Free Play for Me by Lois Kasznia

nonchalantly. “I have two with me. You
can borrow Kim.”
    “I hate Kim,” said Sam crossly. “You know that. She and I
don’t get a long at all.”
    “Kim?” asked Ian totally lost.
    “His guitar. He named it after an old girlfriend whom I
hated,” said Sam with disgust. “Besides, I’m not going.”
    “Yes you are.” Jordan stood firm.
    “No, I’m not!”
    “You’d let Jeff Beckett down?” Jordan gave Sam a pained
look.
    “Yeah, I would.” Sam crossed her arms over her chest and
glared at her brother.
    “You’re just nervous. Are you afraid because I’m better than
you and you can finally admit it?” Jordan had pressed the button he expected.
    “Those are fighting words, Jordan Ray Stevens.” Sam started
to get up, but Ian forced her to sit back down.
    “Would you two stop it?” demanded Ian. “The two of you are
acting like children.” He turned to Sam. “You’re playing whether you like it or
not. I want to hear you.”
    “Fine,” growled Sam. “You better get me drunker than a
skunk.” Sam did not want to do this and tried to figure out ways to back out. She
glared at Jordan, who only smiled at her.
    “Now, let’s get some food,” said Ian as he looked at the
menu.
    The rest of the evening passed quickly as all three of them
had a great time. Ian fell more in love with Sam, something that did not go by
unnoticed by Jordan. Especially when Sam excused herself to use the facilities.
    “Hey, Ian,” began Jordan slowly. “Do you have a thing for my
sister?”
    “I hadn’t planned on it, but yeah. I do.” Ian looked at Jordan evenly. “She’s so different than any of the women I’ve met. She’s smart, sassy, and
intelligent, not to mention downright gorgeous.”
    “Like I said, I want my woman to be just like her. But remember
my warning,” said Jordan slowly. “Don’t hurt her.”
    “I’d never hurt her,” vowed Ian. “Why would I?”
    “Well, in case you forgot, what did we talk about earlier? Remember
the girlfriend in Maui?”
    “I do, and I'm not attracted to her the way I’m attracted to
Sam,” answered Ian honestly.
    “Now what are you two talking about?” asked Sam as she
returned to her seat. “The two of you look like you’re going to break into a
fist fight.”
    “Nothing,” said Jordan still keeping his eyes on Ian. “We’re
good. Ready to head on out?”
    “Not really,” said Sam. “Look, I promised Jett that I would
do some work tonight, so I’m going to skip the music thing. Thanks for dinner,
guys.”
    Sam got her purse and started to get up when Jordan grabbed
her elbow. “You’re coming along, and that’s final.”
    “I agree with Jordan,” said Ian as he took Sam’s other
elbow. She tried to throw both of them off, but it didn’t work. Frustrated and
close to tears, Sam got in the taxi with them, along with Jordan’s two guitars and duffle bag. Ian sat close to Sam and took her hand and squeezed it
gently. “You’re going to do fine. You got me and Jordan there for support.”
    “No, you don’t understand. Jordan wants to humiliate me. He
knows I panic when I play in public.”
    “I’m not going to humiliate you,” said Jordan. “Where did that come from? Huh? I challenge you is what I do. You have all this
talent and you don’t use it.”
    “I want to hear this talent,” said Ian.
    “I’d rather be surfing,” said Sam sullenly.
    “But you don’t surf?” asked Ian, confused.
    “I’d be trying now, so I don’t have to play.” Sam squared
her shoulders.
    “Here we are,” said Jordan excitedly as the cab came to a
stop. He grabbed his bags and guitars.
    Ian held Sam’s hand leading her into the dark and smoky
atmosphere of the club. Sam’s eyes adjusted and she felt acutely aware of Ian’s
arm around her waist. They followed Jordan as he waved to people he knew and
reached a table. There was a band playing and they didn’t sound half bad and
Sam started to relax a little bit. Maybe she wouldn’t have to