DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING
CHAPTER 1: Please read and review. I appreciate feedback/constructive criticism.
Mood Music Whilst Writing:
Artist: ZZ Ward
Album: Til The Casket Drops
Rayna stifled a yawn and shifted in her seat, smoothing out a crease in her jeans. It had been a long day and it wasn't even close to being over.
"Do you need another coffee missy? We have another three guys to see and I'd like you to be awake," scolded Bucky gently.
"No no I'm fine," assured Rayna. "Bring on the next one."
They were sitting in one of the performance rooms at Edgehill Records holding the final band auditions for her tour. They had already secured a great drummer and some back up guitarists but the lead was proving to be a difficult find. She knew she needed the right person behind her to feel confident on stage. This was her first tour and she wanted it to be right.
The sound of footsteps echoing down the hall grew closer. Their owner appeared moments later and stepped into the room, smiling broadly.
"Is this the audition for lead guitar?" he inquired.
Without realising Rayna held her breath and stared at him intently. Bucky, bemused at her silence, jumped in to answer, "Yes son, yes it is. And you are?"
"Deacon Claybourne," he answered and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet y'all.' After greeting Bucky he turned directly to Rayna, who flinched slightly as she jolted back to reality. "And you must be the Rayna Jaymes. It's a pleasure."
Deacon bent down and kissed the top of her hand and Rayna realised she needed to say something. "Yes. You too," she stammered.
"Okay son, let's hear what you've got," said Bucky.
The audition went by in a blur and Rayna could barely remember it. She just knew one thing, that she was captivated. Fortunately it seemed that Bucky agreed and the next thing she knew he was shaking Deacon's hand and excusing himself to gather the paperwork. Then they were alone.
"So," said Deacon as he took Bucky's seat next to her. "Then there were two."
Rayna blushed. She had never recalled feeling so flustered in all her twenty years of living. She was a confident and smooth professional who had charmed her way into a multi album deal with a big new label in Nashville. She had attended meetings with music legends two or three times her age and performed for thousands of fans. Suddenly she couldn't put a sentence together, so she just looked at him.
He was a looker that was for sure. Tall and well built with a thick head of dark brown hair and warm, earnest eyes. He looked like he had soul and she was instantly drawn to him.
"Are you okay?" Deacon asked. "You're awful quiet."
"I am," Rayna replied. "It's just been a long day. Or maybe I should say a long week, month or year."
"I heard about your mother," Deacon said softly. "In the papers. I'm really sorry."
"Thank you," Rayna murmured. She was impressed he had managed to tap into what she was referring to even though they had just met.
"I bet y'all are sick of hearing people say that, "said Deacon. "But I am. Sorry, I mean."
"No, it's nice, Rayna offered. "I guess I still can't believe people are saying it to me, that's all."
Deacon leant over and squeezed her hand. She shuddered slightly but enjoyed the warmth of his touch. Suddenly the door handle turned and jolted them back to the present moment. Bucky appeared in the doorway and Deacon quickly let go of Rayna's hand. If he had noticed anything Bucky didn't give it away. Instead he ushered Deacon over to the table to look over his contract.
After the formalities were done and dusted Bucky insisted on taking Deacon and Rayna out for a celebratory dinner. "So we can all get to know each other better," he laughed. "Coz it's going to be a long tour!"
Bucky pulled his Audi into the parking lot of his and Rayna's favourite diner. They had spent many times there going over planning for her first album and the tour. They'd spent moments diffusing after Lamar had tried to prevent Rayna from signing, even though she was already an adult. And finally they'd spent moments here after Rayna lost her mother. She crying and he consoling her like her father never had.
Deacon pulled his truck into the lot moments later and they all bundled inside. Rayna was last to the booth and she opted to sit next to Bucky, not Deacon. She wanted to be able to breathe during dinner.
The meal went smoothly and they chatted and laughed together like three old friends. Rayna could see that Bucky was as charmed by Deacon as she was. Maybe not in exactly the same way but she could see he liked him. This reassured her greatly because sometimes she felt Bucky was the only one who had her back in life. Her father certainly didn't and her sister was far too young and under his thumb. And of course record companies were just out to secure the best deal for them, not their artist.
Just as dinner was winding down Bucky received a call from his wife. "Sorry kids, Nancy needs me to fix something back at the house." He looked at Rayna and asked, "Do you need a ride home?"
"Don't worry," Deacon jumped in. "I got her."
"Thanks bud, I'll sort the check on my way out. See you Monday!"
"So," said Deacon. "What now?"
"I dunno," Rayna mumbled. "I just know that I don't want to go home."
"You got it darlin'. Imma take you out to have some fun," Deacon smiled. He extended his hand to hers and pulled her up from the booth.
"What sort of fun?" she inquired as they walked to his car.
"We're in Nashville baby, there's only one thing to do!"
Rayna caught onto his wavelength as she saw the Bluebird Café up ahead.
"Deacon?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"Is it possible to go somewhere else tonight? Too many people know me there and I don't feel like keeping up appearances."
"Sure darlin'," he replied. "There's a great little bar near my place. Small and quiet."
"Perfect."
They entered the bar and took a seat in a small booth up the back. Deacon was right that the place was small and quiet. Although Rayna felt that dark and dingy would also have been appropriate adjectives.
"What would you like to drink?" asked Deacon.
"Ummm," said Rayna once they sat. "I don't actually have ID." She was only 20. With her mother's passing and efforts to forge a career she'd had no time for sneaking into bars underage or finding fake IDs from shady men on a street corner. In fact she hadn't had much time for friends at all.
"No worries," said Deacon. "I've got it." He returned momentarily with two glasses. "Whiskey," he murmured. Rayna took a sip and then screwed up her face at the bitter taste. "You don't drink much huh?" Deacon laughed.
"I've never had the time," she answered.
"Well you'll need to do something to unwind after your tour. I envision us partying in every city."
"Maybe," Rayna agreed.
"And there is nothing like whiskey to ease the pain," Deacon added. He wasn't just referring to her mother but Rayna didn't notice.
"Bottoms up then," she replied and they clinked glasses.
Rayna couldn't recall how many whiskeys she'd had or who kissed whom first. All she knew was that Deacon's mouth was on hers and his hand on her inner thigh. All she knew was that one hand was in his hair and the other around his back, clinging on for dear life. All she knew was that she didn't know how to stop.
She was too drunk to go home and he was too drunk to drive her anyway. Clumsily he led her up the stairs to his apartment, just over the road from the bar. Once inside they dropped their bags near the door and stumbled towards his bedroom. He pulled off her shirt and unbuttoned her jeans with apparent ease, also discarding his shirt and pants in the process.
They stood at the end of his bed, caught in a passionate embrace. Deacon ran his hands up and down her arms and across her back before kissing her neck. She was powerless to stop it. Eventually he backed her onto the bed and fell down on top of her, kissing all the while. She enjoyed the weight of him on top of her for a moment or two but then suddenly felt hot.
"Stop," she said. "Stop for a minute. I can't breathe."
Deacon rolled over and lay next to her on the bed. They both exhaled deeply as the alcohol made the room spin. Rayna turned to look at the stars out the window and then back at Deacon. He stared at her intently. Moments later she was asleep.