“Fuck that. I’ll do it for free right now. You going on tour soon?”
The guys glance at each other. “We have a few things lined up.”
“You know where to find me.” He tips his head and nods. “Evening, Miss Mallory. You’re lovely as always.”
“Thank you, Robbie.”
He raises his hand and whistles, sending hand signals to someone inside. “Go on. They’ll set up a table for you.”
Jacob and Garrett head straight for the bar.
“Don’t let them get too fucked up,” Chaser says to Alvin.
“Mallory!”
I search the crowd for whoever called my name. My gaze lands on the girl I’d met at the audition the other day.
Thankfully, the club’s too loud for anyone to overhear my groan.
“Hey, Pamela!” I raise my hand and wave back.
She struts over, wearing what appears to be a painted-on silver mini-dress that barely covers her crotch. A tall, shirtless, tattooed man is glued to her side. She drops the man’s hand to lean in and air kiss both of my cheeks. “I thought that was you.”
I paste on a fake smile and force some polite enthusiasm into my voice. “Good to see you again.”
Pamela runs what I can only describe as a predatory gaze over Chaser, then tugs the man at her side forward. “This is my boyfriend—”
“Andrew Lane,” Chaser sticks out his hand. “Big fan. Vicious Vandals at the Troubadour was the first show my buddy and I saw when we moved out here. You’re a beast on the drums.”
“Chaser Adams.” Andrew shakes Chaser’s hand with violent enthusiasm. “Been watching the rise of Kickstart. I dig your style, man. You’re like one of the last genuine bands on the strip these days. You have some amazing riffs.”
I’ve never witnessed Chaser tongue-tied or starstruck before, but it takes him a few seconds to mutter a quick, “Thank you.”
Obviously, this guy’s band is a big enough deal to make Chaser drop his usual air of cool.
“Mallory Dove.” Andrew’s gaze slides over my body. “‘The Candy Jar’ girl.” His deep, silky voice can easily be heard above all the noise. “You could be Pammy’s little sister.” He rubs his hand over his chin while he continues his slow eye-fondle.
I really wish I’d worn a sweater like Chaser first suggested. “Uh…
Her raises one suggestive eyebrow. “Have you been to one of our shows?”
I cast a nervous glance Chaser’s way. I don’t want to insult this guy I just met who Chaser seems to have a lot of respect for. While I’ve heard of Vicious Vandals, it’s not like I’d go out of my way to see them live or anything. Or be able to pick their drummer out of a crowd.
Andrew’s eyes linger on my face. “Nah, I definitely would’ve remembered you.”
“Not yet,” I answer lamely. “Sorry. I haven’t been out here long.”
“That’s cool.” Andrew waves his hand in the air, like it’s no big deal, which at least helps me feel less stupid.
Truthfully, as handsome as he is, Andrew’s personality reminds me of a goofy puppy. Although, as I run my gaze over his tall, lean, muscled, heavily inked frame, which he clearly enjoys showing off, I can’t stop thinking about what Pamela said about other parts of his anatomy.
“We definitely need to catch Kickstart’s next show.” Pamela smiles up at her boyfriend sweetly. “Since they’re basically the new and improved Vicious Vandals.”
Touché. Inside, I’m laughing at her comeback for Andrew’s earlier dig.
Andrew smirks at her.
Wait a second? Didn’t she make fun of me for starring in a music video? And here she is dating a rocker herself.
“Well, we’re meeting people.” Pamela touches my shoulder. “I heard you got a call back too, so I’ll definitely see you soon.”
Goodie. Can’t wait.
She slants a look Chaser’s way. “I’m sure I’ll see you again soon too.”
“Later,” Andrew calls over his shoulder.
Jacob and Garrett leave the bar, tripping over themselves to get to us. Alvin follows behind, shaking his head.
“How do you know Pamela Scott?” Jacob’s dumbfounded face would make me laugh if I wasn’t so rattled by running into my doppelganger.
“We met at an audition.”
“You’re auditioning with Pamela Scott?” His eyebrows crawl all the way up his forehead.
His shock is a bit insulting. “What exactly do you think I do all day, Jacob?”
“Curl your hair. Try on clothes.” He shrugs. “Fuck Chaser?”
“Knock it off, dick,” Chaser growls.
“What? It’s a compliment.”
“When we met, she made a point to tell me about her boyfriend’s massive cock.” I smile at him sweetly. “So, I don’t think you have a shot with her, Jacob.”
Garrett rolls his eyes. “As if the whole world hasn’t already seen Andrew Lane’s massive dick.”
Jacob grabs the button of his jeans. “You saying I got a small dick? Because I assure you—”
“Keep your pants on, asshole. No one wants to measure your sad little noodle.” Chaser glances in Pamela and Andrew’s direction. “Even if you’re smuggling a tree trunk down there, she’s way out of your league.”