Chapter 14

As his voice soared, I thought of our future together, with its inevitable ups and downs, and I knew that music would always be the tie that would bind us together. The only thing stronger would be love.

THE ENDThe Beat of His Drum

“Caesar’s Flame will be performing here on New Year’s Day!”

I froze, completely losing count of the number of guitar cables we had in stock. No. Fucking. Way.I gaped at my business partner, Evan Harper, who’d just rushed into the stockroom where I was doing inventory. It couldn’t be, not after so many years.

“Are you shittin’ me?”

“I know, right?” He continued to babble, completely unaware of my inner turmoil. “I couldn’t believe it myself, but I was trying to decide what to do about music and bookings that weekend, then lo and behold, they drop into my lap—figuratively, of course! They’re back in town and wanted to do their last gig at our place, before taking a long break. You know, a ‘local boys made good’ kinda thing.”