Chapter 5

Lug Nut

The guys and I are sitting in the living room of what used to be Merigold’s house. Now that she is married and she has moved out she lets Lilly live here. While Anna is upstairs helping Lilly get dressed, I fill them in on what happened today. And how Lilly will have extra protection wherever she goes. I send Goof ahead to Harry’s to scope it out. Neil, Connor, Dez, Rick, and Steve volunteer to help keep an eye on Lilly at the bar and during rehearsals. Any extra eyes on her I’m more than happy to have.

Anna comes down a few minutes later. “ Ok. Lilly will be down in a minute. She is a little nervous about the outfit so be nice.” We all nod. It isn’t like we are going to hurt Lilly’s feelings. I hear Lilly coming down the stairs so I turn my head. What I see makes my jaw drop to the floor. I follow her with my jaw still hanging open as she makes her way to the living room. Lilly looks at all of us. “ Well. Umm, what do you think? Too much? I can go change real quick. Anna said this would be ok.``

None of us says a word. I don’t know about the others but I can’t say anything. Nothing comes to mind. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying she looks bad. It is the complete opposite of bad. In all the time I have known Lilly I have never seen her look like this. Anna has her in a jewel corset-type top. It has a lacy bottom that covers her middle down to her hips. She has on a pair of black leather-looking pants with silver three-inch heels. That is the best way to describe it. I don’t know about women’s clothes. I’m doing my best. Lilly’s hair is down in wavy curls down to her waist. She has make-up. Lilly has never worn make-up before. It is light but sultry. A smokey color on her eyelids makes her eyes pop. And a subtle red lipstick. She looks fucking amazing. We have been quiet so long we have made Lilly so nervous that she begins to stutter '' Iiit's ok. Jjjust give me a second. I I I’l go change.`` 

Before she can leave the room Cooper almost shouts “ Holy fuck Lilly. Why have you been hiding that body? You look hot as hell.”  Lilly’s eyes open wide “ Are you sure it is ok?” I speak up finally “ Ok. Lilly, you look fucking incredible. I’m shocked. I have never seen you like this.” “ We are going to have a hard time keeping the guys away from you,” Dez says. Lilly giggles slightly. “ You don’t have to exaggerate. But thank you.” “ Who the hell is doing that? We are only speaking the truth. You look amazing. You don’t need to change.”

                     Anna laughs “ See you were worried for nothing. I told you. You look beautiful. You are going to knock them dead.” Anna gives Lilly a hug. “ Good luck, little bit. But you don’t need it. I know in my heart you are going to blow them all away. You have a wonderful talent, Lilly. They deserve to hear you.” It turns out Anna knew Lilly could sing. Anna has caught her a few times.

                    She just kept it to herself. When Anna figured out where I was taking Lilly every week she wanted to come along. She has been one of Lilly’s biggest supporters. Anna even decided to help Lilly with her stage outfits. If they are all similar to this one we will be beating the guys away with a bat. It is the right amount of sexy without going over to slutty.

          Lilly turns to Anna “ You are going to be there, right? You promised you would be.” Anna nods “ Yes. I’ll be right at the bar watching you tear that stage up. Now get going. I’ll see you soon.” Anna looks at us “ You boys make sure she is taken care of. If not, I'm getting Merigold after you.” I know she isn’t messing around if she is threatening us with Merigold. There isn’t a smart person alive that isn’t afraid of that woman. She can be downright scary. 

              Neil tells Anna “ We won’t let anything to her. You have our word. We will see you soon.” Lilly hugs Anna one more time before we head out. I help Lilly put her jacket on and we head out. Lilly is riding with the guys. I am riding my bike taking up the rear. That way I can watch for trouble if there is going to be any. Not that I expect there to be. In the two times Lilly has been threatened she has been alone.

                 When we get to Harry’s I go help Lilly out of the van. I take her in the back away from the rest of the bar. While the guys unload a few last minute things I take Lilly backstage. Harry is already there when we arrive. When he sees Lilly he is shocked. “ Miss Lilly, is that really you? Wow.” Lilly giggles “ Hi Mr. Harry.” “ Lilly, you are gorgeous. Anyway I just came to see if you had everything. I also want to tell you good luck, Lilly.” Lilly says thank you to him then looks at me. “ We have got everything we need. The guys are bringing in the last of it.” Harry nods. “ One last thing and I’ll be on my way. I know I said Lilly can’t be at the bar. If one of you is with her, Lilly can come get some water or a soda if she wants. I’ve already informed the bartender. Sound good to you Lilly.” “ That is very nice of you Mr. Harry. I’ll make sure I’m with someone at all times.” Harry leaves and the guys gather around us. Neil says “ Ok. We have ten minutes before we start. Lilly, we are going on stage to get ready.If you need a little time to calm yourself take it.” 

                 “ Calm myself?” Lilly asks. I laugh “ Lilly, I can see you shaking. That’s normal. Take some time. Slow deep breaths. And remember what we talked about. With the lights you won’t be able to see the audience clearly. Just shut out anything else but us. Think of it like another practice.” She takes a huge breath, holds it for a second then blows it out. “ Ok. Got it. I’ll be right there.” We each give her a hug for support before getting on stage. I know she is nervous. I would be worried if she wasn’t. This is a big deal for her. I’m not worried though. I know she has got this. 

                   I was checking the mics when Lilly walked on the stage. She has been up here several times for practice so it is nothing new to her. She still looks around. She looks out over the audience like she is looking for something. When she finds whatever she is looking for she turns back to us. “ I’m ready.” I smile “ I know you are. Get in your spot. Time to do this.”

Once Lilly is in position Rick starts his drum beat for ‘ Homegrown’ by the Zac Brown Band for me. I keep watch out of the corner of my eye for Lilly. I want to see how she is reacting. When I get to the second chorus I see her loosen up. By the time I’m done with my first song she looks calmer. 

            When Neil starts his first song ‘ Same Ol’ Situation’ by Motley Crue Lilly is tapping out the beat. I’m playing next to get ready for Lilly’s debut. I start ‘ It Ain’t My Fault’ by Brother’s Osborne. I chose this one just for Lilly. She loves it. I’m hoping it will help her loosen up even more and be ready.

                                       Lilly

         Breath in. Breath out. Nothing to be nervous about. It is just me and the guys. We are hanging around the garage. That’s what I keep telling myself over and over. I can do this. Lug has faith in me. I’m a good singer. Inside I feel like a washer machine on a spin cycle. As lug and Neil sing I can feel myself calming down but not by much. Lug is about done with his second song. I’m next. I breathe deep and concentrate on the lyrics of my song.

       “ Alright. I hope you all are having a good time.” Neil says. I hear light applause. Ok not too bad. “ We recently added a new member to our group. Tonight we want to introduce you to her. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome our Songbird.” Lug says. I’m Songbird huh. I kinda like it.  

       Rick starts his drums followed Connor with the guitar. Please don’t screw up. I chant in my head. ‘ Cowboy Casanova’ by Carrie Underwood is my first song of the night. I close my eyes and give it all I have. By the second verse I’m dancing around the stage. I don’t care who is watching anymore. I’m doing this for me. Fuck everyone else.

  When I’m done I could have a pin drop. I guess they didn’t like my singing. I try not to be hurt by it but it does sting. I turn to walk to the back of the stage when all of the sudden it sounds like thunder. Then I hear whistling. I’m confused for a minute. Where is it coming from? Lug grabs me and spins me around. “ I told you could do it. Do you hear that? They love you.” That’s when it hits me. That isn’t thunder, it is applause. And it is almost deafening.

“ I guess you like what you just saw. Let’s see if Songbird will give us another.” Neil says, turning to me. “ What do you say, Songbird. Do you have another one in you?” I hear shouts of “ Yes.” “ Sing us another.” “ Hell yea.”  I can’t speak. I don’t know what to say so I just nod. They start to play the next song on my list. ‘ I’ll Be Your Shelter’ by Taylor Dane.

I make sure to hit all the high notes. I dance like I’m in my room at home. I add a hip pop here and there. And yes I shake my ass a few times. What’s the worst they are going to do boo me off the stage. I’m having fun, something I haven’t done in a long time. 

When I’m done I get another round of thunderous applause. The rest of the night goes much the same way. Neil and Lug do a few more songs each. I even do a duet with Lug. The last song of the night I’m playing guitar with Connor. We are playing Journey’s ‘ Separate Ways.’ It is going well. Connor and I even started a weird battle when the worst happened. I snap a string mid riff. I want to pantic and almost cry when suddenly Lug is there with another guitar. We don’t miss much. Connor was able to cover my gap. 

When we are done I’m exhausted. My feet hurt. My throat is a little sore but overall I feel great about the night. While Lug, Dez, Rick and Steven pack up, Neil and Connor lead me to the bar. They help me navigate the crowd of well wishers and people want to say hello. When we finally get there Harry jumps up from his seat. “ There is our Songbird. Come have a seat. Can I get you anything?” Harry sits me in the stool next to his. “ Could I trouble you for some ice water?” Harry flags down the bartender. “ Randy, get this little lady and ice water. And get the band a round.”

Connor and Neil looked shocked.” What’s wrong?” “ Harry never buys a round. He is treating you like royalty. He doesn’t do that.” Connor says. I shake my head “ I’m sure that isn’t true.” The bartender comes back with our drinks and lines up beers for the rest of the guys. I thank him. He leans over and says “ I have never seen Harry act like that. You must have impressed him with that voice of your Songbird.” I grab my water and sip, not sure how to respond to that.

Lug and the others come to the bar and grab their beers. Now that we are all sitting down Harry comes over. “ I want to do some full ads for you guys. Let people know you have added Lilly to the line-up. What do you say?” It isn’t my decision so I look at the guys. Lug says “ I don’t have a problem with that. With you and word of mouth I’m sure we can get some asses in the seats.” “ Yes. Good. I’ll get it ready to advertise next week's show. Go home and get some rest. This is going to be good for all of us.” I get a feeling deep in my stomach that our world is fixing to change.