The smile that slid into place on Darcy’s lips was so unbearablysweet. “You like that I’m a hot piece of ass, though.”
She scoffed out a laugh, releasing Darcy and stepping back from her. She was already destined to get worked up during the show; no need to start it that way as well.
Southern Static – Bill Hooke live with Juliet Jacobs
November 29
Bill Hooke:Whiskey and White Lacehas certainly been something. This year has been a whirlwind, right? Getting to the top of the charts again, coming to the end of your tour.
Juliet Jacobs:It has certainly been something. I’m so thankful.
BH:And, of course, that feud with Darcy Kincaid. Don’t tell anyone, but I am very much on your side.
JJ:If you stayed current, Bill, you’d know that the “feud” is very much over. Darcy and I are actually friends, now.
BH:Aw, come on, you can tell the truth here.
JJ:I am. Darcy really is an incredibly talented singer. She was in your competition for aspiring Tennessee-based musicians last year, right? It must be really hard to look back and realize you missed out on discovering them! I can only imagine how much you’ve been kicking yourself this year.
BH:Ah… you know… I don’t quite remember.
JJ:It’s kind of crazy that you wouldn’t remember We, The Romantics being in your competition? They’re so hard to forget!
BH:Guess that speaks to the level of talent we had that year.
JJ:I guess so. Darcy told meall aboutthe experience. Thank god they decided to record, themselves.
Chapter Twenty
Juliet picturedHarrison’s face as she lunged forward at Laura while they fenced, using far more force than she typically did.
Oh, she always wanted to win, and she always tried her damndest. But Laura had been fencing since she was a child, and it was rare for Juliet to outdo her.
Today, she’d suggested it because she’dneededa physical outlet.
She’d returned from her second-to-last tour date – the final would be the day before Christmas Eve, in a week and a half – only to find that Harrison had rearranged her schedule. And,technically, he could. Becausetechnically,she still was obligated to give him one more show this year.
And, of course, he’d scheduled it on Christmas Eve, for his Christmas at the Ranch Festival. All because of the sky-high success of “Porchlight.” Of course, he would never invite Darcy there to duet with her. Not that she wanted Darcy anywhere near her family with a ten-foot pole, for the sake of everyone involved.
Juliet detested holidays in Texas with her family. Every year she went and put on the expected happy smile because otherwise she knew she’d have hell to pay. But normally, Harrison had already cashed in on all of his contractual obligations by the endof the year, and she could resolutely not go to hisstupid– she parried –fucking– she riposted –festival.
Laura called the end of their spar, breathing heavily as she tilted her foil down and took off her mask. “Are you actively trying to injure me or…?”
Juliet whipped her own mask off, feeling sweaty and entirely unsatisfied. “Sorry,” she bit off,genuinelyfeeling remorseful, but she was so damn keyed up.
She detested it. She detested Harrison. Sometimes, like now, she detested her mother for marrying him. And she detested even herself because – because she knew she owed a lot to him. He reminded her of it enough, didn’t he?
Ugh.
Laura’s expression shouted with sympathy. She held her arms open. “All right, go for it. But you’re obviously going to pay for the hospital bills.”
Juliet’s lips pinched together. “As much as I appreciate the offer, you are far from the person I want to tear apart right now. But thanks.”
Laura’s lips pulled into a soft look that was between a smile and a wince. “You want me to do something unhinged? Send one of those glitter bombs to his house?”
“Yes, I would. But Harrison never opens his own mail,” she muttered, darkly.
Laura blinked back at her. “Who the hell opens his mail for him?”
