“My name’s Tony. Mr. Bosch sent me to escort you and your friends to the show tonight.” He speaks with barely moving lips. How fascinating…
“You came for me? Because Carter sent you?” I ask him, saying each word slowly to make sure I didn’t misunderstand.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll drive you and your guests to the venue and make sure you find your seats,” he says in a clipped monotone.
“Oh my God! And he sent a fucking carriage!” Dina squeals and we link hands and giggle like preteens. My heart is off on a wild gallop. The lasso I had wrapped around my expectations comes flying off and they take off, too.
Tonight, I’m going to take everything the world hands me, and wear it like a technicolor coat of dreams.
“I’ll wait by the car, come down when you’re ready,” Tony says.
“Oh, I’m ready. Right now.” I grab my purse and my keys and walk hand in hand with my best friend toward my destiny.
66
Carter
Making it Right
“So, does she know you were at her wedding?” Dean asks from his perch on my desk.
“God, I’m sorry I told you that story,” I mutter and do one more push-up before I let my completely spent arms rest.
“Why? It’s a fucking great story.”
I shoot him an irritated glance in the mirror. “Yeah, it’s great that I sat in the back pew of a church ready to watch my girl get married.”
He shrugs. ”My wife was married before. Shit happens. Life throws us curveballs. But you’ve got your chance now and you’re taking it. So, yeah it’s a great fucking story. It’s how you got here. Your fans will eat it up.”
“I hope she does, too,” I don’t know how Beth is going to feel about this kind of attention.
But, I’m going to ask her for a lot so I’m wrapping it around a gesture I hope will show her how serious I am.
“Well, Milly’s going to die when I tell her you’re finally going for it. She’s slightly obsessed with yours and Beth’s story.”
“I’m glad you guys could make this show.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it.” He stands up and walks over to where I’m sitting and puts a hand on my shoulder.
“You’re going to do good, kid. I know this is a big deal, but you’ve been waiting for this forever. Go big or go home.”
The set is ending. It’s been an incredible show; the audience has screamed along with every song. The band and I have been in sync like crazy, improvising like crazy. It’s almost been like we’ve just been playing one of our jam sessions where we just decide to fuck the planned set and have a good time.
And with every costume change, I’ve stolen a moment with Beth.
She’s sitting in the special seats we keep for VIPs at the side of the stage. My whole family is here. When we started planning for tonight, Beth wasn’t back in my life. I can’t believe how much has changed in just a few short months.
It’s been amazing to have her eye to catch when I’m singing her songs.
It’s time for the final number and it’s just going to be me and my piano.
I’m going for broke and hoping I can show her and everyone who’s watching just how much I love her and always have.
“Hey Brooklyn,” I call out to the crowd as I adjust my microphone and try to get comfortable. The crowd roars back its approval and I shoot them a smile that makes them scream even louder.
No matter how many nights we do this, getting on stage, especially with a crowd this big, takes swallowing down fear. Some nights, it also takes a hit of weed.
But, by the end of the show, I’ve sweated out my anxiety, I’ve bled my heartache, rebel yelled my triumph and left it all on the stage.
Tonight though, when I sit down at my piano, I’m still very aware of how many eyes are on me. I feel like it’s my very first time on stage and my nerves are in overdrive. I close my eyes, count to five and when I open them, I focus on the woman who I’m here for, and start talking.
“I have a special guest here tonight,” I tell the crowd as I pick out a few notes on the piano. “You guys know all the words to the album, Between Now and Heartbreak. So you already know how I feel about her. Every word I wrote was