Kapitel 21: Chapter 21

“Never say never, my friend.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

“Maybe you’re just early.”

“No, I’m just trying to give these people the show they came to see. Dueling pianos means two of us, remember?” AJ cracked a grin as he began playing, waiting for the prepared response.

“How many times have I asked you not to pull that ‘Ebony and Ivory’ crap?”

“How many times have I asked you to be on time?”

And so it went. Exactly as AJ had hoped for.

* * * *

The sound of the audience’s cheers and clapping echoed in AJ’s ears, even though the show had been over for a good fifteen minutes now. He and Tyrone stood near the bar, their glasses of ice water nearly empty in front of them. A thin film of perspiration across his forehead made Tyrone’s skin gleam darkly, and AJ had to resist the urge to lean over and steal the dampness with his lips.