Or at least, Ifelt like I’d had freedom.
In truth, untilmy mother died (over fifteen years ago now), I’d had nothing of my own. It’swhy Lyric had fought so hard to get control of my estate. To protect my money.Because if she hadn’t, my mother would have bled me dry.
Or one of myhusbands would have.
Three down, noneto go. I would never revisit marriage. I sucked at it. I was just glad I didn’thave any kids because then I had no one other than myself to fuck up.
For now,however, my sister had me on a budget, and I was actually relieved about it. Ihad never been good at saying no to people. I was the original bleeding heart,but since anyone asking for money had to go through my sister, I could stilllook like the good guy.
I heard a knock,then the beep of my door locks releasing.
“Melody?”Brandy, my personal assistant, called. “Proof of life.”
I chuckled.“Come in. I’m good. Sorry, I was on the phone with Lyric.”
“No worries.”She walked further into the room and smiled. “I have three people for you tomeet in Portland who would be great options to replace Billy.” She handed me asmall stack of paperwork. “I’ve also sent their portfolios to your phone.”
Billy had beenmy make-up and hair person since…well, forever. He’d found himself a new manseveral years ago, however, his new man, Graham, had also been sleeping withmynew man, Butchy. This was a problem, considering Butchy had been my head ofsecurity and betrayed me, kidnapping Harmony, and nearly killing her.
I had tried tomove on with Billy, because he’d been duped right along next to me, but in theend, the trust was lost, so I let him go.
With my sold-outtour rapidly approaching, I had little freedom to find just the right person towork for me on a permanent basis. We’d just played the benefit show in Seattle,and I had a two-day break before the Moda center in Portland, Oregon, but thatgave me no time with my family if I was stuck interviewing glam people.
I held up one ofthe résumés. “Is this a mistake?”
Brandy smiled.“Nope.”
“Oh my god, Brandy,how the hell did you get Natalie Langston?”
Natalie Langstonwas the most gifted makeup artist I’d ever worked with, even more so thanBilly. She had done all of my styling for the Darien Reed movies I’d starred inseveral years ago. Billy had been on vacation at the same time as the finalshoot, so she’d stepped in and I’d loved her, but she wasn’t interested inworking for me.
At least at thetime.
“I called andasked if she’d like to interview.”
“I called andasked her a year ago and she shot me down in flames.”
“That was a yearago,” Brandy said. “Things have changed.”
“Wow, girl, youare kind of amazing.”
Brandy laughed.“Yes, yes, I am. But she only does makeup, so you’ll still need a hair person.”
“That’s fine.” Ismiled. “Thank you, Brandy. Really, this is fantastic.”
“You’re welcome.If you’re good, I’m going to head back to my room.”
“Of course. I’llsee you in the morning.”
Brandy noddedand headed out, and I locked up behind her.
Melody
The plane toucheddown at PDX twentyminutes earlier than expected and I was so excited, I was practically jumpingout of my seat. Luckily, it was just Brandy and me on the private plane, whichgave me some much-needed time to relax and catch up on all the hot gossip I’d missedwhile sequestered away in rehearsals.
In the past, Ialways traveled by plane while the band and road crew travelled by bus. I’darrive in town a day or two earlier than the others, which gave me a chance todo local press appearances before they’d arrive. However, for this tour, Ichose to travel by bus for as much of the tour as possible. The decision waspartially a financial one, but mostly environmentally-based. Flying privatelyis horrible for the planet and I was no longer the naive and spoiled girl Ionce was. Plus, traveling by bus would give me more opportunities to bond withthe band.
I texted Harmonyto let her know I was on the ground, then once the doors were opened, Brandyand I headed out.
