Page 20 of Real Sexy
It doesn’t take longfor word to spread about my impromptu performance.Frisco obviously has more experience than I do with this.The video is already up on YouTube, and while it hasn’t gone viral, I know from Hope’s repeated checking that it’s getting more hits than I’m comfortable with.While I sling drinks and voice after voice comes through the open mic, plenty of people come to the bar and wave their phones in my face, askingis this you?
I pretend I can’t hear them over the music and ask for their drink order.
Working my way down the bar, I stop in front of the stool where Frisco has been parked all night, but an unfamiliar face looks up at me.
Where did he go?
I take the man’s order as Frisco’s voice comes over the speakers.
“I know I’ve been crashing here a little too often, but it’s just ’cause I like y’all.Whatcha want to hear?I feel like doing a cover.”
The energy changes in the White Horse like someone flipped a switch.People scream out requests, and I have to believe it’s no accident that Frisco chooses one of Boone’s songs.
“Shit.This place is going to turn into a madhouse again now that he’s onstage.Get ready for it, girl.”Hope hip checks me as she passes by with an armful of mixers to restock.
“I’m ready.Bring it.”
I make drinks, getting lost in Frisco’s voice and Boone’s words.When Frisco finishes, the crowd screams and shouts, and he waits for them to quiet down before speaking into the microphone again.What he says next almost stops my heart.
“What about doing something a little different before I give up the mic to the next person in line?I’ve got a good friend here, and she can sing.I think it’s time for a duet, don’t you, Ripley Fischer?”
I’m gonna kill him.I felt bad for him an hour ago, but now I’m gonna kill him.
Frisco starts the crowd chanting “Rip-ley, Rip-ley,” but I don’t move from behind the bar until Hope stops beside me again.
“Well, you gonna go?”
I shake my head.
“Why not?”
“Because!I don’t—”
“Come on, Ripley.We’re all waiting for you.”
I cover my face with a hand, but unless I duck out the back, there’s no getting out of this.
“Just go.It’ll be fine.”Hope sounds like she thinks this is a good idea.
I might need to murder my best friend too.
I tug out the bar towel tucked into the back pocket of my jeans and drop it on the counter.
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
Hope’s lips turn up in a smile.“You only regret the chances you don’t take.Go for it, girl.Cat’s already out of the bag, so what’s the harm?”
You only regret the chances you don’t take ...God, I hope she’s right.
With a steadying breath, I slide out from behind the bar, and the crowd parts to make a path to the stage.My nerves are stretched to the limit as people start to clap and cheer and yell my name.
Oh God.What if I suck?I’ve never done a duet.This is the worst idea ever.
The voice in my head that loves to play devil’s advocate pipes up.Or it could be the first step in a completely new direction.Take a chance.What do you have to lose?
With conflict raging inside me, I climb onto the stage.Frisco winks at me and wraps an arm around my shoulders, turning me so I face the crowd.
“Give it up for Ripley Fischer, y’all!”
