I wanted to know more about what had happened, but really, the details didn't matter.
Lola was safe now.
“Here,” Brenda said, offering the girl her purple guitar. “Take it, tune it, do what you need to in ten minutes.”
Hoisting the instrument into place, Lola's face twisted in a brief flinch. She saw me looking, then glanced away hurriedly. “Listen, Drez. That new song... can we even perform it?”
“I know all the words by heart.” I took a slow step towards her, studying how she held the guitar. “You could probably keep the tune close enough that no one would notice. They haven't heard it before to compare, after all.” She was focusing on her fingers, the floor, everywhere but me. “That's not the issue, is it?”
She said nothing.
“Lola... what's wrong?”
Hanging her head, her dark hair covered her face. “I think my shoulder is hurt bad. Holding my guitar, it's painful.”
Brushing her tresses aside, I tried to read the pain in her blue gaze. “You still want to do this?”
“Yeah. If I can. After everything, I really want to try.”
My lips closed on hers, the kiss a mere blink. “Then let's try.”
Voices were calling out around us, people telling us where to go, what to do. For a moment, we stayed there and only existed with each other.
The cheers outside the curtain took it all away.
Together we moved, standing on our marks, straightening up to handle the wave of energy. Behind me, Porter and Colt settled in, their faces all smiles. It was unfair to them to lead with our new song, something they had no part of, but...
Looking over, I saw a bead of sweat on Lola's temple. If she's in pain, I want to give her this. She wants it so badly.
Everyone else had to come second to that.
Holding the mic, I spoke into it with a smirk. “Hello, Seattle.” The explosion was immense. The room was a powder keg. I was the flint to light it up. “I'm sorry you had to wait so long for us to perform. But it was worth it, right?” I gestured around, roared into the speakers. “Because we're fucking right here! Four and a Half Headstones, and we've got a new song for you!”
I waited until the world stopped screeching. Then, holding up my hand for silence, I whispered into all their ears. “I hope you enjoy it.” Reaching down, I lifted the guitar I'd placed at my feet. The audience hadn't seen it; they went crazy all over again.
Hooking it in place, I took the time for them to settle down to tweak the strings. I'd tuned it before, but I wanted to be sure.
I wanted everything to be right.
In the dead silence, Lola began to play. It was a haunting melody, all ghosts and dust dancing from her fingers. It reminded me of our skill difference; commanded me to take hold and play to my best.
Breathing in to control my muscles, I followed her lead. Our notes flowed together, twirling through the air, burning on flesh. She was perfect, ever perfect, and if my fans didn't see it after this...
They never would.
“Beautiful in defiance,” I hushed, “Wicked in how you claw. Come to me again, so close... you're mine, don't see these flaws...” From the moment I'd announced creating a song with Lola, I'd been brewing with ideas. I knew exactly the kind of song I wanted to make with her.
Did anyone ever imagine I would write a love song?
Looking over, I glimpsed the focus on Lola's face. Her lower lip was sucked in her teeth, fingers wild, elegant on her strings. She was exerting herself, but the pain she was going through vibrated in waves.
She can't keep this up for long, I thought desperately, singing for all the world like a man with a message. But what can we do? What other choice is there? The crowd, our fans, they'd waited so long to hear Four and a Half Headstones.
What could sate them but this?
“Wrapping, coiling, merging with the world...” Like she'd suggested, we punched our guitars, jolted the air with wild music. The energy was frantic, my heart rocketing inside my chest with nowhere to land. “Come to me again! Again, you're mine... you're mine...”
Lola's face was bloodless. This is too much, I thought in a panic. As the song came to a close, I saw her breathing heavy. Dogs trapped in cars panted less.