Chapter 1

Open Mic Night

Valerie Daughtry is driving home from another grueling day of classes. Only one week left, and she'll be done with her second year of college. That is, if she passes all of her finals next week, then she'll only have two more years to finish getting her degree in Business Management. She really needs to let off some steam so she's hoping she can talk her brother Chris into going with her to the bar tonight. Have some fun since she'll be spending most the weekend studying for finals.

At least the traffic isn’t too bad, Valerie cranks up the stereo in her Tahoe and in no time she is pulling into the driveway of the house she shares with her two brothers. She notices Chris' truck parked in the driveway, so she parks her Tahoe in the garage. She grabs her backpack and purse then climbs out of her seat, and shut the door. She walks into the house through the door from the garage into the kitchen and sets her stuff on the counter. The TV is on in the family room, she glances in that direction and notices someone is sitting on the couch. She has to take a second look before she realizes it’s her brother with a freshly shaven head.

"Oh my God, what did you do?" she exclaims in shock.

Chris stands up from where he was sitting on the couch. "Do you like it?" he asks rubbing his bald head, giving her a sheepish look.

Valerie can't help but stare, trying to get over her surprise. "Well . . . I guess after I get over the initial shock, I think I kind of like it, but what made you decide to do it?"

"I was getting sick of all the dust and grime at the shop getting into my hair, so I said fuck it, and shaved it all off" he responds.

Valerie can't help but chuckle. "I'm sure the ladies with like it." She teases him.

"Yeah, yeah . . . so how were your classes today?"

"Oh hell . . . it seemed like the day just dragged on. I'll be glad when this next week is over, then I can relax. But anyway . . . I was thinking, maybe, we could go hang out at the bar tonight. I know the Stone Pony is having open mic tonight."

"Open mic? I don't know if I feel up to singing tonight." Chris responds shaking his head.

"Please, Chris! I love it when you sing. I might even be persuaded to get up there with you and sing backups." Valerie pleads with her brother.

"Now, that's a tempting offer, at least I won't be the only one making a fool of myself."

"Yeah right, you're a natural up there singing. I’ll be the one making a fool of myself." She jokes with her brother.

"All right, I'll go." Chris gives her his best defeated look.

"Awesome . . . I'll go change into something a little more sexy, while you call the guys and tell them to meet us at the bar later. We can stop and get a bite to eat on the way there." She replies as she starts walking to the stairs that led to the bedrooms on the second floor.

Valerie climbs the stairs to the second floor and walks into her bedroom. She searches through her dresser drawers trying to find her dark blue skin tight jeans to wear with her black spaghetti strap tank-top. Once she finds them, she slips them on and changes her top. She then grabs her black combat boots out of her closet and pulls them on. After she's satisfied with what she's wearing, she goes into the bathroom to do something with her long dark brown hair. She decides to just run a straightener through it and call it good, then she reapplies her makeup. Before she heads back downstairs, she goes through her jewelry box and finds her favorite silver necklace with a wolf pendant. She looks at herself in the mirror one more time to make sure everything looks right. Happy with her appearance she heads back downstairs.

Valerie finds Chris sitting on the couch watching TV. It looks like he changed clothes too, he put on a black shirt and blue jeans. She is still trying to get used to his bald head, but she has to admit, if anyone can pull off the bald look it would be him.

"So did you get a hold of the guys?" she asks him.

"Yeah, they'll meet us there around nine." He responds, then he takes a good look at her all dressed up. "Damn girl . . . I guess I won't have to worry about everyone's attention being focused on me!"

"Oh, don't worry, all the ladies will be focused on you!" she teases him back. "So are you ready to go and get something to eat."

"Yeah, sure, I think so. Which vehicle are we taking?" he asks.

"We can take my Tahoe, we’ll stop at the burger joint downtown, and get something in our stomachs before we start drinking tonight.” She replies as she grabs her jacket out of the coat closet. Before walking out the door to the garage she gets her purse and keys off the counter.

Valerie and Chris walk out to the garage and get into her black Tahoe. She backs out of the driveway then drives to their favorite burger joint. They both get something to eat then they goof off for a little while at the arcade next door. After they finish a racing game she looks up at the clock and realizes that they are supposed to meet Chris’ band at the bar in fifteen minutes. She has to pull Chris off another game so they can leave. She is a little excited to get up there on stage with him.

They drove to the bar and found a parking spot, then climbed out of her vehicle. Chris’ band was standing by the front door of the bar waiting for them. They walk up to them and they tease them for taking so long to get there. Chris, in turn, blames it all on Valerie. She tries to turn it back on him. After they were done joking around with each other, they go inside. The guys and Valerie all decide to get a drink at the bar to steel their nerves before getting on stage.

Feeling a little daring, Valerie orders herself and the guys each a shot of tequila. They down their shots then get themselves pumped up before heading to the stage. Valerie notices James, the bar manager, standing over in the corner. She walks over to him and tells him that Chris and the band are there and ready to play. While the band gets their equipment setup, James walks up to the stage to introduce them.

“Hey everyone, Welcome to the Stone Pony tonight. We have a special treat for you. Our own local band Daughtry has decided to grace us with their presence and play a couple songs for us. So sit back, have a few drinks, and enjoy!” James introduces the band, to a cheering crowd.

“This is going to be fun!” Valerie comments excitedly.

“So what songs should we play tonight?” Chris asks everyone, as they huddle around each other.

“I think we should do ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’.” Valerie suggests.

“OK, then we could do ‘Hemorrhage’ and ‘Renegade’.” Chris adds.

The band agrees on the song choices, and everyone takes their places. Valerie finds a spot off to the side behind Daughtry’s guitarist, Josh, and waits while the opening chords to ‘Wanted’ are played. As soon as Chris starts singing Valerie notices the attention he is getting from the customers. She gets more into her part of singing backups when she sees how natural Chris looks on stage. She’s always blown away by her brother’s singing and his stage presence.
***

Jon and Richie are sitting towards the back of the bar in a darkened corner, where they wouldn’t be noticed. Sitting back, enjoying a couple beers, and talking about the first leg of the tour they just got back home from. They are totally immersed in their conversation, until, the opening chords of a song they know all to well were played.

Richie turns around in his chair to get a better look at the stage. “This should be interesting!” he comments to Jon.

“Yeah, this should be very interesting!” Jon replies back, giving Richie a surprised look.

As they listen to the band play one of their best known songs, they are both impressed. Jon comments to Richie on the sound quality of the singer’s voice, while Richie’s attention is focused on the woman singing backup vocals. He was taken back by her beauty. He would defiantly make a point to meet her, before the night is over.

***
When Daughtry finishes singing ‘Wanted’ they get a round of applause from the patrons of the bar, and people start shouting at them to do another song. The band complies and starts playing Chris’ favorite song ‘Hemorrhage’. When they finish that song, they do one more song ‘Renegade’ by Styx. Much to the protest of the customers, the band ends their performance for the night with that. Chris thanks everyone for listening to them play, and not booing them off stage. The customers laugh at that last remark, while the group leaves the stage, patting them on the backs as they head to the bar. Another band, not nearly as good, take the stage after Daughtry.

Valerie and the guys order some drinks, then find a quiet table towards the back of the bar. They sit back and try to relax after the adrenaline rush from preforming. Valerie lights up a cigarette, and sips from the margarita she ordered. A few people stop by their table commenting on the good job they did on stage. They didn’t notice the two guys that were walking their way.

Jon and Richie approach Daughtry’s table and introduce themselves. Valerie and Chris’ jaws drop when they realize who is standing before them.

“I just wanted to tell you guys, you did an awesome job singing ‘Wanted’, not many people can pull it off.” Jon congratulates them. “ Do you mind if we join you?”

“Hell no, pull up a chair!” Chris responds once he gets over his shock.

Jon and Richie grab some chairs next to a nearby table and slides them over. Richie places his chair next to Valerie’s. “So when is the album was coming out?” Richie asks, once they get seated.

“I wished we had an album coming out, then I could quit my job as a mechanic.” Chris answers

Jon looks at Richie and after his nod, he turns back to Chris. “Well, I think that can be arranged.” he comments.

Valerie almost chokes on the smoke from her cigarette at what Jon is offering. Chris immediately accepts, and shakes hands with two men that just changed his life. Then he introduces the rest of the band to their new bosses.

Richie can’t keep his eyes off the woman sitting next to him. Something about her long dark brown hair, her steel grey eyes and those sensuous full lips takes his breath away, not to mention her gorgeous body with curves in just the right places. When Valerie notices she feels herself start to blush. Jon notices the attention Richie is giving the woman and asks Chris who the pretty lady is. Chris apologizes for not introducing her, and tells them that she is his sister Valerie. Richie is relieved, he was afraid that she might have been Chris’ girlfriend, since they were sitting next to each other.

The group at the table starts talking about music, with Jon explaining to them how he can help get their music career going. Valerie just sits back and watches the excited look on the band’s faces.

“Can I get you another drink?” Richie asks her. Valerie is startled, but then looks down at her glass and realizes it is empty.

“Yeah, sure, let me join you” she replies, and together they walk to the bar.

Valerie is surprised by Richie’s interest in her. She feels a little nervous being around him, knowing that he is a famous rock star. She keeps pinching herself, expecting to wake up and find out it is a just a dream. She feels she should be flattered by the attention Richie is giving her, but at the same time, she doesn’t want to get too excited about something that probably won’t go any further than this night.

“What would you like to drink?” Richie asks her once the bartender reaches them.

Since she’d already been drinking tequila all night she decides to switch to some whiskey. So she tells him to order her a Lynchburg lemonade. He tells the bartender what she wants and gets himself a beer. Instead of going back to the table with the rest of the guys, Richie finds an open spot at the bar for them to sit at.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” Richie had to ask the question that has been coursing through his mind since he first saw her.

Valerie is a little surprised by his question. “No, actually, I’m not dating anyone right now.” she answers.

“I find it hard to believe that a beautiful woman like you is single.” he responds, relieved that he can possibly pursue his interest in her.

“Well, believe it. I haven’t been seeing anyone for about six months now. What about you?” she turns it around on him smiling.

Just seeing her smile sends Richie’s stomach to doing flip-flops. “No, I’m not seeing anyone either. My last girlfriend and I broke up a couple months ago, although it wasn’t a very serious relationship. She couldn’t handle me touring, and I think she was probably sleeping with another man.” he answers.

“Now, I, find that hard to believe. A famous Rock Star single.” she teases him.

“What can I say, sometimes it happens!” he chuckles.

Once they both establish that they are single and available, they start talking about mundane things, trying to get a feel for each other. Richie tells her some funny stories about the tour they are currently on. Valerie laughs so much, her sides are starting to hurt. She enjoys his wicked sense of humor.

The noise in the bar started getting louder, making it hard for them to hear each other talk. Richie finally asks Valerie if there is some place quieter for them to talk, because he wants to get to know her better. She suggests they go to the diner next door. They both get up and start walking to the door.

“Oh wait, I better tell Chris we’re going next door.” Valerie quickly interjects.

“If you want, I can give you a ride home.” Richie suggests, incase her brother doesn’t feel like waiting.

“Ok, let me tell my brother and give him my keys. I’ll meet you at the door.” She replies.

Valerie walks over to the table where the guys are sitting, still talking to Jon. She gives Chris the keys to her Tahoe, and he looks up at her with a confused look on his face.

“Richie and I are going next door to the diner to talk. He said he’d give me a ride home.” she answers the question in his eyes.

“Just be careful, sis.” he responds with a concerned look on his face.

“Don’t worry, I will.” she tries to reassure him, as she turns and starts walking towards the door.

She finds Richie standing there waiting for her. Together, they walk next door to the diner.

************