West Chester Beauty Queen

Chapter Thirteen - Joey Starr

~Few Weeks Later~

The first night of the tour was upon us and I was in my dressing room getting prettied up with a little bit of make-up. I was wearing faded holey blue jeans, a red and blue flannel, and sneakers.
There was a knock at the door,
"Come in." I call
The door opens and there stood Luke.
He smiles at me and says, "Hey there."
"Hey." I say back.
"So you ready for tonight?" Luke asks taking a seat in the chair next to me.
"Yeah." I say with a smile, "I've been looking forward to it for awhile."
He smiles and when I look at him I could see a hint of sadness.
"You miss him don't you?" Luke asks
I look away. He didn't even say his name and I already knew who he was talking about. Johnny.
It was kind of obvious though. I mean I arrived here in the jersey he gave me with his name on it, I talk to him everyday.
"Yeah." I say with a sigh.
"It'll be okay," Luke says, "The tour will be over in no time."
I smile at Luke, "And he really loves you. I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon." he says
I nod and my phone chimes. I pull it out and a real smile spreads on my face.
"Speak of the devil." I say and Luke chuckles.
I tap answer and put the phone to my ear.
"Heyo." I say
"Hey beautiful." Johnny's voice says and it brightens my mood, "How are you?"
"Good." I say, "I just got done with makeup."
"You let them put makeup on you?" Johnny asks with fake surprise.
I laugh, "It's not much. Just mascara and eyeliner." I say, "What are you doing?"
"Waiting for Jeff to show up so we can go over some ideas for the new movie." Johnny says with a sigh, "And you know Tremaine. The dude drives like a granny."
I laugh and say, "Yeah."
My dressing room door opens and I look and see one of the crew standing there.
"You're on in five."
I nod and he leaves and I say, "Hey Johnny. I gotta go. I'm going on soon."
"Okay," Johnny says, "Good luck, have fun, I love you...am I missing anything?"
"I don't think so," I say.
"Well. I love you, I love you, I love you. Call me after the show." he says, "And tell me all about it."
"I will." I say, "I love you."
I hang up and get up already missing Johnny's voice.
Soon I was being hooked up to an earpiece and people were making sure everything was perfect.
Somebody handed me my guitar and I walk onto the platform, as practiced, and soon the muffled screams of fans were getting louder and I here somebody from backstage say over the speakers on stage say, "Ladies and gentleman. Please give a warm welcome to. Joey Starr!"
The screams got louder and I was standing onstage and the lights brightened.
I smiled at the crowd and pulled up a stool and said into the microphone.
"Hey y'all. How are ya doing tonight?"
They all scream and I say, "Well. Lets get this party started!"
I start playing the first of my five songs I was going to perform.

****

I sang my songs, which took probably 20 minutes. I had the crowd singing to my songs, dancing and having fun.
It was everything I dreamed it'd be.
After I was done performing, Luke would sing his songs for a good hour and then would be the after party. But I never participated in that. I'd be on the bus talking to Johnny and/or the guys on FaceTime.
That's how the first few months went on tour. First it was late September when the tour started, and before I knew it, it was the beginning of December.
In those months, we'd make appearances and my songs and I were getting more and more popular, I could barely walk out to get a coffee or talk to Johnny in private without being asked for pictures or autographs.
I was sitting on Luke's bus because we were watching the football game when Johnny calls.
"Hey." I say
"Hey." Johnny says, "What are you doing?"
"Watching the football game with Luke and the guys." I say
"Fun, fun." Johnny says, "So I have a question."
"I may have an answer." I say
"What do you want for Christmas?" he asks
I roll my eyes and say, "Really?"
He laughs and says, "Really."
"I don't know." I say. The only thing I truly wanted for Christmas was to be with him but I didn't think that was going to happen, "I'm sure you'll think of something."
He chuckles and I say, "What about you? What can I get the amazing and handsome Johnny Knoxville for Christmas?"
"Hmm. Well I want a car, a house, a million dollars, and this beautiful girl that I met not too long ago. But she left." he says in a high pitched voice.
I chuckle, "I'll see what I can do." I say
We laugh and he says in his regular voice,
"Seriously though. Don't worry about me. You are my birthday, Christmas, Easter, and every fucking holiday present for the rest of my life."
I smile at the cuteness of this statement and say, "You are too."
"Awe, thanks babe. But I'm still getting you a Christmas present." he says
"Damnit." I grumble and he laughs.
"I love you Joe. So much." Johnny says
I smile and say, "I love you too Johnny. More than words can describe."
Only then did I notice all the amused and few irritated looks I was getting from the guys and I flipped them all off.
"Johnny, I got to go. The guys are all looking at me like jackasses. No pun intended." I say and we laugh.
"Okay," he says, "I have a meeting with the other producers for the movie anyway. I love you."
"I love you too." I say and we hang up.
I hit the home button on my phone and there was a picture of Johnny and I kissing and I smile at it, missing him. I missed the way he'd feel me in his arms. The feeling I got when he touched me. The feeling I got when we kissed.
I suddenly realize that I had been staring at a black screen because it shut itself off and I shake my head and put my phone back I my pocket and curl up even more and pay half attention to the game.

****

It was the show a day before Christmas and I was sitting in my dressing room just minutes before the meet and greet.
I played absently with my phone. I so badly wanted to go home to Johnny and the guys, at least for a day or so. I just wanted to hug them all.
There was a knock at my door and someone calls,
"Joey, it's almost time for the meet and greet."
"I'll be there in a sec." I say and I absently fix my hair and fix an invisible wrinkle on my flannel shirt.
I put on a smile and go out and stand next to Luke and in come the fans.
After the meet and greet I go back in my dressing room and wait for when I go onstage.
After I was done with my songs, Luke goes on and I sat in my dressing room and listened to Luke.
It was a dream being here, doing what I love. But I loved Johnny, Bam, Steve-O, Ryan, Chris, and Novak. They were my family in many ways.
My phone chimed and I look and see I got a text from Novak.

Baby Daddy: hey baby girl. I just saw some videos of your performance. You are amazing and I love and miss you.
Me: thanks :) I miss and love you too

I lay down on the couch in the room and just think.
Soon, after Luke's performance there was a knock at my dressing room door and I sit up and say, "Come in."
The door opens and Luke comes in and smiles.
"Hey." he says and after he closes the door he comes over and sits next to me, "You did great out there. You have done a great job this entire tour so far."
"Thanks." I say with a smile.
"So," he says, "The next show is in two weeks."
"Okay." I say not really sure where he was going with this.
He continues to tell me his point and I look at him and say, "Really?"
"Really. Take my jet. It's fueled and ready to go." Luke says, "It'll be my Christmas present to you."
I was so happy I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaim
"You're welcome sweetie." he says with a chuckle.
I grabbed my iPad and FaceTime Johnny.
I only waited a minute before he answers.
"Hey baby." he says
"Hey." I say with a huge smile.
He smiles and says,
"What are you all happy about?"
"Nothing. Just that I found the most perfect present for you." I say
He chuckles, "That's sweet, doll but I told you not to worry about a present for me." he says
"Hey, if you can get me present even if I say not to then I can do the same to you." I say and he laughs.
"Alright. Do whatever you want." he says and we fall silent for a moment until he adds, "I love you Joey. I can't wait until you come home."
My smile widens, "I love you too Johnny." I say
I hear Chris in the background, "Knoxville, who are you talking to?" he says and he was seen in the picture.
Chris smiles, "Joey! How are you!" he says
"Great." I say, "I couldn't be happier."
Then Bam pops in the picture and then Steve-O, Novak, and Dunn.
We all talk for a little while and finally I say I have to go and we say goodbye and end the call.
I went to the bus and there was a note on one of my duffel bags.

'Joey

I already packed some of your stuff. The rest can stay on the bus. The jet is ready at the airport and you leave to Atlantic City in an hour. Have a great time, merry Christmas and see you when you at the next show, which I'll send my jet to get you.

Luke'

I had a permanent smile on my face as I picked up my bag and a coat and left to flag down a taxi.
I did the math as I rode to the airport and I should make it to my destination early Christmas Day.
I signed some autographs when I stepped out if the taxi but I made it on the plane no problem and was seated when I got a text from Johnny.

Johnny: hey sorry we didn't get much time to talk. You know the guys haha
Me: it's no problem baby :)
Johnny: so what's my Christmas present? I told you all I wanted was a car, a house, a million dollars, and a beautiful girl.
Me: I'm not telling you! It's a surprise.
Johnny: *sighs* fine
Me: I love you
Johnny: I love you too baby. So what are you doing?
Me: nothing. Just relaxing.

We texted through majority of my plane ride until he stopped replying which means he probably fell asleep.

~Atlantic City~

My plane landed at like two in the morning Christmas Day.
I signed some autographs as I was walking out of the airport to catch another taxi.
I had the driver stop at a convenience store so I could buy a bow for the present and then drive to one other place.
He dropped me off in front of the gate, I paid him and then let myself in.
I dropped my bag and my coat on the ground and quietly made my way around the hallways.
I looked at the time and I figured it was about time to get myself in position and I stuck the bow on my shoulder and waited.