Hearts on Fire (18 page)

“So here’s a
question for y’all. Is anyone out there in love?” she asked,
holding her free hand just above her eyes as she peered out into the
audience. Several white spotlights flashed over the arena and the
crowd reacted with even louder cheers and whistles. She chuckled, and
lowered her hand. “Why do I get the feeling that there may be more
than a few quickie weddings this weekend?”

The crowd reacted with
even louder cheers. Drew shifted on the stool and wrapped his fingers
around the neck of his guitar. He turned and studied Jessie’s
profile as she flashed a dazzling smile at her adoring fans. She had
the type of face that men wrote songs about. Hell, he’d written a
few thinking of those green eyes and porcelain skin.

“This next song is
dedicated to all you lovers out there. It’s older than I am, but
it’s always been one of my favorites. It’s called “You and I”,
and Drew and I are going to perform it for you tonight,” she said,
then shifted on the stool to face him.

Drew’s heart started
to pound as she gazed at him. All the feelings she had for him were
right there in her eyes, as plain as day, and as blinding as the sun.
His breath caught on a surge of yearning so intense, it felt like
pain, and for a moment, he forgot what the hell he was supposed to
do. Then he heard the first chords of the song on Ray’s piano and
snapped out of it. Gathering himself, he began to play his guitar and
for the next four and a half minutes, everything and everyone around
him disappeared as he poured his heart out in song.

When his fingers played
over the strings for the last time, total silence filled the
auditorium, and the air crackled with suppressed energy. Drew wasn’t
one to let his emotions get the best of him on stage, but now, after
they’d connected once again so magically in song, he couldn’t
help it. Emotion welled up inside of him as Jessie searched his face
with an uncertain gaze. She didn’t know if he loved her or not, but
she’d put her heart on the line anyway. He blinked and a single
tear trickled down his cheek. Jessie lifted her hand to brush it
away. He reached up, covered her hand with his, then moved it to his
mouth and kissed her palm.

After what seemed like
forever, but was probably only seconds, the spell was broken and a
crescendo of applause engulfed the arena. Startled, Drew realized
what he’d done and released her hand. A small, trembling smile
curved her lips and she brushed her fingers gently over his cheek
before turning to the audience.

“Thank you,” she
said, and slid off her stool. As he did the same, she caught his arm
and pulled him forward. “Give it up for Drew Carmichael, y’all.”

As he stood next to her and soaked
up the applause, he had to admit it felt pretty damn good. But not as
good as knowing that Jessie loved him. He wouldn’t trade that
feeling for anything in the world.

Jessie sipped her
champagne and glanced around the crowded ballroom. The CMT
after-party was in full swing, but she wasn’t at all interested in
hobnobbing with the suits, or watching Barry Downs follow them around
and suck up to them. Obviously he had no shame at all.

“Great show tonight,
Jessie,” Tara greeted her with wide smile. “I overheard one of
the CMT guys saying the ratings were really good.”

“That’s nice to
hear.” Jessie returned Tara’s smile with a relieved one of her
own. “To be honest, I was worried no one would watch it.”

“Good thing we kicked
ass then.” Tara grinned, then glanced at the chunky bejeweled watch
on her wrist. “I think I’m going to hit the casino and see if I
can win back the money I lost at blackjack last night.”

Jessie chuckled. “Good
luck with that.”

After Tara disappeared
from sight, Jessie did a quick survey of the crowded room. Where the
dickens was Drew? The entire band had been invited to the party, but
she hadn’t seen him since the show ended.

Just then a waiter with
a tray appeared. She handed him her glass, and then threaded her way
through the crowd, stopping every so often to acknowledge a hello or
congratulations. Never let it be said that Jessie Grant didn’t know
how to work a room.

With a sigh of relief,
she finally spotted Wally standing alone in a corner with his cell
phone pressed against one ear, and a finger in the other to drown out
the chatter and the piped in music that filled the room. He nodded at
her as she came to a halt beside him.

While waiting for him
to end his call, she brushed her hair over her shoulder and watched
as Barry tried to schmooze the CMT guys. What a jerk. She rolled her
eyes and turned her attention back to Wally.

“Thanks for the
call,” Wally said, and lowered the phone from his ear. “Good
news.” He smiled at her. “Preliminary ratings show your concert
was one of the top rated shows on cable this evening.”

Jessie grinned at him.
“That’s because there wasn’t a new episode of
Swamp
Hunters
on tonight.”

Wally let out a bark of
laughter. “Whatever the reason, it’s good news for us.” He
slipped his phone into his jacket pocket. “You and the band were on
fire tonight. I think that’s the best show we’ve done so far on
this tour.” The creases on his brow deepened as he studied her
intently. “There’s something’s different about you.”

Her cheeks warmed under
his probing gaze. She’d thought for sure he’d heard her admit her
feelings to Drew, but maybe he’d been so riled up at her that he
hadn’t. She smiled reassuringly and patted his arm. “I’m just
tired. It’s been a long day.”

He covered her hand
with his. “Why don’t you go up to your suite and get some rest?
I’ll cover for you.”

“Thank you.” She
leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do
without you.”

Wally’s eyes grew
suspiciously moist. “You’ll never have to find out. You’re the
daughter I never had, Jessie. I love you.”

She swallowed past the
knot of emotion lodged in her throat. Although she always suspected
how he felt about her, he’d never come right out and said it. And
neither had she. It was time. “I love you too, Wally.”

For a moment she
thought he might cry, but instead he gave her a quick hug, then
pulled back and treated her to a smug smile. “Was I right about
that duet, or what? I swear you could have heard a pin drop for
almost five seconds after it was over. I’m not gonna say I told you
so, but…”

“You told me so,”
she said, with a soft chuckle.

“I’ve never seen
you connect with any singing partner like you have with Drew.” He
hesitated as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue. “I wasn’t
going to mention this tonight, but judging from the reaction on
social media I’m thinking you two should record “You and I” and
release it as a single.” He squinted at her. “What do you think?”

“If Drew’s willing,
I’m in. I love the song.” She looked past him and still didn’t
see a trace of Drew anywhere. Although she did see Trista holding
court with one of the bigwigs from an elite Nashville talent
management agency. Judging by Trista’s confident posture and
beaming smile, it appeared the conversation was positive. Good for
her. “Speaking of Drew, have you seen him?” she asked.

“No. Not since right
after the show. I thought he’d be here.”

Jessie manufactured a
smile. She thought he’d be here too. But maybe he didn’t want to
talk to her—maybe he didn’t feel the same way she did and was
avoiding her. Her heart ached at the thought.

“I’m gonna take
your advice and head up to my suite.” She gave him another peck on
the cheek. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

Outside the ballroom,
John and a security guard provided by the MGM flanked her as she made
her way through the casino and toward the lobby of the hotel. Along
the way, she stopped and signed more than a few autographs, and
smiled into about a dozen cell phones while her fans took selfies
with her.

The love and support
her fans had shown her ever since her past had been revealed
astounded her. That people who she didn’t even know could show her
so much kindness had restored her faith in humanity and warmed her
soul.

When she reached the
elevator, she turned and put up her hands. John and the security
guard halted in unison and regarded her with identical stoic
expressions.

“I can take it from
here.”

“Jessie, you need to
let us escort you to your suite,” John said firmly.

“I appreciate your
concern, but I think I can handle an elevator ride and the short walk
to my suite alone.” She sighed when he didn’t reply. “Fine. But
I don’t need two of you.” She pushed the call button. “Thank
you for your assistance, but John can escort me from here,” she
said to the security guard, who gave her a nod before striding away.
A few seconds later, the doors slid open and she and John stepped
inside.

As the doors closed,
she pressed the button for her floor and thought about the concert.
Wally was right, she’d never been more connected to an audience
before in her life. It was as if every single person in the arena had
wrapped their arms around her in a warm, loving embrace.

And then there was
Drew. Just knowing he was there on the stage made her feel safe—like
she could do anything. And as for the duet, well, there were no words
to describe its magic. Chills ran down her spine as he’d stared
deeply into her eyes and seduced her with his beautiful voice. In
those four or so minutes, she honestly believed that he could be in
love with her, just as she was in love with him. But evidently not.
He’d made himself scarce as soon as they’d walked off stage.

The elevator bell
chimed and stopped at her floor. After the doors slid open, she and
John stepped out onto the carpeted hallway and moved down the
corridor side by side. Usually, they’d talk about the show, or
about his young daughter, but tonight, they were both silent. By now
he knew her well enough to know that when she had something on her
mind, she didn’t feel like chatting.

Opening her small
clutch, she pulled out her key card and rounded the corner. Glancing
up, she saw Drew leaning against the wall opposite her suite, looking
hotter than hell in a pair of faded jeans and a Music City Saloon
T-shirt, and for a moment, she damn near forgot how to breathe.

Her steps faltered as
he turned his head and their gazes locked. He didn’t move, he just
watched her with unreadable eyes that gave nothing away.

“I’ll wait here,”
John said.

Startled, she looked at
him. She’d been so wrapped up in Drew, she’d forgotten he was
there.

“Thank you.” She
shot him a quick smile and continued on. The closer she got to Drew,
the faster her heart raced. She took a breath to calm herself as she
halted in front of him. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you.”
His husky voice sent a shiver of awareness over her skin and made her
breath come a little bit faster.

“I didn’t see you
at the after party.”

He grimaced. “I hate
parties.”

Jessie chuckled. “Tell
me how you
really
feel.”

“That’s why I’m
here.”

Her knees trembled at
the implication of his words. She held up her key card. “Would you
like to come in?”

He held her gaze for
several charged seconds then pushed off from the wall. “Yes.” He
plucked the card from her hand, then moved to the door and inserted
it into card reader. After the telltale click, he opened the door for
her, then followed her into her suite.

Once they were inside,
and he closed the door, and she turned to face him and said the first
thing that popped into her head. “Wally suggested we record the
duet and release it as a single. What do you think?” She grasped
her small purse like a lifeline. She’d hoped to see Drew after the
concert, but now that they were face to face, she wasn’t sure what
to say. What did one do for an encore after blurting out
I
love you
?

He stared at her
intently, as if committing her face to memory. Flustered by the
intensity in his eyes, she tossed her purse on the sofa.

“Wally’s got an
excellent track record,” he said. “I’m down for anything he
suggests. What about you?”

Jessie brushed back her
hair and gave him a cheeky grin. “Not to brag or anything, but I do
think the song could be a hit all over again if we recorded it.”

His lips quirked with
amusement. “Then I guess it’s settled. Just let me know when and
where, and I’ll be there to record it with you.” He paused. “I
got a call from Garrett Shaw this afternoon.”

“What did he say?”

Excitement sprang to
life in his eyes. “That the Full Moon A&R execs want me to
audition for them. They’re interested in signing me.”

Unable to contain her
joyful squeal, Jessie launched herself forward and threw her arms
around him. “Congratulations. That’s wonderful. I’m so happy
for you.” She breathed in his clean scent; a mixture of soap and
shampoo, that filled her senses. She felt his hands at her waist as
he pulled her close. She fit against him perfectly. As if they’d
been made expressly for each other.

“Thank you,” he
said, and moved one hand slowly up her spine.

Suddenly, every nerve
ending in her body went on high alert. She leaned back and tilted her
head upwards to look at him.

“After I talked to
him, all I wanted to do was to find you and tell you the good news.”

He twined his fingers
in her hair, and she was acutely aware of the way his warm body
pressed against hers.

“Do you know why?”
His eyes burned into hers as she shook her head. “Because no amount
of success is worth a damn if you don’t have somebody to share it
with.”

Jessie’s heart
skipped a beat or three. “I’m so happy you wanted to share it
with me,” she said, aching for him to kiss her.