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Chapter 13
The car rolled to a stop in front of the Station Inn. Nick looked at Abe. She didn�t move.
�Here we are.�
�Yeah.� She stared at the dashboard.
�I�ll park the car and be in.� She still made no move to get out. �Bella.�
Turning to face him, she asked, �Do I look like I�ve been crying?�
He studied her face. Her nose was pink, and her eyes still had the watery quality of leftover tears. �Bella, you�re beautiful. Now go in and check on AJ. He�s probably crying.�
She rewarded him with a genuine smile. �Thanks for being there when I had my melt down.�
�Where else would I be,� he asked, brushing hair behind her ear.
�I love you,� she whispered against his lips, before deepening the kiss.
�Me too.�
At the door, she looked back and gave him a shaky smile. Squaring her shoulders, she disappeared inside.
He eased into a parking spot at the side of the building. Killing the engine, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Exhaling as he replayed the day.
Nick spent a large part of the day taking his frustration out on his Playstation. He was having a hard time being happy for AJ, so he used his gaming to shut out everything. He was successful until Abe asked him to help AJ use up some of his nervous energy. He took his frustration out by beating AJ at every game they played.
Finally, Charlie Dobbins picked AJ so they could polish a couple of the new songs they had written for the night�s showcase.
If he was honest with himself, Nick knew he was sulking. Moreover, if he were really honest with himself, he knew he was punishing Abe. Punishing her for doing it all for AJ instead of him and doing it so well.
He had been so busy wallowing that he hadn�t noticed the toll this showcase was taking on his girlfriend. It wasn�t until AJ called from the club wondering were Abe was and he found her lying across their bed quietly crying.
Getting off the phone with AJ, he tried talking to her. Between gulps for air, she managed to get out how scared she was about the evening. Billy and Rich had left everything to her. Nick knew her boss� were testing her. Abe did too, which made everything even scarier. At that moment, he decided to suck it up and be there for her. She needed to know he had her back and he did. Even though it was eating at him that AJ had this showcase, he would be there for the woman he loved.
With his resolve in tact, he headed inside to play his new role, supportive boyfriend.
********
Abe fought the urge to run back to the car. The Station Inn is one of those places that looks like a dive, but is actually a part of Nashville history. It was a place known for bluegrass music. The last time Abe had visited the place she got to see Dolly Parton jump up on stage with the mandolin player for Nickel Creek. Normally a showcase like AJ�s would not happen there, but the owner was a personal friend of Abe�s two bosses.
AJ was pacing the stage like a tiger stuck in a tiny cage. He was twisting the corners of his clothes into knots.
Abe screwed up her courage and plastered a smile on her face as she moved toward him. �You guys ready for the sound check?�
AJ looked to Charlie, who said, �yeah.�
�Good. Let�s see how it sounds in here.�
She backed away as he counted off the first song. As the song began, she moved around the room, listening. She squeezed Nick�s hand as she passed him. She wound her way back to the sound booth. The man standing at the soundboards recognized Abe from school and stepped back to allow her to replace him. The second song started and she began tweaking what the house sound guy had.
Nick walked over and said, �Give him the same mix in the monitors. He�ll like it.�
�Thanks.� She did as he suggested.
�He�s sounding good.�
They turned to see Billy Patrick, one-half of the leadership to Shaman.
�How�s his nerves,� he asked.
�Shot.� She answered truthfully.
�Figured as much. So, when do you leave to make your new album?�
Nick almost jumped when he realized the question was directed toward him. �Not sure.�
Bill nodded then said, �Abe, you�ve done us proud.�
�Thanks Billy.�
After the other man walked off, Nick said, �He doesn�t like me.�
�Yes, he does. He�s just scattered.�
*********
�You are not wearing the trucker hat.�
�Abe.�
�Stop whining. Here is your fedora.�
�Awww. You always look after me.� AJ kissed her forehead. �Don�t suppose you want to get up there and sing for me?�
�You want a career, so that�s not an option.�
AJ turned to watch more people file in the door. Damn this little place was filling up. His stomach started to churn. He felt a sharp stinging sensation on his hand. Abe was smacking it.
�OW!�
�Stop twisting your clothes.� She pulled on the corner of his jacket to straighten it.
�Fuck. I can�t do this, Abe.�
Grabbing his shoulders, she locked eyes with him. �Yes, you can. Think about how much you�ve accomplished since coming to town.�
He nodded, taking a calming breath.
�Face it Alexander James, this is a fate thing. You can�t fight it.�
She got the signal from that band that they were ready. Suddenly she heard Nick letting loose with a slew curse words. Cutting her eyes at him, and even though it was dark, she could tell he was blushing. She pulled her focus back to AJ.
�You ready to shine?�
�I think so. Thanks for doing this.� He pulled her into a tight hug.
�Anytime friend. Anytime. Now, go.�
He turned toward the stage. Rich and Billy walked up and gave a quick intro. Abe watched as AJ took the time to center himself, when he took the stage the tiger was let out of the tiny cage.
Chapter 14
�Kevin. You made it.� Abe pulled him into a hug, a tense smile never leaving her face.
He hugged her back. �Yeah. The plane was late. Have I missed much of his set?�
�He�s about a third of the way in.�
�Good. I�ll find a seat.�
�I�ve got one,� she replied, steering toward a table in the back.
Sliding into a chair, he said, �Thanks.�
�Sure.� Still, smiling, she leaned down making sure she had his full attention. �Let�s get one thing straight. Tonight is AJ�s night. I don�t care what kind of game you are playing or what kind of screwed up fantasy you are trying to fulfill, don�t do it tonight. Because so help me Kevin Richardson, I will hurt you, so bad it will leave a mark. Got it?�
�Got it.�
�Great. Enjoy.� She patted his arm as she walked away, the smile firmly in place.
He now recognized the smile and it reminded him she was a southern woman. Ladies in the South were always to be gentile. The smile was a by-product of that thinking. The smile meant the gloves were off in the politest of ways. Especially in public, a southern woman could rip you to shreds in a quiet voice with a smile in place. Your head was being handed to you without anyone knowing it. Both his grandmother�s had introduced him to this discipline technique at an early age. Now if he could just figure out why Abe had used the technique on him.
He muttered, �A least, she didn�t say �bless your heart.��
********
AJ had two songs to go. She scanned the audience. They were with him all the way Billy tipped his hat to her and she felt a sense of pride. One of her bosses thought this was a success.
Dakota Hancock was sitting at a front table. It was easy to see why Kevin had a thing for her. She was a beautiful blond. However, unlike his aloof ex-wife, Dakota seemed to have a genuinely warm personality. Abe noticed her talking to Nick before the show and they seemed like to old buddies.
A knot suddenly formed in her stomach as she watched Kevin rush to catch up to Dakota and then Dakota follow him out of the club.
�Son of a...�
She began to follow. A hand caught her elbow and spun her around.
�I got it.�
�Nick.�
She attempted to free her arm, but his grip tightened.
�Let go.� Her teeth were clinched.
Nick leaned in close. �All you�ve talked about for the last month is how this is AJ�s night and nothing can mess it up.� She started to speak, but one warning look and her mouth closed. �If you go out that door, you will be the one screwing it up. He doesn�t need you chasing after them. He needs you in here taking care of business. I said I got it, so I got it.�
She could argue with him, but he was right.
�I forgot for a moment you have AJ�s back.�
�I got your�s, too. Now, AJ�s calling you.� He gently nudged her toward the front of the room.
�Where are you, Abe?� AJ was shielding his eyes against the spotlight.
Glancing back, she saw Nick slip out the door.
�I�m here,� she called.
When she was close enough, he pulled her beside him. Okay, this was so not, what she signed on for.
�This is the woman who put this night together. She got me together with Charlie and that was the beginning what has become this night. She�s one of the best friends a person could ask for. You guys at Shaman better know how lucky you are to have her.�
Abe blushed and smacked his arm lightly.
Patrick yelled, �We do.�
�Good. Thanks to you all, too. To Charlie and the guys in the band. It has been a pleasure hanging out with you and making music. Thanks to everyone here at the Station Inn for allowing me to use your stage. And finally, to everyone here tonight, thanks for coming out and for listening. You let me have some of your time and do what I love to do.� Abe was beaming at him and he had to tease her a little. �Do you want sing with me?�
�No!� Pulling away from the microphone he had placed in front of her, she blushed.
�Then I guess you better get off here and let me sing the last song of the evening.�
She quickly moved out of the spotlight and let him do his thing. After he took his bow, he jumped in front her, a goofy grin on his face.
�I�d hug ya, but I�m all sweaty.�
�Like that�s stopped you before.�
�Oh yeah.� He pulled her in for a tight hug. �Thanks.�
�You did. Baby, you rocked their faces off.�
�It felt good. Like I was in the groove.�
�You were.�
�So, did Nick leave?�
�No. Bathroom probably.�
�Excuse me.�
Abe and AJ turned. She instantly recognized Ben Zuikker.
�I�m Ben Zuikker.�
�No shit!�
It was out of AJ�s mouth, but his brain filters kicked in. Abe subtly stepped on his foot. He bit his tongue to keep from reacting to the pain, while he shook the hand offered.
Ben chuckled, �Ms Cavett.�
�Mr. Zuikker.� She returned his handshake firmly and kept eye contact until he turned his attention back to her friend.
�Good set. You write all those songs this past month.�
�Pretty much.�
�Got anymore.�
�A couple and have others in the works.�
Patrick, one-half the driving force behind Shaman Entertainment Group, interrupted them.
�AJ. Son! Ya done good. Abe. Well done my girl. Ben! Glad you could make it out. I want to hear more about the new company you are starting. Always thought you had a bit of renegade in ya.
�You did?� said Ben, a grin in place.
�Hell yeah!�
�You owe me a foot rub.�
�Well doofus, way to be professional.�
�Hell, I never expected Ben Freakin� Zuikker to walk up and introduce himself.�
Giggling, Abe said, �me either. Pretty freakin� cool. Huh?�
�Yeah!�
Abe stepped back as more people crowded around AJ heaping words of praise on him. She saw Ben Zuikker heading out the door. She scanned the room for Nick, but didn�t see him. A hand clamped down on her shoulder, she jumped.
�Patrick!�
�You jumped,� he laughed. �Don�t hang around here all night, because you got a meeting with Ben in the morning about AJ.�
�When and where do I meet you?�
�Clean you�re ears out child. You are meeting him at seven in the a.m. He�s staying at Loews. He wants to meet there for breakfast.�
�Me?�
�You climbed out the kiddie pool with this showcase. I�m just throwing you in the grown-up pool.�
�The deep end.�
�No other way to go.�
 Chapter 15 �Why are you taking me,� Abe asked for the third time. �So, we can have the car.� �Why?� They had been doing this dance since leaving the coffee house, which was all of two miles from Loews. Nick caught AJ�s eye in the rear-view mirror; he gave a slight nod. �Kevin�s staying there, too. We�re taking him to breakfast.� �Oh.� She bit her lip. �What�s the big deal about that?� Two pairs of eyes again locked through the rear-view mirror. �I dunno,� replied Nick. AJ gave it a shot. �We want to make sure he�s doing okay after last night.� Turning in her seat, she was close to telling him to worry about his own future, but she could see it was useless. They were on a mission to help their big brother. Pulling in front of the hotel entrance, a doorman immediately opened Abe�s door. Nick waved off the valet. �We�re here.� Abe�s stomach flip-flopped and the color drained from her cheeks. In the backseat, AJ twisted huge knots in his t-shirt. He was as nervous about the meeting as she was. Nick pushed some hair behind her ear and slid his fingers down her neck. Her smile was shaky. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of AJ. Shit! He looked like he was going to throw up. Easing out of the driver�s seat, he walked around the car and offered her his hand. Abe�s fingers were like ice. �You�ll kick ass,� he said as they walked toward the door. �I don�t know.� Her eyes dropped to their hands. Hooking a finger under her chin, he lifted it. �I do.� He leaned in for a kiss. �Go on. You don�t want to be late. Call me when you�re done.� �I will. Love you.� �Love you.� Bracketing her shoulders, he turned her around to face the entrance. �Go get� em.� Taking a deep breath, she headed inside and never looked back. She was crossing in front of the elevators when there was a chime and the door silently slid open. Kevin stepped into the lobby. His eyebrows shot up when he saw her. �They send you in to rough me up?� �No. I�m here to meet with�Ben Zuikker.� She cringed. �Why here?� �They�re staying here?� �Fuck me,� he muttered. �I didn�t know. Shit! I don�t want to run into them.� �Then go have breakfast with Beevis and Butthead. They�re waitin� in the car.� He looked at her for a few seconds, then started toward the exit. �And for what it�s worth, I�m sorry,� she added. He stopped and turned. �Hey I�ve gotten use to you threatening me.� �I�m not sorry about that. If you were having the showcase, I�d do the same for you. I�m sorry you got hurt last night.� He shrugged. �It�s okay.� She studied him for a moment. �Truth? On a scale of one to ten, one being a Howie punch to the chest and ten being a mule kick to the chest�� �Mule.� �That�s what I thought. I know they aren�t real good at it, but the two out in the car really want to be there for you. Let them help. I think all of three of you could use it.� He hugged her before heading out the door. �Abe.� He was leaning back in the door the doorman was holding open. �Lose the blazer.� Her cheeks turned pink. �Oh, okay. Thanks.� ******** The minute she spotted Ben and Dakota, she was glad for Kevin�s tip. Ben Zuikker was tall, thin in a healthy way, and dressed in casual slacks and a golf shirt. Dakota personified casual chic. For sure, there was nothing formal about their attire. Even though they looked a little tired, they made a stunning couple, the kind that could easily been at home at some exclusive country club brunch. Ben extended his hand. �Morning. Thanks for meeting us so early.� He made a broad gesture. �Have you met Dakota? My partner in crime?� Abe blushed when Dakota flashed a million-dollar smile. �No, I haven�t. Sorry I didn�t get by the table last night.� Dakota�s handshake was firm, but friendly. �Sorry? There�s no way I could�ve pulled off what you did last night. I had some doubts about the location, but you made the right decision.� She smiled again. �Please sit down,� she said. �Ben?� �Hmmm?� �Coffee and then�more coffee, preferably an IV,� she chuckled. �Ms. Cavett-� �Abe.� �Abe,� she said with slow emphasis followed by a sweet smile. �We need copious amounts of caffeine. What about you?� �No! I mean, I�ve already had enough coffee to last me for a week.� Ben chuckled. �Long night, I imagine.� �You don�t know the half of it.� He leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs out in the front of him. �I bet I do. I�ve babysat those guys.� It was Abe�s turn to laugh. She�d forgotten that Ben was Grant Hancock�s right hand man for many years. �I also found myself the butt of more than one practical joke.� He turned his cup upright, a silent signal to the waitress that they needed coffee. �Let�s see � itching powder on more than one occasion, being pelted with water balloons, and the pinnacle of practical jokes, they took up a collection and hired a hooker and sent her to the office.� Dakota and Abe laughed out loud. �I�d say if you walked away with nothing more than a caffeine buzz, you got off easy,� he chuckled. Her laughter eased into a relaxed smile. �So tell me, Ms. A.B. Cavett, why are you so gung-ho on dumping Alex?� Talk about coming out the blue! He was good. Get her laughing, relaxed, and then BOOM! She cleared her throat. �I�m not.� �Then, why the pitch?� Abe shot a glance a Dakota. She was surprised to see her give the slightest of winks. Taking that as a sign to go for it, Abe sat up a little straighter. �AJ is one of my best friends. This is the biggest step he�s ever taken.� �You don�t think Backstreet was a big step?� �I think Backstreet was a collective step. It�s a lot easier to move forward together than alone. Also, you can�t be afraid if you don�t fully understand the stakes. They were kids on the front side of fame. This time, he fully understands the stakes. Especially given his history.� �He clean?� Damn! There it was again. Ben Zuikker had no qualms about punching his way to the heart of the matter. What was so weird, was that she liked it. He wasn�t the least bit intimidating. He simply took control of the conversation and kept it moving. No beating around the bush. �Yes,� she replied simply, meeting his gaze and holding it. �How long?� �Years.� �Do you think he�ll stay that way?� �I know he will,� she answered without reservation. Ben smiled and took a sip of coffee. His gaze shifted to Dakota. Abe couldn�t help but notice how the look in his chocolate eyes went soft and liquid. Talk about love! Poor Kevin� Dakota picked up his signal. �Abe, I�m curious about one thing. Obviously, Shaman thinks they have something with AJ. Why farm him out?� Ben nodded his agreement with the question. Abe swallowed hard. �It�s good business. Good for you. Good for AJ. And good for us,� she said without trepidation. �How�s that,� Ben asked. She took a moment to collect her thoughts. Now that she had their attention, it was time to go for it. �If he were a Nashville act, Shaman would represent him. However, he is not a Nashville act. Nashville gave him a place away from the scrutiny of both coasts, where he could get his feet under him. Here he was allowed to learn a few things about himself.� �Like...� Dakota prodded. �Like he really can write good songs. He can command a stage by himself, no Backstreet, no substances. He also realized he is not a singer/songwriter kind of guy. We all three know he has the potential to be a triple threat. Now, he has enhanced his marketability by developing his songwriting abilities. Because the potential, his career will happen on the coasts.� Ben posed the next question. �Why not pitch him to Hancock or one of the other big established agencies?� Ben and Dakota were working in sync, a good tag team. �At a big agency, AJ becomes just one of many acts on the roster. They will underestimate his talent and put him in the box labeled ex-boyband member. Also, most of them already have one or two ex-boyband members on their roster. I don�t want him getting lost.� She paused for a moment to gauge their reaction. Dakota smiled, but Ben merely held her in a steady gaze. Taking a cleansing breath, she forged on. �Billy and Patrick will tell you that I can be really blunt at times and this is one of those times. You and AJ need each other. AJ is a veteran of the business. You have already worked with each other, which brings a nice level of comfort. You know his strengths and weakness. You have the reputation and the contacts he needs without all the excess of a big agency. He is someone you don�t have to teach the ropes to or hold his hand to get him through the basics of the business. It allows y�all to hit the ground running.� There was a brief run of silent seconds. Ben and Dakota exchanged a knowing look. When that happened, Abe took it as her cue to stop. Keeping her mouth shut was easy. Keeping her foot from nervously bouncing under the table wasn�t quite as easy. Note from Lyric: A big thank you goes out to DJ for co-writing this chapter with me and for letting me borrow her characters! Love ya Deej!!!
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.
Copyright ©2005 All Rights Reserved No part of this text may be copied or reprinted without the author's permission.
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