The Cost of Love Read Online Free Page A

drummer. “Eric and Frank.” The guitarist and bass player, blond identical twins, both raised their hands at the same time and she had to stop herself from laughing. “And you’ve had the misfortune to meet Sam already.”
    “I really enjoyed your music,” she said, and meant it. She’d even danced. She finally understood why people came to these places. “I can’t wait for when you’re wildly famous and I can boast to people that I met you.”
    Johnny pointed at her with the almost empty plastic bottle. “You have excellent taste.”
    “Would you like a CD?” one of the twins said. She was almost certain it was Eric. Although there was a chance it could have been Frank. He rummaged in a bag, pulling out a cardboard sleeved CD.
    “Oh, yes, please,” she said, smiling. “Would it be too much to ask for you all to sign it?”
    Frank (or Eric) pressed a hand to his heart, smiling. “A pretty girl wants my autograph. This is exactly why I joined a band.”
    Charlotte giggled as the CD was passed around.
    “You see, Sam,” Johnny said. “We can give them away.”
    Sam shook his head and handed her the CD, his fingers brushing against hers as he smiled at her. Jason’s arm tightened around her, pulling her so close against his side they were almost melding.
    “Don’t disillusion her,” Sam said. “She thinks we’re good.”
    Charlotte laughed. “You are good.”
    “I like you a lot,” Sam said, smiling, his gaze lingering on hers.
    “Do we have any t-shirts left?” Frank (probably) said.
    Eric returned to the bag.
    “Rob couldn’t make it?” Johnny said. “Oh, I suppose he’s home taking care of...”
    “No,” Jason said. “He couldn’t make it. But he said he’d come next time.”
    Eric pulled out a plastic wrapped t-shirt. “Thanks in advance for wearing it,” he said, handing it to her. “We wear them, but it’ll get so much more attention if someone who looks like you does.”
    Charlotte blushed, taking the package. She hadn’t had so many compliments since, well, forever. “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft.
    “Well,” Jason said loudly, “we’d better get going. Great gig, guys.”
    “It was nice to meet you all,” Charlotte said as he steered her towards the door. “And thanks for the CD and t-shirt.”
    Sam caught up with them in the hallway outside the door.
    “Can I ask,” he said, “are you two...?” He raised his eyebrows.
    Jason draped his arm around her shoulders, frowning. “What does it look like?”
    Charlotte looked up at him, her heart flipping.
    Sam held his hands up in mock surrender. “Okay. No need to get all possessive.” He leaned forward to whisper loudly into her ear. “But when you dump him, and you will because he has an obnoxious personality and is as immature as he was when we first met when we were eight, give me a call.”
    Uncertain if he was joking or not, Charlotte smiled and said nothing. Sam winked at her, clapped Jason on the shoulder, and returned to the dressing room.
    “Sorry about that,” Jason said when they were outside and walking away from the club.
    “About what?”
    “Sam. He’s a good guy, but he’s not shy when he’s attracted to a woman. He can come on a bit strong.”
    Charlotte smiled. “I didn’t mind. It was kind of nice, being flirted with.”
    When Jason didn’t reply, she looked up at him. He was staring at the ground. “Would you like to go out with Sam?” he said, his gaze still down. “I didn’t think, but you and I, we’re not... I mean, if you’re interested in him, it’s not my business to...”
    “Oh no,” she said quickly. “I’m not, he’s very handsome and everything, but I’m not interested. In that way. No.”
    Now she was staring at the ground, embarrassed. She glanced at Jason. He was smiling at her.
    “Okay,” he said.
    She smiled back. “Okay.” The tension gone, she laughed, lifting her arms into the air and twirling around. “That was so much fun!”
    “Even