Chapter 2
New York City
“You ready for this?”
Tana felt like she was going to puke. “Do you want the honest answer?”
“You’re ready,” Bill said. “Just remember, no one gives a shit about you—yet. But after tonight, you’ll be on the map.”
“No pressure or anything.”
A knock came at the dressing room door, and Tana took the moment to inhale a deep breath and check her makeup one more time while Bill went to answer it.
She looked like a movie-star version of herself.
It was … awesome and yet terrifying that there were going to be over 20,000 people out there when this place was full.
Which it isn’t yet. Because you’re just one of many openers.
Just breathe, Tana.
“Hey, Mick! What are you doing here?”
Tana spun around as Bill said his name.
“Just checking on my opener.” The tall, dark-haired man stepped inside the dressing room.
Mick Vines.
“You’re a giant in person,” Tana blurted out.
“Good to meet you too, honey. You about ready?”
She nodded.
“You look a little pale.”
“She’s fine,” Bill said. “Tana may be new on the scene, but she’s a professional. Nothing to worry about.”
“Can you give us a minute, man? Just want to give her some advice, artist to artist.”
Tana’s attention flicked from Mick to Bill.
Bill nodded. “Sure thing, Mick.” He met Tana’s gaze. “I’ll be right outside. You got five minutes.”
Her manager slipped out of the room, leaving her and Mick, lit by the glow of the bulbs surrounding the mirror and the overhead light.
As soon as the door clicked shut, he spoke. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay, all right?”
Tana nodded.
“You warm up?”
She nodded again.
“Feel like you’re gonna puke?”
Her head bobbed again.
He grinned and sat on the folding chair. “Listen to me. I asked for you. Wanted you on this tour with me.”
Tana wanted to ask why, but she could only manage a bobblehead impression.
“You want to know why?”
Another nod.
“You got something special, girl. Something you can’t teach, can’t buy, and can’t train. But you got it. You get me?”
“No.”
He grinned and chuckled. “Caught my interest. Took less than five minutes. Before I even heard you sing, I knew you were special.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Now you just go out there, and you show the world who you are. Don’t worry about a thing. Just be you. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Have fun. And then later, we’ll grab a drink, and you can tell me all about Tana Zephyr.”
“Okay.”
He held out a hand, and Tana slid hers into his. Mick’s paw was huge.
“You’re already here. You made it. Now it’s your time to shine. Get ’em ready for us, all right?”
Tana nodded again. “Thank you, Mr. Vines.”
“Ahh, honey. That’s Mick to you. Mr. Vines was my daddy.”
“Thanks, Mick.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Thank you for coming. Now get out there and give us a show, girl. I’ll be watching too.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mick,” he corrected.
Tana’s heart flopped and stuttered as he winked at her.
“You’re right where you’re meant to be.”
He let go of her hand, and Tana felt the heat from his palm all the way to her soul.
Mick Vines is … hot. So. Hot.
“Two minutes,” someone said with a knock on the door.
“She’s ready,” Mick called.
Bill opened the door. “Let’s go, Tan.”
Tana lifted her chin, and Mick grinned at her.
“You’ve got this, girl.”
“Damn right I do. Let’s do this.”
By the time Tana hit the stage, she was half in love with Mick Vines for the kindness he’d shown her. That confidence carried her all the way through the opening chords and into the groove she needed and loved when she was performing. She was on fire.
She wasn’t about to let him down. Not if he was watching. She gave her set everything she had. And by the end of it, with the crowd cheering as she waved goodbye, she was thanking God that Mick Vines had noticed her.
And later, we’re getting a drink because he wants to know more about me.
As she walked offstage, she saw him leaning against some equipment.
“Nailed it, girl. Fucking awesome set. Got me right here.” He slapped his T-shirt-covered chest where it stretched over his pecs.
“Mick, tell Janelle I get to blow you tonight,” a voice came from a thin blonde strolling up to him. “She got to last night.”
Tana’s walk on cloud nine immediately ended as a blonde and a brunette shoved one another to get closer to Mick.
“Ladies, you know Mick can handle you both,” said a man beyond the equipment. “Just no fighting, or you’re banned from backstage.”
Mick didn’t even seem to notice them.
Tana shook her head with a humorless laugh. Right. Like he really cares about getting to know me when he has millions of women fighting to blow him.
“Thanks, Mr. Vines,” Tana said. “Have a great show. I appreciate this opportunity. I hope I did you right.”
His head tilted to the side to watch her as she marched by him.
When she made it back to her dressing room, she collapsed into her makeup chair.
Thank you, God. I dodged a bullet there.
The last thing she needed was to mix business and anything else. Besides, she had Ronnie at home, and that was enough for her.
How could she have forgotten his reputation? Every other week, there was another scandal about Mick Vines and his multitude of women on the front page of the supermarket tabloids.
The last thing I need is to get mixed up with him.
A knock came on the door to her dressing room.
“Come on in,” Tana called.
His giant frame filled the doorway, and Tana sat up straight as a jolt of surprise coursed through her.
“What are you doing here?”
“Told you, Mr. Vines was my daddy. I ain’t no mister to you, girl.”
“What?” Tana was so confused.
“You call me Mr. Vines again, and I’m gonna have to show you I’m just Mick to you.”
Surreal didn’t even begin to cover this interaction.
“I-I do not understand what is happening right now. Don’t you have to—”
“Ain’t nothing more important in my life right at this moment than setting things straight with you.”
Tana’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy?”
“Nah, just curious about you.”
She pointed to the door. “You have women lined up to blow you. What does it matter what I call you?”
His smile took on a honeyed quality that put her panties in danger.
“Hearing that dirty word from that sweet-as-sugar mouth of yours gives me all sorts of fantasies, sweetheart.”
Oh. My. God. Mick Vines is hitting on me.
And I like it.
Her heart thundering, Tana knew she was in danger.
“Well, Mr. Vines, I’ve got a boyfriend,” she heard herself say. “So, fantasies or not, I’m taken.”
His gaze dropped to her hand. “I don’t see a ring on your finger, Tana Zephyr. Which means, as far as I’m concerned, you’re fair game.”
A shocked breath rushed through her lips, but before she could reply, he winked.
“Gotta go. Catch you later for that drink. Don’t think I missed that last Mr. Vines either. Challenge accepted, sweetheart.”
And then he was gone.
Tana had no idea what had actually just happened.
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re fair game.”
“Challenge accepted.”
What?
Tana was in over her head, and she knew it. She picked up her cell phone and called Ronnie.
No answer.
She dialed her mama.
“How was it, baby girl?”
“It was great, Mama.”