by J. M. Nevins
The knock at the door grabbed her attention. She smoothed her dress before opening the door. She smiled, seeing him standing before her. She was pleasantly surprised to see him wearing a perfectly tailored black suit. He looked incredibly handsome. He smiled. “You ready to go?”
She nodded and motioned to the table in her hotel room. “Yes. Thanks for the flowers. They’re really beautiful.”
He peeked in and glanced at the large arrangement of roses—a combination of red, pink and white. He nodded and grinned at her. “You’re welcome.” He held his arm out to her. “Shall we?”
She giggled and linked her arm in his. “Where are you taking me?”
He chuckled. “Actually, I’m not really sure. Supposedly, it has great reviews and the driver knows where it’s at, but I’ve never personally been. It’s my first time in Montreal, y’know.”
She giggled and kissed him on the cheek. “Me too. So, it will be an adventure. Excellent!”
As Sully stepped into the limousine and exchanged a look with Kit, he felt an inner peace wash over him and he knew this was how it should be. Spencer was right. He had to start figuring out his plan to take things to the next level.
CHAPTER 16
Kit stood in the Gypsy Tango dressing room backstage at the arena in Calgary dressed to kill in a tight, short, black leather halter dress with a plunging neckline, black lace stockings and four-inch, black leather stilettos with silver studs running up the back of the heel. This outfit had always been one of Sully’s favorites. She leaned forward over the counter and stared at her reflection in the mirror, slowly applying her lipstick.
Maxine stood perfectly positioned, snapping shots. “Ok, hold that. Perfect. That’s beautiful. Ok, got it.”
Kit looked over at her and smiled as she smoothed her red tresses. “Yeah? Wow, Max, I’m still in shock.” She reached out for Maxine’s hand and grinned when she heard the song that Gypsy Tango was playing. It echoed backstage.
Maxine laughed. “Kit, you’re shaking!”
She nodded. “I know. This is so huge! I can hardly wait to tell the guys. Lew and Pete should be headed over right about now. They were coming directly from the airport. He said he’d make it here by encore. The guys are on their last song in the set.”
“Ok. I’m going to run out and grab a few shots. I want to capture every part of this night, including this encore ‘cuz it sounds like one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
Kit stood on the side of the stage watching them and smiling. Sully mesmerized her. She wasn’t sure if it was his dynamic performance or her mental review of the previous evening’s events. Their dinner date had been fun and relaxing. It was just what they both needed and she was feeling a peace and ease in her spirit that had been missing for quite some time.
After dinner the night before, they had returned to the hotel and found themselves falling into familiar old patterns—playing their guitars, listening to music and staying up until all hours of the night talking like they used to before they ever got together. Before he left her room shortly after they watched the sun come up from her balcony, he gave her a long, warm hug and a sweet kiss on the cheek. She felt so cherished in that moment. Even though she was functioning on only a few hours of sleep, she felt content.
All the talking the night before afforded she and Sully the opportunity to dig deep, clear the air of past disagreements and powerfully regain their connection. She wallowed in the joy she felt, knowing the events of this evening would be the cherry on top for both of them.
Before she could daydream about what the future held for she and Sully, Lew Diamond and Pete Lundy walked up to her and silently stood next to her. She glanced over and smiled. “Lew, Pete! You made it!” She gave them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Lew smiled and his brown eyes danced with excitement. “Have they played it yet?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s their last song of the night. It’s the song they play for the second encore.” As she finished what she was saying, the band was headed off the stage toward them. Sully looked at Kit and gave her a conspiring grin, then noticed Lew standing next to her.
He smiled and pointed to him. When he got closer he went up to him and shook his hand. “Lew, this is a great surprise! What are you doing here?”
Lew nodded. “Just here to check you guys out live and congratulate you on the fantastic news.”
Sully looked at Kit and then back at Lew, searching for answers with his eyes. “What news?”
The crowd was getting louder chanting, “GT… GT… GT.”
Lew chuckled. “You better get back out there. Seems your fans are getting antsy.”
Sully noticed the band walk past him and back onto the stage. He nodded vigorously and laughed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Catch you backstage.”
They stepped on stage and performed their hit song, ‘Heartbreaker,’ from their new album, ‘Dangerous Curves.’ Kit watched intently as Sully worked the stage like a master.
Lew leaned over to speak directly into her ear. “They’re going to keep doing this, you know. This number one single is just the beginning. Get used to it, Kit. You’ve produced a superstar band of chart toppers.”
She didn’t miss a beat and fully relished taking credit for leading the band to the victorious position where they now stood. “Yes, I have.” She took a deep breath and smiled keeping her eyes trained on the band and remembering her original vision for them coming true right before her very eyes.
After the show concluded, Kit mingled backstage with the crowd that had started to form. Word had spread rapidly and she was waiting for the band to get situated before she sprung it on them. When she noticed they were all present she strolled over, collecting them one by one. “Hey guys, can I see you in the dressing room a minute? Pete, Lew and I want to have a word with you.”
She walked into the dressing room and waited with Lew and Pete for all of them to assemble. Maxine stood in the corner, armed and ready with her camera. On the dressing room counter sat ten chilled bottles of champagne patiently waiting to be popped open.
Tony and Remo sat on the couch while Jimmy and Bryan took the chairs. When Sully walked in, he leaned against the heavy case that earlier housed a guitar amp. He looked at Kit who was standing with Pete on one side and Lew on the other. He was curious. She had her hands behind her back, holding onto something, but he couldn’t see what it was. He raised his eyebrows. “What’s up, Kit?”
She smiled and pulled the magazine out from behind her back to show them. She shook it at them, barely able to contain herself. “This, gentlemen, is Billboard Magazine where your first single from ‘Dangerous Curves,’ ‘Heartbreaker,’ has entered the Billboard Hot 100 today at number one with a bullet. Congratulations guys, we did it!”
They went nuts cheering and hooting with joy, all of them charging Kit to hug and kiss her and then shaking hands with Lew and Pete. They tore into the champagne and started spraying it at her. She laughed, got a bottle of her own, shook it and got them back.
Sully ran over and hugged her tightly. He pulled back a little bit and yelled, “Group hug,” at the top of his lungs. The rest of the band ran over and playfully wrapped themselves around Kit. She laughed uncontrollably and struggled to get free. They finally took mercy on her and let her go.
She brushed herself off, still laughing. She glanced over and noticed that Maxine had been capturing every second of the celebration on film. The guys noticed it at the same time and they rapidly took their places in a line behind Kit and posed while she stuck her tongue out and made horns with her fingers throwing her arm high into the air.
Seconds later, Maxine smiled. “Got it!” She laughed. “I got some good shots of all of you. Congrats, guys!”
Lew and Pete walked over to the band and talked to them, congratulating them each personally. Pete motioned Kit over. She joined them and listened as they praised the guys. Pete smiled. “Guys, it’s pretty obvious that we’re pl
eased with how you’re doing. Your last album did well and the tour was successful. It looks like the success of this tour and album is going to be unprecedented.”
Lew jumped into the conversation. “We’re thinking platinum for this one. You guys are really close to hitting that mark already.”
Pete nodded his head in agreement. “That being said, we normally don’t do this so early in the game, but we want to secure our position. We’ve realized it’s not wise to let go of something so special when you have it.” Sully looked at Kit and their eyes met for a moment relating to Pete’s statement in a more personal way. They exchanged a knowing grin.
Pete continued. “So, guys, we’d like to make you an offer. We’d like to renew your contract for a longer term.”
Kit looked at Pete intently and folded her arms in front of her chest. She had gone from celebration to evaluation and thought to herself, this better be good. Her protective instincts were in play. “Ok, Pete. Lay it on us.”
Lew interjected. “Six million, three records.”
The band stood there in shock, smiling. Sully looked at Kit, trying to figure out if she liked the deal or not. She remained unfazed. He then remembered she had the best poker face on the planet and was always out for their best interest. He was confident that tonight would be no exception. He mimicked her stance and watched.
She looked at Lew and Pete. “Make it eight mil, two records with full control of the masters and you got yourself a deal.”
Pete stared at her, amazed she had the balls to try to negotiate higher. Lew chuckled. He had expected nothing less of her. He smiled. “No, Kit. That won’t work for us. How about six point five, two records, majority control of the masters and a greatest hits album? Does that work for you?”
She stared. “Seven.”
Lew chuckled again. “Done.”
She nodded and outstretched her hand. “I’ll shake on that, but it’s not a firm yes until we’re inked. Have Daniel draw up the terms in the new contract tomorrow and fax it over. We’ll sign it once our attorney, Bill, has had a chance to review it. I’ll give him a heads up to expect it.”
He nodded. “Sounds great, Kit.”
Pete grinned. “Ok, then. Congrats, guys. Glad to have you staying on board with us.”
Kit remained backstage with the band for an hour before they decided to move the party back to the hotel. By the time they reached Remo’s room, the entourage had dwindled. She walked out onto the balcony to smoke a cigarette.
Reviewing the night’s events put her in a happy mood and she grinned contentedly. She was pleased they had managed to turn it around after her run in with the Beverly Hills Police Department and her blow out with Sully months before. She and the band were still on top and stronger than ever. And now it looked like the tide was turning favorably for she and Sully too.
He walked out and was happy to see she was alone. “Hey.”
She turned to grin at him. “Hey.”
He walked up to her and put his arm around her. He gently kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
She looked at him and grinned. “You’re welcome. You earned it.”
He shook his head. “No. We earned it. You and all of us. We couldn’t have gotten here without you. You know that.”
She nodded. “Now, we just need to keep you on top.”
He smiled and winked. “That’s the fun part. I like being on top, baby.”
They started giggling together and were consumed in their laughter. He gazed into her eyes. “I wish we didn’t have such a crazy schedule over the next week. I really enjoyed last night. I want to do more of that.” He pulled her into his arms.
She gazed up into his inviting steel blue eyes. “Me too. We’ll have to find a way.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, babe, but I need to go back to my room. I have an early breakfast meeting with Lew tomorrow morning before he heads back to L.A. and before we head to Vancouver.”
He nodded and grinned. “I understand. Want me to walk you back to your room?”
She giggled. “Yes, please.”
He smiled wide and grabbed her hand, interlocking his fingers in hers. “Let’s go. It would do me some good to get a decent night’s sleep myself.”
Moments later, they stood in front of Kit’s hotel room door. She didn’t want him to leave, but she knew it was too soon for them to be spending the night together. They were just getting back on track and she was still involved with Simon. Her heart wanted her to throw caution to the wind, though, and she carefully ignored its promptings. She smiled. “Goodnight, Sull. I’m gonna sleep well after tonight’s victory.”
He gazed into her eyes and gently stroked her arm. “I’m glad. You’ve been working hard. Get some rest. We’ll catch up tomorrow—another day, another city. Baby, we must be crazy living this life, but I’m glad I’m crazy with you.”
She smiled wide and leaned in. He easily took the hint and started kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and fully surrendered to the passion he exuded from just one kiss. She didn’t want it to end. She finally pulled back and giggled.
He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “Your kisses do me in, like no other.” He held his hand to his chest and grinned. “Sleep well, beautiful.”
She nodded and kissed him on the cheek. “You too.” She walked into her hotel room, shut the door and leaned against it. She couldn’t wipe the large smile off her face. Her heart thumped happily in her chest, like it was jumping for joy. As she drifted off to sleep, her grin returned thinking about Sully.
Lew noticed Kit enter the dining room before she spotted him. He waved her over. She smiled and approached. “Good morning, gentlemen.” She took her seat and easily shifted into business, the focus mainly on Gypsy Tango and what was yet to come.
When breakfast concluded, Lew kindly asked Pete for a moment to speak with Kit alone. He obliged and left to wait in the limousine for their departure to the airport. Kit stared at Lew in anticipation. “Why are you sending Pete away? Is this personal business?”
He chuckled. “Sort of. I just wanted to tell you to keep doing whatever you’re doing. Sully seems pretty happy and so do you. That’s all I’ve got. Now, I have a plane to catch. Call me later, kid.”
She giggled as he walked away. She nodded and called out after him. “I will.” As she headed back up to her room, she knew his statement was right on the mark. She felt bad for Simon who had gotten pulled into her strong undercurrent of chaos months ago. He was an innocent victim unknowingly trapped in the middle with his head on the chopping block—their once blooming relationship about to take a fatal turn. She sighed as she entered her room.
She noticed the light blinking on her phone. She called down to the front desk and inquired. They informed her that she had a delivery they would bring up to her room. She shrugged her shoulders and thought nothing of it. Deliveries were common and she knew it could be anything.
When she answered the door, she gasped and started laughing. The bellman was indistinguishable behind the enormous bouquet of stargazer lilies. “Please, come in, if you’re back there.”
The bellman chuckled and walked in. He set the arrangement down on the table in her room. He glanced at the flowers and grinned. “It is a pretty big arrangement. You must have done something right.”
She smiled and her emerald green eyes twinkled as she tipped him. “Either that or someone is seriously trying to butter me up!” She plucked the card after the bellman left, curiosity driving her to see who they were from. Sully always sent roses and Simon always sent tulips.
She scanned the card and burst out laughing. It read, “You just gave our magazine the exclusive of a lifetime and now we’ve got Page Six bowing down to us. Sales have spiked and we are on the map as a big player. Bravo, best friend. Call me, AWM.”
She ran to the phone and dialed Alexa. When she heard her voice answer she screamed with joy. “Thanks for the obnoxiously huge arrangement of stargazers! Tell me what happened? Did that whole Ra
chel angle work?”
Alexa laughed. “Yes! The magazine hit the stands today and we’ve sold out all over Manhattan and L.A. presses are reprinting the third run right now. The second run is being distributed. People love Sully and anything that can exonerate him from that awful lie-based trash that Page Six printed is proving favorable.
“Rachel was a good sport. I will say this much, the article does not paint a pretty picture of her, but she signed off on it. We’ve got an airtight contract with her. Now she looks like the bad guy and Sully looks like a hero being victimized by a jilted ex-lover. Not a bad angle, if I do say so myself. Thanks again, Kitty. You gave us this exclusive. Page Six was pissed.”
Kit let out a contented sigh. “I’m so pleased, Lex. Press is press, good or bad and we just spun this to our advantage in more ways than one. Fantastic news that we’re on the map now.”
“Yes, yes. Kitty, when are you going to be in New York again. Anytime soon?”
“Not that I know of. We’re out to Vancouver in an hour. We leave Vancouver for Seattle and after that we work our way down. We’ll be in L.A. in about a week. Any chance you and Wes want to hop on that bandwagon?”
She giggled. “Funny you should ask. We will be there.”
Kit frowned. “Huh? Really? How did you know they were going to be in L.A.?”
“We already received invitations from two other people in your posse. Sully and Maxine. I think Max was going to talk to Sean about getting the passes sent out or something.”
“Ah yes, our photographer extraordinaire. She’s killing it out here on the road, Lex. That book she’s working on is going to be insane! No doubt it will make the best-seller list. So, are you looking preggers?”
She chuckled. “Yes. I’m at twenty-four weeks. Wes says I look cute, but I feel like a cross between a weeble-wobble and a beached whale. That won’t stop me from coming out to L.A. though. Will probably be my last time before this little peanut pops out. Can hardly wait to see all of you.”