As if on cue, when the song comes to an end, the lead singer of the band announces there’s a special performance in store for us this evening. “Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in welcoming a fellow Minnesotan to the stage. Taevin Gray! She’s going to be performing an original song for you all tonight.”
Taevin’s entire body stiffens in my arms. Bending down, I whisper in her ear, “I figured since there’s only two items left on your list now, you should check off performing in front of a crowd.”
“I did when I sang the national anthem at your playoff game, remember?” she hisses through clenched teeth.
“That wasn’t an original song, baby. Remember the addendum you made?”
“Semantics. I can’t believe you did this, Jackson Charles Wilson.”
Oh shit, she just full-named me.
Yeah, I probably fucked up, but there’s no time to waste on that right now.
Guiding her through the rest of the crowd up toward the stage, I lead her to where the bass player is standing off to the side of the stage holding an acoustic guitar.
The new guitar I purchased for her a week ago and have been dying to give her.
It has a matte black body with a glittery black strap that Taevin reluctantly slings over her shoulders after she walks woodenly up the steps to the stage.
She’s shellshocked and I pray to god she doesn’t get stage fright.
Pride expands in my chest as Tae approaches the mic stand. I mirror the deep, calming breath she takes before she searches the crowd until her eyes lock on mine.
“Thank you for having me tonight.” A few whistles give her pause before an enigmatic smile transforms her face. “I’m not gonna lie, I had no idea I’d be performing for you all tonight. But earlier this year, I made a list of things I wanted to do before I go to college this fall. One of the last things on the list was to perform an original song in front of a crowd. So if it’s alright with y’all, I’m going to check this one off the list and play you a song I just finished. It’s called ‘Ensnared Hearts.’”
The crowd cheers when she strums the opening chords of the song, it makes her smile. Their encouragement heightens when she closes her eyes and sings the first lines.
The lyrics are familiar, taking me back to the night she sang them to me just before we made love the first time.
Taevin captivates the audience with her infectious energy just like I knew she would. She’s a natural up there; it’s as if she were born to be on stage.
When she gets to the chorus she first played for me months ago, my chest swells with pride. “It’s a sin and you’re redemption. Strength and beauty tangled tight. Hold me now, pain and protection. Lose myself in sea glass eyes. My heart won’t be contained, I’m yours in every way. Ensnared hearts, you and me. Pull me free, but baby keep your hold on me.”
Stagelights illuminate her petite figure, yet she doesn’t look small right now; in fact, she looks larger than life with the wayshe commands the stage. It’s amazing, actually—the way she’s managed to ensnare the crowd with only her voice and a guitar.
Taevin Gray was born to dazzle the masses, and I’d give up everything if it meant I got to watch her shine like this for the rest of my life.
Taevin
I’m still shaking even an hour after performing.
In front of a crowd.
While playing guitar—a guitar that happens to bemine. Like, whose life is this? And who am I going to have to fight when they try to take it back?
I may have been riddled with nerves and on the verge of throwing up when they first announced my name. But then I got up on stage and looked out at the crowd. And my eyes landed on him.
Jackson was the focal point that kept me grounded during the entire performance. Then when I finished and the band asked if I wanted to perform my favorite song of theirs with them, I glanced over at Jax and his entire aura exuded pride.
I suddenly realized I’d do anything to keep him looking at me like that for the rest of my life.
And now here we are, snuggled in the bed of his brother’s truck with a pile of blankets under a sky full of mesmerizing July stars.
The heat of his chest beneath my cheek, and the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me feels like home.
Jackson is my home.
He rolls me over onto my back and brushes his thumb against my cheek, staring down at me with eyes full of love and longing.
