Las Vegas
Above the Airport
The pilot confirmed they were backed up on the ground and the plane would be circling for at least another thirty minutes. Although her back had been turned to Juliette and Deacon, she'd heard their over-the-top flirting for the entire flight. Liam leaned forward in his seat and told her to keep calm. She nodded and then let out a small smile in gratitude.
Rayna handed Liam a piece of paper, words she'd written the night before, half drunk. "I wrote it to the chords we were working last week." Liam read the words several times, his eyes getting wider in some places and his laughter was very telling. He likes it.
Liam gave her a long look and asked if she was sure. "There is painfully honest. Then there is this."
Rayna nodded but she assured her she wanted to "do this." She heard Deacon laugh again, the deep laugh he did when he was trying flirt
Backstage
Rayna marched down the hallway, not bothering to knock before throwing the door open. Deacon was sitting on a chair, guitar in his hand. Juliette asked what the hell was going on, pushing her makeup people away. Rayna didn't bother responding to the blonde woman and instead glared at Deacon, with one hand on each hip.
Deacon put the guitar down and stood up, asking "what do you want Ray?"
Rayna pointed her finger at Deacon, "You keep my name out of your mouth. Do you understand me?"
"Excuse me?" Deacon asked as he took a step closer. Both ignored Juliette's protests as they continued to stare at each other.
"You heard me. Next time some DJ ask anything about me, pretend you have amnesia or didn't hear the question. You do not mention me again. " Rayna turned to leave before throwing out an insincere apology to Juliette for not knocking first.
Rayna's Hotel Room
Rayna stumbled into the hotel room, her head swimming in the fog of vodka and wine. She and Liam had bounced from bar to bar and group to group. Her hair stuck to her face as she took in her appearance in the large vanity mirror. Her skin was shiny from sweet and her hair was sticking to her arms and neck.
Earlier tonight one of the bartenders had gushed about how much she loved Rayna's music. The conversation moved to she and Deacon. The girl couldn't help but gush about cute Deacon was and how jealous she'd be of all those woman hanging over her man. Rayna had just politely smiled and asked for a double.
She looked at the clock beside the large bed. It was 4:27 am. It was 4 hours and 27 minutes into the day she hated the most. She peeled the jeans down her legs and plopped on the bed. Aloud she whispered "Happy Birthday to me."
8 hours later
Rayna walked out of the shower and felt a little better. Her head hurt less now that she'd taken aspirin and drank plenty of water. Tandy sent her a simple text message as had several of her girlfriends. The girls had called early, practically screaming the Happy Birthday song to her. Teddy wished her a good day and once the girls were out of earshot asked how things were. Rayna had nothing new to say. The conversation was short: Maddie had gotten a B on some science test and Daphne had a sleepover tonight. As she hung up the phone, she felt a sense of relief. Hopefully he won't call again til tonight.
Rayna smiled when the bellhop brought up two large vases of flowers: one from her manager and the other from Teddy. Next, the hotel brought up a huge spread of breakfast foods include pancakes with chocolate syrup with a birthday message. Edgehill had sent a simple diamond necklace in the shape of a star with a simple message, "Always our Star. Happy Birthday."
Rayna headed over to her dressed hung in the large closet. She had several interviews today with various television shows and then a few phone interviews with newspaper people in Oregon and Washington, their next two cities. For a brief moment, she let her mind wonder if Deacon would even acknowledge the day. But she scolded herself for even going there.
She picked out a dress, a fire engine red wrap around. If everybody is going to be looking at me, might as well make it worth the while.