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My plan was still uncertain but I knew when it came to my boys, I would do anything. No matter what.
Chapter One
29 days and counting...
I was waiting at the corner to cross the street when the loud rumble of a car engine caught my attention. Turning my head towards the sound, I saw a blue older model Chevy Camaro pulling into the parking lot of a building across the street. Curious, I followed the car’s movement, waiting to see who would step out. A tall, muscular man with skin the color of warm caramel stepped out of the car and strode to the buildings front doors. He shook hands with another man who looked like he'd been waiting. They exchanged words briefly, then the man I'd been fixating on smiled as he turned his head while surveying the area.
Even from that distance I could see he was handsome with bright white teeth and a special air of confidence. My breath caught when his gaze stopped on me. Immediately I looked away to avoid eye contact, and to my horror, everyone else had nearly finished crossing the street. Feeling silly, I hurried forward as cars honked impatiently for me to get out of their way. After safely making it to the other side, I gave into the urge to look for the stranger. To my relief and utter disappointment, he was gone.
****
“Annette?” A male voice barked, snapping my attention away from the girl who was gyrating on the stage ahead. The Jumpstart was my third stop that day in search of a singing gig. Rumors said it was a place for miscellaneous talent, however, I didn’t realize that meant anything goes. Not wanting to look like a prude I finished the information form and handed it over to the bartender as confidently as I could.
“Anyone out here named Annette?” I lifted my eyes to see the man who was driving the blue Camaro earlie
r looking around impatiently.
“Here!” I shouted and stood. “I’m here. I’m Annette.” I'd made the decision that morning to shorten my name slightly to Annette because it sounded much more mature than Annetta, plus Mama was the only one who used my full name. To everyone else I was Annie.
“Well, hurry up and get in here.” The man waved his arm in an exaggerated manner and then disappeared into the doorway. My knees knocked together nervously as I followed. This was much different from where I’d performed in the past, mostly hole in the wall places and family owned restaurants. A rogue waitress from the last place I visited whispered that I should check out the Jumpstart if I wanted to make “serious” cash.
Before reaching the doorway, I quickly wiped the beads of sweat on my upper lip before entering the room. The man was sitting on the edge of his desk and scanning my information form. The office was small with papers covering the desk and filing cabinets lining the wall to the left of it. There was a tiny open space in the middle of it all but nowhere for me to sit.
“How old are you, Annette?” The man asked without looking up. He had to be in his mid-twenties and was wearing a nice pair of designer jeans that looked brand new. His black hair was cut very close to his skin and thick eyelashes that curled back in a way that most girl's would envy.
“I’m, uh, twenty-one.” I swallowed to help my dry throat and twisted my fingers nervously.
“What sort of music do you play?”
“Mostly blues covers but I can do just about anything.” He gave a quick nod, looking satisfied with my answer.
“Hmph. Where are you from?”
“Haventown. Why?”
“That’s up north, near Clemson, right?” He lifted his eyes to me and I nodded. “Columbia is a good ways from home,” he mumbled with a shrug then looked over the form a bit longer. “Take off your jacket.” He commanded as he tossed my application onto the desk behind him.
“Huh?”
“Take. Off. Your. Jacket.” He repeated slowly, looking annoyed.
“Why do I need to take my jacket off?”
“Listen, sweetheart, you wanna play at this club?”
I nodded.
“Then I gotta see what we’re working with here,” he gestured his hand down my body. “Take off the jacket.”
I gulped before doing as he asked. Keeping my eyes low, I shrugged off my worn denim jacket and then draped it over my arm. He was silent for a moment, too silent, and when I raised my head to look at him, he was grinning.
“I don’t give a shit if you’re a lousy singer; you’ll get’em in the door. You’re hired. Go to the bar and see Tammy for your schedule.” Then he gave me another long scan from head to toe before shooing me away. I shrugged on my jacket and backed out of the room. I was halfway down the corridor before I spun around and stormed back to the office. I managed to stop just in time to avoid a collision as he rounded the corner. At that close proximity he towered over me by at least a foot, and boy, did he smell nice. After blinking several times, I remembered my reason for returning.
“So that’s it? You don't need to hear me play or ask about my previous experience? You just hire me on the spot like that?” I asked, then stepped back to create a little distance. Those annoying beads of sweat were forming on my upper lip again.
He stared down and scanned my face briefly.
“Darlin, this ain't the Grand Ole Opry. Either you'll do well or you won't.” He shrugged and moved past me. “If the customers don't like you, you're out. Doesn't matter what I think.”
