“Ya think?” I laugh at her observation. She grins back mischievously, and nods her agreement.

“Question is, are you gonna let him?” My eyes glance back to the stage to find Trent still seeking my attention with his eyes. I guess that’s the question of the night. I still didn’t know. I don’t want to be some groupie fuck. I haven’t been with anyone since my night with Jon. Still can’t seem to move on from the connection we shared. Maybe I need to get back in the saddle, or on the sexy rock musician, so to speak.

“Or do you have your eyes set on someone else?” Alex lifts a brow in question. Did she know? How could she? She’s probably just confused by my inability to give a definitive answer.

“What did we miss? Let’s drink!” Melissa and Evie appear at my right with a tray of a dozen shots. Melissa sets them down on the small table top, careful not to spill a drop.

Tate’s sister Carly leans on the railing, intently watching the band with a look that sways between scrutiny and appreciation. She ignores the shots; she’s still nursing the water clutched in her hand. She’s nice, very sweet, and reserved from what I’ve witnessed, and I’m proud of her for coming out tonight. She didn’t get out much being a single mom of two young boys, but I’m sure this isn’t her scene. If she’s uncomfortable she’s hiding it well.

“This is why you’re my best friends. You always know exactly when I need a drink!”

Evie grins and hands one over, then another to Alex, who accepts with a nod. Melissa chats it up with my co-workers as she passes them shots, as well.

“A toast!” Marc shouts over the band. “To fucking great artists.”

Team Barbie giggles and stroke their long nails over his chest.

Steph throws Marc a patronizing glare. “Only you would make a comment with a double meaning like that.” He laughs.

I raise my shot before I put it to my lips and throw it back. The liquor burns all the way to my belly.

“You all have been a fucking brilliant audience tonight! Thanks for having us out. Again, we are Three Ugly Guys.” Trent pauses to glance around at his bandmates, a devious smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Let’s close the night with a song I’m sure you all know. The beautiful Katie Perry does it best, but since we love kissing girls, it’s a personal favorite of ours. Ladies, I wanna see you dance.”

The band breaks into a rocked out, grungier version of I Kissed a Girl. The crowd whistles and shouts their applause. I throw back another shot. The burn barely registers.

I glance around and find Alex grinning. She grabs my arm to pull me in close.

“Let’s have a little fun?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Seeing that he totally eye fucked you on that last song, I think he deserves a little payback.”

I giggle as she pulls me closer and we begin to sway to the music. Her hands skim up and down my sides, resting on my hips. It feels good, getting lost in the beat of the music. We continue to rock our hips in sync. I let my eyes flutter shut.

A hand weaves into the base of my neck and gives my hair a slight pull. I gasp. My eyes snap open to find hers watching her hands, now back on my hips. I feel Trent’s stare following my every move. I don’t turn my head to meet his gaze. Let him suffer after what he did to me with that last song.

As if reading my mind Alex looks up and leans in closely, slowly, licking my parted lips before she meets them with her own. It’s a soft, gentle exploration but it catches me off guard and when I gasp again, she takes the kiss a little deeper. It’s hot. It’s playful. It’s forbidden. It’s unapologetic and I’m turned on. Not so much that it’s Alex or that she’s a woman, but because I know Trent is watching. Does it turn him on? Does he want me? Will I let him catch me, if only for a night? Warm, molten heat like lava flows through my body. My skin is warm and flush.

I slowly pull away and Alex winks, then laughs. I can’t help but join in, her delight is contagious. We continue to dance, taking turns bending each other over and grinding up all close and personal. We’ve gained the attention of our entire party, everyone encouraging us with laughter and cat calls. It’s innocent fun. I feel light and free and I relish that until the song ends. Alex wraps her arms around me in a hug.

“Damn, girl! Too bad you aren’t gay or bi! We could have some fun!” She giggles in my ear. She’s surprised me once again.

“How do you know I’m not?” I’m curious how she’s certain.

“I just know these things. Sixth sense and all that. I like you, Kate! You are a fun time!”

She wears a big grin and I’m glad she seems as lighthearted about our encounter as I feel. I’m pleased she eases the tension of the situation with laughter. As turned on as I am by our little dance and kiss, I’m only into dudes. What can I say? I love dick.

We rejoin the group around our little table of drinks. I’m buzzed. The perfect level of drunk because I feel fucking fabulous, but can still recognize everyone’s faces. I listen in as Melissa tells a funny story about her baby Claire, but I’m quickly distracted as the band makes their way off stage and up the stairs to our VIP level.

Trent leads the pack, his purposeful stride directed at our group. He locks eyes and my body heats with pleasure. He’s too damn hot for his own good. And the man can sing. I see why Three Ugly Guys is getting picked up by a label. They’d be marketable singing Mary Had a Little Lamb. I giggle and snort.

“What’s so funny?”

“You singing nursery rhymes.”

“You’ve been drinking, I take it? Good, I like my women saucy.”

We spend the next hour exchanging playful banter and chatting with my co-workers and friends. It’s getting late and people start to bail one by one from our group. Alex, myself, and the rest of the band crowd around the small table top. We’re out of drinks once more and Austin pops up to retrieve another round.

Trent stands to my right and sidles closer. His lips scrape the curve of my ear as he speaks.

“You wanna go back to my place?”

Do I? My head starts to pound to the beat of the music blaring through the speaker system. The room spins a little to the left. I reach out and steady myself with the table. I don’t know if I want to go anywhere with Trent tonight. My indecision surprises me. I’m sure the sex will be good. Great, really. But that little voice inside my head chants ‘more.’ I’d like to tell her to shut the fuck up and go home for the night, but the reality that I do want more than a casual hookup with a rock star hits deep in my gut.

“Not tonight, big boy.” I reach out and squeeze the front of Trent’s jeans and give him a cheeky grin. “I’m still not sure about you.” He laughs and Austin hands him a beer.

“What’s the deal tonight, Kate? You banging our singer or do any of us have a shot?”

“The fact you have to ask that question is your answer.” As if Alex can read my mind she wraps her arm around my left side.

“Sorry, boys. This one’s coming home with me tonight. Ain’t life a cruel bitch?” She laughs and I join in as she drags me away from the band.

“Sorry, guys. Looks like I’m out. See you tomorrow at the studio!” I call over my shoulder. We awkwardly sidestep our way down the stairs.

“Fucking prosthetic. I’m ready to take my leg off and slip into something more comfortable.” Alex swears as she stumbles past tattoo bouncer boy and I can’t help but laugh at his shocked expression.

“Something you don’t hear every day, right?” I smile and wave goodnight as Alex pulls me away.

“We need a slab. I lean cab. Fuck! You know!” She yells at the bouncer manning the back doors. We’re a drunken hot mess. I give him a sympathetic shrug as he tries to not look frustrated. He hails us one of the waiting cabs from down the street.

“Fucking drunk people. Am I right?” I snicker and catch a smile trying to pull at his tight lips.