enticing view, Chris lost his train of thought for a moment. “I mean for a song,” he clarified, licking suddenly dry lips. “When in doubt I always choose one of the big three. Which will it be: Sex, drugs, or rock ‘n roll?”
Sara chuckled. “In country music it’s more like trucks, honky tonks, or heartbreak,” she quipped.
“I can certainly relate to that last one,” he said with chagrin. “Why don’t we work with that?”
Sam dropped her coat and messenger bag on the suite’s upholstered living room chair. “Hey,” she said with a sigh.
“Hey, yourself. How was work?” Sara asked, unfolding her legs and looking up from her laptop. She patted the seat cushion next to her on the couch.
Sam flopped down beside her. “Tiring.” She chewed on her lip and gave her sister a tentative sidelong glance. “Sara, listen. I’ve decided to go out with JR and I just wanna know… what’s it gonna take to get you to tone down the rhetoric?”
“I don’t know Sam.” Sara grimaced. “I have a lot of reservations about the guy, but you’re a grownup. It’s your life, not mine.”
“I appreciate that. But it would make me feel better if you’d at least give him a chance.”
Sara rubbed the back of her neck. “Alright, Sam, I’ll try.”
“Great. Listen, I heard that JR and Chris are going to be at Soho Billiards tonight. They’re celebrating with some guys Chris hired to be in his band. Why don’t you and I crash the party?”
Sara smirked. “You already had this all planned out in your mind, didn’t you, Munchkin?”
Sam blushed. “Maybe.” She stood, grabbed her sister’s hand, and pulled. “Come on. Let’s show ‘em how hot Texas girls can be,” she said in a drawl, raising a teasing brow. “I’m sure you want to look nice for Chris.”
Sara followed behind her, muttering indignantly, “Why in the world would I care what he thinks?”
Soho’s was a guy’s kind of place. Nothing fancy or trendy, just basic pub fare, a bartender slinging drinks, and well-maintained pool tables in the back room. Masculine décor predominated: dark burgundy walls with oak wainscot, a colorful mural breaking up the monotony, and well-worn but sturdy furnishings. Smoke free by provincial regulation, no blaring jukebox disturbed the muted sounds of clinking glasses, conversation, and occasional fraternal laughter.
JR smiled to himself as he left Keith to set up for the next game. He hopped up the two steps into the main room and headed to the bar. Despite the acrimonious circumstances surrounding Keith’s departure from Brutal Strength, the two of them had remained close, and now that Keith and his drummer Danny had signed on with Chris Alex, they would be able to hang out more together, and that was cool with him. JR wasn’t so sure how Marcus would take the news, however. He and Keith’s issues were public knowledge.
A blast of cold air drew his attention as the outside door admitted the Daniels sisters. JR did a double take. Damn. He’d never seen her in anything but those prim and proper business suits she wore to work. Noticing similar looks of appreciation from the other guys in the lounge, he suddenly wished he could put her right back in the curve camouflaging attire.
Her face was angelic, but her curves in that red halter top and tight skinny jeans were sinful. Hail Mary, full of grace …Where the hell was her coat? It was five degrees Celsius outside. He pushed away from the bar and strode over to meet her.
Chris intercepted him, blocking his path. “Hey, where’re you going? Keith and Danny are ready for another game. You and I can totally take ‘em, man.”
“Not now.” JR looked pointedly over Chris’ shoulder. He didn’t want to take his eyes off of her for even a second.
Chris swiveled around to see what had caught JR’s attention. “Holy shit!” His eyes widened, although Sam’s presence barely registered. His focus was completely on Sara and a neverending long