Page 40 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

He let out a loud bellow, slapping his leg. I frowned, not understanding. “Oh, you’re serious? Listen, doll, no one sings around here unless they’ve auditioned. Those are once a week, and the line is long to get through. Come back on Tuesday if you’re serious, and we’ll see if you can hack it.” He eyed me up and down one more time, clearly not thinking I had what it took.

Feeling slightly dejected, I turned, almost running into Slade, who I hadn’t realized was behind me. “Sorry, um, they’re full,” I mumbled, taking his hand to drag him away. He planted his feet, though, not moving. I looked up at his face, finding he was glaring at the man who’d laughed. He had on his classic alpha-hole face that made most men cry or crap their pants.

I felt embarrassed enough that I didn’t want to get into it with this guy. I should’ve known there were auditions. I had to go through that in Nashville. Gripping his hand, I squeezed it, hoping he’d look down at me.

“Please, Tatzilla, let’s just go somewhere else.”

His jaw ticked, but he nodded, searing the guy behind me with one more look before he let me pull him away. Simon also had a scowl on his face, looking like he might charge the guy. Shaking my head, I pleaded to Zane to help me drag them without causing a scene. Nodding, he took his brother as I pushed Simon, tugging on his hand.

When we got outside, I tried to smile, bringing back some of the happiness I’d felt earlier. “There are a few other places we can try,” I said, but I wasn’t feeling hopeful. I was sure they were like this place—auditions required.

The guys grumbled but followed, our foursome quiet as we walked down the strip. The line to the second place was out the door, making me skip it altogether. Not feeling lucky, we ducked into the third place, and I had the guys sit at a table as I went to find whoever I needed to be rejected by.

A woman stood by a door to the back area, so I headed to her, ready to be told no. She smiled warmly at me, giving me a little hope.

“What can I do for you, darlin’?” she asked.

“I know this is a long shot, but do you have any openings to sing?”

She looked me over, but it felt different from the first guy. She wasn’t finding me lacking but taking me in, curious. “Typically, no, but I had someone call out tonight. If you can go on in twenty, the spot is yours. I have a feeling about you.”

I stood there, staring, feeling like she was pulling my leg. “Seriously?” I squeaked, my face finally catching on as I smiled widely at her.

“Yup. You can head backstage now to warm up.”

Nodding, I turned back to the table, giving them a thumbs up. Walking through the door, I felt like I’d come home. The green room was filled with colorful signs and pictures of the artists that had performed here. One girl was off in the corner, tuning her guitar, and I sat down, feeling out of place.

“First time?” she asked, glancing up.

“Here? Yeah. Is it that obvious?” I laughed, wiping my sweaty palms on my dress.

“You have that fresh face look about you still. I’m Matilda.”

“Lennox.” I waved, smiling at her.

“If you need to warm up your pipes, go ahead.” She went back to her guitar, humming as she strummed it.

“Tilda,” someone shouted, and she stood, giving me a salute as she headed toward the stage. Once she was clear of the door, the guy turned to me. “I need your name and song,” he said, looking up from his clipboard as he waited for my answer.

“Oh, um,” I hesitated, debating if I wanted to use the last stage name or my real one. LJ Star didn’t feel like me anymore. “Lennox James and I’ll be singing, ‘Change my Everything’ by Shadows of Mayhem.”

He scribbled it down before he nodded and walked out the door. Muted sounds from outside traveled through the walls, but for the most part, it was quiet, so I ran through some scales, warming up my voice.

When he came back a few minutes later, I was ready. Matilda smiled at me, patting my arm as she walked offstage and headed toward the bar. I stepped out under the lights, that sense of rightness returning. This was it.

The music started, and I opened my mouth, losing myself to the song.

ChapterNineteen

THANE

The moment Lennoxstepped out onto the stage, it felt like everyone stopped and waited for her to shine. Or perhaps, it just seemed that way because it was how my heart operated, not really beating until she was there. She smiled at the crowd, waving as she approached the microphone.

The music began, and I watched as she took a deep breath, letting it flow through her whole body as she began to move. When the first word passed her lips, I was transfixed like I always was when she sang. Smiling at her song choice, I hummed along to the Shadows of Mayhem tune we’d been listening to all week while driving.

I didn’t want to say it was our song, but it felt like it was.

“Yes,” Simon cheered when the lights began to dance across her makeup, and I realized he’d done it in a way for her to sparkle more under them.

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