Chapter Forty-Five
Logan
Mia was above cloud nine when we walked away from the Stratosphere jump. She leaped into my arms as soon as I was free to catch her tiny body and kissed me.
The moment felt passionate, her eyes beaming happiness at me. I felt strong.
Jay said he was going out to meet up with a friend, and we were going to have the night to ourselves. I liked the guy. He took care of Mia like no one else. But I wanted all her attention right now. I’d had ideas for what to do on this trip, the jump being one of them, but there was one more thing I wanted to do. My gift to her for doing so well and becoming this beautiful woman before me, who was living life the way she wanted to. Not what others or society thought she should do. She was making her own decisions without being held back by her own mind.
“This way.” I set her down and laced our fingers together to walk hand in hand down the strip.
She was bouncing with every step, excitement and even a bit of adrenaline flowing strong within her.
I’d been to this place a few times, the atmosphere still the same in Rock De Rollers as we entered. Mia looked around at all the lights and photographs of famous people who’d come here to have fun or sing.
There was a woman playing a guitar and singing on the stage at the back of the large room of the bar. The house band played the song behind the woman, making her look like a superstar already.
This bar had become a hit with agents who loved to sit back in the VIP booths and scout new talent of the singers who gave it their all to the bar listeners. People danced, swayed, and drank with the music.
“I draw the line at singing.” Mia laughed and shook her head back and forth.
“You’ll jump off the hotel but won’t sing in front of a crowd?” I teased.
This experience wasn’t for her to sing but for me to sing to her.
“Nope. I’ll burst eardrums, or people will call the cops because something sounds like wild animals are dying. But I will have a drink.” She pointed to an open seat at the bar.
She must have forgotten about our hobbies talk where I said I liked to sing. Better to keep it a surprise for now.
“You get us some drinks, and I’m gonna use the restroom,” I whispered against her ear and kissed her cheek with a mischievous smile I knew she couldn’t see.
I really enjoyed surprising her, being the one to make those beautiful eyes widen and mouth slack open before that jaw-dropping smile of hers lit up her face. Making her shine like the northern star.
She nodded and headed straight for the seat. I pitied anyone who tried to take it before she got there.
I walked toward the direction of the stage and asked the guy when the next open slot was.
“There’s one right after her, but that’s it for the night. You want it, kid?” The older man patiently looked at me.
I nodded. “Yes, sir.” Then, I asked if the house band could play the song I had in my mind.
He shook his head like I was a crazy son of a bitch, but I didn’t care. People’s perception about me was something that didn’t keep me up at night. I’d make a fool out of myself all day if it brought a smile to someone’s face, and tonight that someone was Mia. My Mia.
I stayed next to my dear old friend Bo, as it stated on his name tag, until the lovely singer was done doing her bit. Bo told the band the song choice, and the drummer high-fived the bass player. We were about to rock this joint.
“Thank you, Tammy Lynn! Those are some nice cords you got there.” Bo stood at the mic.
Butterflies starting flapping away in my stomach. Being onstage wasn’t where I lived to be, but I could vacation every once in a while up there. Still made me nervous sometimes. That feeling never went away despite the enjoyment I got from it.
“Up next, we have Logan!” He looked to me, giving me the cue to head on up the stage and take my place.
The crowd was clapping and hooting, but it was Mia’s eyes I was searching for.
The laughter that erupted from my chest couldn’t be contained as I found her, shocked expression and all. A straw halfway to her open mouth, like she’d been about to take a sip but halted, hearing my name.
I adjusted the mic that was shorter from Tammy Lynn sitting on the stool, singing her heart out before me.
“There we go.” I took in the crowd, feeling the buzz of the room flowing through me, electricity humming against my skin. “This song goes out to a special lady who wanted to hear me sing. This one’s for Mia.”
