Snowbound Summer (The Logan Series Book 3) (17 page)

*****

“What
the hell are you doing?” Lester grabbed Stacy the moment she walked off stage,
and dragged her into a private corner. “For Christ’s sake, Stacy, this was an
opportunity for you to talk yourself up, not to mention your
ex
.” He
spat out the last word through thin lips. He grabbed her hand. “And you’re
wearing his ring—I thought you got rid of it. You should have been getting an
award this evening, not handing one out. You had an opportunity on stage
tonight to let your fans know you’re going back into the studio to record songs
they actually want to buy.” His lip curled.

She
tugged her hand away and crossed her arms. Had he always been so controlling?
“I’ve never spoken about my inspiration for
His Heart
. I wanted to
acknowledge him.”

“No
one cares. The song was a misstep better forgotten. And acknowledging Logan?
Well, that’s crap, and you know it. The guy was a cheating bastard.” Anger
turned Lester’s face red. “He did nothing for your career. Nothing but try to
control you.”

The
irony of Lester’s words almost made her crack.
Almost
. “I’m an adult, Lester.
I make my own decisions.”

Lester
puffed out a breath. “Sure.” His expression told a different story. “Okay.” He
patted her arm. “You’re tired. You need to take a break.” His teeth clenched
together in a smile so tight Stacy feared they might shatter. “Why don’t you
relax in your dressing room for a while? I’ve organized a car to take you back
to your hotel.”

“Hey,
Stacy!” Cole Tempest, the winner of the Best Male Artist Award strode toward
them, a grin on his handsome face. He enveloped her in a warm hug. “It’s so
good to see you.” He held her at arm’s length, and scanned her head to toe. You
look fantastic as always. Can I give you a lift to the after party?”

She
never went to after parties. Lester said there were too many opportunities for
bad press at them.

Lester
shook his head. “She has to catch a flight back to Nashville early tomorrow…”

“Hey,
it’s not every day that my ex-backing singer wins best Best Male Artist, I’d
love to go with you.” Stacy smiled at Cole. “I’ll just grab my stuff.”

She
left her fuming manager behind, and a few minutes later joined Cole and a
couple of members of his entourage in a stretch limo. He handed her a glass of
champagne. “Lester seemed uptight. I’m glad you decided to kick back and party
with me tonight.”

Cole
had been her backing singer for three years before he decided to step out from
behind her shadow and take the spotlight. Working together day and night and
spending long hours on the road together they’d become closer than
family—closer than she was to her own family anyway. She held her glass aloft.
“Here’s to you—and your well-deserved success. Your album is fantastic.”

Cole
slung an arm around her shoulders. “Thanks, babe. How did the tour go?”

“It
was hard work, especially without you to drink with after the shows.” She
sipped.

“And
I’m guessing Lester has you booked into the studio to record another album
straight away.”

“Yeah,
well Lester and I are coming to blows on that one. I’ve been working on some
new material.” She glanced at Cole.

His
eyebrows rose. “Writing it yourself?”

“I
managed to persuade Star Records to allow me to record one of my own songs on
my last album.
His Heart
.”

“You
wrote that one?” Cole nodded approvingly. “That’s the best song on the entire
album; you should have released it as a single.”

“I
wanted to, believe me. But the record label wasn’t convinced. I had to
practically throw a fit to get the song on the album.”

Cole
was an artist she respected—one with real music savvy. The fact that he rated
the song was invaluable feedback.

“I
guess it’s different for you,” Cole said. “You have an established career and a
huge following. They’re probably reticent to mess with a winning formula.”

He
was right, but she was sick of being a product. Sick of being packaged. “I
can’t keep recording material I don’t
feel
.”

Cole
looked into her eyes. “Sometimes you have to take a chance. Walk your own
path.”

Was
she brave enough to stick to her guns and risk everything? Lester seemed so
sure that her fans wouldn’t love her new songs, but if they were good enough to
sell, they were good enough for her to record. She breathed in deep.

“They’ll
have to listen to me or I’ll walk.” She swallowed the last mouthful of her
champagne. “If I lose my job can I come be one of your backing singers?”

Cole
laughed. “Of course. I’d have you in a shot.”

“I’ve
roughly recorded half an album. When it’s ready, would you listen to it and
give me your honest opinion?” Nerves shredded her stomach. No one had heard the
songs she’d laid down on her portable recording setup, and it had been so long
since she’d had to prove herself in the business she felt like a virgin on a
first date. When she’d come to the award ceremony it had been to fulfill an
obligation. She’d been so tired after the tour she hadn’t even thought that it
might present an opportunity.

But
Cole was the only man—the only person—she would trust to give her objective,
true feedback on the new material.

“Email
it to me, I can’t wait to hear it.” Cole pulled her close and hugged her.
“You’re a fantastic musician. If Lester and your record label can’t see that
and don’t want to join you on your journey down a new musical direction,
they’re fools.”

*****

Sean
wasn’t one for histrionics—in all the years he and Adam had been friends, he’d
barely broken a sweat in fraught situations—but Mitta’s gyrations had dented
his composure. Big time.

They’d
spent an hour on Skype, and still hadn’t brainstormed a solution.

“There
must be another singer who could do it.”

Sean
sighed. “It can’t just be anyone. Mitta had everything we needed. Sweet,
pre-teen friendly, a good voice…” He rubbed a hand around the back of his neck.
“I placated Plaxair saying we had another prospect we were holding in reserve.”
His mouth curved in a sheepish grin. “Baffle them with bullshit, huh?”

“How
long do we have to produce a replacement?”

“Ten
hours—maybe twelve.” Even through the monitor, the gleam in his eyes was
apparent. “Stacy was looking good.”

Sean
was one of the only people outside his family who knew of his short-lived
marriage.

Oh
no.
Adam
shook his head. “Don’t even think about…”

“She’d
be bloody perfect.” Sean held up a hand to stop Adam interrupting. “I know you
two have your issues, but the two executives from Plaxair I Skyped with earlier
both suggested her as an alternative. If we could sign her our problems would
be over.”

Adam
woke early the following morning. Even though he was exhausted, he’d slept
fitfully, unable to relax into a deep sleep because thoughts of Stacy plagued
him.

He’d
told Amy he wasn’t interested. But curiosity had him on edge. And the fact that
both Sean and Plaxair were enamored of Stacy as a potential Mitta replacement
complicated the situation. If nothing else, he wanted to have five minutes with
her. Five minutes where he could tell her exactly what he thought of her. He
rubbed the back of his head and swore aloud. But if he did that he’d be
revealing a lot more than he wanted. She’d learn—if she were in any doubt—just
how much he’d loved her. Just how much she’d hurt him.

If
he had five minutes with her, he should act indifferent. Otherwise, he’d be
like a puppy rolling over to reveal his vulnerable underside.

He
poured himself a cup of black coffee and shoved a couple of waffles into the
toaster.

His
cell phone rang.

“Yeah.”

“Barney
Meisner at Plaxtair has jumped the gun and contacted Star Records, Stacy’s
label,” Sean said. “Apparently they had a board meeting and decided they want
Stacy for the part, and Barney was told to make it happen. He was bitching that
they had to give Star Records a lot of concessions, including a cut of the
profits of the soundtrack, but it looks like it’s a go. Prepare yourself.”

Adam’s
hands curled into fists. Working with Stacy. Being with Stacy, day after day.
Having to breathe the same air, make small talk. His teeth gritted.

“Does
she know I’m involved?”

“From
what I understand, Stacy hasn’t even been informed about the deal yet; Barney
said he’d cleared it with the head of Star Records and Stacy’s manager. I guess
she doesn’t have much say in her career.”

Some
things never changed, then.

Click to get Stealing Gold from Amazon