“You guys are my people for sure.”
They clap more.
“Okay, let’s get this party going again.”
She strums her guitar back to the faster pace of the songs she played earlier, and people instantly jump to their feet to dance some more.
By the end of her set, I find myself dancing in the back. Yes, I’m dancing by myself, and, yes, I’m a few drinks in, but, no, I don’t care what people think. This girl makes you move, and I’m not going to hold back one bit.
“Now, this is a sight to see,” Atta says as he approaches me, talking shit about my dancing.
“Shut up, fucker, and get out here and shake it with me,” I respond, not missing a beat.
“Yeah, that’s a big fat no. You have fun though.”
I flip him off and continue my moves, hollering out while holding my beer in the air.
After she sings her final song, she sets her guitar down on the stand on the stage and thanks everyone for coming. The applause she receives lights up my entire world.
I remember my mom saying how proud she was when she watched me make great plays in sports when I was growing up, and it’s not until right now that I fully understand what she meant.
Seeing someone you know succeed in this way and sharing that moment with them is the most amazing feeling; it’s truly indescribable how many emotions are running through me right now.
“Thanks for coming out tonight. I really appreciate it,” she says as she moves to leave the stage.
I’m expecting her to head backstage, so I take my last sip of beer and set it on the bar, wanting to go join her, but I’m completely taken off guard when I turn to see her hurrying toward me. She jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me, and kisses me with every bit of her being.
I hold her tight and kiss her back; we create pure magic with our lips, our tongues, and our breath, all moving as one.
She pulls back first, but doesn’t let go of her grip on me. “I can’t believe you did this for me!”
“I did nothing.Youdid this.” I emphasize theyoupart, raising my eyebrows slightly. “All I did was have the flier made. They listened to your music before they even got here. You did this all by yourself.”
She gives me a quick kiss and loosens her grip so she can slide down my body. I reluctantly let her go, keeping one arm around her shoulders, not wanting her to leave just yet.
“Okay, I have to meet the girl who had my brother contacting me for help,” Anaiah says as she approaches us.
“Hi!” Kara says, wrapping her arms around Anaiah in a hug even though they just met.
Anaiah is always one for hugs, so she hugs her right back.
“Thank you so much for helping him. This …” Kara looks around in awe. “I’m just blown away. It really, really means a lot to me.”
“Anything for my brother, but this?” She motions to the crowded bar. “This is all you.”
“Yep, I told her the same thing,” I interject.
“But you two made it happen.” Kara grins at both of us. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Now, it’s Anaiah’s turn to lean in and hug her, and then she points at me. “Make sure you keep me posted as to when her next shows will be. I will definitely come again to watch.”
She waves her goodbye as she goes back to her friends, and Kara turns to me with a squee of excitement.
“I just can’t believe this night.”
I wrap my arm around her waist and bring her into me. “I can’t believe just how talented you are,” I say softly before kissing her again. “Let’s get you a drink to celebrate!”
The smile she gives me just about does me in. This girl will either bethe oneor the absolute death of me, and, boy, am I a sucker, dying to see which one she’ll be.
