Ruby Tuesday (3 page)

“My song isn’t for sale,” Teagan said, and the optimistic feeling he’d been enjoying crashed and burned.

“What do you mean it’s not for sale? You said yourself you’re a songwriter. Isn’t it your goal to sell songs?” he asked.

“Yes…no…I mean, I’ve never really thought about it.”

“Never thought about it?”

18

Ruby Tuesday

“I don’t write music to make money, Sky. I write songs to make people happy. To share them with my family and friends.”

“What kind of Rainbow Brite philosophy is that?” Her lack of drive astounded.

Didn’t she know how far she could go with her talent?

“‘Rainbow Brite philosophy’?” He could tell from her tone he’d pissed her off, but the woman needed a wake-up call. “You pompous ass. There’s no reason to insult me.

Hasn’t anyone ever said no to you before?”

“No one with common sense. I’m offering you a chance to hear one of your songs on the radio, maybe see it hit the
Billboard
list. This could launch your career.”

“I have a career,” she said.

“Singing in your family’s bar in front of a handful of old men. Teaching music to a bunch of kids one day a week. That’s your idea of a career?” he asked, uncertain why he was reacting so harshly. For some inane reason, it suddenly felt as if the success of his solo career was inexplicably linked to Teagan’s song. Besides, the woman was extremely talented and clearly oblivious to the fact.

“I suppose you think I should be an overly ambitious musician. One who hops on the fast track to fame and fortune with no regard for the quality of my songs, no concern for what junk I produce so long as it makes me rich and famous. Is that right?

You know, there are some people out there who actually make music just for the sheer pleasure of it.”

Sky took a deep breath, aware that his anger was merely fueling hers. This wasn’t the way to negotiate a deal. He knew better than this.

“I’m sorry, Teagan. My reaction was out of line. I’ve been running on empty for over a year now and I had no right to take it out on you. I love your song. Seriously love it. You said yourself you write songs to make people happy. I’m offering you a much bigger platform to do just that.”

She fell silent for a few moments and he could see his words had struck a chord.

“Would you change it?” she asked.

19

Mari Carr

He knew this was going to be a sticking point for her, but he refused to lie. He had a definite idea of the sound he wanted and it didn’t include an acoustic guitar. “I would add more instruments, change the pacing a bit.”

“Electric guitar instead of acoustic?”

“I play the electric guitar.”

“You can’t play an acoustic one?” she asked.

He sighed and prepared for round two of the battle they seemed destined to wage over her song. “Of course I can, but that’s not part of my signature sound. I’m known for my abilities on an electric guitar.”

“I don’t know how you could make my song mesh with so much noise.”

“I hardly consider the music produced from an electric guitar ‘noise’,” he said, mustering as much patience as he could to keep his tone even.

“Darn it. I did it again. I’m sorry, Sky. I don’t think your music is noise. I’ve never even heard your music. I just don’t think you understand the concepts, the subtleties of folk music well enough to do
Maybe Tomorrow
justice. I would die if my song suddenly sounded like every other song on the radio. Filled with overdone guitar solos, digitally enhanced singing and that blasted repetitive drumbeat. People can’t even dance properly to most of the music produced these days. They just bob in place.”

“How old are you?” he asked, cursing the words the moment they flew from his lips.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” Her eyes narrowed angrily but he couldn’t resist finishing his thought. She’d insulted him and his music one time too many—all without even hearing him sing.

“Your ideas about music and dance seem more fitting for a woman in her eighties.

Hell, my grandma is more hip about music than you.”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with being hip. It has to do with personal preferences. If you were educated in more types of music, you’d realize there are some 20

Ruby Tuesday

really fine songs out there that don’t require more to move you than a single instrument and a beautiful voice.”

“You think I’m not educated in music?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Yes,” he insisted, “you did—and you meant it. For your information, gypsy, I’ve studied music extensively. In fact, I’ll bet I have a better grasp of the subject than you.” She sat up straighter and for a moment, he was finally graced with the shadowy shape of her breasts through her damn loose blouse. Fucking thing was at least two sizes too big in his opinion and he felt his cock stir once again at the sight. Despite her antiquated opinions on music, Teagan had triggered some serious arousal in him.

Maybe Marty was right. He did need to get laid.

“Don’t do that,” she said, leaning closer.

“Do what?”

“Undress me with your eyes.”

He grinned. “How about I do it with my hands?”

“Are you finished?” she asked dryly.

“I haven’t even started but believe me, when I do, you’ll know.”

“Can we get back to the conversation at hand?”

“For now. Teagan Collins, I want your song.”

“And as I said, Sky Mitchell or whatever your real name is, it’s not for sale.” He laughed at her no-nonsense manner. He was enjoying himself, and her casual dismissal of his come-on dispelled his anger and brought out a playfulness he usually only showed to close friends and family.

“Well,” he said, “it would appear there’s only one way to solve our disagreement.” 21

Mari Carr

Chapter Two

“I challenge you to a singing contest,” Sky said.

His voice was loud as he spoke and Teagan fought to hide her dismay when several heads around the bar popped up, including Pop’s. There was nothing the regulars at the pub loved as much as a contest. She could see genuine interest dawning and no doubt several of the older gentlemen were holding their breath, waiting for her response and praying it would be yes. She imagined Pop’s hand twitching with the temptation of reaching into his back pocket and pulling out his wallet for a wager.

Crap.

“And what on earth would you hope to prove with a contest?” she asked. She spoke so softly that two men at the bar stepped closer to the booth, confirming her suspicion that everyone was listening.

“You think I’m a puppet in the industry. A talentless clod with no knowledge of music.”

“I never said that,” she insisted.

“You insinuated it. Truth is,” Sky paused and glanced toward the bar. She recognized the moment he realized they were being watched. He looked back at her with a smile that clearly demonstrated his awareness that he held the upper hand. His voice was even louder when he spoke again. “Truth is,” he repeated, “you’ve insulted my reputation and I think you owe me the chance to prove myself.” Pop sauntered over with fake nonchalance and Teagan knew she was lost. “Is there a problem here, Ruby?”

Pop adored her red hair, dubbing her with his own pet nickname. She’d heard more than a few of the pub patrons jokingly remark to Pop that the redheaded mailman must have delivered a big package the day she was conceived.

22

Ruby Tuesday

“Nope, no problem,” she said quickly, well aware she wouldn’t be let off the hook so easily.

“I couldn’t help but overhear this gentleman challenge you to a singing contest.

Surely he knows there’s no way he could ever out-sing my beautiful lassie.”

“Mr. Collins, I’m afraid there’s the issue of my pride at stake here,” Sky insisted.

Teagan curled her hand into a fist, feeling the irresistible urge to punch someone for the first time in her life. The man was playing Pop like a pro. “It was a misunderstanding,” she started, but Sky interrupted before she could continue.

“And one that could easily be settled with a simple, friendly contest. You gentlemen,” he said, including the other patrons of the pub in their conversation,

“could stand by as judges.”

And with that last sentence, he sealed her fate.

“Well, I don’t see any harm in letting the boy try his talent against yours, Ruby girl.

You have the most beautiful voice in the world.”

“I’m afraid that’s not exactly the kind of contest I had in mind,” Sky interjected. “It would be like comparing apples and oranges to try to determine which of us sings better. It’s too subjective. Besides, I don’t think your daughter was insulting my singing as much as she was accusing me of a lack of knowledge in the different genres of music.”

Pop nodded and Teagan wondered if he had a clue what Sky was talking about. She was fairly certain his mind was trying to puzzle out how to get his contest and how much he was willing to wager. “What did you have in mind then, Sky?” Pop asked.

“Sky?” she asked incredulously. “Pop, you know who he is?”

“I’d have to live in a cave not to know who the lead singer of The Universe is, Ruby.

I’m old, not dead.”

Sky flashed a cocky smile and she groaned. So much for his bruised ego. Pop had just administered the cure.

23

Mari Carr

“I really don’t think there’s any contest that could—” she began.

Again, Sky cut her off. “It would all be in good fun,” he said quickly. “With a few harmless wagers involved to make it interesting, of course.” Sky’s mention of a bet opened the floodgates and she watched several patrons walk over to join them.

“Well, a contest sounds like a fine time,” Pop said, rubbing his hands together gleefully. “What do you say we set the stakes?” Sky rose from the booth and followed Pop to a table in the center of the pub. Five of her father’s cronies and both her brothers joined them and she was struck by the fact they looked like the United Nations entering into peace negotiations.

“There was this game I used to play with some friends of mine when we were kids at summer camp,” Sky said. He turned and beckoned her over. She grudgingly crossed the room. Clearly she wasn’t going to escape this night without participating in whatever foolishness Sky had in mind.

“What sort of game?” Pop asked.

“Someone picks a word, any word, and Teagan and I take turns singing famous songs that contain that word in the lyrics. The game is over when one of us can’t think of another song.”

“And this is supposed to prove what?” Teagan asked.

“You don’t think much of my musical knowledge. I’m going to prove to you that I know a thing or two. Besides, it’s the wager that’s going to settle our true differences, not the contest.”

“If you think I’m going to let you win my song in some stupid contest—” Sky held up a hand to stop her. “I don’t want the song anymore.”

“You don’t?” she asked, confused by his easy capitulation.

He shook his head. “Perhaps I should clarify. I don’t
just
want that song. If I win, you agree to help me write
all
the songs for my new album.” 24

Ruby Tuesday

Her mouth dropped open and she physically fought to close it again. The gleam in Pop’s eyes told her he not only approved of the stakes, but she feared he was suddenly hoping she’d lose.

“Think of it, Ruby. The Universe singing your songs. Your words and music on the radio.” Pop was beaming.

Sky grinned at her and she knew Pop had justified Sky’s belief that she should be reaching for the gold and aspiring to greater heights than she was currently achieving.

“And if I win?” she asked.

“What do you want?” Sky wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as he spoke and she rolled her eyes.

“The Universe is doing a concert here in a few weeks, right?” He nodded.

“I want your portion of the proceeds from the concert,” she replied.

He frowned. “So money is important to you?”

“Not for me,” she added. “I volunteer at a nursing home here in the city. It opens its doors to elderly people who can’t afford proper care on their own. The roof is leaky and they’re in serious need of some modern conveniences. If I win, you give the money you make on the concert to them.”

Sky smiled. “I suppose you give music lessons to the old people as well? Another part of your career?”

She thought she should take offense at his words, but she could tell he wasn’t insulting her. She thought for a moment he seemed impressed, perhaps even moved.

“Music can be wonderful medicine for the soul.”

“I agree,” he said.

Ewan moved forward. “What’s to keep one of the singers from stalling too long? I mean, we could be here all night waiting for one or both of them to think of a song.” 25

Mari Carr

“Good point,” Tris added. “There needs to be a time limit. Say, three minutes to come up with a song or you lose.”

Sky quickly agreed and she nodded, anxious to be done with the whole thing.

“How much of the song do we have to sing?” she asked.

“Let’s say two lines of the lyrics and one of them has to include the word,” Sky answered.

“Fine.”

“Well, then,” Pop said gleefully. “It looks like we have ourselves a contest, boys.” Teagan fought not to shake her head with disgust when the men began plopping their money down on the table—side wagers, Pop said, as they began arguing about odds.

“So all we need is a word,” Sky said.

“That’s easy,” Pop replied. “The word is ‘ruby’.” She smiled at her father while her heart began to race. A simple contest was one thing. Given the fact she didn’t possess a competitive bone in her body, she usually never cared what the outcome was one way or the other. This time, she cared
too
much.

Her hands felt clammy and she was slightly lightheaded. The nursing home could really use the money from Sky’s concert.

But more importantly, she didn’t want to lose. Not to Sky. She couldn’t explain why, but she felt that by losing to him, she’d be losing more than a few songs. Tonight could set in motion events that could change her whole life. Keira had accused her more than once of selling herself too short due to fear of the unknown, but she didn’t agree with her older sister. There was nothing wrong with enjoying her life as it was. She was perfectly content and she figured if she was happy, why seek a change that might make her unhappy? Put all her hopes and dreams into achieving something that might never happen?