Noelle's Rock: A BWWM Holiday Romance (17 page)

Chapter 24

Noelle

The Choice is His

Shelby and I arrive at Club Capri in style. My red, draped, clingy, knee-length dress fits me perfectly. My small baby bump is unnoticeable since the clingy dress drapes over my curves. The back of my dress is designed with see-through lace. I complement my dress with four-inch, Liliana Riva heels. I spritz my neck, wrists, and pulse points with Midnight Wishes perfume. I love the way the perfume has a dark and appealing sent, especially designed for night life. Over time, the scent transitions into a delicate, floral smell and lingers with a sultry, woody scent.

Shelby is beautifully dressed in a black mini dress with kimono-style sleeves, accompanied by a wide, colorful, Elastene belt. Her Paprika Julio-s, leatherette, six-inch stilettos go perfectly with her skintight mini dress.

Shelby and I walk into the club, and Beau’s assistant is already on the lookout for us. He escorts us to a table that is assigned to Beau. Erick is already seated at the table, along with some other VIP’s. Some I recognize and some I don’t.

Erick stands up from the table when Shelby and I arrive. I can tell he is pleased by how beautiful Shelby looks from the flare of desire that rises in his eyes. He greets each of us with a hug and gives a kiss to Shelby on the lips before seating us.

Everyone makes quick introductions and greets us politely as we are seated. Shelby and I return their friendly greeting.

“Where is Beau?” I turn towards Erick and ask him.

The music is blaring hard rock and roll. I look around to see if I can spot him.

“He was here waiting for you to arrive, but his manager needed a word with him. He said something about needing him to make a special appearance for the photographers,” Erick replies before returning his eyes to Shelby.

I can see a blush begins to color Shelby’s cheeks as he notices the intense look that Erick is bestowing on her.

“What do you ladies want to drink?” Erick asks us finally, pulling his eyes away from Shelby to include me in his question.

“I will take a ginger ale,” I say, hoping it will settle my still queasy stomach.

“Surprise me,” says Shelby.

Erick stands up and promises to be back in a jiffy as he makes his way over to the bar.

“Smile, Noelle. Don’t look so worried. Everything will be fine. You will see,” Shelby says, trying to soothe my worries.

“I hope so,” I reply as Erick comes back to place our drinks before us.

I take a sip from my drink just before the lights dim and the music stops. I can see a spotlight appear on the large stage that is in the center of the club. Beau’s manager, Dave Dillinger, steps forward and walks up to the microphone.

“I personally want to thank each of you for coming out here tonight. I have a surprise for you that will make your Christmas brighter,” he says with a chuckle. “By special request from the higher ups, the people that make it possible for me to get my bread and butter,” he chuckles at his own lame joke. “Beau Barringer and the beautiful and sexy Courtney Nicks will be performing two duets from Beau Barringer’s new and upcoming album titled,
This Is It!
”

There are a barrage of whistles and hand claps as a curtain parts behind Dave to reveal Beau, Courtney, and his band, already waiting to perform. Dave quickly steps down from the stage as the band begins to play. The music fills the club with the first strings from Beau’s guitar.

He looks more handsome than ever dressed in Armani Sterling-bleached, black jeans. The black and white, long-sleeved, Armani shirt matched his jeans perfectly. Black, chunky-heeled, Valentino, badass boots encase his long feet and added to his overall look. Beau’s only jewelry is the black face of his gold, Oyster Rolex on his wrist.

I reluctantly tear my eyes from Beau to get my first look at Courtney Nicks. I can’t help but notice how Courtney’s breasts spill out of the plunging neckline of her short, leather, tight-fitting dress. There are fringes at the hemline of her dress that swish when she moves. She has on black, Christian Louboutin, red-bottom heels to compliment her dress.

She faces Beau and looks up into his face as they croon the love song to each other, as if they are the only two in the room. Shelby’s hand covers mine to give it an assuring squeeze. I look away from the stage momentarily and look into my friend’s eyes.

I tear my eyes from hers and look back at the stage to torture myself. To see Beau and Courtney so enraptured with one another is slowly killing me inside. I can feel a burn behind my eyelids as I attempt to hold back hurtful tears.

By the time they make it through one song, they immediately go into the next duet. Courtney’s hand reaches out to touch Beau’s cheek tenderly. They look into each other’s eyes; her other hand presses against his other cheek before she brings his face down to end the performance with a kiss. The kiss lingers before Beau pulls away.

I have finally had enough, but I stay and look on as the man that I love just sang his heart out to and with another woman. I am tortured beyond imagination as I think of my life without Beau’s newfound love.

The last words of the love song linger in my ears, even amongst the applause of the audience. Beau looks out over the audience. His eyes grace my face for the first time. He looks at me with dazed eyes before a clarity returns.

I know he can see tears spilling down my cheeks. He has embarrassed me by making me come here to witness this monstrosity.

“Come on, let’s go,” Shelby’s words pull my eyes away from the stage. “I am so sorry I made you come here. I had no idea…” Her words linger unfinished.

Erick stands from the table with Shelby and looks at me with concern. I can feel another bout of nausea coming on.

“What do you want to do, Noelle? We will see that you get home safely if you are ready to go, or I can go up there now and kick Beau’s ass for you,” Erick says with anger in his eyes.

Erick’s voice seems far away. I stand too quickly and become light-headed. I look up at the stage, and Beau steps down, coming my way. He leaves Courtney on stage as he continues in my direction.

“Noelle,” I hear Shelby call my name.

I grasp the edge of the table. My tongue becomes too thick in my mouth to speak. I can feel myself swaying. I hear someone at our table gasp before everything goes black.

To Be Continued…

Part 2 of Noelle’s Rock releases on November 12
th
.