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

“No, I’m just trying to give these people the show they came to see. Dueling pianos means two of us, remember?” AJ cracked a grin as he began playing, waiting for the prepared response.


“How many times have I asked you not to pull that ‘Ebony and Ivory’ crap?”


“How many times have I asked you to be on time?”


And so it went. Exactly as AJ had hoped for.


The sound of the audience’s cheers and clapping echoed in AJ’s ears, even though the show had been over for a good fifteen minutes now. He and Tyrone stood near the bar, their glasses of ice water nearly empty in front of them. A thin film of perspiration across his forehead made Tyrone’s skin gleam darkly, and AJ had to resist the urge to lean over and steal the dampness with his lips.


Chapter 21