Rachael’s smile looked wistful as she turned back to the stage. As Bill came to the table with her beer, she didn’t see the look that passed between him and Jake, the affirmative nod.
Showtime.
Bill set the beer down and Rachael turned. “Jake, buddy. Didja happen to bring your guitar?” He glanced at Rachael.
Not bad acting, but that glance might give away the game. “Oh, damn, I didn’t. You actually have an opening?” Of course Bill did—after Jake told him he’d found a woman with an amazing voice but a shy disposition, Bill promised to make room in the schedule the next few weekends and to play along if Jake should talk her into a date.
Bill nodded. “Yup. The ten o-clock slot just cancelled. Too bad.” He looked at Rachael again. “I don’t supposeyoubrought a guitar or an accordion or maybe a kazoo?”
Rachael grinned. “Sorry, not even a kazoo.”
“Good, ’cause I hate those things. I still have brain damage from when my daughter was four and wouldn’t put hers down.”
Here we go. All or nothing. Jake lifted his beer in a toast. “Rachael doesn’t need an instrument. She sings like an angel.”
Bill’s eyebrows raised. “Oh, does she now? We have more players than singers, Miss, I’d be delighted if you’d sing for us.”
Rachael opened her mouth but no words came out. She looked at Jake, then back up at Bill.
Crap, she’s not buying it.
“I… I’m really not…” Rachael rolled her lower lip in, then let it go. “I’ve never sung for anyone.” She glanced at Jake as her cheeks reddened. “For a crowd.”
Bill smiled. “Crowd thins out a bit later. Early to bed, early to rise around here. The cows wait for no man.”
She looked at Jake again. “I don’t know.”
“You’ll be depriving paradise if you don’t sing.” Jake didn’t have to pretend to be disappointed. He wanted to watch the room light up at her voice.Maybe next time. “But, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“No pressure. I can give you until nine to decide,” Bill, the smartest, the best bartender in the world according to Jake, added.
She didn’t need until nine o’clock. After watching a couple acts and relaxing with Jake, she signaled to Bill.
“I’ll do it.”
Ten
The smile on Jake’s face was worth the anxiety threatening to burst Rachael’s chest.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“I can’t believe you haven’t done this yet,” Jake said, excitement filling his voice. “They’re going to love you.”
“What if they don’t?”
“Then they’re idiots who don’t deserve to hear you. But that won’t happen. Rachael,” Jake took her hand with both of his, “you are phenomenal. It’s time you got the recognition for it.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I try to keep my head down.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that. You should be allowed to shine.” His hands were rough and warm as he ran his thumb over the backs of her fingers. The excited look in his eyes told Rachael he believed in her. The combination of his touch and his support filled her body with heat. She wished there weren’t so many people in the bar. In fact, if everyone could just disappear for a minute or two, she’d love to see what else he could make her feel.
While waiting for her turn, Jake held Rachael’s hand the entire time. Neither said anything about it—Rachael because she was afraid of bursting the bubble she’d created thinking Jake was different, was a good man. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow or next week, or the first time he might change and join the other assholes in harassing her at the plant. Or do worse.
Jake squeezed her hand. “It’s okay to be nervous.”
Rachael only nodded.
“My mom used to tell me that a crowd like this wants you to succeed as much as you do, and to lean into that.” Jake’s voice sounded thoughtful, like he was half in memory.
