IM SORRY I KEEP CHANGING IT. Yes, this story is about Reba McEntire, basically.

Before hand, just know this. I have an unbelievable amount of respect for . I think she is the strongest, most beautiful woman evveerr. And I know in real life, she probably wouldn't do some of the things written about in this book. I just find it fun to spice things up a bit. Please don't take offense to the way I portray her in parts of this book. I'm not going to lie, it gets kind of erotic.

The Reba in this book is hard to explain. She is a mixture of Reba Hart and McEntire, if that makes since. It has the same family characters as the Reba show, except it is her in real life-fame and all. I have read her book and seen just about every interview she has ever done. I'm kind of obsessed. So yes, I know the story you're about to read about how she got famous is extremely far from the truth, but I don't want it exactly like her life. This is more imagination than documentary.

All of the characters are the same as the Reba show (plus celebrity friends). Brock was very protective of her, and still cares a lot about her. Their story is a little different. He is like a mixture of Narvel and Brock, plus a little extra. There is still Barbra Jean, his new wife, and their children (Cheyenne, Kyra, Jake), their son-in-law (Van), and granddaughter (Elisabeth). Two other changes is that Barbara Jean had a miscarriage and never had Henry, and Reba is 46, not 57. When the divorce happened she was 40. So, yeah. I just gave a lot away. And I know you think I'm crazy because I changed so much. IM , leave me comments & feed back. Enjoy! :)

**Best in the Business A story of sex, lies, betrayal, & love. **

*****Chapter One*****

There's something about a screaming crowd that awakens a part within me that I never knew existed. To look out at all of the faces, staring at me with such admiration, and to allow their applause to completely wash over me is one of the most amazing feelings ever. I love that moment when I look on the front row, and see the familiar face of a fan I had met before. To see that sparkle in their eyes as they look at me, and to feel as if we have some secret connection that no one in the world could understand. To say the least, I love what I do. I love fame. Don't get the wrong idea of me, though. I don't love the money and the 'high-life' part of fame. I love the ability to meet new people, and to change them with my music. I love to have someone come up to me and say, "You have changed my life.". If only one person were to do that throughout my whole career, I'd be satisfied.

I have been a singer-songwriter for 30 years now. In these parts of Nashville, I'm kind of a big deal. I'm proud of it, too. I realized I wanted this future at a very young age. When I hit 18, I left my home in a small Texas town and headed straight for Tennessee. I expected to arrive in the town of dreams and become an overnight sensation. I didn't know, however, that that is not how it works. I lived in a run down apartment, living off paychecks from the best job I could get.. A job I'm not very proud of. Those first few years on my own, I did a lot of things that I look back and cringe about; things that usually haunt me, and I try to forget about.

Anyways, life goes on, right? I'm here now, and I wouldn't change any part of my past. Sometimes when I'm performing, though, I will be reminded of what it took to get here. Not in a bad way; not in a way that makes me full of regret, but in a way that makes me thankful that I survived. At some points, I honestly didn't think I would. I was reminded of this tonight at my show in Knoxville. The show was over, I had done my encore, and the fans were going crazy. I was filled with that amazing feeling again, and a large rush of memories flooded over me as I remembered what it took to get here. I looked at the sea of fans, blew one last kiss, and walked off stage.

My tour bus is just about the messiest place in the world. Oh sure, it's classy and elegant, but when I travel with a full-sized band (mostly men), who can't clean up after themselves, it tends to get a little messy. I pushed my way past the clutter, and back into my room. Considering the band usually doesn't go in there, my room is fairly clean. I layed down on my bed, kicked off my boots, and propped my arms behind my head. I closed my eyes, and enjoyed the moment. You see, this is my favorite part of a performance. After it's over, I love to lay in my bus and think. The adrenaline of the crowd hasn't quite worn off yet, so I lay down and peacefully drag it out as long as possible. This is my confident moment.. The moment when I feel on top of the world. The moment when I embrace who I am. The only moment. I know moments like these don't last long, so I cling on to them.

As I was laying there, my accomplishments skimming through my head, I heard a faint thud on the side of my bus. I blew it off, assuming it was just the wind. A second later, I heard it again, only a little louder and followed by, "Do you think she's in there?". My eyes slowly opened and a smile came to my face. This was my second favorite part of a performance.

I peeked out the window, and saw a teenage girl boy about seven feet from the bus, and just blankly staring at it. I've seen that look before, and I knew exactly what they were thinking. I poured myself some tea, and casually walked out of my bus. As soon as they heard the door, they jumped in unison with terrified looks on their faces. When they realized it was me, however, the girl screeched and came bolting towards me. The boy stood in place with a blank, starstruck face. I giggled as the girl practically jumped into my arms. I had to hold my tea up high to keep it from spilling.

"Oh my gosh, it's really you! It's really you!" She exclaimed. "You have no idea what you mean to me, !" Her face was enlightening. I couldn't help but giggle some more.

"Oh please, call me Reba." I said out of habit. I expected her to respond, but she just stayed in my arms. I could tell she was crying by the way her body was shaking. Also, I could feel her tears on my shirt. I looked towards the boy, who had backed up a few feet, and still had that same white-faced expression. I knew I should give him time to come around; I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. So, I just smiled at him, and then turned to pull the girl off of me, but still held on to her by her arms. I wiped her tears, and she looked straight into my eyes for the first time. "What's your name?" I asked.

"L..Lydia." She stuttered, still shaking.

"I think I saw you tonight, Lydia. Were you on the 3rd row?" She nodded. "Oh yes, I definitely saw you. You were the girl doing the air guitar, right?" She looked to the ground and giggled. "Who is your friend?" I asked softly. She looked at me confused, and then turned around to find the boy she had apparently forgotten about.

"Oh yeah!" She pulled away from me and began to walk to him. She grabbed onto his hand, and led the way as he stumbled towards me. She wiped another tear, composing herself. "This is Thomas, my boyfriend. We've been saving up our money, and payed for tickets to your show all on our own!" She had pulled her self together, and was ecstatic now, talking quickly. "I've loved you all of my life! Thomas usually listens to rap music, but he knows who you are. I told him I was going to take him to your concert to show him what real music was. I also told him we'd meet you, but he didn't believe me. See, I told you!" She said playfully hitting him in the arm. He was still frozen. I couldn't help but laugh at these kids. So cute, so innocent. They seemed to be in their late teens or early twenties."This is my 9th concert of yours that I've been to!" Yes, I thought I had recognized her. "I can't believe I'm actually standing in front of you! You're music is so inspiring to me, !"

"If you insist on calling me that, that's okay with me." I chuckled. "And thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear that. My music isn't very popular with kids your age. I'm glad some of y'all know who I am!" I looked over to Thomas. "You're not a talkative thing, are you?" I asked. Lydia laughed out loud, and he looked down to the ground. I walked over and gave him a friendly, somewhat motherly hug. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Thomas." I smiled, and he smiled back, finally showing some expression.

"Nice to meet you too, . My girlfriend really loves you." He quietly said. Lydia smiled big.

"Well, I love her too!" I laughed. Soon after, a bolt of lightening lit up the sky, followed by a large clap of thunder. It was so unexpected-the weather had seemed fine earlier. I tried to blow it off the best I could, and continued talking to the couple. I think they noticed my reaction a few seconds later, however, when another shot of thunder pierced the soothing nightime sound. I felt my smile drop, and my chest tighten. I saw lightening, and my palms started sweating. My legs were going weak, and I quickly scanned the night sky.

" , are you okay?" Lydia asked, her face filled with concern.

"Um yes, I'm fine. Y'all should be getting home, though. You arn't driving, are you?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am, we are driving back to our hotel. It's about 30 minutes away." Thomas responded. That was the most he had said all night.

"Well, I hate to say goodbye. But you guys need to hit the road before the strom hits. It was a pleasure meeting you!" I quickly said. The look on Lydia's face made me regret it. I wished I could stay and talk to them forever. I knew it was for the best, though.

"Okay, you're probably right." She responded gloomily, but then her face brightened. "Can I get a picture with you first? None of my friends are going to believe this!" Dispite my angst, I smiled and agreed. We posed as Thomas pulled out a camera.

"Ready you guys?" He asked. "One..Two..Three.." The flash went off, making me think it was lightening, and a pain struck through my heart. My fist clenched, and I tried with every part of myself to hide what I was feeling. These kids didn't need to see this. Thankfully neither one noticed. Lydia went and looked at the picture and smiled, showing her approval.

"Again, thank you so much." She said as she hugged me one last time. She held on for a long time, because both of us knew this moment would probably never happen again. When she pulled off, I could see tear trails down her cheek. Thomas came and hugged me, and then they both walked off. A part of me wanted to invite them to come with me, and stay just until the storm comes and passes. Anything to keep them off of the road; but I knew it wasn't a good idea.

"Y'all be safe!" I desperately called out.

Lydia turned around. "We will. You too, Ms. McEntire." She grabbed onto Thomas' hand, and they walked off into the darkness together.

Another clap of thunder came, and the same responce shook my body. I hurried inside of my bus, locking the door behind me. The band was probably hitting up the bars, like they usually do after shows. So, at least for a few hours, I knew I was stuck alone. I layed on my bed. The on-top-of-the-world Reba McEntire was gone. Now it was just me, Reba. No more fans screaming my name. No more music, no more adrinaline from the crowd. I was a normal person again, left to deal with regrets and pain. And with every clap of thunder, and every streak of lightning on the wall, more grief pounded it's way into my body.