Love Songs

by Bernadette Marie

  She smiled at the compliment. “I had some very good material to work with.”

  Jeremy nodded. “You sure did. Okay, are you two ready?” He grabbed a notebook off his desk. “Let’s go meet your fate.”

  Jeremy led the way down the hall to a conference room and opened the door. No one was at the table yet, only a camera man and a sound guy in the corner.

  “You two take those chairs and I’m going to sit over here.”

  Warner watched as the light on the camera turned on and Jeremy opened his folder with notes and papers.

  Then the scent of cigar filled Warner’s nose. He was always keen on the scent as it reminded him of his father. It was a moment later he heard voices in the hall and the sound of people convening.

  When the door opened, four men walked through, whom he didn’t know, but when the last man walked through Warner literally felt his head spin and he thought he just might collapse.

  Harley Oxbury walked through the door bigger than life, a lit cigar stuck between his teeth.

  In his older years he had begun to look more like Boss Hog than Nashville royalty, but the room obviously was still his with the direct attention being given to him from those around him.

  His large cowboy hat was white with a rhinestone band and he wore a white suit. Warner didn’t know anything about fashion, but it struck him as funny because he did know—from Patricia of all people—that you didn’t wear white after Labor Day. But the OX could do any damn thing he wanted to.

  Warner had never met the man, yet it was his demise that had caused Warner so much pain for so many years. Was it possible that Harley Oxbury was here to just seal the coffin?

  “So you’re Warner Wright, eh?” the OX asked through teeth still gritted around his cigar.

  “Yes, sir. And this is my wife Clara.”

  “How do you do, sir?” she added.

  “Wife? That must be new.”

  “A few weeks now, sir.”

  The OX nodded his head and then sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest.

  “Warner, Mr. Oxbury is very informed on your music. He has seen video of your performances, and Mrs. Wright’s as well,” the man to the left of the OX said. “Mr. Oxbury is interested in signing you to a recording contract.”

  Warner’s eyes were open wide and his heart was beating a million miles a minute. Clara gave his hand a squeeze and when he looked at her she was trembling, trying to keep the smile she had concealed.

  “That is very gracious, sir. But I wasn’t aware that you owned a recording company,” he said directly to Harley Oxbury.

  “Just happen to have gotten into one.” He leaned forward on his large arms, the cigar still burning between his teeth. “Ever heard of Master Records?”

  Warner and Clara exchanged glances. “Yes, sir, of course. But I was under the impression that Jordan Farr and…”

  He didn’t get her name out before the OX shot his hand up to stop him.

  “Let’s say her name is like Voldemort. You don’t say it aloud.”

  Warner didn’t know if he should laugh at the joke itself or the Harry Potter reference from the older man. Instead he simply sat there stunned.

  “It just so happens that in this town money talks, bullshit walks. You know how that works.”

  “Mr. Oxbury is now the sole owner of Master Records,” the man said.

  “Congratulations, sir,” Warner added.

  Harley Oxbury sat back in his seat again and crossed his arms over his massive chest. His eyes were on Warner.

  “What do y’all say you leave me and Mr. Wright alone for a few moments? I’d like to get to know him.”

  Jeremy was the first to stand, collecting his notebook and papers. Harley Oxbury’s group did the same.

  Clara looked at Warner and gave him a gentle smile. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I didn’t see this coming.”

  As she pulled away she gave him a wink and exited with the other men.

  When the room was empty and the door had been shut Harley Oxbury stood up and unplugged the camera from its outlet.

  “I guess they thought they’d keep that rolling. Not going to happen.” He sat down in the chair Jeremy had occupied. “Comfortable?”

  Warner nodded.

  “Good. So let’s get this out in the open. She’s a royal bitch.”

  Warner tucked his lips between his teeth and tried not to smile, but the OX did.

  “Fell for her hook, line, and sinker. Worst mistake I ever made.” He took the cigar from his mouth and held it between his fingers. “You know you made the worst mistake of your life when your mistress is the one who sells the intimate pictures of the two of you to the tabloids.”

  Warner had never heard that side of the story.

  “Well, cost me everything. I don’t blame my wife for leaving me. And hell, she did good moving on if I do say so myself, but that hurt.”

  He took one of the glasses of water on the table, took a sip, and then extinguished his cigar in it.

  “Okay, let’s make this clear. This ain’t about her. She’s been messing with you for years and I know, because I’ve been watching. You have some talent, kid.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You would have been signed five years ago had she let you be. But no one wants to touch you because of her. You see that don’t you?”

  “Oh, I knew that.”

  “Jeremy knew you had some talent, though I think he thought it was only in writing. But I think you and your wife can bust into those charts and quick. Love Song hands down is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard.”

  Warner thought he still might die there with the man, but at least he’d die happy.

  “So, I don’t think she’ll be messing with you too much longer, especially since she’s going to be broke.”

  “How is that?”

  “Her fortune was me paying her off. For years I’ve been feeding her to just let me be. She’d done all the damage she could do to me, but she shifted that to you.” He tapped his meaty fingers on the table. “That show of hers is going to replace her with my ex-wife, which I think is as funny as hell.”

  Warner did let out a laugh there.

  “I now own that company she bought into, but, son, a piece of business advice. If you only buy into something at twenty percent, you’re not doing any favors to yourself. Some S.O.B. moves in and buys you out.” That time Harley laughed.

  “Anyway, this is going to air on your show. The world is going to know that you’re my new talent now.”

  “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  “Sure I do. I once had a recording contract myself, remember.”

  Warner chuckled. “Right.”

  “Oh, and I’m signing your wife too.”

  Warner had a giddy flutter in his stomach.

  “Few more things. Those pictures were taken by Tom Wheeler. Your wife is on the up and up.”

  “I know she is.”

  “Well, since you’re our talent, and so is she, we plan to sue him for the libel. And Trent is in on that. His wife was so stressed it caused her early labor.”

  “Is she okay?” Warner inched over the table.

  “Yeah. They got her stopped. He got to be with her.”

  That was the last thing Warner needed over his head. He was already upset that the world thought his wife had done anything with the man.

  “When the tour resumes, Clara needs to finish out her contract.”

  Warner nodded. That made sense.

  “But now that Savannah is signed with our house we get to step in and make a few adjustments to the tour.”

  Warner nodded again. He figured they’d pull Clara from it. No one needed that distraction anymore.

  “You’ll be performing with her, so clear your schedule. We’re also extending her run as opener.”

  “Really?”

  “Unless you don’t want to work with your wife.”

  “Oh, no. I can�
�t think of anything better.”

  The OX winked at him and took another cigar out of this shirt pocket. “I thought so.”

  “I guess we’ll let them in now.” He stood and rested his hand on Warner’s shoulder. “She’s not going to bother you anymore, son. You’re in my hands and the only thing people are going to read about you is your name on the top of those charts.”

  Warner’s chest was going to explode his heart was still racing so fast. “Thank you, sir.”

  The OX nodded and walked to the door to open it.

  ***

  By the eleventh night of the Savannah concert the seats were filled when Clara took the stage. Wardrobe had redesigned her outfit to be a bit more casual, but she thought she was stunning.

  “Hello, Denver!” she shouted and the crowd at the Pepsi Center reciprocated with a loud roar.

  “Let’s get this party going.” She hit the first chords of the first song and her voice rang through the speakers. As she started the second verse another guitar added to hers and from the side of the stage Warner walked out, dressed head to toe in a black fitted T-Shirt, black tight jeans, and a matching black set of boots. His guitar strap matched hers, lined in rhinestones. Hers said Mrs. and his said Mr.

  When their voices paired the crowd was on their feet.

  And as Warner’s songs were filling the voices of those gathered to hear them, Clara took a step back so he was spotlighted.

  Their set was wrapping up when the monstrous drum beat began behind them. When the curtain rose The Broke Tourists were there and the song grew in intensity.

  Their vocalists moved forward and in between Clara and Warner. They were all singing his song and the crowd was eating it up.

  Trent took his solo next to Clara and she smiled as his notes rang through the arena.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Broke Tourists!” She introduced them.

  “And we are the Wrights! Thanks for having us!” Warner said.

  As the band played on, Warner and Clara left the stage.

  The moment they hit the side, Warner gathered Clara up in his arms and swung her in the air.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” She kissed him hard on the mouth.

  “I knew you’d be my ticket. You and that voice.”

  “Yeah, and your way with words.”

  I hope you enjoyed Clara Keller’s story in Love Songs. Here is a sample of Christian Keller’s story.

  HOME RUN

  Releases Feburary 27, 2014

  Chapter One

  There was a pure energy in the car as they drove away from the arena. Christian Keller had it all, just when he thought he’d lost it.

  His career ending injuries were just the start to finding out he could keep going and that’s what he was doing.

  He’d just watched his sister perform with her husband, on stage at the Bridgestone Arena right there in Nashville. Hometown kids making it big time.

  As his best friend Dave pulled out of the parking lot the number one country song came on the radio, and wouldn’t you know it, it was Clara and Warner Wright, his sister and her husband.

  Christian’s fiancée Victoria hugged his arm and slid across the back seat as close as she could to him. “That was the best concert ever. You sister and Warner were phenomenal. The Broke Tourists are one of my favorite bands. And that Savannah and her hair!”

  Ashley, Victoria’s sister, turned in her seat and looked at her. “I know, right? Do you think we could buy hair like that?”

  They both laughed, but Christian just took in the ambiance.

  His career as a baseball player was over. He had come to grips with that. It had caused him a lot of emotional pain, and physical pain, over the past year, but now he had new things to look forward too.

  They were already talking about him coming into the organization as management. The woman of his dreams had accepted his marriage proposal and wore his ring. And tonight he’d take her home to the home he had built—for them. It was a surprise and he had something very special planned.

  “You know,” Victoria continued. “Ali would love a Savannah wig. We should think about marketing them.”

  “My kids and their tastes,” Ashley added.

  Laughter filled the car and then a scream pierced the air.

  A blinding white light forced him to cover his eyes.

  Christian sat up in bed. His heart was racing. His face and hair were wet. And he was alone.

  He threw his head back against his pillow.

  Of course he was alone. He’d been alone for almost a year and the replay of that night wouldn’t give him any peace.

  Christian rolled to his side and he looked at his phone on the night stand. It was five-thirty in the morning. He let out a grunt and rolled out of bed.

  It took a minute for his knee to be stable under him. His shoulder ached, as it had since the surgery on it after the accident.

  He flipped on the light in the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. The jagged scar on his forehead was beginning to fade, but it would always remind him that on that night he’d lost everything. His career. His best friend. And even if her life wasn’t taken—he’d lost his fiancée.

  Well that was life now. She had a lot to deal with too.

  Christian splashed his face with cold water.

  Victoria’s life had changed drastically when that drunk driver crossed the median. She’d lost her sister in that moment. Her leg was shattered. And she was the next of kin to her niece and nephew, whom she was now raising.

  A single woman trying to advance her career and plan a wedding was now guardian to a two year old and a four year old—and he was no help.

  Christian turned on the shower and let it warm.

  He’d been so overwhelmed with losing his best friend he’d nearly lost his mind. And it wasn’t losing him it was watching him die and not being able to get free from the accident to help him.

  Just the thought of it made his heart kick start again.

  He slipped off his boxers and climbed into the shower. But no matter how hot the water was it would never wash away the pain that day still caused.

  By six thirty he was dressed and sitting in his quiet kitchen having a cup of coffee. The dress shirt and tie made him uncomfortable, but it was the way he had to dress for work now. He supposed he owed it to his brother and uncle for stepping in and giving him a job, though he didn’t care much about construction.

  His entire family had stepped in when he needed them. There was no way to repay them. His sister Clara and cousin Avery were at his house daily to make sure he ate. His mother stopped and cleaned the house. His future sister-in-law Darcy made him freezer dinners and stocked them for him.

  It had been like this for a year.

  When would it all ease so he could get on with his life?

  Before lunch the door to his office creaked open and Darcy stuck her head in.

  “I’m going to lunch with my bridesmaids. Ed is free for Chinese food. He said to send you his way when you’re done.”

  Christian nodded. “I’ll be done in a few.”

  Darcy shut the door and Christian was alone, again. It was funny, he thought, for being so alone all the time there were always people around him. That was what came with a big family.

  A new Chinese restaurant had opened just down the street and Ed had been dying to try it. Christian figured it would be good for leftovers and that would warm up for dinner. It was just one less thing to think about.

  “So did you look over that proposal I sent you?” Ed asked as he adjusted the place setting in front of him.

  “Yeah. I don’t know if I understand any of it. Could you work in some baseball terms?”

  Ed laughed. “It’s a baseball stadium. I thought you’d want to be part of that.”

  Christian put down his menu. “You’d think huh?”

  He lazily looked around the restaurant and that was when a set of dark eyes caught his.

&
nbsp; Victoria waved and was already walking toward them.

  It had been nearly eight months since he’d seen her—since he’d told her that he wasn’t someone who could just take on someone else’s children and start from there. That was the day she walked out of his life. God, he was an idiot.

  She looked different. Her hair was shorter and there were dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept in eight months. He probably looked like that too. He never got a good night’s sleep.

  “Hello, Chris.” She smiled down at him and then turned her smile to Ed. “Hi, Ed.”

  “Tori!” Ed crawled out of the booth and gave her a hug. “How are you?”

  “I’m good.” Christian wondered if she noticed her voice quivered.

  “How are the kids?”

  Christian watched as her jaw tightened and she kept her eyes on Ed. “Sam just turned three last weekend. He’s into everything. Ali just started kindergarten.”

  “Wow.” Ed looked at Christian. “Kids get big fast, eh, Chris?”

  Christian narrowed his stare on his brother.

  “You’ll be at the wedding right?” Ed was touching her arm. “I thought Darcy said you’d RSVP’d.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Ali can’t stop talking about it.”

  “I look forward to it.” Ed smiled and then both of them looked at Christian still seated in the booth.

  “Guess we’ll see you then,” he croaked out.

  Victoria nodded and forced a smile. As she walked past him, limping just as he did now too, she put her hand on his shoulder. “It was good to see you, Chris.”

  Then she was gone.

  Ed sat back down and shook his head. “You’re pathetic.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “She’s still in love with you.”

  “She is not. She dumped me.”

  “Because she had to.”

  “Had to?” He picked up his hot tea and burned the pads of his fingers and then his throat. But it was worth it.

  Ed opened the package of chop sticks by his plate and tore the two wooden pieces apart. “She lost a lot that night. Her sister died. Her brother-in-law died. She got two kids to raise and has no parents to help her. She’s all alone and all you could tell her was you weren’t ready for a fully formed family. I didn’t realize you were an asshole until that day.”