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Road Signs and Rock Songs	By : classic06 Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Kelly Clarkson Views: 9486 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction. I do not know Kelly Clarkson,and I am not profiting from this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
++++++++++
"Is it always like this?" Kate asked as she and Ashley took their seats in the front row, off to the side a bit.
"Like what?"
"So exciting."
Ashley laughed softly.
"I mean, she's getting to perform with Reba McEntire. That's amazing."
"Yea. It came at a good time too, I haven't seen her this excited about singing in a long time."
Kate turned to her curiously.
"Her album and stuff has been getting her down a bit," Ashley shrugged.
"The problems with her album...it's been going on for a while?"
"Yea, and no. At first there was the problem of the songs she'd use, but once she decided to just do her own, they didn't have a problem really until she turned it in. But they always have a problem with the songs she turns in if they're her own. She's used to it."
"Must still suck, though."
"Yea, but she's tough."
"Definitely," Kate agreed. "So, what's it like working for her?"
"I don't know, you tell me."
"You've been with her longer, that's why I asked."
"You'll see soon, it's not like working. Don't get me wrong...the girl is a perfectionist, and she puts a hundred percent into everything, and she expects the same from those around her, but I don't know one person with us that would call it work."
"Y'all ever fight or anything?"
"No, not really," Ashley shook her head. "I mean, as friends, every now and then, but never work wise. Kelly's as drama free as possible. You're wondering how this is gonna work, huh? Is she your boss or friend?"
"Yea," Kate admitted.
"She's your friend," Ashley patted her knee. "And as long as you don't screw it up, she'll be one of the best friends you'll ever have."
"Did I miss it?" Jill asked as she joined them. "Did I miss meeting Reba?"
"No," Kate laughed. "We're meeting her after."
"Where've you been?" Ashley asked curiously.
"Backstage...making my rounds..."
"You couldn't find the dressing room, huh?" Kate smirk.
"Oh my God, it was like the labryinth back there," Jill replied breathlessly. "I thought I'd never find my way out."
++++++++
"So..." Ashley grinned as she touched up Kelly's make up on stage during a break.
"Shut up," Kelly replied.
"What happened?"
"It slipped."
"It slipped?" Ashley raised an eyebrow. "All the times and songs I've heard you sing, I don't think it's ever slipped once."
"Well, maybe I'm just more comfortable with it now. I'm not trying so hard to deny it or to make sure to hide it."
"Or maybe this has to do with the cute new backup singer that's sitting in the first row..."
"Ash..." Kelly warned.
"No talking," she replied, fixing her lip gloss. "She was asking about you."
Kelly's eyes turned curious.
Ashley laughed softly, "She wanted to know what it's like working with you."
"Standard question."
"Stop talking or I'll have lip liner from one ear to the other."
Kelly stood still with a sigh.
"She also seemed worried about you with all the stuff you're going through with your new album."
Kelly chanced a glance at the blonde sitting in the front row.
"Imagine that. A cute girl that cares about you. Who knew there was such a thing?" she teased, pulling back.
"Ash..."
"What did I say?"
"You're done with my make up."
"So?"
"She's not even--"
Ashley tapped her under her chin, "No protesting either."
Kelly's eyebrows furrowed together as she looked at her.
"What?"
"You stopped me from dancing with her," the short Texan remembered. "If you're so keen on the fact that she's cute, then why did you stop me?"
"Because I know you're not so keen on the fact that she's cute."
"I don't not like the fact that she's cute," Kelly rolled her eyes.
"So you admit that you think she's cute?"
"Of course. Anybody would admit that. You've admitted it tons of times. I just..."
"Wish she wasn't your backup singer?"
Kelly frowned, "We shouldn't even be talking about this. It's not appropriate."
"Since when is it not appropriate for me to talk to my best friend about stuff like this?"
"She doesn't even know, Ash," Kelly pointed out softly. The spark that had been in her eyes since she'd stepped on stage to perform with her musical hero was now gone "Why are you pushing something that doesn't even have a chance?"
"Kelly, I'm sorry," Ashley shook her head. "I didn't mean to upset you. I was just joking with you."
"It's fine, I just...you're right--she's cute--but whether she's my backup singer or not doesn't matter. I mean, look at her; she's not...and even if she were...look at her...I'd never stand a chance."
Ashley smiled sadly at her best friend.
"Don't give me that," Kelly forced a laugh as she pushed her playfully. "You know I'm right."
"You wanna go out tonight?"
"We already are. There's an after party."
"No, I mean out, out," Ashley looked at her meaningfully. "You always seem to relax a bit when we go."
"It's nice not to have to put up charades," Kelly shrugged.
"So, that's a yes?"
"Yea," she smiled smally. "That sounds good."
"Ok," Ashley gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "Now shake this conversation off, and go have fun, alright? This is a dream come true for you."
"I know," her smile broadened.
"That's my girl," Ashley laughed softly.
+++++++
"I just met Reba McEntire," Jill said in awe.
"I think there are more words in that one sentence, than you actually spoke to her," Ashley teased.
"I was nervous," she frowned.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get plenty of other chances," Kelly assured. "Like right now. We're going to the party, and she'll be there."
"Really?"
"Well, yea, it is an after party for the show I just did with her."
"This is so cool," Jill's eyes lit up.
Kelly chuckled as she followed Jill and Ashley out to the car. She smiled at Kate who matched her stride, "I didn't know she was such a big Reba fan."
"Neither did I," Kate replied with a laugh. "Can't say I blame her though, Reba was so sweet. Thanks for letting us tag along."
"Please, if ever you want tickets or something to anything, just let me know," Kelly smiled. "It's no trouble at all."
"This job is so awesome," Kate grinned.
Kelly laughed, stepping aside and letting her pass through the door to the outside first.
+++++++++
"So how are you liking everything so far?" Aben asked the duo with a smile.
"Favorite moment was definitely watching Reba and Kelly sing karaoke," Kate laughed.
"Or better yet, Kelly messing up the words while they sang karaoke when it was her own song they were singing," Jill grinned.
Aben laughed, "I meant with the band and everything. Y'all think you're gonna like working with us?"
"Oh, definitely," Kate nodded with a yawn. "It's gonna be great."
"What time is it?"
"Nearly one," Jill replied.
"Dang, this party's lasted nearly five hours," Kate noted.
"Are you ready to head back to the hotel?"
"Yea, I'm dead on my feet. You?"
"Same," Jill agreed.
"Ok, I'll just go tell Kelly we're leaving."
"Alright, tell her I said thanks for this."
Kate nodded, giving Aben a quick hug goodbye before walking up to Kelly and Ashley. She watched the two Texans as Kelly placed her hands on Ashley's shoulder, tugging her down as she leaned on her toes to whisper in her ear.
"Yea, definitely," Ashley nodded.
"Definitely what?" Kate asked curiously.
"We're gonna go to a bar," Kelly smiled. "You wanna come?"
Ashley's eyebrows raised, "How much have you had to drink, girl?"
"Only like two," Kelly replied.
"Do you know what you just asked?" she lowered her voice to keep Kate from hearing.
"Yes," she nodded.
"Alright then. Your choice," she turned back to the backup singer. "Sorry bout that. But yea, you're welcome to join us."
"Sure," Kate nodded. "Let me go ask Jill if she wants to come."
"Ok," Kelly nodded.
Ashley laughed softly as Kate walked away, "You should at least tell her where we're going. Don't want her to die of shock or anything."
"Something tells me this wouldn't be her first one," Kelly watched Kate talking to Jill.
"Yea, probably not," Ashley agreed as Kate rejoined them.
"She said she was tired...party pooper."
Kelly laughed, "You ready to go?"
"Yea, let's go."
++++++++++
Kate followed Kelly and Ashley into the bar through a side entrance.
"I'm gonna go get us some drinks. Wait here," Kelly instructed before making her way to the bar.
Kate looked around at the couples dancing on the dance floor as she waited for the short Texan to return. Her head tilted to the side as she looked around again, "Ashley?"
"Yep?"
"Um, this is, um, is this a gay bar?"
"Yep," Ashley chuckled.
"You're gay?"
"Me? No..." Ashley turned Kate to where she was looking at the bar.
Kelly was reaching up on her tip toes to lean over the bar as the female bartender mixed her drinks. She handed her the drinks and as Kelly moved to pay, the bartender brought the Texan's hand up to her lips. They could see the short girl's cheeks turn crimson from where they were standing as the bartender kissed the back of her hand softly before closing it around the money, refusing to let her pay.
"Kelly?" Kate asked in shock.
"Yea," Ashley nodded. "She was a little nervous about telling you for some reason. Guess she figured this was the easiest way."
"Easiest way to what?" Kelly asked curiously, as she walked back up to them, handing them their drinks.
"Party, duh," Ashley smiled. "Now let's go short stuff. Following you."
Kelly laughed, quickly leading the way to the back of the club to a set of stairs. The security guard that was standing there moved out of the way letting them pass. Kelly looked at Ashley curiously.
"I called to let them know."
"Thanks," Kelly smiled, before walking up the stairs.
"Wow..." Kate breathed as they reached the second level. "VIP, huh?"
"Something like that."
"You come here often?"
"Not really," she shook her head, sitting on a couch, looking over the back out the window that had a view of the dance floor.
"You don't want to go dance down there?" Kate asked curiously.
"I can't."
"What? I've seen you---you can definitely dance."
"No," she laughed softly. "I didn't mean I can't dance in general. I just can't dance down there."
"Why not?"
"I'm Kelly Clarkson," her smile faltered.
Kate nodded in understanding.
"In L.A., I have a lot of gay guy friends, so I can go out with them and people don't think anything of it. Here...it's just me."
"That sucks."
Kelly shrugged turning back to her, "Sorry I made you find out this way. I just...I wasn't sure how to tell you, and I knew I had to if y'all were gonna keep working with me. The guys, when I told them, we'd already been touring together forever, so I knew they were ok with it."
"You didn't think I would be?"
"Well, I knew you didn't have a problem with it, obviously..."
"Obviously?"
"Same reason you didn't freak when you realized you were in a gay bar. Jill's taken you to one before, huh?"
Kate smiled softly, "Yea, how'd you know she was?"
Kelly shrugged, "I have outstanding gaydar most of the time."
"Yea, mine stinks," Kate giggled. "Hey..."
"What?"
"What do you think of Jill?" her eyes lit up.
Kelly rolled her eyes, "No."
"No?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"First off, I don't date people I work with. Second, there's nothing there."
"Why not?"
"Jill's your only gay friend, huh?"
Kate nodded.
"Let me explain something to you...it's a common misconception really. Just because I like girls doesn't mean I like every girl. Just like you liking guys doesn't mean you like every guy. Just like you have to be attracted to them, you have to feel that chemistry, that spark...I do too. It's not like I drool over every girl I pass on the street, you know?"
"I'm sorry," Kate apologized. "I didn't mean to offend you or anything."
"Offend me? No, no, sweetie," Kelly placed a hand on her arm. "Like I said, it's a common misconception. Trust me, you're good."
"You sure?"
"Yea," Kelly smiled, squeezing her arm gently before pulling back. "Cheers?" she held out her glass.
"Cheers," Kate returned her smile, tapping their drinks together.
"So...you don't have a problem with this right?" Kelly motioned out the window to the dance floor.
"No, not at all."
"Cool," Kelly's smile widened.
"Can I ask you something, though?"
"Yea, absolutely."
"If you knew I wouldn't have a problem with it, why were you so worried about telling me?"
"What makes you think I was worried about telling you?"
"The fact that you didn't tell me," Kate smiled. "And plus, Ashley said you were."
Kelly looked across the small VIP room, sticking her tongue out at her best friend who mimicked the action. "I don't know," she answered, turning back to the tall blonde before her. "I didn't think you had a problem with it, but I didn't know for certain. I was pretty certain Jill was gay, but I didn't know for sure if you knew, or how you felt. I just assumed you were ok with it because y'all are best friends, plus you seem like a total sweetheart that wouldn't judge someone like that."
Kate nodded.
"But a part of me was still worried I was wrong, and that would've seriously sucked. You know how hard it is to find backup singers that can not only sing the parts but blend well together?"
Kate gave a soft laugh.
"Not to mention, like I said, you're a total sweetheart, and I like having you around. You and Jill make a great addition to our little group, and it would've sucked to have lost y'all."
"Well no worries," Kate assured with a smile, placing a hand on the Texan's knee. "You were right the first time. I don't have a problem with it, and I'm really glad you told me...or showed me...either way, I'm glad you trust me."
"Well, I'm glad I feel like I can trust you. Believe me, that is a very rare thing in this industry. And don't worry about Jill, I'm pretty sure she knows, or at least has figured it out, so you can talk to her about it if you want."
She nodded, giving her knee a gentle squeeze as they both turned back to look out the window, "Do you think you'll ever be able to?"
"Be able to what?"
"Dance out there."
"I really hope so," Kelly replied, quickly downing the rest of her drink.
++++++++++
"Jill?" Kate asked softly as she lay in the dark in the hotel room.
"Yea?" she replied groggily.
"Did you know?"
"Yea," Jill laughed lightly.
"When?"
"One of the times back in December when she was out in L.A. and had lunch with us. Her eyes followed that little waitress way more than necessary...you seriously had no clue?"
"No, well, there were some things that made me question...I just wasn't sure what I was questioning," she turned on to her side to face the direction Jill's bed was in. "You know...Kelly's a sweetheart."
Jill sighed, rolling her eyes, "Kate..."
"What?"
"What's with you and the need to play matchmaker all the time?"
"I like seeing people happy," she shrugged.
"She's not my type, and I'm pretty sure I'm not hers."
"What do you mean? It's the total opposites attract. She's talkative and energetic and outgoing...that's exactly what you need to balance you out."
"No, I need someone quiet and laidback and calm because energy bugs me. You...you're the one that needs someone talkative and energetic and outgoing that way they can keep up with you and keep you excited. That's your problem isn't it? You get bored? Well, that, and you rush into serious mode like nobody I've ever seen."
"I'm trying to work on that," Kate rolled her eyes. "I just don't see what's so bad about being in a secure relationship."
"One, guys run at the word commitment..."
"So, I've learned."
"...and two, you shouldn't feel the need to be in a serious relationship all the time. You aren't defined by whom you're dating."
"I know, I know. We've had this talk before."
"Just making sure you were listening," Jill laughed softly.
+++++++++
"So," Ashley laughed as she leaned against the dresser while Kelly climbed under the covers of her bed before starting to strip. "Are you glad you told her?"
"Yea," Kelly nodded. "You want to know what I realized tonight?"
"Was this before or after you started drinking?"
Kelly thought for a minute, "Before."
"Ok, then go ahead."
"So, I've realized that Kate is cute, and she works for me, and she's straight, and she's gorgeous, and I don't have a cat in hells chance with her," Kelly smiled proudly.
"You seem awfully excited about that," Ashley pointed out with a grin.
"Well, yea, she's ok with my being gay, and there's no pressure."
"What do you mean?"
"I can act however I want with her. It doesn't matter if I flirt with her or whatever because nothing will come out of it. I don't have to be nervous around her. It's great."
"Ok, then..."
"You don't understand," Kelly waved her hand at her.
"Does it make you happy?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"Then that's all I care about. You do realize though, that you flirting with her can totally be viewed as sexual harassment."
Kelly rolled her eyes, "I was joking about flirting with her. I just meant that I don't have to censor myself around her."
"Oh, sweetie, you've been flirting with the girl since she met us out in Daytona."
"I have not," she protested.
"Yes," Ashley nodded. "You have, and it's funny as hell that you don't realize it."
"Whatever," Kelly mumbled.
"Ok...you're good?" Ashley laughed softly.
She nodded, snuggling into her pillow.
"Alright, night you dork."
"Night Ash," Kelly smiled as her best friend walked out of the room.
- 6
- 7
- 8
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Road Signs and Rock Songs