Strings Attached, page 27
“Forget it, Mom! I’m happy where I am, doing what I do, and I am not going to use my girlfriend to get me a job as a music producer!”
If she’d had it in her, she would disconnect now, but she couldn’t bring herself to hang up on her own mother.
“Fine.” She heard a shuffling sound, as if she were changing positions on the sofa. “I was only trying to help, you know.”
“I know.”
“I have to say, I’m surprised you’d be with someone so famous. That doesn’t sound like you at all.”
“Yeah, well, it surprised me, too.” She stole a glance at Nikki, who was now pondering the next music selection with her father. “But she’s special.”
“She’d have to be to win you over.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s a compliment, dear. You’re very choosy. I just hope she appreciates you and treats you well. You deserve it.”
She smiled. It was probably the sweetest thing her mother had ever said to her. “She does. And thank you.”
“Despite my shortfalls as a mother, I do love you, Drew. I hope you know that.”
She hated that she questioned whether the sentiment was sincere or if her mother’s acting skills had simply gotten better. Either way, she was touched that she’d said it. “You have a weird way of showing it sometimes, but I know you do. I love you, too, Mom.”
They said their good-byes, and Nikki came to her side. “Did I hear what I thought I heard?”
Great. Nikki thinks I want her to get me a job as a record producer.
Nikki interlocked her fingers behind Drew’s waist. “Did you just call me your girlfriend?” She grinned widely.
“That’s my cue to leave.” Her dad looked pointedly at Drew. “You get a good night’s sleep. Big day tomorrow.” He gave them each a kiss on the cheek and gathered the generous amount of leftovers she was sending home with him.
“So?” Nikki planted light kisses along her jawline. “Are you going to answer my question? Or do I have to kiss it out of you?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you called me your girlfriend? Or yes, I have to kiss it out of you?”
“Both.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Nikki smothered her face with kisses. “Now, before we do anything else, I’m going to take my girlfriend to bed and kiss every inch of her. If we need to vent about our nutty parents, it’ll have to wait until after I’ve made you come at least twice.”
She gave Drew no chance to object as she claimed her mouth in a lip-lock and pulled her into the bedroom. They stripped frantically. She pulled Nikki down on top of her, the sensations of Nikki’s tongue and lips on her body almost too much to bear. Nikki plunged her fingers inside, taking her hard and fast to a mind-shattering orgasm.
Nikki withdrew and resumed her kisses, down one leg and back up the other, while she worked Drew’s nipples between her fingertips. Just as her body began its descent, Nikki dragged her tongue across her center and sucked in her clit. Fuck! She was climbing again, into an out-of-control pulse that she never wanted to end, contradicting the craving for release; she clutched handfuls of Nikki’s hair as she raised her hips to maximize contact with Nikki’s mouth. She wrapped her legs around her and exploded.
And still, Nikki wasn’t done. She continued licking and kissing her and then, without warning, she slipped a finger inside and stroked her in a smooth and deliberate rhythm. Her body’s throbs soon matched Nikki’s tempo. It was torturous and glorious and erotic, and her head swam as she finally let go.
“Oh, dear God. Tomorrow’s Black Friday, and I’m not going to be able to move,” she said once she caught her breath. Nikki’s head was on her shoulder, their arms wrapped around each other.
“Which is why I’m not staying.”
“Oh, you’re cruel. So cruel.”
“Cruel? I’m making sure you’re rested for the busiest shopping day of the year. You should be thanking me. It is Thanksgiving, you know.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh no. Thank you.” She kissed one cheek. “And thank you.” She kissed her other cheek. “And thank you.” She placed a lingering kiss on her nipple. “And you.” She sucked in the other one before returning to Drew’s neck.
“No. Thank you.” Drew shut her up with a kiss and then sank her fingers deep inside her over and over until she’d thanked her properly. Twice.
They cuddled for another hour as they vented about their parents.
“Can you imagine me in an opera?” Nikki huffed.
“You do have the voice for it, but I’m not sure the opera world can handle you. How many out lesbian opera stars are there?”
“No idea.”
“You know.” Drew propped up on an elbow and caressed Nikki’s cheek. “If anyone can pave the way, it would be you. Your father might be on to something.” What was she saying? Nikki would become even more famous if she took on such a groundbreaking endeavor. She’d have two careers and even less time for a relationship. Was she sabotaging this already so she wouldn’t get hurt?
“I’m not interested. Maybe it would be something to consider later on in my career, but not now. I love what I’m doing. I love my band. I love my rock ’n’ roll. And I love…” Nikki bit her lip.
She cursed the dim lighting. Was Nikki blushing? Please finish that sentence with “you”…
“The idea of you producing music.”
“You…what?”
“Drew, you have an amazing ear, and your musical knowledge covers the whole spectrum. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before.” Nikki sat up, and her speech became more animated. “Jaymi and I have talked about adding real strings to some of our songs. It’s very expensive, but we can afford it now. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t ask you to produce the whole album, but you could help with the arrangements. I can make one call to our manager and make it happen—”
“Wait just a minute. Haven’t we been over this before? Dad needs me at the store, and I thought you understood what teaching means to me.”
“We could work around that. A couple of months of rehearsals, then a month or so in the studio, and boom. Done. What do you think?”
Where would she possibly find the time to run the store, keep up with her students, go out with Nikki, take care of her cats, and be there for her dad, much less have any time to herself? “You know I don’t have the time to make that kind of commitment.”
“Okay, so take a short leave of absence. Give Geena some more hours or something.”
“Geena’s a senior in college. I can’t ask her to sacrifice her studies when she’s already working more than she should be as it is. What if sales drop off after the holidays, and your promotions end, and Dad can’t afford to hire someone in my place, even if it is temporary? Not to mention he takes a vacation every spring to go play golf with his brother at Myrtle Beach. He needs me to run the business while he’s gone.”
“Drew, just think about it—”
“You don’t get it, do you?” She was going to hyperventilate. “Don’t dangle a carrot in front of my face when you know damn well it’s not possible.” She put on the light, shot out of bed, and gathered her clothes.
She ducked into the bathroom. She stabbed her hands under the faucet and cupped cold water onto her face. Her heart was racing. She couldn’t believe Nikki would side with her mother. She wanted to be angry, damn it. The way she’d been angry with Mother.
Except the only person she was angry with was herself. She’d gotten good at making excuses, hadn’t she? Or was she just realistic? If DJ’s started struggling again, how would it survive without her? How would her dad feel if she left when he needed her the most?
But…what if they were right? There was a time she’d dreamed bigger and wanted more. If she didn’t chase her dreams now, what did that mean for her future?
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Nikki knew she’d set Drew’s creative wheels spinning. Not that Drew would admit it. Over the next couple of weeks, they danced around the subject, though it was a thorn between them. There was a definite increase in shoppers due to the holidays, and Drew cited the boom in business as proof of how badly DJ’s needed her. She did her best to avoid adding to Drew’s stress and didn’t bring up anything to do with family or career goals. She bought her meals when she could, rubbed her feet after long shifts, and even stopped by Drew’s apartment to tend to the cats when she got stuck late at work.
She filled her own time with Christmas shopping and writing songs. She knew it wasn’t a coincidence that she heard strings in all three of them as she worked out the arrangements in her head. When she played them for Jaymi, she agreed they would sound great with violins and cellos. She mentioned nothing of her suggestion to Drew. She didn’t want to jump the gun in case it never happened.
It was the second week of December, and she was still no closer to finding the Ella Fitzgerald album. She was searching the internet for the millionth time when her phone rang. Lance, Passion Play’s manager, shared news that made her bounce around the living room. She couldn’t believe it. She called DJ’s, knowing Drew wouldn’t answer her cell at work.
“Are you up for another ride to the Big Apple?”
“It’ll have to wait until after the new year, Nikki. You know I’m swamped.”
“One day, Drew. Take one day off. Please?”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Passion Play’s been nominated for two Grammys! We’re invited to do a TV interview and a performance for one of those daily morning shows at Times Square.”
“Nikki, that’s awesome! Wow. Congratulations. When’s the show?”
“Friday. We’re heading down tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow? I can’t get away on such short notice. Not now. We’re running on a skeleton crew as it is, you know that. Geena has finals this week, so I can’t ask her to cover.”
Her heart sank. Drew was right. It was selfish of her to ask, but she wanted her there so badly. She supposed this was going to happen from time to time. “Jaymi’s so lucky.”
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I said Jaymi’s lucky. She gets to have her girlfriend by her side for everything. It’s not fair.” She wondered if Drew could picture her pouting.
“I would love to go, baby, but I just can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll be able to watch you on TV, right?”
“Sure. Yes, of course.”
“Sorry, Nikki. I have customers, I have to go.”
They hung up, and she sank into the sofa. She was about to get the first taste of her job taking her away from Drew. They had rehearsal tonight, then a meeting tomorrow at Lance’s office before the long ride to New York. A night alone in a hotel room, the show, then another five-hour trek home. And that was nothing compared to a tour schedule.
She sighed. She could deal with this, right? Drew would be working anyway. Maybe she’d stay in New York for the whole weekend. Catch a show. Do some shopping. She pouted again. It wouldn’t be the same without Drew.
She wandered from room to room, restless and unable to focus. Finally, she hauled out her suitcase and packed, paying less attention than usual to her outfit choices. She only needed something decent for the show itself. Otherwise, she couldn’t care less. If Drew wasn’t there to impress, what was the point?
Her phone chimed with a text. Drew.
I’m so proud of you. I really wish I could go. I hope you understand.
She smiled and sent a reply.
Of course I understand. But don’t think you’re getting out of going to the Grammy Awards with me in Feb.
The phone rang. “Really?” Drew’s excitement was palpable.
“I was going to take your dad, but it might spoil my reputation as a lesbian.”
“Don’t you dare. And impossible. Your reputation there is firmly established.”
“Good. Because you’re going. I’ll triple Geena’s pay to cover for you if I have to.”
“You might have to pay more than that to make up for how jealous she’s going to be.”
“I’d bring the whole lot of you if I could get enough tickets. Melissa, too.”
“Now you’re talkin’. But my dad can’t cover the store by himself for that long.”
“I don’t think they allow that many guests, anyway. I’ll have to settle for just you.”
“Settle?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m just teasing you. Maybe I’ll even visit my mother while I’m out there—if she can spare the time.”
She heard the sadness in Drew’s voice. As far as she knew, Drew hadn’t spoken to her mother since Thanksgiving. Nikki hadn’t spoken to her father, either. She wondered what he’d think of her band’s nominations. Maybe, just maybe, he’d finally be convinced that they were the real deal and that she’d made the right career choice.
She sighed heavily. Drew and the band would be there—the people who loved her for who she was, and that’s all that mattered.
She spent the night at Drew’s. It was bittersweet, knowing she’d be away for the next four days. The thought that she’d never worried about being away from someone else for any length of time before made her smile. They agreed that having some time apart would be good practice. Their relationship would have to endure these tests if it was going to survive. Better to find out earlier rather than later if they had what it took, right? They talked and laughed and had sex, and Nikki slept with Drew in her arms. It was perfect.
Drew headed off to work, and Nikki drove to Lance’s office where they were all meeting to take the limo to New York.
Lance splayed his hand over his heart and exaggerated a shocked expression. “Well, slap my ass and wake me from my wet dream! I am marking my calendar: the first time in Passion Play history that Nikki Razer is ready to go before everyone else.”
“And I think this is the first time in history you’ve ever looked better than me before nine a.m.”
Lance looked over his electric blue suit, white dress shirt, and hot pink tie. He slicked back his blond pompadour and buttoned his black leather overcoat. His metrosexual style would blend in well in the city, but his ultra-modern fashion sense drew stares in the small towns of New Hampshire. “Pshaw! I always look better than you, honey. You’re damn lucky we play for opposite teams.”
Nikki ducked into the car. “I’ve seen you throw a ball. I’m not worried.”
“Ouch! What’s got your lady boxers in a bunch this morning? Missing your Drewie pooh-bear already, are you?”
She received additional teasing about her unusual punctuality from her bandmates, but she simply claimed that Drew was a good influence on her. It was true, after all.
The gang was quiet for the first half hour or so until Jaymi caught her eye and broke the silence. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m psyched to get back in the studio.”
Lance jumped right in. “We need to really focus on getting this next album out pronto. Even if you don’t win a Grammy, sales will skyrocket if we release an album on the coattails of two nominations.”
The conversation continued with plans to start putting songs together at rehearsals. Nikki felt a little guilty for only having three new songs to contribute, but just talking about playing together again fired her up. As much as she’d needed the break, she had to admit she was itching to get back onstage. Having new songs to add to the repertoire kept her job fresh and challenging. She couldn’t wait to hear what everyone had written.
“So, Nikki, how are the cello lessons going? I’d like to add some strings this time.” Jaymi grinned. “Real strings—not synthesizers.”
“There’s no way in hell I’ll be ready to play on this album, unless you enjoy the sounds of sick birds.”
Everyone chuckled. Jaymi flapped her arms like a chicken, and Shawn provided sound effects.
Kay asked, “What about Drew? Would she be interested in playing on the record? I popped into DJ’s last week and heard her playing a violin. I was blown away. She should charge admission just to walk into the store.”
“I’ve told her that, too.” Nikki sat up straighter. So, I’m not the only one who thinks so. “She says she’s happy just teaching, but I’m telling you, when I took her to that Mozart concert, I saw something in her eyes. If she got a taste of performing, I bet she’d love it.”
Shawn asked, “So, what’s holding her back?”
“Opportunity.” Lance was practically bouncing in his seat. “She needs an offer she can’t refuse. Is she really that good?”
“She can play the hell out of anything you put in her hands.” Nikki’s excitement bubbled up as she imagined all the ways Drew could enhance their sound, yet she had a nagging feeling Drew would turn them down flat.
“So, the question remains.” Jaymi sat forward and clasped her hands together. “Would she be interested? I like the idea of adding another local undiscovered talent to our lineup.” She stole a loving glance at Shawn, the undiscovered talent added a few short years ago.
“I don’t know…”
“It can’t hurt to ask her, Nikki,” said Shawn. “Jaymi and I already blew the no-dating rule to bits, so what the hell.”
“I don’t think I’d be so lucky, Shawn. Anytime I’ve brought up anything like this, it’s caused a problem between us—”
“I’ll talk to her, then,” Lance stated. “This is a business decision. I’ll ask her to audition, play a few tracks for her, ask her what she’d add for arrangements, you know, the works. She doesn’t have to commit to anything.”
“Yeah. Maybe if she has a chance to tap into her own potential, she’ll change her tune.” Jaymi chuckled. Intended or not, Jaymi loved puns.
Maybe they were right. Drew might take an offer from their manager seriously. She’d have plenty of time to think about it. The holiday rush would be over, so she wouldn’t have to feel guilty about taking some time off work. The question was, would she feel as if Nikki hadn’t listened to her? She’d been pretty clear about where her passion was and how much she detested fame. The last thing Nikki wanted was for her to feel as if she’d been snuck up on. But then…she’d said she didn’t want to talk about it because it was a dangling carrot she couldn’t have. What if she could?
