Page 150 of My UnTrue Love
“I think I don’t want you getting charged with murder. If I can’t rein you two in, at least he’ll know how to hide a body.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Luke finally nodded. “You gotta point there. I’ll just tie Pa up, for now.” He began stripping the vending machines of their electrical cords to use them as rope.
Good enough.
“I have to go watch my husband. I promised him I’d be in the wings.” She swiped a hand down her gingham skirt, hoping it wasn’t too wrinkled from sex and fighting. “Besides, I think he’s about to break the coyote curse and discover I’m his True Love. I should be there for that. It’ll mean a lot to him. He’s very romantic.”
Luke’s eyebrows shot up. “Bill’s gonna break the coyote curse? How?”
“By singing, of course.”
“But he’snotsinging. He’s playing guitar.”
“He’s singing.” Clementine headed for the stage. “He just maybe doesn’t know it, yet.”
Bill had promised her that he’d give this performance his all. His all meant singing. She knew that, even if it was probably not what he’d anticipated when he’d said it. A promise was a promise, though. He’d realize what he’d done soon enough. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too traumatic for him.
There were only a few people in the wings when she arrived. Bill didn’t have the best slot of the show, so no one was anticipating much. She stood as close as she could get to the stage, focusing on the bright lights on the set and trying to ignore the darkness all around her.
Bill was standing in front of the microphone, at center stage.
“Alright now!” Ranger O’Rourke was saying to the audience, from his usual spot on one of the balconies. “We got a newcomer here tonight. Showed up at the last minute. I ain’t never heard him play, as a matter of fact.” He paused theatrically. “Hey… you can play, right?” He looked Bill’s way.
The audience laughed at Ranger’s antics.
Bill didn’t crack a smile. “Little late to be asking thatnow, innit?”
The audience laughed harder.
Even from a distance, Clem could see Ranger perk up. Most guests were too nervous to respond to his improvised remarks. Bill’s calm demeanor must have seemed like a gift to him. He suddenly had a chance to perform a little himself.
“Well, I enjoy taking a chance on folks, every now and then.” Ranger drawled, extending the bit and expecting Bill to keep up. “Especially, when they’ve got themselves a real nice guitar. Look at what you’re holding there! I wouldn’t mind having a fine instrument like that myself. Where’d you get it, son?”
“Took it from your dressing room.” Bill told him truthfully.
Clementine couldn’t tell if Ranger’s surprise was genuine or fake.
“Itisreal nice, though.” Bill agreed, casual and unrepentant.
The audience howled, completely won over.
Clem smiled. Bill didn’t have to do much. Like everyone who was born a star, the spotlight made him seem bigger than life. When he was on stage, even very simple things sparkled.
Ranger seemed energized by the crowd’s excited response to their silly exchange. He’d been in the business for decades. He knew when someone hadka-pow!
“So you’re on my show, with me never hearing you play and with no guitar?” He clarified with mock indignation. “Well, all I can say is: You’d better put on the best damn performanceHome on the Rangehas ever seen.” He sat down in his seat with an artificial huff.
Bill absently strummed his stolen instrument, his eyes cutting towards the wings. Trying to spot Clementine. He cleared his throat, like he felt stage fright for the very first time in his career.
Clem sent waves of reassurance through their shared connection. Letting him know she was there and she loved him. As a muse, it was her job to offer unconditional support.
As a manager, it was her job to obsess over anything she might have missed.
She hoped that the smoke from the fire hadn’t affected his vocal cords. Coyotes healed fast, though. The bruises on Bill and Luke had already mostly faded.
She hoped that the sound would be okay, given that Bill was switching his act at the last second. The stage was enchanted, though. Everything should automatically adjust.
She hoped that the curse really lifted or Bill would besodisappointed. “Crossroad’s Coyote” said it would, though. And she knew Bill was destined to be hers. Sheknewit.
