What Now? (17 page)

“I’m
here with Max Ryan.”

“Ryan?
You’re with him now? After a bigger record deal?” He couldn’t resist that jibe.
“Well, he’s the man to help you.”

“So
glad you’re not bitter, Nick,” she said sardonically. “Shouldn’t we kiss and
make up?”

“I
don’t need to make up, Patti. I’m fine.”

“I
can see that you’re fine. Even if you don’t need to make up we should at least
kiss. I miss you,” she added huskily, drawing closer.

“How
can you miss something that you didn’t really want?”

“I
did want you, Nick, but I wasn’t ready to settle down with one guy. We never
should have married.”

“For
once we agree!”

“But
it wasn’t all bad. We had some great times.”

“If
you mean in bed, I can’t deny that was great, but we had little else going for
us.”

“We
can have at least that again. Want to come to my hotel after the party? Here’s
a little something on deposit. You can collect the rest later.” She pulled his
head down and kissed him. The wine she was drinking mingled with the vodka that
he’d drunk. All Nick felt was distaste.

“We
really shouldn’t mix drinks,” he advised, taking her hands from around his
neck.

His
eyes sought out Shari again who abruptly turned away on meeting his gaze. He
pushed Patti away in annoyance, hoping that Shari didn’t think that he was
participating in the kiss. Then again, it wasn’t as if they were in a
relationship.

“Quit
it, Patti. I’m not feeling nostalgic. Been there, done that, got the divorce
papers to prove it.” With that he walked off, leaving her staring after him in
anger.

He
stopped to acknowledge the greetings and congratulations from well-wishers as
he threaded through the crowd to reach Shari. 

“Shari,
I’ve been trying to get to you.”

She
raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief.

“Max,
how are you?” They shook hands.

“Nick,
I’m good. I see that you ran into Patti. Her lipstick is not your color.”

“That’s
what I told her,” agreed Nick, grabbing a cocktail napkin from a passing
waitress to wipe his lips. “Patti is my ex,” Nick confirmed to Shari.

“It’s
wonderful that you’re still friends with your ex in spite of everything.”
Considering that she wanted nothing to do with Rob and they hadn’t even been
married. Maybe that’s how it was in show business. She took another look at
Patti who was now talking to Nick’s base player.

“Friends
would be a stretch. Excuse us, Max. I need a little air.”  Not even waiting for
Max to excuse them, he took Shari by the hand and led her out to the balcony
where they could talk in relative privacy. Nick wasn’t sure why he felt that he
had to explain Patti’s kiss, but Shari didn’t even give him the chance.

“So
what’s on the menu tonight, Nick? An ex-wife or a ménage á trois? Oh sorry, a
ménage á quatre. That might be a bit much, even for you.”

“Neither.”

“That’s
not like you. Maybe you need to check out the room to see what else is being
offered.”

“Maybe.”
Nick was beginning to get a little pissed off with Shari. She certainly wasn’t
offering anything, so what was her issue?

“So
do you usually go around kissing your ex-wives?”

“Is
this for the documentary or for you?” 

Shari
was forced to ask herself the same question. What was she thinking? She and
Nick were not an item and she was sounding like a jealous girlfriend or
something. She was mortified.

“She
was the one doing the kissing and, no, I don’t make it a habit. Don’t be a dog
in the manger, Shari. Make up your mind what you want.”

“Dog
in the manger?” she sputtered. “I certainly don’t want to sleep with you, but
I’m not trying to stop anyone else from doing it. Knock yourself out!”

Shari stalked away from Nick in anger. He had a one-track
mind when it came to women. Well, she wasn’t about that. If all he wanted was
her body, then the trio and his ex-wife were welcome to him, at the same time
if they wanted.

Shari
rejoined the party determined to enjoy herself and ignore Nick. Spying Steve in
a corner of the room with his arm around the shoulders of a petite brunette,
she made her way over to them, curious to even see Steve with a woman, far less
hugging her to his side. Her faith in men was at a low right now so she really
hoped that it wasn’t someone he had picked up for the night.

“Hi, Steve.
That was a great concert,” Shari greeted him.

“Thanks,
Shari. Look who flew in to surprise me and be here for the concert. This is my
wife, Marie. Marie, this is Shari Goodwin who I told you about.”

“It’s
great to meet you, Shari. Steve had great things to say about you.”

Shari
smiled broadly as she shook Marie’s hand. “It must be a mutual admiration club
because I think Steve is great too.” She looked at Steve. “Thanks for helping
to restore my faith in men, Steve. I was just about to demand who this woman
was since I’ve never seen you with another woman.”

Steve
laughed and drew Marie closer to him. He looked down at her with such love that
Shari felt a twinge of envy for Marie.

“See,
I told you that I’m yours…faithfully,” he quipped.

“You
have a good man, Marie. Don’t take that for granted.”

“I
know and I don’t. I just wish he wasn’t on the road so much, but music is his
life, so we’ll figure it out.” She gazed adoringly at Steve.

“We’re
going to be heading back to the island soon, Shari. You’re welcome to share the
yacht with us, or do you want to hang around longer and come back with the
others?”

“No,
I’m more than ready to leave. I’ll just let Lily know that I’m going with you.”

“Shouldn’t
you let Nick know too?”

“Why
should I? He has no claims on me.”

“But
maybe he’d like to,” observed Steve.

“I seriously
doubt that. I don’t think his belt could take another notch and he knows that I
won’t be giving him the chance to put one on it.”

Steve
and Marie chuckled.

“You’re
an original, Shari Goodwin,” Steve complimented her. “I hope Nick appreciates
that.”

Shari
didn’t think that Nick appreciated anything about her right now or was even
giving her a second thought. He was currently flanked by two women with enough
bosom and make-up to share with all the women in the room. OK, that was an
exaggeration, she admitted, but they were almost like carbon copies of the ones
in Vegas. Ladies, he’s been there and done that. I believe that the trio may
have more luck than you.

She
hated the fact that her eyes kept seeking him out, almost of their own
volition. As her gaze returned to him, Nick bent his head to hear what one of
the women was saying. Laughing at whatever it was, he took a sip of his drink
and looked up, meeting Shari’s eyes. Shari abruptly turned away and said to
Steve and Marie, “I’m going to find Lily.” She shouldn’t care what Nick did;
she had no claims on him after all.

Nick’s
eyes trailed Shari as she made her way over to Lily and then joined Steve and
his wife at the door. They appeared to be heading back to the hotel.  Just as
well. He could feel her censure every time she looked at him. What was she, his
conscience? He’d just had the best concert that he could remember; he felt on
top of the world and he deserved the best that life had to offer tonight. He
had earned it and if he wanted to celebrate with a duo or a trio that was his
call. He was free to do what he liked and he didn’t need Shari Goodwin judging
him.

Nick
and Lily finally met up half hour later, by which time Nick had downed about
four or five drinks.

“Nick,
did I tell you what an awesome tribute that was? You’ll have the press eating
out of your hands tomorrow, mark my words.”

“Once
you’re happy, I’m happy,” smiled Nick. He was already half-way to being mellow,
his earlier anger with Shari long gone.

“Brad
is talking to Mitch Blackwell. He says they want to have a meeting to discuss
your next album. This one is still riding high so it would be good to keep the
momentum going.”

All
Nick felt at the thought of doing another album was tired. He couldn’t wait
until December 16, the date of the last concert at Madison. Then he would head
home for a week before going to his parents’. He wondered if Shari still
intended to come.

“That’s
wonderful, Lily, but all I want to do after this tour is take a long holiday. 
Humor me, OK?”

“Whatever
you say, Nick. We can talk about that another time. Enjoy yourself tonight; you
deserve it. Shari has gone back to the hotel with Steve and Marie.  Don’t
forget that we’ve arranged for the tour bus to pick us up at the Marina at eleven
to drive to Fort Lauderdale. So please don’t stay out until the crack of dawn,
Nick.”

“Yes,
mother,” he teased.

“I’m
serious, Nick. I know you. You’ll say that and before my back is turned some
woman will make you an offer you can’t refuse and the rest will be history.”

“Really,
Lily. I’m hurt. Do you think I’m so fickle? I’ll have you know that I’ve turned
down two offers tonight already, not that I’m boasting.”

“Alright,
Nick. Have a good time, but please get back early.” She kissed his cheek in a
rare show of affection. She must really be happy with the PR that the concert
had brought, thought Nick.

He
hadn’t gone more than a few steps before he heard his name being called. He
barely had time to turn around before a lush female form launched itself
against him. It was a Broadway dancer that he’d met in New York the year before;
Cinnie, short for Cinnamon. Not a name he was likely to forget.

“Cinnie,
this is the last place I would expect to see you. You look great!” And she did.

“Thanks,
Nick. That was some concert. I was in tears one minute and dancing and singing
the next. You’re a genius.”

“Thanks,
Cin. What brings you to Miami?”

“I
live here now. I’ve had enough of New York for now. I’ve opened a studio and
I’m training dancers.”

“That’s
great.” Images of the last time he’d seen her flashed in his mind, causing him
to adjust his stance. Wow! It was coming back to him now.

“I
was just remembering the last time I saw you,” he admitted.

She
smiled knowingly. “That was pretty awesome. Feel like some spice tonight?” She
laughed. “I don’t live that far away.” Well she certainly wasn’t shy and,
anyway, cinnamon was supposed to be very good for your health…

Shari
decided to make the most of the beautiful day by having her breakfast on the
terrace of the restaurant where she could enjoy the warmth and the breeze that
stirred the nearby plants. She gave the waitress her order and picked up the
copy of the Miami Herald that was placed on the table for her. She scouted the
entertainment pages and was rewarded when Nick’s name caught her attention.

Nick Badley Wows
Miami

Last
night Nick Badley and his band performed at the American Airlines Arena before
a sold out crowd. This was the first concert since the tragedy in Chicago where
two fans and a security guard were killed when crowds rushed the gates before
their concert. Nick Badley paid tribute to the victims during the concert with
a moving song performed in darkness, lighted only by tiny torch lights which
were given to patrons at the gate. There was reportedly not a dry eye in the
place. After a short break, the reputed bad boy came back on stage like a new
man and gave the fans an unparalleled performance. The band doesn’t seem to be missing
Tim Benson as the new drummer, Paul Granger, played as if he’d been with them
from day one. Nick and the band will perform in Fort Lauderdale tomorrow and
several cities around the East Coast before climaxing their world tour with a
concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. Ticket masters say that it has
already been sold out.

Great
article. Lily would be pleased. She flipped through the other pages expecting
to see a photo of Nick with a woman in his lap or something, but she saw
nothing. Did Nick actually come back to the hotel alone? Not that it was any of
her business.

Looking
up from stirring the coffee that had been delivered to her table while she read
the article, she spotted Lily heading towards her table. She didn’t look
particularly pleased.

“I
don’t suppose you’ve seen Nick this morning?”

“You
know it’s kind of early for him to be up,” said Shari, looking at her watch. It
was just after nine.

“Well,
he needs to get up and get his act together. The tour bus will be at the marina
at eleven. He’s not in his room and he’s not answering his phone. I don’t even
think he came back last night!”

“Do
you think he’s alright?” Shari began to get a bit concerned.

“I have
no doubt that he’s alright. Or at least he was when I saw him leaving with
Cinnie Brown.”

The
day suddenly lost its brightness. Why should she care if Nick spent the night
with some other woman or not? How many times did she have to remind herself
that he wasn’t hers?

“Who
is Cinnie Brown?” She couldn’t help asking. What kind of name was ‘Cinnie’
anyway? Or maybe it was ‘Sinnie’, which would be more appropriate.

“Cinnamon
Brown. She used to be a Broadway dancer. I think Nick spent some time with her
when we were in New York last year. I saw them leaving together and he hasn’t
been seen since. I hardly think she killed him and dumped the body, so I assume
he’s still at her place. I’m going to have to get someone to pack his stuff and
take it over on the yacht. Seriously, I could strangle him! He promised he’d be
in early.”

Shari
felt that she could strangle him as well, but for a totally different reason. 
Couldn’t he see how senseless these one night stands were? What was he looking
for? Or what was he running from? This only confirmed to her that he was
definitely not for her; not that he had expressed any interest in being the one
for her, other than wanting her in his bed. She thought that he was beginning
to change, but he was obviously still the shallow, oversexed rock star that she
had first encountered in Las Vegas. That made her unaccountably sad.

The tour
bus was breathtaking, but even the unbelievable luxury was losing its appeal
for Shari after they’d been sitting in it for an hour waiting for Nick. They’d
all come over on the yacht to meet the bus for 11 o’clock and Nick had not
turned up as yet. Lily was furious and Brad was not too happy either. Neither
was Shari.

“For
heaven’s sake, we could have driven to Fort Lauderdale and back by now,”
snapped Lily. “I’m seriously going to kill him.”

Steve
didn’t seem to mind since he had Marie to occupy him. Paul, Simon and Brian
entertained themselves by watching one of the large flat screen TVs, while Brad
was busy making calls on his cell phone. Shari silently stewed at how
inconsiderate Nick was even while she tapped away on her tablet.