Jessie waved a hand. “I’m not. Will you let the band know we’re doing it? I’ll square it with Drew.”
Wally threw her a wry smile. “Just look at him when you sing this time.”
“Don’t worry, that won’t be a—” A sharp rap on the door interrupted her. “That’s probably Barry.” Her pulse accelerated as Wally moved to the door and opened it.
Now that she knew that Barry Downs was lower than a snake’s belly, she no longer found his particular brand of middle-aged good looks all that attractive. With his expensive Armani suits, fake tan and perfectly coiffed hair, he looked more like a used car salesman than an artist’s business manager.
Barry nodded at Wally, then turned his gaze on her after he entered the room. The scent of his pungent cologne followed him inside. “How’re you holding up?” he asked with such warm sincerity she almost believed him. He lowered his eyes to her chest and she was thankful for the protection of her modest terry cloth robe. “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. It must be awful.”
“Actually,” Wally said, as he closed the door. “The whole fiasco turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
Barry’s thin brows rose. “Really? How so?”
Wally puffed his chest out and a self-satisfied grin kicked up the corners of his mouth. “Jessie’s interview has already aired in two time zones, and the reaction from the public is positive. Her fans are behind her one hundred percent, and the rest of the country sympathizes with her.”
Jessie let out a gasp of surprised relief. “Are you serious?” Damn it. Why hadn’t he shared that information with her when he first came in?
“I wouldn’t joke about something like that. The interview will air in this time zone at ten, and I’m certain the tide will continue to roll in your favor.” He looked from her to Barry and waggled his brows. “I think we just turned lemons into lemonade. What do you think about that, Barry?”
Barry’s mouth opened but no sound came out. Not for a few seconds anyway. “Well…it’s good news, of course. But I’m not sure why you called me here to tell me about it.”
Jessie shifted in her chair and gave him a big smile. “Well, Bare. We just wanted to thank you. After all, if it wasn’t for you, none of this newfound fan support would have been possible.”
Barry’s eyes widened and a tinge of red crept up his neck from his starched white collar. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Jessie laughed, gesturing toward him with her hand. “Aw, c’mon. Don’t be so modest. We all know you’re the one who spilled the beans about my past.” She leaned forward and fixed her gaze on him. “I’m sure you were hoping for a different result, but you know what they say about the best laid plans.”
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His dark eyes darted from her to Wally, then back to her. “I didn’t tell anyone about your past. How would I benefit from doing something like that?”
“That’s what we were wondering.” Wally cocked his head and lifted a brow. “Could it be you wanted to take Jessie down a peg or two, and then push Trista into the limelight?”
The mock outrage on Barry’s face made Jessie snort. “Don’t even try denying it,” she said. “Someone overheard you admit it. And they’re a very reliable source.”
“Who?” Barry demanded.
Jessie shot him a breezy smile, then lifted a hand to study her nails for a few seconds. “Oh, just someone who’s looking for a new manager.”
“Trista?”
“Bingo.” Jessie grinned.
“Why that little bitch. Just wait until I—”
“Until you what?” she cut him off sharply. “I hope that’s not a threat, because if you hurt Trista in any way, you’ll answer to me.”
“Like I’m afraid of you, and as for your accusations, you can’t prove a damn thing.” He crossed his arms across his chest and glared at her. He was so angry his whole body shook, and his face had turned beet red. If enjoying his comeuppance was wrong, she didn’t want to be right.
“Not even gonna try, Bare.” She sat back in her chair and held his gaze, and this time she wasn’t smiling. “But trust me on this. I will make it my personal mission to make sure everyone in Nashville knows exactly what kind of a snake-in-the-grass you are. You’ll be lucky to manage a karaoke singer at Ms. Kelli’s by the time Wally and I are through with you.”
Barry’s face contorted with anger, and she wasn’t sure, but it looked like one of his eyes was twitching. “You’re nothing but white trash with money,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
“And you’re nothing but an asshole who’s about to lose his number one artist,” she shot back smoothly, even though her heart felt like it was racing at a thousand beats per minute.
Wally moved to the door and opened it. “Say good-bye, Barry.”
Jessie smothered a laugh as Wally lifted his hand and executed a perfect beauty pageant wave.
“You two deserve each other,” Barry said, then turned and stalked out of the room.
Wally shut the door, looked at her, and together they burst into laughter.
“Oh boy, I enjoyed that way too much,” Jessie said, then happened to glance at the clock on the wall. Her stomach plummeted. “Holy crap. It’s almost show time.” She pushed out of the chair and made a mad dash to the wardrobe rack near the bathroom door. “I have to get dressed.” She whipped the white fringe dress off its hanger. “And I need to talk to Drew before he goes on stage.” She gestured at Wally with her hand. “And you need to tell the band we’re putting the duet back in the show.”
“You do remember we’re live tonight, right?” Wally asked as he hurried towards the door.
“We’re live every night. I’m not afraid of a few television cameras.” She pointed toward the door. “Go find Drew. Don’t let him on the stage until I get there.”
After setting a new world’s record for putting on her dress and assorted accessories, Jessie left her dressing room and walked as fast as her stilettos would allow down the hallway and towards the back stage entrance. Someone tried to hand her a bottle of water but she smiled politely and sped past them. She didn’t have time for water. Even John found it hard to keep up with her as she pushed through the double doors that led to the backstage area.
As she approached the stairs, she glanced up and saw Drew at the top with Wally standing by his side. Relief filled her entire body as she quickly navigated the stairs. And although she couldn’t see them, she could hear the excited buzz of the audience as they waited for the show to begin.
“Thank you, Wally. Can you give us a minute?”
With a furrowed brow, he checked his watch. “You don’t have much more than that. The show starts in five.” He cast her an anxious glance. “This is live television, Jessie.”
She patted his arm and flashed a reassuring smile. “So you keep reminding me. Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
“I’m holding you to that.” Wally reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Break a leg.”
“Thanks,” she said to Wally’s retreating back, then turned to Drew, whose inscrutable expression was impossible to read. With no time to spare, she forged ahead. “Will you reconsider your decision and sing the duet with me tonight?”
Surprise flared in his eyes. “We only rehearsed it that one day, and even then it was without Jimmy and Ray.”
“Ray knows the song. But we could do it with just you on guitar if we have to. It can work, Drew. I know it can. Wally has a gut feeling about this song, and I trust him implicitly.” She put her hand on his arm. “I won’t ask you for anything else ever again. Please?”
“Are you sure about this? It’s live television.”
Jessie rolled her eyes. “So what? If we mess up, we mess up. My whole sordid story is out there now. I doubt anyone will be talking about one flubbed song, come tomorrow. Please, Drew?”
“First, your story isn’t sordid. And second, I’ll do it.” He glanced toward the stage
where the band was waiting. Judging by their shadowy silhouettes in the darkness, they were in position and no doubt wondering where their lead guitarist was. “I have to get out there,” he said, and started to turn away from her.
“Drew. Wait.” She grabbed his arm, preventing him from walking away. He pivoted and regarded her with a look of impatience. “There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
“Now?” He shook his head in exasperation. “We have a show in less than five minutes.”
She bit her lower lip and nodded. “But we didn’t get to finish our conversation earlier and—”
“You can tell me later. I need to get out there with the rest of the band, and you need to get to your mark so you can make your entrance.”
“Drew.” She tugged at his arm again, desperate to say what she hadn’t been able to before Wally interrupted them.
“Whatever it is, it can wait until after the show.”
“But—” she began, and wanted to cry out in frustration as he tugged his arm from her grasp and strode toward the stage. “Drew!” she called out, raising her voice above the mounting hum of the audience. She wasn’t sure he’d heard her until he stopped and slowly turned around. Their eyes locked, held, and the crackle of energy that passed between them was so strong it seemed she’d been struck by lightning.
Somewhere behind her, she heard Wally shouting for her to get to her mark but she stayed rooted to the spot. For some inexplicable reason she needed to tell Drew how she felt about him right now. It was crazy stupid, but the powerful force inside her couldn’t be denied.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind her. Instinctively she knew it was Wally, and that he was going to get her to her mark if he had to carry her there himself. She only had seconds to tell Drew what was in her heart.
“I love you!” she yelled, then let out a surprised gasp as Wally wrapped his fingers around her upper arm.
“Get your ass to your mark right now.” Wally’s stern voice brooked no argument. He pointed at Drew. “And you. Get on that stage, pronto.”
Jessie tried to pull her arm from Wally’s firm grasp, but he held on tight and pulled her toward the back of the stage.
As wild applause filled the Grand Garden Arena, Drew stood several feet behind Jessie as she bowed her head and lowered her microphone. The song she’d just finished was one of her biggest hits, and one she’d written. And now that he knew about her grandmother, the lyrics in “Forgotten Memories” made a lot more sense. As did the fact that the song was always difficult for her to get through without crying.
For over an hour, Jessie had put on the show of her life—they all had. Drew wasn’t sure if it was because of the television cameras, or if they were feeding off of Jessie’s incredible energy. But whatever it was, he wasn’t about to question it. When something was going well, the best thing for all concerned was to be thankful and roll with it.
The lights dimmed on the band, and on Tara and Renee, and then a lone spotlight fell on Jessie. Two roadies brought out the stools that he and Jessie would use for their duet, while another roadie handed him his wireless mic and quickly helped him put it on and adjust it. He nodded his thanks, then moved toward the stools and took a seat on one as Jessie lifted her microphone.
“Thank you.” Her voice shook with emotion. “Thank y’all so much,” she said again, as the audience cheered and whistled with enthusiastic appreciation. Just as they had the moment she’d walked on stage. The crowd clearly loved her, and a number of them had brought homemade signs into the arena declaring their love and support.
As she started her pre-song chat, Drew allowed his gaze to wander over her curves. A spike of heat caught him low in his gut, as he remembered her words to him right before Wally had shown up and whisked her away.
I love you.
Every minute since she’d said those words felt like fucking eternity. And now all he wanted was for the damn concert to be over so he could tell her what he hadn’t been able to the night she’d shown up at his apartment. And why.
“One more thing, y'all, I’d appreciate it if you could send some good thoughts out to our guitar player, Kenny Lassiter.” Jessie’s voice penetrated his thoughts and jerked him back to reality. He adjusted his guitar strap and tried to focus. “He’s laid up back in Nashville, but I know for a fact he’s watching the show on CMT tonight, so keep him in your prayers.”
The crowd responded with hoots and hollers for Kenny, as Jessie turned and headed toward Drew. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The sexier-than-hell dress she wore showed off more than a mile of her killer legs. The dress was white, and the short fringe shimmied every time she moved. Her dark hair tumbled around her shoulders in wild disarray, just as it had the night he’d met her at the Music City Saloon. He wasn’t sure it was possible, but she was even more beautiful tonight than she’d been that night. Or maybe he was seeing her through different eyes. The only thing that remained the same was the way he got hard just looking at her.
As she approached him, the spotlight moved with her until it encompassed them both. She shot him a quick glance, and a tremulous smile, as she slid onto the stool next to him. He tried not to stare at her legs, but it was hard not to. They were spectacular. Just like the rest of her.
“Folks, sitting next to me is one of the best guitar players in Nashville. His name is Drew Carmichael, and I want you to remember his name because I think you’ll be hearing it again real soon.” She paused to let the audience settle down and turned to look at him. “Drew’s a good friend of mine and he’s agreed to sing with me tonight.” She put her hand on his arm and a hot current of electricity ricocheted straight through him. The widening of Jessie’s eyes and her sharp intake of breath indicated she’d felt it too. She blinked, and quickly slipped back into performance mode.
“So here’s a question for y’all. Is anyone out there in love?” she asked, holding her free hand just above her eyes as she peered out into the audience. Several white spotlights flashed over the arena and the crowd reacted with even louder cheers and whistles. She chuckled, and lowered her hand. “Why do I get the feeling that there may be more than a few quickie weddings this weekend?”
The crowd reacted with even louder cheers. Drew shifted on the stool and wrapped his fingers around the neck of his guitar. He turned and studied Jessie’s profile as she flashed a dazzling smile at her adoring fans. She had the type of face that men wrote songs about. Hell, he’d written a few thinking of those green eyes and porcelain skin.
“This next song is dedicated to all you lovers out there. It’s older than I am, but it’s always been one of my favorites. It’s called “You and I”, and Drew and I are going to perform it for you tonight,” she said, then shifted on the stool to face him.
Drew’s heart started to pound as she gazed at him. All the feelings she had for him were right there in her eyes, as plain as day, and as blinding as the sun. His breath caught on a surge of yearning so intense, it felt like pain, and for a moment, he forgot what the hell he was supposed to do. Then he heard the first chords of the song on Ray’s piano and snapped out of it. Gathering himself, he began to play his guitar and for the next four and a half minutes, everything and everyone around him disappeared as he poured his heart out in song.
When his fingers played over the strings for the last time, total silence filled the auditorium, and the air crackled with suppressed energy. Drew wasn’t one to let his emotions get the best of him on stage, but now, after they’d connected once again so magically in song, he couldn’t help it. Emotion welled up inside of him as Jessie searched his face with an uncertain gaze. She didn’t know if he loved her or not, but she’d put her heart on the line anyway. He blinked and a single tear trickled down his cheek. Jessie lifted her hand to brush it away. He reached up, covered her hand with his, then moved it to his mouth and kissed her palm.
After what seemed like forever, but was probably only seconds, the spell was broken and a crescendo of applause engulfed
the arena. Startled, Drew realized what he’d done and released her hand. A small, trembling smile curved her lips and she brushed her fingers gently over his cheek before turning to the audience.
“Thank you,” she said, and slid off her stool. As he did the same, she caught his arm and pulled him forward. “Give it up for Drew Carmichael, y’all.”
As he stood next to her and soaked up the applause, he had to admit it felt pretty damn good. But not as good as knowing that Jessie loved him. He wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything in the world.
Jessie sipped her champagne and glanced around the crowded ballroom. The CMT after-party was in full swing, but she wasn’t at all interested in hobnobbing with the suits, or watching Barry Downs follow them around and suck up to them. Obviously he had no shame at all.
“Great show tonight, Jessie,” Tara greeted her with wide smile. “I overheard one of the CMT guys saying the ratings were really good.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Jessie returned Tara’s smile with a relieved one of her own. “To be honest, I was worried no one would watch it.”
“Good thing we kicked ass then.” Tara grinned, then glanced at the chunky bejeweled watch on her wrist. “I think I’m going to hit the casino and see if I can win back the money I lost at blackjack last night.”
Jessie chuckled. “Good luck with that.”
After Tara disappeared from sight, Jessie did a quick survey of the crowded room. Where the dickens was Drew? The entire band had been invited to the party, but she hadn’t seen him since the show ended.
Just then a waiter with a tray appeared. She handed him her glass, and then threaded her way through the crowd, stopping every so often to acknowledge a hello or congratulations. Never let it be said that Jessie Grant didn’t know how to work a room.
With a sigh of relief, she finally spotted Wally standing alone in a corner with his cell phone pressed against one ear, and a finger in the other to drown out the chatter and the piped in music that filled the room. He nodded at her as she came to a halt beside him.
Hearts on Fire Page 13