“Thanks. Can you watch the door while I check my make-up? There’s no key in the lock.”
Rust pulls one of the crates to the door and sits on it “Anybody tryin’ to get in is gonna have to get through me, first.”
51
TALLY
I finally recognizethe woman staring back at me from the mirror.
Win or lose, tonight, I’m letting my body and my soul take up space on stage. No layers of glitter. No wig giving me a headache. No blue contacts. No shapewear pinching me into the box of expectations others have of me.
Just me and my curls, fresh-faced make-up, and a real smile on my face. I feel beautiful in a maxi skirt with a floral pattern and my favorite yellow peasant blouse. I feel like myself.
Rust’s eyes catch mine in the mirror. He grins like we’ve already won and my anxious pulse quietens enough for me to take a deep breath.
A knock shakes the door. “Operative Junker,” Caleb whispers from outside.
Rust rolls his eyes as he gets up and opens the door, letting his best friend into the room. “You gave yourself a codename?”
Caleb shrugs. “Yeah, don’t like it? I thought it was cool.Erin’s gonna be here in a moment. She had to use the ladies’ room.”
“You’re really enjoying this, hmm?” Rust teases.
Caleb scoffs. “Are you kiddin’ me? I got to take a first class red-eye to LA to play bodyguard for a hot blond dancerandI get to help out my oldest friends. Whowouldn’tenjoy this? It’s like one big party!”
“Thanks again for coming,” I cut in.
Caleb gives me a warm smile. “Stop thankin’ me, Tally. The first fifty times in the motel were plenty.”
“I’m still not used to people doing nice things for me,” I mumble, twisting the ties on my blouse.
“Well, better get used to it then.” Caleb brushes over his black suit and tugs on the collar. “Also unrelated, but I look incredible in this.”
I laugh. “You can keep the suit when we’re done. Rust gave me your size and I bought it especially for you.”
Caleb pumps his fist. “Wow, thanks! I thought it was a rental.” He turns to Rust. “Also, if I can’t melt Erin’s heart, I’ll pull so many chicks back home with this story. I’m bound to find the one sooner or later! Only sharing with y’all’s permission, of course.”
I nod. “After tonight is over, you’re free to share.”
“Hell yeah! You two gettin’ back together made me catch the love bug. The way y’all look at each other with heart eyes is so fuckin’ cute.”
Rust and I exchange a glance and Caleb snickers. “See, that’s exactly what I mean! I want me some of that true love. I want a house and a gaggle of kids and two dogs and a bunch of puppies and?—”
Another knock comes from the door. “Operative Tiny Dancer,” Erin whispers from outside and Rust lets her in.
Caleb already roped her into his codename nonsense.She’s so finished and I love that for her. Under the jokes, he’s a good guy. I’m sure he’ll treat her right.
Erin’s face is red and she’s breathing heavily as if she jogged all the way here from Arkansas. “Jeez, your fans are rabid! I thought they were gonna tear me apart before we made it inside.”
“I’d never let that happen!” Caleb says, chest puffed.
Erin clicks her tongue. “You and which army?”
“I’m a one-man army, darlin’.” Caleb winks.
I giggle and hug Erin. She puts her hands on my shoulders and fixes me with a lovingly stern gaze. “I know that teary look, Tally! Don’t you dare say thank you again.”
“Alright, fine. But I’mthinkingit and you can’t stop me.” I sniffle, making a zip-up motion across my lips.
