With the saddest little puppy dog look I’ve ever seen, she looked back to me and practically whined, “I don’t want anyone to think I’m a floozy.”
I almost snickered, but I caught myself and gave her a sympathetic look. “Emma… Red adores you. He won’t think badly about you. And if you have a smile on your face in the morning, he’ll be just fine with it, I’m sure.”
She blushed at the thought of Red knowing what a morning-after smile would mean, and I had to restrain myself from leaping over the back of the couch and tackling her to the floor.
I play my guitar. I follow the music. I sing my song.
I love it up here on this stage.
I really do.
But I kind of can’t wait to get done so I can be with Emma.
?
Obviously, this whole concert tour is new to me, but I know the schedule fairly well. I worked with Tyler and the tour management company to iron out details. After some shows, I’ll have to attend fan meet and greets. After other shows, there may actually be an after-party, usually sponsored by some major corporation and with some other celebrities in attendance who wanted to see my show.
That’s still something I’m having a hard time accepting.
Actual movie and sports stars wanting to see me perform.
So tonight is one of those parties, and it’s being held up on the top floor of the arena in a private club. There’s no telling how long this party will last, and we’re not in a rush to leave out of here as we have two days to make it to New Orleans for our next show. Regardless, I don’t have any real use for rubbing shoulders with famous people. While I know it’s expected and part of the game, I don’t plan on staying long. I plan to make my rounds and be sociable, then drag Emma back to the bus. Right past Red’s astonished face as I haul my prize back to the bedroom.
Speaking of which, I can’t help but smile as I look over the shoulder of a TV actress whose name I can’t quite place, but she’s talking to me like we’re the best of friends. I see Emma on the far side of the room talking to Cap and Dilana, and, as she promised, she’s drinking bottled water.
Good girl.
Much to my surprise, Cap, Dilana, and Jimmy all made visits to the bus and made sober apologies to Emma for waking her up the day after that debacle. She hasn’t hung out with them much, some polite exchanges during rest stops and such, but right now, she’s laughing at something Dilana says and she looks in her element.
Absolutely gorgeous in a simple pair of dark skinny jeans, mile-high pumps in black leather, and a loose black blouse that hangs low off one smooth shoulder. As I’ve figured out about Emma, she doesn’t spend a lot of time on making herself up. I can attest that her skin is soft as silk so she must use lotion every day, and that her toenails are painted a delicate pink, which is a definite nod to her femininity, but that’s about as far as she goes. Maybe some mascara on those long lashes, but her hairstyle is simple and her face is usually clear of any enhancements. She’s one of those women who have a natural beauty, and frankly… she has no fucking clue she has it.
That right there is what really makes her sexy.
The actress says a few more nice things about my performance, gives me an air kiss on each cheek, and saunters off. Tyler immediately replaces her at my side, looping an arm over my shoulder. “You were fucking amazing tonight.”
“Thanks, man,” I say before taking a sip of my beer, my eyes lasering onto Emma across the room. “It felt good out there.”
“With every performance and the reviews you get, those label execs are going to be chomping at the bit to get you,” he says enthusiastically, and then drains the last of his whiskey. I turn and take a good look at Tyler, noticing his eyes are bloodshot, but that doesn’t bother me. Tyler likes to party.
Hell, I like to party. And why shouldn’t we? We work hard and we earn the down time.
“Want to do some shots?” Tyler asks as he turns to the bar right beside us.
“Nah,” I say as I turn back and look at Emma. No way am I going to diminish my nerve receptors tonight. I want to feel absolutely everything.
“Come on,” Tyler cajoles as he nudges a shoulder against mine. “We should be celebrating after every show. You deserve this, buddy.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say halfheartedly, then get positively entranced when Emma starts laughing really hard at something Cap says to her. Dilana adds something on that’s apparently funnier, as Emma bends over at the waist and has to hold her stomach she’s laughing so hard.
And fuck… I want to know what’s so funny over there so bad that I actually take an involuntary step that way.
“What is up with you?” Tyler grumbles as he steps in front of me, breaking my line of sight.
I blink, sad not to be staring at Emma, but then focus on my friend and manager. “Sorry, dude. It’s just… I’m… uh…”