Grace Unplugged: A Novel (12 page)

She giggled. “Pretty cool.”

He exchanged an amused glance with Mossy. “Pretty cool? We just signed her first big contract, and it’s pretty cool?”

Grace laughed. “Sorry. It’s fabulous. I’m totally jazzed. Okay?”

He nodded. “That’s better.”

“And you saw the article in
Billboard
today,” Mossy said to Larry.

“Oh, yeah.” Larry waved over to where a waiter was passing by with a tray of sparkling drinks. Probably champagne. “I really liked that they used photos of Grace and her dad.”

She frowned. “Me and Dad?”

“You didn’t see it?”

“I didn’t get it to her yet,” Mossy explained. “Yeah, Grace, we gave them an old photo of your dad, he was just a little older than you. And one of your publicity photos that you just had taken a few days ago. It was a real nice layout.”

“Sure was.” Larry reached for a glass of champagne, holding it out to Grace. “Can we drink to you?”

She made a nervous grimace that probably told everyone in the room that she’d never touched alcohol before.

Larry nodded. “Oh, I get it. No problem.”

Mossy reached for a glass too. Then the waiter, who obviously didn’t get it, held the tray out for Grace, waiting for her to take a glass.

“Oh, why not.” She giggled as she reached for one.

“Here’s to you,” Larry said as he held up his glass. “To a bright future for a bright star. I’m proud to have you on the Sapphire team, Grace.”

They clinked glasses, and Grace had her first taste of champagne. She tried not to wrinkle her nose, but her first reaction was that of wonder. She wondered how anyone could stand this stuff. Even so, she pretended to enjoy it as the conversation continued.

“The way you play reminds me of your dad,” Larry told her.

“Thanks,” she said with a bit of uncertainty. “He taught me to play.”

“I have a lot of respect for your dad,” Larry said. “He has conviction.”

She made an awkward smile, then looked around the beautiful room. “Your home is amazing,” she said.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll bet the view is fabulous.”

He nodded. “You’ll have to check it out later.”

Now Mossy and Larry launched into business talk and, if it hadn’t been directly related to her, she would’ve left from boredom. But because she was the subject, she hung on, trying to act like she was taking it all in. At the same time she was trying to take in the other celebrities she was spotting around the room. It was like the who’s who of Sapphire was here tonight. Any minute, Renae Taylor might walk in.

“Do you have a time frame on an album?” Mossy was saying to Larry.

“No. Let’s record the single, then the video. See how they trend.”

“Sure.” Mossy nodded.

“And even if ‘Misunderstood’ does hit, how much is Grace, how much is the father-daughter remake story, you know?”

“She’s the real deal, Larry.”

Larry nodded, sipping his champagne and running his eyes around the busy room as if he was hunting for someone. “Of course.”

“What about a follow-up single? An original.”

“We’ve talked about it.”

“Be a great step before an album, don’t you think?”

Larry nodded again, but Grace could see his eyes were on something else. Make that someone else. She followed his gaze to see that the gorgeously stylish Kendra Burroughs had arrived. The fashion diva was slowly making her way toward them as if she had a purpose in mind. Grace knew who she was—stylist to the stars—but she hadn’t met her.

Larry gave Kendra a wave but continued talking business to Mossy. “Well, if the single does get traction, we’ll do a radio tour. We’ll definitely want a follow-up in place by then.”

“Absolutely,” Mossy said eagerly.

Larry turned his attention to Grace. “Tell you what. Why don’t you demo an original for us?”

Grace tried not to flinch. “Sure. No problem.” Mossy shot her a wink.

“Again, no promises,” Larry reminded. “Let’s stay clear on this—it’s all about the numbers.”

“Of course,” Mossy agreed.

Now Kendra was joining them. “Frank Mostin,” she said. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“How are you, Kendra?”

“Excellent.”

“Grace, this is Kendra Burroughs,” Larry said. “Artist development. She’ll be your image maker.”

Grace felt a surge of delight. Kendra Burroughs was going to style her! Did it get any better than this? “Hi,” Grace said shyly.

“Your pictures do not do you justice, girl. You are stunning.”

“Thank you.” Grace tried another sip of her champagne, but it tasted just as foul as the first one. While the others were chattering, she slipped it onto a table behind her.

“Grace Trey,” Kendra was saying. “Do you ever go by Gracie?”

“Sometimes, yeah.”

“Gracie Trey,” Kendra said to Larry. “Has a better ring to it, don’t you think?”

He nodded. “I do.”

“We’re gonna have so much fun. I can hardly wait.” Kendra beamed at Grace. “I’m not used to getting a star that’s as naturally gorgeous as you.” As she was going on about her plans, the waiter came by with his tray of champagne again. But Kendra just waved her hand. “I have no interest in glorified grape juice,” she told him. “I’ll have a vodka martini, three olives, please.”

Grace couldn’t help but be impressed—not only with Kendra’s beauty and style but this was a woman who knew what she wanted and knew how to get it. Grace wondered if that was something she could learn. So sophisticated. So grown-up. Wouldn’t that blow away everyone in Homewood. Particularly her dad. Well, on second thought, even a hundred-mile-an-hour hurricane couldn’t blow that man away.

Grace was having such a good time at the Reynolds’s mansion that she barely noticed that Renae Taylor hadn’t shown up. Oh, well, there would be time for that. Besides, it might be nice if Grace had a little more confidence before her first encounter with her idol. Grace didn’t want to embarrass herself any more than was necessary.

She was just coming back inside after admiring the city lights from the big back deck that overlooked a sapphire blue swimming pool. This place was to die for. She wondered if she’d ever become successful enough to buy a house like this. Maybe that would impress her dad. Although she doubted it.

Mossy was waving to her now. She went over to see what he wanted. “Something to show you,” he said quietly. “But not out here.”

She followed him into what looked like a library and waited as he handed her a large envelope with the Sapphire Music logo in the corner. “What is it?”

“Congratulations,” he told her.

“Huh?” She started to open it.

“No, Gracie, don’t open it here. That would be bad manners. Wait until you get home.”

“Oh.” She folded it to slide down into her small evening bag. “Okay.”

“It’s your first advance from Sapphire,” he explained. “Should be enough for a car. And to get you by for a while.”

“Really?” She fastened her bag securely closed. “Cool.”

“You’re on your way, Gracie Trey.” He was leading her back out to where the other guests were visiting. The atmosphere seemed even louder and merrier than before.

She laughed happily. “This is like a really cool dream, Mossy. A totally cool dream. And if I’m dreaming, please, do not wake me up.”

“While I have your attention,” he said, “you’re scheduled to record the single on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday you’ll be with Kendra getting styled.” He waved at someone across the room. “End of the week you’ll be doing a showcase at—”

“Stop—stop,” she told him. “My head is already spinning.”

He laughed. “That’s just the champagne.”

“No, it’s not.” She frowned. “I barely touched it.”

“Good. Johnny will be relieved to hear that.”

“Are you reporting to Dad now?”

He solemnly shook his head. “I work for you, Gracie. Not your dad. And don’t you forget it.”

She shook her finger at him. “Don’t you forget it either, Mr. Mossy.” She sighed as she looked around the crowded room. “The only reason my head was spinning was because you were throwing too many dates and things and people at me. Can’t you just have your assistant e-mail me a schedule or something?”

He chuckled. “Sure. That’s exactly what I planned on doing. I was just trying to give you a little heads-up. Your career is taking off, Gracie Girl. Hold on for the ride.” As if to make his point, he linked his arm in hers. “And now I want to go show you off to some of these fine people. Part of being here tonight is about being seen. So just play along with me, Gracie. Show these folks that you are a force to be reckoned with and that you are here to stay.”

She looked up at him. “You really think so?”

He nodded. “I know so. I can feel it in my old bones.”

She held her head high as Mossy led her around, working the room, and following his lead, she played the part of the up-and-coming musician. But by the time they finished, she felt a little tired of people making the continued reference to Johnny Trey. It was like they couldn’t forget that she was his daughter. And the fact that she was redoing his record did not seem to help matters. She wondered if they would ever accept her for who she was—
Grace Trey
. . . rather
Gracie Trey
. Of course that only reminded her that in order to stand on her own two musical legs, she would be expected to write and record her own songs. The pressure was on.

Chapter 11

G
race couldn’t wait to see the sound booth. She didn’t know a lot about this kind of equipment, but she suspected it was all state-of-the-art and expensive. Sapphire Music wouldn’t have settled for anything less. Mossy made sure they got there early enough to watch the tail end of another recording session. He felt it would be a good experience for Grace to see someone else recording. But she could hardly believe it when she saw that it was Tyson James and his band. Tyson was dressed casually in holey jeans, Converse, and a torn white T-shirt, but his long hair and multiple tattoos shouted “rocker” loud and clear.

“Want these?” A guy wearing a faded Stones T-shirt held out some headphones to her.

“Yeah,” she whispered as if her voice might go beyond the soundproof glass.

She sat on the stool just soaking it all in as she listened and watched Tyson doing his final song for the day. It was even fun and educational to see the recording gurus doing their magic. And it actually looked pretty painless. They got it in the can after just three tries.

“Let’s break,” the guy who appeared to be in charge told everyone. He came over to greet Mossy. “So this is the girl?” He peered curiously at Grace. “Johnny’s daughter—who would’ve thought.”

“Yep.” Mossy nodded. “This is Gracie Trey. Gracie, this is Bryant Stockwell. He’s been doing this since before you were a glimmer in your mama’s eye. And, trust me, no one does it better than Bryant.”

Tyson and the band were coming out now, and Bryant must’ve seen the eager look in Grace’s eyes. “You wanna go say hey?” he said to her.

She was unsure. “I don’t want to look like a groupie.”

They laughed, and then Mossy gave her a friendly push. “Go ahead. Rock stars don’t bite.”

“Not usually,” Bryant teased.

She knew she looked nervous and totally starstruck as she introduced herself to Tyson, explaining why she was here. “I love your work,” she said shyly. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to mind her adoration.

“I’ve been a fan of your dad since I was a kid,” he told her. “‘Misunderstood’ is still on my iPod.”

“Cool.” She nodded. “Hopefully you’ll like my version of it too.”

His eyes flickered up and down, as if he was really checking her out, and then he broke into a big grin. “I have a feeling I’ll like it just fine.”

She felt her cheeks warming. This was all so new . . . and weird . . . and cool.

“Good luck,” he told her. “Break a leg in there.” Then he chuckled and went off to join his band.

It took nearly an hour before everything was set up for her session, but she appreciated the extra time to get acquainted with the crew and acclimated to the studio. And to feel comfortable in her own skin. Her confidence level was high by the time she went into the sound booth and strapped on her guitar and adjusted her headphones. She could do this.