A Christmas Song Read Online Free PDF Page A

then. It took him a little while to understand why she turned him down. It wasn’t because she didn’t love him. It was because she loved him enough to step back and let him become a superstar. He didn’t actually think he could have made it to the top if he had to worry about her too. Now his life was more stable and he could offer her a home, even if she wanted to stay in San Diego. He didn’t have a problem moving back home. He would move to the ends of the earth just as long as he could be with her.
     
    “We’re putting Three-Ringed Circus on last as an added surprised,” Denise said.
     
    “Sounds good to me,” M. J. said. “It would mean no stress for us, and we could leave the audience wanting more.”
     
    “Great,” Denise said. “We have a large empty room ready for you guys to rehearse in.”
     
    Dante raised his hand to get her attention. “Will there be dancing?”
     
    She nodded. “Yes, we’re going to rock the benefit.”
     
    “Then can you save a dance for me?”
     
    Denise blushed. “Yes, I’ll pencil you onto my dance card.”
     
    Trent glared over into Dante’s direction. He didn’t know what Dante was up to, but his friend didn’t stand a chance with Denise now that he’d slept with her.
     
    The meeting went on for another hour or so and then it disbanded.
     
    Dante had followed Denise out of the meeting room, while he stayed behind to talk with Bernard about the rehearsal room. He didn’t think Denise was foolish enough to fall for any of Dante’s sweet talk.
     
    “Come on. I’ll show you guys where you can set up your instruments,” Bernard told them.
     
    “What about Dante?” Vince asked.
     
    “We’ll get him after we see the room. He has to help unload the instruments,” M. J. said as he followed behind Bernard like a lovesick puppy.
     
    Bernard took them to a large room at the back of the hotel that used to be one of the dining rooms. “We removed all the tables and chairs and put them in storage so you guys can have room to move around.”
     
    “Thanks,” M. J. said. He moved a strand of long brown hair behind his ear. “This is going to be perfect.”
     
    Bernard looked at him shyly. “If there’s anything else you need, please don’t be afraid to ask.”
     
    “What’s your suite number? In case I need something.”
     
    “One zero zero two,” Bernard said, looking all kinds of pleased. “See you later.”
     
    M. J. kept watching as Bernard walked away.
     
    Trent slapped M. J. on the back of the neck to get his attention. “Cut it out. We need to rehearse.”
     
    Vince walked past them. “I’ll go find Dante.”
     
    “You do that,” Trent said. “Find Denise and you’ll find him.”
     
    “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about him,” M. J. said. “What’s up with him hitting on your girl?”
     
    Trent shrugged. “Maybe he’s impressed by her new body.”
     
    “Maybe. And it’s not like he isn’t already in a relationship. Annette would kill him for cheating on her.”
     
    Annette was a stewardess from Los Angeles, where most of the band lived when they weren’t on the road.
     
    Trent agreed with him. “Maybe he should have invited her to come with us. Clarice too.”
     
    Clarice was Vince’s girlfriend. She was an aerobics instructor.
     
    “I might bring up the subject to Dante before you strangle him.”
     
    Trent ran his fingers through his hair. “Am I that obvious?”
     
    M. J. nodded. “Do you think you can get Denise to change her mind and marry you? I know you’ve wanted this for a long time.”
     
    Trent shrugged. “That’s all I want for Christmas. But Denise and I might be getting a present in the fall, too.”
     
    M. J. looked at him oddly. “What do you mean?”
     
    “The condom broke.”
     
    M. J. grimaced. “No?”
     
    Trent nodded. “And she’s not on the pill.” He sighed. “Maybe it’s fate.”
     
    “It sounds like you got a little over-anxious in the bedroom. But I