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
Melanie awoke to bits of news the next morning; the label loved the single, the video from The Bluebird performance had cracked six hundred thousand views in less than twelve hours, and finally...there was a picture of Melanie and Daryl at the table at Robert's Western World, conveniently taken while Adam and Will were at the bar and before Emily got there.
When she got to the venue, she got looks from most of the crew and Juliet looked like she was trying to make Melanie's head explode with enough concentration. Emily was back to soundcheck "Callin' Baton Rouge" and Will wanted them to add "Hey Stranger" before "Little Country Songbird."
She knew when she got famous, even the slightest modicum of fame, that her life would become something of public knowledge and interest. She was nowhere near Taylor Swift levels of scrutiny, but it wasn't the most comfortable situation knowing everyone was talking about you. Even the people who you were paying to help you tour.
Melanie looked for Daryl, she wondered how it was going for him. The Roadies gave each other a fair amount of shit anyway, she could only imagine what was being said to him if they thought he was getting preferential treatment by boning the star of the show.
As she stood on stage, Melanie's eyes darted around a bit, trying to find his shaggy head or a hint of a muscular arm. Adam must have noticed and leaned over to her as they both strummed their guitars, "He's on the catwalk."
She nodded and gave it a minute before she looked up and saw him. Melanie felt a little relief wash over her, knowing he was around and away from inquiring eyes. She kept relating him to an unbroken horse. Wild and free and spooked easy. Couldn't introduce the confines of a bridle just yet.
The last Nashville show went amazingly well. The audience loved the new song as well as the Garth Brooks cover. She really wished Emily was on tour with them, but Juliet was already pissed off as it is.
When she got to her dressing room, she was saddened to find no coke or candy. Melanie really wanted to see him. Wanted to see if he had fared okay thanks to the gossip. As she took off her make up and fake eyelashes, a knock came upon the door and Juliet entered. Melanie stood up straight when she saw her in the mirror and braced herself for whatever was going to come.
Juliet flicked her hair over her shoulder and looked peeved, "I shoulda known. That song is about him isn't it? This whole time! Why didn't you just tell me, Mellie?"
She turned around and met Juliet's blue eyes with her own, "Would you have really reacted any better? Come on, Jules. I doubt it."
"Instead you go behind my back? Lie? You bring that bitch Emily on for two shows? I feel like I'm being replaced. Am I that big of a threat?"
Melanie felt her fist ball up and she spoke measuredly, "Emily is on the record. Emily has been a part of this family for a long while, so I'll thank you not to throw names at her. Don't you think if I was replacing you it would've already happened? And for the rest of it...do you really have it that bad? Are you treated so poorly? You get to go on tour and sing in front of people every night. You have a solo coming up in Texas. You act like we don't include you or care for you...and no, you aren't a threat to me. Not in the slightest."
The last bit made Juliet's face scrunch in disgust and before she could say anything Melanie crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head, "You know, Juliet, I'm really tired. It's been a hard day. Do me a favor. Don't talk to me unless it's something constructive. Learn your part for Texas. Until then...stay out of my way."
Juliet looked surprised by Melanie's words and they stared at each other for a good, long pause. Soon, the back up singer turned on her heel and exited hastily, leaving Melanie alone with her thoughts. Today had not been the best day and all she wanted to do was spend her last night in Nashville with the guy she had a thing for.
Melanie hadn't spoken to Daryl all day. She wondered if he was avoiding her.
When she and Adam got back to their condo, Melanie started packing for the next long stint on the road. She was aided in the chore by a double bourbon on the rocks. Adam was getting ready to go out with some of his Nashville friends and sat in her room for a moment, deciding whether to stay or go.
"Did you try calling him?"
Melanie shook her head as she folded some more clothes, "I don't want to embarrass him or put him on blast. I know this is hard for him. Jesus, it's hard for me , too. I was hoping to..."
She trailed off and Adam slid down on the floor with her, pulling her in for one of his bear hugs, "Want me to stay here? Or you can come with me...they can take a picture of you out with someone else."
Melanie laughed, "Yeah. I don't think that last one is a good idea. Go out. Have fun. I'll be fine. I always am."
Adam squeezed her tightly and stood up, "If you need me, call me. But personally, I think you should give Daryl a buzz."
Melanie nodded and soon she was alone with a pile of clothes, the bourbon and her thoughts. When she finished packing, she took her bourbon to bed and stared at her cell phone on the night stand.
Before she could chicken out, she dialed Daryl's number. It rang for awhile and when she thought she might hang up...he answered the phone.
"Hey Red."
Her heart dropped a little hearing her nickname and his voice, "Hey. I wasn't sure you were gonna pick up."
"Had ta find a place ta talk. Didn't want Bubba hearin' me."
"Oh. Well...I guess you saw the picture."
"Yeah. I think everybody did."
She felt panic speed her heart beat up, "I'm sorry."
Daryl chuckled lowly, "Ain't nothin' for ya to be sorry about. Ya warned me about this."
"I really wanted to see you today. But I...I understand if you want space. Hell, I'd understand if you'd never want to be caught dead with me again."
He exhaled into the phone, "Red...it's not that. I want this...ya. I just...need to lie low 'til we're outta Nashville. I need to wrap my head 'round all of this. I ain't good with people. I wanna rip off all the heads of the assholes on the Internet. I read some shit today that just burned me up."
Melanie understood wholeheartedly, "Yeah. I get that."
"Yer way too good for me, Red. I'm worried about what shit they could kick up about me and my family...it ain't pretty."
"You know I don't care about any of that. I care about you."
She could hear him go a little silent over the phone and she wondered if he was smiling, "My brother...Merle. He's threatenin' ta give my name ta the press."
Melanie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Merle was truly an asshole. Who would do that to their own family?
"Is this about the money you're sending him?"
"Yeah."
It was awful. Here Daryl was, making more money to support both him and Merle and the thanks he gets is Merle trying to blackmail him, "I will talk to Will about what legal steps we can take to keep him in line. I can't promise anything."
Daryl went quiet again and spoke, "I didn't like not talkin' ta ya."
Melanie sipped her bourbon, a smile spreading across her lips, "Are you sayin' you missed me Daryl Dixon?"
"Maybe that's what I'm sayin.'"
She put her head in her pillow and beamed, "Well. If it's any consolation...maybe I missed you, too."
Melanie heard him smile this time and she wished he would come over and be with her. With a laugh he said, "Let me just get outta Nashville, wrap my head around all o' this."
Melanie nodded, it was more than fair, "Alright. Call you tomorrow?"
"Sure, Red. Lookin' forward ta it."
Four days later the tour was rolling into Dallas after stops in St. Louis and New Orleans. Bubba had taken the guys out on Bourbon Street the night before the show, and Daryl had never witnessed anything like it. He never thought he'd be much of a traveller, but this new opportunity had changed all of that.
He would be lying if he said he didn't think of Melanie, or wonder what she was doing. They had spoken every night on the phone, but had not been alone since the night they had gone to The Bluebird. They were hoping for some time in Texas, as they would be spending more than two full days there.
Chatter had died down a bit backstage, and he was trying to get used to the nature of wanting to be romantically involved with a famous woman like Melanie. If he was going to do this, he would have to grow thicker skin and not want to ring people's necks.
Daryl had looked up the photo online and while there was speculation about him, the faceless assholes commenting mostly took Melanie to task. Called her all sorts of names including slut and whore. Two things she most definitely was not. Sure, she tarted herself up a bit on stage and in photos, but that was just business.
If anyone called her that in front of him, he would lose his goddamn mind.
When the stage was set and Melanie and the band showed up for soundcheck, he realized watching her from afar and not being able to touch her was akin to exquisite torture. Daryl was really hoping to get to be alone with her soon. Hearing her sing "Hey Stranger" every night just solidified how much he wanted to jump in without sticking his toe in the pool first.
Melanie had told him over the phone that she was stressing about the cover song that night. She had chosen a duet to sing with Juliet; and evidently she had told Juliet to stay out of her way until she pulled the bug out of her ass and got herself together.
"I'm letting her sing first and take the Stevie Nicks part, I'm singing the Natalie Maines part. It's a good song."
She always chose good songs. He actually knew the old Hank Williams song "Jambalaya" that she and Adam had performed in New Orleans. Merle would've loved it. In St. Louis she chose a Mary Chapin-Carpenter song that made her sound frustrated with recent events...a song that he knew was completely directed to him.
Knowing that she used music to reach out to him in front of thousands of people each night was...thrilling...to say the least.
After dinner, Daryl was heading to his place at the soundboard when he ran into Melanie, she was heading to her dressing room to get ready. She smiled up at him, her hands in her back pockets and she smelled of sunshine. He had really missed seeing her close up.
"Hey."
"Hey Red."
"See you later?"
"Yup."
She whispered lowly, "Check your phone."
Daryl nodded and watched as she bounded down the hall to catch up with Adam, her long hair moving wave-like behind her. He ducked down an adjacent hallway, pulled his phone out of his pocket and smiled. Melanie had sent him her room number, saying that Adam was going to bunk up with Rob for the night.
But the best thing was the picture she attached...it was a self portrait she took of herself blowing a kiss at the camera. A kiss just for him.
He never thought he'd understand what in the world some beautiful creature like her would ever want to do with a dirty redneck from nowhere like him. Every morning he expected to wake up in the house with Merle and go to the shop and work on cars, like all of this was just some elaborate joke or dream.
Daryl looked at the picture a little longer, noticing the flecks of gold in her hazel eyes and the pink of her lips.
It was then he heard a familiar voice come from around the corner, "I can't wait to get off this tour. I'm going to give that redheaded cow the news tonight."
He inched closer and realized it was Juliet on the phone. Daryl listened a little longer wanting to make sure she wasn't planning on causing trouble for Melanie.
"I will call you once the show is over. I'll need a ticket out of here. I would've done it sooner, but I have an actual solo tonight."
Daryl was a little relieved it sounded like she was quitting the tour. He knew Melanie would have to find a replacement, but after the week she had with Juliet...she'd probably be happy about it.
Although, he sincerely disliked hearing Melanie referred to as a "cow."
Melanie had a good feeling about the show, probably because she knew she was finally going to get some alone time with Daryl after more than five days. She felt ebullient. As they got to the acoustic portion of the evening, she and Adam played "Hey Stranger" and "Little Country Songbird." Finally, it was time to bring out Juliet for "Too Far From Texas", the night's chosen cover.
"So, our song for the night was originally done by one Stevie Nicks and Natalie Maines. For this one I'm gonna bring out the lovely and talented Juilet Norwood."
Melanie stretched her arm to the curtain, signaling for Juliet to step out. When she did, she wore a shit-eating grin. She held up her microphone to her mouth, "Hi ya'll. Boss Lady here saw fit to bring me out front for a song. Hope ya like it."
When Adam and Melanie began to play, Melanie noticed Juliet didn't turn to the audience. She stared straight at Melanie, and sang boldly...like she was yelling at her. Melanie, not wanting to seem off, did the same with her verse. The chorus sounded like an argument, and soon they were attempting to out-sing one another. It was tense; even though it sounded awesome.
When the song ended, Juliet took a bow and waved...right before kicking the mic stand out from in front of Melanie, and then dropping her own mic to the stage.
The noise it made prompted shocked gasps from both the entire audience, as well as Melanie. Juliet flashed her another smile and then walked behind the curtain. Two of the roadies came out and set up the mic for her and she turned away from the audience to grab a drink of water. She saw her hand shake as she held the bottle to her lips.
Adam whispered lightly, "What the fuck was that? Are you okay?"
Melanie wasn't okay. This was a problem and she was finally going to have to fire Juliet. See if Emily could join them from the rest of the tour.
This was going to end up on the Internet, just adding to the speculation about her professional and personal life.
When they were good to go, Melanie sighed and shook her head, "Let's just get this over with."
Adam exited the stage and Melanie painted on her most business-like grin. She thanked the audience and played a more mournful than usual version of "Silver Stallion."
When she got off the stage, the smile came off her face as well as her in-ear monitor and guitar. Will was waiting for her, a panicked look on his face.
"Melanie, let me handle this. Don't do anything rash."
By this point she was fuming, "I want her gone. Tonight. Call Emily. You've got a lot of spin to work out."
She walked back to the dressing rooms, Adam close on her heels. When she threw open the door, she saw Juliet packing up.
"You are SO fired."
Juliet stood up to look at her and just tossed her head back and laughed, "You can't fire me, 'cause I quit. I found out yesterday I got my own contract. Your label signed me. I can't wait to get off this tour and away from you."
Melanie felt shell shocked, "Well, you have got a lot of learning about this business little girl. And the first lesson is don't bite the fucking hand that feeds you."
"I think you're just jealous. I didn't busk on Broadway or get a showcase at The Bluebird. One tour as a back-up singer and here I am."
Melanie wasn't jealous. She busted her ass her whole life to make it where she was, to make the kind of music she wanted and to have respect from other artists in the industry. She was very proud of the career she created. Juliet was going to have a hard go of it. She was just going to be another one of those pop-country divas that didn't write her own songs...and one of those who didn't respect those around her.
"You are in for a rude awakening, Jules. You're gonna have to take some knocks to make it in Nashville. I hope you've got the stomach for it. It isn't some sort of fucking cake walk. That little stunt you just pulled out there is going to be all over the Internet. Bad way to start off your career."
Juliet packed up the last of her make up and zipped up her bag, "Is it? I thought all press was good press? And who doesn't love a good old fashioned cat fight? I should probably tell you...I contacted that gossip site about seeing you and Daryl. I saw him coming out of your dressing room...it just took off after that."
Melanie wanted to lunge at Juliet, but instead she balled up her fists at her side, "Will is gonna come in and escort you out. It's a shame, Juliet. But this is what you want, right? I'll thank you to keep my name out of your mouth or I'll slap you with libel or slander or whatever the hell it qualifies as. Good luck on your future."
As Melanie walked out the door, she heard Juilet say, "Bite me, Boss Lady."
Adam was waiting for her in her dressing room. She didn't even bother changing out of the gold blazer and hot pants, instead she just packed up her stuff and she and Adam went back to the hotel. He seemed worried about her, "Is Daryl coming up to the hotel room?"
Melanie washed her face after changing into a t-shirt and cropped yoga pants,"He's supposed to be. I've been so anxious to see him and then this shit happens. I'm really gonna be under a microscope after this. It's probably going to freak him out."
She sat down on her bed and after taking a mini bottle of Maker's Mark from the mini bar and poured it over ice. There would need to be a lot more alcohol to quell the anger and anxiety in her chest.
Adam sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her, "At least we won't have to travel with that little dingbat anymore. Want me to call Emily? See if she can meet us in Denver?"
Melanie took a long pull of bourbon, "Yeah. You're gonna be okay with that?"
He shrugged, "I might be a total spazz around her...but it's what's best for you and the tour. I'll survive. Hell, maybe I even better around her."
Melanie hugged him to her and sighed, "I love you. Thank you."
Adam just laughed, "You getting all sappy means it's my turn to head out. I'll see you in the morning."
He got up and walked to the hotel door, right before he opened it to leave, he turned and looked at her, "And Mels?"
"Yeah."
"I love you, too."
She smiled a little as he shut the door behind him, leaving her alone to drink. Melanie picked up her phone and resisted looking on Google for her name. When she first hit the charts, she made the mistake of doing that and fell into the black hole of reading horrible comments about herself.
Suddenly a knock came upon the door and she shot up and walked over to look in the peephole.
It was Daryl, all rough and handsome, looking a little nervous in the hallway. She opened the door and pulled him in by his t-shirt. Once the door was shut, she smiled up at him a little and felt so relieved their five days of all looking and no touching had finally come to an end. His hands wandered to her face and cupped it gently, "Jesus girl, yer a sight for sore eyes."
Melanie leaned up and kissed him, immediately feeling like any burden lifted off of her. Her arms snaked around his shoulders and she pulled him close. As the kiss ended, Daryl smoothed some of her hair away from her face, "You alright? What happened tonight?"
She shook her head, "I don't want to talk about it. I just want you. Okay?"
He had been worried about Melanie since the incident with Juliet onstage. The betrayed look on Melanie's face is something he didn't care for or ever wanted to see again. If he would have thought for a second Juliet would've pulled a stunt like that, he would've warned Melanie.
When she pulled him into the room, the restless feeling he had felt since Nashville went away. He had missed her smile, her freckles, the warmth of her body and the sweetness of her lips against his.
After a lengthy amount of kissing, the clothes started coming off. Soon she was down to a thin black bra and a little pair of panties that exposed the roundness of her ass. Daryl's hands wandered there, pulling her against him; hip to hip. She finally rid him of his shirt and soon was working on his belt. As he kissed him, she bit his lower lip softly, making him want to howl with desire.
This was it. He wasn't going to be able to stop himself this time.
As his jeans fell to the ground, his hands went to her bra and freed her of it. He really liked her breasts; their full and pert shape, the light freckles that danced in her cleavage...the way the peaks responded to his touch. He was certain he could bury his head there and not come up for air.
Daryl kicked his shoes off and stepped out of his jeans, picking Melanie up by the ass and tossing her on the bed. She giggled softly and it turned him on even more. As he moved on top of her, he kissed and nibbled at her breasts; flicking his tongue lightly at her nipples, making her gasp and squirm beneath him.
Finally he pulled of the thin, little panties and brought himself to rest between the warmth of her thighs. Melanie was so wet and ready for him, he thought he would pop before he even made it inside.
He hung his head over hers, their noses touching, "Red...are ya sure 'bout this?"
She just smiled, her red hair fanning around her. Melanie kissed him and put her hand on his hardness, stroking him as she guided him inside of her. He took a sharp intake of air and groaned.
"Jesus...Fuck, Red."
She couldn't help but grin at his reaction to finally being inside of her.
Melanie bent a her knee and put her foot under his ass, giving him full access. He licked his lips a little and began moving slowly, his hips rocking with hers. Melanie could never have imagined just how good he felt, how they felt together.
Daryl's pace quickened and she met every sweet thrust. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Soon, Daryl's hands pinned her wrists against the bed and she felt he waves of her climax coming closer and closer.
He thrusted deeper and deeper with more fervor and soon Melanie moaned lowly, coming hard and fast. Daryl was quick on her heels and shuddered above her, out of breath and his head dipping to kiss her slowly. He broke their connection, rolling beside her.
His left hand played idly at her breast and he buried his head in her neck. Melanie felt her heart rate slow down a little and the two of them just laid there in silence for a moment before she rolled over to lay forehead to forehead with him.
Melanie liked that they didn't need to say anything, that the easy silence they had was enough. She wondered if he felt the same way she did when she saw him up close after five long days?
For her, it was more than relief. It felt like coming home.
A/N: hi my loves! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next up: pillow talk, Juliet repercussions, Emily joins the tour and someone surprising comes out of the woodwork. I'm sorry for the wait, I was dealing with a bout of writer's block, but I am back!
Thank you all so much for the feedback, reviews and kind words! You all are the best. Please drop me a line and let me know how I am doing. If you are also so inclined please check out my other TWD fics "Redemption" (Rick/OC) and its ongoing AU version "Simple Twists of Fate" or "The Country Singer" (Daryl/OC) and of course "Wallflower" my OC/Daryl/Rick triangle. There should be another story appearing soon with a Male OC. I love the character I've made, but have struggled with the trajectory and narrative and have rewritten the first chapter about four times. But be on the lookout!
Super Special Shout Outs To: stormrunner74 (thanks!;), clduncan (so glad you enjoyed! Hope you have a goofy grin during this one too!), Guest (you were right!), Jean F (I hope you enjoyed their new connection! Melanie won't be the mansion type, but the press has an interest in her for sure. Juliet is now going to be a different kind of rival for Melanie...and a pain in the ass. Melanie is going to protect Daryl's privacy the best she can. Thanks for the love!;), CLTex (the press will be even more interested in Mellie after Juliet's stunt. There will be a fair amount of beef between them!), Miss Teller Ortiz-Dixon (aw! Thank you. I love writing Mel and Daryl so much. They have this kinetic, beautiful connection! Melanie wants him to feel valued and cared for, always. Hope you enjoy this chapter!) and TheFaceofAlison (You know the press, after the explosive incident with Jules onstage...curiosities will be piqued for sure. Oh you know Ol' Merle. He isn't all bad. I can't wait to write the scene when he and Mellie meet. But more to come!)
Thanks and Love!
Leah P!
xoxo