Midnight Diamonds (2 page)

After the two women hugged, Silver squinted at her friend’s bright yellow satin shirt. Becky had always loved see-me-I’m-here colors. Somehow, with her auburn hair, hazel eyes, and tall, willowy figure, she glammed even the most flamboyant outfit.

“Car trouble, but this amazing guy stopped to help me. Buddy’s fine now.” Silver glanced around the lobby, hoping to see her rescuer. “He said he’d be here, but I guess he’s already gone inside.”

“Ooh, sounds like you’re interested.”

“Who wouldn’t be? He’s gorgeous, has a killer smile, and he cleaned me up.”

Becky’s eyes widened. “He did what? And you just met?”

“I had dirt on my face, so he used a bandanna to wipe it off.” She let out a long sigh. “I wish the rest of my day had gone so well.”

The lobby lights flashed three times to signal the approaching show. Becky grabbed her arm and pulled her through one of the doors, handing the usher their tickets. “I want to hear all about it, but let’s get our seats first.”

Silver shuddered at the rippling sea of cowboy hats in the arena, a veritable convention for stained felt and ragged straw. Becky paved the way through hundreds of people, down a wide sawdust-covered aisle. They stopped at the front row where Becky flashed her press badge and tickets to a man wearing a security T-shirt. He pointed to their seats on the right side of the center floor section.

“What’s the big deal about this contest?” Silver asked.

“All the profits go to help Tulsa inner city schools.”

Silver’s eyebrows went up. “Impressive.”

Her school could definitely use that kind of help right now. Silver still shook with anger when she thought about the emergency faculty meeting and her principal’s news. Apparently the finance secretary had cleaned out all the bank accounts, and the school could be forced to close. Why would one of their most trusted employees put Gordon A. Gladstone Academy in such a precarious position and jeopardize all their jobs? The best thing in her life was teaching at GaGa, as the students called it, and now it might be taken away, thanks to one person.

She winced when a fast-paced song blasted through the speakers. “Tell me why we’re sitting on the Make-Me-Deaf row.”

“Front row seats are reserved for the press corps tonight since it’s a fundraiser. Supposedly agents from Nashville are scouting several of these singers, and the hottest new country star is one of the judges. I’m supposed to interview him after the show.” Becky bumped her shoulder. “Thanks for enduring the country music torture. Try to have fun and enjoy yourself.”

“Second time I’ve heard those words tonight.” Surrounded by plaid shirts and the smell of stale beer, Silver thought enjoyment might be an unattainable goal. She tried to see her knight among people two-stepping in every aisle as she covered her ears against the hideous, twangy music.

Becky pulled her hands down. “Come on, Sil. ‘Red Solo Cup’ is great song, and who doesn’t love Toby Keith?”

A song dedicated to plastic cups. There might as well be a song about floor mats for all the sense it made to her. Maybe it was some obscure allegory for life, but she had no intention of asking. She turned to check out the western décor on the stage.

Gigantic black cowboy hats rested at angles on oversize wagon wheels, and multi-colored lights dripped down the back curtain, disappearing behind a section of wooden fencing. Not a bad set up, but they could have spent a bit more money on production design.

A familiar snapping sound made Silver frown. Becky always popped her knuckles when she had a headache.

“Is it bad?” Silver asked.

“Just a little one. I think it’s nerves. Hey, what was the guy’s name who helped with Buddy?”

Silver gasped. “I didn’t ask!”

Shaking her head and laughing, Becky wrapped one of her arms around Silver’s shoulders. “Didn’t have a lesson plan for that one, huh?”

“I was distracted. He called me darlin’
,
and you know I hate being called that stupid nickname.”

“Only because a certain cowboy-wannabe called you that, then broke your heart.”

Silver glared at her friend, who knew to not even mention the ex-fiancé. Becky raised her hands in surrender. Suddenly the lights dimmed to near black and the arena erupted into excited cheering. “Here we go,” Becky squealed.

“We’re going?” Silver teased. “OK, I promised. Good time. Yippee, here we go.” She covered her ears again when a loud voice spoke over the noisy fans.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tulsa’s Search for the Stars contest.”

And so it began.

Silver suffered through the next two hours and dozens of performers. Some were decent, a few were fine, but most were terrible. After one guy vocally massacred the classic song, “Help Me Make It through the Night,” even die-hard country fan Becky shook her head with a horrified gasp. When another hideous singer couldn’t even stay on pitch or rhythm, Silver stood, ready to leave, but Becky grabbed her arm.

“Not yet, Sil. I’m on assignment, remember?”

Silver sat back down, convinced that country music had nothing good to offer as the emcee walked onto the stage.

“All right, that’s all the contestants. While our judges begin their deliberation, let’s welcome some local talent who’s on the fast track to fame. He’s one of the judges, but I asked him to put in his vote quickly so he can sing for us. He’s also currently in the top forty on the country music charts, and rumor has it he’ll be nominated for Best New Artist of the Year with the American Country Music Awards. Let’s welcome Tulsa’s own…Justin Rivers!”

The audience exploded with cheering and applause. Maybe they were happy the contest was almost over. Music blasted through the tall speakers and laser lights glittered across the room. Where had all the lights been for the other acts? A dim spotlight focused on the stage where a tall man walked with his head down, face hidden by his cowboy hat until he reached the edge of the stage. The spotlight flashed to brilliant white as he raised his head.

Silver gasped softly when he smiled. She stared while he walked rapidly from one end of the stage to the other, waving as hundreds of cell phones took his picture and cameras flashed from the front row press members. Dozens of screaming girls rushed to the front of the stage as the audience stood in unison. Silver rose slowly, captivated by the music and the man.

“Hello, Tulsa!” he yelled, driving the noise level higher.

His engaging smile drew her in, like a moth to a flame. She loved the royal blue, western-cut shirt that covered his wide shoulders and a narrow waist. Black jeans encased his long, muscular legs down to his black cowboy boots. Oh, how she loved those thighs. When she looked back at his face, her breath caught.

Then she heard Justin sing, and her heart skipped a beat as everything and everyone faded away. His slightly rough, sensual voice drew her into the performance, the music’s perfect rhythm pounding as she absorbed every note.

“Breathe, Sil,” Becky said loudly in her ear.

Silver couldn’t take her eyes off Justin Rivers, and she knew the moment he saw her when he winked and gave her a little wave before moving across the stage.

Becky leaned close. “Wow, he noticed you!”

“He winked. I hate winking.” Silver turned to her friend. “That’s the guy.”

“What guy?” Then Becky’s eyes widened. “The one who fixed Buddy?”

Nodding, Silver stared at Justin, thinking the Fates must have a crazy sense of humor. Her gorgeous, car-saving knight had traded in his cargo shorts for a cowboy hat. And didn’t he make a good case against her prejudice toward cowboys?

When he finished the song, he waved and ran off the stage, giving her another delicious view of that backside.

Her hormones were screaming,
I want him!
“I need something to drink. You want anything?”

“No, thanks. Did you forget to eat again today?”

“Too much going on to stop for food. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” After Becky handed her one of the ticket stubs, Silver eased her way through the dancing crowd in the aisles to the nearest exit, where she leaned against the wall.

Trouble at the school, the problem with Buddy…the only good part of the day happened to be Justin. He’d made her smile for the first time in hours. And she’d felt a whole lot of things that had been absent from her life. Longing, excitement, attraction…scary to admit, but she wanted to get hold of those feelings with someone again. Or get a hold of someone. Maybe someone tall and dark haired who knew his way around engines.

No, that wouldn’t happen. Now she knew why he’d looked so familiar earlier in the parking lot. His face had been displayed all over every social medium she knew about as the up and coming sound of country music. Naturally he had a beautiful someone waiting somewhere. So what if he waved from the stage? Men like Justin Rivers didn’t notice women like her, unless it was to massage their male egos.

“Hey, is that you, Silver?”

Speaking of egos.

She stiffened when she heard Chase Richard’s voice behind her. Of course he’d show up here, since he ruled as the King of Wannabes. Turning, she saw her ex-fiancé grinning in a way that made her stomach roil. Dressed in a pea green western shirt with a pencil tie, skinny jeans with a sleek chrome belt buckle, and designer cowboy boots with heels a drag queen would envy, Chase was the epitome of everything she despised.

“Hello, Chase.”

“Have you missed me, darlin’?” he asked with a smirk that said he knew it would irritate her.

“Almost as much as cleaning up vomit in a classroom. Are you still working for your daddy?” she asked in a sweet voice.

His jaw tightened. “Not that it’s any concern of yours, but yeah, I am. In the loan department now.”

“How’s that over-the-garage room at your mother’s place?” she replied, not really caring if he answered.

“I’m back, sweetie.”

A tall redhead walked up and possessively linked her arm in his as she stared at Silver. What happened to the brunette who’d been in bed with him a week before their wedding? Feeling more than a tad catty, she gave the woman what she hoped was a look of pure innocence. “And this must be DeeAnn, right?”

The redhead turned and frowned at Chase. “DeeAnn? Who’s DeeAnn?”

Clearing his throat, Chase gave the woman a smile. “Nobody, baby. You’re the only one for me. Darcy, this is Silver, an old friend of mine.”

Old friend? Actually, they’d never really been friends, had they? “Hi, Darby, nice to meet you.”

“Darcy, not Darby.” The woman huffed, not even trying to hide her jealousy.

“My mistake, Darcy. Good to see you, Chase.” She turned to leave, but his words stopped her.

“Who are you seeing these days, darlin’?”

And there it was. The Moment.

Did she lie or tell him the truth? The last thing she wanted was to tell him she’d been alone these past months, and honesty was always the best policy.

“He just finished performing.”

But honesty took a backseat to the satisfaction of seeing both their mouths drop open. Darcy was the first to find her words.

“You’re seeing Justin Rivers?”

When Silver nodded, Chase frowned. “How long have you been dating?”

“I haven’t known him long at all.” Which was the truth…technically. And she would see him after the show. “I need to get back to my front row seat,” she said, emphasizing the seating arrangement. “Nice to meet you, DeeAnn.”

Darcy stomped her foot. “Who is DeeAnn?”

“Forget it. Uh…see you around, Silver.”

“I hope not,” she mumbled.

Guilt nibbled at her conscience. She shouldn’t have lied, but it felt good to see that two-timing cowboy squirm a bit. As she walked away, Silver heard Darcy say she was hungry and wanted to eat. Chase mentioned Tangled Saddles, a new barbecue place not far from the arena. Maybe he’d choke on a French fry.

At the concession stand, she bought a sweet tea, then headed back to her seat. She scooted by the press corps on the front row as the announcer came back onstage carrying a large envelope and a trophy, which he set on the stage. Justin followed and stood beside him.

“Let’s bring out our contestants. Didn’t they give us a great show?” All the performers walked onstage as the arena erupted into applause. “Justin Rivers will present the trophy and cash prizes.”

As Justin smiled at the audience and waved, one word came to mind: scrumptious.

The emcee continued. “Great job, wonderful show. Now it’s time to announce the winner. Our esteemed panel of judges, headed up by the mayor of this great city, has reached a decision.” He ripped open the envelope and stood reading for a few moments, dragging out the suspense. “Please remember, all profits go to benefit Tulsa schools.”

All the runners up were given their awards. The winner was announced and Justin stepped forward with the trophy and an envelope. Silver jumped to her feet and cheered with everyone else. She hoped with every fiber of her being that Creepy Chase could see her.

“I definitely won’t mind interviewing Justin,” Becky yelled in her ear.

“And I won’t mind watching,” she replied.

“I wonder what his family thinks about his success in country music.”

Silver shrugged. “Why would they care?”

Becky started to answer, but Silver held up a finger to stop her when Justin took the microphone from the emcee.

“Thanks, everyone, for coming out tonight and helping a great cause. It’s up to each of us to make sure kids get the education they need to be successful. Earlier tonight I had a grammar lesson from a teacher.” He grinned and winked at her when the audience laughed. “To show how much I believe in a solid education for all children, I’m making a donation matching whatever funds are raised tonight. Thanks again.”

Silver joined the rest of the crowd in screaming their approval.

He waved, shook hands with the announcer, and walked off stage with the other performers.

“That’s it for tonight’s show. Drive safely!” yelled the emcee as the house lights came up and music poured out of the speakers.

Silver pulled on Becky’s arm. “Let’s go so you can start the interview.”

Becky yanked her arm away and refused to move. “Grammar lesson from a teacher? And now you’re excited about the interview? OK, spill. You hate this kind of music and cowboys.”