Page 11 of Melody

“Our father,” Jesse says in his deep drawl. “He’s a musician, and he taught Rory and me from a young age.”

“What’s his name?” Sadie strokes Jesse’s arm lightly.

A fire of jealousy ignites in my gut. Yeah, not liking this.

But Jesse doesn’t seem to react to Sadie’s touch. “His name is Frank Pike. He was here earlier. But he’s not a pro. You wouldn’t have heard of him.”

“If your talent came from him, why isn’t he a pro?”

I head closer, ease into the conversation. “I know why. Rory told me. His music is his hobby. He was afraid he wouldn’t enjoy it as much if he tried to do it for work.”

Jesse turns and looks at me. “Where’d you come from, Bree?”

“My mom and dad always said I came from heaven.” I give him a wide smile.

His lips quirk upward. “I might beg to differ.”

“Hi, Brianna,” Sadie says. “Do you remember me?”

“Of course I do, Sadie. We met at Murphy’s. You work over at Lorenzo’s with your roommate, Nora.”

“Yeah, that’s her.” Sadie gestures. “The blonde talking to Cage.”

I glance over. Sure enough, there she is. She’s not even trying to hide what she wants. She’s all over him, sliding her hands up and down his arm.

“Seems Cage may be getting lucky tonight,” I say.

“Oh, don’t be silly.” Sadie smiles adoringly at Jesse, still holding on to his arm. “Nora is just a touchy-feely kind of person.”

“Of course,” I say.

But that’s a bunch of crap, and we both know it.

And if Sadie doesn’t get her hand off Jesse…

I remember Nora being all over DonnyandHenry at a previous Steel party. She likes blond men. Cage fits her type.

Sadie continues her love affair with Jesse’s forearm, gazing into his eyes. “I love the covers you and Rory did. But the best were your original songs. Do you write them?”

Jesse looks down at Sadie’s grasp on his arm. “I write some. Cage and Jake write some.”

“What about Dragon?”

“He’s not much of a writer.” Jesse glances around. “Where the hell did he go anyway? He was just here.”

“I don’t know,” Sadie says.

I dart my gaze around the yard. Then I see him. Dragon Locke is over by the pool house talking to my older sister, Diana.

Lordy. That’s like looking at night and day even here in the dim light of the stars.

Dark Dragon and professional architect Dee.

“There he is. He’s with my sister.”

Jesse quirks his lip. “Diana? Now that’s something I didn’t see coming.”

“I don’t think anything’s coming,” I say. “Diana’s a friendly sort. She talks to anyone.”

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