Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys 6)

Three hours until showtime, she accompanied Devin to his meet and greet in the banquet hall.

Two hours to showtime, Devin caught her eye and smiled before the two security guards escorted him to his ready room.

Before she could make a break for the bus and figure out what items of black clothing to wear onstage, Odette hooked her arm through Liberty’s.

“Alone at last.”

Why did something about her tone set off warning bells? “What’s up?”

“You and me are having girl time. I’ve been told to make you presentable for stage.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Who said that?”

Odette just slid her a sly smile. “It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you look the part of Devin McClain’s backup singer, not Devin McClain’s personal assistant. Although, with your funky but professional look, you do have great taste in business attire.”

She did? Huh. Thank you, Harper. “But it won’t matter because I’ll be in the shadows.”

“It’s not about the crowd. You climb on that stage looking hot as fire, girlfriend, you’ll be on fire. We need you confident to pull this off tonight. Lucky for you, I’m an expert in creating that wow factor.”

Liberty’s gaze moved over Odette, from her shiny black hair casually tossed up in a messy bun to her flawless porcelain skin. Even her lounging clothes were color-coordinated. “No offense, Odette, but you’re gorgeous, so your wow factor comes naturally.”

Odette stood on the tips of her four-inch heels. “You think this is my natural look? Oh, honey. It took me an hour to look like I didn’t do a damn thing but roll out of my bunk. I’m as plain Jane as they come.”

“I doubt that,” Liberty muttered.

“I’ll have to prove it, won’t I? Let me grab my stage kit and I’ll meet you on Devin’s bus in ten minutes.”

Liberty had just enough time to lock up her guns and bring out her classiest plain clothes before Odette knocked. When she saw the two suitcases of stuff, she felt light-headed. Surely that wasn’t all for her?

“Let’s treat ourselves to a cocktail while we’re putting on the glam. It’ll relax you. I promise. And, doll, you need relaxation.” She smirked. “I figured Devin would’ve helped you with that.”

“He tried. But someone interrupted us.”

Odette laughed and passed her a bottle filled with pink liquid.

“What’s this?”

“Cherry pomegranate wine cooler. Drink up while I check out your clothes selection.”

Everything Liberty had laid out got the big no from Miss Wow Factor. No jeans. No dress pants. She pulled out a lace skirt that Liberty had hidden in the back of the closet.

“We need to see some skin,” Odette announced. She tossed two tank tops at her—one silver and one gold. “Try those on. Oh, and show some cle**age.”

Cleavage. Right. Not happening. She still had to work with the road crew after her one night onstage. She needed them listening to her, not gawking at her chest. She left the black compression bra on, but it looked good showing beneath the sparkly silver tank top. She stepped from the bathroom and Odette squealed.

“I’ve got one piece that’ll make this perfect.” She looked at Liberty’s feet. “Provided you have black leather boots? Preferably with spike heels?”

She had a pair of shoes Harper had forced her to buy that she’d never worn. “I have to walk onstage in front of thousands of people. If I wear heels, I’ll fall flat on my face.”

“Suck it up and show me the goodies you’re hiding.”

Liberty froze.

Relax. She’s not talking about your boobs; she’s talking about your shoes.

Odette gasped, “Omigod! These are to die for,” when Liberty handed her the spike-heeled booties with black suede strips crisscrossing from the open toe to the zipper at the heel.

Then, from her bag of tricks, Odette whipped out a short black leather jacket.

“That’ll never fit me.”

“There’s no zipper. This is meant to be worn tight.” Odette clapped, and Liberty slipped it on.

Hey. It did fit.

“Now the outfit is outstanding.” Odette toasted herself and drank. “Makeup time. And I’ll warn ya: My motto is more is better.”

Awesome.

Odette wouldn’t let her look until she finished.

So Liberty was more than a little afraid to see what stared back at her in Devin’s big mirror.

“What do you think?”

Her eyes were outlined in black, making them appear enormous. Her irises reflected the shimmery eye shadow, turning her eyes the color of liquid silver. Her lashes were dark and long enough to reach the bottom of her eyebrows. A natural glow highlighted her cheekbones and masked her freckles. Her lips were a frosted purple that should’ve looked clownish but gave her mouth a sexy pout. Her eyes met Odette’s in the mirror. “You weren’t kidding. You really are a master at the wow factor.”

Odette hugged her. “My turn. And, yes, you have to stay while I’m putting on my game face.”

Liberty tried to keep the conversation focused on Odette and Steve, but the wily woman directed it back to her.

“What happens when this leg of the tour is over? I mean, you and Dev are together all the time. I assume you’ll go to Nashville with him?”

“To be honest, we haven’t discussed it.”