Read Online Diva NashVegas by Rachel Hauck - Free Book Online

head, embarrassed by my actions. “I assumed you’d be okay.”
    â€œNever, ever assume, Vaughn.” Aubrey folds her arms and leans against the other side of the piano. Her chestnut hair falls over her shoulders in lazy, not-quite curls. “Did you meet someone else?” Her piercing blue-green eyes make my heart thunder.
    â€œNo, no.” I wave my hands. “Something came up. That’s all.”
    â€œAt midnight?”
    â€œIt’s complicated. A personal issue of mine at the time. You—you were perfect, charming and beautiful. I had a great time.” Thus, the root of my problem.
    She regards me as if trying to determine if I’m lying or just wimp-ing out.
    I motion to the wall. “Five albums, five platinums.”
    â€œHe can count.”
    I glance at her, supposing she’s earned the right to fire potshots.
    Beside the platinum records, the wall is adorned with awards from all the music associations—Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Grammys. All but the Country Music Association. If we survive today, I’d like to ask her about it.
    The adjacent wall is covered with pictures of Aubrey’s beautiful, beaming face, her arms around every great name alive on Music Row. Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Dolly Parton, Richard Leigh, Dan Huff, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Martina McBride and her family, her good friend Emma Rice, her longtime producer David Whitestone, and former SongTunes president Greg Leininger.
    On the adjacent wall are awards and gold records from the Gospel Music Association, a tribute to her famous parents, Ray and Myra James.
    â€œYour parents were pioneers in Christian music.”
    â€œIs the interview starting?”
    â€œI grew up listening to their records.” I motion to the row of eight guitars. “Is there a story behind these?”
    â€œMy dad owned seven of them. The one on the far right was given to me by songwriter Danny Hayes years ago.”
    Acknowledging with a nod, I walk over to her and into the fragrance of her perfume. “Please believe me when I say I’m sorry. I can’t change the past, Aubrey. I would if I could. Can you forgive me and do this interview? For both our sakes?”
    She steps around me. “Let’s get it over with.”
    With the script rolled up in my hand, I sit in the club chair, ready to get started. Poised and perfect, Aubrey sits across from me in the leather wingback.
    One camera focuses on Aubrey, the other on me. Rafe will also film with the portable DV, moving in and around us, capturing different angles, light, and depth.
    Olivia is talking to Zach. Sam, thank goodness, left for a meeting.
    Rafe indicates he’s ready for me to cut my first teaser. I sit straight, adjust my tie, and clear my throat. Aubrey makes me nervous.
    â€œThree, two, one . . . Hi, everyone. Scott Vaughn for Inside NashVegas , in the home of Aubrey James. Join Inside the Music Monday mornings this fall for our exclusive interview with Aubrey James, the queen of country soul.”
    â€œGot it,” Rafe says.
    I face Aubrey. “Ready?”
    â€œWhenever you are.” She looks confident though her hands are clasped and white-knuckled in her lap. After my apology, she softened, but it’s unsettling that our personal business is not finished.
    Standing, I address the room, pointing my rolled-up script at Aubrey. “Can we have a private moment, please?”
    â€œS-sure.” Olivia shoots a quick glance at Zach, then Aubrey. “If it’s okay with you.”
    For a split second the diva looks as if she’s going to refuse, but she answers with a smile. “Fine by me.”
    In a few moments, we’re alone. Taking my seat, I lean toward her, crumpling the script in my hand, not quite sure how to speak my heart.
    â€œWhat do you want, Scott?”
    â€œWell, I knew a moment ago, but,