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Just then, we could hear loud voices approaching, as we hurried to clean up and get buttoned up again. Fortunately, there were boxes of tissues on every surface, and we both made use of them.
Afterwards, Liberty even slipped on panties. “Can’t take any chances.”
I was just tucking in my shirt when the door burst open.
Kasey walked in first and gave us both the once over.
“I hate to break this up, but we’re on in like five minutes,” he said, looking a little miffed, which caught me by surprise. We’d discussed this, discussed sharing her, and yet there he was, looking pissy.
What the hell was that all about?
“Just a bit jealous, bro,” he said, tapping my shoulder, as if he could read my mind.
I was about to explain when Jimmy walked in announcing that it was time. “Good to see you boys again. And who is this?” He gazed over at Liberty.
“This is Liberty Gallagher. Liberty, this is Jimmy, one of the owners. She’s going to join us for our first set,” Boone said.
“I am?” Liberty asked.
“You are,” I told her.
“I don’t have my instrument.”
“Yes, you do,” Kasey said, holding up her violin case.
“Your fans are gonna love her,” Jimmy said. “You remind me of my wife when she was your age. Have you met her?” He was talking directly to Liberty now, and it was the first time I saw the resemblance between Tammy and Liberty. Not in their features, but in their attitude and dress. No wonder our kids minded her like they did. She was merely a younger version of Tammy, and they always did everything Tammy asked them to do. They knew from the first moment that Tammy wouldn’t tolerate any kind of shenanigans, and neither would Liberty.
Funny how that worked.
Why I hadn’t seen the connection before was beyond me, but then I was blinded by my own skepticism of Camera Girl. She never did tell me why she’d been so crazy that night over a camera, but it didn’t matter now. I couldn’t care less why she’d reacted like that. Everything was different now, especially the way I felt about her.
“Spent many nights sitting across from Tammy at the bar,” Liberty told him. “She helped me through a real rough spot. Truth be told, she’s the reason I’m standing here tonight. She gave me the courage to apply for the nanny job with this group of hellions.”
“Hellions?” Kasey repeated.
“I say that with love,” she mused, smiling.
“Then welcome. Tammy will be pleased to see you up on that there stage, Liberty. Welcome to the Dirty Coyote family.”
Jimmy Jennings was a friendly but shrewd businessman who worshiped new, raw talent. He was responsible for booking Hot Sugar, and everyone knew what a success they were.
“Let’s do this!” Boone yelled, ushering us out of the back room.
This time, I walked behind Liberty, and instead of us parting ways near the stage, she walked up the stairs in front of me, and I could only think this might be the start of something good… something real good.
Liberty 13
My heart raced, my hands were sweaty, and my throat was on fire. Walking onstage surrounded by the Austin Sentry Band was more than I could process. I mean, how the hell did this happen? All I could think of as I took my place behind the guys, next to one of the other guitar players, was that this shouldn’t and couldn’t be happening. We never even practiced together. Not once. Shouldn’t we have at least done that much if I was going to play in such a big, overpowering venue?
I wanted to run away, get into my little car, and drive back home… like to Nashville. Why the hell did I ever think I could get away with this? Who was I?
A nobody.
A fan.
The nanny.
When I finally focused on the audience, I started shaking. There must have been a thousand people out there, or close to it. The place was more packed than I’d ever seen it before.
