“Jana, is there a place I can shower alone?”
“No, ma’am. This is it. You can wait about an hour and let the other ladies go first. Then you’ll have it to yourself, if you’d like.”
“But the show,” I said. I’d slept half the day away, not leaving a margin for error. “Could you ask them to step out? I’ll be quick.”
She raised a brow at me. “Look, Roxy, I would love to help you, but that’s not going to happen. As it is, you have a twenty-four-hour escort…on the base. I think asking all of the ladies in there to give up their shower time is a little excessive, don’t you? Just run in and run out. Honestly, they are so used to it they probably won’t even notice you’re there.”
I nodded. She was right. I was being a whiny bitch. These men and women fought for our country day in and day out, and here I was complaining about sharing a shower with a couple of chicks.
I walked in again, slipped off my clothes, and stepped under the lukewarm spray. I could practically feel Blake slide off of my skin and down the drain. I didn’t look around. Instead, I closed my eyes as I bathed, pretending to be alone. It was the fastest I’d showered since I was a child.
I stepped back out about three minutes later with my clothes sticking to my still-wet skin and a towel wrapped around my head. “All done.”
Jana laughed. “You get used to it after a while.”
“Well, I’m on the red-eye outta here after the show so, luckily, I don’t have to. I will be back to solo showering by tonight.”
“You mean tomorrow,” she corrected.
“Nope. I mean tonight. There’s probably a shower on the jet I chartered. Besides, I think we’re stopping in Paris to refuel. I have some friends there that I would like to see anyway so…” I realized I was rambling as we were walking back to my little room.
“Tough life,” Jana said. It didn’t come off as an insult or envy, just a sarcastic comment, as though she felt comfortable enough to toss it out there.
“Smart ass,” I threw back. She tilted her chin up as a gesture. “Hey, is there anything I can do for you when I get back to the States?”
She stared at me for a long moment. Her expression was distant, as if she were looking through me. “No, my family wasn’t too happy that I chose to come back here, so… But thank you.”
“All right,” I said awkwardly. I didn’t really know how to reply to that. “Well, will you be at the show?”
“Yep. Someone has to make sure you make it across the base without getting mobbed by crazy fans.” A small, subtle smile graced her lips, and I realized how lovely she was. I could always tell by someone’s smile whether or not they were well intentioned. She was probably a fun person when she let her hair down from that tight-ass bun and cut loose.
Chapter 6
I paced back and forth in the small room, only pausing to bounce on my toes. I usually wasn’t this nervous before a show. However, I was usually greeted with a lot more enthusiasm. I didn’t feel welcome here. No one had greeted me or even asked for an autograph. No one paid much attention to me at all, for that matter.
I guess I could understand why the men and women of the armed forces didn’t treat me like a superstar. They went through a lot. My being here was meant to boost morale, but I wasn’t their hero; they were mine.
With that being said, I wasn’t the only civilian here. There were buildings full of contractors and reporters that went outside of the wire on a daily basis to do work around the local towns or report about the conditions. Either way, they didn’t even seem to notice me. I had to admit my ego took a hit on that front.
I hadn’t felt this way since I was first getting started in the biz. When I would climb up on stage at some bar in Nashville, New York, Hollywood, or wherever they would have me with my old guitar to sing, I never knew whether the crowd would accept me. There had been times when they didn’t, but I kept trying. That was how passionate I was about breaking into the business, about making a living out of something I loved. But that was how I felt before this show. I felt like I was starting all over. Will they accept me? Will anyone even show up?
“Only one way to find out,” I said to my reflection. I touched up my makeup, applying more glitter to my eyelids. I wasn’t accustomed to doing my own hair and makeup, and it felt like the heat was melting it off as fast as I could apply it, but I thought I’d done a decent job. I’d rolled my hair then teased it into the upper levels of the atmosphere.
At five minutes until showtime, I slid on a short black skirt and a hot pink midriff tank with some black cowboy boots. I bounced on my toes a few more times trying to loosen up, opened the door, and walked out.
“Let’s do this.”
“Wow, you look—” Jana stared all wide-eyed.
“You like it? I haven’t done my hair and makeup for a show in ages.”
“It’s too much.”
“I know, right?” I laughed. I couldn’t tell whether she was being serious or playing, but either way, Roxy Royce was never late for a show, and it was showtime. “Come on. Get the lead out, Jana. Where’s the—”
Just as I was asking where they’d set up the stage, I saw the large crowd. The sight of the military personnel, some in full uniform, some in just their camo pants and T-shirts, plus the civilians standing out in the heat waiting for me, stopped me in my tracks. It made me want to sing, which was good since that was what I’d come to do.
Jana took me the long way around, hugging the walls of the base. When we got to the stage, which was nothing more than a large wooden, covered platform wired for sound, she wished me luck. I hugged her before climbing up onto the stage.
The crowd wasn’t nearly as large as what I was accustomed to at my concerts, but I knew it was a hugely successful turn-out for this venue. They chanted, “Roxy, Roxy, Roxy,” as I approached the microphone stand. Chill bumps arose all over, despite the scorching heat, at the sound of my stage name. I quickly answered them, starting my set with just prerecorded background music instead of my band. The band hadn’t felt safe making the trip, and that was fine. I didn’t need the band to perform.
“Good afternoon, soldiers! It’s such a privilege to be here. I want to give a huge shout-out to all of you. Thank you so much for what you do,” I said, sincerely placing my hand over my chest. “I would be honored to start with our national anthem.”
After I did, and the soldiers saluted the flag, I stepped close to the mic and said, “I would like to ask for a moment of silence in recognition of those who’ve gone before us.” Heads bowed instantly in silent prayer and memories. After a moment, as heads began to rise, I could see a set of misty brown eyes in the crowd directly in front of me. I got down on my knees and pulled that soldier into a hug. He looked as though he needed one. My night with Blake hadn’t made me forget that I was in the middle of a war zone.
When I stood back up, I grabbed the mic. “Now, who’s ready to ‘show me a good time’?” I smiled as they hooted and hollered. “Hit it!” I yelled to whoever was in charge of the music. I began the show with one of my biggest hits, “Show Me a Good Time,” tossed in a slow song amongst all of my higher tempo songs, and rounded out the show with an upbeat hit, “Take a Walk in these Boots.”
“If you don’t like it, take a walk in these boots, baby, ’cause these boots are walking out on you!” I sang. They cheered wildly just like any other crowd. I was so excited and relieved that they’d enjoyed the show. I wasn’t sure they would.
“Thanks, y’all have been great! I appreciate you having me as your guest today! Love you all!” I said as I stepped off stage.
Jana pulled a half-frozen bottle of water from her pouch just like Blake had done the night before. I guzzled it. It was as hot as the seventh circle of Hades.
“Encore! Encore! Encore!” I could still hear them shouting as I got back to my room. I hadn’t prepared an encore. Why didn’t I prepare an encore? I always do!
It had always amazed me that it took me hours to get mak
eup on but only a quick swipe of a makeup-removing pad to get it off. I quickly removed my sweat-smeared makeup and whipped my hair up into a ponytail, trying to cool off.
I leaned against the wall, still listening to them shout, “Roxy, Roxy!” even ten minutes after I’d closed the show. Had I not spent the evening fooling around with Blake, I would’ve had an encore song prepared. I would’ve chosen something different to close with so that I could have come back out with the upbeat, “Take a Walk in these Boots.”
I had a lot of songs, but many were not peppy, and I didn’t want to leave them feeling downtrodden. I shouldn’t have gotten so caught up in that sexy man that I forgot to do my job… Although I couldn’t regret a minute of it.
Then it hit me…Blake!
I grabbed the little note he’d left for me on the bed this morning, slipped on those old faded jeans and a tank, grabbed my guitar, and ran back out the door.
Jana grabbed my elbow as I ran by her. “Roxy, where are you going?”
“Don’t you hear them? Come on!” I tugged her along.
I looked down at myself when I got to the side of the stage. I had never performed in something so informal. Furthermore, I hadn’t performed acoustically since I’d gotten signed. I trudged up on the stage nervously. A hush fell over the crowd, no doubt because of my lack of costume. I felt naked.
I pointed at a stool sitting over to the side of the stage, and someone handed it to me. I sat down, adjusted the mic stand, and pulled my guitar around to my lap.
“So, you all want an encore?” I asked. I got a few whistles in response. The same crowd that had been shouting my name a few minutes before was silent and staring now.
“I actually hadn’t prepared an encore for this show.” I spoke softly into the microphone, feeling timid. Outside of my costume, I didn’t feel like Roxy Royce; I was just Maddie from Loblolly, Alabama. I didn’t feel as though I belonged up here. Especially after the way the crowd reacted when I stepped back on stage.
“I do have something for you, though. I haven’t even tried to sing it alone. I just wrote it this morning, so it’s not finished, and it won’t be perfect—”
“We love you, Roxy!”
“Sing it, Roxy!”
“You’ve got this, girl!”
Shouts came from all around the crowd.
I smiled. I glanced at the paper then tucked it in my waistband. I thought of Blake, closed my eyes and began strumming the strings on my guitar to a tune I could hear in my mind. The words just came out:
“These old faded jeans,
I got at nineteen.
They’ve been tossed and torn,
Ripped and worn,
But they made him look at me.
These old denim jeans,
They were made softer with every wear,
Stronger with every tear,
And they made him glance my way.
In these old denim jeans,
I had my first drink,
A cocktail made pink,
I wrote songs,
I ran long,
I ate pie,
I told lies.
They say, ‘get a new pair,’
But these babies are better for the wear.”
I laughed a little because I hadn’t finished the song. At that point, I had to start making something up. I thought of Blake and spending the evening tangled up in each other, then him leaving me a note about the jeans. I’d asked him the night before how I looked in them, and he’d begged me not to ask because he would’ve had to admit he was attracted to me.
“My favorite thing,
About these old denim jeans…
Is the way they made him look at me.
That he even looked at me.
How could he ever want me?
It’s the way…he looked…at me…” I drew out the words.
When I opened my eyes, everyone began screaming and clapping. It was the most amazing show I’d ever done. I’d winged a half-written song, acoustic, out of costume, in front of a live audience. They went crazy for it.
As I sat there absorbing their love, I didn’t feel like Roxy at all. I felt like myself, myself four years ago, before all of this. It felt good. Really good.
“Thanks again, you guys. You’re the best. Love you all!” I said, exiting the stage.
“That was amazing, Roxy,” Jana said. I smiled at her, a silent thanks. As we approached my room, she hugged me. “I’m off duty. Someone will be here shortly. I have to report to… Um, I have a mission.”
“Oh, ah, well, who will take me back to the airport?” I asked anxiously, wondering if I would get to at least tell Blake goodbye.
“I’m not sure.”
“How about that guy that was here yesterday? Will he be back, or is he going with you? Will there be a new person? I’m not sure about a new person,” I whined a little, not wanting her to become suspicious. I turned on my Roxy.
“I really have no idea, Roxy. But it was really nice meeting you.”
I nodded. “Thank you for everything, Jana, and if there’s anything I can ever do for you, please call me.” I grabbed a pen and wrote my cell phone number down on the back of her hand.
She looked at her hand and back up at me, seemingly surprised or irritated; I couldn’t tell which. After a moment, she smiled and walked away.
I leaned back against the door just watching, hoping to see Blake in the distance somewhere. I had about an hour before I had to leave to catch my flight. There was no sign of him anywhere.
Chapter 7
After a few minutes, I saw another guy from the original convoy approaching. I knew he was coming to tell me he would be my new escort until they took me back to the airport. I banged the back of my head against the door in aggravation but waited on him nonetheless.
Suddenly, the door opened, and I fell inside. A set of arms caught me and closed the door. Before I could utter a peep, Blake ran his hand up my neck and cheek, placing his thumb over my lips.
“Ms. Royce, are you all right?” the new guy asked.
“Yes, I just slipped. Dang door! I’ll be ready to go in a little bit. Thanks,” I shouted.
Blake pressed his thumb back over my lips again, as if to listen to see if the guy would say anything else but he didn’t. Blake looked into my eyes so fervently there were no words. He must’ve felt the same way. He brushed his thumb softly across my lips then leaned down and placed a kiss there. It was tender. It was just one more thing that chipped away at the Roxy persona. Roxy had never been kissed this way. This was a Maddie thing, and even then, I couldn’t remember when I’d been kissed so tenderly.
He used his thumb now to press my chin upward toward him. I opened my eyes, wanting to remember this moment forever. Even through the stubble on his cheeks, I could see his jaw working when he opened his mouth to slide his tongue out to meet mine. I could see natural dimples in his cheeks when he molded his lips to mine. I could smell that he was wearing a scent of deodorant that I’d never smelled. I could taste that he’d been chewing wintergreen gum, but it hadn’t quite masked his own specific taste, for which I was grateful.
He slid down to the floor, running his hands over my body. He pulled off my jeans and underwear and slipped one of my legs over his broad shoulder. Yet another position he’d taken first bat at. He devoured me right there against the door, one hand over my mouth, the other working inside me.
I heard his belt being undone when I was coming. When he felt I was sated, he stood back up, slipping into me fluidly. He took his hand off of my mouth and covered it instead with his kiss as he thrust into me. He laid me on the bed, rocking gently until we both came apart. I think he kissed every part of my body after that. I lay still. Too afraid he would stop.
When he was done, he kissed my earlobe, my forehead, my nose, and my lips, in that order. He slipped his clothes back on, grabbed my suitcase, glanced back at me from the door, and walked out.
I lay there staring at the doorway, waiting for him
to come back in and say something, but he didn’t. Instead, I heard him scold the guy outside for missing him as he’d come in to collect my things. The new guy apologized, saying that he’d only stepped away for a minute to “take a piss.”
Blake laughed and called the guy “Twenty-piss-Tommy” before he bid him a good day. I guess that was how he knew the guy would’ve stepped away. He must’ve been known for his bathroom habits.
I assumed that Blake would meet me at the convoy since he’d grabbed my luggage. He hadn’t told me bye. In fact, he hadn’t said a word. Neither of us had.
I gathered the rest of my things, changed into something comfortable, and walked out, disheveled from delicious sex and covered in Blake.
“So, new guy…”
“Valez, Tommy Valez.” He pointed at his name on his jacket…What’s with them doing that? As if I should just know to look there!
“Okay, Tommy Valez. Where did the other guy go?”
“Westin?”
“The guy with my stuff,” I said, not wanting to seem too interested. I felt as if I should’ve said something to Blake. Now, whatever I said would have to be in front of everyone, so it wouldn’t mean as much.
“He’s gone, Ms. Royce.”
“Gone? Like to the car?”
“No, ma’am. He had an assignment outside the wire.”
“Assignment—”
“Oh, but no worries, I have your luggage. We’ll get you where you’re going, Ms. Royce. You’re in capable hands.”
I rubbed my face hard. “Yeah, but I forgot to ask him something. Do you know when he will be back?”
“That’s classified information. Above my paygrade. I can try to answer your questions, though.” He smiled. He was eager to help. I couldn’t be mean. I just smiled back as much as my mood would allow and gestured for him to lead the way to the convoy.
I held out hope of seeing Blake as we approached the vehicles, but he wasn’t there. I didn’t know any of these soldiers. Valez was seated next to me in the Humvee. As we drove through the desert, all I could think about was asking him to get Blake on his radio so I could tell him farewell. I didn’t think it was right to leave without saying a word, but I guess Blake did. He’d known when he walked out of my door that he wouldn’t be coming back.
Love United (Hollywood Series Book 3) Page 4