Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Johnni
“Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome this year’s beautiful ladies in the Mrs. Crescent Falls pageant.” The instrumental kicked on as we got our cue to begin making our way to the stage. It was the official opening day and I was ready to do this.
I was second in line and blew a few raspberries with my red painted lips before I had to follow the girl leading the pack. I put on my smile as I glided across the stage, waving with one hand while the other rested on my hip.
Not only was this our introduction round, but our casual wear round too.
Every year, we came out in custom made T-shirts with the pageant’s logo on the front and our names on the back with the tagline Future Mrs. Crescent Falls above it.
This helped the judges and crowd know who each of us were since we didn’t have sashes for this portion.
I stepped in my spot, getting in position, pointing my left foot out a little bit with my right turned at an angle.
I looked out toward the audience, scanning the crowd for Mama Steph who I knew would be easy to find.
She smiled and nodded her approval. I then began to do something I never did. I looked for him.
I went from not even wanting him here to wanting to put on a good show for Courtland. It stemmed from him saying I was on official queen business. I was too easy because that one statement had my pussy dripping.
So now I was on a mission to perform for him.
“Don’t they look amazing? How about another round of applause for our contestants!” After my failed attempt to locate him, I put my gaze back on who mattered most right now, the judges. I knew he was here because Oakley Charles was amongst the judges, with a smile just as wide as us on the stage.
Johnni, focus!
We got our cue to round the stage, so we exited to the left. Just as we began to swoop around centerstage, I felt his eyes on me from the opposite direction of where I’d assumed he would be.
A swarm of butterflies filled the pit of my stomach and had me smiling hard as hell. Courtland didn’t smile, but the stare down he gave me had a fire blazing from my tippy toes and had me adding an unrehearsed twirl in my walk.
Now, you showing off, Johnni.
And was, every inch of me. It didn’t hurt that I heard an extra cheer from the crowd. I knew Mama Steph would chew me out for it later, but in this moment, for him to see all of me, it was worth it.
I’d barely left the stage before I was yanked down from the clouds.
“Johnni, what the hell was that?” Mama Steph’s voice was low but I felt the anger in her heavy tone. My mind had been so caught up that I couldn’t put the math together of how she’d gotten back here so fast.
“Nothing. I felt it in my spirit to add it in. It was just a little razzle dazzle. The crowd loved it.” I shrugged as I walked to my station where Billie was waiting for me.
We had to move fast and get my face set for the talent section next.
Since I was second in line, I still had to change my clothes.
I thought with company Mama Steph wouldn’t go so hard, seeing how she’d never been too hard on me, but nope, she kept going.
“It was reckless and childish. What’s the point of practicing if you’re going to feel things in your spirit, huh?
The only razzle dazzle you need is your smile, personality, and the routines we practice.
No more spontaneous stunts like that or I’ll pull you out.
We have a lot riding on this year. I want to retire knowing that I got my daughter to the fucking top!
Stick to the script, Johnni.” I caught a couple of other contestants and coaches’ eyes and knew we had their ears as well.
When the low whispers started, I snickered again.
Mama Steph was playing with me right now.
For one, she wasn’t retiring and she and I didn’t act like this at competitions, ever.
“C’mon on, Mama. It was fun and playful. Don’t you always preach about being myself in my routine. That was me.” I paused as I began pulling my hair up in a ponytail while Billie got to work. It was a natural beat, so she had to tone down my face.
“Yes, have fun and be yourself with what the hell we worked on.” I chuckled, which had her spinning me around, completely catching both me and Billie off guard.
“I mean it, Johnni, no more surprises. I don’t know what’s going on, but ever since yesterday morning after orientation you’ve been loose or something. I don’t like it. Tighten up. We came for a crown and a title and we’re leaving with it.”
I smiled. “Mama, I promise I’ma carry out your legacy this year to the end.
We’re leaving with the title and the crown.
Now, let Billie finish. I have two minutes to jump into my Spanx.
Can you make sure the guys are ready to roll out the pole?
” I reassured her while putting her on a task I knew she would rather be overseeing than cussing me out.
Of course, Mama Steph rented a pole and had a team of trained guys to set up and break down the equipment in under two minutes.
“Shit. I almost forgot. Yes. Stick to the script. I love you, you got this!” A couple of air kisses and she was on her way.
I did have it. Mama Steph was complaining I was too loose, but my confidence level was on a thousand and the reason was in the audience.
There was no way I’d be going home empty handed today.
“Here’s to my beautiful daughter, who added another Queen Crescent Falls crown and trophy to the shelf. I am so proud of you. I never doubted your ability to make this happen another year.” I accepted the champagne flute Mama Steph passed to me.
“Mama, thank you, but I can think back to a couple hours ago when you were telling me off,” I said as we clinked our glasses.
“Pfft, I don’t remember that. But if I did, you already know I have to make it seem as if I’m tough on you. There were too many other coaches around. They already think I’m too easy on you. I can’t have ’em thinking I’m soft too.”
“But Mama, you are soft and easy and I love you for that. It’s less pressure and helps me perform better. Look! We got another title from your methods,” I said, shifting the crown on my head then flipping my hair, putting attention on the gaudy crown.
“And I must say, it sits perfectly on your head.” We shared a quick laugh before she added more champagne to our glasses. After the press and pictures with sponsors and fans, we came to the rooftop to celebrate our win in private before we both had to return home.
“So, we have regionals next and we have two months to change your routine with Kimmie. Ooh maybe—”
Mama Steph was cut off from her planning by a voice coming from behind us.
“I apologize for interrupting. I tried to catch you downstairs, and well—congratulations on your win, Mrs. Johnni Lourdè. I was hoping to get a picture with you. My daughter Rowan is into princesses and stuff right now and I wanted to show her that we can be queens too.” I smiled at Oakley accompanied by Courtland who stood behind her silently, unmoved and staring dead at me, causing butterflies to swarm in my gut.
“Oh my gosh. Yes, of course. I don’t have any kids to brag that I have a picture with Mrs. Oakley Charles, but trust, I will still brag. My beauties on Skroll are going to eat this up. Mama, can—” I was cut off this time, but it wasn’t by Oakley.
When his rough baritone cut me off, a shiver ran down my body, hitting the tip of my clit.
“I got that for y’all, Queen Lourdè.” I got up from my chair with Oakley coming over to me. Courtland moved in front of us and that was when I noticed the digital camera in his hand.
“Oh, we’re taking professional pictures. Sir, please make sure you get my good side,” I joked as me and Oakley got closer together.
“Trust, Tunk is a bodyguard equipped to get all the right angles. But you just won Mrs. Photogenic, every side is a good side, Johnni,” Oakley said just as Courtland walked up, this time completely invading my personal space.
I gasped when he reached out to touch me and flinched as he went for my crown.
The whole moment moved so fast, but it was long enough to fill my nose with his scent.
“My apologies, it was slightly off center. We can’t have you out here with a crooked crown, your highness.” Courtland’s hand dropped slowly, lightly grazing spots on my body that I was sure everyone noticed. I didn’t speak. I couldn’t, given that I had temporarily stopped breathing to react.
I cleared my throat as he stepped back. I wasn’t sure, but I swore this man had a slight grin on his face.
If he did, it went away quick as hell.
A few flashes happened before he swapped the camera for a phone, taking a couple more pictures.
“Thank you so much for this, Johnni, and I apologize for interrupting your celebration. Rowan is going to flip out.”
We shared a hug with me finishing our parting words.
“No problem. If she ever wants to meet in person, just let me know. I’m mostly at The Little and Bigs Center daily in the late summer and early fall, but for you, I’d do home visits. Hell, even birthday parties.” We shared a laugh while disconnecting. Courtland passed her the phone.
“Really? Please don’t tempt me. I will book you today for a party in August. As a matter of fact, let me get your phone number so I can send these to you for bragging rights and plus lock you in so we can schedule something.”
“Ooh yes. I’m telling you, forget royalty, the beauties are going to treat me like a celebrity now,” I said, taking her phone and putting my number in. Oakley not only immediately texted me but told me to save her number.
I tried my best not to glance at Courtland again, but of course, I failed miserably. He bowed as he stepped aside for Oakley. I pressed my lips together, hiding my smile at his gesture.