Rebel Sweetheart

by Sydney Canyon

  “Okaaaay,” Shane said, blowing a deep breath out through her pursed lips. She quickly called Rich, telling him Haley demanded that he stock the bus during the show. He said a few choice words then hung up. She had an hour before the start of the show, and an hour before Haley’s performance began. The last thing she wanted to do was get on that bus with her, but all of the security measures were in place, and so far, there was no fanfare near the bus area.

  “The hell with her,” she said aloud, then grabbed the door handle.

  Haley was in her room, so at least she didn’t have to deal with her right away. She went into her room and turned her laptop on. Rich didn’t have any idea what the password was for Wi-Fi when she’d talked to him earlier in the day. He was supposedly trying to find out, but he hadn’t mentioned it again. However, the venue had a good signal, so she was able to jump on their connection and open the email from Dennis with the magazine subscription files. She uploaded them into Excel, hoping to be able to easily sort them.

  Chapter 26

  Shane needed to be working on the case, but she couldn’t miss an opportunity to watch Haley perform, so she stood on the side backstage, watching the exceptional woman sing her heart out as the crowd cheered and sang the words to every song. She had no idea what that felt like, but was sure it was an adrenaline high unlike any other. Shane didn’t care for Haley’s attitude, but she respected her immensely as an artist and entertainer.

  Towards the end of the show, Haley switched from her acoustic guitar to her custom Telecaster guitar, and stepped up to the mic. “Most of you probably know we recently lost a dear friend who was like a family member to us.”

  The big screen behind the band flashed to a picture of Fizzy with his birth and death dates written on it.

  “I sang this at his funeral at the request of his beloved wife and mother, and vowed to honor him by singing it at the rest of our shows. However, there’s been one minor change. Fizzy loved to listen to me play this thing. So, I’m going to do this song the way he would’ve wanted to hear it,” she said, then her guitar came alive as she played the first chord. “It’s been seven hours and fifteen days…since you took your love away,” she sang.

  The big screen began scrolling through various pictures of Fizzy on the different tours.

  Shane knew Haley had planned to play it at all of the shows, but figured she’d hop on the keyboard, not play her electric guitar. She had to agree with what she’d said about Fizzy. She liked this version better too, not that there was anything wrong with the piano, but the bluesy sound coming from that guitar, mixed with her smoky twanging voice was as smooth as a hot knife cutting through butter.

  The ambiance was breathtaking as the crowd softly sang along while holding up their cell phones with the flashlights on. The dark arena looked light the night sky filled with thousands of bright stars.

  “This is what she lives for. Look at that crowd eating out of the palm of her hand,” Rich said, stepping up next to Shane. “Some artists have it and some don’t. I’m pretty sure she was born with it.”

  “What’s that?” She asked.

  “Charisma.”

  Shane didn’t have to say anything. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She’d been drawn to Haley since before she ever met her. There was something about the look in her eyes in the case file photograph that made Shane unable to say no. Despite the massive battles they’d had over the course of their time together, Shane still felt like this was right where she needed to be. Otherwise, she was pretty sure she would’ve left a long time ago. “I’m going to go check the mob outside. Radio me when she’s done,” she said.

  ***

  “That was a great crowd!” Haley said, flopping down on the couch in the bus. Her throat was a little sore from having not performed in a week, but other than that, which she’d fix with some warm tea and honey, she felt really good. “What’d you think?” she asked, tapping Shane’s thigh with her boot as she walked by. “Or did you not see the show?”

  “I didn’t think my opinion mattered,” she said, stopping and turning around. “They loved you, as always. And, yes, I saw the show. I’m never far away.”

  “I know,” Haley muttered, watching her walk into her room.

  “Dinner should be here any minute. I ordered Chinese,” Rich said from the chair across the room as he ended the call he was on. He’d missed the playful little banter between them. “The show was fantastic,” he added. “You’re going on the Good Morning Chi-Town radio show tomorrow morning. I’ll pick you up around seven-thirty. Their office isn’t far from the arena.”

  “Sounds good. Hey, we’re going back through Nashville on the way to Atlanta after Chicago, right?”

  “Yeah. Why? Do you need something from home?”

  “No. I want to stop and play at the Hillbilly.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “No one knows I’ll be there. I’ll make sure Earl doesn’t announce it.”

  “Okay,” Rich said, scratching his goatee in thought. “Shane’s going with you. I’ll meet the bus and drive you to the bar. Afterwards, you can both fly with me down to Atlanta. That way, the convoy can keep going. You don’t want the band with you?”

  “No. Just me and my guitar like old times.”

  “I know that’s where you like to try out new music. You have something new you’re working on?”

  “I don’t know, maybe. I just want to clear my headspace, you know?”

  He nodded.

  “Thanks,” she said, getting up to hug him bye.

  As soon as his SUV was out of the parking lot, headed to the airport, the Chinese restaurant driver showed up with all of the food. The road crew manager divvied it up, and knocked on Haley’s bus door with their bags.

  Hearing the loud knock, Shane jumped up from the bed, where she’d been sitting, going through the file on her laptop. She took off out of the small room, shoeless, but still wearing her t-shirt and jeans, and her gun was still strapped under her arm. She held her hand on the grip, ready to snatch it out of the holster as she side-stepped Haley to get to the door first. She grabbed the bags of food and closed the door.

  “You don’t have to get so excited when someone knocks on the door,” Haley chided, going through the bags when Shane set them on the counter in the galley.

  “How do you know the person on the other side of that door isn’t the letter writer…or even some other crazy fan?”

  “I seriously doubt he works as a Chinese food delivery driver,” she replied sarcastically.

  “In all seriousness, what would you do if someone snatched the door open and tried to get on the bus?”

  Haley shrugged as she evenly distributed the food from the containers. “That’s why I have you, Barney Fife.”

  “I won’t always be here,” Shane replied.

  “Thank God,” Haley uttered.

  “Maybe you should take a self-defense course.”

  Haley laughed hysterically. “You’re not serious? I constantly have security around me, whether you are here or not. I was fine before you got here, and I’ll be perfectly fine when you’re gone.

  “Okay,” Shane said, dropping the subject as Haley walked away with her food, obviously not wanting to share a meal with her.

  ***

  Later on that evening as the buses pulled out of the parking lot on their way to the next venue, Haley grabbed her guitar and notepad and walked out to the living area. Shane was passed out on the couch with one leg dangling over the side and her foot touching the floor, still dressed in her t-shirt, jeans, and socks.

  Haley set her guitar down on the floor and sat in the chair across from the slumbering woman. “Why are you able to get to me like you do?” she whispered. I’ve never had anyone get under my skin so easily, yet turn my head like a cat in heat.

  She thought about waking her, but it wouldn’t matter. She grabbed her guitar off the floor and headed
back to her room.

  ***

  The bus hit a pothole on the highway, causing it to bounce a little, but it was just enough to wake Shane. She sat up, stretching her back. “I have to stop doing this,” she mumbled as she got up and walked down the short hallway her room, but stopped when she heard Haley’s voice. It sounded almost like she was in distress. Hesitating momentarily, she went into the bathroom to get a better listen behind the door to her room. As soon as she heard the soft cries of a nightmare, she turned the knob and stepped inside. She’d never been in the master suite of the bus, but it was more than twice the size of her room, with a queen-sized bed. She heard Haley crying and wrestling around with the covers, but barely saw her in the dimly lit space.

  “Haley,” she called, moving closer to the bed. “Haley, it’s Shane. Listen to my voice.”

  A couple of seconds later, Haley stopped thrashing and opened her eyes.

  Shane forgot where she was for a split second as her eyes met Haley’s. She felt herself leaning closer as Haley’s lips parted.

  “Shane?” she murmured, her bare chest rising and falling heavily under the comforter.

  “You were having a nightmare,” Shane said, pulling herself out of the fog that had taken over her head. You don’t want this. She doesn’t want this. She backed away slightly. “I heard you.”

  “I was dreaming about the bus crash,” Haley said, coming down from the adrenaline rush.

  “That’s to be expected.”

  “I’m fine now.”

  Shane nodded. “Goodnight...or morning, I should say. The sun will be rising soon.”

  “I should get up anyway. I have that radio show soon.”

  “What radio show?”

  “Chicago Morning, or something like that.”

  “Thanks for telling me,” Shane said bitterly.

  “I figured Rich would. He’s the one who set it up. He’s picking me…us, up at seven-thirty.”

  Shane shook her head. “You can talk to me, you know. It would be a good idea to keep me informed. I’m not one of these damn rental cops.”

  “It’s all the same to me.”

  “You’re so…” she growled, biting back the words before she let loose on her.

  “I’m what? Say it,” Haley snapped as Shane moved to leave the room.

  “Stubborn. You’re so goddamn stubborn!” Shane said angrily.

  Haley wanted to smack her and run after her at the same time. “Fuck!” she yelled, tossing her pillow at the door. Then, she flung the blanket and sheet off her heated, naked body.

  Shane didn’t hear the pillow smack the wall. She was already in the living area, pacing the floor like a caged animal. She wished they were stopped so she could get off the bus…get away from Haley. If the windows on the side rolled down, she would’ve stuck her head out like a dog. Anything to get some air and cool herself down. I can’t take much more of this. I’m either going to strangle her, or do something even dumber. She opened the door to the driver compartment, which was also the way to the buses exit door. “How much further?” she asked.

  “Morning,” Rico said with a smile. “We’ll be pulling into the venue in about thirty minutes.”

  “Great. Thanks,” she said, closing the door. When that bus rolled to a stop, she was getting as far away from Haley Nielsen as possible…at least until Rich showed up.

  Chapter 27

  “Good Morning Chi-Town!” the radio DJ said into the microphone. “This is Johnny Five. I’m alive and here with a special guest. She’s playing at the Allstate Arena tonight. It’s none other than country music superstar, Haley Nielsen! Welcome, Haley.”

  “Thank you,” she said, leaning a bit closer to the large microphone on her side of the table. “It’s great to be back in Illinois. I haven’t played here since my first tour.”

  “Rebel Sweetheart is the name of your new album, which is phenomenal by the way. Tell me more about it.”

  “Well, Johnny, I think this album shows my growth as a musician and artist. I’ve evolved over the last six or eight years, and my music has as well.”

  “I’d say,” he laughed. “Rebel Sweetheart is almost like a rebellion against the norms of country music. Would you agree?”

  “I think country music itself is changing with the times. I’ll always be a country music singer, but I love a little blues and rock and roll too. I guess this album is a little rebellious, but it’s a little more of me being me…sort of in a take it or leave it way. Johnny Cash was frowned upon when he sounded different from everyone else on the radio. I think everyone has their own sound and their own style. That’s what makes us unique.”

  “I certainly agree with that. Now, on another topic, you were seen recently at the CMT Awards with a mysterious guest, who also happened to be on your bus when it crashed. By the way, we are all so heartbroken with the loss of your driver,” he said, then continued. “This same person accompanied you to his funeral, as well. I believe she’s a former U.S. Marshal named Shane Crowley. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, she’s the head of our security and my bodyguard, if you want to call her that.”

  “Is there any more to it?”

  “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but Ms. Crowley is employed by my manager, Rich Bergman.”

  “Why would you need a personal guard? I mean to the extreme that she has been…on your bus, at your house, beside you at an awards show.”

  Haley’s jaw tightened. She knew he was trying to get a rise out of her by creating some kind of scandal story. “Actually, I’ve had some threats made on my life recently. As you said, Rebel Sweetheart isn’t quite the norm of country music, and some think I shouldn’t have recorded this album. They don’t scare me, and they never will. However, my manager is a little overprotective. He hired Ms. Crowley for the tour. It’s not a big deal, and it’s certainly not some juicy scandal story. I’d say I’m sorry to disappoint, but honestly my private and personal life is no one’s business.”

  “There you have it folks. I hate hearing about the threats, Haley.”

  “Thanks,” she replied, still angry, but doing her best to keep a smile plastered on her face.

  “Anything you want to tell us about Tucker Miller? I heard a rumor you two might be headlining a couple of your tour dates together.”

  “That is most definitely not true. I’m not sure who is feeding you all of this false information, but I’d think about using a different source,” she stated. “Tucker and I share a label. That is all. My tour is exactly that, my tour. There was some talk of him maybe playing a few of my dates while we handled the loss of my driver and bus. However, my manager was able to get us another bus quickly and here we are, back on the road, ready to rock the roof off the Allstate Arena tonight.”

  “Sounds great. I know I’ll certainly be there. Thank you for stopping by to talk with us this morning.”

  “Thank you for having me,” she said.

  “Haley Nielsen, playing at Allstate Arena tonight at seven.”

  As soon as the light came on, indicating the show had gone to commercial, Haley ripped her headphones off. “What the hell was that all about? Thanks for blindsiding me!”

  “I’m so sorry. My producer wanted me to question the relationship with your bodyguard. He’s a homophobe and a racist.”

  “Lovely,” she spat.

  “Honestly, I think people should love whomever they fall in love with. The hell with what anyone thinks. That’s probably my wife’s doing though, she’s the most free-spirited person I’ve ever met. I’m pretty sure she’d burn her bra in the street if that movement ever came back around,” he joked. “I really do love your music, so does she, and my daughter. They’ll all be with me tonight. I’d love for them to meet you.”

  “Thank you for being truthful with me. I’ll see what I can do.” She smiled.

  “I really hate that you’re getting threats. Some people in this world don’t belong here
,” he said, shaking his head.

  Haley nodded in agreement, before shaking his hand and leaving the booth.

  “What the hell was that all about?” Rich questioned when they got into the SUV.

  “His homophobic, bigot boss thinks she and I are sleeping together,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake. It’s almost 2020. People need to move on with their damn lives,” he growled.

  “Great, so you do too!”

  “Haley, I don’t give a shit who you are sleeping with. It could be that old housekeeper of yours for all I care. My point is, it’s none of anyone’s business. If you wanted them to know, you’d tell them. There are thousands of outlets you could use.”

  “I am certainly not sleeping with Emma Jean,” Haley laughed. “I’m not in a relationship with anyone. You know that,” she said to him. “I’m married to my music. I don’t have time for romance and all of that other crap. It just pisses me off when people speculate about something they know nothing about.” She looked over at Shane. “And why are you so quiet? Do you think it’s okay for them to start stupid gossip rumors involving you?”

  Shane shrugged and sighed. “I’ll never see these people again, so honestly, I don’t care what they think of me or say about me.”

  “Wonderful,” Haley muttered, crossing her arms.

  “Look, it’s one radio show in one city. The tour is two-thirds of the way finished. This only came to light because she’s been seen with you outside of the tour. People speculated. You could’ve been seen with Tucker Miller like the label wanted, and the same thing would’ve happened. It didn’t matter who you were with or what you were doing…it’s the fact someone was with you. People don’t usually see anyone with you, so it stirred some gossip.”

  “I didn’t want her here in the first place,” she replied furiously.

  “You needed her here. It’s not safe.”