by Naomi Niles
He turned up the portable stereo he'd brought outside, and we all got to drinking more and talking and laughing. We were all starting to feel pretty drunk as well, and it was starting to show.
“Shit,” Terry exclaimed, “we ain't had nothing to eat yet!”
“We been too busy drinking!” Belinda reminded him. “Well, we'd better get the barbecue going before we have too much more and no one is in any shape to tend it. Come on, you come up to the house with me to get the meat and whip up the salads. Chance and Tina, you two can stay here. Chance, can you get the barbecue fired up and ready? Terry and I will be up there maybe half an hour, forty-five minutes. You two don't mind waiting for a short while, do you?” Belinda asked.
“That's fine,” I said.
Terry and Belinda headed back up to the house, leaving me alone with Tina by the water. As soon as they had gone, she sidled up to me.
“How about another shot of tequila?” she asked. “C'mon, it's not like we have to drive anywhere.”
“I think I'm gonna stick with beer from here on out,” I stated.
“Well, I'm having another one. Don't you feel a little... inadequate? As a man, being out-drunk by a girl?”
It was clearly a challenge, and I wasn't one to pass up a challenge, especially when I was already a little on the inebriated side of things.
“No offense, but there ain't no way you can out-drink me. I may have passed my party days a few years ago, but I've still got it.”
“Do you? Let's see then,” she challenged.
She poured a shot for me and a shot for her. We knocked them back, and I felt some discomfort growing inside me – but I wasn't about to let a girl show me up.
“Well, I feel just fine!” I exclaimed. “How about you, Tina?”
“I feel great. But it's so hot still... and what I really feel like doing is swimming. The water looks so cool and inviting.”
“It does, but I didn't bring my trunks.”
“Who needs trunks?” she said, a flirtatious gleam entering her eye and a devilish grin spreading across her pretty face.
And with that, she pulled her dress over her head, unclipped her bra, stepped out of her panties, and stood totally nude in front of me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mackenzie
I was just finishing the last of my buffalo wings when I got a call. It was from the manager of the bar I was playing at.
“Hey there, Mackenzie,” he said in his warm, friendly voice. “It’s Mike. You nearby or what?”
“I'm close, maybe three blocks away,” I replied.
“Enjoying some of the fine cuisine my awesome city has to offer, I bet.”
I chuckled. “I certainly am. And it's great stuff! I could get used to this place!”
“I bet you could! Just a friendly reminder, you're up in an hour and a half, so you may wanna start making your way back to the bar soon.”
“Sure, thanks for the reminder. I'll be there.”
“Great. And if you're not finished eating, you're more than welcome to get a doggy bag and bring it back here and eat backstage if you'd like.”
“No need for that, I'm just finishing up here. I'll see you soon.”
I finished up my meal and got the check from the waiter and paid. As I was walking out, though, someone called out to me from one of the tables I was walking past.
“Hey, miss, excuse me, miss?”
I turned around and saw a young couple smiling at me. The young man was the one who had spoken.
“Hi,” I said. “What can I do for you?”
“Aren't you Mackenzie Shea? You did a duet with James Masters? Thunder and Rain. It's on YouTube.”
My cheeks warmed, right along with my ego. “Yes, that's me.”
The young man's girlfriend spoke. “Oh my God, girl, you are amazing. Seriously! Both of us are big fans. After we came across that video on YouTube, we looked up some of your other stuff, and we love your originals too. Do you have an album out? We'd love to buy it.”
“I don't yet, but I am gonna be recording one with Regent soon.”
“Awesome!” the boyfriend replied. “We'll keep an eye out in the record stores for it. And on iTunes. You got a mailing list we could sign up for or something?”
“Um, all I have right now is a Facebook fan page – just search my name, it should come up. I usually put updates about my music on it.”
“Excellent, we'll do that. And what are you doing here in Austin?”
“Actually, I'm playing a show tonight.”
Their faces immediately lit up. “What! No way, where and when? We'll be there, front row!”
This felt great – fans! Fans outside my hometown, fans who were enthusiastic about my music. I couldn't believe what a boost that James Masters video had been for me. I wanted to find the person who had filmed and uploaded it and give hug them. But, more than anything, I wanted to take Chance in my arms and cover him with a thousand kisses, because it had been him who had made this happen.
I had to call him right away, well, at least as soon as I was finished talking to these two awesome fans. “I'm on stage in an hour and a half, actually. I'm playing at the Buzz Bar; do you guys know it?”
“We sure do, it's just a few blocks up the road,” the woman answered.
“Excellent! Well, I'll see you guys there then,” I said with a smile.
“Oh hey,” said the girl, “before you go, could you give me an autograph?”
“I sure can.”
She pushed a napkin across the table to me while her boyfriend dug in his jeans pocket and retrieved a pen which he handed to me.
“I bet this'll be worth something in a few years!” he said enthusiastically.
“Hopefully,” I replied with a wink and a smile.
I scrawled my autograph onto the napkin. “Who should I make this out to?” I asked.
“Oh, I'm Niall,” said the guy as he spelled it for me. “And this is my girlfriend Kelly.”
“All right, to Niall and Kelly,” I said as I wrote their names on the napkin.
“Thank you so much,” the girl said with a huge smile. “Like I said, we'll be front row for your show! Good luck tonight!”
“Thanks guys,” I replied, and then I headed out onto the street.
As soon as I was out of earshot, I got my phone out to call Chance. I dialed his number and pressed the phone to my ear as I walked. It rang and rang, but nobody picked up. Wondering if I'd dialed the wrong contact or something, I checked and tried again. Again, it just rang and rang. I guessed he was busy with Cassie or something, so I just typed out a short message instead.
“Hey, handsome! I'm having a great time down here in Austin. Missing you tons. I just had my first 'random fans' experience! They'd seen my James Masters video on YouTube, of course, but said that they loved my originals too. I seriously don't know how to thank you enough for that. You truly are amazing. I can't wait to be in your arms again. Miss you so much!
-Mackenzie.”
I sent the message and put the phone back in my bag, imagining that it wouldn't be too long before he replied.
It didn't take too long to get back to the Buzz Bar, and the manager was waiting outside for me with a friendly smile.
“Well hey there Mackenzie,” he said. “How was dinner?”
“It was great,” I replied.
“Good to hear. Can I ask you to just go on stage and double check that your guitar is in tune, your guitar pedal is plugged in, and just generally make sure that everything you need for your performance is all ready?”
“Sure, I'll do that.”
I walked into the bar, and was surprised to see how full it already was. There were hundreds of people in there already, all talking, drinking and laughing. It looked like by the time I got onto the stage it would be packed to capacity.
I headed up onto the stage, double checked that everything was ready for my performance, and then gave the manager and the sound engineer a thumbs up. Afte
r that, I headed off stage to get some water. It was important to be well hydrated before a show. I drank a tall glass of water, and then headed over to a quieter section of the bar to check my phone.
I was disappointed to see that Chance hadn't replied to my message or called back. I had to tell someone about my fan experience, so I called Lilly.
“Hey, girl!” she said. “You about to go on stage or what?”
“I am, in an hour.”
“You must be excited. How's the Buzz Bar these days? I remember playing a few great shows there back in the day with the Wild Oats.”
“It's a big place, with a great stage. And it's getting full. I think it might actually be packed to capacity by the time I get up there!”
“Awesome. It'll be good practice for the festival we're gonna play at. And how are you liking Austin so far?”
“Great city! I mean, Nashville will always be home and number one in my heart, but I could see myself getting comfy in a place like this. There's so much musical variety, it's amazing, it really is!”
“Tell me about it, girl. I love Austin! Such great vibes.”
“I do wish you were here with me,” I told her.
“Ah, I do too. But you'll do great – most of your songs don't really need drums.”
“But they do sound so full with your awesome beats behind them.”
“I could play some killer beats for you,” a voice from behind me said, interrupting my phone conversation.
“Who was that?” Lilly asked.
“Hold on, Lil,” I said. I turned around and saw Jake Adams leaning against a wall, grinning arrogantly and holding a beer in his hand.
“Excuse me, Jake, I'm having a private conversation here; do you mind?”
“Whatever drummer you're talking to, I guarantee I'm better than them. Don't waste your time with the rest, beautiful – just come to me, the best.”
I rolled my eyes. “Could you please skedaddle? I'm talking to my friend.”
“Is that Jake Adams?” Lilly asked on the phone.
“Yeah, it is,” I replied with a sigh.
“I can tell from the arrogance,” she replied. “Watch out for him. Sounds like he's got his eye on you, and he doesn't quit until he gets what he wants.”
“What second-rate drummer are you talking to, sugar?” he asked, interrupting me again.
I turned around and glared at him. “Seriously, Jake, please go away.”
“You're sexy when you're angry, Mackenzie. Rrarrr!” he said, making a cat-like gesture with his free hand. He listened to me though, and ambled off. “You'll come find me later, honey,” he said as he was leaving. “I know it. And you won't be disappointed when you do.”
“Whatever,” I said, and then got back to the phone conversation with Lilly. “That guy is such a jerk,” I said.
“Tell me about it. Phenomenally skilled drummer, though. I have to give him props for that.”
“Well, I doubt he's better than you, Lil.”
“Haha, thanks, Mack. He probably is better though, I hate to say. And my God, is he a hottie. Those eyes, and that body...”
“Lilly!” I exclaimed with a laugh.
“Well... what, it's the truth, ain't it? He's a fine piece of beef. And drumming ain't the only thing he's phenomenally skilled at.”
“That's what the rumors say, yeah...”
“Maybe the rumors are true.”
My jaw dropped as she said this. “Hold on... did you and him...”
“A long, long time ago. Before I was with Jason, obviously. Back in my wild and single days, you know?”
I chuckled. “Oh my God, seriously? You and Jake?”
“Just for one night, after I'd played a show in Austin.”
I laughed, but I wasn't surprised. Lilly had been a pretty wild thing a few years ago.
“And, how was it?” I asked.
“Like I said, drumming isn't the only thing he's phenomenally skilled at. And he has an absolutely gigantic—”
“Jesus, Lilly, that's more than I wanna hear, all right?” I chuckled.
“I could hardly walk the next day, you know.”
“Lilly!”
She chuckled on the other end of the phone. “But jokes aside, watch out for him, Mackenzie. Despite his talents, he's a nasty human being. No conscience whatsoever. Hell, if I'd ever met anyone who I'd say had the potential to murder someone and smile about it afterwards, it'd be that guy. And he's a ridiculously skilled manipulator. He can convince people to do almost anything. So just be careful around him.”
“Don't worry, I will. And besides, my heart is with Chance. I don't have eyes for any other man except him. You know that,” I reminded her.
“I know when your heart is set on someone, it stays there, Mack. But still, be careful around Jake. He's dangerous.”
“Thanks for the warning, Lil. Hey, I miss you, by the way!”
“I miss you too. We'll have a bottle of wine and a good old chat when you get back here, all right?”
“Sounds good. I’m gonna go warm up. Have a great evening!” I said.
“You too! Kill it on stage! I know you will.”
“Thanks, Lil. Bye.”
“Bye.”
After the call, I checked my phone. There had been no missed calls from Chance, and he still hadn't replied to my message. I was starting to worry a little. It never took him this long to reply to me. Still, there wasn't much I could do about it. I'd just have to wait and see, hoping he'd call me back soon.
The manager came walking through the crowd as I was putting my phone away.
“Ah, Mackenzie, there you are. You wanna head to the backstage area and get warmed up? Anything you need me to get you?”
“Just some water, thanks.”
“You sure? Nothing else?”
“That's all, thanks.”
“Great. You're gonna have a kick-ass show tonight, I just know it.”
“I hope so...”
***
The thunderous applause and roaring cheers finally died out, and I felt like I was on fire, all charged with the electricity of my performance. I had played one of the best shows I'd ever played, and I felt fantastic. I leaned forward and spoke into the mic.
“Thank you, thank you so much. I'm Mackenzie Shea, and I'm very glad ya’ll enjoyed my show!”
Again, a deafening roar and huge bout of applause resounded through the club, and I smiled and bowed as they cheered and clapped, and then I headed off the stage.
As soon as I got backstage I took out my phone to see if Chance had called or messaged, because he was the first person who sprang into my head, the first I wanted to tell about how well the show had gone.
There was still no word from him. What the heck was going on?
I called my mom and dad, and spoke to them for a while, telling them about how well the show had gone, and how much I was enjoying Austin. Dad was doing a little better health-wise, which I was happy to hear. Will was also making an effort to stay sober, and he was there with them. At least that was going well. I told them I missed them all, and they echoed these sentiments, and then we said our goodbyes.
Immediately, my thoughts returned to Chance. What was he doing, and why hadn't he gotten back to me?
I decided to call one more time. This time his phone didn't even ring – it went straight to voicemail. Either it was off or the battery was dead. I decided, as a last-ditch effort, to look on Facebook.
And that was when I saw it. As soon as I opened the newsfeed, I saw that Chance had been tagged in a photo. And in the photo, that skank Tina from his radio station was taking a selfie, with her sitting on Chance's lap. And the worst thing about it was that she was totally naked. I mean, her legs were crossed and her arm was covering her boobs, but there she was, nude, sitting on my Chance's lap, smiling up at her stupid camera. He was looking away, so I couldn't tell what expression was on his face, but how the hell had she ended up naked on his lap anyway?
I wanted to p
uke and cry and scream and smash my phone all at once. This was horrifying, truly horrifying. I felt like I was gonna have a breakdown, right there and then in the backstage room.
Before I could, however, a voice interrupted me.
“That was some show! You kicked ass – and you looked smokin' hot doing it. I've got a bottle of champagne to celebrate your talent. Come on, share it with me... You deserve it.”
Full of anger, disgust, and bitterness, I shoved my phone into my bag and looked up at Jake.
“All right, bring it on over here,” I said, patting the spot next to me on the sofa. “Let's get wasted.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chance
I couldn't help but stare – what red-blooded man wouldn't, I ask you? I mean, Tina did have a nearly flawless body; she really did look like a lingerie model. Still, she did nothing for me and I was committed to one woman, and one woman only – Mackenzie, who was more beautiful than this attention-seeker in front of me anyway.
I looked away from her.
“Come on, Tina, put your damn clothes back on. I ain't going skinny dipping with you.”
“Don't you like what you see?” she asked with a flirtatious drawl in her voice.
“You know what? No, I don't.”
“You think I'm ugly?”
“Of course not. Good God, you know you're attractive as hell, girl – but I really don't appreciate what you're using that for.”
“And what am I 'using' my looks to do, huh, Chance?”
“You know what you're doing, and don't try to pretend that you don't just because you've had a few tequilas. Seriously, Tina, put your clothes back on.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I had maintained this level of self-control and rationality while half-drunk. Here was this stunning, naked woman in front of me, basically offering herself to me, and I was able to stay resolute and stay committed to the woman I had given my heart to. I was able to say no, and be an honorable man. My dad and grandpa would have been proud of me. My mom even more so.
“All right, all right, if you wanna be such a wet blanket about it...”
“I ain't bein' a wet blanket. But as 'free' as you might feel about your body, it ain't right what you're doing here. Why didn't you take your damn clothes off when Terry and Belinda were here, huh? Why'd you wait until now to do that?”
