Onstage, AJ Mobley is smart, clever, and commands attention. Offstage, he's shy and lost to everything but his music. The reason for the difference? Tyrone Dahl. For the past two years, AJ and Tyrone have been the star attraction at the Reno bar, Heat Wave. Their dueling pianos act is fast and funny, but their camaraderie isn't just under the spotlight. They're best friends away from the show, too. An opportunity to take their act to Las Vegas seems like the perfect next step in their careers. There's only one problem -- AJ's been in love with Tyrone almost from the moment they met. He's hidden it well; after all, Tyrone might be bisexual, but he's also never lacked for company. AJ would rather be his friend than another notch on his bedpost. But Vegas beckons. And Tyrone wants to take the leap. The last thing AJ can ever do is deny his best friend ...

Interlude

“I gotta get out of here,” he muttered. Sliding off his stool, he headed for the door, not seeing anything but the image of Tyrone’s face burned on his memory. He had the distinct feeling he was going to see it, even after he’d fallen asleep.


Janie might have called after him, but AJ didn’t hear it. For once, he was glad he didn’t live that far away from Heat Wave. The drive home would be mercifully short, he could crash, and maybe in the morning, when he wasn’t exhausted, this wouldn’t seem as much of a mess as it did


He fumbled with the keys at the secured front door. Would all this have happened if he’d let Tyrone in that night? What if he’d insisted Tyrone go home? If he’d been presented with the Vegas job by the light of day, would he still have caved?


Probably. Because Tyrone had asked. It was a good opportunity for them, regardless of whether or not Ty was going to try to get him into bed.


Chapter 14