by Sharon Coady
“Yeah. Leo said Alastair and Hope are coming for lunch tomorrow so we just have to see if he’s on board. I want to have everything at least started just in case.”
“Cool. I can’t wait to hear them again.” He glanced over his shoulder at Leona, “Hearing you from a stage like that is something else.” He sipped his coffee. “I do believe someone is going to discover them before too long and you, John, may just have to watch while your little lady entertains America.”
Leona’s heart sank and soared at the same time. The thought of performing, getting airtime, and touring was a dream come true. Leaving Johnny behind to do it, when they were just starting this wonderful relationship, scared the hell out of her.
“Sebastian, I don’t see that happening. I don’t know if Alastair would even want to do something like that.”
“Oh come on, Leona. I saw your face. You love it on stage. You were born for this, you and him both. Crap, you said y’all hadn’t played together in a couple of years, but no one would know.”
“I’ve been telling her forever she should be pursuing a music career,” Heather said, a smile on her face. “She thinks she has to do what her family says.”
Leona shot her a dirty look, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“You know I’m right,” Heather retorted, clearly not intimidated by the look she received.
“It doesn’t mean you have to broadcast it. Anyway, I’m not doing what they want right now, am I?” She put her hands on her hips and stared her down.
“True.”
Sebastian tugged Heather gently to him before she could get another word out and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. She just looked at him, a gentle smile on her face.
Leona watched their eyes and saw something she’d never seen in Heather’s before. She saw her best friend falling in love. She leaned against Johnny’s chest and felt the warmth and strength of him holding her. She felt safe, loved, and happy. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
~~~
John watched his two friends looking at each other and saw the unmistakable look of new love. He wondered if Leo and he looked alike. Now, he had to figure out a way to keep Leo’s family from interfering with her happiness. He’d known them long enough to know as soon as they found out, they would do anything they could to drag her back into their control.
“Look, I’ve got to get busy with these contracts. Leo, if you don’t feel like cooking, I can just grab a sandwich.”
“No. I’ll make something. You go work on them. I’d like you to have everything ready so it’s one less thing to worry about later.”
He loved when she smiled at him, the way her plump lips turned up and her nose crinkled just a little. Damn, she’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. “Whatever you want, babe. I’ll get everything drawn up so we at least have a preliminary to show him, and I’ll finalize it tomorrow.” John sat down at the table, opened his laptop, and started writing up the contracts, thankful that he had experience working with other musicians.
He glanced at Leo and mumbled thanks when she set his plate beside him. She seemed to sense he didn’t want to be interrupted. He ate while he worked, determined to have everything in place so they could meet up with Hark tomorrow.
“What are you smiling about, Johnny?”
He glanced up. “I didn’t know I was.”
She raised her brow.
“I was just thinking about you and Alastair and how far you guys can go with this.”
“Do you know something you’re not telling me about?” She put her hands together and he saw the delight in her eyes.
“Only that I know you can accomplish anything you want when you put your mind to it.” He laughed at the look on her face and pulled her close to steal a kiss. “You are so contagious with your enthusiasm.”
“It’s easy to get excited when you are doing something you love.”
“This is going to happen for you two. I believe that with all my heart. Which is why I insisted on doing this the right way.”
“Johnny, it’s only a couple of nights at a local club. It’s not like we are signing with a record company.” She giggled.
“Oh trust me, this is only the beginning. McCoy and Wilson will be a household name one day, and your music will be played on every country station in the U.S.”
She laughed again. “Johnny, you’re just as big a dreamer as I am. I’ll let you get back to work. Alastair and Hope called, and they’ll be over in a few hours. She already found what she was looking for so she wanted to come by today instead of tomorrow. I’m going to take a shower and get dressed. Do you need anything else?”
“No, I’m fine. Where did Heather and Sebastian go? I just realized they aren’t here.”
“They took off to go get some groceries. Sebastian wanted to give you time to work without her interrupting you.”
“Probably for the best. She would have been asking a million questions. She always does when something is going on she wants to know more about.” He saw her keep looking out the front window. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was almost two. Damn where did the time go? “Are you okay?”
“Not going to lie, I want this so bad. Music is my dream.” She sighed and lowered herself onto the sofa. “I shouldn’t be asking him to do this. They just got engaged, and he should be spending time with her.”
John stood and walked over to her. He took her hand in his. “Leo, he won’t do it if she doesn’t want him too. You know Hope is everything to him.”
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him gently. “I’m going to call Heather and let her know they’re coming so she can grab enough food for everyone. Do you think Alex is coming by today?”
“I’ll call and ask him. He said he met a girl at the club the other night, so he might be spending some time with her.” He hoped that was the case. Having three couples and a hang around could be a bit awkward sometimes.
Chapter Sixteen
Leona was nervous as they drove to the club. She knew Johnny had written the contracts to protect them, but now she was worried Hark wouldn’t want to sign them. Johnny kept reassuring her that it was in the best interest of all parties. She hoped he was right.
As they were pulling into the parking lot, a black Cadillac sedan parked beside them. Hark climbed out of the driver’s side, smiled, and waved at them. Leona waited for Johnny to help her out of the car as Alastair shook hands with him.
“Nice to see you again. I’m glad you called and agreed to do this. I think this is going to be great for business and it should help you get some recognition.” He shook John’s hand. “Leona, so nice to see you again.”
“Nice to see you too, sir.” She moved closer to Johnny and slipped her hand into his. Why was she getting nervous? It’s just signing a little piece of paper so there were no misunderstandings. She took a deep breath as they walked into the club and back to Hark’s office.
“Let’s sit down and see what we have here. John, you said you drew up some contracts? I didn’t know you were their business manager.” His mouth quirked up and he crossed his arms over his thin chest.
“Oh, I’m not their business manager, I’m their lawyer.” Leona turned and saw him give a half smile as his eyes twinkled.
Johnny was enjoying this! He was making the man sweat. She noticed little beads of perspiration along Hark’s hairline and upper lip.
“He wants to make sure everything is legit before we make any final decision.”
“Will that be a problem?” Alastair asked politely.
“No! Not at all. I was just a bit surprised when he called me and said he had drawn them up. Most of my bands agree to play, and we go with a handshake.”
“I assume most of them are local bands, though” Alastair leaned forward in his seat smiling.
“Sure, most of them are.” Hark held up his hands. “I’m not upset or anything. I’m just surprised is all.”
“We just want to make sure everyone is taken ca
re of,” Leona added calmly. She smiled sweetly. “Hence, the reason for the contracts.”
“Well, let me see those contracts.”
Johnny pulled the paperwork out. “I drew up three contracts. I think you’ll find everything is standard between a musician and the hiring entity. One is for the agreed upon first night, since you want to see how they were received. One is for the additional three nights you want them to play, contingent on the first night. The last one is for all four nights in case you don’t want to do the contingency. We all know how well they were received Saturday night. It stipulates the time they will play and the agreed upon amount of four hundred for each show. Each contract, of course, protects you as well as them. It makes sure you will pay them, and that they will perform for the agreed upon time frame.”
Leona listened to Johnny and was amazed by how well he played his hand. He really was good at this. She glanced at Hark as he reached for the third contract and started reading through it. She nibbled on her bottom lip and looked over at Johnny. He gave her a little nod and smiled. She was so happy he was in her corner. She saw Alastair give him a wink.
Hark looked up. “Seems everything is in place. So let’s go ahead and sign the one for the four shows. Let me pull up my calendar so we can put the dates in.” He flipped open his laptop, tapped a few keys, and turned it around for them to see. “You can write them in, John. Are you two okay with two forty-five minute sets?”
Leona turned to Alastair. “Sound good to you?”
“Yep.”
Once the contract was signed, Hark stood to shake their hands. “I’ll see you Friday night.”
“Thank you.” Leona was trying so hard to keep from jumping up and down. I’m getting paid for singing.
Once outside, she squealed, “Oh my God! Johnny, thank you so much.” She hugged him tight and turned to Alastair. “Thank you for doing this with me. I wouldn’t ever want to do it with anyone else.” She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, tears spilling out of her eyes and down her face.
“Why are you crying, Leona? Did you just realize you’re stuck with me?”
“Alastair! Stop. Hope is really okay with this?” She felt Johnny’s arms circle her waist.
“Yep. She’s excited for us. She thinks we are going to get discovered and signed the first night.” He laughed.
Her heart raced. “Well, I’m so glad my mom won’t know about this. She would have a fit.”
“Baby, your mom will just have to realize you’re a grown woman now, and you can make your own choices,” Johnny whispered in her ear.
~~~
John could see the excitement in both of their eyes. He was so happy for them but a part of him felt fearful, which he hated himself for. If they did get discovered and it was what she wanted, he would let her go to do her thing with Alastair. They were good and it could potentially take them far. What it would do to the new relationship they were starting, he didn’t know, but he would have to trust whatever she did. How could he encourage her to live her own life and then complain about anything that happened?
“I’m so happy for y’all. I agree with Hope. This could be the start of something big for McCoy and Wilson. Let’s go tell everyone and celebrate.” He grabbed her hand and helped her into the car. He started the car and turned up the volume, as one of the songs he knew they would cover came on the radio. He backed out as Leo’s voice filled the car, sounding more beautiful than the artist who sang it. Damn, she’s so perfect.
The door to the cabin flew open, and Heather bounded down the steps. She stopped by Leo’s door, eyes wide, her hands clasped in front of her. “What happened?”
Leo jumped out and grabbed Heather. “We signed it! We have our first official paid job. Can you believe it?”
“Yes I can. I’m so happy for you guys. You deserve this.” She squealed and ran to Alastair to hug him. “Wow, just wow. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Heather. Where’s Hope?” Alastair was watching the door.
“In the ladies’ room. I heard the car pull in. She’s going to be so happy. She’s been a nervous wreck.”
“Y’all act like we just signed a record deal.” He ran up the steps and disappeared through the front door.
“Come on, Sebastian and I have been busy making a celebration meal. Wait until you see what we did.”
“You cooked?” His brows furrowed.
“Well, Sebastian cooked. You know I don’t cook.” She hooked her arm through Leona’s. “Come on. I’m so proud of you.”
John stopped when he walked through the door. Their friends had hung a banner that said, Congrats McCoy and Wilson. There was a huge cake in the center of the table, decorated with a guitar and McCoy and Wilson written across the cake. The food smelled amazing. He stood back, watching them.
Leo, Hope, and Heather bounced up and down, squealing.
“I can’t believe y’all did this for us!” She squealed. “You guys are the best.”
“We’re so proud of you.” Hope wiped a tear from her under her eye. “I knew you could do it. We all did.”
“Thanks, baby.” Alastair pulled her close. “It means so much to have you support us like this.”
“I always will. You too, Leona. I’ll always be there for both of you. This is so exciting. John, you have to be so proud of them.”
“I am.” He knew he was grinning like a damn fool but he didn’t care. His heart was full and seeing his Leo this happy, made him happy. “Come here, you.” He grabbed her and planted a kiss on her plush lips. “I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too, Johnny.”
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning, Leona woke up wrapped in Johnny’s arms. She sighed and snuggled closer. I want to wake up like this every morning. He stirred and she held perfectly still, not wanting to break the spell. When he stilled, she let out the breath she had been holding.
“Morning, baby.” His deep voice rumbled in her ear, sending shivers through her.
“Did I wake you?” She turned in his arms so she was facing him. “I could get used to waking up in your arms every morning.”
“I love you waking up in my arms. And you did wake me when you pushed that sweet little bum of yours up against me.”
“I’m sorry, well not really. I’m glad you’re awake. Now you can hold me closer, and we can snuggle and talk.”
“What do you want to talk about? Talking in the morning is highly overrated. I can think of much more fun things to do other than talk.”
She giggled when she felt his erection against her thigh. “Oh, you didn’t get enough last night?”
His eyes burned with passion as he pulled her even closer. “I told you, I don’t think I will ever get enough of you.” His hand moved down her back to cup her bottom. “Shit.” He rolled away, throwing his hand over his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” She sat up, looking at him.
“We used the last of the condoms last night.” He peeked out at her from under his arm. “I should have been better prepared.”
“Better prepared?” She fell back on the bed laughing. “Johnny, how could you know we were going to have sex so many times?”
He grabbed her and started tickling her.
“Stop! Oh, Johnny, stop.” Leona squirmed and tried to wiggle away from him. “Please, stop.” She finally got away and jumped off the bed. “You wait, John Montgomery.”
“For what?” He gave her a smirk, clearly not feeling threatened at all. “Seriously, I’m going to have to make a trip into town today. I can’t be around you and not have any protection. I don’t want to take any chances.”
Leona stopped laughing at the seriousness of his voice. “I don’t want to either. Let’s get showered so we can make that trip.”
“You’re going with me?”
“Sure, I want to make sure you buy enough.” She wiggled her bum at him. “I’m first.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “You better stay put, mister.” She gig
gled when she heard him moan.
Leona had never been so happy. She didn’t think anything could be more perfect than being with him. She started singing, “Look at Us” by Vince Gill as she lathered herself up. Thank you God for bringing us together.
When she walked out of the bathroom, Johnny was leaning against the wall smiling at her. “So is that our new song?” His eyes slowly moved from her eyes down to her lips.
“Get in the shower while I get dressed.” She quickly ducked around him, waving her finger. “No protection, remember?”
He rolled his eyes and strode into the bathroom.
Leona went to the kitchen to make coffee-to-go for them, figuring they could grab breakfast at the diner in town. She found the to-go cups Heather’s mom had thoughtfully stocked as well. When Johnny was done, she was waiting for him with the coffee and a smile on her face.
“Anxious, aren’t you?”
“Well, aren’t you?” She batted her eyelashes at him. “Let’s get out of here before Heather and Sebastian get up,” she whispered. She closed the door as quietly as she could.
~~~
He turned into the parking lot of the pharmacy and turned off the ignition. “Coming with me?”
“Sure, I can go look at some stuff while you get those.”
“We’ll hurry up so we can go grab some breakfast over at the diner.”
“Sounds good.” She nibbled her bottom lip again.
“When you do that, I want to kiss you where you’re biting your lip. It’s so damn sexy.” Tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, he whispered, “Let’s get this over with.” He winked and they headed towards the pharmacy.
After making his purchase, he pulled his phone from his pocket to text her, but just as he was ready to hit her number, she touched his arm.
“I’m here.”
“Perfect timing. Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starving.” He took her hand as they strolled out the door, making their way back to the car. Tossing his package into the back seat before starting the car, he smiled when she raised her eyes at the thud it made. “I bought a few boxes. I wanted to be prepared.”