The Girl In The Band - The Lead Singer - Chapter 20

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Seemingly oblivious to my comments, John scarfed down the dinner from his plate and then lifted the plate in an obvious gesture to have it refilled. He said, “This is really good, Mom. I’m going to have to get one of your Tupperware things to take some back to my pad.” “Thank you,” I said simply. John looked annoyed at me and said, “I was talking to Mom, not you, Freak.” “I made dinner tonight, John. Mom only helped a little.” I said, with a touch of pride in my voice.

John looked genuinely surprised. He said, “Really? I’m surprised. It’s really very good. You’ll make someone a really great wife.”

I thought about that a minute, me, walking down the aisle in a long, white flowing gown... I think I’ve really lost my mind. Suddenly, the phone rang. Mom got up to answer it. She called out, “Michelle, it’s for you.” She shrugged and said, “It’s some boy, but I don’t know who.” Mom handed me the handset and I said, “Hello?” “Hey, Michelle! It’s me. Chad” said the voice on the other end of the line. I felt my face begin to flush.

I said, “Chad! Hey! You called.” Chad chuckled and said, “I said I would. Thanks for coming to lunch with me. I enjoyed getting to know you a little better.” I wandered away from the dinner table and the questioning glances from both Mom and John. Sitting on our brand new leather couch, I said, “Me too! Thanks for inviting me! I enjoyed it.” Chad said, “I can’t talk long. I’m meeting some friends here in a few minutes.

I just wanted to ask you if you’d be interested in coming with me to Julia Briggs’ big party this Saturday?” Julia Briggs was that really weird chick with the hottest body in Hollywood. I’d heard some strange things about her parties. I wondered if I should go or not. Julia scared me a little. Okay, maybe a lot. But then, Chad would be there to protect me. I said, “I’d better check with my mom first.” Chad said, with a touch of annoyance in his voice, “Oh, okay. I keep forgetting you’re several years younger than me.” “Okay, hold on,” I said. To Mom, I said, “Chad Dumont has invited me to go to Julia Briggs’ party this Saturday.

Can I?” Mom looked at me with a shrug. She said, “Chad who? And I don’t like that Julia Briggs.” John just looked at me wide-eyed. “Are you shittin’ us? Chad Dumont... the Chad Dumont is asking you out on a date? I don’t freakin’ believe it!” I looked back at Mom and said, “Well, he’s waiting for an answer.” Mom asked, “Do you know who all is going to be there?” “No.” Mom frowned and said, “Can you ask him?” Into the phone, I said, “Do you know who all is going to be there?” Chad sighed, “Just the usual list of Julia’s friends. Mostly other celebrities” He then rattled off names of various actors and punk rockers and other celebrities with less than stellar reputations.

Some of them actually scared me. Chad completed his comment by saying, “And Tommy Kincaid is definitely not invited.” Well, that settled it for me, To Mom, I said, “It’s just a bunch of other celebs, Mom.”

Mom continued to hesitate. She asked, “How old is this Chad guy?” I shrugged. “Just a little older than me,” I lied. Mom said, “That’s good. I think Tommy was probably a little too old for you.” I guess I shouldn’t tell Mom that Chad is a year older than Tommy. To Chad, I said, “Yeah, I can go. Just tell me when you’ll be here.” I couldn’t believe it. There were a ton of reporters there.

I thought only a few would show up for the press conference where I was going to apologize for Tommy trying to rape me. A large crowd of people armed with a variety of cameras and bristling with microphones sat in front of a podium on a small stage in the pressroom of the studio.

Per instructions from Mr. Winters, I was wearing a dress, a very pretty and feminine summer dress with a bright floral print. To go with the pink in the print, I wore pink sandals with three-inch heels. I started to feel that I might have overdone the pink when I thought about my pink nails, pink lipstick, and pink earrings. “Are you sure you have all the points on this sheet down?”

Mr. Winters asked as he waved a sheet of paper in front of me. Instead of memorizing a prepared statement, he wanted me to memorize specific points instead and say them in my own words so I would sound like I was speaking from the heart, not from a prepared statement. “For the third time yes, Mr. Winters,” I said, getting a little flustered. “I’m just nervous about going out there in front of those reporters.” Mr. Winters gave me a wry smile and said, “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.

I mean, you had to have known you were going to have to get up in front of a crowd.” I brushed my hands down the front of my dress to make sure I didn’t have any wrinkles and said, “I know. But it was all academic before.” Mr. Winters put a gentle hand on my shoulder and said, “You’ll do fine.” He glanced at his watch and then looked over my shoulder and made a circular gesture to someone behind me.

He said, “Time to go out and meet the press. I, along with some other execs will be standing behind you.” He made a shooing gesture to me. “Scoot.” Brooklyn was standing there with us. Bless her heart. She had gotten up early to get me to the salon. Mr. Winters had been afraid I’d show up with bed hair. After the press conference, she was going to take me shopping. On Friday, I was scheduled to be a guest at a luncheon that was raising money for some charity.

My closet is already so full of dresses; I don’t know why Brooklyn thinks I need one more. To Brooklyn, I said, “Do I look okay?” She smiled and said, “Sweetie, you look gorgeous. You’re such a girly girl!” I could feel my cheeks flush as I turned to walk out onto the stage. I sucked in a deep breath and took my first few steps.

I was a mix of emotions as I walked across the small stage to the podium. As soon as I walked out, dozens, maybe more cameras flashed all at once and the air was filled with the sound of those cameras clicking.

It was all I could do to keep from turning around to run screaming from the place. All those people staring intently at me, cameras flashing and my own high heels clicking. I became overly aware of the fact that I was wearing make-up and earrings and a dress. I was aware of the skirt of my dress gliding over my legs. My bra seemed to be digging in a little extra today. It was all so surreal, I walked up to the podium and just stood there a moment, frozen. I looked out at the crowd of expectant faces and camera flashes.

Finally, I managed to say, “Good morning!” I was surprised when they actually said “good morning” back. I gave them all a nice friendly smile and said, “Thank you all for coming this morning. I appreciate the opportunity to clear the air on a few things and I promise not to keep you long.” I looked over the sea of faces. My stomach was tying itself into knots. Sweat trickled down my back. “So having said that...” I continued, “Let me go ahead and just cut to the chase.

I don’t know how the rumor got started, but let me just say that there’s absolutely no truth to the story that Tommy Kincaid tried to rape me. Trust me. Otherwise, we’d be having this press conference outside his jail cell. Rape is a serious issue that affects women the world over. But having someone falsely accused of rape is also serious. “Yes, Tommy got carried away and acted like any other teenage boy. Like all guys, it seems Tommy just wasn’t thinking clearly, and that’s really all I have to say about that. Any questions?”

I didn’t want to invite the press corps to ask me questions, but Mr. Winters told me I had to. A chorus of “Michelle!” and “Miss Grayson!” erupted from the reporters in front of me. I pointed to one of the few women reporters. Before I walked out, I really thought most of the reporters would be women. The woman reporter said, “Thank you. Michelle, the big question in my readers’ minds is, are you two still together?

There’s a rumor that you’re now dating Chad Dumont.” How does this stuff get around so fast? I said, “It’s not like Tommy and I were on the verge of marriage! We were just dating. I’m only fourteen. It’s not like I’m going to get serious with anyone! And not that it’s anybody’s business, but Chad invited me to go to lunch with him the other day when we both happened to be up here at the studio.

It’s not something I’d call a date.” A few more questions were all about the specifics of the last date I had with Tommy. The questions were way too personal and I told them so. I was getting annoyed by them so I said, “Just one last question. You.” I pointed to a cute guy with a camera. “Two questions. Are you and Tommy still friends?

And are you free Saturday night?” A chorus of laughter spilled around the room. Before I could answer, a voice behind me said, “Of course, we’re still friends, aren’t we Michelle?” I turned and there was Tommy, dressed all sharp in a suit. A mix of emotions washed over me. I was still angry, a little, with him but I have to admit, I really like him, and the way he was dressed, standing beside me, he was absolutely gorgeous. I hesitated a moment, because of the shock of seeing him.

I had no idea he’d been standing there. I wondered how long he’d been there. I just stared at him a moment before turning back to the reporter. I couldn’t stop it from forming. I knew I had a goofy smile spreading across my face as I said, “Yes. Yes, we’re still friends.” I paused a moment, looking at the really cute reporter. I continued, sounding too apologetic considering he was probably just joking, “And sorry!

I have something already planned for Saturday.” Another round of a few laughs. Over the noise, I could barely hear the reporter laugh and then say as he started to put away his camera, “I was just kidding” Mr. Winters walked up to the podium and announced, “And that concludes the press conference. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming today.” Tommy gently took my arm at the elbow and escorted me off the stage. An awkward silence followed. “Did I surprise you?” Tommy finally asked. When I nodded, he said, “I wasn’t going to come out there with you at first, but I thought you might want some moral support.

I hope you didn’t mind.” I looked at Tommy and had to force myself not to melt. I said, “No, I didn’t mind.” Tommy’s eyes locked onto mine. We just stared at each other for a few seconds. Tommy swallowed audibly and then said, “Michelle, I just want to say how incredibly sorry I am for the other night. I got carried away… you were so beautiful and the moon on the beach… did I mention you were beautiful? Please accept my apology. I’m so very sorry.” I thought about making him say he was sorry at least two more times, but I said, “Apology accepted!” I just smiled at him, lost in his eyes. No… I wasn’t going to let him suck me in again. I averted my eyes.

Tommy looked at his feet for a few moments. He said, “So, were you just making a joke with the reporter, or do you really have plans for Saturday night?” I glanced over to where Mr. Winters was telling Brooklyn something. I was afraid to look Tommy straight in his eyes. I had to keep my resolve. I said, “Actually, I do. Just some Hollywood party.” Tommy looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, “I haven’t been invited to anything and the only big party I know of is Julia Briggs’ party.” He paused a moment as a look of concern crept across his face, “You’re not going there, are you?” he blurted.

I pulled myself up a little straighter and said, “If you must know, yes. That’s where I’m going. Chad Dumont is taking me.” “Chad is taking you to Julia’s party?” Tommy said with much concern in his voice. “That’s definitely not a good idea, Michelle.” I wanted Tommy to take me into his arms and kiss me as he did on the beach the other night, only with more self-control.

Instead, I said, “Already getting jealous, Tommy? I can date anyone I want to, you know.” Frowning, Tommy said, “Yes, I’m aware of that, but I’m also aware that Chad is a real bad apple. Trust me on this one. You don’t want to go to that party.” I folded my arms and said, “Why? Because you’re not invited?” “No. I wouldn’t go even if I was invited. Michelle, I think I know you fairly well. You’re a very sweet girl. The people who go to Julia’s parties are a rough and wild bunch.

I honestly don’t think you’ll be safe there.” “Chad seems nice enough to me,” I said. “He doesn’t seem all that rough and wild.” Now Tommy folded his arms and asked, “And how long have you known him?” “We had lunch together.” Tommy laughed, “An hour. You’ve known him for a whole hour! I understand that just about every teen girl on the planet wants to go on a date with Chad Dumont. Girls, for some strange reason, are always attracted to the bad boys.”

Glancing at my watch, I interrupted saying, “Look, I don’t have time for this. Thanks for your concern, Tommy.”I started to walk over to where Brooklyn and Mr. Winters were still talking. Tommy touched my arm and I stopped and turned to face him. He said, “Please think about what I said. I know what I’m talking about.”

I gave him a weak smile and said, “I will.” I turned once again to walk away. “Michelle?” I turned back to Tommy and said, “Yes, Tommy?” “I uh, I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you are today.” I smiled at him and said, “Thank you, Tommy. You look pretty wonderful yourself.” He smiled and I turned to walk away.