I quiet her by giving her a kiss. “You’ll do just fine. Drink up, you’re only two awaynow.”
The next few minutes are spent with Mackenzie shaking her knee hard enough that she’s hit the table multiple times. It’s cute to see hernervous.
When I reach for her hand I’m rewarded with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. Her shoulders drop and she takes a deep breath, like just the touch of my hand calmed her completely. I’ve never felt so powerful, so full of life as I do in thismoment.
My mom taught me how to be a good man for my future wife. She’d talk about how I should be supportive to the one I love. I never understood what she meant until right now, holding Mackenzie’s hand, giving her the strength she needs to face her fears. It’s a feeling I never want to letgo.
They call her name and she stands, walking toward the stage, not looking back until she’s seated on the stool next to themicrophone.
* * *
Mackenzie
Ican’t believeI’m going to do this.Holllyyy Shiiiitttt, I scream in my head, terrified until my eyes meet Connor’s, at which point I calminstantly.
When the guitar riff and clapping begins, I let the music wash over me, keeping my eyes closed and start to sing without having to read the words on the screen. I’ve sung this song a thousand times—in the shower, driving in the car. When the song belts outhallelujah, I feel it deep in my soul. I let every word touch me, engulf me in its meaning and free my heart like I imagine the Holy Spiritwould.
I end, singing, “My church,” drawn out, loving the rush flowing throughme.
Applause erupts, surprising the hell out of me. Right in the middle of it is Connor with the most amazing smile spreading across hisface.
I thank everyone, completely embarrassed, and step off the stage, eager to get back to my table where I can breatheagain.
“Wow, that was amazing. I feel sorry for whoever has to follow that,” the DJ says, “but good luck, because we have Connor Hayden up next. Is Connorhere?”
He winks, standing up with all the confidence in the world, like he’s not phased onebit.
“Well, it looks like it’s the lovely lady’s boyfriend, so let’s hope he doesn’t outshine her, or I’d say he’s not getting laid tonight,” the DJ jokes, and the crowd laughs inresponse.
The way he sits on the stool, so sure of himself, holding the microphone, ready as ever, makes me fall that much more in love withhim.
The song begins with talking about the moon, and my heart flutters. He’s not only singing on stage to support me, but he’s singing a country song. One that I’ve played for him and we talked about, but to hear him sing it now isbreathtaking.
As he belts out the words toBlackby Dierks Bentley, chills run up my spine. I can tell he’s practiced, preparing for thismoment.
His voice is sultry, demanding, and absolutely incredible. Every word he sings pierces my heart. I can barely breathe as he holds the word, “Black,” letting it fluctuate for four seconds before lettinggo.
We never look away from each other. It’s like he’s singing the song only to me, and the room is otherwise empty. When it ends, the crowd jumps up again, applauding his performance the same way they did mine. I run to him on stage, wrapping my hands around his neck and pressing my lips againsthis.
“Yeah, he’s getting laid tonight. No. Doubt,” the DJ says, making us break apart and laugh along with thecrowd.
“Want to get out of here?” he whispers in myear.
Without a word, I hold his hand and lead us out the door. The DJ is quick to play a bow-chicka-wow-wow type beat, and I nod my approval of his song choice as we exit hand inhand.
* * *
“I’m goingto grab some stuff and then I’ll be up,” I say to Connor when the elevator dings to my floor of our apartmentbuilding.
“Don’t be too long.” His eyebrows raise making my insidestingle.
I laugh off his effect on me, and head to my door, trying to be quiet so I don’t wake my roommates. When the door swings open I’m greeted by the three of them sitting on the couch looking directly atme.
“Oh, hi. I didn’t think you guys would be awake.” I scan the room and an uneasy feeling settles in my stomach. “Everythingokay?”
Chantel sighs. “Do you have aminute?”
“Yeah, of course. I was just grabbing some things to head up to Connor’s but yeah, I mean, sure.” I’m rambling but the look on their faces is making my nerves run wild. I sit across fromthem.
