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Rick doesn’t look bad himself. He’s tall, with light blond hair and brown eyes, and he has a smile that would make a woman’s panties melt off at fifty paces.
Tonight, he’s rocking some scruff on his cheeks and a blue suit with a T-shirt under it.
No tie.
Somehow, Rick’s able to pull off the look effortlessly.
“What songs are you singing?” I ask him as I check my makeup one last time in the hall mirror. “I had a hard time choosing from Misty’s catalog. She has too many good ones.”
“We had to choose from Misty’s catalog?”
I glance over, and he looks shocked, then grins once more.
“Kidding. I wanted to do ‘Moonshine’.”
“Oh, that would make an awesome duet,” I reply with a nod. “Good choice. We’re doing ‘Girls Gone Bad’. Because we’re sassy.”
Rick laughs and escorts me out to the waiting car.
The drive into the city and to the Opry House takes about thirty minutes, and when we pull up, I take a long, deep breath.
The press is already out front, waiting to take photos of all of us on the red carpet.
“Ready for this show?” Rick asks me.
“As I’ll ever be.”
The door opens, and Rick exits first, then turns back to offer me his hand. I take it, and we turn to the cameras, already smiling.
“Sidney! Over here!”
“Rick! Give us a smolder!”
“What the hell is a smolder?” I ask Rick under my breath.
“Look at me.”
I comply, and he’s staring down at me with intense brown eyes, no smile anywhere on his face.
“Is that the smolder?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I nod. “I get it.”
With a laugh, Rick leads me slowly down the carpet, where we’re photographed and interviewed.
“Are you two an item?” someone calls out.
“We’re friends,” I reply. “We’ve known each other for a long time, and Rick was nice enough to escort me this evening.”
Finally, we move into the building and get a break from the flashes.
“Nicely done,” Rick says and kisses my hand before letting me go. “Now, let’s go get our grub on.”
“I don’t think I can eat anything in this dress,” I admit.
The Opry inductee parties are legendary. The staff makes sure that there is always a signature cocktail and food that is all requested by the artist being honored.
Misty’s cocktail is a Misty Martini, of course, and there’s lots of pizza spread out, with a million different topping combinations for everyone to enjoy.
As the show goes on, people come in and out of the party room to watch on the screens and eat and chat.
I used to get so starstruck when people like Garth and Trisha would come to the shows, but now it’s like I’m part of a really cool club, and we’re getting together to celebrate someone we love.
Because at the base of it, that’s exactly what this is.
And it absolutely tears my heart out that I might not be able to do this for much longer.
“Why are you so mopey?” Annie asks as she joins me, cocktail in hand.
“I’m not. I’m having a great time.” I glance at the monitor where Misty and Rick are currently singing. “Their harmonies are so great. I’m happy that I was invited tonight.”
“You were the first one Misty mentioned,” Annie says. She’s also been Misty’s agent for as long as she’s been mine. “I know it was short notice, but this was the only weekend that worked for everyone in the coming months, so we went ahead and scheduled it. I’m glad you were able to make it.”
“Like I’d miss it.” I smirk and sip my cocktail. I can only have one because I can’t eat in this dress, and I don’t want to get hammered. I’ll be starving when I get home, but it’ll be worth it. “I have the interview with Music Row tomorrow. Do you have anything else slated for me?”
“Not yet. Do you think you’ll stick around Nashville?”
“I don’t know. Annie, if I want to spend more time around my family out west, what kind of a hit will my career take?”
She’s quiet for a moment and then shrugs. “A lot of artists live outside of Tennessee. It might just mean more travel for you, to come here to record and for shows and parties. That sort of thing.”
“But it’s doable.”
“Sure. But I wouldn’t sell your house if I were you. You’ll need a home base here.”
“No, I wouldn’t sell. Here’s another question for you: What if I want to start doing a little promo work on my own?”
“What kind?”
“Like on social media and such. Sing new songs for the fans and see what they think, that sort of thing.”
“I don’t see anything wrong with it. Hell, something could blow up and we’ll have labels knocking down the door again. I say do what works in all areas of your life. Sid, you’re young. You’re not tied to Nashville if it’s not where you want to call home. You work here, and it’ll always be here. But make your home where your heart is. Being near family is important.”
