The song winds down and I move the microphone to keep this moment between me and her. “I love you.”
Apparently, I didn’t move the mic far enough away because shouts of “kiss her” come from the crowd. Lisa looks for a way to get on the stage, but she’s blocked on all sides. A few people around her offer up their hands, and they lift her to the stage.
She doesn’t hesitate. Once she has her balance, her arms are around me and lips crash into mine. The entire building cheers, but I block them out. The only person that matters is the woman wrapped around me. She breaks the kiss and pulls back. “I love you, too.”
The roar of the crowd comes back, and I bring the microphone to my mouth with Lisa held firmly to my side. “Thank y’all for an amazing night. We’ll be back soon.”
Cash hurries to cut the mic. None of us make a move to break down our set. Instead, Lisa pulls me down the stairs, through a throng of people, and down the hallway to the back office.
Once inside she closes the door behind us. “You were amazing. I’m so sorry I let my own fears almost get in the way of us.”
“It’s okay.” I run my fingers through her hair. “I knew deep down we would be end game.”
“And you wrote a freaking song about us.” She leans in and kisses me again. Not for long, but long enough that I don’t want it to end. “If Crooked Halo doesn’t pick y’all to tour with them, they will have missed an opportunity.”
“How is that going to affect us, if they do? I won’t do anything that jeopardizes our relationship.”
“We’ll figure it out. It’s not fair of me to ask you not to chase your dreams. I’m done letting fear hold me back.”
“Same.” This time I pull her to me, my mouth is inches from hers when there’s a knock on the door. “Should we get that?”
“Probably,” she giggles. “It’s not like this is my office or anything. It could be Stella.”
She pulls away from me to open the door. It’s not Stella on the other side. The members of Crooked Halo walk in, and I can’t help but feel like this is going to be life changing.
“Devin, right?” The lead singer asks.
“Y-yeah,” I stutter. I’ve never been one to get nervous in front of people, but this is different. They hold the fate of my future in their hands.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Dale.” He holds his hand out to shake my hand, and my palms are too sweaty for this. I grip his hand and we shake briefly. “You did good out there, and you’re our pick for tonight. You and whoever wins tomorrow night will tour with us.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes.” Dale laughs and hands me a card. “Get with your bandmates and we’ll go over contracts and details.”
“I will.”
“Try to call me sooner than later.” They turn to walk out the door. “And we have to get to work on giving you a band name.”
As soon as they leave the room, Lisa throws herself at me and I lift her off the ground, twirling her in a circle. “We did it.”
“Yes, you did. And you deserve it.”
“Wanna celebrate tonight?” I wink so she gets the meaning.
“Crap, I can’t. I brought my friend Joan from bartending class, and she’s crashing with me tonight because she didn’t want to drive back,” she winces, “sorry.”
“It’s all good. I almost forgot the guys rode with me.”
“Tomorrow,” she nods. “That’s when we’ll celebrate. Your new career and my certification. Expect an amazing present.”
“I have no doubt.” I kiss her long and deep before pulling away. “Shall we go tell our friends.”
“Definitely.” Lisa wraps her arm around my waist and we make our way out of the office.
Everything I’ve ever dreamed of has come true. I’ll get to perform in front of crowds with my best friends, and I have the most amazing woman I’ve ever met by my side. What more could I ask for?
Epilogue
