Erin takes her phone from her handbag. “By the way, you got more people rootin’ for you than just the folks in this room. Let me show you.”
We gather around her. The screen lights up with a picture of the‘Boot Scootin’ Seniors’under the disco ball in the community hall in Pine Bluff. Mrs. Bloom stands in the center and holds up a sign that reads ‘Good Luck, Tally & Rust!’
“I didn’t tell the ladies what was going on because you said it was a secret. But I got this text from Mrs. Bloom in the morning. I bet they forced the pastor to take the picture,” Erin explains.
Rust snickers. “Adorable. They look so sweet. Nobody would guess they’re feral in person.”
She scoffs. “Tell me about it!”
“Guess we gotta stop by again soon. We got some Tupperware to return, duh!” I joke.
“And I’m comin’ with!” Caleb chimes in.
Erin ignores him, focusing her attention on me, but the blush on her face indicates she heard him alright. “We’d alllove that. Since the ladies cooked for you, they’ve been talkin’ about getting together for regular Sunday lunches. Your arrival put a pep in their step.” She puts a hand on my shoulder. “And you already know what you’ve done for me. I’m gonna give my dream one last shot and I swear I’ll make it count.”
I twiddle my thumbs innocently. “Then would this be a good time to ask if you’d like to be my new choreographer?”
Erin gasps. “Are you serious?” She turns to Caleb and Rust, clutching her chest. “She can’t be serious, right? She can’t be offerin’ me my dream job just like this, right?”
“It’s yours if you want it,” I add.
Erin whoops, jumping on the spot. “Yes! Oh my gosh, I’d love that! Thank you so much!” She hugs me again, squeezing me so tight I think I feel a rib crack. “Now go and kick some butt!”
I turn to Caleb. “Do you have the USB stick I gave you in the motel?”
He pats his pocket. “Yes, ma’am. While you go on stage, I’ll give it to the tech guy who runs the LED video wall and instruct him to play the recording when you say the words ‘Night Wolfe.’”
“Thank you. We have a few minutes before showtime, and I’d like a moment to compose myself. Caleb, could you keep watch outside?” I ask.
He crosses his arms, putting on a mean look. “Nobody’s gettin’ past me.”
Erin takes the sunglasses from her purse, putting them on. “And I’m gonna cause a little more confusion to make it easier for you to get through. While I’m at it, I’ll drop off your guitar backstage.”
She grabs the guitar case and the two walk out. When we’re alone, Rust coils his arms around me from behind,gently propping his chin on top of my head. I watch us in the mirror as I interlace our fingers on my tummy.
“Your pulse races like you’re about to ride a wild bull,” he teases.
“Sure feels like it.”
“You just gotta go out there and tell your story. Be yourself. Be honest. Then everything’s gonna be fine.”
I turn, wrapping my arms around his neck. “There you go again, always knowing exactly what to say.”
A commotion in the hallway freezes my thoughts. My heart tumbles into my belly as I recognize the booming voice.
“You by that door!” Rex bellows.
“Me, sir?” Caleb says innocently.
Panicked, I look at Rust, but he gives a calm smile. “Caleb’s gonna fix it,” he whispers.
“Yeah, you! Security said they saw you with Tally Creed! Where is she? I’ve been running through the whole fucking building! The nerve of that woman to miss soundcheck and turn off her goddamn phone!” Rex rambles.
Caleb clears his throat and I hear his suit brushing up against the door. “That was a coincidence, sir. I met Miss Creed on her the way to the VIP dressing room. She’s probably still there. I was hired by the venue management to guard the costumes stored inside this room.”
“For fuck’s sake!” Rex shouts. “If I get my hands on that wretched little diva…” His stomping steps fade down the hallway.
After a few moments, Caleb knocks. “All clear.”
