A/N: this story uses the characters from my "The Country Singer" fic, but in an AU setting, if you haven't read that fic, you can still read this one without missing anything. However, if you'd like to read it, it is complete! I only own Melanie and her band...the rest belongs to AMC and Robert Kirkman. No infringement intended.
The Redhead and The Redneck
By Leah Pensotti
Adam stepped off the tour bus and groaned, "Awesome."
The were an hour outside of Atlanta, fortunately not far from the tour stop or the small town where they were going to shoot a music video. Melanie McCall followed her bassist Rob and Juliet the back up singer and stood in the dirt road.
It had been a long tour. Almost over a year. Sales of the record were up and the label wanted them to push through the rest of the year, ending the tour mid January in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
However, it was currently August, and that finish line seemed so far away. She and Adam had been writing all tour so they could start the second album once they were done. She wanted to hole up in their Nashville condo and write with a bottle of tequila.
Her album had been out almost two years. The single shot to number one on the country charts and they saw a considerable bump in sales after Melanie appeared at the CMA's wearing gold sparkly hot pants. Then came television, talk shows and more and more tour dates.
It had been a blur. But she had toiled in obscurity for eight years before getting signed to a label. She worked as a waitress and a shot girl. She and Adam took up open mic nights at The Bluebird Cafe and then busked on Broadway in Nashville to make rent.
It had been a long time coming.
"Is Will with the road crew?" Juliet asked.
Melanie nodded, "Should be. He's gonna blow his top knowing this hunk-a-junk broke down again."
Will, their road manager, was in charge of the crew, setting up at venues and making sure the band got from here to there without incident. The itinerary was as such as Melanie and the band would be playing a show in Atlanta, and shooting the last music video supporting her first album in a small town nearby.
Adam, who was her platonic songwriting partner and best friend, took out his cell phone and dialed Will's number, "Zero service."
Rob pointed backwards, "I saw a filling station about a mile back. I say we head that way. Call from there."
Melanie went back on the bus to grab her cell and some cash and told Davis, their driver, that they were going to call Will and he should stay with the bus. Once they started walking, Adam put his arm around her protectively.
"Mellie, you're walking in the middle of the road. Get over here. "
"Adam...it's 98 degrees in the armpit of Georgia. It doesn't matter. The road's not even paved."
"Well it could be worse, zombies could be chasing us."
Melanie chuckled, "I guess so."
By the time they reached the filling station, they were all sweaty messes. Melanie's long red hair was sticking to her shoulders and back, and Juliet looked like she had ran a marathon. When the four of them stepped in, they were disappointed to see an oscillating fan and realized there was no air conditioning.
Adam groaned once again, "Balls."
Daryl had been working on Merle's truck for most of the day in the back of the garage. Mack was working in the front of the shop, selling sodas and cigarettes and telling people when it was okay to pump their gas.
He didn't go out front unless he had to.
Daryl kept working even though he'd heard the bell in the front ring twice. The third time he reluctantly stepped away and poked his head to see four customers and no Mack. He walked back to the bathroom and beat on the door, "Get outta there Mack, we got customers."
"Jesus fuck, Dixon give me like five minutes. Just go out there and be as friendly as ya can be."
Daryl wiped his hands on the rag he kept in his back pocket and walked to the front counter, "Ya'll need a fill up?"
The big guy turned around and smiled brightly, "Hi...um actually...our bus broke down about a mile down the road. We have no cell service...could we please use your phone?"
Daryl nodded and picked up the land line from behind the counter and placed it in front of him, "Knock yerself out."
They were about the oddest looking group of people he'd ever seen around these parts. There was the big guy, the pretty guy, a whispy looking blond girl and a redhead braiding her long hair away from her face and neck, wearing the shortest pair of cutoffs he had ever seen.
He waited for Mack, and tried not to eavesdrop on the big guy's conversation.
"Hey Will, it's Adam. Bernandette broke down again...we're about an hour outside of Atlanta...nah, Mellie's fine...oh shit...okay. I don't think we're far from where we're shooting tomorrow...I'll see if there's anywhere we can post up."
He looked at Daryl and moved his mouth away from the receiver, "Excuse me...what's the address here?"
Daryl took one of the business cards they kept near the register and handed it to him and the big guy thanked him and read off the address. As the call ended, the big guy thanked him again and handed the phone back.
Just then, Mack came running out of the bathroom and to the front counter, "Thanks Dixon...they need something particular?"
"Bus broke down. Needed to use the phone."
Mack nodded and looked at the four of them, but looked surprised when he saw the redhead, "Holy shit. That's Melanie McCall."
Daryl shook his head, "Who?"
"Country singer. Great ass."
Mack smiled a crooked smile, "Excuse me...miss?"
The redhead casually looked over and raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"
"You wouldn't happen to be Melanie McCall, would ya?"
Daryl had half a mind to punch Mack for embarrassing the shit out of him, but was surprised when she walked up to the counter with a smile on her face. She pushed her mirrored sunglasses to the top of her head, exposing her large, honey colored eyes and spray of light freckles across her cheeks.
"Sure am. Was on the way to Atlanta for a show, but our old bus Bernandette broke down. You wouldn't happen to know a diner or something we can hang out at until our manager sends someone our way?"
Mack smiled like an idiot and pointed at Daryl, "Dixon here is a mechanic. I'm sure he wouldn't mind having a looksee."
Melanie looked to the big guy and then back at Daryl, "I mean...we wouldn't want to bother you...we'd be happy to pay you..."
Daryl looked at Melanie...she seemed nice, and if she was famous...she could afford to pay, and he could always use the money. He nodded, "Alright. Lead the way."
Melanie watched as the Dixon fellow followed Adam back to the bus while she, Juliet and Rob purchased cold sodas and bottled water from the man behind the counter. After she paid, he had asked her to sign one of the Country Music magazines that was in the small waiting area of the shop. Melanie was amused, it was one of her first covers. They had her dress up like Dale Evans in pink fringe and twirl a lasso.
As they walked out of the store with their bags of beverages, Juliet grinned at Melanie, "Did you notice that mechanic's hands and arms? Cheese and rice, it's been a long time. All I can think about is getting my hands on him. Or vice versa."
Melanie sighed, all she could think about was air conditioning and maybe some alcohol...obviously she and Juliet had different priorities. And curse words. She loved Juliet, and thought she had a gorgeous voice. But they didn't have a lot in common other than the music.
By the time they got back to the bus, Davis and Adam were standing outside while the mechanic paced back and forth. Melanie handed the both of them cold drinks and she nodded, "How's it going?"
Adam sighed, "When I was on the phone with Will, he said we might have to sit tight. He was going to contact the rental company and get a replacement for Bernandette. I know...I don't want to see her leave either. But Will also told me one of the roadies is in traction at the hospital. So it looks like we need one of those, too."
Melanie shook her head, "Starting to think extending the tour was a bad idea."
Adam laughed, "Starting? I had this feeling months ago. Did you read the treatment for the video, by the way?"
She shook her head, "I'm afraid to ask."
He smiled, "You in a ball gown. In a lake."
Melanie hung her head. Who came up with this shit? Why couldn't they just do a straightforward performance video? Film them live?
"Cheese and Rice."
Adam shook his head, "I'm going to have to separate you and Juliet if you keep talking like that."
Melanie walked to the back of the bus, where the mechanic continued to pace, and after Juliet pointed it out, she couldn't seem to notice anything other than his arms. She smiled, and felt a little unsure, "Uh, hey...want a drink?
Daryl stopped in his tracks when the redhead approached and offered him a drink. Considering she was famous enough for Mack to know who she was, she wasn't very imposing. She had long, shapely legs...but couldn't have stood taller than five foot three.
He took a bottle of water from her and thanked her quietly. Melanie smiled, "So...how's it going?"
Daryl shrugged, "Well, I ain't ever worked on a tour bus before...but I think it's the radiator."
She frowned, "Shit. That doesn't sound good."
He shook his head, it wasn't good. He took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and his trusty zippo lighter and fired one up. Melanie's eyes got wide and she smiled, "Hey...uh, would you mind if I took a quick drag?"
Daryl seemed surprised, she didn't seem like the smoking type, "Sure."
He handed her the cigarette and she leaned against the back of the bus and took a long, leisurely drag. Melanie smiled, "You didn't see me do this. I'm not supposed to smoke...it's bad for my voice."
Melanie passed the cigarette back to him and smiled again, "Thanks. And thank you for trying to help us. I think our manager will be sending another bus for us...just might take some time."
Daryl nodded and took a pull from the cigarette, "It's probably the best. I could mess around with it, but couldn't guarantee that I could fix it. So, uh, ya'll are just passing through?"
She took a sip of her Coca-Cola, "We have a show at the Center Stage tomorrow night in Atlanta...but we're shooting a video not far from here the next three days. Evidently it's involving a lake."
"Ah yeah, one about twenty minutes south o' here."
Melanie nodded and before he knew it the whispy blond girl came bounding up like a golden retriever, "Mellie...did you find somewhere we could hole up?"
She shrugged and looked at him, "Any suggestions, Mr..."
Daryl shook his head, "Daryl...just Daryl."
"Okay...Daryl...any suggestions?"
His name sounded soft when she said it, not backwards or rednecked or worthless.
Daryl shrugged, "There's a diner not too far from the shop. It ain't so bad."
The blond sidled up to him, "Ooh that sounds great. Wanna come with us?"
Daryl shook his head, "I've gotta finish up work. Thanks though."
She smiled, "I'm Juliet by the way. Maybe we'll see you around?"
He nodded and watched as Juliet walked back towards the front of the bus. Melanie smiled, "I think you have a fan...so, how much do we owe ya?"
Daryl shook his head yet again, "Well, seein' that I didn't do anythin', I don't feel right chargin' ya."
"You sure?"
"Yes ma'am."
Melanie shook her head and smiled, "Just call me Mellie. Thanks for all your help, Daryl."
They found the diner Daryl suggested, which reminded Melanie of the place her Mama worked back in Tulsa when she was a kid. A few people there recognized her and she took pictures and signed a few autographs.
Will got a bus to come their way and pull Bernadette behind it. They were going to fix her while they shot the video. They holed up in the nicest hotel in town, a Ramada. Melanie and Adam always bunked up together. They were closer than anyone could be. There was no romantic interest at all, but Melanie considered Adam her soulmate. He spoke her language. The songs they wrote were effortless; Melanie provided the lyrics and Adam fleshed out the melody.
Melanie played the guitar, while Adam played everything. He had been the go to session musician in Nashville long before Melanie met him as a shot girl at the Wildhorse Saloon.
After their long day, Melanie collapsed in her queen sized bed while Adam flipped the channels on the television from his.
"I don't mean to sound ungrateful. But I'm tired of this tour. I need to recharge."
Adam looked at her and sighed, "I know. Just think...come January and we will be recording again. I can't wait to catch you stress eating."
Melanie sighed, during the recording of the first album Adam found her stress eating twice...once cookie butter, the other time gummy bears and cookie butter at the same time. He thought it was hilarious.
"Ha ha."
Adam put down the remote and smiled, "You know what I think you need, boss lady?"
She raised her eyebrow at him, he knew good and well that she hated when he called her that?"
"What?"
Adam grinned, "You need a good old fashioned lay. How long's it been? Two years?"
If she had any energy, she would've thrown something at him. He of all people should know how terrible she was at men. She had made so many bad decisions and ended up crying to him over chocolate and alcohol.
That being said, she wouldn't turn down a good make out session though.
He saw the look on her face and smiled, "Aw come on, Mellie. I'm just joking. You're famous and look great in hot pants...did you see Juliet with that guy at the filling station. I thought she was going to pounce on him."
She chuckled, "Yeah...did Will ever say anything about finding someone for the road crew?"
Adam shook his head, "No. Why?"
Melanie shrugged, "Daryl seemed nice. Helpful. He seemed like he could fit the bill."
"Seemed pretty grumpy, though...at least at first. As long as he has a strong back, it might work."
She rolled over and looked at Adam, "He didn't charge us. He missed out on an hour of work. Maybe I'll talk to Will about dropping some passes down at station for the show? I'll put a bug in Will's ear..."
Adam sighed, "Here it goes again, you old softie. Trying to find a stray cat a home?"
He liked to tease her about the soft spots she had for certain people, even though she herself trusted very few, "I just...don't know. I see a little of myself in him, I guess. He probably hasn't ever been out of Georgia."
"I mean, he'd make a bit more money. See some of the world. It's hard work, but it wouldn't hurt to feel it out I guess."
Daryl went back that night to the shotgun house he shared with his older brother Merle. Merle wasn't much, but he was the only family Daryl knew. Since coming home from his most recent stint in the state pen, Merle spent most of the time eating, watching TV or raising hell at the only bar in town. It was almost a second full time job for Daryl, keeping him out of trouble.
"Well hey there, baby brother. Bring Ol' Merle any supper?
Daryl looked at his brother, feet up in a second hand recliner watching tv, "Yer legs ain't broke."
"What crawled up yer ass today?"
Daryl went into the kitchen and opened a can of beer, "Nothin.' Just a long day."
He brought out another can of beer and tossed it to Merle who smiled and nodded in thanks, "I heard that little country singer with the tight ass is in town flimin' a video."
Daryl sat on the couch and then stretched out, "Yeah. Her bus broke down."
Merle sat up, a spark of interest in his eyes, "Did ya meet her?"
He nodded, not really wanting to have a conversation with Merle that was sure to sound crude, "Yeah. She seemed nice."
"You can't tell me you didn't check out her ass."
To be honest, in those shorts it was hard not to, "She was just a short redhead. She smiled a lot."
Merle sighed, "Jesus Darylina. Yer hopeless. You wouldn't know what to do with a piece of ass like that anyway. Way outta your league."
Daryl sneered at his brother's nickname, "Well if she's outta mine, she is outta yers too."
The next day, Daryl got to work early and had two vehicles to work on besides Merle's truck. Around ten, Mack stuck his head into the garage and called to him.
"Hey Dixon. Some fella's here to see you."
Daryl rolled out from under the car he was working on and wiped his hands on a rag. He didn't like the way that sounded and automatically wondered what Merle had done now. When he walked out, a nerdy looking guy in expensive clothes smiled at him, "Hi! Are you Daryl?"
Daryl looked skeptical, "Depends. Who's askin'?"
The man laughed, "I'm Will Mahoney. Melanie McCall's road manager. She wanted me to come by and give you guys tickets for her show tonight...some backstage passes. She really appreciated your help yesterday."
Daryl didn't know what to say. She was giving him backstage passes? Him? From the ass crack of Georgia? The man handed him two laminates with lanyards and smiled, "I'll see you guys tonight?"
He nodded, "Yeah. Thanks."
Melanie had spent most of the day in a giant turquoise ball gown that made her look like a cupcake. It wasn't really her style. But the label wanted what the label wanted.
She looked like an awkward Disney Princess.
They made it to Atlanta just in time for sound check and dinner. She loved the venue they were playing, red plush and not a bad seat in the house as it held just over a thousand people. After sound check came a catered dinner with the crew and the band...and then she was off to make up.
Adam brought her some tequila, which she took two shots of before a show to take the edge off. Her stylist put her hair into long, loose curls and then did her makeup complete with fake eyelashes. Melanie went with the navy blue and white western style shirt and white hot pants...last but not least...white cowboy boots.
She refused to wear cowboy hats on stage though.
Bobby, the guitar tech came over with her three quarter sized Martin acoustic and her in-ear monitor and got her ready to take the stage. The rest of the band was entering from the other side, Adam flashed her a huge, goofy grin from across the stage. She chuckled and waited for her cue.
Out of the corner of her eye, Melanie saw the guys from the filling station the day before with the passes she sent Will with around their necks. Mack gave her an excited wave and Daryl just nodded. She couldn't get a read on him. Melanie waved back, a small smile on her lips.
Soon, the house lights went down and the audience shrieked and applauded with excitement.
He didn't tell Merle about the concert. Instead he asked Mack, who couldn't seem to keep himself from spazzing out. They had actually seen Melanie on the side of the stage, putting on her guitar and sticking something in her ear.
With the exception of the hot pants, she looked very different than the day before. She was sparkly and polished, her hair looked soft and bouncy. With the make up you couldn't see her freckles, which he thought was one of the most interesting things about her face.
Daryl couldn't believe all the people who had paid money to see her sing...he also couldn't believe the sound they made when she was getting ready to walk out on stage.
She stepped out and smiled, a bright spotlight on her. Melanie thanked everyone for coming out and soon their show started. Daryl didn't pay that much attention to new music, he pretty much liked classic rock and country. But Melanie McCall had a throwback vibe. Her voice was warm and a bit husky...but still feminine. He imagined her voice to be girlish and sweet, but boy was he wrong.
Melanie introduced her band and told stories about working as a waitress in Nashville for years...even playing out on the street, trying to make rent. She talked about her Mama and Granny a lot, too.
Towards the end of the show, the big guy moved out from behind the drums and joined Melanie out front with an acoustic guitar. The rest of the band exited the stage and the two of them shared a microphone. Melanie smiled, "This here is Adam...you guys might know him. He's pretty much my partner in crime. We kicked around Nashville for a good long while, trying to get signed. We used to play the Bluebird Cafe on open mic nights hoping to catch a break. That's what this song is about, it's called 'Little Country Songbird.'"
A roar of applause came up from the audience, and Daryl actually recognized the song. Mack kept the local country station on in the shop...so that's probably where he had heard it.
Suddenly, the wispy blond back up singer Juliet appeared and recognized them instantly, "Oh hey, fellas! Enjoying the show?"
Daryl nodded and Mack exclaimed, "You all sounded great!"
She thanked Mack and eyed Daryl a bit, "There's one more song left, then we're going to this after party that one of the local radio stations is having...would you all want to come? I can get your names put on the list."
Mack looked ecstatic, "Will Melanie be there?"
Juliet smiled, "Oh yeah, Boss Lady doesn't miss out on free booze. She'll be there."
Daryl was going to rip Mack a new one, he was acting like a total idiot. Juliet told them where the party was (a hotel a block away) and they thanked her for the invite. Soon the song ended and Adam exited the stage, leaving just Melanie and her guitar . She stood alone in that bright spotlight in front of a thousand people.
"I, uh, just wanted to say thank you to you guys for coming out tonight...for buying our record and learning all the words to the songs. It means the world to me and the band. This is the last song, and it was one of my Mama's favorites. You might know it as being by The Highwaymen...but this is 'Silver Stallion.' This one's for my Mama, Chayla."
Melanie started to sing a haunting song, one that hit Daryl Dixon in a strange way. It was his favorite thing he had heard her sing.
By the time the show was over, Melanie was exhausted. She washed her face as all her makeup had melted under the stage lights, and she changed into a pair of jeans and a low cut top for the after party. She didn't mind rubbing elbows for a bit, and it was nice to blow off steam.
The hotel wasn't far from the venue and when they entered, the were welcomed by Will and a radio station executives and some local contest winners. Melanie and the band chatted for a while with them, until she made her break to the bar. Before she was able to order, Adam put his arm around her shoulders, "Good job tonight, Mellie. One show down, twenty six more to go."
She groaned good-naturedly, she loved performing...she just wanted to start writing and recording again. Maybe spend some time in that fancy condo she and Adam had bought. The second push of this tour seemed to go on forever, but she knew that she had a lot to be thankful for.
She clinked her shot of tequila to Adam's and they downed them at the same time. He made a face and Melanie just laughed. He always told her she had a steel gut. Out of the corner of her eye, Melanie saw Juliet talking to Mack, the guy from the day before when the bus broke down. She must have gotten him on the list. She looked around for Daryl, knowing that he was the one Juliet had her sights set on while they were in town for the next few days...he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Melanie talked to a few of the dee-jays and soon found herself feeling cramped and a little too hot. She spied a back door and grabbed a beer on her way out. The Atlanta night was clear and a bit muggy...she would've liked a little more breeze, but it was a great improvement over the crowd of people indoors.
She walked out and took a deep breath, and saw a familiar form leaning against the brick wall. Daryl was smoking a cigarette and looked surprised to see her. Melanie smiled, "Hey there. Juliet get you on the list?"
He nodded and she walked closer to him, "You know she's planning to get her claws into you while we're in town right?"
Daryl chuckled lowly and stood straight, "Ya'll sounded real good. Thanks for the passes."
Melanie took a pull from her beer, "No problem. Thanks for being so helpful the other day. I actually...there was something I wanted to talk to you about..."
Daryl's eyebrows disappeared into his shaggy hair, she liked the way he held the cigarette between his lips, "Ya wanted to talk ta me?"
She shrugged, "Yeah, I did. Is that so surprising?"
He just shrugged in return and Melanie continued, "One of our roadies...the guys that travel with us and set up the stages for the shows...he messed up his back real bad and we're needing someone with a strong back...I thought maybe, that might be something you'd like to do?"
Daryl shook his head and took a puff from the cigarette, "Wait...are ya offering me a job?"
"I mean, I'd have to talk to Will...but yeah. I am."
He responded gruffly, "I ain't a charity case."
Melanie shook her head and put out her hand to stop him, "Wait a minute. It's not charity. It's a real job offer. It's hard work. After yesterday, I'd thought you'd be a good fit. You could make a little more money...see some of the world. "
Daryl didn't say anything at first, "Could I have some time ta think on it? I've got some family things ta consider."
Melanie felt her features soften, "Oh...wife and kids?"
Once again he chuckled lowly, "Nah. Nothin' like that. Just a troublemaker brother."
She nodded and watched as he stubbed out his cigarette and reached into his pocket and pulled out the pack. He must have noticed the look in her eyes and offered her one. Melanie pulled one out and put it between her lips, "You didn't see me do this."
Daryl smirked, "Yer secret's safe with me, Red."
He flipped open his zippo lighter and lit the cigarette for her. She had washed off all the make up, and her light freckles across her nose and cheeks were illuminated by the flame.
A lot of things about her were surprising. She didn't act rich or famous, she didn't seem disgusted by him like most folks in town were...and she, who didn't know him from Adam, had offered him a job. A chance to get out of his nowhere home town.
He didn't think he'd be a good fit, though.
But he did like the idea of it.
Daryl could barely make full on eye contact with her...especially after he knew the full extent of her fame. All those people that cheered and clapped for her...that sang along with her. Melanie clearly enjoyed the cigarette and made it last, he thought it was funny that she kept telling him that he didn't see her do it.
"So uh...the big guy, Adam...he's yer boyfriend?"
Melanie laughed, "Oh fuck no. He's my best friend. My only real family these days. But I wouldn't be caught dead dating him. Besides...he's closer than any of that. He's my creative partner...it transcends. We speak the same language."
Daryl didn't get a lot of what she said, but continued, "What about yer Mama? Yer Granny? Ya talked about them on stage."
Melanie offered him her beer and he accepted it with a nod. She exhaled and the smoke rings danced up in the air, "Mama died seven years ago. Granny ten."
He didn't know what to say, he just sipped the beer and she smiled, easing the tension, "How about you come to set tomorrow? I can have Will talk to you about the job some more. I hope you'll consider it?"
Daryl nodded, "I will."
"Good. I think my call time is early, should be there all day. I'll put your name on the list. You know where the lake is?"
He nodded and Melanie tucked some of her red hair behind her ears, "Alright then. I better get back in there. Thanks for the cigarette, Daryl."
Daryl nodded, liking how his name sounded on her lips, "Yer welcome, Red."
A/N: Hello loves! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Up next: Daryl makes a decision.
Please drop me a line and let me know what you think :)
Thanks and Love!
Leah P!
xoxo
