Always the Baker

Chapter 4

4

B illie

The key card clicked, and I pushed open the door to my hotel room. My eyes widened as I took in the sight. Okay, so it wasn’t exactly the Four Seasons, but compared to my bedroom back home, this place was practically a palace in size. I could probably fit two of my bedrooms in here.

“Holy shit,” I whispered, dropping my duffel bag on the faded carpet. I’d checked in earlier that day, but I hadn’t been to the room yet. I’d spent most of the day exploring places close to the hotel, and I’d even found a small art gallery that kept my attention for an hour.

Now, I was ready for a night out on the town. I glanced around and saw the room was dark and kind of old, with peeling wallpaper and a slightly musty smell, but it had character. It wasn’t my kind of character. In fact, the longer I stood in it, the more it made my flesh crawl. It was all I could afford, and it was paid for so it would have to do.

As I went and wiped everything down, I was glad to see it wasn’t dusty and dirty, and there were no stray hairs, which I loved. I had a thing about random peoples’ hair. Had I seen them, especially pubes, I probably would have ended up sleeping in my car. I ran my hand over the cherry red, ornate headboard of the queen-sized bed as my excitement returned. This might not have been the brightest and newest room, but it would be home for the next three days.

I fumbled with my phone, because my fingers were shaking with excitement as I called Ember. The FaceTime request connected, and her beautiful face filled the screen.

“Em! You’ve got to see this place!” I squealed, spinning in a circle to show her the room. “I know it’s not the brightest and newest but it’s huge. And look at how vintage the chairs and headboard are. It gives seventies chic, right? It looks just like my grandma’s house back in Memphis.”

Ember’s laughter crackled through the phone. “If you like it… I love it.” We shared a laugh because she certainly wasn’t about to hype up this room like I was. “Billie, you look like a kid on Christmas morning. This makes me so happy.”

“I feel like one! I feel freer than I have in a while.” I flopped onto the bed, bouncing slightly. “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”

“So, what’s the plan? You gon’ turn up and show them how we do it in The Lane?”

I bit my lip, suddenly feeling nervous. “I thought I’d check out some of those bars we read about online. Plus the places you told me about on the beach. I know I wanted to get a taste of city life, but right now, I just want a chill vibe.”

“Okay, okay, I feel you. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Ember teased.

I rolled my eyes. “That doesn’t leave much off the table, now does it?”

We shared a laugh and talked a little longer before ending the call.

After hanging up, I unzipped my bag and pulled out the dress I’d been saving for this moment. Well, not this moment, but a moment of being somewhere new and worthy of it. It was black, sleek, and way more daring than anything I’d wear back home. I slipped it on, surprised by how snug it felt. Had it shrunk since I bought it? I refused to believe I’d gained weight over the last six months. Then again, with the way my mood had been up and down, I wouldn’t be surprised.

The longer I stared at myself, the more I saw where the weight was stacked. My arms were fuller, and my waist wasn’t as small, but my thighs and ass were bigger too. I’d take it!

I smoothed my hands down the fabric, loving the way it felt against my skin. My knotless waist length braids were sitting kind of flat since I had on a hat for the entire length of the drive. I decided to put them up in a bun for the evening to keep the focus on my face. While I wouldn’t put on a lot of makeup, I did put on strip lashes, a little blush, and some lip gloss.

The bars I’d be going to were in walking distance, so I put on some cute kitten heel sandals, but to be safe, I put a pair of flats in my purse too.

“You can do this, Bill,” I muttered to myself. “You’re a city girl now. Kind of. This is your chance to be who you’ve always wanted to be. To completely reinvent yourself. Even if for just three days.”

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my key card, tossed it into my purse, and headed for the door. As I reached for the handle, a wave of doubt washed over me. What if I stuck out like a sore thumb? What if everyone could tell I didn’t belong here?

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. Who cared? That was the good thing about being somewhere new. With one last glance in the mirror, I stepped out into the hallway, ready to embrace whatever the night and the city had in store for me.

I pushed open the heavy doors of the cocktail bar, and my senses were immediately assaulted. My nerves sizzled as I smiled and took in one sight and smell after the other. The bar was dimly lit with soft jazz playing in the background. It was nothing like the dive bar back home where Ember and I went often. The good thing about the bar back home was the drinks were strong and cheap. This place screamed twenty dollar drinks with half a shot of liquor in them.

“Sheesh, even the air smells better,” I muttered under my breath.

I made my way to the bar and took in what I needed to be a calming breath.

The bartender, a tall guy with short locs and a crisp white shirt, turned to me with a practiced yet genuine smile. “What can I get for you this evening?”

“Uh...” I panicked. What do sophisticated city women drink? I can’t ask for a shot of gin or vodka in a place like this . “Something fancy?”

He chuckled as he leaned against the bar and eyed me. “How about a French 75?”

I felt my cheeks warm as his eyes continued to slowly scan every inch of my face. “Sure, that sounds perfect.”

As he mixed the drink, I tried to look casual… Like I belonged here. But my eyes kept darting around, taking in the decor and the well-dressed patrons. I was grateful I’d put on this dress and heeled sandals. He set a glass of water in front of me, and the first sip made me grip the bar. Even their water here tasted fresher and so damn good!

A minute or so passed before he returned.

“Here you are,” the bartender said, sliding a pretty drink toward me.

“Thanks. Uh, what’s in this?”

He gave me another smile. This one was more genuine. “Gin, champagne, and some other shit.”

“Ooh, this is actually perfect then. I’m definitely a vodka and gin girl.”

“Really?” He eyed me skeptically, almost like he was intrigued. “Not too many girls out this way drink gin unless they get this drink.”

“Well, it could be because—” I immediately snapped my mouth shut but then said to hell with it and finished anyway. “My first alcoholic drink was moonshine. Gin wasn’t too far behind that.”

“Oh, you like to have your chest warmed? I like that.” I laughed with a nod. “I’m Jake, by the way.” We shook hands.

“Billie,” I replied before taking a sip. It was delicious, light, and refreshing. Not overly sweet at all like a margarita, but it gave the gin a lighter flavor. “This is great, thanks.”

Jake leaned on the bar, his smile widening. “So, Billie, what brings a pretty lady like yourself here tonight?”

I almost snorted as I laughed. If only he knew I was here for an escape and feeling completely out of my element, but he was nice, and he made me feel comfortable, so I decided to play along.

“Just enjoying the city.”

Jake nodded approvingly. “Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place. We get quite the crowd here.”

As he talked, I couldn’t help but feel a little thrill. Here I was, in a fancy bar, with a handsome bartender genuinely talking to me. It was probably just part of his job, but still, it felt nice. He even gave me an extra shot of gin on the house.

“So, what do you do when you’re not charming customers?” I asked, surprising myself with my boldness.

Jake laughed. “Trying to uncover my secret identity?”

I grinned, feeling more at ease. “Maybe. For all I know, you could be a superhero by day.” Hell, he certainly felt like one to me. My nerves had completely left, and I felt so at ease. It had been my plan to try two or three different places tonight, but with how things were going, I’d probably spend the evening here.

As Jake launched into a dramatic tale about his ‘secret life,’ which was really just him going to school by day to get his law degree, I sipped my drink and allowed myself to further relax.

I was about to ask Jake another question when a sudden buzz of whispers caught my attention. Glancing around, I noticed a cluster of people near the end of the bar. Their eyes darted excitedly toward someone as they clung to each other. I couldn’t quite see what the ruckus was about. Possibly some hometown celebrity or someone they treated like one. Either way, I shrugged and turned slightly since it had nothing to do with me.

“What’s going on over there?” I asked Jake, nodding toward the commotion by the door. As the crowd grew and whispers increased, so did my curiosity.

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Looks like we’ve got a VIP in the house tonight. Happens sometimes. The regulars know not to make a big deal out of it, so I assume those people might be tourists.”

My curiosity piqued more. I tried to casually crane my neck to get a better look. The crowd parted slightly, and my heart nearly stopped.

No way.

It couldn’t be.

But it was.

Brax Adams, in the flesh, looking like he’d just stepped right out of my wettest dreams.

His head craned back, rich brown eyes resting low as he attentively listened to what the woman in front of him was saying. The low cropped cut of his hair made him almost look bald, but hair was there, connecting with his black and dirty brown beard. It was thick and coarse, and I always wondered if it would tickle against my skin.

A large diamond stud was in his ear along with a thick gold chain around his tattooed neck. His body looked taller and larger than it did when I went to his concerts or saw him on TV. Its wide frame was wrapped in smooth, peanut butter brown skin that made my mouth water.

“Holy shit,” I mumbled under my breath, quickly turning back to my drink. I took a big gulp, wincing as it burned my throat.

Jake chuckled. “Fan of his, huh?”

“What? No, I mean… Yeah, I guess,” I stammered, feeling my pits sweat. And my nipples harden. And my heart race. Even if we didn’t get close to one another, just seeing him this close made my day. Hell, it made my whole life! “I just didn’t expect to see him here.”

“He drops in when he’s in town,” Jake said with a shrug. “Keeps to himself mostly. He’s a cool, laidback guy. Always showing love to his fans but he really likes his space.”

I nodded, trying to look unaffected while my mind raced. Brax Adams, here? In the same bar as me? It felt surreal. I’d listen to his music countless times a day, every day, daydreaming about a life beyond the one I was living. And now here he was, just a few feet away.

We didn’t grow up in the same space, but he grew up a few hours away from me in Memphis. He made me believe it was possible to get out the city, find success, and make a name for yourself. More than that, I loved the music he created and the image he portrayed. His music reminded me of the classics from the 70s and 80s. Brax made classics that healed you, made your soul smile, and gave you the courage to believe in love. He may have been three years older than me at twenty-eight, but he seemed to have an old soul and kind spirit. I was truly in love with him.

“You okay?” Jake asked, looking amused. “You’re shaking, and I’ve never seen such a pretty shade of brown turn red.” He pointed at my face. I cupped my cheek absently and swallowed hard.

“I’m fine,” I squeaked, then cleared my throat. “Just… surprised, that’s all.”

As I sat there, desperately trying to act normal, I couldn’t help but sneak another glance at Brax. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I quickly looked away as my heart pounded. My body quaked in my seat.

Brax Adams looked at me.

What was I supposed to do now?

My heart was doing somersaults in my chest. Brax Adams, the Brax Adams, was in the same bar as me. I couldn’t believe my luck. Ember was going to lose her shit when I told her about this.

I felt around for my phone in the bottom of my purse. My fingers shook as I tried to type out a quick text.

Me: OMG Em, you’ll never guess who’s here!

Before I could hit send, I heard the barstool next to me scrape against the floor. I glanced up, and there he was. Brax fucking Adams, sliding onto the seat right beside me. Me !

“Double shot of whiskey neat, please,” he said to Jake. His voice was even deeper and smoother in person. It sent a shock straight to my pussy.

I froze, willing myself not to gawk like a complete idiot. Play it cool, Billie. He’s just a regular guy. A super famous, stinking rich, incredibly talented, devastatingly handsome, regular guy.

“You aight, sweetheart?” Brax asked, turning those intense brown eyes toward me.

“Me? I’m totally fine.” I cringed at how high-pitched my voice sounded. “Just, uh, enjoying my drink.”

He smiled, and I swear I felt my knees twitch. Thank God I was sitting down.

“You’re shaking.” His hand went to my thigh, and no lie, a soft moan escaped me. “You sure you’re okay?”

His touch was calming. The longer he stared into my eyes, the less I felt like a bubbling ball of excitement about to explode. My body stopped shaking. My heart stopped racing. When he felt the calm wash over me, Brax removed his hand.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“What are you drinking?”

“Oh, this?” I looked down at my cocktail, suddenly blanking on its name. “It’s, um… Jake, what did you call this again?”

Jake grinned, sliding Brax his whiskey. “That’s a French 75, remember? You said you wanted something fancy.”

I wanted to crawl under the bar as Jake laughed. He’d better hope Brax didn’t leave anytime soon because I was going to let him have it.

“Right, of course. French 75. My new favorite.”

Brax chuckled. It was a warm, rich sound that made my stomach flutter. I wouldn’t say they were butterflies. They were bigger. His laughter made me feel like I had eagles flapping around in my stomach.

“Aw yeah. I’ve heard of those but never tried it. Is it actually good, or can you just not taste it because of all the liquor he puts in it?”

“It’s strong,” I admitted, deciding honesty was my best bet at this point. “But good. I think. I’m still deciding.”

He laughed again, and I felt myself start to relax a little. My mind was all over the place. I was sure I sounded like a damn fool, but as long as he laughed, I didn’t care.

“I’m Brax, by the way.” He extended his hand… As if I didn’t know. As if his face wasn’t plastered on billboards and album covers across the country. Hell, his fine ass was plastered on posters in my room.

I shook his hand, hoping mine wasn’t too clammy.

“Billie.” I managed to reply, proud that my voice didn’t crack this time.

“Nice to meet you, Billie,” he said with a genuine smile before licking his lips. “You come here often?”

“Oh, sometimes,” I lied. “But I usually prefer another place.”

Real smooth, Billie.

“Yeah? Where’s that?” Brax seemed genuinely interested, which caught me completely off guard.

Panic coursed through me. I scrambled for an answer because the only two bars that came to mind were back home in Jasper Lane.

“It’s this little spot downtown,” I said vaguely, praying he wouldn’t ask for details. “More lowkey than here. But I like the vibe of this place too.”

Brax nodded, looking around. “Yeah, it’s got good energy, and it’s never a bad time. I always stop by when I’m in town. It’s one of the few places I can grab a drink without getting mobbed.”

I tried to look nonchalant, like I was used to chatting with stars in swanky bars. “Must be tough being recognized everywhere.”

He shrugged and took a sip of his whiskey. “It has its moments... But nights like this make up for it. Meeting interesting people, having real conversations.”

When he winked at me, my heart did a little flip. Did he just call me interesting? I took a big gulp of my drink to hide my grin, nearly choking as the strong liquor hit the back of my throat.

“Whoa, sweetheart, take it easy,” Brax said, patting me on the back as I coughed. “You okay?”

“Fine.” I wheezed and coughed. So much for playing it cool. “Just went down the wrong way.”

He laughed. I noticed he’d stood to pat me on the back. The warmth of his body, the smell of his spicy scent. God… he was so close. “Been there. First time I tried whiskey, I thought I was dying. Granted, nobody told me to sip the shit. I tried to chug it to make myself look cool and damn near coughed up a lung.”

I couldn’t help but giggle, picturing a young Brax choking over his first drink. “I did the same with moonshine for the first time and smoking paper cigarettes with my cousin. Not sure what made us think it was cool or safe to smoke paper, but I was sure I would lose a lung that day.” Brax and I continued to trade stories, and it made him seem more human, less like the untouchable star I’d always imagined him to be.

As we continued talking, I felt myself relaxing more. Brax was surprisingly easy to talk to, asking questions about my life and seemed to be interested in my answers. I found myself forgetting who he was, just enjoying the conversation. The empty glasses continued to line up in front of us, but I knew my limit. Even with the extra shots Jake gave us, I knew exactly when to stop. The last thing I wanted to do was get tipsy or drunk and embarrass myself in front of Brax even more. For now, I felt like my quirks may have been cute to him, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Then, out of nowhere, he asked a question I didn’t want to answer. “So, do you live around here?”

My brain short-circuited. I should’ve just told the truth, but something made me blurt out the stupidest reply I’ve ever given. “Yeah, I do.”

Brax’s eyes lit up. It was like he wanted more from me, and I couldn’t understand why. Either way, I didn’t want to disappoint him. Besides, this weekend was about me reinventing myself. What was wrong with a little while lie? “Really? What neighborhood?”

Crap . I scrambled to remember any area I’d heard of. “Uh, downtown.” Shit. Ember said that area wasn’t really safe. “Well, kind of like off to the side of downtown. By the arts district.”

“Nice.” He nodded, looking impressed. “I love the energy down there.”

From my stalking… my research, I knew how important energy and good vibes were to Brax. He was big on having only good vibes around him. I remembered this one time a fight almost broke out at his show, and he paused his set to play mediator. That moment made me respect him even more.

I felt a pang of guilt for lying, but I pushed it aside. It’s not like I’d ever see him again, right? We were just two strangers talking in a bar.

As the night wore on, I found myself not wanting it to end. But eventually, Brax glanced at his watch and sighed. “I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”

My heart sank, but I plastered on a smile. My once in a lifetime moment was officially coming to an end. “Of course, no worries.”

He hesitated for a moment, but then he smiled at me again, and I knew he had another question. “Aye, would it be okay if I got your number? Maybe we could grab coffee sometime?”

Ah .

I blinked, stunned. Was Brax Adams really asking for my number? For a while we just stared at each other while I tried to process his request. Once I did, I grabbed my phone.

After we exchanged numbers, he gave me a warm smile that made my knees weak. “It was great meeting you, Billie.” To my surprise, he pulled me in for a lingering hug. My body melted against him. I inhaled his scent as I turned to mush within the embrace. Yeah, he was definitely bigger than I thought, and I loved every inch of him. I loved the width of him. I just… loved him. “I’ll hit you up soon, aight?”

He was so kind. So sweet. So chill. Ugh! Was this really my life? I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As I watched him leave, reality came crashing down on me. What had I done? I’d lied about living here, and now he wanted to meet up again. How was I going to explain that I wasn’t from here if he called after I left? Was I really going to take a two hour drive just to meet him? Hell the fuck yeah!

Feeling dazed, I made my way back to my shabby hotel room. As I collapsed onto the bed, I couldn’t help but wonder if he would really call. And if he did, what the hell was I going to do?