The Road to L.A. by Gina Buchanan Page A

staff shirts hurrying by resembled little worker bees, their shouts and curt instructions eventually fusing into one monotonous buzz.  It appeared somewhat comical to her. 
    Out of nowhere, Jake and Amanda appeared.  Jake’s eyes were lit with unbridled enthusiasm as he instructed his trio of friends to follow him down the long stretch of hallway.  All of the equipment had been set up, and Garrett was testing two of the microphones.  He briefly looked up and took note of their presence.  Carly could have sworn Garrett's eyes had lingered on her before returning to the microphone.  Or perhaps she'd just imagined it.  Maybe she'd even imagined the kiss with Jake.  She scoffed aloud, drawing Aaron's attention.  He looked at her with curiosity and she shrugged sheepishly, to which he simply grinned.  Thankfully he didn't probe.  Carly looked at Garrett again and shuddered.  There was just something creepy about him, something that didn't sit well with her.  There was no doubt that Garrett made her feel uncomfortable.  It wasn't that he had done something to her.  It was just a feeling, and a strong one at that.  She definitely never wanted to be caught in a room alone with the guy.  Jake stood on the stage and looked all around him, his blue eyes glinting like Carly had never seen them before.  John handed Jake his guitar and instructed him to start warming up.  Jake’s hand hit the strings with such pristine precision, and he played a short tune to warm up.   His guitar emitted the most riveting sound.  The club’s owner suddenly arrived, and he clapped his chubby hands together while Jake finished. 
                  “Sounds good.  Probably the best I’ve heard in a long time,” he praised, all the while nodding his head. 
                  “What can I say…I know how to spot raw talent,” Garrett piped in, sounding unmistakably pretentious.
                  “I have a feeling this is gonna be a good show tonight.  I anticipate a full house.  Good luck, boys.”
                  "Oh, it'll be a great show," Garrett reassured the owner.  He flashed a cocky grin and Carly felt another shudder.
    Hours later, the Gypsy Lounge’s parking lot filled with myriad cars.  The size of the crowd inside the club seemed to swell by the minute.  Carly stood backstage wringing her hands.  It seemed she was more nervous than Jake.
                  “Carly!”
    Alarmed, she turned immediately and came face to face with Susan.  Beside Carly, Amanda let out a long drawn-out groan.
    “This is so exciting!” Susan piped with her usual effervescence.  “Where’s Jake?”
    Susan turned then and caught sight of her boyfriend and the rest of the band several feet away.  She shrieked with excitement and ran over to him, catching him off guard.  He had to steady himself.  John put his guitar down and laughed.
                  “Why is she here?” Amanda fumed, making no effort to hide her aggravation. 
    Carly shrugged her shoulders, trying to appear indifferent.  She glanced over at the couple, noting how Jake’s arms were wrapped around Susan’s waist and how close his face was to hers.  Her heart sank unexpectedly when she saw Jake bend down to give Susan a kiss.  She quickly turned away.  She was immensely grateful when their kiss was interrupted by the announcer’s sudden appearance.  He informed the band that the show would be starting in about ten minutes.  Susan had already disentangled herself from Jake and stood next to Carly and Amanda while the Flaming Dogs prepared themselves.  Ten minutes later, Carly’s apprehension intensified.  She checked her watch.  Not much longer , she thought to herself.  Finally, after much anticipation, the Flaming Dogs were announced.  As the band members assembled on stage, Carly could hear the excited shouts and fanatic cheers from the crowd.  She could have sworn she heard