Chapter 9

They laughed, and Logan nodded to Mason. "Count it off!"

"One, two, three, four!" Mason yelled as he hit his drumsticks together.

I recognized the tune and immediately picked it up. These guys weren't just good they were great. I hadn't had this much fun in my life. As the song came to a close, we ended it in an elaborate rift as Logan and I leaned our backs against one another, and then we all jumped into the air together and landed on the last cord as we all cheered.

"Man! You guys are great!" I yelled, laughing. "Let's do another

"Sweet Home Alabama!" Lathe yelled, and Mason counted it off.

Lathe and I alternated doing the beginning rifts, and then we launched into our own rendition. Logan took the lead on the verses. He had a great voice: rocking, sweet, and sensual. I immediately felt my heart stir, and I wondered what it was. A few minutes later, the song came to a close as the last chord played.

"Let's try one of yours," Mason said as he ran a hand through his sweaty hair, clearly enjoying himself. "Tell the guys what key you play in and I'll count it off."

"Firebomb in the key of G!" I yelled over the guitars as Lathe stepped away from his mic and nodded toward me.

My fingers flew over the neck of my guitar, and the guys cheered but quieted down to listen to me sing. They quickly picked up the tune and played along. Logan harmonized with me on the chorus, and it sounded like we'd been playing together for years and not just one night. When the song finished, I let out a big yawn. I was having a ball and didn't want the night to end, but I had to be at the studio the next day.

"That was great!" Mason yelled. "You know any slow songs? I need a break." He wiped the imaginary sweat from his brow for effect.

"You're a wuss!" Lathe yelled, as his fingers flew over the neck of his guitar.

"I've got your 'wuss' right here," he replied as he grabbed the bulge in his jeans.

"Hey, hey, guys!" Logan said. "There's a lady present!"

"Oops!" Mason replied, and then looked over at me. "Sorry about that."

"No worries." I laughed as I shook my head. I was used to guys and their antics. I started gently strumming my guitar in a slow, soothing motion.

"Hey. What's that you're playing?" Logan asked.

I laughed. "Oh. It's nothing. Just something I've been playing around with."

"Play it," he said, quickly picking up the chords.

Soon, I started alternating between rhythm guitar and lead. I laughed, shaking my head. "It's nothing."

"Come on," Kyle interjected. "I love it so far."

"Hey. There's no one else here," Logan interjected. "We play around with tunes all the time. That's how we write our best songs." I shook my head. "Play it play it, please?" he begged. "Hey. I have an idea. Why don't you play and we'll listen?"

I laughed. "Well, there's no pressure there," I teased, rolling my eyes.

Everyone laughed.

"No. I have a better idea. Let's jam," I said as my hands quickly flew over the neck of my guitar, causing it to scream.

"I don't know about you guys, but I need a break," Logan said, faking an exaggerated yawn.

"Yeah. Me, too," Kyle said, placing his guitar on the stand. He plopped down on the couch and crossed his arms and stretched out his long legs, looking at me expectantly.

"Me, three," Mason said, getting up from his drums. "Anyone want a beer?"

"Alright!" I finally relented. "Sit down and I'll play."

Logan and the others quickly settled in, the beer forgotten. Kyle leaned back with his arms folded as his big boots protruded forward. The rest of the guys sprawled across the couch and empty chairs.

A moment later, I started playing my original song. Moonlight. It was a slow love ballad, but not too mushy. There was no way that I was going to sing a mushy love song to a bunch of guys I'd just met. A moment later, I was lost in the song as my voice rose and fell, singing the lyrics. I closed my eyes as I rode the waves of the tune until the song came to a soft end.

When I opened my eyes and looked around, everyone was watching me in stunned silence. I looked over at Logan, and he quickly looked away, then rose to his feet and walked into the kitchen. A moment later, he came back with two beers and handed one to me. There was still emotion in his eyes.

I waved it off. "No. I don't drink beer," I said, and then looked up at him and smiled. "But I wouldn't refuse a wine cooler."

Logan laughed. "Sorry. Fresh out, but I'll get you some tomorrow."

I smiled as I shook my head. "No need. I'll just take some water."

Kyle picked up his guitar. "Help yourself. If you're waiting for someone to wait on you around here, you'll be waiting for a long time."

I laughed as I slid the guitar strap off my shoulders. "Well, it's been a lot of fun, but I have to get some sleep."

"Crash here," Logan blurted out as the guys looked at him. When he saw the look of shock on my face, he added, "You can have my room, and I'll take the couch."

"No. I can take the couch"

"Around this bunch? No way! You need a lock on your door," Logan joked.

"Man, we're not animals!" Lathe said, setting his guitar down on a guitar stand, and then headed off to the kitchen in a huff.

"No matter what he tells you, you're safe with us," Kyle said to me as he gave Logan a dirty look.

"I know that," I said. "I'm sure Logan was only kidding."

"Nope," he said, smiling.

Mason punched him on the arm.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" I asked. "I can get a hotel for tonight. I'm going to find an apartment tomorrow."

"Are you kidding? Really?" Lathe asked, coming back into the room with another beer. "It's two-thirty in the morning. You really think you can find a hotel at this hour?" He plopped down on the couch and propped his feet up on the coffee table, and then took a swig of his beer.

"Well, I have a lot to do tomorrow so I need to hit the hay," I said as I slid my guitar back into its case. "So, would you guys like to come with me tomorrow?"

"To the studio?" Lathe asked, leaning forward as he took his feet off the coffee table.

I shrugged. "Sure! Why not?"

"Well, we have to talk about it," Logan quickly interjected before anyone else could reply.

Lathe took a deep breath and shook his head, unable to believe that Logan was even considering turning it down, I guessed.

"Yes. Well, you have a lot to discuss." Then, I said to Logan, "Would you show me to your room?" The guys suppressed a laugh, even Lathe. "Wait that didn't sound right."

Logan laughed. "I'd be glad to show you to my room," Logan joked, raising an eyebrow.

I hit him playfully on the shoulder.

"Ow! Stop doing that!" He laughed as he playfully rubbed his shoulder. "Come on." He motioned with his head toward the hallway.

"Nice to meet you guys!" I said with a wave over my shoulder. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Night!" they practically said in unison.

I laughed and shook my head as I followed Logan down the hallway.

"I told you, your virtue is safe with me," Logan said in a low voice. Suddenly, he stopped before a door. "Here it is. Make yourself at home and I'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks," I said, and watched as he walked away, but part of me already wanted him to stay.