They didn’t seem to need me, so I wandered the scene, dodging caterers with metal bins of food and decorators setting out centerpieces.
Swanky. The paths meandered off away from the lit-up area, still lined with hedges. There was only an occasional light on the walkway this far from the party. I looked up and could actually see the stars. We weren’t near the ocean as far as I could tell, but I’d explore that tomorrow. See what LA had to offer, spend a few days, or maybe a week.
Beyond that, I had no idea.
Behind me, I could hear the thump thump thump of a drum, then the diddling of a bass guitar. They must be doing the sound check. I hustled back to the lights and energy of the pre-party setup, eagerness thrumming through my body.
Paul played lead guitar and did vocals. They launched into “Super Fly,” and Paul wasn’t bad. His voice had a heaviness to it, out of sync with his skinny body in the gold vest and purple shades.
They stopped the song midway and the bass guitarist adjusted his monitor.
Paul looked down at me. “What you got in your repertoire, country boy? Any blues?”
“Hell, yeah,” I said. I hopped onstage. “This probably isn’t a job for my Seagull, though.” My acoustic guitar was back in the van.
Paul handed me his electric one. “Be my guest.”
I turned to the others. “I’m sure you know ‘Mustang Sally.’”
“Right on,” the drummer said, and instantly set a simple beat with the bass and the hi-hat.
I turned to the mike. The tables spread far and wide, encircling the flower-laden pool. It didn’t matter that they were empty.
The Fender was light, chilled from the night air. I pressed the steel wire against the fret and banged out the opening notes alongside the drummer, and sang like every table was full.
“Mustang Sally… Mmm hmmmm. Mustang Sally.”
The bass guitarist let out a whoop and joined in. Paul danced alongside on the stage.
The clinking of dishes subsided as our sound took over the world around us. Waiters paused, trays of silverware upheld. The girls arranging greenery around the ice dinosaur turned to watch.
I made eye contact with each and every one, belting out the blues like my world began and ended with a girl named Sally to ride.
Paul snagged a mike and filled out the chorus. The bassist leaned in and added edge to the vocals.
We were hot. We rode out the song on a magic carpet, gliding through the night on a sound wave.
I signaled to bring the chorus around once more, and we nailed the finish. The sparse collection of workers whooped and cheered.
“Tennessee, you got it goin’ ON,” Paul said. “You up for doing a tune or two tonight?”
“Hell, yeah,” I said.
This day just kept getting better and better.
Chapter 5: Jenny
The limo pulled up to a beautiful colonial-style mansion with white pillars and a circle drive. I wanted to admire it, soak in my last bit of life in the fast lane? but my nerves were jangling too hard to pay attention.
“It’s been fun,” I managed to say.
Frankie looked up from his cell phone. He wasn’t the best-looking guy I’d dated, more Danny DeVito than Brad Pitt, but he was kind and generous and easygoing.
“It has indeed,” he said.
I choked out a laugh. “I think you’ve been my longest relationship.”
He smiled, his teeth flashing in the dark. “I appreciate you changing your lifestyle for me all these months. I know it wasn’t easy. Now you can go after boys to your heart’s content.”
“Probably not my heart that’s most interested right now.”
His grin grew wider. “I know that was tough too.” He leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to my cheek. “I look forward to looking at the photos of your next conquest. Make it a real good one. Somebody who’ll get you in all the tabloids.”
“Did you have someone in mind for tonight?”
Frankie tucked his phone in his pocket. “It’s up to you. Someone who will make the gossip sites would be best. Alec will appreciate the recognition that I’m available before he and I go public. He doesn’t want to be a home wrecker in the press.”
I didn’t flinch for a second that Frankie’s new love was a boy. I knew Frankie was bi when I met him.
“So you want me to appear to be cheating on you?” I asked, my face hot. “I don’t want you to look like a chump.”
He squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. I’m ready to be seen with Alec. I won’t be single long.”
“I just…like you. I can’t stand the way they trump things up for click bait.”
Frankie clasped his other hand over mine. “Don’t worry about me. When we get there, I need to meet with some industry people, then I’ll introduce you to a few who might be able to help you come summer. Feel free to take my limo home when you like. I’ll be here all night and won’t need it.”
“Okay.” My eyes pricked a little. “I’m going to miss you.”
The back door of the limo opened. “We’ve had a good time,” he said. “But I think you’re really going to miss my credit card.”