Page 76 of Resonance

I answered his call on the first ring. “Looks like you hit the jackpot and I am, in fact, available.”

Then I realized he’d hung up.

My phone dinged with a text.

Dan:Availability confirmed.

I stared at the phone like an idiot for a second, then typed back.

Owen:Did you call me just to hang up on me?

Dan:I might have. Because you were being a smartass.

I punched his contact and heard laughter in his voice as he answered. “Owen, hello. What a nice surprise.”

“You’re such a jerk. Are you drunk?”

“It’s the middle of the afternoon. So no. We got an actual hotel tonight, got early check-in, too. I’d forgotten what a luxury it feels like after a tour bus. How’s Jez?”

“She’s on a hunger strike,” I told him, running my hand over her fluffy coat.

“Really?” His tone instantly shifted to one of concern.

“Not at all. Actually, I think she’s enjoying her freedom from your iron rule.”

“Iron rule my ass, that cat owns the throne.”

I snickered as Jez stared imperiously at me.

“Finally wore those jeans you told me to. Think it threw off my rhythm a couple of times.”

I snorted. “Right. I’m sure that was the problem.”

“They’re a little tight.”

“In all the right places. Your fans will thank you.”

“I’m not certain they can even see it in the first place. Pretty sure the front row could’ve used a rack for cane storage.”

“Really?”

“Nah.” He seemed to consider for a moment. “Actually, it’s been surprising to me how young the faces are. I figured for sure only old diehards would show up, but there’s been plenty of new blood. No doubt a good proportion of them are just Ryder fans, but…” He trailed off in a verbal shrug, but the happiness in his voice was undeniable.

“Everyone loves classics.”

“Very subtle.”

“Told you I was improving.”

After another beat of silence, he cleared his throat. “How was your day?”

I shifted around on the couch, and Jez arched her back to communicate her disapproval before plopping onto my chest. “Are you really asking me that?”

Dan grunted. “Sure, why not?”

“I dunno, because you just recently played a live show in front of at least a thousand fans who’d probably sell a kidney to hang out with you for an hour?”

“How about you?”