by Ann Lister
She smiled proudly. “I don’t doubt that for a minute.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Two weeks later, Annie was neck deep into plans for her first tour with Lace. Michael contacted two of his own security people and called them into action. He wasn’t taking any risks with the security force put in place by Lace’s management, especially with Annie being pregnant. She was nervous enough without having to worry about the behind-the-scenes issues that plague every band tour.
The tour was set to begin in New York City. It was ‘home turf’ for Lace and where their biggest fan base was located. On the other hand, Annie felt like an outsider. She didn’t know anyone in New York and had no existing fans to speak of.
“Where would you rather kick off the tour?” Michael asked, as he watched Annie frantically pace the floor of the rehearsal studio.
“Anywhere but here, maybe in Worcester or even Boston, for that matter. At least I’d know people there.”
Michael laughed and pulled her into a tight hug. “Annie, Lace is too big a band to kick off a major tour in Worcester. You should be happy about that. They want to target their largest markets. You have to remember, this is a business.”
“I know, I know.” She spun around to face him. “You’ll be there, right?”
He laughed again. “Annie, I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”
Her shoulders relaxed.
“I’ve already talked to Brian and arranged our schedule so I can be here with you,” he said supportively.
Unbeknownst to Annie, Michael had made reservations for Gary, Buzz and Ivory to be in attendance, front row and center. Even the members of Thrust were going to be there for the kick off of the tour. It would all remain a surprise until Annie took the stage.
The first concert was set for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. A few days before the show, Taylor entered the hospital and had the heart surgery necessary to prolong her life. The operation proved successful, but Taylor would remain in the hospital for weeks before heading home for several more months of recuperation. Lacey had hoped by spring, Taylor would be able to return to the rigors of performing with the band.
With Taylor safely out of surgery, Lacey and Annie pulled together the final details of the New York concert. Annie’s stomach was in such a knot on Thanksgiving Day, that she wasn’t able to eat a thing. Michael even dragged her to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade just to try and keep her mind off the concert. Nothing seemed to work.
Showered and dressed hours before she had to be, Annie paced the floor to their Trump Tower hotel suite, waiting for the arrival of the limousine. After changing into three different outfits, she had decided to go with the short, black satin skirt with a very fitted double-breasted sleeveless tuxedo coat with white collar and accents. Her arms were encased in long black opera gloves and thigh-high black leather boots adorned her legs. A professional hair stylist and makeup artist had been by earlier to put the finishing touches on her. They had piled her hair in a tight French twist on her head and applied make-up that made her positively glow. The last detail was jewelry. Without a second thought, she selected the diamond necklace and earring set that Michael had given her back in June.
He came out of the bathroom adjusting a white silk tie around his neck. He was dressed in an informal Armani double-breasted black suit coat with tight leather pants and black silk shirt. His thick curls spilled over his shoulders and his face was freshly-shaven.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, searching for a compliment.
Annie was busy staring out the hotel window down at the city traffic below. “I think we’re going to be late,” she complained, missing the meaning of his question completely.
He joined her at the window and slid an arm around her while consulting his watch for the time. “You’ve got two hours before show time. Relax. The limo will be here soon.”
“Oh God! I think I’m going to throw up again,” she screamed, and ran for the bathroom. Morning sickness had become an all-day affair for her and sapped her energy.
Michael shook his head and wondered if the tour was going to be too much for her now that she was pregnant. Maybe she’d relax a bit after she saw Lacey and the other guys in the band, he hoped. A smile slid across his face as he remembered the surprise guests he had waiting for her in the front row of the Music Hall. If nothing else worked, they would calm down her nerves.
Annie appeared from the bathroom, her face pasty white and her eyes brimming with tears.
“You look beautiful, babe,” he commented.
“You’re full of shit.”
Before Michael could say another word, the phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. It was Bull calling from the limousine to let them know he was on his way up to the room.
“Okay, I’ll see you in a few minutes,” Michael said, and placed the phone back in its cradle.
“Who was that?” Annie asked.
“Bull is on his way up.” They arrived at the Music Hall on time and Annie quickly disappeared into the back dressing room. Lacey was already there, applying fresh lipstick in the mirror. Michael stayed his distance and chatted with Bull by the door. He knew from his own experience what Annie really needed to do was warm-up her voice and go over the song sets with her band. Every band had their own pre-show routines to go through and anyone in the business knew never to interfere with it.
Several reporters arrived, sniffing around the dressing room, trying to get copy for the latest music publications. Bull and his assistant kept them all at bay. “No pre-show interviews tonight, boys,” Bull kept repeating over and over.
Tonight Lace was the solo act and would perform for two hours. The following week, they would be the opening act for Crosby, Stills and Nash and zig-zag their way across the country, ending an eight-week tour in California. Most of the venues would be small theaters and music halls. Tonight the show was sold-out.
“Ten minutes, everyone,” the stage manager announced, sticking his head into Annie’s dressing room.
She squeezed Michael’s hand. Her eyes reflected the horror sweeping through her body.
“Listen,” he said, grabbing her face gently with his hand. “I want you to focus on the first song only. Don’t think of the whole set, just that first song. That’s it. The rest will come naturally once you hit the stage. Okay?”
Annie nodded her head and quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.
He kissed her lips. “I know you can do this. I've seen you do it many times before.”
“Not like this,” she protested.
“You’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Where will you be?”
“Right behind the curtain,” he reassured.
The stage manager returned and said it was time. Bull, his assistant, and two other security guards began the slow procession with the band toward the stage area. Michael grabbed Lacey by the arm and stopped her.
“Keep an eye on her. I’m worried she may crack when she gets out there.”
Lacey smiled and patted him on the cheek. “She’s a professional, right? When she feels the heat from the lights and hears the crowd, everything will fall into place.”
He nodded nervously. “Yeah. You’re right.”
The procession stopped by the stage stairs and waited for the introduction of the band. Then came the stomping and then the cheers. Michael smiled broadly at Annie and winked.
“Okay, take your places,” the stage manager directed.
One last kiss on the lips and Michael sent a terrified Annie on her way. “Have fun,” he shouted. “I’ll be right here.”
The lights came up, instruments were strapped on and the bass drum began an intro beat that the rest of the band quickly jumped on. Lacey looked over at Annie and nodded, counting off a one, two, three count. Then together they began the opening song of the night. It was an old Lace standard. Every fan in the audience knew the words to it and sang along. The crowd imm
ediately rose to their feet and roared their appreciation. Annie was gone, lost in a sea of adulation. All Michael could do was smile with pride.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Brian asked, jabbing Michael in the ribs.
Michael turned around and saw all his band mates standing beside Brian. “Thanks for coming, guys.”
“We wouldn’t have missed this,” they all replied.
After the third song, Annie peeled off her long opera gloves in a slow seductive way that had every man in the theater howling catcalls. She swung them over her head and tossed them into the audience.
“Hmmm, the girl might have missed her true calling,” Brian chuckled in Michael’s ear. “She’d make a great pole dancer.”
“Only for me,” Michael replied with confidence. Inside, he was overflowing with happiness that it would be him that had the privilege to take her home that night and every night to follow.
Annie came to the side stage and took another guitar from the technician. Then before heading back to center stage, she stopped and gave Michael a quick kiss.
“You’re doing great, babe,” Michael reassured.
“You’re on fire,” Brian added.
Annie couldn’t hide the smile that ebbed across her face when she noticed all the guys in Michael’s band standing with him behind the curtain. She was amazed they had all thought enough of her to come see her opening night show. She gave them all a wave and mouthed the words ‘thank you for coming’. Then she ran back to take her place beside Lacey. Annie plugged into her guitar amp and dragged her fingers loosely across the strings sending a shrill twang out into the crowd.
“Good evening people,” Lacey began. “I’d like to take a minute to introduce someone special. Standing beside me and singing her pretty little ass off for you tonight is Annie Logan!”
Annie waved to the audience and was nearly blown away from the noise they were creating in her honor.
“Way to go, Annie!” A voice screamed at her from the front row. Annie’s eyes instinctively followed the voice and stopped dead center, in the first row of seats behind a burly row of security guards. Then one by one, she spotted Gary, Buzz and Ivory waving back at her. Tears quickly filled her eyes as she waved back at them. Then her attention shifted to Michael. Touching her heart and blowing him a kiss, she thanked him.
“Annie has been kind enough to fill in for Taylor while she is recuperating after her recent surgery,” Lacey announced to the audience. “Taylor is doing fine and she thanks you for all your cards and well-wishes you’ve been sending to her. She’ll be back as soon as she can, but, until then, Annie is going to rock your worlds!”
Like a cannon ball being launched into the sky, Lace, catapulted into their fourth song. Annie gave everything she had and then some. No one was more pleased than Michael. Like a proud teacher witnessing the awakening of his best student, he reveled in her success. When it was over, he was the first to congratulate her triumph.
The back stage dressing room was over flowing with photographers, reporters, family and friends. The congratulatory sentiments were overwhelming to Annie. It was something she had never experienced before and she was unsure of how to handle the attention. An hour into the meet and greet session, Michael stopped the endless procession into the room. Then he invited her friends back to their hotel suite for an after-party in her honor.
Michael had three limousines waiting to take them and their guests back to their hotel suite for the party. Michael and Annie rode alone in one limo, while the other two vehicles transported their guests.
Annie sighed loudly as soon as the door of the car closed, blocking out the noise of the busy city street. Finally, they were alone. She rested her head back against the cool leather seat.
“Wow,” she exclaimed. “Never in a million years did I think performing before a live audience could feel like that!”
He smiled and pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles. “You were amazing, babe. Every man in the hall was begging to take you home. And, here you sit with me. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
Annie rolled her head to the side and gazed dreamily into the warmth of his eyes. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me leading up to this night,” she sighed, stroking the side of his smooth face. “Your patience and understanding was so comforting. I know I could not have gone out there tonight if it weren’t for you.”
“You’re giving me too much credit, Annie. Tonight was something you worked your ass off for, and it showed. Everyone loved you and I love you too.”
She slid closer and kissed him lightly on the mouth. “I also want to thank you for inviting my White Rush guys. It meant the world to me to look out and see their familiar faces smiling up at me from the front row.”
His mouth descended upon hers again and held it firmly, his tongue darting out to tease. “Did I mention how hot you looked on stage tonight?” he asked, sliding his long fingers up the inside of her thigh and under her satin skirt. His hand stopped when it felt her heat.
She grinned and pulled him down on top of her in the seat. “Have you ever done it in the backseat of a limo?” she asked coyly.
“You won’t want to hear the answer to that question,” he smiled.
“Nothing is sacred to you, is it?” she teased.
“Besides, you don’t want to miss your opening night party, do you?”
“No, I suppose you’re right,” Annie sighed with regret.
Michael sat up and patted her on the leg. Then pulled his cell phone from his pocket, calling the hotel kitchen to have a light buffet sent up to their suite.
Everyone arrived at once and Annie took the elevator with Gary, Buzz and Ivory. Where are you staying?” she asked.
“Mike booked us rooms right here with you. We’re only a few floors below you,” Buzz replied.
Annie turned to face Michael. “You booked them rooms, too?”
“He took care of all the arrangements,” Ivory added. “All we had to do was show up at the airport.”
“First class, all the way,” Gary added.
Annie squeezed Michael’s hand. “He’s too good to me,” she replied, never removing her eyes from him.
Once inside their hotel suite, Annie made a mad dash for the bedroom to change out of the confines of her stage outfit and into the comfort of her jeans. When she returned, Buzz and Ivory were waiting.
“Annie, we can’t tell you how proud we were to see you in action tonight,” Buzz remarked, leaning in to give her an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
“Yeah, it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person,” Ivory chimed.
“Thanks guys. It means a lot coming from the two of you, it really does. And I can’t thank you enough for coming tonight.” she replied.
“Hey! Anytime Mike wants to foot the bill, we’ll come and see you,” Buzz laughed. “I guess it pays to have a rich husband!”
Annie rolled her eyes and smiled endlessly. “What can I say, it’s not like I stalked him. It just sort of happened.”
“Hey, don’t apologize to us. We couldn’t be happier for you,” Ivory answered.
“Years from now, Ivory and I can say we were witnesses to the first sparks flying between you two. Remember that? We were at Sir Morgan’s Cove and Michael breezed in and shook your hand. Now, you’re married to him and expecting a baby,” Buzz said with a laugh. “We’re thrilled for both of you.”
They continued making small talk until Gary appeared beside Annie. Buzz and Ivory made a quick exit and went to mingle with Brian and the rest of Thrust, whom had just arrived.
Gary stood uneasily beside Annie, nervously sipping his drink, until Annie opened the conversation.
“Hi Gary. It’s been a long time,” she said.
“Yeah, too long. You look amazing,” he replied, noticing how beautiful she was.
“Thanks. So, what did you think of the show tonight?”
Gary smiled from ear to ear.
“First, let me say how shocked I was to get a personal invitation from Mike to come to this. As for your performance, you took my breath away,” he said touching his chest. “It made me realize how right Mike was when he said you should be lead singer and center-stage. You were born for the stage, Annie,” he said with a sigh, and feeling a hint of regret she was gone from his life.
Annie’s eyes filled with tears as she suddenly threw her arms around Gary’s neck. “You have no idea how much that means to hear you say that,” she whispered in his ear. “And I’m very glad you came to the show.”
“What’s this I hear about you and Wade expecting a baby?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yes, it’s true,” she answered. I’m due in April.”
Gary squeezed her hand and forced a smile onto his face. “I’m happy you found someone that loves you the way you deserve to be loved. And I can tell he truly loves you, Annie. It’s obvious every time he looks at you.”
Annie started to cry and wiped at her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry, Annie. I guess in my own way, I’m saying I’m sorry for all the crap I gave you both in the beginning and helping you disappear. I have no excuses for my behavior except to say it scared the hell out of me when I saw you together and so happy. Something inside told me he was ‘the one’ and I had lost you forever. I had never felt that before Mike entered your life. Until then, I honestly thought eventually we’d get back together.”
Annie shifted uneasily. “It’s all in the past, Gary. Forget about it,” she answered softly, searching the room for Michael.
“I know, but it’s important to me that you hear me say that and I couldn’t be happier about the baby. You’re both going to make great parents.”
Annie smiled through her tears. “Are you still playing in a band?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“No. I’m working as a booking agent for a couple of clubs in the Worcester area. That keeps me pretty busy.”
Michael came up behind Annie and slid a welcome arm around her waist. “Hey Gary. I’m glad you decided to come tonight,” he said, extending a hand for him to shake.