The group was all high fives and back thumps as they gathered backstage and changed out of the Men in Black–style suits they’d chosen tonight and back into their street clothes. The hum of adrenaline had Jasper’s blood pumping, his mood giddy. His hands were trembling with it. He shook out his arms, trying to work out the tremors. “Great job, y’all. That was… We kicked ass.”
“Hail Yes we did!” Antonio shouted, pulling on a fresh T-shirt.
Danica groaned at the old joke and tossed her necktie at him.
Antonio ducked the projectile and ignored her. “Did you get this one on film, Jas?”
“Yep,” Jasper said, running a towel over his damp face. “I’ll get the video up on the new YouTube channel tomorrow.” He looped the towel around his neck and unbuttoned his shirt. “Tonight was gold. Danica, that bit with the appliance-store commercial? I almost broke character and lost it. So fucking funny. You could expand that and make a sketch.”
“Thanks.” Danica beamed and scrubbed her hand through her damp pixie cut. “You were on fire, too. The male stripper scene at the political convention? Hilarious. Even though I know you were just looking for an excuse to take off your shirt and flash some nipple at the audience.”
Jasper snorted. “What scene can’t be improved by a little nip exposure?”
“Trying to impress your new lady friend?” Church asked, sitting down on a wooden storage box and pulling off his shoes, which filled the room with the distinct funk of Church’s feet and made Danica groan.
Jasper smirked as he tossed the black pants in his bag and then tugged on his jeans. He’d had to admit to the group today that he was seeing Hollyn because he didn’t want one of them to slip up in front of Cal. Monique had given him a look that could’ve peeled the paint off his car, and had pulled him aside to inform him that if he bailed on the group for another woman, she would literally never speak to him again. He’d assured her that this was a no-risk situation, and for good measure, he’d gotten on his knee, knight-style, and had sworn his fealty to Monique and the group.
“I’m not not trying to impress her,” Jasper said.
Monique rolled her eyes. “Lord Jesus, pray for us sinners. Jasper has another crush.”
Barry laughed. “Aw, don’t bust his balls. Jas, you should have your lady friend come to every show. Nothing makes a guy be on top of his game more than when he’s trying to impress a woman.”
Monique shook her head. “I should’ve known when you said you absolutely weren’t interested in that girl that it meant I’m literally going to do everything to get her to sleep with me.”
Jasper zipped up his jeans and then lifted a hand, swearing-on-a-Bible style. “I swear this wasn’t some master plan. We’re just…enjoying each other’s company. It is not a big deal. This isn’t like last time. This isn’t a Kenzie situation.”
“It better not be.” Monique put two fingers in front of her eyes and then pointed to him, reminding him of their earlier conversation. “Eye on the ball, Jas. The buzz is building. And we’re all ready to put money into this theater project of yours. Don’t get distracted by another pretty face.”
“Not happening. I swear.” He reapplied deodorant and then pulled on a clean black shirt. When he’d confided in his group about his dream of their own theater, he’d been overwhelmed by their response. None of them had a lot of money to throw around, but each one of them had pledged to put in what they could if he could find a couple of investors to help get the building. The fact that they trusted him in that way again, that they wanted to be in long-term business together, meant everything to him. “The theater is my number one priority. I’ve been working on the business plan today.”
“Can we see it?” Danica asked.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I’ll email copies when I’ve got the draft done. But right now, I gotta go.”
“Wait. No celebratory beers at Jabberwocky’s?” Antonio asked.
“Sorry,” Jasper said, grabbing his bag. “Can’t tonight. Hollyn’s got a friend in town, and we’re all going out for drinks.”
“And so it begins,” Monique said with a smirk. “Ditching us already.”
“Come on,” Jasper said, dropping the light tone. “I know I deserve that, but I can work on the business and see someone at the same time. I promise nothing is more important to me right now than this group and getting that theater. Hollyn knows that. We’re keeping things casual.”
“You suck at casual, Jas,” Leah said. “You’re all formal attire when it comes to women. Like full tux with tails.”
Jasper groaned. “No, I used to suck at casual. I’m evolving. I’ve learned my lesson. But right now I have to go and meet the ex-boyfriend and not act like that’s weird. I need to be on my A game.”
Antonio chuckled. “Oh shit. A meet-the-ex night. Godspeed, my friend. We’ll have a drink in your honor.”
“Thanks.” Jasper waved, hooked his backpack over his shoulder, and headed out of the storage room, shoving any worries his friends had stirred up out of his mind. He only needed to be focused on one thing tonight. Not looking like an ass in front of Hollyn or her ex.
He took a deep breath and walked out to the main part of the bar.
Hollyn was sitting at the long, wood-topped bar with Cal, sipping an Abita beer and looking like sin on a stool in a white sundress. Her legs were crossed, but the dress had ridden up a little to expose a smooth expanse of thigh. Jasper wanted to stroll over, step between her legs, and slide his hands right up those thighs.
But the big dude next to her reminded him there would be none of that tonight.
Jasper wrangled in his libido and strode their way. Hollyn noticed him almost instantly. Her gaze flicked down Jasper’s body almost quick enough to miss, but he warmed at the fact that she hadn’t been able to resist giving him a once-over either. She sent him a tentative smile before standing up. Cal had his back to Jasper, but turned when Hollyn stood.
Cal got to his feet along with her and gave Jasper a curious look as he made his way to them. When he reached them, he was childishly pleased that he had at least an inch of height on Cal. God, he was being a douche. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Hollyn’s facial tics cycled in a flurry of movement, her nerves evident, but then she turned to Cal and smiled. “Cal, this is Jasper. We work together at WorkAround.”
“Oh, really?” Cal said, putting his hand out, a genial smile on his face. “Great show, man. Hella good. Really funny.”
Jasper heard a record scratch at Hollyn’s introduction. We work together. What the fuck was that about? We also sleep together, he wanted to add but kept his mouth shut. He accepted Cal’s handshake and glanced at Hollyn with a ball’s-in-your-court look. He knew how to improvise, but he needed to know what role she was expecting him to play.