While we were admiring her art, Allana stuck her head out the door.
“I thought that might be you,” she greeted me with a warm smile.
I was expecting an older woman for some reason. Instead, I found someone in her late 20s. She was a short, plump lady with a cheery smile. What made Allana so unique was the way her dark eyes flashed, like pinpricks of fire on a moonless night.
“Come in, and I’ll show you what I’ve been working on. I wanted to get your feedback before I got too far along,” she said and gestured for us to come into her studio.
On one wall, there were photos of my family and me. Grandma Dawson had volunteered to work with Allana. Grandma had obviously been in my cloud account, sorting through photographs.
I found Allana’s process interesting. We didn’t talk about the portrait at all. She sat me down at a small table and offered me hot tea while we talked. It was almost like a first date, as she wanted to get to know me. I rather enjoyed our time together. Allana had a wicked sense of humor that kept me on my toes.
Before I knew it, our time was up.
“Thank you, David. I know exactly what I want to do now,” Allana said.
“We didn’t even talk about what you’re going to do.”
She gave me a warm smile, and her eyes twinkled with mischief.
“That’s why it’s free. I get to decide.”
“That’s true,” I admitted. “Just be sure to make me look good.”
“I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Hey, before I go. The artist who does the jeans. Are those for sale?” I asked.
“You have a good eye. Unfortunately, she’s preparing for a show and needs them for that. I’m sure she would be willing to sell them after, though,” she assured me.
“Have her call Lexi.”
We said our goodbyes. I honestly had no idea what Allana planned to do, but I couldn’t wait to see.
◊◊◊
Our next stop was the MTV awards venue. Halle would be singing with the current pop idol, Billie Angell, and I wanted to drop in on their rehearsal. This was a big deal for Halle because Billie had a set of pipes on her. It would be interesting to see the two of them do a duet together.
The hall was abuzz with activity. The three of us found good seats in the middle and watched Too Late for Josie finish up their new song that was rocketing up the charts.
I all but swallowed my tongue when Halle and Billie marched out in matching leather bodysuits that clung to their bodies like a second skin. Someone was bringing sexy back. I stood and clapped as I let out a wolf whistle.
The lights were in their eyes, and both girls tried to make out who was making a ruckus. Then Halle recognized me.
“It’s just David,” Halle said dismissively.
“David? David who?” Billie asked.
“David Dawson.”
Billie smiled.
“Get up here so we can sing to you,” Billie said.
Halle shook her head, knowing I wouldn’t hesitate. I jogged up the aisle and leaped up onto the stage. That was when I discovered that Billie Angell was an Amazon. I hadn’t noticed that Halle’s shoes had three-inch soles and six-inch heels so their height difference wouldn’t be so noticeable. Billie had to be at least six-two.
A lot of music artists are picked for their looks. Too Late for Josie was a good example. The record label had brought together three smoking-hot girls and created a band. Compared to them, Billie looked downright homely. Part of what she did to compensate was to use the Lady Gaga approach of dressing up in costumes.
I had to admit, she had a rockin’ body for a big girl. By ‘big,’ I don’t mean overweight, I mean thicc. Compared to the usual size zeros, however, she was a breath of fresh air.
She swayed her hips as she came towards me to check me out. I suddenly felt like a piece of meat she wanted to devour. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
“Honey, I want you to come stand right here so I can look at you while we sing,” she ordered.
Well, okay.
Halle picked up on my discomfort and seemed highly amused.
The girls had to get their rehearsal done, so they took their places to begin their duet. The opening wail of Mamma Knows Best had the hairs on my arms standing up. Billie could thrash a song with the best of them, but Halle surprised the heck out of me when she went toe-to-toe with her.
I stood in stunned awe as I watched the two songbirds shred the opening refrain. Then my body began to vibrate with excitement, like Coby’s little butt did when he’d had too much cookies and juice. I couldn’t help myself as I began to dance.
I couldn’t believe that Halle had agreed to sing this song with Billie. The vocal gymnastics the two of them pulled off would be an absolute showstopper tomorrow night. Their choreographed moves would make a stripper blush, and I had to admit they put naughty thoughts in my head as they strutted around on stage.
When they finished, I was bouncing up and down.
“OH! MY! GOD!” I proclaimed.
“You liked it?” Halle asked.
“I loved it. You two should go on tour together.”
“We should take you along. You’re good for my ego,” Billie said.
They kicked us off stage so the next group could perform their song. Chuck and Lexi joined us backstage.
Halle had to get to an audition for a part in a TV show. She said she would see me at home.
“Are you two …” Billie asked.
“I stay with the James family when I’m in town,” I explained.
“Good. I want to lick the sweat off your neck,” Billie said.
I was shocked at how aggressive that comment was.
Lexi leaned in close.
“You should poke her,” she suggested.
“Poker? I hardly know her,” I shot back.
“What are they teaching kids these days? It’s ‘poke her,’” Chuck quipped.
“Old people,” I said to Lexi as I rolled my eyes at Chuck.
I flipped him off for good measure while Billie gave me a come-hither look as she sauntered into her dressing room.
“Double-wrap it.”
I ignored Lexi’s snarky remark as I followed Billie to see what she meant by ‘licking the sweat off my neck.’ This was probably a bad idea, but she intrigued me. This sounded like things were about to get dirty.
◊◊◊
When I stepped into the room, Billie launched herself at me. I found myself pinned to the wall with her tongue snaking down my throat.
“I get all hot and bothered after I sing. You should come with me on my upcoming concert tour so you can help me scratch that itch after every show,” she said breathlessly.
I all but heard an imaginary ‘clunk,’ the sound of the big brain engaging. The image of Billie boning some random guy after each gig jumped to the forefront of my mind. That was when my dad’s annoying admonishment that I needed to start becoming a better man surfaced.
This was precisely the kind of thing that seemed to get me in trouble. Engaging in sexual activities with … I don’t know … a movie star, a princess, and now a pop singer. While fun, it always seemed to make its way to the press.
“I can’t do this,” I blurted.
“What? Why?” Billie asked, shocked.
“I keep doing stuff like this. I would love to spend the summer going on a concert tour with you. The problem is, I have responsibilities. Did you know I have five kids?” I asked.
That brought her up short.
“I’m not looking for a commitment. I just wanted to blow off some steam,” Billie said.
“Then I’m probably not your guy.”
“What about the other guy you were with? Send him in,” Billie said, sealing the deal for me.
“I’ll be right back,” I said and stepped out of the dressing room.