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“And here, I didn’t want to get a black eye like Kingpin,” I joked with Connie.
There was a lot of catching up to do. Connie and Allie knew Alexa and Andi better than I did. And we heard all about what was going on in Charleston. Who was with who now and who had babies?
Only a few of the women tonight were single, Rachel, Sweet Tea, and Minni. Ember added herself to the list.
We all wanted to hear what Ember had to say. She and Rome had broken up again. I caught myself pulled into the drama, listening intently, since that meant my band had essentially broken up.
“Next time I have butterflies, I’ll drown them with tequila,” Ember said, promising not to fall for his charms again.
Rachel took herself off the single list, telling us all about her wild times with Villain. He gave me the creeps, but I was happy for her. Apparently, he wanted to make it official and get a tattoo on her and everything. That was akin to a wedding, ‘round here.
There was more gossip. Sweet Tea swore she thought Haven was pregnant with Buzz’s baby. Lordalmighty. They asked her about her and Thorn since they’d been more than cozy as of late, but she denied it would ever get more serious than a fling.
And then Memphis stole the show, announcing out of the blue, “No one asked, but I am having Big’s baby.”
Holy hell.
“I’m old enough. This is my very last chance,” she explained. She said she didn’t know if they’d go as far as tying the knot.
I’d noticed she wasn’t drinking, but I never would have dreamed. Everyone was thrilled for Memphis, and I became emotional, shedding tears of happiness. Hugged her, the whole nine yards.
Chapter 10
Eve
After all us girls caught up, I stood at the edge of Bootsie’s stage, the promise I made to Celie weighing on me. My group encouraged me, too, because the songs had mellowed out, but we refused to head to another bar. And I found, the buzz of the crowd, the expectation of my old friend and the new faces in the low light didn’t bother me like it used to.
The band, a group of seasoned musicians who’d seen the likes of many come and go on this very stage, gave me encouraging nods. I took a deep breath, the familiar scent of beer and polish grounding me, and grabbed the tip bucket, as well. I climbed the few steps to stand in front of the microphone.
“Alright, y’all,” I started, enthusiasm apparent in my voice. “What’s it gonna be? Gimme your best shot.”
“Jolene” by Dolly Parton was the first request, shouted out by Jassica.
The first few chords from the band were like a call to arms, and as I settled into the rhythm, the world outside the spotlight seemed to fade away. I no longer needed to lock eyes with Taco, but I did for a moment, for old time’s sake.
The song, with its plea and powerful emotions, filled the space, and I poured every ounce of feeling I had into each word as the band made the song really rock.
Sweet Tea, with her love for the classics, requested “Proud Mary.” The band kicked it up a notch, and I belted out the lyrics, channeling every bit of Tina Turner’s legendary energy I could muster. But the vibe transformed as Sweet Tea and Memphis got up on stage to do the dance I couldn’t.
After that, the crowd seemed to grow. Maybe Celie had been right about me being able to help Bootsie’s. The requests from the audience kept coming. A couple near the stage asked for “Always on my Mind”. I could sing that with my eyes shut, the poster of Willie on the wall inspiring me.
The crowd grew bolder, a group of college kids shouting for “Beyonce.” She had some country music that I didn’t know. Being caught unaware used to be one of my biggest fears. The band and I exchanged amused glances as they were also at a loss. No biggie, we dived into “Single Ladies” and the funky beats with our country spin, had the energy in Bootsie’s hitting a new high. Also, the song seemed appropriate for a bachelorette party. The crowd danced and sang along, their joy and abandon flowing freely.
I felt so good being at the center of it all. When they asked for something out of left field like Kendrick Lamar, and I knew one, we did that as well. I sang a rap song, feeling like I could conquer the world. I’d always been so worried about taking requests, but tonight showed me how far I’d come, from a girl so shy that she had to sing to a fake bull to a woman who could control a rowdy crowd.
As the final notes of our last song, a spirited rendition of “Take Me Home Country Roads” that had everyone joining in faded away, I was about to step off the stage, my heart full. Then someone out in the crowd surprised me by shouting for “I Want You Back” by Dolly Parton and Steven Tyler. A big grin spread across my face.
“Y’all are in luck, ‘cause I happen to know that one,” I said, my delight clear. I actually knew something new. Following my lead, the band launched into the song, its unique blend of country twang and rock energy taking over. And I was no Dolly. Or Steven Tyler, for that matter, but imagining the hunk, put my ol’ man on my mind.
His sexy, eclectic look, wild dark hair and eyes paired with a big ol’ mouth. I was missing Kingpin, something awful. I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle tomorrow morning and spend the rest of my life waking up to the biker president.
When I finally stepped down from the stage, the high from the performance still coursing through my veins, I felt someone’s eyes on me. It wasn’t the admiring gaze of a fan or the fond look of a friend. It was something heavier, more intense, shattering my mood. Turning toward the feeling, I found myself locking eyes with a man in the crowd, the one who had shouted out for the final song.
The recognition hit me like a punch to the gut. Lordalmighty.
Hallow.
My heart skipped a beat, then sprinted. My ex stood there with a look of nostalgia and something darker. I hadn’t seen him in years, not since he left the club after he found out my baby wasn’t his and that I had been with his club’s president, Kingpin. After he’d seen it with his own eyes. And Hallow, he took Kingpin’s wife at the time, kidnapped Sky and ran. The shock of seeing him here, now, on the eve of my wedding, sent more than a chill down my spine. I fucking froze solid.
