“I’ll get it done,” Rich said, jumping up quickly and getting off the bus so they could head out.
“This is going to be a shit show,” Haley said as the door closed behind Rich. The bus rocked as it began rolling down the road. She grabbed her cell phone and called one of her band members. “Put me on speaker,” she said when he answered.
Shane walked down the hall to her room, giving Haley some space to talk with her band about the sudden change of plans. She dialed Dennis’s number and sat down on her bed with her back against the wall.
“Hey, stranger!” he answered. “You’re still alive, and more importantly, still working, so I guess you figured out how to live with a rattler!”
“Funny. I’m headed to Nashville, so I’m getting closer to home.”
“I thought the tour was mid-west?”
“We were in Austin, Texas tonight. I believe the next venue is in Oklahoma. We’re working our way north.”
“Why are you going to Nashville, then?”
“She’s performing and presenting at the CMT awards,” Shane said.
“Have things gotten any easier?”
“I wouldn’t say that. A little better, maybe. I’m no closer to figuring out who is doing this than when I arrived. I hate to say it, but I hope he strikes again. That may be my only chance in catching him.”
“I agree.”
“She’s a last-minute addition to the show, which she’s extremely pissed about, but it’s a good thing. He won’t know she’s there until it starts.”
“Are you hungry? We’re stopping at some barbecue joint,” Haley called, knocking on Shane’s door.
“Dennis, let me go. I’ll call you in a few days.” Shane hung up the phone and walked out of her room. She was still wearing her jeans and tight black t-shirt, but her shoulder holster and gun were gone, as were her shoes.
Haley eyed her up and down as her mind drifted back to their almost kiss in the tunnel of the arena. You make me crazy. I can’t believe I almost kissed you. Hell, maybe I should sleep with you. Then, I might be able to get some work done.
“Everything okay?” Shane asked, watching her eyes.
Unable to find her voice, Haley simply nodded.
Shane felt the bus roll to a stop and quickly turned her head down the hall towards the living area.
“Dinner,” Haley said, clearing her throat as she walked away.
“This can’t be a good idea,” Shane mumbled, slipping her Doc Martens on and grabbing her shoulder holster with her gun.
“Where are you going?” Haley asked as Shane rushed towards the door.
“I need to make sure this place is secure before you get off this bus.”
Haley laughed. “Calm down Robo Cop. No one is getting off the bus.”
“Huh?”
“Either Rich or one of the road crew will bring out menus. Everyone writes down what they want, then they place the order. Once it’s ready, they bring it to us and we head out.”
“What about the drivers?”
“I assume they eat while we are waiting, that way they are finished and ready to go. This is the fourth or fifth time we’ve done this, so don’t freak out and change everything. The system works fine as it is.”
A knock on the bus door got Shane’s attention just as she was about to sit down. She walked over, grabbing the menu from one of the drivers who was distributing them. Haley was already ready with a piece of paper and a pen when she turned around.
They each perused both pages and wrote down a meal with sides. Shane wondered if they would actually sit at the dinette table and break bread together. So far, they’d managed to eat at completely different times.
***
While they waited for their food, Haley sat on the couch with her legs folded Indian style, strumming her guitar and humming along to the melody. Shane stayed in her room, hoping to give her some space.
“Damn it,” Haley growled, tossing her pen across the room. It bounced off the window and landed on the loveseat.
“Barbecue for two!” the driver yelled, pounding on the door.
“Thank God,” Haley muttered, setting her guitar down beside her as she started to stand up.
“I’ve got it,” Shane called, walking briskly through the bus.
“Seriously?” Haley huffed, crossing her arms. She could see through the one-way glass of the window. “It’s Fizzy. He’s not the damn letter writer. Ralph Fizzuto, known as Fizzy to anyone who knows him, has been my main driver for every one of my tours. He’s family. Hell, they all are.”
“I understand that. I’m just being cautious,” Shane stated, walking to the door.
“Here you go,” Fizzy said, handing her the bag. “It wasn’t on the list, but I got a couple of slices of warm apple pie with ice cream. It’s Haley’s favorite.”
Shane nodded and thanked him before closing the door. It was his night off, so someone else was their driver for that evening. “He got us pie,” she said, carrying the two bags over to the dinette table.
“I love that man,” Haley chuckled, grabbing one of the containers of pie and vanilla bean ice cream. She opened the lid and walked down the hall towards her bedroom as she took the first bite.
“Guess I’m eating alone,” Shane uttered, trying to decide what to do with her dessert. The ice cream would melt in the fridge and the pie would freeze in the freezer. “Oh, to hell with it,” she growled and flopped down on the couch with her socked feet crossed at the ankles and the dessert in her hand.
***
In the middle of the night, Haley walked into the living area with her guitar and found Shane asleep on the couch, still dressed in her jeans, t-shirt, and socks. She quietly set her guitar in the stand and sat on the loveseat across from her. Even in slumber she was poised for protection with a rigid body and scrunched face.
Haley watched her chest slowly rise up and down as a slow staccato of rain drops pelted the windows. The bus gently rocked with the rolling hills of the highway. She knew she was invading Shane’s personal space, but she was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She grabbed her pencil and note pad and began writing down the words that came to mind.
Midnight in Amarillo
Closed my eyes and you were there
She couldn’t believe she was actually writing as she eyed her guitar. Knowing it would wake Shane, she thought better of it and decided to hum the melody instead.
The taste of your lips
Your fingers in my hair
Haley’s break from writer’s block shattered to pieces when the bus hit a pothole and jarred. Deep gray eyes popped open, scanning the room like a street cat ready to pounce on whatever moved first…until they landed on her and began to soften.
“What time is it?” Shane said, groggily as she sat up.
Haley shrugged as she closed her notebook and sighed, turning her attention to the pouring rain outside.
Shane wiped the sleep from her eyes and thin line of drool from her chin as she sat up, checking her wrist watch. It was three-thirty in the morning. “How long have you been there?”
“Not long,” she said, unsure of the truth. “I came out here to work and found you passed out. Don’t you have a bed in your room?”
Shane ignored her and stood up, stretching the sore muscles in her back from the couch. She hadn’t intended on falling asleep. She wasn’t tired when she’d sat down on the couch with a glass of whisky and milk, hoping it would ease her laboring mind long enough to let her get some rest. It must’ve worked because she dozed off effortlessly, which was very unlike her.
“You can have the couch. I’m going to bed,” she said, standing up and placing her empty glass in the sink.
“Never mind,” Haley mumbled, grabbing her guitar and heading back to her room.
Shane shrugged and shook her head. “I can’t win with you, can I?” she mumbled.
***
The bus finally came to
a stop in Tulsa, about fifteen miles from the local airport. Shane was sitting at the dinette table drinking coffee, and Haley was on the couch, reading a magazine when Rich boarded.
“I was beginning to wonder when you’d arrive. You know I have three rehearsals to get through, plus get ready.”
“I’m aware of that,” he said, sitting across from her. “Macy West is handling your wardrobe, and Southern Belle Cosmetics is supplying and staffing the hair and make-up department for the entire show.”
Haley nodded and smiled. At least she wouldn’t look like a street walker in borrowed clothes. “Macy West…you must’ve pulled a few strings.”
“A little more than a few. We’ll get to that another time. You’ll be in the audience until you present about midway through the show. Then, you’ll stay backstage until you perform. After that, you’ll go back out to the audience. Shane, you have the seat next to her.”
“Great, so it’s going to look like she’s my date for the night,” Haley growled.
“She pretty much is,” Rich replied. “Enjoy the night. It’s a big awards show for country music, and people love your videos. Anyway, we need to get on the road. Your plane is wheels up in two hours.” He looked into the kitchen area. “Shane, do you need anything before we take off?”
She shook her head no and took one last sip of coffee. She’d laid out her black suit and dress shoes when she’d gone back to bed and been unable to sleep again earlier in the morning.
“Great. I’ll take you all to the airport. There will be an Escalade limo waiting when you arrive in Nashville. After the show, you’ll have a few hours before the plane leaves again. The limo will be waiting around, so call this guy when you’re ready,” Rich said, handing the driver’s information to Shane. “The rest of the entourage will go get set up in town for tomorrow night’s show here in Tulsa. Haley, the only protection you have for the entire night is Shane. Please listen to her and do what she asks. If for nothing else, do it for your own safety.”
“That letter-writing lunatic has no idea I’ll be there tonight,” she huffed.
“Actually, the commercials are advertising you as a performer. I’m sure he knows.”
Haley sighed and threw her hands up. “Fine.”
“Everything good on your end?” he asked, looking at Shane, who was washing out her glass from the night before and the coffee mug.
She looked back at him and nodded. “Yes.”
“I’m going to go get the band. We’re on the road in ten minutes.” He patted Haley on the top of her shoulder. “Your new single is going to light that arena on fire!”
“This better be worth it,” she uttered as he left the bus.
“I’ll be ready in five minutes,” Shane said, leaving her alone in the living area.
Haley went to her own room and put her guitar into its case and grabbed a couple of other necessity items she wanted to take with her, before closing it up. She quickly changed into ripped jeans and a white tank top with a silver bedazzled design on the front. Then, she pulled on her worn, pointed toe boots and grabbed the hanging bag that contained her vintage, black waistcoat with tails, which she’d planned to wear with her ensemble on stage. It gave her a steam punk meets rock and roll country look that she thought would go great with the new single she was singing. She set the guitar case down, and laid the jacket over it so it wouldn’t wrinkle. She spun around on her heels when she heard Shane coming out of her room. She was dressed in a black suit with a white button-down blouse under her jacket, and matching oxford dress shoes. Her dark hair was in need of a cut, so the short style had given way to a few extra curls.
Haley cleared the lump from her throat and grabbed her guitar case and hanging bag. “Let’s go,” she mumbled, hoping she didn’t have to turn back around as she headed for the door. Shane made her crazy. Seeing her dressed like Johnny Cash, and looking just as striking, only made it worse.
Chapter 17
Haley, along with her band mates Joey, Stiles, Eddie, and Vince, sat on the couch-style seat, playing their guitars and singing the song they were doing for the show, as well as practicing the one she was doing for the tribute, while the private plane flew towards Nashville.
Shane sat across from them in a comfortable, soft leather seat, looking out the window. She’d hung her suit jacket in the closet, but still had her shoulder holster on, with her handgun snapped inside of it, and tucked under her arm.
Haley would do anything to keep her eyes off of Shane, even if it meant singing for the next hour, compromising her voice for the show…but she didn’t have to. A full spread of food was served during the flight, and the band kept her attention discussing the upcoming tour stops.
By the time the plane landed, she’d all but forgotten about the aloof bodyguard sitting nearby. Shane looked a million miles away when Haley chanced a glance in her direction. Sighing, she grabbed her guitar case and stood up.
Shane exited the plane first, checking with the limo driver to make sure they had the correct person. Then, she waved for the band to exit, leaving Haley for last. Shane walked over to the gangway stairs, standing beside them as Haley stepped down. Vince had carried her guitar and hanging bag, and Joey and Stiles had their own guitars.
“Is this really necessary?” Haley muttered.
Shane ignored her as she got into the back of the limo with her band mates, then she walked up front to the passenger seat beside the driver.
***
The drive from the airport to the arena took about thirty minutes. Shane instructed the driver to pull around to the loading docks instead of the red-carpet entrance at the front where a lot of the country music stars were entering. Then, she got out and opened the back door. Haley was the first person out, and Shane casually fell in step beside her. Joey and Stiles got out behind her, carrying the guitars and Eddie had her hanging bag. Vince walked behind them.
“Haley Nielsen,” one of the assistant program directors cheered, rushing up to her. “We’re so happy you could make it. Follow me and I’ll show you to your dressing room. We have everything set up for you.”
“I’m glad to take a night off from the tour to be here. The CMT awards are country music video royalty,” Haley beamed. She knew she wasn’t welcomed with open arms. She was one of the black sheep of country music because she did things her way and made the music she wanted to make. A lot of the record companies and old school producers shunned her for it, including many of the higher ups at her current label. When her latest album released a few weeks ago and immediately topped the charts on iTunes and Spotify, and her first single going to number one for a few weeks, the radio stations had no choice but to play her songs, which moved them up the Billboard country charts. The same situation had happened with her previous two albums.
“Here we are,” he said, after taking them on a tour of backstage. “I believe Macy West sent over a few pieces for you to choose from. After your rehearsal, let me know as soon as you’re ready and we’ll have hair and makeup come in.”
“Wonderful,” she replied with a smile.
“We’ll make sure your band members know your call time for the performance. They’ll be in the green room until then. Shall we head over to the stage for your rehearsal?”
“That’s fine with me,” Haley said, “let’s get it over with.”
***
Shane watched from the side of the stage as Haley and her band warmed up, then played through her performance song twice. Then, she and a male singer did a duet of a song for the tribute, which they ran through two times. After that, she was escorted back to her dressing room to get ready.
The assistant director turned to Shane. “Would you like me to show you to your seat?”
“I’m Ms. Nielsen’s personal security. I’ll be backstage until she joins the audience.”
“Okay,” he said, clearing his throat awkwardly before walking away.
“I’m pretty sure I can get dressed on
my own,” Haley said, pinning her with a stare.
“I’ll be around,” Shane said, exiting the room. She knew all of the workers had all been through extensive background checks, but the letter writer could be anyone, including someone with no criminal record.
While she waited, Shane scoped out the best vantage point backstage for both performances, as well as when Haley was presenting.
***
Haley unzipped the three leather hanging bags. The first contained a baby blue colored pantsuit with beautiful rhinestones down the sides of the legs and across the collar of the low-cut, double-breasted jacket that was meant to be worn with nothing under it but a bra. “Maybe,” she said, not really liking the color.
The second bag had a long red dress made of chiffon. It had a low V cut in the front, a slit up the side, and long sleeves made of see-through, veil-like red material. “Come on, Macy. This isn’t the first time you’ve dressed me, girl,” Haley uttered, shaking her head as she put this one to the side.
Her eyes lit up as she unzipped the bag for the last garment, revealing a beautiful crème colored, satin, halter style dress. It was ankle-length with a split up the front of her left leg to her thigh. The front was cut into a U-shape that ended just below her breasts, and the back was fully open. Matching strappy heels went with it, as well as sparkling platinum and diamond earrings and a matching bracelet.
***
“Haley is being called to her seat,” the assistant director said to Shane in passing as he rushed around.
She nodded and walked the short distance down the hall, knocking on the dressing room door. “Haley, it’s time to take your seat.”
Rebel Sweetheart Page 6
