The Man You Need (Love on Tour #4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Unlike the acoustic guitar he quietly strummed while playing for his wife and son, he held a bright red electric one. It was strapped across his torso and his fingers flew across it. Instead of the quiet singing I was so accustomed to, he was using his powerful diaphragm to push air through his deep, smooth voice at the speed of light. He was singing the same lyrics he had written on a notepad while lounging on his couch, his baby boy tucked into his arm. But here they were forceful, powerful, dark, and gritty. This was Sean on stage. Even in his music videos he wasn’t like this. He was uncomfortable in front of the camera, and in truth, most of his videos showed very little of him. This had to be witnessed in person to be truly understood.
    I’d seen Sean like this dozens of time, but Jack hadn’t. I turned around to look at him. He was watching, clearly in awe. His mouth had dropped open. His eyes were wide. Jack had just caught his first glimpse of what he’d really gotten himself into. Sean was the chance to propel Jack’s career into space.
    ****
    After the show we rushed from the back door to the bus, avoiding the crowds of people attracted to the monstrous vehicle. I took up the rear of our group, allowing Sean and Hank to get into the bus before they were swamped with fans. Jack was right behind me. So when we got on the bus all available seating was taken except for the spot on the couch beside Jack.
    I was still trying to decide if I should be pissed off at this guy. I mean, his job was to keep me from getting laid. What the hell was that? Of course, that was ultimately Sean’s fault. But I didn’t blame Sean for it. He’d always been this way. And I was maybe a little blind when it came to Sean. Like my mother, I operated under the belief that Sean was perfect and anything imperfect in his life must be someone else’s fault. So, back in that green room, I’d immediately laid my anger on Jack. He was the one who’d agreed to Sean’s stupid scheme anyway.
    But I didn’t know this guy, he didn’t know me, and he’d just been trying to impress his new boss by agreeing to this asinine plan to keep me celibate. I was stuck with Jack for the next two months. And I needed him to lay off so I could do what I wanted, like a real adult.
    Ultimately, I figured it would benefit me more if I was friendly to him. So when the bus started rolling, I made small talk. “So…”
    He looked up from his phone and smiled at me. God, he was stupid hot.
    “How’d you like the show?”
    “Fucking amazing!” I was still a little surprised at his casual swearing. I mean everything about Jack screamed ‘professional’ except for that dirty mouth. “And it was just like you said it would be.” His eyes got wide. I knew he wouldn’t repeat what I said about Sean’s performance with the man himself just a few feet away, but that’s what he was thinking about. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
    I grinned and folded my arms over my chest. “Told you.”
    “Are you a pretty big connoisseur of music, Stacey?”
    “As much as most people, I guess. I have my favorites, and I keep up with new music coming out.”
    “Who’s your favorite?”
    “Of all time?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Uh. That’s tough.”
    “Okay, other than Sean or Hank.”
    “Any era?”
    “Of all time.”
    “Don’t laugh.”
    “Laugh. Why would I laugh? There is no wrong answer to that question. It’s music. A person’s musical taste is as individual as fingerprints.”
    “Okay. Elvis.”
    “Really?” He said with surprise.
    “I love his voice, and his lyrics, and his hips. He was like rock and roll all wrapped up in one sexy man.”
    Jack chuckled.
    “You said you wouldn’t laugh.”
    “I’m not laughing at your choice, I’m laughing at you.”
    “Oh, that’s so much better.” I rolled my eyes. “What’s yours?”
    He shrugged. “It changes from day to day, literally. Today, I suppose it’s Sean. That was a hell of a