Free Flesh & Bone - a contemporary romance: The Minstrel Series #2 by Lee Strauss, Elle Strauss Page B

but now, well, he was done with superficial and anything that smelled of it. He liked authentic. Real.
    He liked Eva Baumann.
    But what about that leg? He chastised himself. Now who was being superficial?
    Besides, it wasn’t like he was a big catch. Once you pulled away the fame and the money—Eva Baumann could do better. Definitely. And she deserved better. Best to just toss all thoughts of her aside.
    He called Dirk.
    “Finally,” he answered with a huff.
    “Nice to hear from you again, too.” Sebastian smirked. He knew why Dirk was riled up. It had to do with his last text to him.
    I quit.
    “You can’t quit. You know that right?”
    “Why not?” Sebastian turned the corner and pushed the numbers to unlock the door to his building.
    “Because you signed a contract. It’s legally binding.”
    Sebastian swore softly. He figured as much, but he kept bluffing. “Find another lead singer. The deal was really with the band, right? Not me.”
    “It was with the band and with you. With each of you.”
    Sebastian went straight to his fridge, opened a beer and took a swig. “What happens if I just don’t show? Karl is more than ready to take my place.”
    “Karl is an a-hole. What he did to you was unconscionable, no question. But he doesn’t have what it takes to fill your shoes.”
    “Then fire him.”
    “I can’t fire him for immoral behavior. He’d be the one suing next. I’m afraid you’re just stuck with each other.”
    “Not going to work for me, Dirk. I quit.”
    “You’re really going to face a lawsuit over this? Throw away your career?”
    “I’ll revive it.”
    Dirk went quiet, and Sebastian had to check to make sure he hadn’t been cut off.
    “Look,” Dirk finally said. “I can probably postpone the next tour, give you guys some time to cool off and get your act together. It won’t be pretty and you can expect fan and media backlash.”
    “I knew there was a reason we hired you.”
    “Yeah, well, the studio is still booked for October, so you’re not on vacation. You better get writing. Ya hear me?”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Sebastian hung up without saying good-bye.
    He flopped on the couch and put his hands behind his head. This was the best good news he’d heard in weeks. Six weeks off. Karl and Yvonne drama free. Sounded heavenly.
    Sebastian heard Dirk, though. He had to write. He reached for the nearest guitar that was propped against the couch and ran his fingers up and down the strings, listening for something new to inspire him. Any random combination of things could ignite a new idea. He threw the strap over his shoulder and walked the guitar to the opened door to the deck. The view from his patio was familiar and comfortable, but he saw nothing that inspired an idea.
    He went back inside and flicked on the TV. Normally, he avoided news channels. He hated bad news. It just reminded him of his own problems.
    He flicked it off.
    This was crazy. He removed his guitar and headed back to the fridge for another beer. He wondered if he’d ever write a new song again. Dirk might get his court case by default at this rate.
    Truth was, he wrote best in tandem with another writer. He didn’t know why, but his best ideas came with collaboration. Like the song he wrote with Katja Stoltz or the dozen he and Karl had written over the years. The two of them were like John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
    Sebastian groaned. He couldn’t imagine spending five minutes in the same room with Karl again, much less writing another hit song with him.
    Which made him think of Eva Baumann. She was a good writer. Maybe she could be his next muse? She certainly was on his mind a lot more than he’d expected. Even if she could just help him get started on a new song. He just needed a little help getting started.
    Would it be weird if he showed up at her place again? Twice in one day? Her father would likely be there by now, and Sebastian was pretty sure he wouldn’t be too pleased to see him again. He just