Free Just a City Boy (Midnight Train Series) by V. L. Holt

desk lamp to make it even more cozy. I had a coatrack that doubled as a place to hang dresses. With my teapot and a single teacup and saucer, it was the sweetest spot. I could daydream in here about making it big.
    Someday, I thought, a music producer was going to stop in after seeing my YouTube cover videos and hear me in real life. He’d whip out a contract and all my financial worries would be over!
    It was a nice dream, and I cuddled in it like a silk kimono while I licked my wounds.
    Zack Daniels was like that mangy old dog I tried to rescue when I was nine. He had a bad foot, limped on it like it had a thorn in it or something. I remembered that fable about the mouse pulling the thorn out of the lion’s paw and then they became best friends. I tried to coax the dog to come to me with my half-eaten bologna sandwich, and when he got close enough for me to look at his foot, he took a chunk out of my arm. Thank goodness my daddy was home to rush me to the hospital where they stitched me up. All I wanted to do was help that dumb old dog, and he attacked me.
    I mindlessly stroked the faded scar on the inside of my arm while I sat slumped on my pretty little stool. Tonight’s songs had gone great. I needed to let Andy know he was perfect and not to second guess himself all the time. He was Jack’s partner, the waiter Jack at Jack’s place…no relation. Those two had fights every other weekend, stemming from insecurities and old wounds. I couldn’t fix anything, but I loved them both and always hoped for the best.
    I tidied up my little space and turned out the lights.
    I fussed with the doorknob to get the door to stick shut, just another hiccup in my otherwise perfect dressing room, and when I turned Harley was standing right there, large and looming since he blocked the light in the hall.
    “Hey Harley, how are you tonight?” I asked him smoothly. I tried to walk around him but he stepped into my path.
    “I’m great. How’s my girl?” he asked me in a gravelly voice.
    “Harley, I’m not your girl. Now move, I need to get home and see if Ray,” I stopped myself. Harley did not need to know I was kicking Ray out. Ray had been my last bastion against Harley’s unwanted advances. “If Ray kept my supper warm,” I said finally.
    I pushed against the wall that was Harley’s chest until he reluctantly moved aside.
    “Thank you, doll,” I said in my honey voice. “Have you met the new guy?” I asked him, trying to deflect his interest in my activities.
    “Yeah I met him, why?” Harley asked. He leaned against the wall and stared at me with coal black eyes and bushy brows. His long hair was tied back into a low ponytail. He reeked of cheap cologne and stale cigarette smoke.
    “I was going to introduce you if you hadn’t met him, is all,” I said and began walking away. The hallway was feeling claustrophobic, not to mention smelly.
    I could feel Harley’s eyes on my butt. I was grateful I’d brought my tennis shoes. They wouldn’t create the false impression of tight calves like my stilettos did. While I thought about it, I was glad Harley had missed my entire act. It was a small mercy, probably a gift of scheduling genius by Brenda. I had complained to her about Harley’s relentless pursuit. I made a mental note to send her a thank you card. I had found over the years that people just liked to be appreciated.
    Even Harley. The problem with people like Harley was that they couldn’t take hints, didn’t respect personal space, and nothing you did was ever good enough.
    I looked around for Zack. As much as the little girl in me wanted to help him out and rescue him from himself, he had hurt my feelings, and I was feeling a little like a wounded duck myself. I wanted to avoid him, so I was glad when Harley didn’t need an introduction. I didn’t see him anywhere. I turned to look at Harley who had followed me almost to the entrance.
    “Well Harley, have a great night. See you around,” I told him. I