Page 39 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

We finished the tour with his collection of cars, including the pink Cadillac and his personal airplane that we learned had velvet seats, gold seatbelts, and phones that could call anywhere in the world.

“Elvis was badass,” Slade admitted as we finished the tour.

Smiling, I grabbed his hand, leaning into him as we walked. I wouldn’t say that Slade had become an entirely different person overnight. He was still his grumpy, alpha-hole self, but there was a lightness to his eyes, and his smile was easier to spread.

“What’s next?” Zane asked, looking back at us. We had the whole day to sightsee before leaving in the morning to travel to our next stop.

“The Sun Studio,” I said, smiling. I was the most excited about this, and I wasn’t entirely sure why, but something about it called to me.

“Sweet, let’s hit up the gift shop and head there.”

After buying too much stuff, we loaded up in the van and headed toward the studio. It was quiet as we drove, all of us in our own thoughts, but it felt nice like we were all comfortable enough to think without feeling awkward in the silence.

Parking next to the building, I held my breath as I stared at Sun Studio. I didn’t know why, but something about it felt magical. So many artists had gotten their start right here. It felt momentous.

Walking up, I almost fell over as I tried to take in the colossal guitar on the sign. It was the biggest guitar I’d ever seen. Slade took my hand, pulling me through the doors, or I might have stayed frozen outside of it, looking at all the photographs of the stars who’d recorded here.

The tour guide started to share how the studio started, but all I could hear was the whooshing in my ears as I looked around at the history of singers from Johnny Cash to U2. When the tour ended, I couldn’t remember much of what was said, but a feeling had settled in me, one I was too afraid to admit out loud.

The guys looked at me, nervous at my silence, but I smiled, trying to distract them from asking me about it. “So, where to now? Maybe some food?”

The guys nodded, looking at one another, but let me get away with not talking for the moment. We spent the rest of the day touring the Crystal Shine Grotto and the Blues Hall of Fame. By the time we got back to the hotel, I was tired and ready for a rest.

“I was thinking,” Simon said as we entered the hotel room. “What if we nap and then go to the karaoke night?”

“You want to do that? I thought we’d decided not to engage with Lee?”

“We don’t have to fight them to enjoy ourselves, and if you don’t want to do the competition part, we could always just go to a bar and sing for fun. I saw your face today, Lenn. I know you’re itching to sing something.”

I chewed it over, thinking about what he was saying. The thought of facing off with Lee and his minions didn’t sit well with me, but singing at a random place felt more my speed.

“Okay, a random place could be fun.”

Simon rushed forward, grabbing me around the waist as he scooped me up and deposited me on the bed, tickling me. Eventually, we settled down, the anxious energy I’d been feeling fell away, and I was able to sleep, a smile on my face at what the night would hold.

* * *

Simon had decidedhe wanted to do my makeup for me, so I was now decked out with my watermelon hair and matching makeup. I didn’t have a dress to match me, but the robin’s-egg blue one went well with the whole ensemble. Stepping out into the room, Slade and Zane stopped their conversation to take me in. A loud whistle rang out as I turned, feeling like a beauty queen under their gazes.

“You look beautiful, Peach,” Slade said, stepping toward me. He stopped before getting to me, taking in every detail head to toe. “Amazing work, Si.” He lifted his eyes to the man behind me, a wicked smirk on his lips. “I’ll have fun undressing her later.”

“Hey now, brother. Sharing is caring.”

Snorting, I grabbed my purse and headed toward the door, the giddiness of the evening taking over. “Come on, let’s go sing. We can leave the sleeping arrangements for later.”

The three of them followed me out, and we took off toward all the lights. Our hotel was close to a lot of entertainment, making it easy to find somewhere to go. Earlier I’d looked up a few I wanted to stop in at, so when the sign for Last Note Lounge came into view, I nearly skipped toward it.

“I’ve never seen you so eager to sing,” Slade said, grabbing my hand.

“I know. There’s just something about Memphis. It’s the birthplace of so many amazing stories, and maybe I thought it could be part of ours.”

“Our story doesn’t need any Memphis magic, Peach. It has you.”

A blush began to cover me from head to toe as we stepped into the bar, the music greeting us before we even made it through the door. Already, I could feel it zipping through me, making me come alive.

Immediately, I dashed toward the stage where a man stood. He glanced up, eyeing my hair and makeup, and he didn’t seem as impressed as my boyfriends had. “Yes?”

“I want to sing,” I said, smiling wide as I practically bounced on my toes.

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