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  She giggled. She knew it had to be something precarious. Her curiosity got the best of her. “What?”

  He stared at her and changed the tone of their conversation solely with his intent gaze. “Promise me you won’t sell out when you get to L.A. I don’t want to see you waste your musical talent. Develop a band or something. Do something big with music, Kit. You’re meant to. I just know it. I think this whole lawyer thing is your safety net and that’s ok, I get it. But you owe it to yourself. You’re certainly brilliant, but when it comes to music you really shine. Be the big Kitty of the Sunset Strip. Become a legend, Kit. I know you can.”

  She smiled and her eyes sparkled like emeralds. “I promise. Thank you for that. Make me the same promise, ok? Don’t get distracted by your antics. Seriously, I venture to say you could be the next Randy Rhoads. I know you like this over the top, risk taking, blowing money, attention grabbing shit, but focus on your guitar, ok? No more Smokey and the Bandit chase scene re-enactments.”

  He giggled. “Ok.”

  She laughed. “Now, pay the damn bill and we’ll hit the casino for a while before we head back to the room. We’ll get in a guitar jam sesh before we go to sleep. And I may have to tinkle the ivories on that baby grand in our suite too before I hit the sheets. We have to be up early so I can go sweet talk the judge in your favor.”

  He smiled. “Or bat your eyelashes at him. Or wear a really short skirt.” She rolled her eyes.

  Kit awoke with a start again, this time lying in a king-sized bed with a sheet barely covering her naked body. She shut her eyes and let out a soft groan of remorse. She held her hand to her head. She had a nasty hangover. She opened her eyes and glanced over at Joe who was still sleeping soundly. She shook her head, chastising herself for going there.

  She and Joe had a long history. They had been best friends since childhood and had been in several bands together until they went away to school when they were eighteen—he to Berklee College of Music in Boston and she to the University of Pennsylvania. Romance had never been a consideration. She had never been attracted to him until recently and even that was fleeting. They had always been more like siblings than anything else.

  When he dropped out of Berklee at the end of his junior year, he moved to Philadelphia to be near Kit and pursue music professionally, playing out in local clubs. She had managed his band until they broke up because of creative differences. Joe was musically gifted, always played big, and was most definitely a loose cannon. His personality often didn’t sit well with others when it came to music. Either jealously or competition got in the way. Not on his end, always on theirs.

  He had protected her after an explosive relationship with her boyfriend and fellow bandmate that ended badly. Joe always pushed her when it came to her music and she relished his support. Moving out to Los Angeles had been a mutual decision for them. They were done with Philadelphia. She had graduated from Penn with honors and they were ready to soar to a new nest that held a more vibrant creative charge. New York wasn’t a fit, but the allure of Los Angeles and the budding Sunset Strip hard rock music scene seemed like a perfect match.

  But now, she was gravely concerned the tables were turning. The stakes were higher for both of them as they stood on the threshold of a new life awaiting them in a bright, shiny new city that held big promises of stardom and notoriety. The night before, things took a dangerous turn that neither of them had anticipated. Too much whisky and two guitars led them to something she now deeply regretted and suspected he would too as soon as he opened his eyes. She hoped this wouldn’t wreck their friendship, but she somehow knew it would forever change it. Fearfully, she got up quickly and groaned again as she scurried to the bathroom to hop in the shower. Thinking about the potential changes plagued her.

  As the water trickled down her body, she shook her head slowly and closed her eyes. Details of the night before were fuzzy at best and she eased into the comfort of denial. She secretly hoped they had innocently decided to sleep in the nude because the suite was too stuffy. She managed to convince herself of that blatant lie until she walked back into the room and noticed a hastily opened, empty condom wrapper on the floor at her feet. Her heart sank and she closed her eyes again hoping to erase the image as she held fast to the towel wrapped around her.

  “Good morning beautiful.”

  She opened her eyes when she heard Joe’s voice and noticed him lying in bed, propped up on his elbow, the sheet barely covering him, grinning from ear to ear as he stared at her. She smirked uncomfortably. “Hey.”

  He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. “Fantastic night, dontcha think? I’m a little hungover, but I’ll live.” He smiled at her. “I really liked…”

  She stared at him with wide eyes and grappled for a distraction. She didn’t want to discuss the details of the night before; she wanted to avoid them at all costs. Her eyes darted to the clock radio on the nightstand. Bingo, she thought, she had an escape for now—a good one. “Joe, get your ass out of bed and into the shower. We’re late already. We have to be in court in an hour and we have a thirty-minute drive ahead of us. Speeding to get there is out of the question.”

  He glanced at the clock. “Shit! Ok, I’ll be ready in ten.”

  As they walked out of the courthouse two hours later, Joe was elated. He put his arm around Kit and squeezed tightly. “You were awesome in there! You’re going to make a damn good lawyer. You are the queen of negotiation. So great for record contracts, my record contracts. Oh yeah!”

  She chuckled and looked up at him. “I’m glad it all worked out. Risky strategy, but it paid off.”

  He pulled her toward him. “I am very grateful. Let me show you how…”

  She put her hand on his chest to stop him and gazed up into his eyes. “No, Joe. Stop while you’re ahead. Last night was a huge mistake. I think I was feeling really vulnerable about the big move to L.A. and got caught up in the music, the alcohol didn’t help, and I lost control.”

  He recoiled and frowned. “Huh? Kit, we’re so good together. I am not Darren, ok? I’ll be good to you.” He stroked her cheek.

  She carefully removed his hand and shook her head. “I know that, but Joe I don’t have those kind of feelings for you.” She looked up into his eyes and noticed the disappointment, making her feel like the bad guy. She sighed. “I’m sorry. I want to move to L.A. with a clean slate. And I think you should too.”

  He nervously chuckled and shifted his eyes away. He couldn’t show her that she had just stabbed him in the heart. She had no idea that he had been in love with her for years, ever since he moved to Philadelphia. He had planned to tell her in hopes they could start a life together in L.A., but now all bets were off. He had to put on a false front and muscle his way through. He forced a smile. “You know, you’re right. Fresh start. A new city awaits me with lots of gorgeous women.”

  She chuckled and nodded, immediately feeling confused by the slight pang of jealously that tugged at her heart. “It certainly does. You’ll be the hottest lead guitarist on the Sunset Strip. You’ll have girls lined up for miles.” She forced an unconvincing smile.

  He grinned, playing along, not ready to give up hope just yet. “We’ll see about that, sassy pants. Let’s go. Our future in Cali awaits.”

  As he made his way to the driver’s side of the car, Kit immediately had an uneasy feeling. She hoped things wouldn’t be as awkward with them in Los Angeles as they were in that moment. Suddenly, she was dreading the six-hour drive that stood between them and their destiny.

  CHAPTER 2

  Alexa’s violet eyes widened as she listened to Kit’s detailed recount of the events that took place in Las Vegas with Joe. She shook her head in disbelief and blinked. “You did what? Oh God, Kit, how could you? Have you lost your mind?”

  She sighed and hung her head. “I know. It’s really bad. That’s why he’s not staying here. That drive into L.A. was so awkward. He’s staying with Aaron.”

  Alexa frowned. “Who?”<
br />
  She looked up. “One of the guys in Scorcher—a band I manage that came out here from Philly. Joe knows them really well. Don’t worry, Lex, I’m sure he’ll show up to pay you a visit. We just got in last night.” She looked around the apartment and smiled. “You did good, ladybug. I love the place. Thanks for heading out here early and getting everything set up.”

  Kit took another brief glance at her surroundings and felt content. The apartment was a vintage 1940’s Hollywood staple in a great neighborhood just a stone’s throw from Sunset Boulevard, sitting at the mouth of Laurel Canyon—an area legendary for musicians and artists going as far back as the 1960s. Alexa had taken the liberty of decorating the apartment to match its vintage feel, adding an eclectic, artistic, yet upscale vibe that Kit loved. She was pleasantly surprised.

  Alexa rolled her eyes and reeled Kit back into the conversation. “I still cannot understand the intrigue with driving across the country. You could have flown here on a Learjet or first class like I did.” She grinned and fingered her diamond tennis bracelet.

  Kit chuckled, not entirely surprised. Alexa was all about luxury. Kit was actually surprised by the modesty of their apartment and then figured she was surrounded by very pricey antiques that could very well pay her law school tuition all three years.

  She grinned and pointed. “You’re wondering why I got this apartment, huh? Not really my type? Well, you are my best friend and you told me to keep it mellow so I did. It’s all about compromise.”

  Kit folded her arms in front of her chest, grinning. She didn’t buy Alexa’s story for a minute. “Uh-huh. Right. What’s the real reason, Lex?”

  She sighed. “I had a hell of a time finding something decent in the price range we agreed on. I found a great house in Laurel Canyon but you would have freaked out about the rent, so this was plan B. Not too shabby. Ok, so let’s get back on the subject. Why the drive cross-country? I don’t see the intrigue.” She picked up a nail file and started shaping her perfectly manicured nails.

  Kit shrugged her shoulders. “Remember, I’m not on Daddy’s funds anymore. I’m flying solo with a very small net. Besides, I wouldn’t waste my money on a first class ticket and Joe wanted to drive and experience everything.” She grinned. “And honestly, I did too. It was fun.”

  Alexa was still trapped in her rant and hadn’t heard Kit’s final statement. She picked up where she left off in her mind. “He put thousands of miles on his car! He could have put his car on a transport like we did and paid for two first class tickets for both of you or commandeered one of his family’s jets. They’ve got like a fleet, don’t they? Remember that swanky Gulfstream we went on to the Hamptons that one summer when we were in junior high? I think that was his dad’s right? His family is richer than yours and mine combined.”

  She chuckled. “I know and he hates it. He just wants to be a normal guitarist.”

  Alexa shook her head and giggled. “Joe Arden is anything but normal. He’s always been supernatural. His musicianship is on a whole different level that is not of this world. He’s a complete idiot savant. Total guitar virtuoso. I won’t even pretend to understand it. That’s your world, not mine. Want some coffee? You’re probably beat.”

  She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Definitely still a little sleepy.”

  Alexa had made her way into the kitchen to fetch a cup of coffee for Kit and yelled back out to the living room. “What time did you get in last night? I got home pretty late.”

  She was about to yell a response when Alexa returned and handed her a warm mug. She grinned. “He dropped me off around nine. I unpacked and played my guitar for a while. Fell asleep around eleven, I think.” She tilted her head to the side. “Did you cut your hair?” Alexa giggled and nodded. Kit admired her new look. Alexa’s straight-as-a-board, raven hair now barely grazed her shoulders nicely framing her classic facial features, Roman nose, and flawless ivory skin. She grinned. “It looks really nice. Suits you better. You look like the PR professional you are.” She raised her mug and giggled. “It’s official, we’re here living together in Hollywood.”

  Alexa smiled wide and clinked her mug. “That we are. I’m going to finish this coffee and then I have to head out. I have to pick up my books on campus. Your car is downstairs in the carport. I left out a map book for you on the table. You going to be ok on your own or do you want to tag along with me and check out the USC campus?”

  She giggled. “You want me to set foot on my cross town rival’s campus? How dare you!” She gave her a devious grin. “I think not. I’m a newly minted UCLA Bruin of the law school variety, or at least I will be in a few weeks when I officially start classes. I’ll be ok. Go on without me.”

  Alexa nodded her head and stood up. “Ok. I better hop in the shower. Keep your evening open so we can get into some trouble together.” She winked.

  Kit smiled. “You got it.”

  Lunchtime rolled around quickly and Kit realized she had wasted time mulling around. Her hunger pangs were taking over now and she went in search of food. She was happy to find some takeout menus that Alexa had collected over the course of two weeks and pinned onto the refrigerator door with magnets. She was pleased with her discovery and ordered a pizza.

  Sated after making a satisfactory dent in her small pizza for one, she sat in one of the chairs at the dining room table and looked around the room. The dining room was huge and had plenty of room to accommodate other pieces of furniture. She grinned, loving that Alexa was thoughtful enough to clear out the entire corner of the room to accommodate Kit’s instruments. A Roland keyboard, four electric guitars, and two acoustic guitars sat in their stands in front of a large Marshall stack, all waiting patiently and silently beckoning her. She giggled and joyfully hopped up.

  She grabbed her maple, six-string, Martin acoustic and sat back down. She was curious to venture out of the apartment and explore her new city of residence, but the call of her guitar was too much to bear. The moment she struck the first chord, she smiled wide like she had just found a slice of heaven.

  As she sat back and enjoyed the moment, she realized that whenever she encountered any kind of doubt or unease in her life, playing music solved all her problems. And right now, she was still desperate to erase what happened with Joe.

  Her torrid songwriting session was more short-lived than she would have liked. The phone rang and disrupted her entire creative flow. To make matters worse, it was Joe calling. Her apprehension melted into a giggle hearing his absolute exuberance. His attitude was infectious. “Joe, what’s going on? What are you all lit up about?”

  “Kitty, I got a place! It’s off of Laurel Canyon a little bit north of Hollywood Boulevard. Do you know where that is?”

  She burst out laughing. “No shit, Joe. Seriously? That’s where I live. Hold on.” She dragged the phone along into the living room and cradled the receiver on her neck as she worked to open one of the large front windows. She yelled out the window. “Can you hear me?”

  She was greeted with peals of laughter on the other end of the line. “I can hear you through the phone, goober, but that’s it. Why?”

  She laughed. “I was checking to see if you lived in my building.”

  He chuckled. “Can’t hear you, babe, but it sounds like we’re close. I live on Fareholm. Gimme your address. I’ll run it by Aaron.”

  “How long are you going to be staying with him?”

  “Ends up I have good timing. His roommate bailed on him like last week and he was desperate. Address please.”

  She rattled off her new address and hung up the phone. She was shocked when moments later there was a knock at her door. She flung open the door and screamed at the top of her lungs as he did the same. They hugged each other tightly. She pulled back and laughed. “You dropped me off here last night, don’t you remember?”

  He shook his head. “I dropped you off in front on Laurel Canyon. That’s what Lex told you to do. And it was dark. Hell if I can remember. I don’t know this town yet. After I
dropped you off I went to meet Aaron at the Rainbow. He drove us to his apartment last night ‘cuz I was shit faced. I live like two apartment buildings over. He laughed when I gave him your address. We’re neighbors, Kit!”

  She smiled. “Howdy, neighbor!” He laughed. Her eyes twinkled as she motioned to her guitars. “Wanna play? All the girls are here. They made it safely from Philly.” She led him into the dining room.

  He grinned and nodded, admiring her guitars. “Yep. Actually that’s exactly what I need right now, Kit. I have news.” He let out a long sigh.

  She chuckled. “Huh? We just got into this town last night and already you have news? Oh, this is so like you, Joe. Does magic follow you wherever you go?”

  He smiled. “I think you’ll need to sit down for this one.” He took a seat.

  She frowned. “Uh, ok.” She took her seat across from him and kept her eyes trained on his. “Sitting and waiting. Spit it out.”

  He let out an even breath. He was still getting in touch with the gravity of the news himself. “I have an audition tonight.” His eyes danced, revealing the news was good.

  Kit sat on the edge of her seat, hanging on his words, waiting in eager anticipation. “Already? Damn that was quick! With who?”

  He gazed into her eyes knowing this was a moment that he could share with her forever. This opportunity had him perfectly poised to step into the destiny he had always dreamed of. He was confident she would understand the significance. “Steel Pony.”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She was speechless for a full moment and then reminded herself to breathe. Her face then melted into a wide smile. “Oh my God, Joe! You hit the lottery! Talk about jackpot. They are one of the hottest rock bands, still. They’re legendary! I thought they were out on the road right now. Aren’t they starting the ‘Monsters of Rock’ tour in two weeks?”

  He nodded. “I ran into Wilson Carmichael at the Rainbow last night. He’s friends with my pal Stan from Berklee. Stan was raving about my shredding and Wilson told me the whole scoop. Rodney Pierce, their lead guitarist, was fired. Wilson told me he had fucked up too much, wanted more money, and they were done with him. They have to find someone tonight or they’re screwed. They have a show in Oakland tomorrow night. Then it’s off to England for the first show for ‘Monsters of Rock.’ If they pick me, I’m leaving tomorrow. I’ll be back in September for two weeks and then back out on the road to complete the North American leg.”