Yes to Everything (18 page)

When a young woman approached her, her smile was brilliant and she sat up straighter. “Thank god, a woman in uniform. We are sorely underrepresented in here, honey. Excellent, what’s your name?”

The pretty young woman said, “Siena Hart ma’am. I just wanted to say I love what you stand for. I’ve been following your blog since my little sister told me about it. You sure don’t seem eighteen and you don’t act like a celebrity. I love your music, it has soul to it.”

“Thank you so much, Siena . That means a lot to me.” She pulled out a card and put the same details on the back then added three stars. “Call this number and make sure you tell them about the stars. Don’t forget. Keep my info when you get back. I work with a lot of charities for at-risk young women. Girls mixed up in gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy. I think you’d be a great face for them to see. They need to see pretty, strong women in charge of their lives. Be safe so you can come back and help me.”

Jeanette stood and took Siena aside and spoke quietly for a few minutes, the soldier occasionally nodding her head. Mack watched as she’d approached each of the soldiers as they’d left the table and taken down pertinent information in her phone. When she shook Hart’s hand and joined them back at the table, she told Brooke, “I got them all this time.”

“Thank you, honey. You know I always forget then I have to wait until they call. It’s bad when they never do.” Now the three men and Rex were staring at her. “Okay, really, what? Do I have something on my face?”

“Are you, you know, always like that?” Boyd asked her.

Sidney turned to him, “Like what?”

“So good to people, military people especially, do you do that all the time?” Mack explained quietly.

Jeanette leaned forward, “One of the main reasons I was hired was because Brooke specified an assistant who could and would keep up with all her interests. Her two primary personal interests are children and the military. She keeps hundreds of goody bags at our main office in her home town.”

Warming to her topic, she straightened her spine which pushed her small breasts out and up beautifully. “There are some for regular members of her fan club and special ones she sends to kids in need. Then there are the ones she ships out to enlisted men and women around the world. They’re filled with all kinds of stuff, basics like shampoos and razors; candy and mixed nuts; any treat that doesn’t melt; stationary sets and rolls of stamps; playing cards, dominoes, and mini board games; crossword puzzles and an MP3 player loaded with a massive playlist from just about every genre.”

She leaned towards the others, “Now, if she handwrites their name, that tells us she spoke to them personally. Those people also get a tour bag filled with autographed goodies, the most popular being a calendar of Brooke. The soldiers use them to trade for stuff wherever they’re stationed. On the rare occasion she meets a female enlisted she adds three stars. That young woman is going to love receiving lotions, soft t-shirts and underwear, as well as gift certificates she can use when she gets back for her hair and nails. The chick bags were Sidney’s idea and we love them.”

There was a long moment of silence. “That must cost a fucking fortune,” Zane whispered.

“She earmarks thirty percent of her take-home earnings for charity.” Jeanette saw the bombshell hit and smiled. “One of the many reasons I will work for her as long as she’ll have me. No less than one-fifth of her fan base consists of people in the military. They love her.”

Uncomfortable with the attention, Brooke glanced back at the band and changed the subject. The lead singer was smiling at her. “Do you think he’d be offended if I wanted to jam with them?”

“I think John would be fucking honored or else.” Rex stood and put her on her feet. “I do have a really important question, honey.” She waited with her eyes focused on his intently. “Where the hell can I get a calendar?”

Snickering softly she told him, “Oh baby, I’ll make you one special. And send you a standard one for the shop.” He kissed her then Brooke approached the stage and propelled herself up. Shaking the man’s hand, his eyes flicked carefully down her body.

“Brooke Kincaid. You seem so different in person. Wanna sing one of your songs, honey? We don’t do a lot of country but I’m sure the gang wouldn’t mind.”

One hand on her hip, she ignored the unintentional patronizing tone, “Actually, I was thinking some Simple Man.”

Rex laughed and John smirked, “Honey, I have jeans older than you. No way you can rock Skynard.”

Slipping off her jacket, Brooke dropped it to the floor and let the appearance of her in a halter top sink in. She lifted her hat and raked her fingers through her hair. “Honey, I like vintage. I’m open to Sympathy for the Devil, any Seger, CCR, or Eagles. I don’t have the range for Journey but I can lower it. We can move forward to some Black Crowes, Nickelback, a little Buck Cherry. Crazy Bitch always makes the crowd happy. Please, I insist you pick.”

“Well, shit. Alright, how about She Talks to Angels?”

She nodded and he handed her the mic. “For Max, Jason, Bobby and Siena, here’s a little rock before you roll.” John stepped back and they started to play, Brooke tapping beat with her fingers on the mic. When she came in, the place went so silent it was more like a church than a bar.

Patrons slowly gravitated to the stage, staring at the beautiful teenager with the powerful voice as the soulful lyrics washed through the room. Hearing it from a woman made it rawer somehow and Rex could not take his eyes off her.

The crowd erupted on the last note and the band gathered around to congratulate her and introduce themselves. John kissed her hand while the crowd wolf-whistled. “My god, girl, I apologize. We’re not worthy, honey. Please tell me you know Wanted Dead or Alive?”

“Are you kidding me? Hit it.” They opened and she was thrilled when it was time for her to sing. This was one of her favorite songs. Rex watched just below her, watching the muscles of her stomach tighten as she sang. This was a song every biker and soldier loved. That she, an eighteen-year-old country singer, was doing it, and doing it well, boggled more than a few minds.

As it ended the bar went wild and got louder when the opening bars for Sweet Home Alabama started. Brooke’s smile was huge as she jumped off the stage with the mic and walked around the bar. Putting her arm around people’s waists, she made them sing with her. By the time the song finished, the entire bar was singing and she was keeping time clapping with the mic in her hand.

When the band started Metallica’s version of Turn the Page, she went to the stage and Rex lifted her up to sit on the edge. He made to move away and Brooke kept him with her, her arm over his shoulders, her legs around his ribs. It sounded haunting and when it was done, she handed the mic back to the lead singer and he told her to come back up anytime.

They started playing Desperado as Rex lifted her down and cupped her head for his kiss. Her hands went hard around him and he danced with her while he made love to her mouth as if they were the only two people on the planet. When the song finished, the room clapped, not for the music, and she smiled up at him.

They went back to the table and all the men fist-bumped her. Mack said, “Brooke, I thought John was going to pass out when you started singing Angels. You should have seen his face behind you. Fucking priceless.”

“Bon Jovi, good lord, you’re welcome in our bar anytime, Brooke. You have excellent taste in music,” Boyd said with respect.

“Thanks, I was raised on all kinds of music. I can sing gospel to rock to some hip hop even. I love music. I stick mostly with country but any of my songs could just as easily have a rock beat.” There was a beer sitting in front of her. “Alright not funny.”

Zane shook his head, “Not meant to be funny. You’re old enough to give to charity like you do and still blow away Turn the Page you’re old enough to have a goddamned beer. You’re not driving, Brooke, and no one will bother you here.” She toasted the military and they shouted “Semper Fi!”

When a good song came on, she dragged people out to dance. The band took a break and Brooke went to the jukebox. She came back to the table and handed Jeanette a shot. All she had to do was quirk her finger at Sidney and she was up. Knocking it back and choking, Jeanette let herself be dragged out. The three of them stood in a circle as the first song started.

“Jesus Christ, Rex, what the hell have you brought us?” Boyd asked in awe. “Oh sweet lord, they’re doing Hands To Yourself. Someone save me. I mean, how much can I stand?”

“Is it Christmas? Did I just come out of a coma?” Zane added. “I can’t walk around with wood all fucking night…how old am I?”

“I think I’ll marry that sweet girl. Not. Even. Kidding.” Mack never took his eyes off Jeanette as she laughed and danced. His expression told his oldest friends he was dead serious.

Rex smiled, watching the women. They were all way too young for any of them but the men wanted them any-fucking-way. He said with a smug smile, “Guys, you are so welcome.”

Brooke and Sidney were singing. They pretended to put the moves on Jeanette, who was being coy and telling them no. They went to the floor playing air guitar and Jeanette’s shot hit her hard. She was laughing and dancing around them and they pretended to be enjoying the view under her skirt from below. Standing, Brooke and Sidney traded her back and forth between them and she blew them a kiss as she walked off the dance floor and was pulled onto Mack’s lap.

She was laughing hard and watching her friends. Taking her chin gently between his fingers, Mack kissed her and she put her hand on his face as he licked across her lips and she opened for him with a careful smile. “We love this song. They do it for the kids all the time when we’re bored. Usually Brooke has her Fender,” she said and watched them battle with invisible guitars. Going back to the floor, they rocked it to the very end then popped up like fucking ninjas. Mack laughed as the other three men groaned.

They headed back to the table with a fist bump. Sidney was pulled across Boyd and Zane’s laps while Rex held Brooke tightly. The band came back and gave their table a thumbs up. “Let’s hear it for the halftime show. Ladies, may we say…damn.”

They were laughing and talking when the band started to play Free Bird. Brooke looked down at the table and Rex turned her face to him. Something had made her suddenly sad. “What is it, baby?”

“I…I never realized how much I was going to hate this song.” The rest of their table got quiet and Rex took her out on the dance floor. He gathered Brooke in his arms and danced slow while she fought tears. “It’s so ridiculous, right? I’m attached to you in one stupid day. I realize this totally reinforces the fact that I’m a damned teenager. I’m sorry.” He guided her to the hallway leading to the restrooms where it was darker and there were hardly any people.

“Good. We can be teenagers together, Brooke, because I’m completely enthralled with the person you are. Completely. It’s like I’m fifteen, with no goddamn sense. I told you last night you were dangerous, baby.”

Then Rex kissed her with everything he was feeling, all the new shit that was rocketing around his mind and heart for the first time in his life. Brooke’s arms went around his neck and he picked her up, her legs going around his waist as he crushed her between his body and the wall. When he moved to lift his head, she followed him, keeping him locked to her.

Settling his weight against her, he stroked over her sides and ass. He rocked against her pelvis and she moaned softly. “You need to relax with normal people some more and then I’m taking you home. I’m going to love you all night long, Brooke, until the sun comes up. Then I’m going to take you in the daylight before I have to let you go for just a little while. Just a little while, baby.” She nodded and kissed him again with a hint of desperation.

Back at the table, Sidney was buzzed and laughing, now sitting on one thigh belonging to Boyd, one belonging to Zane, leaning back between them with her arms around their necks. Jeanette was being kissed senseless by Mack. Brooke said low enough for only Rex to hear, “Oh this is more like it. If you knew how hard we all work, never a fucking break, you’d know how bad I wanted these two to have fun.”

He whispered in her ear as he sat with her straddling his lap, “Baby, did you bring your friends out to get laid?”

“I knew any friends of yours would be okay, Rex. They’d be safe. You wouldn’t have friends who weren’t like you. Jeanette is really shy and it’s been like two years for Sidney. She’s adventurous so that combo could work. The first thing Jeanette said when she saw you guys standing above us was that guys like you never see her. I think she just didn’t notice or was too self-conscious to believe guys were looking at her.”

“Mack prefers the quiet ones, classy and understated. He never picks up from here. And the other two usually share their women so I hope Sidney is prepared. As for you, I’m loving the leather, baby, so very sex kitten, and your hair all straight and flowing to your ass. Hmm, it looks like the band is trying to get your attention again.”

She kissed him hard before turning around. John was motioning to the mic questioningly. Brooke nodded but held up her finger for another minute. Her hands on either side of Rex’s head, she ate at his lips slowly, sucking his lower lip before finally letting him go and standing up. He put his hands on her waist and kissed her belly button before scooting his chair back and walking her to the stage.

John knelt at the edge of the stage. “You’re killing everyone in here, Brooke. I feel I need to be honest with you on that. Rex, nothing but respect man. Holy shit. I’d sell my soul to the devil.”

Whispering loudly as if sharing a particularly juicy secret, Brooke said, “He didn’t have to. He gave me screaming orgasms then snuggled after. Very nice.” John blinked at her several times and swallowed hard while Rex cackled in shock behind her. “Focus, John, was there something in particular you wanted me to sing?” Her smile was all angel.

“Jesus, I forgot my name for a second.” Looking at Rex, he mentioned, “She’s dangerous, dude.”

“Oh, I know. Believe me.”