I get into it even more and start shaking my ass, my confidence building as I work the stage. It feels like old times again, and the crowd roars as I switch voices, a talent I picked up because I love so many group numbers, going from a low contralto to a high pitch and back as I play the various parts.
The crowd is jamming, getting into the song and loving it. I even see a few couples start dancing together, grinding, and one small group working it. They're good. They could totally be dancers on stage.
As the last notes fade, I'm covered in sweat, but the crowd roars their approval, and I raise my hands, thanking them. "Would y'all like to hear some more?"
The crowd screams. "Roxy! Roxy! Roxy!"
I grin and go over to the DJ, taking a minute to write down four songs and swig some water before coming back on stage. The next song starts, and I grin at Jake as I start with the popular club jam, Rihanna's This Is What You Came For. It might be more electronic than what I normally sing, but the crowd loves it, and some are even singing along before I take it even more naughty, Britney Spears' Toxic, and then one totally non-sexy but fun song, Uptown Funk.
I'm covered in sweat as the crowd roars again, and I feel my breath rushing in and out of my lungs. "Wow, thank you, guys. Now, I'd like to wrap up the same way I always did at Trixie's with something a little slower. So if you don't mind . . ."
The DJ starts the song again, the sultry, sexy tones coming through, and I'm glad that it calls for breathy singing, because right now, Dangerous Woman is about all I've got the lungs for. Still, I launch into it, and as I hit the end bits, the crowd's loving it, hands in the air, and even the people at the bar are on their feet.
When I'm done, I have to almost stagger off stage, where Jake catches me coming down the steps. I'm literally slick with sweat, but he doesn't care, pulling me close and kissing me hard on the lips. His arms are so strong as I kiss him back, letting him almost carry me to a waiting chair.
"I'm out of shape for this. How'd I do?" I ask. It's the first question I always ask coming offstage.
Jakes eyes burn with desire, but he grabs a bottle of water, handing it and a towel to me. "You were absolutely incredible."
"Karaoke night was a hit!" Nathan crows. He looks at me. I've recovered enough that I've rejoined everyone upstairs in the VIP lounge as the club closes. "Jesus, Roxy . . . if you can sing like that, what are you doing working in the same shithole as Jake? You should be on a stage selling out stadiums!"
"Trust me, I tried," I say, feeling the pang of regret that comes with his words. "But when it's not paying the bills . . ."
"Fuck that noise," Nathan says as I shrug. "If I had a voice like yours, I'd crash a record exec's office and say you only need ten seconds before you'll wanna sign me."
If only it were that easy, I think inwardly. "What can I say? A&Rs are assholes."
Hannah, who's had a few too many Little Mermaids, giggles. "Hey, can I get another? I'm not ready to give up!"
I shake my head, knowing I'm going to have to take Hannah home. Besides, her last comment sort of stings, even though I know she wasn't talking about me. I didn't want to give up either. But in an industry where if you haven't made it by twenty as a woman, you're almost never going to make it, I just couldn't face it anymore. Hell, some of the songs I sang tonight are damn near golden oldies, and the girl at the top of the charts this week wasn't even born when Toxic came out.
"Yeah, well . . . listen, can we leave Hannah's car here overnight? I don't think she's good to drive."
Jake, who's been smiling with Nathan, looks over. "Sure, but what's wrong?"
"Nothing," I lie, feeling a wave of depression start to creep in. "I'm just exhausted. I haven't done that in a long time."
Jake seems to understand. "Would you like to go home, then?
"I'd appreciate it," I say honestly. "But Hannah . . ."
"Babe, I'm fine," Hannah says, and I can see she's ‘happy drunk' but not ‘stupid drunk'. "You sure you're okay, though?"
I make sure my voice is convincing. "I'm okay, just tired."
"Okay then, go on, get out of here and get some rest. I'll be along in a little bit."
"But I can't just leave you here. How are you getting home?" I ask, but Hannah waves it off.
"Honey, don't worry about me!" Hannah assures me. "I'll get a cab if I need to. But what I do need right now is another Mermaid!"
Nathan laughs. "One more and then I'm cutting you off. After that, black coffee. Owner's orders," he teases. "Don't worry, Roxy. I'll call her a cab or take her home myself if she wants."
"Thank you, Nathan," Jake says. He stands up and takes me by the hand. "Come on, Angel. I'll make sure you get home safely."
Chapter 13
Jake
"You were amazing on stage," I tell Roxy, turning left. I'm driving her back to her place, glad that I only had a few drinks. Roxy did too, but she's exhausted. The set on stage gave her a huge high that's now crashing on her. She's been quiet since leaving the club.
Thinking about Roxy, I'm still blown away. Her voice was pure heaven. She worked the stage like a pro. Every time I thought she couldn't do more, she did. Watching her sway her hips to the beat heated my blood. Three times, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when she dropped it down on some of the songs, never missing a note as she did moves I don't think are legal in some states.
Even more than how hot she was, watching her on stage ignited a crazy desire inside me. I want to help her. I mean, it wasn't like I thought she was lying about the other club. I was sure she could hold a tune. But watching her tonight . . . she really has talent.
"Roxy?"
"Thank you," she says quietly. Something is on her mind. I saw it in her eyes, the disappointment when Nathan was complimenting her. It was like it only made her more depressed.
"What's wrong? The crowd loved you."
I loved you, I think inwardly, remembering how she looked so in her element. But those three words are too close to something else, and I don't want to have any confusion.
Roxy sighs, leaning her head against the window, looking out at the lights. "It just brought up memories, that's all. Reminded me of everything I went through."
My heart breaks for her. Her desire is one of those that sits right next to her soul, maybe even in her soul. Not having it is making her sick. I wish I could do something. I don't know anything about the world of music, but I'd learn just for her. "You did so well out there."
"I'll admit it was fun and all. And the crowd gave me life. But after the adrenaline wore off, it kind of hit home. I'm not angry at you, Jake, but maybe I should've never done it."
I'm speechless. It hurts to hear her say these words. I thought the exact opposite would happen. I was hoping that by showing her how good she is, she'd feel a jolt of energy again.
Roxy turns to look at me. "I'm not like you, knocking everything I try out of the park. I tried my hardest. Oh, my God, the number of hours I worked on my voice, doing lessons and sticking to diets to make sure I wasn't just overlooked because of that alone. And you know what I've got for it?"
"No," I reply, stopping at a red light.
"I've got a stack of demo CDs fifteen inches high. They'll never be heard."
I cringe inside, hating the defeat in her voice. "Did something happen to make you question your confidence in yourself?"
Roxy nods, looking in her lap. "Well, I've never told anyone this. But I did get an interview with this record exec while I was finishing my degree. He said he worked for a subsidiary of one of the major labels. He wanted to hear my voice, said he listened to my demo CD. I borrowed my stepfather's car and drove five hundred miles to this guy's office. I thought maybe he'd want to listen to me sing with a band, or maybe in person, so I took the time to work up my best piece in three different genres. I could do fast pop, a ballad, or one of those tearjerker songs."
"Sounds like you took it seriously," I admit. "What happened?"
"I didn't even get to sit down before the guy said he'd get me a deal . . . if I gave him head. He said I'd get a Grammy inside of two years if I fucked him."
"Son of a bitch!" I half growl, clenching the steering wheel angrily. "I've always heard the rumors of shit like that."
"So yeah. I told him the only way his dick was getting off was by being jammed in his own ass. I'm pretty sure he spread rumors about my being difficult to work with after that, but I don't know that for sure. I just know all interest whatsoever dried up after that. I ended up going back to college, then applying for Franklin Consolidated. The rest is history."