He lets go of me and guides me to the backstage area so I can get ready.
Joey already has a few bottles of water sitting there for me, but Silas still asks, “Can I get you anything to drink? Maybe a shot to calm your nerves?” He bounces around like he’s nervous.
I laugh out loud at his shot reference. If I had a shot right now, I’d feel way too buzzed to perform. “I’m good. Do you need a shot?”
He places his hand on his stomach. “I might. How come I’m nervous?”
I place a kiss on his cheek. “That’s cute. I like that you’re nervous for me. You can go get something if you want. I’m good back here by myself.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I’m not leaving you until you’re on that stage.”
I kiss him again, then grab my guitar case and open it to make sure everything is in tune, even though I’ve already checked it a hundred times today.
About twenty minutes later, Joey comes back to join us. “How are we doing back here? You ready to go on?”
I smile at him. “I’m ready.”
“Great. I’ll go announce you, then same thing as last time. You do your thing and just let me know if you need anything.”
I stand from where I was sitting with my guitar on my lap. “Let’s do this.”
Joey heads toward the stage, and Silas grabs me one last time.
“Good luck out there.”
We kiss, and I walk out of the room, feeling nothing but confidence racing through me, especially after that kiss.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming out to Ruby’s tonight. I know you’re here for only one reason, so without further ado, everyone, give a warm Ruby’s welcome to Kara Parsons!”
The crowd erupts with people clapping and whistling as I enter the stage, waving at everyone.
“Thank you all for being here tonight! I’m Kara Parsons, and let’s get this show started!”
I strum on my guitar, and the crowd claps even louder.
As I sing the first song, my eye catches Silas at the bar, jumping up and down while screaming at the top of his lungs. Knowing I have his support fuels me even more as I try my hardest to put on one hell of a show.
Once the show is over, I’m both exhausted and so full of energy that I don’t know what to do with myself.
I exit the stage, waving my goodbyes, and when I walk in the back room, Silas is already there, waiting for me.
“You were amazing!” he says with so much excitement as he picks me up and swings me around, making me laugh.
“Thank you!” I say, hugging him tightly. “Thank you for giving me this. Thank you for being here for me.”
He sets me down and looks into my eyes. “This is all you. They are here to see the incredible show you put on.”
He holds my head with both of his hands and kisses me with so much passion that I wish I could rip our clothes off right here and let him have his way with me.
“Okay, you two, no fucking in my back room,” Joey says as he enters the area.
Silas pulls back, laughing. “Way to cockblock, dude.”
He flips him off and comes straight to me. “You did fantastic up there tonight. I think we might have to schedule you for some more shows. People are asking for you to be here more often.”
I smile big at Joey, then Silas. “I’d love that.”
“Our bar would love it too.” He points at Silas. “I have to get back out there, but I’m serious—no fucking back here.” He cracks a smile as Silas slaps his shoulder playfully.
