“I’ll text you tomorrow with my schedule and you let me know where and when,” I tell him, trying to remember what’s going on next week. If I recall correctly, it’s a slower week, with the end of the month being crazier.
“Good luck in there tonight,“ Scotty says with a nod at me. He pats me on the shoulder, waves at Sosie, and heads toward his car to leave.
“So much for him staying to make himself available,” Sosie snarks sarcastically while watching him drive away.
“You like Scotty Wilkins?” I narrow my eyes at her, trying to gauge her reaction to my question. Sosie has shown zero interest in anyone since moving to Nashville. Her douchebag of an ex-boyfriend did a number on her, so it isn’t that surprising to me that she’s so standoffish when it comes to the opposite sex.
“Seriously, what is wrong with you tonight?” She huffs in annoyance, my smirk only seeming to rile her up even more. “That question doesn’t even warrant a response. Get your head out of your ass, because it’s time to perform.” I laugh at her not-so-motivating pep talk and follow her up to the back door.
We check in with the staff and wait for them to signal me through. I hear the audience clapping and see the performer who was just on stage walk back to us. I smile in acknowledgment at her and then start walking when she’s cleared the hallway. Once I appear into the main room, I keep a smile on my face, my eyes trained on the stool for me to sit on. The room is silent, no one applauding in greeting, because the rules of the Bluebird Cafe are that you are here to listen and immerse yourself in the experience and emotion of the songs. No one gets rowdy here. No one gets up to dance. This is a true, musical experience of listening and dissecting every word and meaning of these songs.
“Good evening, everyone. I’m Gavin.” Introductions are always informal at the Bluebird, because here, everyone is on equal ground. Doesn’t matter how many accolades you have on your resume—we are all songwriters in this room, just trying to make a living doing what we love. My eyes scan the room, noting the heads nodding in recognition at me. I flash a genuine smile in their direction, forcing myself to hold it steady when noticing how many record label executives are here, some of them less than three feet away from me.
Calm the fuck down, Gavin, I tell myself after I talk about the background of the song I’m about to sing. I try to get into a comfortable position, placing my guitar on my thigh, take a deep breath, and close my eyes. I go through my meditation of zoning everyone out before internally repeating my personal motto:
You deserve to be here. Now show them why.
I peek down, watching my fingers strum the introductory notes to the very first song I wrote for someone else called “Needing You Now.” My eyes slide closed once more when I start to sing, letting the familiar chords of the song wash away my nerves as I begin my tale. I open them again so I can find that one focal point to concentrate on when I need it.
As I sing the last line of the first verse of the song, my eyes suddenly do a double take when they land on the face of one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever had the pleasure of looking at. Long, black lashes surround brown eyes the color of whiskey. Her face is lightly tanned with a dusting of natural-looking makeup brushed effortlessly across her face. Her hair seems to be the color of caramel, long and falling in waves down her shoulders. Her eyes are warm, inviting me into their abyss as everyone else starts to slowly fade away.
My mind screams at me not to blink, that she might be a figment of my imagination. As I start into the chorus, the emotions of the words force my eyelids shut, feeling the desperation of wanting that special someone to love you, support you, be there for you. I chose to sing this song tonight because of the power of its meaning and the emotions that it should evoke from the crowd.
My mind still pictures her as I sing out a long chord. My eyelids spring open, seeking out those stunning eyes as I mentally count the three beats of silence before continuing to the end of my narrative. I watch her expression as my voice registers up into my vibrato and an overwhelming need to impress her comes over me. Her eyes widen as I hit my note, her luscious pink lips parting in awe, telling me that I just nailed the ending of the song.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I stare at her while the crowd loudly cheers. I slowly start to smile at her, enjoying seeing her cheeks pinkening. She’s sitting close enough that I can see the pupils in her eyes dilated from what I hope is pleasure. I reluctantly break our eye contact to acknowledge the crowd, thanking them before continuing to talk about the next song I plan on performing.
As I get ready to move on, I know right then and there she’s going to be the one I sing to for the rest of my set, and I don’t give a fuck if people start talking about how I’m staring at her like a creeper. I want to watch every single expression that crosses over that angelic face of hers. I start the chords to my next song, not even needing to look down, because the encouragement from her eyes is all I need. All I want.
This woman has captivated me like no one else has ever before.
I need to know the identity of the woman I can’t take my eyes off of.
With our gazes locked together once more, I can’t help but wonder who she is. Her attendance tonight means she’s either in the industry or associated with someone in the industry. Please, dear Lord, if she’s associated with someone, let it not be a husband or a boyfriend. The only other person at her table is another woman I don’t know.
I look to see if I can spot a ring on her left hand when she takes a sip of whatever she’s drinking. Her hand is bare, and I can’t contain my smile knowing that the chances of her being married are slim without the hardware on. My only obstacle would be if there’s a boyfriend, and it would be surprising if there wasn’t. Most women who look like her are always taken, but then again, most women who are taken don’t look at strangers the way she’s looking at me.
She seems to be just as enthralled with me as I am with her. When I sing a seductive verse from my song, she rewards me with a sexy smirk that makes my dick instantly harden with want. I start to feel overheated and know damn well it isn’t from the lights. This woman better be single, because my body is now buzzing with adrenaline, and a different kind of anticipation is now coursing through my veins.
I’m going to make that girl mine.
As soon as the song ends, I grab a bottle water and take a big gulp from it, my eyes never wavering from hers. I need to figure out a way to meet my mystery lady fast. I’m the last performer of the evening, and with this being an industry event, hours of socializing afterward usually occur. I have to talk to her before that happens and rapidly get her number, since we won’t have any privacy once I’m done performing.
I’m about to sing my last song for my set and decide to change things up and sing the song I wrote for Tori, “Thief of My Heart.” I see disappointment touch her eyes when I announce this will be my last song for the evening. Lord help me if this woman is as sweet and delectable as she looks, because if so, then I might just have to put myself out there.
Chapter Four
ALY
STOP STARING AT him, Aly!
He’s going to think you are some pathetic psycho if you don’t stop.
Wait, is he staring back at me?
Oh my God, he is!
I don’t know what the hell is going on, but since the moment I locked eyes with Gavin McNeer, I haven’t been able to look away. I’ve been staring at him for the last twenty minutes, infatuated with his voice, his eyes, his face…all of him. My body feels alive with a connective energy flowing between us, and with the way he’s smiling back at me, he’s either feeling it too or having pity on my poor, delusional soul.
You’re crazy! my mind screams at my heart, and with the way my sister, Valerie, is looking at me when I glance in her direction, she’s thinking the same thing.
I can’t believe this is the first time I’m noticing him, really noticing him. It’s not uncommon for songwriters to become performers, so Gavin hasn�
��t really been on my radar the last two years. I’ve heard about his reputation as the gorgeous-as-sin songwriter from Austin who’s extremely professional and talented. But any interest I had of learning more about the sexy Texan died when I saw the headlines that he was dating Tori Langston. This industry is small, and especially here in Nashville. We’re all on pretty good terms, so everyone knows what a snake Tori can be.
When the gossip mill ran rampant about how and why they broke up, I didn’t even bat an eyelash, because honestly, I wasn’t surprised. I also couldn’t care less. I have no desire to get caught up in the rumors, and sometimes, this industry gets a little incestuous with who dates who, which is another reason why I’ve stayed away from dating anyone in the business.
I take the opportunity to let my eyes wander while Gavin explains the next song he’s about to sing. Pictures really don’t do this man justice. They don’t capture the sparkle in his green eyes when he looks at you or how his smile can be adorably crooked. You definitely can’t appreciate from photos how well his clothes mold to his body. His short-sleeved T-shirt is white with a special low-cut V-neck that shows off his sternum, giving you a peak of a hard, muscled chest underneath. You can tell he’s tall by how long his legs are, which are encased in dark denim that clings to his hard thighs and have stylish slits on his knees. His clothes might be plain, but I have no doubt they’re probably designer labels.
I don’t spend too much time assessing his body, because as soon as he starts singing again, my eyes are drawn right back to his handsome face. I become enraptured with his performance and start to daydream he’s singing to me and only me.
“Why is he staring at you like that?” Valerie whispers in my ear while she nudges her elbow into my side once he finishes his song. “It’s creeping me out!” I look at her and just blink my eyes, not understanding how she thinks he’s creepy when all I see is how beautiful he is. She gives me a wide-eyed look and mouths, What is wrong with you?
I wish I had an answer for her, but for the life of me, I have no idea what’s wrong with me. I’ve never reacted to someone this way before.
Snap out of it, Aly! He’s just a man.
Yeah, a man who rattles my nerves by just looking at me. I turn my attention back toward him when he announces he will be performing his last song for the evening. I suddenly start to feel sad, as if this will be the last time I ever see him again, which is ridiculous, since we don’t even know each other. He starts playing the first chords of “Thief of My Heart,” and once again, his voice floods my senses and he weaves a dream around me with his lyrics.
You’re the one for me.
I’m coming for you.
I’ll steal your heart.
Run away with me.
Forever.
I keep my eyes locked on his as the song becomes a tale of broken promises and hearts. Then, all too sudden, the song is over. I look around the room in a daze, seeing everyone on their feet, applauding. Then it dawns on me that every other woman is staring at him the same way I am. It’s as if we’ve all been possessed by the devil himself. A devil we’re all ready to sin with. Seeing their reactions snaps me out of my trance, and I start to wonder if I imagined how he was looking at me.
Don’t be a fool, I tell myself, annoyed I let my mind wander for a man I’ve never even met before. I have zero clue as to what kind of person he even is. I give my head a shake and stand up to leave, telling myself that none of this matters anyway. He’s a musician, and therefore, these silly fantasies of him will stay just that. Fantasies.
“Ready to go?” I ask Valerie, who’s still looking at me with concern. She nods and we grab our purses off the back of our chairs to leave.
“Excuse me,” I hear a husky voice say, making my head snap up to confirm who I hope it is. Gavin is standing in front of me, his height causing me to look up into his mesmerizing eyes. “Call me,” he tells me in a commanding voice, handing me his card. My eyes widen in shock, causing his serious expression to change into a devastating smile. “Please?” There’s a plea to his tone that turns my insides into complete mush. He’s robbed me of my voice, so all I can do is smile back at him and nod. His gaze flashes briefly to my lips before looking back at me with apologetic eyes as people begin to approach us.
Soon, he’s lost in the sea of bodies surrounding him, and I know our moment is gone. I clutch his card in my hand and turn to leave, shaking my head at my sister when she narrows her eyes at me and starts to open her mouth to ask questions.
“Not here,” I interject with a stern voice before I turn away and search for the exit through the crowd. Just when we’re about to clear the front door, I hear my name being called. I turn around to see Shane coming up behind me, motioning for me to meet him outside. With an unfamiliar pit in my stomach, I walk toward the end of the building to wait for Shane.
“Did I just witness Gavin McNeer giving you his card?” he inquires, staring me down with inquisitive eyes. Crap, if Shane saw that, then that means other people might’ve too.
“He sure did,” Valerie answers for me, her gaze mirroring Shane’s. Both of them cross their arms over their chests, and I know there’s no way I’m getting out of this conversation right now.
“Do you know him? Because the way you two were eye-fucking each other all night long made even me feel uncomfortable.”
I can’t contain the blush that flushes up my cheeks from Shane’s words. The evening air is cool, but just the mere thought of being in any kind of sexual position with Gavin is causing me to sweat.
“You’re being dramatic.” I wave my hand out in front of me, trying to downplay this situation, and the two of them just roll their eyes at me. “And no, I don’t know him. Tonight was the first time I’ve ever seen him.”
“And it looks like it won’t be the last!” Shane breaks into an evil smile, rubbing his hands together as if he’s coming up with a secret plan.
“He’s a musician!” I sigh. “I’m sure he gives his card out to every single lady he thinks is pretty.” I dismiss the two of them as I start to dig into my bag for my keys, not wanting them to make such a big deal out of something that probably doesn’t mean anything.
“Actually, he doesn’t,” a voice comes up from behind us, startling me. I turn around to see a pretty blonde with a messy bun on top of her head and chic red glasses that match her lipstick standing next to us. She has startling baby-blue eyes that have a hint of annoyance to them. “Giving out his card to anyone,” she says as she looks me over, “is something he doesn’t do. In fact, I’ve never seen him give out his number to some random girl before. Regardless, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Gavin wanted me to remind you to call him later.” She looks me up and down one more time before leaving without even introducing herself. Can we say rude?
“Wow, she’s rude.” Valerie huffs as we watch Gavin’s messenger walk back inside the cafe. “Shane, do you know who she is?”
“I think that was his assistant, who’s also his cousin. I always see her with him when it’s work related. Who cares about her?” He groans. “Can we talk about how he sent her out here to remind you to call him not less than ten minutes after he gave you his number? That’s hot!” Shane grips my forearm and squeezes, excitement radiating from his eyes. “You better do as he says and call him tonight.”
“You know the policy, Shane,” I remind him with a knowing smile. “No dating anyone in the industry.”
“Rules are meant to be broken. Besides, that policy is for dating within our own company, not within the entire music industry!” He places his hands on his hips when I shake my head at him. “You listen to me, Alyson Marie Dawson…”
“Her middle name isn’t Marie,” Valerie tells him, and my lips twitch at seeing a what the hell expression on her face.
“I’m sure it isn’t, but since I don’t know what her middle name is and I’m trying to be all parental on her right now, Marie sounded good,” he explains in exasperation, causing me to chuckle at how ridic
ulous he’s being. “Listen to me, Alyson whatever-your-middle-name-is Dawson! You have got to stop letting these opportunities pass you by! First Brodie and now Gavin? Child, are you insane?” he screams the last word out.
“Can you lower your voice? You’re causing a scene!” I hiss at him, not wanting the attention his shouting is bringing our way, judging by the looks we’re starting to receive.
“All I’m saying is that you need to live a little and see where this goes. You may have just met your soul mate.”
“Soul mate?” I scoff. Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes at him.
He throws his arms up in irritation. “Valerie, can you please talk some sense into your sister?”
“Nope, I actually agree with her. I don’t think she should call him. He’s a musician, meaning girls throw themselves at him and he will also have to tour eventually. I don’t approve of a long-distance relationship for my baby sister,” Valerie states firmly, looking him in the eye to show how serious she is.
“Thanks for being supportive there, Val,” Shane says with heavy sarcasm. “Side note—I’m really digging this hot-for-teacher look you’ve got going on with the sexy glasses and high ponytail. Too bad you’re going to look this way when your ninety and single with that kind of attitude!”
Even Valerie can’t contain her laughter at that comment. I do have to agree with Shane though on the subject of how my sister looks. She has a certain sex appeal in her work attire. She’s gorgeous with her light-blonde hair and ice-blue eyes—the complete opposite of what I look like. Nobody guesses we’re sisters when they first meet us, but our bond is as tight as if we were twins.
Shane looks between the two of us, shaking his head in silence. “I’m done with this conversation, as it’s giving me heartburn and now I need a drink.” He gives Valerie and me a kiss on our cheeks and looks one more time at us both. “It’s a shame, really. Two of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen, single as the day they were born. Aly, I do hope you change your mind about calling Gavin. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, he leaves us and goes back inside.
Love At The Bluebird Page 3