“WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR lip?” my dad asks as he helps me prepare the stage for tonight’s acts.
“Some young dudes jumped me in the parking lot.”
He pauses and stares at me with horror. “I know you joke a lot, and right now I’m hoping to fuck you’re joking.”
I give him a sheepish smile. “I wish I could say I was, but, well, I’m not.”
“Why didn’t you call me!” he yells, throwing the chair down. “Why didn’t you call the police? Who are they? Where are they?”
“It’s okay, Daddy,” I say, putting my hands out to calm him down. “It’s fine, the bikers next door sorted it out.”
His eyes get wider. “The bikers? The bikers? How do I know it wasn’t one of them?”
“It wasn’t, I promise. It was three teenage boys who thought they were all powerful and mighty. It’s totally fine. I’m okay. I gave them a good dose of their own medicine, I promise.”
“You shouldn’t be out there walking alone, what were you thinking?”
“I was delivering a little message to my friends next door, I didn’t know it was dangerous.”
“You’re a young girl, Evelina! Of course it’s dangerous.”
Oh, boy.
“I’m fine, I swear. I won’t do it again, I promise. I wasn’t thinking, but I learned my lesson.”
He stares at me, for a good long minute, and then exhales and nods his head. He trusts me, and I appreciate that. If my Giorgio trusted me too, we’d be one big happy family, but alas, he thinks I’m childish and can’t do anything without being completely serious and having zero personality.
“How many singers tonight?” Dad asks me after a few minutes of silence.
“About five tonight, which isn’t bad. It’ll be a late one, but Dom is coming in to help me.”
“So he should, your brother is very lazy at the moment.”
I roll my eyes. “Dad, he’s young, he’s enjoying his life. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“He needs to set himself up for a family. If he doesn’t, he’ll disappoint and end up alone.”
“You and Giorgio should write a book.”
I walk away, going over to the small bar where I have my two bar staff that are of age. The ones under twenty-one can’t work on the nights I open and alcohol is being served. I have Jade and Shawn on. They’re a great combo and work well together, they’re quick on their feet and keep everyone happy. I’d be lost without them.
“All ready to open?” I ask, leaning against the bar.
“Always.” Jade smiles, flicking her long, thick hair over her shoulder before grabbing it and tying it up. “I think we’ll be busy tonight, there are some great singers on. The one from last week is back, what’s her name?”
“Ahhh?” I say, pulling out my phone to look at the schedule. “Lucinda. She was really good.”
This is her second time playing, and the first time she definitely caught more than few eyes with her beautiful big voice and innocent type features. She was really nice, and so easy to get along with. I’m looking forward to having her back on stage. Saturday nights bring in the label heads, so no doubt she’ll catch their eye.
“She was great!” Jade nods.
“Dom’s little piece is coming in tonight, apparently she’s a country singer but is going to try something else. Should be fun.”
Jade laughs. “What’s her name?”
“Bridget. So not country,” I scoff.
I turn and stride off, going out the back to get changed. The doors open in half an hour, and I’m looking forward to the night.
I’m mostly just glad to have Wildflowers open again.
Thank the sweet lord.
I get changed, do my hair, and then peer out the window over to the garage. It’s quiet, surprisingly. I did hear they’re having a massive open day in the morning, and Riggs has a car he’s going to showcase inside the garage. Some fancy ass thing he did up, that he’s hoping to draw customers in with.
I’m sure it’ll go well ... but I’m also sure there’s something I can do to make sure he still knows it’s on ...
I’ll think on it.
I go back out and open the doors. Dom arrives with Bridget, who is up first. I haven’t met her yet, but I already know why he likes her. I’ve seen the photos. She has that sweet, country girl vibe about her, and I have no doubt she has a good voice or he wouldn’t bring her here. One look at my twin brother, and I can see he’s head over heels for this girl.
I’m happy for him.
But I also get a little sad when he finds a girl. Mostly because we don’t hang out as much and he’s basically my lifeline.
Still, got to let go one day, right?
“Hey, brother,” I say, smiling when he approaches me. “What have you got for me tonight?”
“Eve, this is Bridget. She’s my girlfriend. Bridget, this is my twin sister and royal pain in the ass, Eve.”
I grin and extend a hand to Bridget, who looks absolutely adorable. She’s wearing jeans, a frilly white top that showcases her boobs, and her blond hair is curled and falling around her shoulders. She’s a doll.
“I’m so happy to meet you, Eve. Thanks for having me, I really appreciate it.”
God she’s nice.
I couldn’t dislike her if I tried.
“Thanks for being here. We have some good label heads getting around tonight, so knock them dead up there. I’m looking forward to hearing you sing.”
She smiles nervously. “I will. Thanks so much.”
The two of them disappear, but not before Dom gives me a big happy grin over his shoulder. I throw him two thumbs up and then get myself a drink and settle in for the night. Bridget is up first and as predicted, the girl can sing. She has a deep, husky voice that’s unusual on someone so tiny. She could pull of a Miley Cyrus song, easily. She’s incredible, and I find myself unable to look away.
Dom stands at the front of the stage, and I have no doubt he’s grinning up at her.
“She’s good.”
I look to my left to see Riggs sitting down beside me, beer in hand. I look over my shoulder and see a small group of bikers sitting at a booth, but they’re all kicking back, not causing any troubles. They’re just watching Bridget sing.
“She is good,” I agree, staring at Bridget. “My brother is head over heels for her, too.”
“That your brother there?”
He nods toward Dom.
“Yeah, twin.”
“You’re a twin?” Riggs looks to me, brows raised.
“Yep.”
“Well, there you fuckin’ go.”
“What brings you here anyway? Don’t feel like creating a noisy party to drive me bananas tonight?”
He grins, god, he’s so fucking edible.
“Not tonight. Got our big opening tomorrow, can’t risk anythin’ getting fucked up. Or my car getting damaged.”
“I’ll have to come and see this car you speak of,” I say.
“Evelina.”
The sound of my father’s voice has me exhaling and sighing. Great. He’s going to see me with Riggs, lose his shit, and probably make a scene.