David barreled through, nearly knocking them both over the terrace.
“I’ve had it with you,” David growled.
Even in the perilous position, Jay didn’t give up.
“You’ve had it with everyone else, but not me. You need me,” he yelled.
“You’re out,” said David. “You need to leave the party, and you’re out of the jam.”
His threat woke Jay up.
“I’m the best front man there is,” Jay declared.
“We’ll live,” countered David.
Jay turned and pointed to Cara. “You’d throw me out over her?”
“Don’t look at her,” ordered David.
Jay walked away, shaking with anger and agitation. He disappeared into the crowd that had gathered at the door to watch the heated exchange.
David glided slowly towards her, his heart thumping as he tried to calm down from what had just happened. There would be serious repercussions for him as far as the band went, but he couldn’t think of that now. He needed to look after Cara.
“I’m sorry about all of that,” he said. “Are you okay? You and I seem to have some karma. Our paths keep crossing. By the looks of it, we both prefer the quiet outside rather than the people on the other side of the door.”
Nina stumbled out.
“Ugh,” he cursed.
“There you are,” she slurred. “I’ve been looking for you.” She tripped over the wrought iron furniture and was in danger of hurting herself. “Let’s go upstairs,” she begged.
“We’re already upstairs,” replied David.
He looked at Cara. “Excuse me,” he said and he bent and pushed his shoulder into Nina, lifting her up to fireman carry her. With the girl over his shoulder slowly becoming totally dead weight, David said, “Hey, I’m David by the way. I know Jay told you, but I wanted to tell you myself. I’m told you’re Cara, that means heart, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” she replied smoothly.
Her eyes lifted to the cargo he carried, which from where she stood was probably a complete shot of Nina’s ass.
“Do not drink anything Jay gives you,” he warned.
“I won’t.”
He stooped so they would be at eye level. “Hey, I get that you don’t like crowds, but go hang out at the bar. I’m going to put her in one of Barney’s guest rooms. I’ll be right back,” he said.
“Okay,” she said softly.
David carried Nina behind Cara as they went back into the party. He wouldn’t stay. He wouldn’t be able to tolerate the vibe of the party if he didn’t think he would have a chance at a conversation with Cara. She was the realest person he met in quite some time. The only one he wanted to talk to.
Chapter Three
Cara
While she stood at the bar in a house she would never be able to afford, Cara reminded herself that she went to the jam and the after-party so she could mention it casually to her ex-boyfriend, Gary.
While waiting for David, she googled some of the people she met casually including Jay and David. She couldn’t believe they were well-known for both their music and exploits. To think she had never heard of either of them was crazy, but she was sure her ex had. Cara didn’t want Gary back, but still raw from being dumped, she was in the stage where she wanted to find a way to make him hurt too.
Shouting across the room took her attention away from her search. The roar of the party ceased as everyone stopped to watch Barney the host, David, and Jay bickered. David was making his case for throwing out Jay. Jay was arguing why he should stay. Tommy and Marissa, neither of whom drank, snaked through the crowd, packing tighter by the second, to find Cara.