Chapter One

God, I love this place, Sophia thought to herself. On its first year anniversary, Don’t Forget To Breathe (which her regulars just called “Breathe”) was finally coming into its own. The bar was her dream, and at 37, she had finally achieved it. Breathe was a bit off the beaten track, so it wasn’t over-crowded, but she did a good business. Her working-class customers ranged from the accidental – those who were looking for a different place, got lost, and wound up at Breathe – to those who sought out the low-key, relaxed atmosphere Sophia herself enjoyed.

She smiled to herself as she wiped down the mahogany bar, surveying her domain. Soulful country music spilled from the speakers that were strategically placed around her rooms. Everything, from the brass rails, to the dartboards and pool tables in the back room, to the tables and cozy booths that ran the length of the place; they were all hers. In fact, she owned the whole building. The bay next door was her garage, housing all her “toys”; the most recent of which was her pride and joy -- a new Harley Sportster. The two floors above the bar were her home: living space on the top floor, an extensive gym in the middle.

Sophia had spent hours with the Harley folks customizing her bike. All that black and chrome made her mouth water – she thought there was nothing sexier. She had a phrase from one of her favorite Bon Jovi songs painted in silver on the gas tank, in a flowing script: “I’m a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride”. Every time she straddled the powerful machine, she read the words and smiled, running her fingers lightly over the lyric. The Harley was by far the favorite addition to her collection.

She turned to watch her bartenders, Lucien and Antonio, interact with the crowd. The pair -- both gorgeous, tanned, and buff -- had been together for more than five years; they’d had been with Sophia at Breathe since the day it opened. She felt the place was as much theirs as it was hers. The three had become friends in college, after an embarrassing episode where she had vigorously pursued Lucien, only to find she wasn’t his type. Really wasn’t his type. She sighed. The good ones are either gay or married, she thought to herself.

Sophia let her gaze drift to the stage set up in one corner of the room. An old, upright piano graced one side of the stage. Well-loved drums stood in the middle o the stage. On the other side, her Gretch 12-string sat on its stand alongside the Fender Strat and the black Cecilio fiddle she loved to play. Playing music was a release for her, whether it was her own or someone else’s.

She checked the clock. 11:30. Tonight, she had her own “band” coming in to play. She was so excited, she could hardly stand it. Being her own boss had its definite perks; she could pretty much pick up and play whenever she wanted. She usually waited for Tuesdays, when her musician friends came in. As if her thoughts conjured them, the door opened, and “her guys” as she liked to call them came sauntering in.

Will, who often sang with her, came in with his harmonica in hand. Noah and Michael, the drummer and piano man, came in behind him. Bringing up the rear was Grant, who brought his sax as requested, and Matt, who played guitar,. The good-looking group was turning heads on their own, as they joined Sophia at the bar.

The group had been getting together off and on since they met while making the rounds in clubs that had open mic nights. They had been together for so long, they felt like family – her own band of brothers. Now that she had her own place, they came by every week just to unwind and play. Their wives and girlfriends still came with them once in a while, but tonight, the guys were on their own.

“Where are the girls?” Sophia asked.

The guys collected their pre-set beers, and to leaned over and greet Sophia with hugs and kisses. “They’re still worn out from the concert last night,” Will, answered.

“We’re nearly worn out, too. That band sure does whip them into a frenzy,” Matt, added. “They came home all hot and bothered, I for one didn’t get much sleep. I just don’t get the appeal, but hell, I’m not going to complain about it. That’s the wildest I’ve seen Emily in a long time.” The girls had all gone to the Bon Jovi concert the night before.

“Too much information, Matt”, Sophia smiled. She finished pulling them each a draft, and shooed them toward the stage. “Y’all just shut up and get your asses up there, I’ll be up in a minute. Later, you’ll see just why and how the hot and bothered thing happens.”

They all whistled at her as they made their way to the stage. The group had planned a mini-tribute to Bon Jovi tonight, in honor of their recent concert, and had announced it at the end of the set they played last week. They had also announced that the men who came would get their Bon Jovi education from a woman who could make it worth their while. Sophia had everything all planned out, and was smiling mischievously. The bar was nearly full – mostly men, but she saw a few women she knew – they came to help boost her courage. Perfect, she thought, the guys sure will get an education tonight, and the ladies will all benefit later.

The door opened, and another group came in, people she recognized as coming in each week for the music. “Did we miss the lesson you promised?” one called over. Sophia laughed and shook her head.

“Not yet. We need to warm up first, darlin’,” she called back. Speaking of that, may as well get this show on the road.

Sophia asked Lucien, “Got the bar, Luce?”

“Sure thing, boss,” he replied, with a wink. He lifted Sophia so she could sit on the bar, and she swung her legs around so she could get out into the room.

Sophia made her way to the stage, shaking hands and greeting her regulars as she went. She confirmed with the few quiet queries that there was indeed a “class in Bon Jovi lust” happening later. There was an extra sway in her step as she hopped up onto the stage and flipped on the mic. “We’re just gonna be a couple of minutes while we get ourselves tuned up. Y’all have another beer, and we’ll be right with you. The lesson we promised is scheduled for 1am, if y’all can wait that long.” Just over an hour to go.

Sophia hopped down from the stage, went to the front door, and propped it open. She liked the idea of her music pouring out into the warm Texas night. The business district was quiet at night, and there were no neighbors to complain about the music. As she walked back to the stage, the group got tuned up, and ran through some warm ups. Sophia picked up the fiddle, and started in on “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” one of her favorite songs to perform. The guys joined in, and they sounded great.