Two nights in Memphis … that was a luxury, especially at the end of a tour. The concert had gone well that night, and Sam said CDs and T-shirts had brisk sales. Only one more concert. Grace slipped into her red-and-black silk pajamas and flopped backward onto the king-size bed in the hotel suite, arms flung out. Ahhh, no more nights on the tour bus. She could even sleep late while the guys moved all their equipment to the next venue—the Orpheum Theater, no less.
How Bongo Booking had managed to snag the Orpheum for this tour, she wasn’t sure—though she’d done the Orpheum two years ago when she was on a multi-artist tour organized by her record label. It would be a strong ending for her New Year, New You tour.
Sam’s sister and a cousin had come to the concert tonight, and she’d brought them to the meet and greet. Fun girls. Sam had asked for a couple hours off tomorrow to go see her mother and extended family … that should be possible. And if Roger was able to come early in the day, maybe they could have a light dinner together before the concert—
A knock at the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts. “You need anything else?” Sam asked as she peeked in. “Shawnika and Crystal are downstairs in the café—thought I might go down and hang out with them for a while if you don’t need me.”
Grace leaned up on her elbows. “I’m good. Go, have fun. I’m glad to get rid of you anyway”—she grinned slyly—“because I’m just about to call Roger.”
Samantha rolled her eyes. “I am so out of here.” The bedroom door started to close, and then pushed open again. “But I’ve got my cell with me if you—”
“Go!” Grace laughed, grabbing a pillow and throwing it toward the door. A moment later she heard the outer door close as well. Good grief. Sam meant well, took her job seriously, but there were times when Grace needed her privacy.
Retrieving the pillow, she propped herself up with several of its mates against the padded backrest of the hotel bed, and reached for her cell phone. Hitting a speed-dial number, she waited for the rings … one … two …
“Hi, Grace.”
Grace smiled at Roger’s voice. “Hi, yourself.” She pulled one of the pillows close and hugged it. “You aren’t still at work, are you? ’Cause I’m here all by my lonesome in this hotel room, wishing I was there with you.” It was almost a purr.
“No, I’m home. Was expecting your call.”
“I’m glad.” Poor guy sounded a bit stressed. “You okay? Been thinking about you all day … sounds like you could use some time off. Did you have a chance to consider flying down here tomorrow to hear my last concert? It’s at the Orpheum Theater. Classy place. I’d so love the band to meet you and—”
“I can’t come tomorrow, Grace.”
His abrupt turndown of her invitation caught her off guard. She waited for the explanation … “Have to work all weekend” or “Not feeling so good” or “I broke my leg.” But nothing.
“That’s it? Just ‘I can’t come’? Roger, it would mean a lot to me! If it’s the expense, I’d be willing to buy the ticket. I’m really missing you and … and this has been my best tour yet. I’d love to share it with you. It’s … it’s an important part of me that I want you to know.”
“I know. That’s just it …” It sounded as if he blew out a long breath. “Look, Grace. I didn’t want to do this by phone. But this touring business isn’t working for me. You’re gone so much. I know, it’s what concert artists do. It’s your dream come true. But … it’s not my dream. What kind of life is that for me? If we got married, I mean …”
Grace stopped breathing. If they got married? “Wha … what are you saying?”
She heard him clear his throat. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking while you’ve been gone, and I … I just don’t think we should keep up the pretense anymore. It’s not working. We’re living in two separate worlds. I need a woman who’s there for me.” He paused, but when she didn’t respond, said, “I’m sorry, Grace. I know this is hard. It’s hard for me too. But I think we should step back, call off the engagement for now …”
Roger’s voice continued in her ear, but Grace had grown numb. Pretense? … Call it off? The words echoed in her head, but at the same time seemed unreal, mangled, like so much gobbledygook.
“… talk about it more when you get home,” Roger was saying. “I’ll let you get settled for a few days, and then maybe we can—”
But her hand had dropped to the bed. Her thumb pressed the Off button. She lay there, numb, for a long time, staring at the abstract painting on the wall. But then the tears came. Rolling over, she buried her face in the mound of pillows as painful sobs erupted from deep in her belly. No … no … no …
How long she lay there crying, Grace had no idea. Much later she heard the outer door to their suite open and close and the muffled sounds of her assistant moving around the other half of the suite, pulling out the daybed, water running in the bathroom. She tried to stifle the sobs, but soon she heard a quiet tap at her door and Sam’s concerned whisper. “Grace? Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer. But as sounds quieted in the other room, voices seemed to scream in her head …
You’re worth the wait?! Ha-ha-ha-ha.
What are you going to say to those starry-eyed fans now?
You fool … you stupid fool … you plastered your engagement all over this tour and now … now he’s left you hanging to flap in the wind …