right on time, keeping the cover pretty faithful for a Texan, if she did say so herself.

They played song after song, the crowd laughing and singing along, the place rocking.

God, it felt good.

At the end of their first set, the ladies in the audience called them over to the bar. “Drinks for the band!”

She laughed, raising an eyebrow at Kirsten.

“Heck yes. Come on.” Kirsten wrapped one arm around her waist. “Isn’t she amazing?”

Whoa. This felt so right, so normal, and Skyla grinned and waved. “Kirsten’s being a sweetheart.”

“She’s a good egg.” That was… Kiley? She thought that was the tall blonde drink of water’s name.

“She is. This is so much damn fun.”

“We’re not too small an audience.”

“Shit, y’all are perfect. Singing. Hollering. It’s awesome.”

The tall blonde with the little scarred up gal handed over a beer. “We’re tickled to have you.”

“Thank you so much.” She took the shot someone else handed her, letting that burn down before she grabbed the beer. “Whoo. Tequila.”

“Mmhmm.” Kirsten shook her head for the one she was offered. “I’m driving, y’all. I’ll stick with this beer.”

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