The first line is: “What have I got to do to make you love me?”
I honk out the line, sounding like a goose. There’s a huge screech of feedback; it’s harder to control the mic than I thought. The audience freezes in embarrassed horror. Shit, I’mterrible. Even worse than I expected. Alex stares at the ground, his cheeks heating with embarrassment on my behalf. I make sure not to look at him. I don’t know how public he wants me to be about us. If thereisan us. Olivia spun this as my favorite song, which it definitely isn’t, but the lie was good cover. Only Alex has to know that this is for him. I just want him to know that I’m sorryfor running out on him after my exhibition match. And if he wants to listen to the lovestruck aspect of the lyrics too, well… I wouldn’t be mad about that.
However, this would be way more romantic if I was any good at singing. Olivia keeps playing resolutely, giving me a backing track even though I’m nowhere near the right notes. The guy on the drums has a fixed grin on his face like he’s forcing himself to walk through broken glass. The crowd is too polite to boo or anything like that, but it’s obvious they’re willing the song to end.
Unfortunately for everyone’s eardrums, it’s only about to get worse. It’s time for the chorus. The hardest part. I aim for the high note: “It’s sad”. I miss by about a mile. The crowd cringes harder than ever. Alex winces in sympathy. He comes right up to me, so close our arms touch, so close I feel his warmth.
“It’s a sad, sad situation,” he sings into the mic, hitting the notes effortlessly.
A ridiculously happy feeling claims me. He’s riding to my rescue, even after everything I’ve done to him.
“And it’s getting more and more absurd,” we sing together.
The most absurd thing about this is my awful attempts at singing. But at least I’m not alone now. Alex has my back. I let myself get quieter and quieter as Alex saves my ass and sings it properly, with harmony from Olivia and the drummer, who I think wants to kill me. I still feel stupid and trapped in the spotlight, but Alex is strong enough to carry both of us. The rest of the song sounds much better as I let my voice die away to almost nothing. When we’re done there’s a large cheer. It’s mostly relief that I’ve shut up, but I’ll take it. Alex pats my shoulder, suddenly losing his confident stage persona. For a moment he looks strangely shy and adorable as our eyes meet. I walk off the stage as the audience whispers to each other, wondering what possessed me to do that.
If only they knew.
I make my way back to my table feeling a weird mix of humiliation and triumph. Alex doesn’t hate me. He saved me when he could’ve let me fall on my face. Maybe there’s still hope.
Chapter 11
Alex
Acouple of days after the pub gig, Mum and I are in the kitchen wrapping presents. She seems cagey and weird. I’m wondering if I should ask her advice about Dane, but she’s acting so distracted and restless there’s not much point. She’s barelylistening to anything I say and she keeps glancing at the clock. I haven’t been in touch with Dane since his performance at the pub. I didn’t know what to say about it. He hasn’t gotten in contact with me, either.
It was like something from a movie. So unlike his usual style. Olivia must’ve had a hand in the plan. Singing in public? He stepped so far out of his comfort zone he almost fell off the cliff. I was worried he would actually faint in front of the crowd. He did it all just for me. I’d have to be made of stone to be untouched by that. Even so, I’m not sure how to feel about it. I get what he was going for. He was trying to show up for me after leaving me in the lurch after his exhibition match. Still, is one big gesture really enough? If he wants to be together, we’re going to have to go for it at some point without him running away all the time. I’ve been turning it over and over in my mind. The possible enormity of his message. That song choice. Sure, he wanted to say sorry, but there’s more to the song thansorry.
What have I got to do to make you love me?
He wants me to love him?
“Sounds like there’s someone outside,” Mum says, as the loud honk of a car horn splits the air.
It sounds like an obnoxious person, considering how they’re leaning on the horn. For some reason Mum doesn’t seem annoyed. Actually, there’s a smile on her face as she heads for the door. A sneaky smile.
“What’s going on?” I say, following her.
She opens the door. Dane’s car sits in the driveway. He jumps out and looks at me awkwardly, like he’s unsure of his welcome. Despite everything my heart jumps at the sight of him. His blond hair is tousled like he’s been running his hands through it with nerves. He’s wearing jeans and a fancier than usual sweater, which is probably his idea of dressing up for me. The black fabric stretches across his broad shoulders and hugs his slim waist.
“Got his bag?” he says, but he’s not talking to me.
“Got it,” Mum says. She goes back into the house and comes back with my backpack in her hand, and my winter parka.
“What’s going on?” I say. “You packed a bag for me?”
“I’m kidnapping you,” Dane says.
“What? Why?”
“I’ll explain in the car. Our flight leaves in a few hours.”
“Flight?”
No one is listening to me. Dane and Mum are both ushering me to the passenger seat. This explains her cagey behavior earlier. They must’ve cooked this up between them.
“I’ve packed your ID and plenty of warm clothes,” Mum says, confirming it.
After Dane serenaded me at the pub, I realized he’s more romantic than I ever thought. But being whisked off on a surprise trip is another level. My heart starts beating harder, getting carried away with the drama of it all even as my cautious side nags at me to hold back.
