Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story
- Автор: Lister Ann
- Серия: Sheet Music #1
- Год: 2011
- Язык: голландский
- Год: Lulu.com
- ISBN: 9781105173578
- Жанр: Прочая древняя литература
Электронная книга - «Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story». Краткое содержание книги:
“Wow,” she exclaimed. “Never in a million years did I think performing before a live audience could feel like that!”
He smiled and pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles. “You were amazing, babe. Every man in the hall was begging to take you home. And, here you sit with me. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
Annie rolled her head to the side and gazed dreamily into the warmth of his eyes. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me leading up to this night,” she sighed, stroking the side of his smooth face. “Your patience and understanding was so comforting. I know I could not have gone out there tonight if it weren’t for you.”
“You’re giving me too much credit, Annie. Tonight was something you worked your ass off for, and it showed. Everyone loved you and I love you too.”
She slid closer and kissed him lightly on the mouth. “I also want to thank you for inviting my White Rush guys. It meant the world to me to look out and see their familiar faces smiling up at me from the front row.”
His mouth descended upon hers again and held it firmly, his tongue darting out to tease. “Did I mention how hot you looked on stage tonight?” he asked, sliding his long fingers up the inside of her thigh and under her satin skirt. His hand stopped when it felt her heat.
She grinned and pulled him down on top of her in the seat. “Have you ever done it in the backseat of a limo?” she asked coyly.
“You won’t want to hear the answer to that question,” he smiled.
“Nothing is sacred to you, is it?” she teased.
“Besides, you don’t want to miss your opening night party, do you?”
“No, I suppose you’re right,” Annie sighed with regret.
Michael sat up and patted her on the leg. Then pulled his cell phone from his pocket, calling the hotel kitchen to have a light buffet sent up to their suite.
Everyone arrived at once and Annie took the elevator with Gary, Buzz and Ivory. Where are you staying?” she asked.
“Mike booked us rooms right here with you. We’re only a few floors below you,” Buzz replied.
Annie turned to face Michael. “You booked them rooms, too?”
“He took care of all the arrangements,” Ivory added. “All we had to do was show up at the airport.”
“First class, all the way,” Gary added.
Annie squeezed Michael’s hand. “He’s too good to me,” she replied, never removing her eyes from him.
Once inside their hotel suite, Annie made a mad dash for the bedroom to change out of the confines of her stage outfit and into the comfort of her jeans. When she returned, Buzz and Ivory were waiting.
“Annie, we can’t tell you how proud we were to see you in action tonight,” Buzz remarked, leaning in to give her an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
“Yeah, it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person,” Ivory chimed.
“Thanks guys. It means a lot coming from the two of you, it really does. And I can’t thank you enough for coming tonight.” she replied.
“Hey! Anytime Mike wants to foot the bill, we’ll come and see you,” Buzz laughed. “I guess it pays to have a rich husband!”
Annie rolled her eyes and smiled endlessly. “What can I say, it’s not like I stalked him. It just sort of happened.”
“Hey, don’t apologize to us. We couldn’t be happier for you,” Ivory answered.
“Years from now, Ivory and I can say we were witnesses to the first sparks flying between you two. Remember that? We were at Sir Morgan’s Cove and Michael breezed in and shook your hand. Now, you’re married to him and expecting a baby,” Buzz said with a laugh. “We’re thrilled for both of you.”
They continued making small talk until Gary appeared beside Annie. Buzz and Ivory made a quick exit and went to mingle with Brian and the rest of Thrust, whom had just arrived.
Gary stood uneasily beside Annie, nervously sipping his drink, until Annie opened the conversation.
“Hi Gary. It’s been a long time,” she said.
“Yeah, too long. You look amazing,” he replied, noticing how beautiful she was.
“Thanks. So, what did you think of the show tonight?”
Gary smiled from ear to ear. “First, let me say how shocked I was to get a personal invitation from Mike to come to this. As for your performance, you took my breath away,” he said touching his chest. “It made me realize how right Mike was when he said you should be lead singer and center-stage. You were born for the stage, Annie,” he said with a sigh, and feeling a hint of regret she was gone from his life.
Annie’s eyes filled with tears as she suddenly threw her arms around Gary’s neck. “You have no idea how much that means to hear you say that,” she whispered in his ear. “And I’m very glad you came to the show.”
“What’s this I hear about you and Wade expecting a baby?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yes, it’s true,” she answered. I’m due in April.”
Gary squeezed her hand and forced a smile onto his face. “I’m happy you found someone that loves you the way you deserve to be loved. And I can tell he truly loves you, Annie. It’s obvious every time he looks at you.”
Annie started to cry and wiped at her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry, Annie. I guess in my own way, I’m saying I’m sorry for all the crap I gave you both in the beginning and helping you disappear. I have no excuses for my behavior except to say it scared the hell out of me when I saw you together and so happy. Something inside told me he was ‘the one’ and I had lost you forever. I had never felt that before Mike entered your life. Until then, I honestly thought eventually we’d get back together.”
Annie shifted uneasily. “It’s all in the past, Gary. Forget about it,” she answered softly, searching the room for Michael.
“I know, but it’s important to me that you hear me say that and I couldn’t be happier about the baby. You’re both going to make great parents.”
Annie smiled through her tears. “Are you still playing in a band?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“No. I’m working as a booking agent for a couple of clubs in the Worcester area. That keeps me pretty busy.”
Michael came up behind Annie and slid a welcome arm around her waist. “Hey Gary. I’m glad you decided to come tonight,” he said, extending a hand for him to shake.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he answered. “Thanks again for inviting me. In spite of all the trouble I caused, I’m not sure I deserved it.”
“Forget about it,” Michael said.
The party went on until the early hours of the morning. Annie let out a long sigh after the door closed for the last time, letting Brian out into the hallway. Finally, they were alone.
“I should pick up,” Annie commented, surveying the cluttered room. Exhaustion was written all over her face.
A low chuckle escaped from Michael’s mouth, as he pulled her tired body against his chest. “Annie, that is what housekeeping is for. They’ll pick up after we check-out tomorrow. Come. You and our baby are going to bed,” he said, and led her into the bedroom.
A month on the road was beginning to take a heavy toll on Annie and her growing baby. Unaccustomed to the constant travel, living out of a suitcase and eating nothing but room service was proving to be too much.
Yes, she was the opening act for the band, Crosby, Stills and Nash but she hadn’t even met them all. She had managed a short visit with Graham Nash and passed Steven Stills in the hallway, but that was it. After one show, she had walked into her dressing room and found Michael swapping war stories from the old days with David Crosby. Michael quickly introduced her to David, who smiled politely, but then continued to laugh it up with Michael, as if she were invisible.