Love at The Bluebird

The suite is packed with employees and artists from Big Little Music, all hanging out, laughing, eating, and having a good time. Aly introduced me to everyone when we arrived. Most of the Big Little Music employees I’ve never met, but some of their artists who are here I already knew, like Scotty Wilkins. The only person Aly didn’t seem too keen on me meeting was their owner, Kathleen Davidson.

I noticed Aly lost the warm look in her eyes she normally carries when she made that introduction. Since we’ve met, she’s raved about how much she loves her job, especially her boss, Shane, so her reaction to Kathleen surprised me. I shake away the thought but make a mental note to ask her about it later when we’re alone.

I look over at her and can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face when I see her laughing at something Willow says. After meeting Willow Mayson and listening to those two chat during the game, I can see why she and Aly are best friends. Both women radiate warmth and happiness and shine it down on anyone who is lucky enough to be in their presence. They are gorgeous, but so down to earth that they are unaware of their beauty. Smart, yet love to be silly. Generous, but won’t put up with anyone’s shit if they are trying to take advantage of them.

It’s surprising to me that someone like Willow is single, but then again, so was Aly when I met her. I just hope Aly’s matchmaking skills tonight don’t backfire on her. She told me and Sosie her plans to play matchmaker between Willow and her hockey player friend, Brodie. Thank fuck this guy is just a friend and not someone she dated. I wouldn’t be able to be in the same room as him if I knew his hands were ever on my girl.

The sounds of a band starting to play pull me out of my thoughts. I finish eating, throw away my plate, and return to my seat next to Aly to watch the entertainment for the first intermission.

“No shit,” I say to myself but loud enough for Aly to turn to me and ask what’s wrong. “I know those guys,” I tell her, pointing to the band. “Harry and the Seahawks used to be legends as the Friday night entertainment at this bar on Demonbreun Street. Their energy is amazing, probably one of the best cover bands around.” I listen to them rock an Aerosmith song and can’t stop from bobbing my head to their beat.

“Do they still play there? We should all go sometime if they do,” Aly suggests, looking between me and Willow, who nods in agreement.

“I don’t know. Harry and I kind of lost touch. I still have his number though, so let me send him a text saying hello.” I pull out my phone from my pocket to send him a text, letting him know I’m here and they’re killing it. Once the text is sent, I put my phone away and grab Aly’s hand, linking our fingers together.

We continue watching Harry and his band for the remainder of his set and cheer loudly for them when they finish. Movement out of the corner of my right eye catches my attention, and I look over to see Sosie coming back to her seat next to me with a beer in hand and Scotty Wilkins following behind her. His gaze is downward while he concentrates on Sosie walking in front of him.

Is that asshole staring at my cousin’s ass?

I narrow my eyes at Scotty, and as if he can feel the burning of my gaze, he looks up at me right before he sits down next to her. I point two of my fingers to my eyes and flip them around to him, letting him know I’m watching him. He gives me a smirk, and that only pisses me off even more. Not wanting to cause a scene and embarrass Aly, I let go of her hand to retrieve my phone and send him a text.

Me: Don’t even think about it, motherfucker.

Scotty: Might be more like cousinfucker. *laughing emoji

My head snaps up, daggers shooting out of my eyes at him, as my self-control to not punch his face in is about to snap. The buzzing of my phone with an incoming text just might have saved his life.

Scotty: Cool your tits, McNeer. I was only kidding. Sosie and I are just friends. She’s like a little sister to me.

I snort at his comment. He must think I’m a dumbass, because there’s no way in hell he views Sosie as his little sister. Brothers don’t ogle their sister’s ass like he just did hers.

I look at Sosie to see how she’s doing, and to my surprise, a smile is on her face. Shit, Sosie might actually be having fun tonight. I watch her take a sip of her beer and wonder how many of those she’s had and if that’s why she’s in a good mood. Scotty points out something to her on the ice and she laughs. The sound is real and genuine, something I haven’t heard out of her for a very long time. I decide to let Scotty’s comment go… for now. But know that he and I are going to have a little chat at our jam session next week.