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Chapter Six

Rachel

“Excuse me, miss?”

I turned toward the voice, my smile growing as I took in his slick appearance. Hair gel, anyone? I pressed my lips together, hoping my expression wasn’t too mocking. I was actually kind of intrigued.

What was a city boy doing in little ol’ Payton?

“Hi there.” I leaned against the back of the chair parked next to him.

“That was quite a show.” He grinned, his white teeth straight and shiny.

I snickered at his funny accent. He wasn’t just a city boy. He sounded like he was from the West Coast. “Where you from?”

“California. Los Angeles to be more precise.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a business card. “Parker Stewart. I own a talent agency. I represent actors and singers looking to make a career in the entertainment industry.”

My heart did a flip-flop as I took the card off him. The black writing was glossy on the cream paper. Struggling for words, I ran my thumb over the lettering. An agent, from LA, in Payton…and he was giving me his business card. What did that mean?

Clearing my throat, I fought for a little composure as I pulled out the chair and sat down.

“So, how do you figure out who to represent?”

“Well, I’m either approached by would-be actors and singers…or sometimes I get really lucky and I stumble across a raw, natural talent just waiting to be discovered.” His steady gaze roamed my face, a smile tugging at his lips.

Trying to stay cool about the whole thing was nearly impossible. Was he seriously indicating that he’d like to represent me?

I licked my bottom lip and gazed at his card again. “And, ah, what do you do when you find a raw, natural talent?”

He leaned toward me with a cocky grin. “I mold it and shape it and turn into something magical…and then I make their dreams come true.”

My breath caught in my throat and I leaned against the table, my fingers pressing into the wood. “Are you saying…”

“I’m saying I see something in you, and if you’re interested, I’d love to work with you.”

“She already has a job.” Josh’s deep voice made me flinch.

I turned with a scowl. “What are you doing?” I gritted out between clenched teeth.

He frowned at me, and I was tempted to kick him right in the shins.

Swiveling back with what I hoped was an elegant smile, I tapped the card against the table. “I am interested. Could you tell me a little more?”

The chair beside me scraped against the wood, and I closed my eyes as Josh sat down beside me. He had his angry face on, and it was irritating as hell.

“Do you mind?” I glared at him.

“Not at all. I’d love to hear what this pretty boy has to say.”

Gripping my boyfriend’s forearm, I tried to relay my outrage with a quick pinch, but he didn’t even jerk. Curse his thick, strong muscles! He was going to ruin everything!

Mr. Stewart seemed unperturbed by Josh’s rude behavior and turned his attention to me.

“Well, the way it works is I set you up as one of my clients, and then I find you some work…which hopefully leads to bigger jobs and better prospects, and you start to make a name for yourself.”

“A name for myself.” My breathy laugh was pathetic, but hello! This was everything I’d been waiting for…and rather than me having to chase it down, it was coming right to my doorstep.

“Okay.” I wriggled in my chair with a nod, my excitement making my limbs jiggle. “So, how does it work, do I just sign up with you and wait for a call?”

He fought a grin and leaned across the table. “I know this seems quite hurried, but I have someone in mind that I think would love your style. He owns a club in LA that has live performances each night, and many of the singers who have started out with him have gone on to get movie deals and contracts with record labels. He’s looking for something fresh, and I have a feeling that he’s going to fall in love with your country charm.”

“You think so?” I was blushing like a Valentine’s rose, I was sure of that.

“I know so.”

Josh jerked beside me. “You ain’t singing in no club, Rachel.”

A muscle in my neck pinged tight, and it took all my willpower not to snap at my grumpy-ass boyfriend.

Mr. Stewart raised his hand with a reassuring smile. “It’s a reputable place. I know ‘club’ can have bad connotations, but it’s just as wholesome as this bar here.”

“She’s only eighteen,” Josh growled.

“I’m nineteen in three months, and stop treating me like a schoolgirl with pigtails in my hair! This conversation has nothing to do with you!”

My words stung Josh real bad. His face pinched tight, his pale gaze growing stormy. Guilt spiked through me, but I bit back my apology. He was being an ass, pooping all over this great opportunity before I even had a chance to explore it. I was not going to let him ruin this for me.

I looked back at Mr. Stewart and mumbled, “Sorry, please continue.”

“I’m not trying to pressure you into anything, but you have a beautiful voice and huge potential. I know I could find a place for you in LA.”

“Wow, really?”

“LA?”

We both ignored Josh’s horrified question.

“It would be a big change for you, and there’s no guarantees this first job will pan out, but if you’re willing to work hard, I’m confident we can make you a star.”

“I am. I can work real hard.” My voice was quaking with excitement. I could barely think straight. My brain was buzzing like a beehive.

This is it, Mama. It’s happening!

“Can’t she just audition here then?” Josh’s cold-water tone made my insides deflate. “Rather than going all that way, just to be rejected.”

The agent shook his head. “He really needs to see her, and if she does get rejected, being in LA will make it far easier for her to get to auditions.” Mr. Stewart was looking at Josh like he was stupid, and I didn’t half-blame him. Of course I’d have to be in LA!

“It’s just…” Josh shifted in his seat. “LA’s a long way and we can’t afford to fly, so I’d need to find someone to watch the bar and…” He sighed. “You’d need to give us some time to figure all this out.”

“Well, I’m heading to LA tomorrow. As soon as my car’s fixed, I’ll be driving to the airport. I’m happy to take…”

“Rachel.” I grinned, sticking out my hand and laughing at the fact he was offering me an audition before he even knew my name. “Rachel Myers.”

“Miss Myers.” His smile was sweet as he clasped my hand and gently shook it.

“I can’t be asking you to pay for me to fly to LA.”

“Well, let me make some calls tonight. If I can set up a few auditions for you, then it’s actually in my best interest to ask you to fly with me. My company will cover the expenses.”

“Tomorrow?” Josh’s voice sounded small and so unlike him.

I glanced at his ashen face, and my happy buzz took another nosedive.

My grip on his arm softened to a light rub. “Hon, it’d just be for a short while.”

“Well, it could take a little longer…” Mr. Stewart gave Josh a kind smile. “I will take care of her, and you don’t need to worry about a thing. I’ve been doing this for years now.”

My confidence was boosted by his assuring tone, and I looked to Josh with a pleading grin. He’d never been able to resist my puppy dog eyes, not that I needed his permission, but his support would have been nice. He’d always been the most encouraging, loving boyfriend a girl could want, but as I sat there staring at his grim expression, I knew that was about to change.

*****

Josh had been quiet all night. We couldn’t have a proper conversation until everyone had left, and the vibe in the room was pretty somber. Of course everyone sided with Josh, and I instantly became the wench who was leaving him. It only got worse too, when just before closing, I got a call from Mr. Stewart telling me that his guy in LA was real keen to see me. He made me promise not to rush into the decision. I had to think it over and give him my final word in the morning. I already knew what my answer was going to be, and I couldn’t even shout it out with a whooping cheer. I got off the call, and the last three stragglers looked at me like I was betraying them all. Thankfully, they left pretty quick after that.

The second the floor was swept, I headed upstairs to check out Parker Stewart’s website. Josh stayed downstairs, doing the final lock-up and check of the kitchen.

Leaning toward the screen, I scanned the site. It was pretty fancy and slick…just like Parker Stewart. I was impressed. I didn’t recognize many of the stars he represented. They seemed to be working in more small-time soap operas, but they were definitely on the up-and-up. I saw one singer—Maddy Storm—had got herself a record contract and was working on her debut album. She was a pop singer by the looks of things, not really my thing, but Mr. Stewart seemed to represent a range of stars. My excitement reignited as I pored over the website and read his clients’ testimonials.

Josh clomped into the room, Duke following in his wake. The bloodhound trotted over to me and rested his chin on my lap, his tail going crazy as I patted his head. Josh glanced over my shoulder and let out a derisive snort. I stiffened, but held my tongue. I wanted to gush about everything I’d read but didn’t want Josh pouring cold water all over it. His lack of enthusiasm actually kind of hurt. He’d been telling me I could make it, and then when I finally get the chance, he turns into a cynical grouch.  

“You can’t be serious about this,” Josh grumbled, kicking off his boots. “You’re not going, Rachel.”

Duke jumped back as I swiveled in my chair and glared at my boyfriend. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

Josh yanked off his shirt and threw it on the floor, his sharp gaze hitting me right between the eyes. “I don’t trust him.”

“Oh, come on, you don’t trust anybody!”

“He’s got a dark smile, and I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

“You don’t like the way any guy looks at me.” I stood up and threw my hands in the air. “I can’t believe you’re trying to ruin this!” I slid my boots off, throwing them to the side and nearly hitting Duke. The dog yelped and scampered across to Josh. “Sorry, boy,” I muttered at the tenderhearted beast. He whimpered his forgiveness but planted himself at Josh’s feet.

Scratching his dog’s head, Josh huffed out an impatient snort…a sure sign that his temper was on the rise. I didn’t care. If we needed to fight this out then so be it.

Crossing my arms, I met his stony expression with a stubborn one of my own.

With a heavy sigh, Josh ran his hands into his hair and linked them behind his head. “I’m trying to protect you.”

“That is not your job.”

“What!” His hands dropped, his expression thunderous.

Okay, so that was the wrong thing to have said. I rolled my eyes as his grizzly bear began to show.

“Not my job? Yes it is! I’m your boyfriend!”

Pulling in a breath, I closed my eyes and tried to redeem my mistake with a calm, sweet voice. “Josh, honey, you know singing on a stage is my dream.”

“You were singing on a stage tonight.” He pointed at the door.

“That’s not what I mean and you know it. This is the chance I’ve been hoping for! I can’t spend the rest of my life in Payton—population eight hundred and fourteen.”

“We’re up to eight ninety-six now.”

“Josh!” I planted my hands on my hips and gave him an exasperated glare.

“Okay! I’m just saying!”

“Don’t just say!”

“Well, what do you want me to do!”

“Support me! Tell me to fly to LA and make all my dreams come true!”

I gazed at his tortured expression, my eyes traveling down to his heaving chest.

“Your mama doesn’t need you to go to LA.” His whispered words fueled my anger and maybe my guilt, but most definitely my hurt. Did he not get it?

Keeping my tone steady was a concerted effort. “I made a promise to her. It was the last thing I did before she died, and I ain’t going to let her down. I am being offered the chance of a lifetime. It’s being served to me on a silver platter, and you’re telling me to ignore it?” My voice pitched high, but I was on a roll. “All those times you told me I could make it. They were just lies, weren’t they? You could say it to me because you didn’t think it was ever going to happen, and now that it actually
is
happening, you’re trying to find reason for me not to go. Well, you know what, Joshua Clark? It’s happening, and I’m going! I’m gonna do whatever it takes to make this dream come true.”

After my flurry of words, the room fell into an awkward silence. My puffy breaths were met with a quiet swallow. Josh looked to the floor like I’d just slapped him in the face. My heart constricted so tight it actually hurt. Josh’s lips pursed to the side, his head bobbing like an old rocking chair. He still wouldn’t look at me, and it was a painful torture.

Finally he sniffed, snatched the pillow off the bed, bunched it in his hand…and walked for the door, Duke padding after him.