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“Sorry, I just don’t like talking about that traitor. Besides, we’ve done just fine without her.”

“Would be doing better with her,” Gordon muttered as he hid behind his drum set.

She flipped him off, which made Andy laugh.

“Okay, let’s get back to it.”

Thankfully, the rest of the rehearsal and their set went by smoothly. By the time the last chord was played, the measly crowd actually applauded for them, and even a handful stood up applauding. Elena felt her heart soar with happiness because no matter the crowd size, she loved what she did.

Making their way to the bar, Elena sat down between Andy and Gordon.

“You all were good,” the lanky bartender couldn’t be much more than twenty-one. His dusty blonde hair was shaggy like Gordon’s. “Do you have any music on Spotify?”

“We do.” Andy pulled out the band’s business card from the pocket of his jeans and handed it to the bartender. “It has a QR code on the back.”

“Cool. Thanks.” Taking the card, the bartender put it into his pocket as he made his way down the bar to the next patron.

“I told you that QR code was genius,” Andy gloated. He’d designed the cards himself and made it a habit to hand them out to anyone who came within arm’s reach of him.

Elena had to give him credit for getting their music out to people who might usually not have listened to them. Even their older hits were getting love on the streaming services, which meant they were all still getting paid royalties. That helped the bottom line, especially for Elena.

Her divorce from Peter had taken more time and money from her than Elena had been prepared to give. She hated him for how he’d used her and her status all the years they were together to boost his own career. But Elena mostly hated herself for letting him use her.

Even two years after the divorce was final, Elena still grappled with who she was back then. She barely recognized that woman anymore. Elena had come into her own after divorcing Peter. She’d cut her long hair into a short blunt bob that had the slightest curl by the end of every night and finally adopted a cat. Her nights were no longer spent wondering when her husband would come home, but, instead, she planned the next stop for the band.

Despite lacking an agent, Elena thought they still did well for themselves. They were booked most weekends and had the occasional weekday gig. It was nothing fancy, but the trio enjoyed it.

“I’m gonna turn in.” Gordon stood and stretched his arms above his head. His short-sleeved shirt raised slightly, revealing the abs he still sported. “I’m tired.”

“You’re old,” Andy teased, then yawned.

“Yeah, look who’s talking.”

Gordon playfully put Andy into a headlock and ruffled his shaggy hair. Despite being in their early thirties, the two acted more like kids sometimes. Elena enjoyed it most of the time. They definitely livened her life up, especially since they were all touring in one bus now. The boys had kindly opted to sleep in the bunks while Elena took the room in the back for herself. Along with their driver, Elena spent more time with them than anyone else.

“I guess we should all get to bed early since Ellie has us booked tomorrow night, too.”

“I didn’t hear a thank you in that sentence.”

“Thanks, Mom,” the boys teased as they each placed a kiss on her cheek.

“You all shower and sleep. I’m going to get another drink, and then I’ll be there.”

“Sure thing.” Gordon squeezed her shoulder before he and Andy exited the bar. Their bus was parked around back, but Elena knew they had to get a move on soon if they were going to make it from Texas to Illinois before their set the next night.

But one more drink would be fine.

She ordered another martini from the bartender just as a well-dressed man sat down beside her.

“Put it on my tab.”

Elena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She hated being hit on by men. But she always tried to be nice; it just seemed safer that way. Granted, Elena didn’t feel unsafe in the bar. Just on edge, as was her usual feeling in life.

“You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.”

“My pleasure.” The older gentleman smiled, and something about him seemed vaguely familiar. “I’m not sure if you remember me, but I used to work with Shannon Brooks.”

Yes. That’s where I know him from.