Running back to my seat, I hear the gang ask me about what happened. Then the lights lower, and I tell them to please shut up and listen.
Stevie sits on a park bench under a fake moon and starry sky. She stares upward and begins to sing with a featherlight voice. Her eyes remain closed, and her voice is shaky at first, until something clicks. I see it in that face I’ve been memorizing for months, and in the body I could identify with my eyes closed.
She stands and sings more confidently. Grabbing the fake street pole with one hand, she swings around and does her small, simple choreography, all the while her lips quirk up. My eyes follow her every move, smiling along with her.
Stevie skips around the stage, then reaches the center, singing the last lines of the song aggressively to a note that I’ve never heard her do before. My eyes widen at how she keeps it going and goes even higher.
Her gaze remains forward as she whispers the last lyrics, and the lights turn off. There’s a beat of silence till chaos erupts from all around the audience. My girl’s getting a standing O, not just from me and my friends, but everyone else in the room. Although the rest of the audience is clapping loudly, they look at our group as if we’re insane.
Like I could give a shit. She was fucking amazing, like I knew she’d be.
“If you don’t marry that girl, I will,” Jake states with a smirk.
I smile, not saying a word.
When we sit back down, I take Jake by surprise when I punch him in the dick. He bendsforward, keeping his groan silent. I chuckle slowly. He has no choice but to keep quiet; the next scene has already begun. Jake really shouldn’t underestimate me when it comes to Stevie, best friend or not.
“Never talk about marrying my future wife again.” I pat him on the back and go back towatching the lead walk center stage.
The show ends,and Em and Kamila wipe their tears at the melancholy ending of the story. I try to find Stevie in the crowd, holding the bouquet of lavender and straightening my button-down shirt.
After half an hour of talking with my friends about the highlights of the show, and Jake giving me a dirty look and telling me his balls are still sore, Stevie appears.
My heart stops for a second when I see her dress. It’s probably the most seventies outfit I’ve seen her wear yet. The dress has an intricate purple-and-pink pattern with bell sleeves, but what captures my attention is the deep V-neck and how revealing it is compared to her previous looks. Her makeup from the show is still on, only now she has a thick headband on her head. Men and even some women are looking at her, and the green monster in me makes a small appearance.
Stevie spots me and grins, running into my arms. I spin her around and she giggles, while I make sure that nobody can see up her dress. It’s pretty damn short.
I kiss her head. “You were… Words can’t even explain how you were. Just…” I lower her onto her feet and kiss her.
She separates her lips from mine. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“Bambi, it was all you?—”
Her finger lifts to my mouth. “Once the image of us popped into my head, the rest of the world disappeared, and I had fun. I was onstage alone and I felt free. Completely and utterly free.”
“That’s all you, Stevie.” She smiles and dips her head to the bouquet.“Here.” I hand her the flowers, and the look on her face will be embedded in my head forever. She looks surprised, excited, and like she’s about to cry.
Stevie takes the bouquet, closes her eyes, and practically stuffs her face in it, inhaling deeply.
“Thank you.” Her eyes water again, and she sees the rest of the group staring at her from behind me. I roll my eyes and give them space to congratulate her.
When it’s Jake’s turn to hug her, he hands her some chocolates, and she opens them on the spot, stuffing one in her mouth and offering some to the others.
I nudge his shoulder to get his attention. “I meant what I said in there, dude. She’s my first and last. There’s no one else.” He turns his head toward me. “It will happen eventually.”
His lips curl up. “I know. Just needed to make sure.”
“Dickhead,” I mutter, and we both chuckle.
Chapter Thirty-Four
LEVI
Stevie yawns as she throws away our takeout containers before cuddling next to me on the couch. It’s the night before the last show, and she’s exhausted.
I’ve gone every day, as I said I would. Her moms have already gone to two shows, and it seems like they’ve almost accepted us as a couple. At least Lucy has, but Evelyn is still on the fence.
Other than that, I’ve kept a careful eye on Stevie. She’s more tired than usual. We’ve been having less sex, barely any, which is fine and understandable, but it only makes me worry about her health.
