Joy Ride by Desiree Holt (bill gates best books TXT) 📗

could mean a lot of changes. If they’re offered more dates, Marc could be gone for long periods of time. You think you could handle that?”

“Listen. I don’t even know if he’ll still want anything to do with me if this all happens for him. He’ll be very busy and I’m…I’m….”

“You’re what?”

“I keep having this feeling I’m just a novelty to him. A little different from all the other women he…hangs out with. But if the band gets this break, I’m sure I’ll be history. I’m not glamorous or exciting enough to be part of that atmosphere.”

“Emma Blake, that is just bullshit and you know it. You’re making excuses again.”

“Maybe. But maybe not. I look at all the other women in that club and realize how different I am. And can’t help wondering what the hell he’s doing with me.” She couldn’t stop comparing herself to Lacey, even though Marc had reassured her he wasn’t into the redhead.

Annie snorted. “Yeah, right. You idiot. Men don’t take ‘novelties’ home with them night after night. Or invite them to be their guest at a major concert event. Guess again, girlfriend. I keep telling you not to borrow trouble, don’t I?” She rubbed her forehead. “Damn. Your parents and that dipshit Andrew really did a number on you.”

“Whatever. It’s just hard to get past all these years of thinking and living a certain way.”

“Have some confidence in yourself, for God’s sake. Show the guy some trust.” Annie snapped her fingers. “Wait a minute. Next Sunday’s your birthday, right? I don’t suppose you bothered to tell him.”

Emma ran a fingertip around the rim of her wine glass. “I know it’s stupid but I don’t know if I should. If the band gets this deal that’s cooking, I keep thinking he’ll want to be with women bolder than me. Women who know the ropes, who are better suited to his new lifestyle. To his fame. Then it’s back to dull reality for me. The very thing I’ve been afraid of all this time What if when he sees me with all his friends and the women they have, he decides he I’m all wrong for him?”

“What if he doesn’t?” Annie sipped slowly from her goblet. “Emma, I’ve seen you go through some wonderful changes in a very short time. Blossoming into a new, more confident, more vibrant person. That’s the person you should take to that concert. Flaunt it, kiddo. You’ve got it. Let those other women know you’ve got what he wants.”

“I hear you.” Emma sighed. “I’m still catching up with myself and trying to figure out if I’m making a huge mistake or not. If I can tell him who I am. And if I don’t, will he finally just wash his hands of me and tell me to get lost?”

“The choice is yours. But it sure would be a nice present for him on his big night.”

“I know.” She looked at Annie with a steady gaze. “And you’re right. This is the right time to take that final step. If I want him I have to give him all of me.”

“Good for you. But I’m here if you need me. To fall apart or to celebrate.”

“I’m counting on that.”

Chapter Twelve

“And love comes easy

On the edge of the woods.”

Danny stopped turning and leaned against the thick trunk of an oak tree, let his arms fall to his sides and his head drop. The rest of the band had eased their way into the trees. Marc knew Jado would electronically fade each of them out of the pictures and bring in the image of the woman they’d been singing about, a fantasy woman who kept disappearing into the woods until they found the magic to make her stay.

The song made him think about Music Lady and the way she disappeared after each of their nights together. Why couldn’t he find the magic to make her stay?

“Okay,” Jado called. “That’s it. I think we’ve got everything we need.”

Knowing how important this was to Lightnin’, Jado had brought another cameraman as well as various lights and people to set them. And taken great pains to get shot after shot so he’d have all the footage he needed.

It’s a good thing he’s not charging us his going rate. We’d be broke for the next ten years.

They’d plotted out what the video should look like ahead of time. Some shots with instruments. A lot of them without. Now the band would get ready to go to work, and Jado would go into his studio to turn raw footage into incredible video. Then tomorrow they’d do it all over again with the soundtrack. And tomorrow night, the two electronic results would be blended into a video they all hoped would seal the deal with Butch Meredith and boost Lightnin’ up a big notch.

Marc wiped his bass down and placed it carefully in its case. Garrett was breaking down his drums, and Danny was giving him a hand. Rick had walked over to chat with his cousin. Marc moved up to join them.

“Hey, thanks for everything.” He bumped knuckles with Jado. “We really appreciate this.”

Jado nodded. “I think we got a good piece of video out of this.” He looked at Rick. “You’re up for a late night tomorrow, right?”

“As long as it takes.”

“All right, then. See you tomorrow night.”

Marc was in the parking lot, stowing his guitar, when Rick walked over to him.

“Good job today.”

“Were you expecting me to do otherwise?” Marc closed the rear door to the Jeep and glanced at his friend.

“You’ve been a little distracted lately, you know.”

“I’m fine,” he insisted. “And I’ll be fine. For whatever we need.”

Rick held up his hands. “Whatever. Just checking. And letting you know I’m here if you need to talk.”

“I said I’m fine.” Marc slammed the door to the Jeep then sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I know how important this thing is. You