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10
Nicolette
I look from Loraine’s outstretched hand to Kris and click my tongue. “Actually, I didn’t. I’ve had a hard week, it’s my birthday, and I expected to be able to enjoy it.”
I’m not touching her hand. God knows what she’s touched, and she just let Kris kiss her hand, so let’s face it, you never know where Kris has had that mouth. I know what Pierce has said, but I’d rather be more careful with my health. I’m already going to have to go to the bathroom and clean any exposed skin, so I don’t catch anything.
Turning a nearby chair toward the table, Kris chuckles. “You know Cliff, good for springing things.” He shrugs, sitting.
“So, should we get this show on the road? I turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”
“Fitting since I’m hung like a horse all night.” Kris winks at Lori. “But you know all about that.”
Loraine clears her throat. “Well, now. Let’s not dredge up ancient history.”
“Precisely.” Kris looks at me. “Nice and civil.”
“Nikki, or is it Nicolette now?” Lorraine pauses.
“It’s Nicolette. Always has been. Starlight made me Nikki B, but that is not who I am. I’m Nashville bred and glad to be home.”
“Well, Nicolette, welcome home. Should we start?” She nods, and a burly guy in blue gingham stands with a camera on his shoulder. Where the hell did he come from?
“Of course, let’s do this.”
“How does it feel working with Kris King?”
“Well, I’ve only been working with him for a day but already so much of an upgrade from my past.”
“That’s right, you are coming to us after falling off the Pop charts. That last album was—” She looks from me to Kris, “How did you once put it? Auto-Tune was the tool of the automaton?” Loraine’s lip curls.
“Lori.” Kris clears his throat. “Now, would I say something like that? Sure Nicolette was auto-tuned, but that was the fad. I think if you listen to her, you’ll find she will give Waterman a run. Now, if we can just get her to the mic, I think you will have all the answers you need.” His eyes sail toward me, and he sticks his fingers in his mouth, making a wolf whistle. That big bouncer comes wandering over, a wireless mic in his hand.
My eyes go wide, but I quickly recover as it’s passed to me.
“Nicolette, give us some Amazing Grace, would ya.”
I lick my lips, taking the mic. Of course, he would choose a gospel song while we were sitting in a bar. I start acapella. Amazing Grace is not an easy song to sing, but it is one of my favorites. The entire room has gone silent. Kris is tapping his fingers on the table, and I watch as he raises two. He wants me to go higher. So, higher I go. As the end draws near, I watch as he points down, telling me to drop it, and I listen. When I finally come up for air, the room erupts in applause, and wolf whistles.
Kris has a smug ass look on his face while the cameraman says nice. The one not speaking is Loraine. I’m looking at her full of sass and satisfaction.
“Does that conclude this interview? I’d really like to go back to my party that Kris so graciously has allowed us to have here.”
“I’m pleasantly surprised, but it seems you’ve cleared the room with that little audition.” Lorraine bats her eyes then stands. “We look forward to hearing what you come up with next.” Her fingers cross her chest, and the cameraman pans away. “On another note, Kris, you really are biting off more than you can chew here. Maybe you should leave this to the big boys and climb back behind the bar with Johnnie and Jack.” With a flip of her fake ass hair, she walks away.
Kris looks like he could kill someone. “Hey, Loraine,” I call out as I stand. She turns back to me with a hand on her hip. “You’d go a lot further if you weren’t so damn fake. If I lose friends for being the real me, we were obviously never actually friends. I’ll choose real every day of the week. Have a great night now.” I finish turning back to look at Kris.
He nods and stands— “Last call! Drinks are on the house!” He puts his hand on my shoulder and leans toward me. His lips hit my cheek. “Happy Birthday.” He walks away.
I find Pop and Pierce, who both scold me for saying anything. “I couldn’t just let him get bashed that way.” I defend my actions.
“Don’t go fallin’ in love with the producer. He’s too old for you.” Pop rubs his head.
“He’s essentially my boss. That wouldn’t be ethical. How is it that the two of you who say you’re behind me one hundred percent stand here and scold me, but the one that barely knows me seems to have more faith in me? He kissed my cheek, telling me Happy Birthday before going back to the bar but the fact that he didn’t scold me is more than I can say for either of the two of you.”
“He did what?” They raise their voices at the same time.
“Oh, stop it! It’s not like he grabbed my face and stuck his tongue down my throat.” I push through them and look around. Christ, a lot of people have actually left. I turn down a hall and go until I’m in a dark corner, lay my head against the wall, and let everything sink in.
