Free Whisky Lullaby: Rock Star Romance, Step-brother New Adult Romance (Tennessee Romance Book 1) by Lexy Timms

lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “Wasn’t really my decision.” He shrugged. If she was hanging out with Kaylee, she’d be seeing Charlie on a regular basis. “We decided as a band. Charlie has two problems: drinking and women.” He wanted to say sex and alcohol, but held back as he considered Kaylee. “He crossed a line he shouldn’t have. It’s a shame. We’ve got an audition for Rock Star Royale next month. It could be our big break. Now we have to find a replacement.”
    “Rock Star Royale… What’s that?”
    “It’s a huge music competition that’s sponsored by a bunch of big corporations around here. The winner gets a record deal, cash prize and loads of publicity.”
    “More than the celebrity status you guys already have?”
    He cocked a single eyebrow at her teasing. “Bigger. Bigger than that.”
    “Now I’m impressed.”
    “We’ve been trying to land an audition for two years now,” Logan explained, “and they finally took the bait. I just got the letter two days ago.”
    “Now I definitely can’t wait to hear you play.” She smiled, her face lighting up with excitement. “I heard you guys singing Mumford and Sons yesterday in the quad. Do you guys perform your own songs too?”
    He smiled, enjoying her fascination in the band and the competition. Most girls were fascinated in what he represented. The rock star persona. It had little to do with who he actually was. “At the Cave, we stick to well-known songs. We do have some songs I want to add to Whisky Lullaby’s catalog before our audition. I’m not sure if the sound is right without Charlie.”
    “I’d love to help you out.”
    He stared at her in surprise. “Pardon?”
    She blushed and he enjoyed seeing her shift in discomfort. He imagined other ways he could cause her a sweeter discomfort. He shook his head trying to clear the image from his mind.
    “Let me have a listen. Composition is apparently my strong suit.”
    She did have Juilliard training. It might not hurt to have her look at the new stuff. He’d have to run it past the band, but he was pretty sure they would say yes.
    “Then, maybe you can introduce a new song in each set you do. Test it out,” Ashley suggested.
    “You might be on to something.” The more he thought about it the more he liked the idea. Who would have thought that a classically trained cellist from New York City would be giving the lead singer of Whisky Lullaby tips on building a song catalog?
    Certainly not him, Logan Murphy.
     
    ***
     
    “Where the hell is Logan?” Dale demanded as he glanced up at the clock.
    “He said he was gonna meet us there,” Gavin said as he took a swig of his soda.
    “Meet us where? At the Cave?” Dale shook his head.
    “Yeah.”
    “What the hell, man! He knows we need to get a practice in before we do a gig.”
    “It’s Music Mayhem Monday. That means it’s supposed to be fun, Dale.” Zip grabbed the keys to the band van.
    “The guy never misses a practice. What’s his excuse? A chick?” Dale laughed.
    “He said he had a date.” Zale chuckled.
    “A date? Like a date, date ? Logan doesn’t date.” Dale scrunched his face, as if the thought was foreign to him.
    “Apparently he does now. He’s out with Kaylee’s cousin, Ashley I think. Took her out on his bike.”
    “Oh, shit…” Gavin replied and frowned. “Charlie’s Kaylee?”
    “I know,” Zip said. “Sniff sniff… Our baby boy’s growing up.”
    While Dale and Chris laughed, Gavin threw a piece of sheet music at his buddy, Zip’s, head. “Can you not act like a moron?” Gavin shook his head.
    Zip replied with a mischievous smirk on his face, “I can’t. It’s part of my charm.”
    “What time’s the gig tonight?” Gavin checked his watch again.
    “Eight o’clock. Sharp.”
    “Guess we better get a move on then.” Gavin sighed and started packing up his keyboard. “Which set are we starting out with tonight?”
    “Logan said; Boy and Bear.” Zip couldn’t keep a