Rock Star Returns: Carlie's Story (Access All Areas 2)

Hell, I started humming. I stopped myself before anyone noticed. I think.

I smiled just thinking about that thing Holden had done with his tongue the night before. And again this morning. I wondered if he'd do it again tonight.

Then Alex's phone rang.

"Oh yeah," he said when he hung up. "We've got a serious meeting lined up. First step to the big time. That was Jim Baxter."

He waited for a reaction. I had no idea who that was or if I should know him. Jackson had a look of recognition, though.

"Jim, he's a good bloke. You'll do well if he signs you."

You could see Alex's ego inflate.

"Good luck," I said.

"What's up with you?" Jackson asked. "You're freaking me out. Say something snarky. Anything. You've turned into a mushy cow. Either you're angling for a raise or you're in love."

He knew. He had to know. The way he looked at me, as though I had traces of sex on my face, he knew. I could hide nothing in this place. My face flushed, the redness growing. I had to say something snarky or I'd reveal everything. But I couldn't think of anything snarky to say.

Then I remembered.

"Hey, Alex. You owe me,” I said, holding my hand out.

He reached into his jacket pocket and got out an envelope that he put in my hand. Then leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"I took out the $500 bonus because you didn't stay until the end."

Damn, did nothing escape him? I flicked through the money, making sure he hadn't shorted me.

"Don't you trust me, Carlie?" he asked.

"I don't trust anyone."

But then Jackson got chatting to Alex about the record label people and I was forgotten.

I wanted that money safely away before Alex found out I'd blurted to Holden that he'd paid me to watch the gig. I wasn't sure if that was against our agreement or not but since Alex hadn't specifically stated that I had to keep it quiet, he surely couldn't take the money back. He definitely couldn't if I'd spent it.

I slipped the money in my bag but then realized it wasn't the safest place for it. If I got busy serving, anyone could slip behind the bar. I'd worked too hard for that money to lose it.

That made me smile. It'd not really been that hard. Easiest money I'd ever made, actually.

Violet had a safe in her office for the band room takings. I could use that to store my precious money but she'd never actually given me the combination. And Alex talked about me not trusting anyone. Of course, I'd had no reason to know it before.

I took the notes out of the bag and stuffed them in my bra. I winced a little when they hit my nipple.

I figured I'd fooled them but later in the day Drew came in.

"Drew!" I called out, then stopped short because he'd been so angry with me last time.

We’d been through four busboys since Drew left. Brad, one guy who passed out at the bar after doing too many drugs on his shift, another guy who thought he could run the place on his first night then Rex, who’d tried to convert the customers to some weird religious cult.

Drew sat with Jackson and the two of them talked for a while. I didn't really pay attention because I was thinking about that thing and that other thing. All the things Holden had done to me. Then all the things I wanted him to do. Mostly I thought about the way his hips moved when he was on stage and the even better way they moved when we were in bed.

"See you tonight," he'd said when I left. Was that a definite thing? Like a locked-in plan? Or was it just a casual way to say goodbye.

When I turned to get myself some ice water, I noticed the horned and Hitler-moustached picture of Holden behind the bar. That had been a bit mean. I should tear it down. Was anyone watching? If they saw me tear it down, they might get the wrong idea.

Jackson caught my eye and nodded for me to come over.