The plans were to meet for breakfast in the hotel restaurant before getting back on the road. Bright sunlight streamed in through the windows and reflected on the silverware and dishes.

As Lucky entered the dining room, she groaned and pushed her dark oversized sunglasses further up her nose. She had never felt so lousy in her life. It wasn't that she drank the night before, she didn't have more than a few sips. She just hated mornings. A good night's rest and getting up closer to noon was more her style.

The smell of the breakfast buffet made her a little dizzy at first, but it was quickly replaced by hunger. Spotting Jordan by the waffle maker, she stumbled over as she tried to protect her eyes from the sunlight. This was her punishment for only getting an hour's worth of sleep.

"What did you do last night?" Jordan asked.

"Shhh! Why are you yelling? I'm not awake yet."

"I'm not yelling," Jordan said angrily before taking her waffle and making her way over to a table in the corner where she left her things.

Lucky followed her and dropped into the seat across from her. "I'm sorry I went out without you."

"Well, at least I don't have to tell you what you did. You've been so busy with everything and everyone else that I don't even know what I'm doing here."

"I'm sorry. I did text you though. We met some guys at the signing. They're fans, can you believe it? Plus I thought you were tired."

"Seriously, Lucky? Groupies?"

"No, they weren't groupies. They were…just a group of guys who…" Lucky's voice trailed off as she thought and then she started giggling. "I have groupies!"

Jordan sighed and shoved a big piece of waffle into her mouth. Lucky knew Jordan didn't like Kat, but that was because she didn't know her. Kat was the kind of girl Lucky always wished she was friends with. One with lots of experience who knew how to make the most of life.

"I'm telling you, I know girls like Kat. You gotta watch yourself with her."

"Give me a break, Kat's great. You just need to get to know her."

"Lucky, listen to me. She's an opportunist. She wants something. I'm also pretty sure she's on something. Look at her."

As if on cue, Kat entered the dining room looking stunning and refreshed. She was dressed in all black, from her knee-high boots over skintight jeans up to her off-shoulder blouse. She sauntered over and sat down beside Lucky.

"Geez, you look terrible. Didn't you get any sleep?" Kat asked.

"Sleep? We just got back two hours ago. How the hell are you rested and looking like that?"

Kat shrugged. "It's life on the road, girlie. You'll adjust soon enough." She turned to Jordan. "You should've been there last night. I'm telling you guys, there's nothing like a house party. I've been on the road for five years now. Someone tells me there's a house party and I'm there. You never realize how comforting a house is until you're living out of your suitcase."

Jordan rolled her eyes at Kat and let out an annoyed sigh.

"Is everyone here yet?" Lucky asked as she looked around, but no one answered her.

The dining room was empty except for wait staff and a few random people, the band, and the roadies. Lucky spotted Dylan at the buffet but not Paul and began to worry. She remembered how upset he was for messing up the show, but she thought maybe Dylan got through to him.

"Anyone see Paul?" she asked.

"We saw him last night at the bar while Dylan and I had dinner," Jordan said.

"We? My Dylan? Bass player Dylan?" Lucky asked, surprised. "When did this--?"

Dylan brought Jordan some pastries from the buffet and sat beside her. "Telling her about our date?" he asked.

Jordan looked down at her lap as a huge smile spread across her face. She shook her head. "No, I like to keep things to myself."

Lucky scowled in her seat. She let the excitement of the show get to her and forgot about her best friend. At the same time, it looked like her neglect had led to the biggest smile she'd ever seen on Jordan's face. Jordan couldn't be that mad at her.

Suddenly Lucky felt a kick from under the table and turned to Jordan in surprise.

"What is it?" Lucky asked.

She saw a stunned expression on her friend's face and followed her gaze to a man standing in the doorway.

Lucky's jaw dropped as her heart flipped inside her chest.

Standing at the entrance of the dining room was Jude Morrison, a rock god. He was taller than she thought he would be in person. Confidence poured from him as he scanned the room in a pair of dark jeans and a long-sleeved distressed t-shirt with the remnants of a red eagle stretched across his muscular chest. His short choppy brown hair looked like he just rolled out of bed. To Lucky this wasn't just any rock god, Jude Morrison was the rock god.

As Jude took off his sunglasses, he walked into the room towards Richard Black, who sat alone at a table by the door. Lucky couldn't take her eyes off him. She wasn't the only one. All eyes were on him. No one uttered a word while they wondered why such a famous drummer was in their midst.

Even if you didn't recognize him, you knew he was a rock star. He embodied it. Jude Morrison wasn't just any rock star though, he was the drummer to Silverlight, the biggest band of the last generation.

A waitress ran up to him, her hands flapping excitedly as she spoke.

"Oh. My. Gawd! It's you! I absolutely love you. Can you sign something for me?"

She handed him a marker and opened her blouse for him to sign her breasts. When he was done, the waitress reached up and kissed him. He responded by dipping her dramatically, giving her a quick peck, and then letting her go.

"Holy shit! That's Jude Morrison," Kat whispered.

Lucky surveyed the room quickly and realized Paul was still missing. She shook her head with disbelief as she realized why Jude was there.

"You okay?" Jordan whispered to Lucky. "You look pale."

"There's no way. No freaking way is Jude joining my band. He's too big. He's too--"

"Hot!" Kat interrupted as she fanned herself. "Woo! I think I'll be hanging around the tour bus more if he's in the band. You know he's wild in bed. I know a girl who knows a girl who slept with him. The stories I've heard about what that man is packing! You wouldn't believe it. And the number of women he's slept with..." She shook her head in disbelief. "You know he's got skills. He's definitely had enough practice."

"I've heard all about him. Everybody has. Women in every town, dick the size of..." Lucky's voice trailed off as she tried to think of something large to compare him to.

"Did he ever get married? I thought I heard he did after Silverlight broke up."

"No idea. I don't think so. Or it didn't last."

"No biggie, I'd take him either way. Hell, she can join in!"

"This isn't about that, Kat. Just listen to me. He can't be in my band," Lucky said. "He'll ruin everything. No. No way. I don't care who he is! If anything, that's worse. If he's in the band, it'll suddenly be his band. This isn't how it's supposed to be."

Richard stood up and cleared his throat then waited for the low din to subside as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Okay now folks. For those of you who don't know, I'm Richard Black of Black Dog Recordings. I'm going to be blunt. Last night's show was a wreck. This isn't a long tour. You don't have time to work out the kinks or even to fuck around. For many of you, this is your only chance at stardom." He looked around the room at the roadies and the band as his words sank in. "Paul is gone. You're all on my dime and I expect you to do your best. I'm sure Lucky wants only the best for her tour too, so I got her the best. I'm sure you all know Jude Morrison. He's joining the tour."

Picking up his long trench coat and a small briefcase, Richard Black left the room. Everyone sat stunned except for Jude, who stood up and walked to the door. Kat flew after him and caught up to him as he left the room.