by Vega, W. H.
We walk through the halls towards the party, and Blake shakes his head in amazement.
“The label has thrown us one hell of a party.”
“I know,” I say in awe, looking around. The ballroom's filled with trendy purple and blue lights, giving it a magical feel. Tables and high tops are set up, and there are two bars open, as well as five buffet tables serving food from the best restaurants in town.
The guest list is comprised of our personal friends and family, the label, industry bigwigs, disc jockeys, other country artists, and a number of lucky guests who won tickets on the radio and other sweepstake venues.
The party had all the trappings of a successful, music bash.
“Paige!”
I turn around to see my mother rushing towards me. She looks beautiful as always, dressed in a stylish embroidered black dress and heels. I hug her tightly.
“Momma, I’m so glad you came.”
“Of course I came!" She beams. "You were so wonderful! And I thought you could never top your performance at Bicentennial Park!”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I say.
“Grandma sends her love, but this would have been a little too much for her.” She turns to Blake and gives him a hug. “So good to see you, Blake. You were wonderful too.”
“Thank you Ms. Lawson.” He hugs my mother back.
“I feel bad that you’re here by yourself.” I tell her, wishing my mother had a guest or someone to keep her company. Especially since I'm going to have to circle the room and be a good hostess.
My mother gives me an embarrassed smile. “Well, I sort of met up with someone.”
“What? Who?” I’m intrigued, especially since she seems uncomfortable.
“Well, it turns out that one of the men who works for your daddy’s label was a good friend of mine in high school.”
“Who?”
“Jackson Deveraux.”
I knew Jackson, but not very well. From what I remembered, he handled a lot of the label’s finances.
“He went to college in Texas and then stayed out there and got married. But after his divorce, he moved back to Nashville.” My mother is grinning in a way I had never seen before.
“Momma, do you have a crush?” I demand.
Blake laughs.
“Oh stop it! It’s just nice to see him again! I had no idea he was back in Nashville!”
“Well, how would you? You’ve been in Bristol all these years!”
“Yes, I know!” she blushes, fixing her hair. “Well, I’m going to go find him and I’ll let you two mingle some, don't worry about me.” She says, nodding towards the line of people waiting to speak to us. She gives me one more hug. “I couldn’t be more proud of you,” she whispers in my ear.
Blake and I pose for some pictures after she walks away, and then Blake has to go off with Ben and Ryan, while I spend some time talking to a few reporters, giving little quotes and making comments about the evening.
One of the assistants at the label is kind enough to get me drink, and as I sip my ginger ale, I see my father and Daisy talking to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
I nearly choke on my drink.
I had no idea they were there!
My father catches my eye and waves me over. Nervously, I make my way towards them and just as I’m approaching, I catch a glimpse of frosted hair and glittery jewels. I do a double take, thinking it’s Savannah, and I realize that the woman is older.
I can’t help but stare, and the woman seems to feel my gaze on her. She turns around and I nearly gasp.
The woman must be Savannah’s mother, there’s no other explanation. The resemblance is uncanny and from the ice-cold gaze she gives me, I know this woman hates me.
But then a crowd of girls walk by and when I look back the woman is gone. I shake my head, wondering if I had only imagined it.
My father gives me a puzzled look and then takes my hand and pulls me towards him and the two country superstars.
“And this is my daughter, Paige,” he says proudly.
“Oh my gosh, it’s such an honor to meet you both,” I gush, forgetting about the mystery woman, “I’m a huge fan and I have to admit that I’m glad I didn’t know you were in the audience or else I really would have been nervous!”
They both laugh and shake my hand.
“You were amazing!” Faith says and Tim nods.
“We were so impressed,” he adds. “You’ve got real super star potential.”
“Get ready, sweetheart,” Faith says kindly, “because your world is about to change forever. You put yourself on the map tonight!”
I can’t believe I’m actually hearing this from the two of them, and I’m so overwhelmed that I feel like I might cry. We talk for a few more minutes, and then I graciously excuse myself.
I spend a few minutes talking to my father and Daisy, both of whom look fantastic. My daddy looks as handsome as ever in a well-cut suit, which really highlights his new, trim frame. He’s been working out every day and it’s really showing. Daisy is dressed in a long silver gown, which accents her own trim frame and coordinates with daddy’s grey shirt. She’s kept her hair and jewelry simple since her dress is a bit more elaborate, and I wonder if Jami helped her with the outfit.
I see Blake heading my way, and I move towards him.
“Hey,” I say in a low whisper, as he snakes his arm around my waist. “Is Savannah’s mother here?”
“What?” His voice is sharp, and his head snaps towards me.
“I saw an older woman who looked just like her, and she gave me the nastiest look when she caught my eye.”
“I don’t know why she would be here, but God knows that she knows enough people to get herself an invite.” He shakes his head, “I’ll keep an eye out, but I hope not.”
“Do her and Savannah look alike?”
“Well, yes. She’s basically an older version of Savannah.”
I get an eerie chill. “I really think it was her then,” I admit.
Blake is scanning the crowd. “What was she wearing?”
“Very sparkly jewelry and a deep crimson dress. Her hair was pulled up in a twist.”
He nods. “I’ll keep my eye out.” He takes my empty glass out of my hand and gives it to a passing waiter. “Let’s dance before we get pulled away again and have to talk to more people.”
I let him lead me out onto the floor, and we start to dance to the new Carrie Underwood song that's playing.
“Do you know that I just had a conversation with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw?” I tell him, still in disbelief.
He shakes his head. “Crazy, isn’t it?”
I nod.
We manage to dance to two songs before other people need us. Blake gives me a swift kiss and promises to catch up with me again soon.
I follow an intern from a local radio station that wants to record a few moments of conversation to play on the radio. We move to a table in the back where it’s slightly less noisy.
But even as we talk about the success of the night, I can’t seem to shake the feeling that Scarlet Devlin is here and she's watching us.
Thirteen
Blake
I leave Paige to a radio interview and I follow the disc jockey who needs to speak with me. I’m bothered by the fact that Paige thinks she saw Scarlet Devlin at the party. It’s certainly possible given all of Scarlet’s contacts, but I can’t imagine why she would want to be at an event that celebrates Paige and I's success.
I give my quick interview to the disc jockey and make my way back through the crowd, looking for a glimpse of Paige. I catch up quickly with Ben and Ryan, who are chatting up two women, and then I also say hello to Paige’s mother who seems to be enamored with her date.
Just then, I see Paige near the back of the room, speaking with her father and another music producer. Before I can make my way to them, I blocked by a deep red dress.
“Hello Blake.” Says an icy voice.
My mouth hardens into a tig
ht line as I stare back at the elegant, and surgically enhanced Scarlet Devlin.
“Mrs. Devlin,” I say tightly, “I’m surprised to see you here.”
She lets out a peal of laugher. “Really? I just love events like these. I never miss a chance.”
“Even when they honor your daughter’s ex-fiancé and his new girlfriend?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You can’t fool me.” She hisses.
I give her a blank look. “I’m not trying to fool anyone about anything.”
She rolls her eyes. “The only reason you’re doing so well is because you’re sleeping with the label owner's daughter.”
This shit again.
I feel my entire body tense up, and adrenaline courses through my veins. Of course, that’s exactly what Scarlet wants. I take a deep breath and plaster a condescending smile on my face.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. Especially since you just saw us perform, so you know damn well that we’re successful on our own accord.”
I can see that she can’t argue with me and she makes a small huffing sound.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m trying to make my way to my girlfriend. Enjoy the party.”
I turn to leave but she grabs my arm, her expensive manicure digging into my skin.
“You may have traded my daughter and all her money for that little country-singing tramp, but don’t think for a minute that I don’t believe it was a purely career-driven choice. You knew that sleeping with Paige Lawson was going to improve your music career which you never intended giving up for Savannah.”
I wrench my arm free of her death grip and fix her with a cold gaze.
“You’re lucky that you’re a woman,” I say slowly, “So I’m going to warn you one time and one time only to never lay your hands on me again. You’re right about one thing – I never had any intention of giving up my music. The rest of your hate-spewed crap is bullshit and I suggest you watch your language when you refer to Paige. Enjoy mooching off of Paige’s father’s money tonight.”
I stride away, refusing to look back. I see Paige staring directly at me, her eyes wide. I close the space between us quickly.
“What the hell was that about? That’s her isn’t it?” Paige whispers angrily.
“Yes, it’s her. But don’t worry. She’s just here to stir up shit. Don’t pay any attention to her.”
Paige looks over my shoulder. “Bitch,” she mutters and I can’t help but laugh out loud. It’s so unlike Paige to get angry, or result to name-calling.
“Well she is,” she says defensively.
“I’m not disagreeing.”
“What did she want?”
I sigh because I really don’t want to explain things to Paige, but on the other hand, I won’t keep things from her.
“She thinks that I broke up with Savannah so that I could better my career.”
“How?”
Sometimes I love how naive Paige can be.
“By sleeping with the owner of the label’s daughter.”
“Ohhhhh.”
She stares after Scarlet.
“Come on. It’s all a bunch of crap to save face. The Devlins can’t swallow the fact that their poor daughter was dumped. Let’s get a drink.” I lead us to a nearby bar and order Paige a glass of wine and a beer for myself. We sip our drinks, enjoying our few moments of privacy.
“Daddy really did a nice job with this, didn’t he?” she asks, sipping her wine.
“He did. I’ve been to a few album releases and none were ever this nice.”
Paige frowns, her beautiful face creasing at the forehead. “Do you think it’s because of me?” she whispers. “Maybe I am getting special treatment because I’m his daughter.”
“Of course you’re going to get some special treatment,” I reason “and you should.” She looks shocked at my admission. “But what parent wouldn’t do that for their child? And ninety-percent of this is because you are incredibly talented.”
“And so are you,” she adds.
I shrug modestly. “As long as your father thinks so.”
“He had already signed you before I was even in the picture,” she points out, as if reasoning with herself.
“Right. So, see? Your father isn’t doing any of this because I’m dating you. We were already set to go on tour while I was still engaged to Savannah.”
Paige nods, and I can see she is already feeling better about Scarlet’s ridiculous accusations.
“Okay! Enough thinking about that!” she says cheerfully, taking a huge swig of her wine. “Let’s go enjoy the last hour or so of this party!”
I take one more sip of my beer and set it down before spinning Paige out onto the dance floor. Our dancing is short lived before we’re summoned for more photographs.
We’re pulled in two different directions and I end up with Ben and Ryan, posing in front of one of our posters in the hallway.
“Hey, was that Savannah’s mother I saw you speaking to earlier?” Ryan asks in a low voice as we follow directions on how to pose.
“Yes,” I mutter.
“What the hell did she want? Did she want a piece of that dick too?”
I can't help but laugh.
“I don’t even want to talk about it." I say smiling. "That family is giving me so much shit for breaking up with Savannah.”
“Really?” Ben asks surprised. “I would've thought that they would have been happy.”
“Yeah, exactly. Like they wanted their daughter to marry some bum in a band,” I scoff. “But not the case. They’re acting like this scorned family who has had their reputation tarnished.”
“What the fuck?” Ryan breathes.
“Yeah. Just let it go. It’s pissing me off and it’s upsetting Paige.”
“You and Paige are pretty serious, aren’t you?” Ben asks. He’s always the more perceptive one.
I give him a gruff nod.
“Serious like ‘get-married’ serious?” Ryan asks, head cocked to the side.
I nod again and Ryan lets out a low whistle.
“Are you surprised?” Ben asks, turning to Ryan. “He’d be an idiot to let go of Paige. If I found a girl like her, I’d marry her too.”
Ryan looks wistful for a moment. “But think of all the girls you’d be giving up.”
Of course, Ryan would say something like that.
“Pig,” I mutter, and he shrugs, unembarrassed. “She’s worth it. Trust me,” I add.
Ryan gives me an envious look.
People are starting to leave and we watch them pick up their swag bags from a nearby table.
“Think this will actually help us sell albums?” Ben asks.
“I hope so. There were definitely enough big names here to see us sing and to get copies. Hopefully we get some more air time now too.”
“I just hope we’re ready for this tour,” Ryan remarks. “They’ve been pushing us like crazy.”
We wrap up and go back into the ballroom to enjoy what’s left of the party.
“There you are!”
I feel Paige wrap her arms around my waist and nuzzle my neck.
“Hey, baby. We just finished up some photos.” I say.
“Yes, I saw you in the hallway. I just said goodbye to my mother. She wanted to say good bye to you too but she couldn’t find you.”
"Damn, I'm sorry I missed her.”
And as if on cue, my parents appear from the crowd.
“We’re heading out,” my mother says, playing with a stray piece of hair that’s come undone. Her face is flushed and her eyes are bright. In fact, I hardly saw my parents tonight because they were so busy dancing and enjoying themselves. It was nice to see my parents so happy together, especially after thirty years of marriage.
“It was a phenomenal party,” my dad says, giving me a pat on the back and hugging Paige.
“I’m so glad you guys were able to make it.”
“Honey, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” my mother says, kissing m
y cheek. She hugs and kisses Paige. “You were wonderful tonight. And you looked beautiful.”
Paige blushes. “Thank you.”
“Thanks for coming Mom and Dad,” I say, “Drive safe.”
My dad pulls out a little plastic card. “No driving tonight. We got a room.”
My mom smiles mischievously.
“Oh come on! I don’t need to know that,” I moan.
Paige laughs.
My parents smile at us and wave as they disappear into the crowd.
“That was smart,” she says thoughtfully. “I didn’t even think about booking a room. I was so caught up in the evening itself.”
I give her a little smile.
“What?” she demands.
I pull out my own little piece of plastic.
“Blake!” she cries out happily.
“I thought you might enjoy a night at the Vanderbilt,” I say smoothly.
Paige's eye light up and she hugs me tightly.
“I would enjoy a night with you,” she murmurs, and suddenly her mood has gone from playful to sultry.
“Mmm,” I growl, “you’re going to make me hard before we even leave the ballroom.”
She giggles nervously, pressing herself against me. “You better watch it then,” she softly threatens, “because my daddy is headed over here now.”
I quickly straighten up and push her away. All thoughts of disrobing Paige are gone as her father comes over and shakes my hand.
“You and the guys did great tonight,” he says jovially, “I couldn’t be prouder.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He laughs and then turns to Paige. “And you, sweetheart, were amazing. Like always. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” She gives him a hug and a kiss.
“So, err, I um, won’t be home tonight,” Kenny says awkwardly and I see Paige blush. Kenny motions to Daisy, who is talking to a group of women a few feet away.
“Nothing else to say, Daddy,” she says quickly. “Got it!”
“Okay,” he says gruffly. “Great job again, you two.”
He walks away and Paige laughs quietly.
