Page 9 of Spark

“Can’t say I blame him. I’d pick FaceTime sex over birthday drinks with me, too.”

Ruby scoffs. “If that’s what you wanted, you could have all the FaceTime sex in the world.” She frowns. “I texted you just in case, but I was hoping you’d be fast asleep. You seemed really tired after the show.”

“I fell asleep pretty quickly this time—right after we got back. But . . . some noisy people in the hallway woke me up.” After everything that went down between Kai and Ruby years ago, I’m not going to tell her the truth. True, what happened between those two is ancient history by now. But, still, why rub salt in whatever Kai-inflicted wounds Ruby might still have, even if they’re mostly scarred over by now?

“People in hotels can be so damned rude,” Ruby mutters.

“It’s okay. One more week, and I’ll be sleeping like a baby in my own bed.”

“Another full week is a long time to be sleep deprived. Especially after so many months.”

“It’s only been a couple months. Before that, I was okay.”

Ruby thinks about that. “When did college football season start? About two months ago, right?”

“Something like that.”

Wanting to change the subject, I signal to the bartender, and he comes over with a smile on his rugged face.

“Hey there. What can I—” His face lights up. “Wait, aren’t you the drummer from Fugitive Summer? You’re awesome, man! One of the best out there.”

“I agree,” Ruby says, pinching my arm. “Although I’d say he’sthebest.”

The guy blushes. “Oh, yeah. Definitely.”

“She’s messing with you. She’s our keyboardist.”

The bartender looks sheepish. “I’m sorry. I only knew his face because my sister is obsessed withSing Your Heart Out, and I watch it with her.”

“No worries,” Ruby says. “I thought Kendrick was incredible on that show, too.”

“Your other bandmate, too. Savage?” He looks around excitedly. “Is he here?”

“No, not in the bar,” Ruby says. “Sorry.”

The guy grabs his phone and excitedly asks for a selfie with us, which we happily give him.

“Drinks are on me tonight,” he says. “What can I get you?”

“Another one of these for me,” Ruby says, raising her empty glass. “And for the birthday boy . . . A double pour of your most expensive scotch. Neat.” She looks at me to confirm.

“You know me well.”

“But don’t comp us,” Ruby says. “Our label pays for everything when we’re on tour. In fact, go ahead and charge everything to my room—1653—and give yourself a two-hundred-percent tip, courtesy of Reed Rivers.”

“Wow, thanks so much.”

The bartender saunters away, but not before flashing an extremely flirtatious smile at Ruby.

The second he’s out of earshot, I whisper in a sultry, teasing tone, “I’m in room 1653,big boy. Come up and see me.”

Ruby snorts and rolls her eyes. “You’re delusional.”

“I’m repeating it exactly how you said it.”

“Not even close.”

“Are you fighting the urge to step out on Cooper with a hot hotel bartender? Because if so, that’s probably not the best sign for your relationship.”

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