every night, at every stadium and open your show I’ll hold my hands up and say I was wrong. But, I’ll tell you, I’m confident I’ll be begging Vince Gill by the end of next week,’ Buzz stated.
‘I’ve got a week?’ Jared asked him.
‘Seven short days and then I’m making the call,’ Buzz said in his serious voice.
Chapter Six
‘Hey, doll I’m gonna make a move. You OK to lock up?’
She’d sold twenty-five copies of Jed Marshall’s latest album that day. Apparently he’d bitten the head off of Davey Duncan, the notorious jock from Countrified 103 and the town had loved it. One old lady said she really wished Jared had whupped Duncan’s ass.
‘Honor?’ Mia called.
‘Sorry? What did you say?’ She raised her head, putting the CD down on the counter.
‘Listen, I know how you feel about the scene and everything but there’s this great band playing tonight and Carly’s bailed on me. Want to eat burgers and fries and drink beer with me?’ Mia offered.
‘A country bar?’ Honor said, raising her eyebrow.
‘Are there any others in this town? Come on, you know I get twitchy at the hip-hop bar.’ Mia pulled a face, pouting out her lips and leaning her head to one side like she’d be emotionally harmed if the answer wasn’t yes.
‘I don’t know.’ She didn’t do country bars anymore. It was too painful to listen to all the talent, knowing what she’d had in the palm of her hand. Knowing what had been taken from her. Recording again was the start but she wasn’t even sure she was going to be able to go through with it. Larry had been euphoric when she’d called. If she let him down…
‘I swear, if they start trying a Vince Gill cover, we’re out of there,’ Mia continued.
She opened her mouth to respond when Mia spoke again, her eyes on the parking lot.
‘Holy crap! Your boy’s here again.’
Honor followed Mia’s line of vision out of the store. Jared Marshall was heading towards the door, baseball cap on his head, bike helmet swinging from one hand.
‘He looks pissed…but then he looked like that on the cover of the last issue of
Maverick
. I think that’s his thing.’
He’d been at Black Monkey today. She knew that. He’d told her. And she’d deliberately ignored the invitation. She might have summoned up the strength to agree to try a studio session but she couldn’t commit to anything else. It was ridiculous! A collaboration with country hot property! Especially country hot property with gray eyes the depth of marble.
The door opened.
‘Afternoon, ma’am,’ he greeted Mia, touching the peak of his cap in acknowledgement as he entered.
Honor watched Mia liquefy before her eyes.
‘I…good afternoon, Mr Jed Marshall. It’s an honor to have you here. Can I get you anything? Anything at all. I’ve got great coffee or something strong? Bourbon?’
Honor cringed as Mia actually giggled. Mia wasn’t a giggler she was a loud, raucous snorter. But she was an outrageous flirt and she was turning the store into Flirt Room 101 right now.
‘That’s very kind of you an’ all but I’m actually just here to see Miss Blackwood. If that’s OK with you. I promise I won’t keep her too long,’ Jared said, his gaze settling on Honor.
She was glued to the spot by those eyes. She knew what he was going to say. He was going to ball her out for not going to the studios. Well, she was ready for him. She was going to give it a try and if she couldn’t do it then she couldn’t do it. No matter what, she didn’t need his help. Anything she decided was going to be on her own terms. She might be terrified of some things but she hadn’t lost her own mind.
‘Sure thing. I’ll just shuffle some stuff around over here. Not your stuff obviously. After today I’ve got to do another order for “Crazy Outlaw” copies,’ Mia rambled.
‘That’s good to hear,’ Jared said. He smiled at her as she backed towards the percussion section.
‘Have you changed your mind
Maggie Ryan, Blushing Books