Free The Final Note (DJ Series Book 1) by Helen J. Barnes Page A

What are you drinking, Alannah?”
    “I’ll have a VK blue, please.” I perch on a stool next to him, my short purple tube dress hitching up my thigh. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Dayton. Regina puts my drink in front of me.
    “Enjoy, this one is on the house.”
    “Thanks, Regina. Come on, Lana. I wanna say hi to the others.”
    He takes my hand again and as I slide off the stool I get another icy look from Regina.
    Dayton is met by a round of applause from the gang at the booth and he looks modestly embarrassed. “Give over, you fools,” he chuckles before letting me sit down first and he slides into the booth after me.
    Brent looks positively sick with nerves now and Dayton slaps him on the back. “You ready for your slot, Brent? Only half an hour until you’re on.” The smile slides off Dayton’s face when he sees the ashen white pallor of Brent’s face. “Luke, you dumb ass, I told you not to let him drink too much before his set.”
    Brent looks at Luke through unfocused eyes before turning to Dayton. “S’not his fault, Dayt, t’was me who drank too much. M’sorry, man.”
    Dayton looks like he’s trying not to swear when he runs his hands over his face and rakes his fingers through his hair. “Shit, Barros is gonna be furious. Do you know how hard it was for me to convince him to give you this shot?”
    “Dayton,” Ross says quietly before nodding his head towards the bar where Regina is heading in our direction. “Brent, look alive.” We all drop silent as Miss Perfection slides up to the table with a blindingly white smile slapped across her face.
    “Any empties, boys?” she breezes but nobody has finished their drinks. “Oh, and just to be clear, there are no drinks to be consumed on the dance floor.”
    “We know this, Regina,” Corrine says in a tone you would use with a child. Macy and Dina are looking at Regina with pure loathing, surely she can feel the vibes blazing from this booth? Even the men seem on tenterhooks.
    “Seems not everyone got the message.” She turns to me. “You took your drink with you out there. Make sure you don’t do it again.”
    I am about to reply but Dayton steps in before me. “It’s her first night, Regina, cut her some slack. I’ll look after her, don’t worry.” He offers her a sweet smile, which she returns and places her hand on his shoulder.
    “Thank you, babe. I knew you were going to say that.” Then she flicks me a glance of disapproval.
    I resist rolling my eyes at her and look over the table at Corrine who is practically snarling.
    “Brent, no vomiting on my floors, boy. Move it!” Regina barks suddenly, taking us all by surprise, including Brent who snaps his head up and slaps his hand to his mouth. He bolts towards the restrooms which provokes chuckles from the men at the table but us women trade sympathetic glances. “Dayton, how the hell is he supposed to play like that? Dad is going to be livid. Would you be a complete darling and try to sort him out?” She practically flutters her eyelashes at him.
    Is this bird for real? I don’t know about Miss Perfection, Miss Schizophrenic sounds more appropriate.
    “Of course, Regina. I’ll go check on him in a few minutes,” Dayton assures her whilst flicking a glance of irritation to Luke who simply shrugs.
    “Thanks, babe.” Regina smiles before running her finger down his cheek. “You’re an angel.” She pouts before flouncing off back to the bar. I get a twist of jealousy in my stomach and I curl my lip, trading a glance with Corrine.
    Out of nowhere Dina starts clapping and bouncing in her seat. “I fluffin’ love this track, come on, ladies, we have got to dance.”
    There is a flurry of activity around the table as we are all shuffled from our seats. “Let’s go, Lana,” Dina squeaks, taking my hand and pulling me away towards the main room.
    “Are you coming?” I call back to Dayton but he shakes his head.
    “I’m gonna check on Brent first. You go enjoy