“I’m not thinking of bedding you. Don’t worry.”
“Good. I was raised a good Catholic girl, and I have high morals about things like that.”
He laughed. “Well, you better lose those in a hurry if you want to go anywhere in this business.” His eyes focused on mine. “I’ll knock on your door in an hour. Be ready.”
I watched him leave, my stomach in turmoil. Did I really know what I was getting myself into?
Gulping the coffee, I sat on the edge of the bed and tried to figure out what part of the conversation had me so unnerved. Had it been his warning or his cavalier attitude toward groupies and sex? Sure, I was naive, but not so innocent that I didn’t know the ways of the world, especially the entertainment business. As Jay said, it came with the territory.
If I had to choose between my dignity and a singing career, I’d pack up my bags and head on home. But I wasn’t quitting yet. Not by a long shot.
I finished both cups of coffee then turned on the shower. I had less than an hour to get ready.
* * *
I wore my skinny jeans and a white tank top with an open plaid shirt. I put on my knee-high boots, and checked myself out in the mirror. Looked all right, I supposed. I wasn’t young and pretty, but I’d done the best I could with what the good Lord had given me.
My hair had been lightened and trimmed a few weeks ago and it framed my face, ending just below my chin. I put on frosted eye shadow, a touch of liner, and super-lengthening mascara that made my stubby lashes look long and rich. Pursing my lips, I applied a soft pink lipstick then stepped back to admire the effect.
I heard a rat-a-tat-tat at the door. I grabbed my handbag and opened up. “Hi Jay. I’m ready.”
“Good.” Jay scratched his head, eyeing me warily. “Look, if this doesn’t work out, it might be better for you to have your own car.”
“I’ll ride with you,” I told him. “I can always cab it back.”
“You’re pretty confident, aren’t you?”
I smiled. “See for yourself.”
He drove a Ford pick-up and without waiting for assistance, I climbed in. We didn’t speak much during the drive, which suited me fine. Listening to his CD’s gave me an inkling of his tastes. He had them organized in a couple of folders, and I glanced at the covers, noting that we shared a few favorites.
He was playing Lady Antebellum’s, I Need You Now, and I sang along, not because I wanted to impress him, but because I loved the song.
He glanced at me. “You like that song?”
“Love it.”
“Know any of the lyrics?”
“Enough,” I said, then sang more. If I had his interest, I didn’t intend to lose it.
“Not bad,” he commented and sang too. Within a few minutes, we were harmonizing beautifully.
“Shit.” He stared out the window, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“Shit good, or shit bad?”
He laughed. “I think you just got yourself a job.”
“Yeah!” I grabbed his arm and he swerved toward the ditch. I quickly let go. “I’m so excited.”
“Calm down before you kill us both.” He said in a gruff voice, but there was a twinkle in his eye. “I’ll introduce you to everyone. Just don’t get all gushy and embarrass yourself. Pretend you do this all the time.”
“Got it. Don’t embarrass myself. Act like singing with the headliner is an everyday occurrence for me.”
“I’m just saying, we could do this one song. Not promising much after that.”
I grinned. “That’s good enough for me. But you never know. The crowd might demand more.”
“Cocky little thing, aren’t you?”
I glanced at him sideways, wondering if he preferred me that way. But I have a nasty habit of telling the truth. “Not really. But I know when something is good. You and I. Our voices in perfect sync. That was good. Imagine how we’d sound with a band and practice.”
“What else do you do?” He darted a quick glance at me.
I swallowed and nearly choked on my spit. What did he mean? Was he talking music, or was his mind back to sex?
“Songs,” he said, as if reading my mind. “What songs do you like?”
Instead of telling him, I sang a few lyrics.
He nodded, and tapped his hand on the steering wheel.
Yes. I definitely had his attention.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
FRAN
We arrived at the fairgrounds a little after eight and parked in the employee lot. One of the security guards checked Jay’s pass, said a cheery, “Good morning,” and waved us through the gates.
The fair didn’t open to the public until ten, so for a couple of hours, we had the place to ourselves. Being an outdoor festival, the rehearsal was held at the back of the stage.
The band was already jamming when we showed up. I noticed there were two other guys with guitars and one female singer with black hair down to her waist, several tattoos on her skinny arms, and at least twenty silver bracelets. She had a ring in her nose and was dressed in all leather. They guys glanced my way and seemed to lose interest fast. I might have been one of Jay’s groupies for all they knew or cared.
The young woman gave me a long look, then tossed her head and turned her back. Her hostile attitude noted—I wondered if she had been one of Jay’s conquests. Well, whether they were bedmates or not, it had nothing to do with me.
Jay jumped on stage and I followed slowly behind.
“Hey, everyone. This is Frannie May. She’s going to be singing a song with me.” He gave me a wink. “Wait ’till you hear the lungs on this girl.”
I blushed and smiled at the guys, ignoring the leather girl.
The two young men wore their cowboy hats dipped low, so it was difficult to read their expressions. A look passed between them, but if they didn’t like me being there, no one voiced it.
I took a seat at the side of the stage and watched Jay and his band warm up. Then, with a little thrill, I listened while they went through each song. I skipped out during one of their breaks to call Candy.
“Hey, girlfriend. I have some exciting news.”
“Tell me,” Candy spoke with enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to hear.”
“You know Jay Carpenter? You’ve heard of him, right?”
“Sure. He’s great. Love his song—the one that won the Grammy.”
“Yeah. Hometown Girl. It’s a little hokey, but it’s catchy and made him a household name.”
“So what about him? Don’t tell me you’ve met him?”
“Not only that, but he’s headlining the show here, and he wants me to sing with him.”
“No friggin’ way,” she shouted. “For real?”
“For real. Why don’t you see if you can get someone to cover for you and come up here for the show?”
“Jeez. I’d love to, but I can’t get someone on such short notice.”
“Look, we’re here tomorrow night too. It’s only in Port Saint Lucie, an hour past West Palm. Take the turnpike, and you’ll be here in two hours, maybe a little more.” I really wanted her to come. She’d love it, and I needed moral support. This is the biggest thing to ever happen to me, and I wasn’t sure I could face it alone. “Please?”
“Oh, sweetie. I can’t possibly come tonight, but I will do my very best for tomorrow.” Candy sighed dramatically. “He’s gorgeous. What’s he like in person?”
I didn’t want to tell her about the young girl he’d slept with, or the fact that he made a habit of hopping into bed with groupies. If I told her that, she might not come. Then again, she just might.
“He’s great. A real doll.” He had to be, he was giving me this big chance.
“You’re so lucky. Wow.” Candy’s voice was animated, and I could picture her pretty, smiling face. “I’m so very proud of you. I will get there. I promise.”
“Thanks, Candy. You’re gonna love him. I just know you are.”
“I love you and that�
�s what counts. Knock ’em dead, tonight. I’ll be thinking of you.”
Jay found me outside the makeshift tent. “So there you are. I talked it over with the guys and everyone’s in agreement. You can do one song. Have a favorite?”
I grinned. “Wow-Jay. How can I thank you?” I gave him an awkward hug.
He patted my back. “Oh, come on. Buck up. You deserve this chance, or you wouldn’t be getting it.”
I smiled and wiped my eyes. “That’s true. Are we done with rehearsal or do you want me to try out a number?”
“You got something in mind?”
“I have so many, I’m not sure which way to go.”
He led me back inside. “Let’s try a few together. Don’t want you to blow this, do we?”
I followed him on stage, and he grabbed a stool, and gave me the nod. “Take the mic, this is your show.”
I stood for a moment as panic swept over me. Leather girl was laughing and chatting up the guys. They were all intentionally ignoring me. Well, I’d damn well show them. Make Jay proud too.
The thought that his band members might actually be betting against me, perhaps even Jay too, turned my blood hot.
I put the mic to my mouth and bellowed, The Kiss, by Faith Hill. Of course, I’d sang along when it played on the radio but not having musicians for backup made it a lot more difficult.
Still, I noticed a few of the band members stopped doing what they were doing and stood to listen. Jay had his head down, and his cowboy hat shaded his face, so I couldn’t gage his reaction.
Half way through the song, I stopped dead. Someone was clapping. Jay had stood, and now walked over to me and took the mic out of my hands. “Good job. You’ll do fine.”
My shoulders sank with relief. I figured I’d blown it, but instead, he gave me a fist shake and I grinned with pleasure.
The guys nodded their approval and even leather girl gave me the thumbs up. I blew kisses in their direction.
My face flushed and I was breathing hard.
“I could use a beer,” I whispered to Jay.
“I’ll buy, and we’ll grab some lunch.”
Instead of staying in the fairgrounds, we drove back to the motel and had our beer and sandwiches at the pub where we’d met.
“You nervous about tonight?” he asked, while we sipped our drinks and waited for the food to arrive.
“Scared out of my wits,” I replied calmly.
“You should be,” he said with a smile. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be human.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t take a chance on you if I thought you couldn’t do it. You’re going to rock them tonight. Just wait and see.”
My spirits lifted, and for the next hour or so, I was completely buzzed. I picked at my clubhouse sandwich, surprised to find that my appetite disappeared.
After lunch, he told me to get some rest and that he’d pick me up around six. We wouldn’t be performing until eight, but the band wanted to run over the music one more time.
I was now part of the band. Yippee!
* * *
There were probably two or three hundred people already seated—a huge crowd for me—but the lighting on stage blinded the sea of faces. I felt it slightly disconcerting because I preferred to connect to my audience, not that I’d had much experience, of course.
I was surprised to see the leather girl hit the stage first. Jay hadn’t told me she was the warm-up singer. No wonder she’d given me the cold shoulder when I showed up this morning. Her voice was low, throaty, and mellow as a well-aged scotch. I tried not to be jealous, but I had to admit, she was smoking hot.
Jay came on at nine. The audience rose to their feet, whistling and cheering. They stomped their feet and clapped to the beat. He sang two of his biggest hits, and the fans sang along, crowding the stage.
I stood in the wings, waiting for him to introduce me. Not sure of what to wear, I’d chosen a black dress that was not too dressy, but cut low enough to show some cleavage and wasn’t clingy. Since we were at a country fair, I wore sensible, two-inch wedge shoes, and a minimum of jewelry and make-up, hoping that my voice would speak louder than my looks. Because if that’s all I had to rely on, I sure wouldn’t go far.
When the crowd quieted, Jay turned to face me. “We have a brand new talent to introduce tonight. Welcome, Frannie May.”
He winked at me as I walked on stage. My knees were knocking together, and even though the temperature was high in the eighties, I felt chilled inside and out.
Leaning into me, he whispered, “Relax. It’s just you and me, singing in the car. Let’s do it.”
The band began to play “Need You Now,” and I sang the words in a low, tentative voice. The cheering of the crowd gave me that extra push, and I shook off my fears. Forgetting everything except the joy of singing, I closed my eyes and sang the words.
Jay moved in close and his lips were close to mine. Our eyes locked and we sang, our voices melded, sounding sexy to my own ears. The audience howled in approval.
I was shaking by the time it was all over. I knew it had been good. Better than good. We’d been great together.
Hours later, Jay drove me back to the motel. We’d celebrated with the band and I was feeling a wee bit tipsy.
His arm slung around my shoulder as he walked me to my door. “You were a-amazing. They loved you, baby.”
Nobody had ever called me baby before. Not even my own parents. It warmed me. “You too. We did bring the house down, didn’t we?”
“Sure did.” His face was close to mine. “So now you know what it’s like to be a big singing star. How does it feel, Frannie May?”
I lifted my eyes to his, and our mouths were only inches apart. “Good. I feel unbelievably good.”
His arm dropped from my shoulder and came around my waist. He pulled me close. “You do, at that.”
“What are you doing?” I asked in a breathless voice, although I totally knew what he was up to, and I liked it.
“I’m going to kiss you, if that’s okay?”
I didn’t answer, not sure if I wanted it or not. The idea of Jay and me was much too confusing. I felt so many things that I couldn’t separate the feelings.
It would be so much easier if he’d just kiss me and not ask. Taking the decision out of my hands.
My eyes closed and he shortened the distance between our lips. I could feel his breath and our chests met lightly. I knew he was waiting for permission, but still I held back.
A lot was at stake.
His hand ran up my back and I shivered and moved in closer. I put a hand up and circled his neck, running my fingers through his wavy brown hair. It was on the long side but looked good. “Thank you for tonight.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “It was the greatest night of my life.”
He smiled. “I could make it even better.”
“I’m sure you could.” My eyes held his, and then I couldn’t breathe. I wanted him to kiss me, to sweep me away. Sure, I was buzzed. Not because I’d knocked back two glasses of wine, but because I’d never felt so good about myself.
Jay and I had wowed the crowd, and I guess I wanted to continue the celebration a little longer.
He seemed to read my message, because he gently touched my lips with his own. The kiss started slow and gentle, then our breathing heated, and his tongue swept in and tangled with mine.
If I went to bed with Jay, it wouldn’t be love. It would be good raw sex, like I had with John. But I needed more. I deserved more. Reluctantly, I pushed him away. I didn’t dare let a night of passion mess up this weekend. After all, the only thing connecting us was one duet.
“Good-night,” I whispered and turned, slipping through my door.
He winked. “Good-night, Frannie May. Pleasant dreams.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
JOHN
I was sitting at the bar, hoping to see Fran, when Candy walked over. “She’s not coming tonight.”
I glanced up from my beer. “Why not? It’s Saturda
y. Doesn’t she have a regular gig?”
“Yeah, but she called and asked if she could take the night off. There’s a country music festival in Port Saint Lucie and she wanted to go.” Candy leaned against the bar and watched me closely. “Good thing she went. She met Jay Carpenter, the main attraction this weekend. He’s letting her do a duet with him. Imagine that!”
“Never heard of him. Why would he let her sing with him if he’s the star attraction?” I rubbed my jaw, wondering who this asshole was. What did he want with Fran?
“Must have thought she had a lot of talent.” Candy smiled, and I could tell she was enjoying this conversation. Damn women.
“Why else would he give her a chance like that?” she asked, wiping down the counter. “Either that or he liked something else about her.”
“Like what?”
“Men like Fran. Haven’t you noticed?”
“No. I hadn’t, but now that you mention it, she is a flirt.”
“A flirt? Fran is no such thing. She’s just a doll and everyone loves her.”
“She came on to me. You know…that first night. Took me home too.” I looked her straight in the eye. “She was asking for it.”
“Well, she’s not in the habit of meeting men here and taking them back to her place, so I guess she saw something in you. Heaven knows what.” Candy looked like she was going to rub a hole in the counter with the amount of exertion she put into it. “I’m sure it had nothing to do with you. It was the magic, that’s all.”
“Magic Shmagic.” I took a long slug of my beer. “Forget that. We were talking about this country singer dude. Why would he sign her up? I mean, she’s good but it’s a tough business to break into.” I wiped the back of my hand over my mouth. “Who is he? I’ve never heard of him.”
“Jay Carpenter has two singles in the top one hundred on the Billboard charts. Guy’s on his way up.” She grinned. “Not only that but he’s smokin’ hot and is from Jacksonville.”
“Yeah, that right? Still don’t know what he sees in Fran,” I mumbled, running my fingers up and down my bottled beer. I didn’t want to look at Candy’s smug face. I already knew what she was thinking—that I’d blown it with Fran, should have been a hellova lot nicer to her. Yeah, I get it, but Fran’s better off with this Jay guy who can give her what she wants. What she deserves.
The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series Page 55