“Wow. That was amazing.” Lizzy clapped and stood beside them onstage. “That should be the song you end with. People will be screaming.”

Annie broke eye contact first. “That felt right.” She struggled with the strap of her guitar while Bristol returned the electric guitar to the stand.

“I liked that a lot,” Bristol said. She looked at her watch. “We should go. I need to shower and get ready. Plus, Fast Cars needs the stage. The doors open in thirty minutes.” Bristol’s sexy smile gave Annie such a rush. “We’re going to do great things tonight.”

Chapter Four

“She’s really cute, and talented to boot,” Lizzy said.

Bristol slipped into jeans and a fresh tank top. Her long hair was pulled up into a ponytail. She looked relaxed and carefree, when she was anything but. The only thing exciting about tonight was Annie. “I’m glad you found her.”

“Who knew that getting fluids at a hospital would lead to us finding unknown talent,” Lizzy said.

“She’s only unknown to us.” Bristol’s need to defend Annie was completely unwarranted. But she didn’t want to talk about why Lizzy needed hydrating. Alcohol on tour had been a sore subject, and Bristol was trying to keep her shit together and not mother hen Lizzy. Her job was to sing her songs, play her music, and sell out stadiums, not babysit her crew. “She has quite the local following. Not to mention her online presence.” She rolled the bottom of her jeans and kicked off her flip-flops. “I think going out onstage barefoot sends a casual message, and I want the crowd to have fun tonight.” Bristol had insisted on twice the amount of crowd security this tour. Fun was great, but she hated when people fought or got too rowdy. Her music wasn’t like that, but some people thought all rules went out the window if a concert was in town.

“It’s the perfect look. Let’s get out there and watch Annie. I want to see how she does,” Lizzy said.

They left Bristol’s dressing room, followed closely by four personal bodyguards who flanked them the moment they shut the door. The halls were filled with arena workers and Bristol’s own staff. People shouted, “Break a leg” or “Have fun.” The well wishes echoed in the walkway as she made her way to the stage.

Annie had just started strumming her guitar. Bristol could tell she was slightly nervous but had the attention of the people who were ready for the show to start.

“Hello, Denver! How excited are you? I’m Annie Foster, and I’m going to play a few songs to get you ready for Bristol Baines.”

Annie paused as the crowd applauded politely. “Most of you don’t know this, but I’m from Denver. This is my hometown.”