Things a Man Oughta Know Pt. 03

"Yeah, it'll be good. But it's coz of you that we were even able to stay on this tour, so thanks." She gave him a hug.

Just then, Lori came over. "Okay, break it up. Come on lover boy, let's practice this Oreo thing."

"Oleo. Oleo Strut."

"Whatever."

**********

A couple of shows later, Seth heard for sure that Charley Jenkins was indeed going to rejoin GDY for their next show. Seth was honestly happy for them. He talked to Lainey, and she assured him that he would be their bassist for the rest of the tour.

"Thanks, Lainey. This has all happened so fast..."

She paused, then cocked her head, giving him a shrewd look. "Has it really, though?" she asked. "Think about it. How long you been in Nashville?"

"Umm... fifteen years? Give or take?"

"Exactly. I've been grindin' for near as long. I know, you're thinkin' you caught a break when Joel got hurt, and maybe that's true, but you were in the right place at the right time, and you were ready to take advantage of the opportunity. You hearin' me, cowboy?"

He blinked in surprise. Then smiled. "You're not just another pretty face, are you?"

She slugged him. But she was blushing.

"Sorry, I'm just teasing," he grinned, rubbing his arm. "I do hear you. But still, thanks. You gave me the chance."

"You deserved it." She hugged him, and he stiffened slightly in surprise, before returning it. She drew back, hands on his shoulders. She gazed at him for a moment, then headed off.

**********

Seth went looking for Lori. "Hey."

She eyed him. "Hey yourself."

"So... I guess you know, tomorrow will probably be my last time playing with you guys."

"Guess so."

"So, have you and Floyd come to any decisions on 'Oleo'? Thought it might be cool if we played it tomorrow."

She considered. "Beck'll be pissed."

"Beck is always pissed. All the more reason."

"True." she barked a short laugh. "Ok, let's do it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Let's get to work. FLOYD!!!"

**********

The next night, after their set, Amanda took the mike. "Thank you, Birmingham!"

Cheers and applause.

"We'd like to do one more if that's okay with y'all. We're getting Charley, our regular bass player, back for the next show, so tonight we thought we'd finish up with a little something special, as a thank you for Seth Broderick stepping in and making this tour a big success for us."

She paused, then added, "This one is gonna be a little bit different, trust me. Take it away, y'all."

Amanda stepped back, as Lori came forward. She stood there, head down for a moment, and then she began to play. Correction, she began to shred. Seth had heard her play this piece a lot over the past few days, but here, now, on stage, she was taking it to the next level. He just did his damnedest to keep up. Floyd was grinning like a maniac as he laid it down.

Seth and Lori played off each other, trading solos back and forth. Lori's long hair was in her face, and she looked like a rock goddess as she flicked it over her shoulder and kicked it up another notch.

It came to an end all too quickly. There was stunned silence for a moment, and then the crowd went nuts. Seth just backed away from Lori, giving her the spotlight. She smiled at the audience, surprisingly shy, waved, and headed off stage as the applause continued.

He and Floyd followed, and the stage crew began to get ready for Lainey's show. Seth started to say something, but Lori just grabbed him in a fierce hug. He thought he heard a rib creak.

"Hey, what was that for?" he asked softly.

She just growled, "Shut up," and walked off.

He looked at Amanda questioningly, but she just grinned and shrugged.

**********

A few moments later, Lainey trotted over, her eyes wide. She gave him a quick hug, then held him by both arms. "Damn, Seth, what the heck was that? I had no idea you could play like that. Either of you!"

Now it was Seth's turn to grin. "You liked it?"

"Hell yeah, that was awesome! Hell of an encore for a country show, but the crowd sure seemed to like it. Your idea?"

He nodded. "Yeah, sorry, I probably should have run it by you first. But..." he grinned, "I do enjoy surprising you." He winked again. It was getting to be a habit.

She smirked. "So, you gonna be doin' that every show now?"

"Nah, this was a one-off, at least for me. It wasn't cool to exclude Beck and Amanda. I've already apologized to them. But for some reason, I wanted to do something nice for Lori. I couldn't begin to tell you why. Hell, she barely tolerates me."

She just smiled and patted his shoulder. "Come on, cowboy, let's get ready for our show."

**********

After Charley's return, Seth started riding with Lainey's band. It just made sense since he was playing with them now. They were on their way to their next show, and Seth was noodling around on his bass, mostly just to pass the time. She came over and asked what he was working on.

Seth jumped a little, and she smirked at him. He grinned ruefully.

"Sorry, startled me. Umm, nothing really, just goofing around with the bass line for Dirty Looks. Not that the original isn't fine, I just like to fiddle."

"Play it again for me,' she said.

"Yeah?"

She nodded, so he did, and she thought for a moment. Then she hollered to the rest of the band, "Hey y'all come on over here." She picked up her guitar and started playing the rhythm part of the song. "Hit me again, Seth."

So he played it again.

"I like it," she said. "What do y'all think?"

There were nods.

"Good. Ok Seth, play it your way from now on." She turned to the band. "Thanks, didn't want y'all to be surprised."

"It's cool, Lainey, no worries. Nice job, Seth."

Lainey winked at him, and said, "Start working' on your solo, cowboy."

**********

After the next show, Lainey cornered him. "Seth, how come whenever I move to one side of the stage you always seem to move to the other?"

Seth turned red, surprised she'd noticed. He tried to make up some BS about 'stage balance'.

She looked at him strangely. "What? There ain't no such thing. Come on, Seth, what's really up?

He took a deep breath. "Look Lainey, first, I promise I'm not trying to be creepy, so apologies in advance. But I think I've started to get to know you a little bit, which I have really enjoyed, by the way, and hope to be able to continue that. I'm betting that honesty goes a long way with you."

He looked up at the ceiling, shaking his head slightly. "Argh, this is embarrassing. Okay, here it is. You have to know you're gorgeous. At least I think so. You make me feel like a damn teenage boy. Also, this is a huge opportunity for me, and I'm worried to death about messing up and letting you down."

She looked at him, a little surprised, but perhaps a little pleased as well. "That's quite a confession. But it's awful sweet." She reached out and squeezed his hand.

"I meant it," he said, sincerely. Then he grinned at her, a little devilishly. "And when I'm behind you on stage... well, it gets harder to concentrate."

She looked puzzled, then she got it and her eyes widened. She snorted laughter, let go of his hand and punched him in the shoulder.

"Oh my God, you old son of a gun, are you sayin' that my fat butt is distractin' you?" she chuckled, but he could see a little bit of a blush on her cheeks.

"Old, huh?" he couldn't help teasing.

"That's what you got out of what I just said?" She shook her head and started to walk away.

He thought he'd hurt her feelings, but before he could chase after her to apologize, she cut her eyes back at him. She caught him looking, dead to rights, too. She just laughed and continued walking, but he could swear she put just a little extra swing in her step.

**********

After that, it seemed to Seth that she made a point to spend more time during the show singing near him. Not that he was complaining! They did the back-to-back thing, and when he had his solo, she plopped her 'holler' hat on his head, and stood beside him, stomping her foot in rhythm.

Emma was beside herself when he Face-Timed her at breakfast the next morning. "Daddy! That was so cool! Lainey let you wear her HAT???"

"Glad you liked it honey. I didn't know she was going to do that, I almost messed up! So, how did I look?" he laughed.

Emma scrunched up her face. "Sorry Daddy, but it looks better on her."

"Well, you better tell her," he said, and turned the phone around.

"Hi Emma, how are you? I just wanted to let you know that we're sure happy you let your daddy come and play with us."

Seth just heard a scream from the phone's speaker, and Lainey laughed and clapped her hands together delightedly. "Oh, you're a doll baby, honey. I hope I get to meet you real soon."

More screaming from the phone.

Seth turned the phone back around to see Emma jumping up and down, yelling, "Oh my god, oh my god."

"Emma! Dad to Emma! Come in, please!" Seth had tears coming out of his eyes, he was laughing so hard.

"Daddy, Daddy, that was Lainey Wilson! She said hi to me!"

"I know, punkin', she's sitting right here."

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my GOD!"

"Give Nana the phone, honey."

Emma dropped the phone and went running off.

"LOVE YOU," he shouted. He laughed a goodbye to his mother and hung up.

Lainey was crying laughing too. "She's somethin', Seth."

**********

They were slowly getting closer, spending more and more time in conversation, or hanging out on the bus. They continued to tell each other about their families, growing up, and how they both got to this point. Seth opened up a lot about his marriage and divorce. Lainey was aghast when she heard how Debbie had pretty much up and left.

"All water under the bridge now, I guess. And if things hadn't happened the way they did, I might not be here now," he said, philosophically. "At this point, I just hope she found something that made her happy."

She came around and leaned against him, putting her head on his shoulder. "You're a good man, Seth."

They continued to meet for breakfast whenever they had the opportunity. It became their routine. But as time progressed, they became more familiar with each other. There were smiles, and casual touches... brief hand-holds, shoulder and hip bumps while they walked from one place to another. All completely innocent, of course.

Lunches and dinners were usually on the run, in the bus, or backstage at the show, and usually included the band. There were always several lively conversations going on during those meals, and as Seth got more comfortable with the entire band, he started to join in. But he still spent most of his time talking with Lainey. It was getting to the point that the other band members were starting to notice. There were a few knowing smiles, unobserved by the two of them.

The nights when they didn't have a show, they were usually rehearsing or resting. But one night, with about four shows left to go, they had a very rare free night.

Seth thought long and hard about what he wanted to say. Of course, it all went right out the window, the minute he knocked on her dressing room door.

"Hey Seth," she said, "What's up? Come on in."

'Hi Lainey." He took a deep breath. "Listen, I was thinking... hoping actually... with tomorrow being a free night, that you'd consider having dinner with me."

"Seth..." she started. He knew immediately that he'd screwed up.

"Right, sorry. My bad. I shouldn't have." He turned to go.

"Hold up, cowboy. Look let's meet for lunch tomorrow, and we'll talk, ok?"

"Sure, Lainey, I'll talk to you then."

**********

They were both professionals. The show went off without a hitch, but Seth skipped the after party.

He talked to Emma again that morning.

"Hey sweetie, how are you?"

"I'm good, did you have a good show?"

"Yep, pretty good."

"You ok Daddy?"

"Not really, punkin'. I did something stupid."

"Oh no, Daddy..."

"Yep. I asked Lainey to dinner. She said we needed to talk. I'm an idiot."

She was quiet for a moment. "I guess you like her, huh?"

"Yeah... sorry sweetie, I messed up."

"It'll be ok. You're still in the band, right?"

"Yeah, so far, anyway."

"Okay, just say you're sorry. That's what you always tell me when I mess up."

"How'd you get to be so smart?"

**********

Seth met Lainey in the lobby and they went into the hotel restaurant.

They sat, and Seth started to speak when the waitress came by to take their drink order.

He continued after she left. "Lainey, look, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It's just... oh crap, I'm just... well, I haven't dated anyone since Debbie left, and that's been... a very, very long time. I'm really out of practice. You know I think you're beautiful and funny and obviously talented, and I know we get along great, but it's a lot more than that. I think I've gotten a peek behind the curtain, if you'll forgive the analogy, and I really, really like the person I'm seeing. I feel like we're friends, and I guess I was hoping there might be more."

Lainey smiled. "That IS a long time, cowboy." Then she looked pensive. "Seth, I do like you. More'n a little. But I'm kinda... involved right now. Well, to be honest, I think it's on its last legs, but it ain't over yet. I'm already kind of justifying the time we spend together as us being friends, but dinner... just the two of us... well, that's a date, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"I won't say I don't want to. Coz I do. But I'm not the kind of girl to go jumping into something new before I've closed the book t. Does that make sense?"

She searched his face, silently pleading for him to understand.

"Ms. Wilson, yes it does. And after what I went through with my marriage... that actually makes me respect you even more than I already do. Even if you decide that what you have now is worth keeping, I appreciate your honesty."

"We good?" she asked.

"You bet. I hope... well, I think you know what I hope. But I also hope we can stay friends?"

She hugged him. "Always. Thank you."

**********

Later that day, he called Sara. "How's she doing on that piece we talked about?"

"Really, really good, Seth. She's definitely your daughter. I can't believe how good she sounds."

"Serious?"

"I wouldn't lie about Emma, bro."

"Thanks, Sara. You've been amazing with her since the day she came home. I can't ever thank you enough."

Sara sniffled a little. "Where did that come from? You okay, dummy? And you know I love that little brat."

"Yeah, I do. Sorry Sis, I guess I'm all up in my feels lately, as the kids say."

"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"

Seth laughed. "Sorry. Anyway, I have another crazy idea. Can you get a recording of her and send it to me, quick as you can? But don't let her know."

"Sure, I'll do my best."

"Thanks, Sis. I'll call you when I know for sure if this is gonna work."

**********

It was the day after their third-to-last show when Seth knocked on Lainey's door again.

"Hey Lainey. Don't worry, I'm not here to ask you out again." He tried to grin. "I actually have an idea and a favor to ask."

She looked at him quizzically. "Ok, cowboy, shoot."

"Okay. Well, this may sound a little nuts, but I wanted to run something by you. Something for the last show, to make it a little different, and hopefully something that people will really remember. Would you listen to this, please?"

She just said, "Sure."

He pushed 'play', and an instrumental version of Things a Man Oughta Know began to play. A mandolin began to play, and Lainey looked at him. "That's not Jedd," she said.

Seth just shook his head, smiling.

When the song ended, she looked him questioningly.

Seth asked, "So what did you think? About the mandolin, I mean?"

"Well, it was real good. It was different than when Jedd plays it. Sweeter, maybe." Lainey's face was serious as she thought about it. "It has a... delicacy about it? I don't know, but I like it. It's a real nice sound."

"What would you say if I told you it's a 13-year-old girl playing?"

"Are you kiddin' me?" she almost shouted.

"Yep. I mean nope! Not even kidding a little bit. It's Emma," he added, proudly.

"Your daughter?? Get out!" she said, shoving him.

"Nope, won't get out. Kinda like it here." He gave her an impudent grin.

Lainey laughed, and squeezed his arm briefly. "Ok, color me impressed. Now what's your idea?"

"Think Jedd would mind if she stood in for him? Just that song, and just for the last show?"

Lainey opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again, and closed it again. She thought for a long moment.

Finally, she said, "Hmmm." Then she said, "Hmmm," again.

Seth couldn't take it any longer. "Well?"

She shushed him. "I'm still thinkin'."

He tried not to pull his hair out. He was mostly successful.

Finally, she just looked at him. "Audiences do love kids."

"They do."

"It sure would make the last show somethin' different."

"It would."

"Think she can do it? It ain't easy being up on stage."

"I think with me there, she'll be ok."

"Ok Seth, I like it. I think it's a good idea. You talk to your daughter, and I'll talk to the band."

"Woohoo, thank you!" he laughed, grabbing her up and spinning her around.

She hugged him back, laughing. "Now put me down!"

He did, gazing into her beautiful hazel eyes, his hands on her waist. She stared right back, hers on his shoulders. The temptation to gently pull her to him was nearly overwhelming. But, ever honorable, he let the moment pass, and stepped back.

"I mean it, thank you. For everything."

She stared at his back as he walked away, and kept staring long after he was gone.

**********

After their second-to-last show, Seth called Emma.

"Hi Daddy, I miss you!"

"I miss you too. But only one more show, and it's in Nashville. So, I'll see you soon. And guess what, sweetie?"

"What?"

"I have backstage passes for you, Auntie Sara, and Nana!"

"Oh my gosh, do you think I'll get to meet Lainey?"

Seth smiled. "I can pretty much guarantee it, honey. Is Aunt Sara there?"

"Just a sec. Auntie Sara, Auntie Sara, it's Daddy! We're going to the show! Here, he wants to talk to you."

"So?" Sara asked.

"It's all set."

"You're the man, bro."

**********

Finally, it was the night of the last show of the tour. They were back in Nashville, and the venue was packed. They pulled out all the stops, playing longer versions of many of the songs, sharing solos, and just generally putting on the best show they possibly could.

After the last song, they all headed off-stage. Friends and family were waiting, including Emma, Sara, and Emily.

Seth walked over to Emma. "Almost done, punkin'. Just the encore still to go. Wow, do you hear that crowd?" Lainey walked over to join them. "Hi Miss Emma, it's so nice to finally meet you!"

Emma couldn't help herself. She threw herself at Lainey and gave her a huge hug.

Seth was surprised to see a tear in Lainey's eye.

"Why thank you, honey! That was just about the nicest hug I think I ever got. Now let me ask you somethin'. What song do you think we should play for our encore?

Emma thought. "Well, I didn't hear you play Things a Man Oughta Know," she said tentatively.

Lainey widened her eyes. "You know I do think you're right?" She looked around. "What do y'all think, should we play that for our encore?"

The band members just grinned.

"Let me ask you somethin' else, honey. Jedd looks awful tired. Think maybe you could help us out?"

Sara had a huge smile on her face as she pulled Emma's mandolin out from behind her back.

Emma went goggle-eyed. "You want me? To play? With you?"

"Sure, honey, would you mind? We surely could use the help. Just look at ol' Jedd."

Jedd Hughes was hamming it up, pretending to snore while lying on top of a couple of speakers.