"So that was my ex." He walked over to the couch and sat diagonal to Lisa in the matching chair. "She pisses me off."
"I can see that. I hope I never piss you off."
He ran a hand through his hair. "You won't. Look, I don't want her to ruin our night."
"Trace, I need to be honest with you." Lisa stood, walking over to the fireplace before turning around. "I know she made you angry. I understand that. But your temper scares me."
"Scares you?" Trace rose from the couch, moved towards her. "Lisa, you heard what she wanted. She stole seventy-thousand dollars from me and wanted more. I'm going to be angry."
"Angry, yes. Furious, no. I can see why there's so much controversy now over your video. You handle your emotions with violence. You get angry, you hit things, you throw things. It scares me."
Trace met her at the fireplace and took her hands in his. "Come on." He led her back to the couch, holding her hands in his. His anger was cooling, receding into the background, now that Trixie was gone.
He sat on the couch next to her but didn't release her hands. "I want to explain, if I can. Trixie was a fan. She followed me and the guys in the band. I'd hit it big a few years before we met, but then my grandparents died. Like I told you at the house, I took their deaths pretty hard."
Lisa nodded, listening, and kept her hands in his.
"Trixie was there. I was angry at everything, angry at the world. I thought she could make me feel better. Next thing I knew, we got married on a stop through Vegas. Before long, I knew it was a mistake. Lisa, she lied to me. She cheated on me. She started drinking, doing drugs. I know I don't have the best reputation, but I had a moment of clarity when I divorced her."
He stood, pulling her up from the couch, releasing her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Lisa, I'm sorry I scared you. Everything that's happened to me, it's not an excuse, just a reason for why I'm this way. But I won't hurt you. I promise."
She nodded, but he still saw doubt deep in her green eyes.
"I promise," he whispered, and sealed the promise with a soft kiss.
Chapter Fifteen
"What do you want me to do, Mama? He kicked me out, said he'd have me arrested." Trixie was on her phone as she walked to her car, illegally parked near the front door of the building.
"You try again. You don't have to take anything he says to you, never again. You had to back then, as it was your wifely duty, but he stopped providing the way he should have. He broke his duty as a husband. But you keep doing whatever you need to do and get some of that money."
"Okay, Mama." Trixie disconnected her phone as she climbed into her car. She peeled out of the driveway, spinning her tires and burning rubber, darting in front of a pickup as she pulled out. The blare of the horn didn't faze her as she sped away.
###
Lisa checked her watch. Close to four, which meant Trace and Michelle were taping their satellite interview for E! She hoped the interview and the statements put out by Trace, Michelle and the producers of the show would help stop the tide of bad publicity.
Lisa was on her way to her office from the break room when she saw Trixie step off the elevator. Why on earth was she here? Oh, God. What if she'd found out the truth?
Trixie's cropped t-shirt and miniskirt left nothing to the imagination. Her exposed belly boasted a navel piercing and the wedge heels accentuated her height. As if in an '80s tribute, her blonde hair was teased high and she wore bright blue eye shadow.
"I need to see Lisa Jenkins, please," Lisa heard Trixie ask Ellen, the receptionist, at the front desk. Her high-pitched, little-girl voice echoed down the hall.
"I believe Miss Jenkins is still at lunch. May I take a message?" Ellen was polite, but Lisa could hear the derision in the woman's voice.
"I can wait. She should be back soon, right?"
"Yes, I believe so. Did you have an appointment with Mr. Waters or one of the managers?"
Oh, no. Lisa thought. Please, don't say anything else, Ellen, please.
"No, why would I need to see him or another manager if I'm here to see Lisa?"
"Because --" Ellen started to speak. Lisa knew she had to do something, there was no more stalling. She stepped into the hallway and walked to reception with purpose, greeting Trixie before Ellen could finish the sentence Lisa feared she was about to say -- "Because Lisa Jenkins is a secretary here."
"Trixie, hello. I wasn't expecting you today. I don't have any appointments." Lisa tried not to look at Ellen, but it was impossible to miss the confused look on the woman's face.
"I wanted to speak to you about Trace. I know you're seeing him. I don't think it's very professional."
"Trixie, why don't we go to my office. Ellen, please hold my calls."
"Sure," Ellen said, confusion coming through in her tone. But at least Lisa was able to get Trixie away from the reception desk before Ellen could say anything else.
She took the woman into an empty office, one she'd hoped would be hers. The room only had bare furnishings -- a desk, with a computer, a few empty bookcases, an office chair and visitor chairs. It was bare of photos and other memorabilia and it served her purpose for a meeting with Trixie.
"Kind of empty, isn't it?" Trixie remarked on the office as she took a seat in one of the faux-leather wingback chairs.
"Yes, I know. I actually just moved into it and haven't finished decorating." Lisa took a seat behind the mahogany desk. "So, let's talk about Trace. Trixie, you're divorced."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't still love him. I can still love him if I want." Trixie's chin jutted out in defiance.
"Trixie, why are you here? You're not still in love with Trace, so don't say that again. You're not getting any money from me either."
"Okay, you want it straight. Fine." Trixie crossed her legs and sat up straight in the large chair. "You're not just his date from the other night, you're his manager. Don't you think your agency would like to know what's going on between you two?"
"Trixie, you are divorced. So Trace -- and you -- can see whomever you want. And our relationship is none of your business."
Try to get money one way, she goes bust, so now it's time to try another tack. Yeah, I saw it coming. Lisa leaned back in the office chair, wishing the woman would leave.
"I think it's someone's business. I think your boss would want to know you're sleeping with your client. Isn't it frowned upon in most professional circles?" Lisa knew Trixie was reaching, but she had to let this know-it-all bitch know she wasn't going to back down.
"Sometimes, yes. But personal relationships do happen. Regardless, whatever my relationship is with Trace is none of your business. Now, I have phone calls to make, so I would appreciate it if you would leave." Lisa rose from the chair, walked around the desk and stood over the woman in what she hoped was an authoritative stance, expecting Trixie to rise as well.
Instead Trixie stayed seated, looking around the office again. Lisa wished she knew what was going on behind the calculated gaze roaming the room.
"Fine, I'll go." Trixie stood and walked to the door but turned around again as Lisa followed her. "I thought you had phone calls to make?"
Lisa searched her brain for an explanation on why she was leaving "her" office.
"It's required for guests to be escorted in and out of the office area."
They walked down the hallway, Lisa following Trixie, not wanting her out of her sight. She was anxious to be rid of the woman. They reached reception and Trixie started to push the elevator button.
"Oh, I forgot."
She pulled out a ticket stub from the parking garage next door. "Do you validate parking here?"
Lisa thought her head would explode. "Yes, we do. Ellen can take care of that."
Trixie turned to the receptionist. Ellen still looked confused, but didn't say anything as she took the stub from Trixie's hand and stamped it.
"I'll go after I get this done. I don't want to keep you any further, Miss J
enkins." Trixie offered Lisa a giant smile, showing her whitened teeth. "I'm sorry to be a pest."
Lisa watched Ellen stamp the ticket stub and give it back to Trixie. She turned once more to the elevators and only when the doors opened and Trixie stepped inside did Lisa relax. The doors closed and Trixie was gone.
Lisa sighed in relief. "Thanks, Ellen. I appreciate you playing along with me."
"Sure, Lisa. But I'm not really sure what that was about."
"It's nothing, but thanks." Lisa headed back down the hallway to her own office down the hall.
###
Something was going on. Trixie knew when people were hiding something. Whatever people might think of her, based on her clothes and her makeup and her teased hair, she was smart -- street smart at least. There was something about the office. Empty bookshelves along the wall, empty in-box, blank computer screen. Trixie would bet her set of Elvis Franklin Mint collectible plates the office Lisa had taken her to wasn't hers. It didn’t look like it belonged to anyone. There was something about the receptionist, too. Trixie had noticed the looks between the two women. Yeah, something was going on.
###
It was his second show, the first after the video had been leaked onto the Internet, and Trace was nervous about how everything would play out. He sat in his dressing room, practicing the performer introductions and banter he would share with Michelle. He didn't quite trust the teleprompter.
"Hi," Lisa said, standing in the doorway of his dressing room.
"Hi, yourself." He greeted her with a kiss. "What are you doing here tonight? You don't have to come to every show."
"I want to come to every show. It's part of my job. And you're no longer my only client." Lisa held up a signed contract. "Molly Sims' parents hired me."
"That's great. I know you'll take care of her. She's a talented kid."
"I completely agree. Her parents want what's best for her, especially now that she's one of the favorites to win the show and the recording contract."
There was a knock on the doorframe. Trace looked over and saw Mary, the production assistant. "Five minutes, Mr. Harper. We need you stage left for your introduction and greeting with Michelle. Then you'll introduce Molly."
"Gotcha, thanks, Mary." He kissed Lisa again, then sighed. "I've got to go. Work is calling."
"Go on, entertain your many fans. I'll see you later tonight or tomorrow."
"Count on it."
He watched Lisa walk down the hall toward the audience seating. He knew she'd be in the front row, same as last week. Knowing it gave him strength, gave him clarity. There was something about her. He wasn't sure what it was, but he was going to have a hell of a good time figuring it out.
###
At five Monday afternoon Trixie was outside Cahill-Waters Management wearing a large hat and sunglasses as a disguise. She figured Ellen would be leaving her reception desk right at five. She didn't seem the type to work late. Sure enough, barely five minutes had passed before Ellen walked out of the double doors and toward the parking garage.
"Hey," Trixie called, jogging to catch up to her.
"What?" Ellen turned to face Trixie.
"I'm Trixie, remember. I saw you when I met with Lisa Jenkins last week." Trixie pulled off the hat and glasses, revealing her blonde hair and her bright blue eye shadow.
"Yeah, I remember. What do you want?"
"Don't worry, nothing big. I just wanted to know if I could maybe buy you a drink. I have a couple of questions I think you could answer."
"A drink? I don't know." Ellen paused, looked Trixie in the eyes. "Five hundred and I'll answer all the questions you want."
"A woman after my own heart." Trixie didn't want to part with the cash but, hey, she'd soon have plenty from her former hubby. "I got it, but I don't want to hand it over in front of the building. You know a good place nearby?"
"Yeah, Schuster's Bar, on the corner." Ellen gestured toward the right. "Let's go. And I will accept your kind offer of buying a drink."
They snagged a booth in the rear of the dingy bar. They each ordered white wine and as soon as the server was gone, Ellen leaned over, her hand outstretched.
"Cash first."
"Fair enough." Trixie reached into her purse and counted out five hundreds. She didn't have a lot left from her last score, but it was enough. And she knew there was something going on that would definitely be worth the five hundred bucks.
She palmed the money, passing it to Ellen. Ellen took the bills, glancing at them to verify the amount.
"So ask away," she said, satisfied.
"Trace Harper. He a client of the agency?"
"He was, up until a few weeks ago. I heard Mr. Waters talking about it with the managers at work. He dropped him after the co-owner of the agency died. Instead of reassigning him, he dropped him because of all his bad press."
"But he must have changed his mind, right? I mean, Lisa Jenkins is working with him and he's on that reality show that's filming here."
"Mr. Waters doesn't change his mind. But what the hell do I know? I'm just the receptionist."
The server placed their wine on the table. Ellen took a sip before continuing.
"Anyway, I didn't know Lisa Jenkins was working with Trace, although he did come by the office last week to bring her lunch."
"Why wouldn't she be working with him?" Trixie couldn't wait to hear. She knew, deep down, it was going to be good.
"Because she's one of our secretaries. She was the personal assistant to Charlie Cahill, the co-owner who died. There was a rumor that she quit, but she hasn't left yet, and Mr. Waters wanted her to start working for him."
Jackpot. Trixie felt joy rising inside her, flowing up and out. She could feel the smile grow on her lips. "Lisa Jenkins is a secretary? Not a manager?"
"Yes, a secretary."
Trixie found it difficult to contain her enthusiasm. She wanted to dance, to sing, to leap with abandon every time she thought about what Trace would do when he found out the truth. Or how much Lisa would pay to keep him from finding out the truth. But she would love to see the look on Trace's face when he found out his "manager" wasn't a manager.
"Why does this matter anyway?" Ellen asked.
Trixie downed her wine in a well-practiced gulp before she scooted out of the booth.
"Thanks," she said, not bothering to answer the question. She headed out the door and left Ellen to pay for their drinks.
Chapter Sixteen
Lisa woke Tuesday morning at Trace's apartment, fifteen minutes before her alarm was set to ring. She snuggled into the warmth of his body, enjoying his heat. Responding to her movement, he pulled his arms tighter around her waist. Dozing, Lisa wished she didn't have to leave for work. Two more weeks, she told herself. Two weeks until she could be released from Boyd Waters and his management company forever. When those two weeks were up, she could be with Trace whenever possible, show him in every way she loved him.
Her eyes opened, her breath caught. Love? Could she love him? She'd met him barely three weeks ago. And yet when they were together, like this, she felt as if she'd known him forever. Lisa sat up in the king size bed, realizing that she hadn't heard Danny's voice, his hurtful words, in her head for some time.
At that moment the alarm on her phone blared. She grabbed it, turning off the crowing rooster before the sound woke Trace. Lisa climbed out of bed, showered and dressed before leaving him a note. She could have woken him, but didn't want to face him yet, not after coming to the realization that she loved him. She called Tanya as she headed to work.
"Tanya, feel like lunch today? I need to talk."
"Sure," her friend said. "I'm here for you, Sweetie."
###
Her day went as well as she could expect, especially since Boyd was going out of town again until Friday. He'd only spoken to her briefly, long enough to let her know what he wanted her to work on while he was gone.
"I wanted to remind you, Mr. Waters, that as of this week I have
two weeks left on my contract with you." She loved being able to remind him she was leaving.
"I'm aware, Miss Jenkins." Boyd checked his watch, then walked toward her office door. "Be sure to send that email this morning and follow-up with a phone call this afternoon. I'll be calling you to check on a response in the morning."
"Consider it done," she'd said to his retreating back. Two more weeks, she told herself again, repeating it like a mantra from the Dali Lama.
Lisa met Tanya at a small restaurant near the office at noon. She had a lot of work to do, both for Cahill-Waters' clients and her own, and didn't want to be late getting back. Plus, she didn't want Tanya showing up at the office and possibly saying something by mistake, something Ellen could overhear and repeat.
Tanya was already at the restaurant when Lisa arrived. "Hey," she greeted her friend as she scooted into a booth on the opposite side of the table.
Before Tanya could reply, the server stopped by their table to take their order. They ordered salads and sweet tea. When he left, Tanya was more than ready to hear everything.
"Shoot," she urged Lisa. "Why did you need a lunch date?"
"I love him." Lisa couldn't believe she said it out loud.
"Love, like the big "L", love?"
"Yes, the big "L". I know it's crazy. I mean, we haven't known each other a month. And I'm lying to him."
"A lot of long-term relationships started out as love at first sight. And you're not lying. You're bending the truth a bit, that's all."
"He'll hate me. I met his ex-wife last week. He'll say I'm a liar, like her. I don't know what to do." Lisa paused in her venting as their waiter brought their salads and drinks to the table. After assuring him all was fine, he left them alone.
"When does the show end?" Tanya asked, taking a bite of her chicken and strawberry salad.
"Another six weeks. But I won't be working for Boyd Waters anymore in two. I'll be a full-time manager."
"So keep it up. He'll never know you weren't a manager at Cahill-Waters. When you start working full-time, tell him you became a consultant there and your term had ended. That's pretty much the truth."
Hillbilly Rockstar Page 10
