Read Online For The Least Of These by Jennifer Davis - Free Book Online Page A

as he called to the bartender. The bartender was busy mixing drinks but told us he would be with us presently.
    I stayed near him even though I was repulsed. I didn’t want to cause a scene when Rick might be so close. If this jerk realized I was one of the women from the motel, there was no telling what he might do or say.
    His pale green eyes found my face again. “I don’t think I’ve met you before. My name is Fisher. Fisher Perry.”
    “I’m Brandy Moretti.”
    “Brandy. That’s a nice name. Is that what you drink as well?”
    He was trying to be charming. I was nauseated. “Actually, I do like brandy on occasion, but I prefer white Russians – on ice, please.” This last part was directed at the bartender who had finally arrived.
    After the bartender fixed my drink, I wondered if – no, prayed that – Fisher would walk away, but he lead me to an empty table and pulled out a seat for me. He was definitely on his best behavior. Then he took the seat beside me. “So, who invited you to the party?” he asked. “Or more to the point, who is your date tonight?”
    “I don’t have a date.” Darn, why did I say that? “My friend and I were invited by one of the roadies, Skylar. I’m here to meet Rick Hartwood.”
    “Skylar told you he was a roadie?” he remarked with a laugh. His tone had changed, I thought, and I feared that the demon from the night before had returned.
    “He’s not a roadie?” I asked nervously. “Why would he lie about that?”
    “I’m sure he wanted to impress you and your friend so you two would show up. This party isn’t about Rick Hartwood. It’s Skylar’s party. Last time he was in town, he made quite a few friends, so he decided to throw a party for us.”
    “So, he doesn’t even know Rick Hartwood. I should have known. But I wonder where he got those concert tickets.”
    “Oh, he knows Rick Hartwood. His brother plays drums in the band. But Rick isn’t too fond of Skylar. And the concert tickets – Skylar always manages to get a few so that he can pass them out to friends or people he thinks he might like to impress.”
    So Dylan Sims was Skylar’s brother. Dylan had been with Rick since the beginning. “Why is Skylar here if he doesn’t work for the band? Is he traveling with his brother?” I asked.
    “Yeah, Skylar always tags along with Dylan. Dylan feels that he needs to take care of his baby brother.”
    Just then, Alicia showed up. “Hey, Brand. Who’s your new friend?”
    “Alicia, this is Fisher.” I noticed Skylar was not with Alicia, but I felt certain he would turn up momentarily.
    “Hello, Fisher – is that your first or last name? Either way, it’s nice to meet you.” I could tell from Alicia’s demeanor that she hadn’t recognized Fisher.
    “So, you’re here with Skylar? He and I are pretty good friends.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t brag about that if I were you,” Alicia said.
    “Why is that?” Fisher asked.
    “He’s a jerk. I just told him to take a short walk off a long bridge.” Alicia wasn’t even aware that she’d gotten the adage backwards – she wouldn’t have cared anyway.
    Fisher was amused. Apparently, he was easily amused. It was time to forget about him and this party and get back to my search for Rick. Perhaps Fisher could tell me where to find him. Just then, it occurred to me that Alicia had dumped Skylar and I had to wonder why. She usually stuck with one of “her men” at least long enough for a visit to her bedroom.
    “You discarded Skylar? What did he do to deserve that?” I asked.
    “He called you a sick elephant or something like that. I know you’re a little overweight, but no one is going to call my friend any kind of elephant,” she replied affectionately. It was enough to make me feel tons of remorse for all the ill thoug hts I’d ever had about Alicia, even if she had misunderstood Skylar.
    “He meant sycophant, I believe,” I corrected her, but in the kindest tone I could find. “I doubt he