Take Me Home Tonight by Erika Kelly Page A

said. “But we’re not pulling Slater off lead vocals.”
    â€œListen to the track.” Sam offered the disk to Derek.
    Movement out the window had Calix turning around to see Dak slamming out of the studio. “Where’s he going?”
    With his messenger bag slung across his shoulder, Dak stormed down the driveway and disappeared around the side of the house.
    â€œThrowing a tantrum,” Ben said. “But at least we’re done for the day.”
    Slater brought a laptop to the table. “Let’s give it a go.”
    Derek inserted the disk. A few moments later, the music started, and Calix felt that same energy returning. It was a great song. Until the vocals kicked in. Slater definitely sounded a little strained.
    Over the music, Terrence said, “Song’s in the wrong key.”
    Slater shut off the music. “What’s that?”
    â€œThis song’s in C sharp, right?”
    Slater nodded.
    â€œIsn’t that too high for you?”
    â€œYeah,” Slater said. “I told him that.”
    â€œYou should try it in A.”
    The guys looked at each other. A simple adjustment that Dak hadn’t considered.
    â€œLet’s change it,” Slater said.
    â€œRight now?” Sam pulled out her phone, started texting. “I can see if he’ll come back.”
    â€œI don’t give a shit if he comes back,” Derek said. “I want to hear it in A.”
    Sam looked up from her phone. “You want him back or not?” A text came in, and she opened it. “Oh, wait. That’s him.” She read it. “Okay, he’s just talked to Irwin. He wants a listening party.”
    Cooper slapped his hand on the counter. “Fuck yeah.”
    â€œAbout time,” Ben said. “Let Irwin hear the shit we’ve been working on.”
    â€œHow soon?” Derek asked Sam.
    â€œSoon as we can get it together,” Sam said.
    While the others continued talking, Calix cornered Mimi. “How soon can you pull off a party?”
    Those raspberry lips parted, and he wanted to nudge aside her hair with his nose and breathe in her sweet, sexy scent.
    â€œI don’t even know what a listening party is.”
    â€œThis isn’t for press or fans, so it’s nothing flashy. We’re not showing anything off. It’ll just be people from the record company. We’ll keep it simple.” He shrugged. “Like a clambake.”
    â€œA clambake? Calix, I’ve only ever been a guest at one of those. They should hire an event planner.”
    â€œThe more opportunities you have to cook, the better. Cooking for an event, shit goes wrong, you’ve got to improvise. Just like during the competition.”
    The creases in her forehead relaxed, and she grinned. “Wait a second. Are you looking out for me?”
    Energy crackled between them. He could feel the pull right in the center of his chest, drawing him to her. “You in or out?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’d hate to blow it for you guys.”
    â€œI wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t think you could do it.”
    â€œYou’ve got a lot of faith in me.”
    That spark in her eyes? It lit a fuse in him. Something that hadn’t happened in years. “We’ll help you.”
    â€œYou’re going to help me plan a clambake?”
    She sounded a little flirty, and he didn’t want her getting the wrong impression, so he shifted gears. “Between me and my mom, yeah. We’ll help you.”
    â€œMy wife’s probably done fifty of ’em.” Terrence joined them. “You got this.”
    Mimi looked at them both but settled her gaze on Calix, as though needing his support.
    He gave a firm nod.
    â€œOkay. Let’s do it.”
    *   *   *
    Careful to keep her fingers away from the flame, Mimi charred the red pepper while watching Calix lean into the refrigerator. The muscles in his biceps