“Scott…
Scott, you've got to be kidding me! There is no way I can play here; it's a
Barnes and Noble for Christ's sake. The over 50 set skimming through the latest
James Patterson novel isn't exactly the type of audience I was going for. I
never should have let you talk me into this stupid tour.”
Grayson Hendrix could hear crackling
through the receiver of his cell phone, however he suspected that it was his
manager crinkling a candy wrapper in the in the effort to get him off the line.
“Grayson babe… You have to trust me. You have to trust that you and I are on
the same conceptual wavelength. I totally have your best interests at heart.
Listen, I have another artist coming in a sec, so we have to wrap this up.”
“Hey wait a minute, I thought I was
your only artist. What the crap is going on?”
“Well, um… He just walked in. Got to go
bud.”
"Scott, you slimy piece of crap…
We had a contract, don't do this!” The line went dead. He couldn't believe it.
He was stranded in Gary Indiana, with no money and no gas and the next gig on
the tour didn't happen for another two days. Grayson thought if he called Scott
that he would at least hear some encouraging words on the other end of the
line. No luck there. I guess all that crap Scott fed him about having the same
dream that he did, was complete bull.
Grayson decided to make the best
things. He closed out his set with that song he wrote about his breakup with
Nicole to mild applause. Something was better then nothing. The manager paid
him 100 bucks. That was almost enough for gas and a really, really cheap motel
room. After the place emptied out, Grayson stepped outside to get some fresh
air. It was then that he noticed the Barnes & Noble was across the street
from a fitness center.
There was a parade of spandex going
through the parking lot. He knew it wasn't the 80s anymore, but there was
something about women in spandex that got to him. Maybe it was something about
the way their butts jiggled when they walked. He wasn't sure. He watched them
for a little while, and just when he was about to go out to his van in his the
road he noticed two women straggling behind.
One of the women seemed to becoming
overwhelmed by a large bag of exercise equipment that she was carrying over her
shoulder. He had visions of the poor thing going end over end, all her things
ending up in the middle of the street. He rushed to help them, and as he did he
overheard a snippet of what seemed to be an argument.
“Amy, I can't believe you… How could
you let me sign up for a full gym membership?”
“Hey, it's not my fault that you
couldn't say no to that guy. And maybe it's a good thing. You have put on a few
pounds since you and Ken split. Maybe you'll meet someone cute in time for the
wedding.”
“What is it with you and finding me a
date, I am a strong independent woman and if I don't find a date in time…
You'll just have to deal with it.”
As Grayson approached the two women he
couldn't help but think, whomever this Ken guy he was a complete moron. This
girl had long auburn hair and piercing green eyes. She also had that nice
petite figure that he liked. This girl totally didn't need a spin class. “Can I
be of assistance ladies?” He asked. For a moment, they both stared at him
blankly. Then, he pointed to the overstuffed duffel bag slung over Kristen's
shoulder.
“Oh yeah, I mean… It's not necessary
but thank you.” As he took the bag from her he flashed her that smile. The
smile that Nicole had said melted her heart.
“Well, I guess I should introduce
myself… I'm Grayson Hendrick.” He extended his right hand and waited.
“I'm Kristin and this is my best friend
Amy.”
“Look, Kristin a Boy Scout disguised as
a biker.” Kristin flashed her best friend a look of warning, as if to say be nice.
“Sorry about my friend, she is and the
acquired taste.”
“That's okay, I am sort of used to it.
“Yeah sorry, I'm just not used to
seeing someone walk around in that much leather. So what do you do?”
He turned away from them, and with his
back to them he pointed to the small sign that was in front of the bookstore.”
I am on a small tour right now, I am heading to Indianapolis in a few days.”
“Oh wow, how exciting,” Kristen said,”
what kind of music do you play?”
“Well, the only way I can describe it,
is that it is kind of a pop soul infusion.” The two girls gave him the same
quizzical look. “I guess you'd just have to hear it. Look, I'm on break now but
I've got another set coming up.”
“I guess you could stop in for a little
bit.” With the bag of exercise equipment still slung over his shoulder, he led
the two girls across the street. He held the door for them, like a true
gentleman would as they entered the bookstore.
Kristen gave him a surprised look when
he didn't hand over her duffel bag right a way. Instead, he walked with it back
to where the stage was. He then placed the duffel bag right next to where his
guitar was. Kristen I didn't nervously, as if suddenly questioning whether this
whole thing was a good idea. Grayson gave her a quick reassuring smile and then
looked up at the cashier for his cue to go on.
Kristen and Amy found a comfortable
beanbag in what would be considered the front row and sat down. The lighting
dimmed and Grayson begin to play. Kristin and Amy's mouths formed identical
little oh's. Despite his cliché appearance, he was actually quite talented.
Kristin was no music critic, but she knew what she liked. There was something
emotional and raw about his lyrics.
The set went on for another 20 minutes.
After it was done the crowd emptied out but the girls stayed behind. “Gee, I
wasn't sure about you at first, but you really had me by the end there."
Amy said, " What record label are you with? Are you on iTunes? Where can I
get a copy of your EP?”
“I'm not signed to record label yet,
I'm doing more the independent thing right now. I'm not on iTunes but that is a
goal. My EP is for sale and I draw a few copies.” Grayson pointed over towards
the merchandise table where they also sell scented candles and books about the
history of Indiana.”
Kristen smiled and Amy had towards the
table. “So, what's next for you? Heading back to your hotel?”
Well, I can't exactly afford to stay in
a hotel right now so I'm staying in my van.”
Amy returned with a CD. “Hey, I know
this sounds cheesy, but do you think you could sign it for me?”
“Hey Amy, our new friend was just
telling me that he's staying in his van.” Amy gave Kristin a look like she
wasn't sure where the rest of this conversation was going.
“It's Grayson actually.”
“Grayson I have a pullout sofa bed if
you're interested.”
Amy grabs Kristen's arm and as
nonchalantly as possible says, “Will you excuse us for just a moment?” The two
women retreat over to the self-help section. “Have you completely lost your
ever loving mind? Look I know he's cute and everything but you barely know this
guy and you're already inviting him back to apartment? You can't really be that
desperate, can you?”
“I'm not desperate, I'm charitable.”
Charitable, you won't even lend me that
paisley skirt you have hiding in the back of your closet. I mean you never
were, if you asked me, it's a waste of perfectly good fabric.”
“Oh, will you just shut up about that
stupid skirt. It doesn't even fit you anyway. And besides, I offered him a
couch not a kidney, don't be dramatic. I'm just going to go with this, no
matter what happens.”
“Don't come crying to me if you chops
you up in little pieces and hides you in the freezer.”
“Oh will you stop it, I'm doing this.”
Kristin and Amy returned to Grayson, he
was standing there with the same boyish grin that he views during his
performance. “You know, I think I will take you up on your offer. There is no
way that I can spend one more night sitting up.”
“Well, this is the place where you'll
be sleeping.” Grayson surveyed the living room and suddenly had a a sinking feeling
in his stomach. This girl wasn't the most immaculate housekeeper and there were
about 10 pictures of cats around the living room. This totally hot girl was
standing there smiling at him and he knew he wasn't getting any tonight.
Kristen had made and dinner. She had opened up her home to him
and been nothing but hospitable. However, he woke up the next morning feeling
guilty and like he'd been hit by an 18-wheeler. The fold out sofa had a metal
bar right in the middle of it and is hit his back in all the wrong places
during the night. All of those pictures of her cat whiskers creeped him out.
Every once in a while he would wake up in the middle the night and feel 1000
cat eyes staring at him.
This was the last time he would ever accept an offer to crash
on somebody's couch based on how hot they were. He said that kind of stuff
before but this time he really meant it. He swore on his yellow lucky guitar
pick. He'd woken up a little after 8 o'clock in the morning, ate a few bites of
the worst scrambled eggs he'd ever had and said his goodbyes.
He hoped he'd never see Kristen again. She was hot but all
kinds of crazy.
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